Chapter 24: Miniko's Lowest Point
AN: Ok so this chapter has been sitting on my laptop for the better part of the year and to be completely honest I'm quite ashamed at my inability to post this chapter in a timely manner. This chapter has been reworked more than a dozen times and that is in part why it's been pushed back as much as it has. Another reason is just being unsure where I wish to take the story. So I wholeheartedly apologize for the absolutely unacceptable long wait and I hope you enjoy it when it is posted for you all to hopefully enjoy.
AN2: Ok so the latter third or so come out fairly easily. I just felt like it was time I stopped pussyfooting around and finally get to some actual training with the man. So the next chapter will likely be the big reveal and the fallout of said reveal. And again I'm sorry for the super long wait. Half a year is far too long for a new chapter and I hope I can make the next one far faster.
A week had already passed since Sakura had last spoken to Naruto and while he would occasionally shoot a quick glance her way he never once spoke to her about what had happened that day in the hospital's waiting room. That fact alone had made the pink-haired girl feel sad and yet try as she may she could never find the nerve to go up and speak to him about it. It was as if a great divide had suddenly formed between the two of them and that thought alone terrified her to her core. Miniko for his part could only eye the girl with pity but he knew he could do nothing for her. This was a matter between the two that they would need to resolve themselves. He, of course, wished the two the best of luck in resolving the matter but getting involved would only cause more problems down the road. He had no doubt they would in time resolve the matter but that didn't seem to be happening anytime soon. It was in this mess of feelings that Kakashi entered the training ground and started to issue out orders for the day. A fact that Naruto seemed all too happy to do seeing as it meant Sakura would be far too busy doing her tasks then bugging him about what he had said to her a few days before. For Sakura, it was just one more thing that was stopping her from understanding her sun-kissed face enigma of a teammate.
A few hours later Sakura was knee-deep in the somewhat cool water of the Kushiro river as she busily fished out soda cans and discarded fast-food containers. It seemed the village had stopped caring about ensuring this part of the village was taken proper care of and it showed in the piles of trash that littered the area. Sasuke for his part was busily filling up a bag while Naruto was sent to empty out his own set of trash bins which meant he was a good dozen or so feet away. It was at that time that Miniko walked up to the girl and struck up a conversation. Something that had taken her totally by surprise as he hadn't seemed all too eager to do so in the past few days.
"You still hoping he'll talk to you about what happened that day"? Miniko said which, in turn, made her eyes grow wide in surprise.
"I...was hoping he would but he doesn't seem to want to talk to me anymore". Sakura said as she picked up another can and placed it inside her bag. At this Miniko only nodded his head in understanding.
"There is much you don't know about your teammate Sakura-chan. His life has been far from an easy one. It is a failure of our people. We see only what we wish to see and dismiss whatever is inconvenient to us. The fox attack cost us many lives. Pain is a powerful motivator for hate". Miniko said as he eyed the river as it made its way towards the commercial district. Sakura couldn't help but to eye the man beside her with an expression of clear confusion. It was a feeling she had been feeling increasingly more frequently over the past few days and one that didn't seem to be stopping in its occurrences anytime soon.
"I don't understand," Sakura said as she continued in her duties of cleaning up the local area. It was going to be a multiday long mission and one that sadly wouldn't pay all that much seeing as it was but a lowly D-rank. "What does the fox attack 13 years ago have to do with Naruto-kun"?
"Everything...it sadly has everything to do with Naruto-kun". Miniko said as he looked down watching as she placed yet another can inside the black bag. A mixture of anger and sadness could be seen on his face and he wasn't sure what feeling was worse. The anger at his own weakness or sadness that his grandson had suffered because of it. But in the end, he was here now and that would have to do. Even so, he could tell his answer only made the pinkett even more confused.
"W...what but how"? Sakura asked as she had now stopped in her collection of soda cans and fast food containers in favor of listening to his answer to the question. To her, this was of far more importance than some old empty soda cans or fast food containers. Miniko seeing this could only close his eyes and sigh dejectedly.
"It isn't my place to answer that question Sakura-chan. Just know this Naruto-kun has suffered greatly over his life and the very last thing he needs right now is more problems. As his teammate, I hope you'll be by his side helping him face the challenges that lay ahead of him. Sage knows he has faced his fair share of challenges already". Miniko said as he turned away and walked back to the ever-shifting shadows of the trees. A few hours later Kakashi called them back and dismissed them all for the day. Once gone Kakashi eyed the elder man before sighing deeply.
"How much longer will you hide Miniko-sama"? Kakashi asked as he faced the man. His small orange-colored book nowhere in sight proof this was a matter of great importance to the masked man.
"I failed him Kakashi. I ran away and hid from the world and because of that failure my grandson suffered for years. If I tell him I fear what he may think of me". Miniko said as he felt every bit the failure he saw himself as.
"Naruto isn't like that. He'll forgive you...he'll understand that you didn't know. You said it yourself the boy has suffered greatly over the years. How much more suffering do you think he should have to take before he is told of his family"? Kakashi asked with a bit of anger clear in his tone.
"I...I can't...not yet". Miniko said weakly to the masked man before him. Kakashi for his part only turned and walked away. It was clear he had failed again and likely lost any respect the masked ninja had for him. When he was no longer in sight Miniko fell to the ground with hot tears running down his tanned face. But it was from this that he made his decision. He would reveal himself to his grandson. He would be there for his grandson and lastly, he would train his grandson to be the greatest ninja the world had ever seen. This he swore to his dying day. Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze would be a name respected the world over or his name wasn't Miniko Namikaze, father to the greatest Hokage in the village's long history Minato Namikaze. His days of hiding away were done and he would reveal himself again as the premiere seal master of the world.