Yesterday was a good one. The boys and me ate ramen with Kushina at Ichiraku's and I even got into a competition with Kushina on who eats the most ramen. Honestly, that girl is very competitive. When she lost the race to Ichiraku Ramen, she was quite frustrated and I actually felt bad for her. So I allowed her to punch me. Her face lit up like it was Christmas and...then she punched me with all her power. Turns out that Kushina was the best Uzumaki in her generation and Uzumaki are very good at punching things... She knew how to throw a mean punch man...Ow!! My cheek still hurts. Now many people would think that how the hell did you get hurt by a punch from a 9 year old. My answer would be FUCK you! While my pain tolerance is very high due to my Taijutsu training with the Instructor, I don't have regeneration.
That is why even though teacher trained me to the ground, he never actually damaged anything. Regeneration is a very uncommon thing in shinobi. While Shinobi recover very quickly, it's because of medical Jutsu. The medicine of this world is generations ahead my previous one but so are the poisons and diseases. Most of the diseases in the Elemental Nations nowadays are actually man made ones. So where was I? Ah yes that mean punch... Uzumaki have bodies that are geared towards endurance battles and having more strength than others. I took her powerful punch and didn't move at all but I know that the punch was harder than any other punch I had received other than my Taijutsu teacher's punch.
She cooled down after that although she did become suddenly afraid of us shaking her off after punching me. Looks like she is hotheaded and afraid of losing friends. We had the ramen eating competition in which the loser had to pay the money. Choza joined in as well while Shikaku stayed far far away from the competition as it was far too 'troublesome'. Oh well, fortunately I won. I had to eat till I was sure I would puke but I won. Turns out regular exercise and training for 3-4 years makes the metabolism fast. Kushina's ramen addiction got her far but Choza was an Akimichi. All three of us ate almost 13 bowls of ramen. Alas Choza is still an Akemichi so Kushina lost to Choza who almost completed the 13th cup while Kushina was only able to start it. I won by completely eating the 13th one. I know I would definitely have puked if it went on even for another cup.
Say whatever you want to about Kushina,she is certainly passionate. Not long after that competition finished, we started pranking people again. After we finished playing and were about to head home,Kushina did an ...interesting thing.
*Flashback no Jutsu*
The sun is setting and it looks beautiful. Most of the people in the modern world won't be able to see this beautiful sight.The sight of the sun setting when seeing it from a high place(trees) is mesmerizing. I had a lot of fun today. Kushina is an unexpected addition to our group but a welcome one nonetheless. She adds that hyperactive energy to the group that we most certainly were missing as Choza is much more interested in Snacks than actual planning and while Shikaku is invested in the pranks, he doesn't have that vibe going on about him and I am mostly like Shikaku except I show that I am having fun so yeah having Kushina with us would be a good decision.
I turn towards Kushina and say,
"Ah" "Ah"
"You go first Kushina"
"No you go first Minato"
"No no you can go first"
"No YOU go first dattebane!!" Kushina says after raising her fist.I raise up my hands in a placating gesture and tell her,
"Okay fine... I am going first.. So you know we,I mean Shikaku,Choza and me had a lot of fun with you and...you know we are hoping that you would be our friend.." I glance over to Shikaku and Choza and yes they were nodding so no miscommunication here..
Kushina suddenly points her finger at me and says,"NO!" The fuck? Why did you yell that Kushina? And did I do something wrong? Shikaku and Choza also look dumbfounded. Before anyone of us could reply, Kushina hurriedly says,"No I mean yes.. no I mean...Ugh.. What I want to say is that I won't be your friend you yellow haired pretty boy! I will be the Hokage and I will top the Academy! I will be your RIVAL dattebane!"
I was even more dumbfounded. Since when did Kushina become a shonen protag? Oh fuck... Naruto would have been her son and he was said to be like her.. FUCK! Actually calm down... Maybe this won't be as bad as I am making it to be. Maybe we will just have healthy competitions. Eh...Fuck it! Kushina looks fairly embarrassed by her slip of tounge but oh well...
I raise my hand towards her for a handshake and say with a smile," Challenge accepted my Rival! Be sure to try everything you can as beating me is a very hard task. I would look forward to your performance!"
Kushina suddenly gained a determined glint in her eye and grabbed my hand with both hands and started shaking it. She then tells me whilst shaking my hand," I will beat you my Rival! Just you wait dattebane!"
On the side Shikaku and Choza look both relieved and exasperated. And that is how I met my Eternal Rival!
*Flashback no Jutsu end*
That was... intense to say the least. After that we all went home but I saw that everyone looked a bit happier than before. OG!Kushina was having difficulty making friends I think? Why? Because children are dumb fucks and discriminate against anyone they can but still she gained some friends yesterday and others gained a new friend as well. Now I am getting ready for my meeting with Shikaku's dad. Man, meeting with the intelligence head of your vilage is an intense feeling. If I was the guy in my previous life then I would have fainted by now but all those lessons in Etiquette and all that training did help a lot. My confidence has improved a lot and I wouldn't really have been able to tell if this meeting wasn't about to happen. Really shows how much a person doesn't notice the changes occurring in themselves.
I remember all the etiquette lessons regarding the Nara. Never look a Nara in the eye when you are a guest as that is perceived as an intellectual challenge. Well you can if you are that intelligent or just that dumb but it isn't recommended. Secondly, greet them with the standard greeting but don't be overly formal with it. Most Nara hate formality until strictly necessary. Thirdly, DON'T challenge a Nara to a Shogi match if you are there for some form of negotiations. Most people play a match of Shogi or anything they like during negotiations to make the mood in the room lighter but when you are playing Shogi with a Nara, the game would much more be like a political battlefield as Nara are in their element the most during this time and they are expert in mind games. If a Nara asks for a match of Shogi, politely decline and continue with the actual talk.
Honestly I have no intentions of trying to win a match from the head of the Intelligence department. I haven't even beaten the guy's kid consecutively for more than 3 times before and I would pick a match with him? That's what idiots do and I am NOT an idiot. Period.
I wear my White jacket over my green T-shirt. I see myself in the mirror and give myself a thumbs up. I then head towards the Nara Clan Compound.
*Timeskip brought to you by Chibi Minato flying away*
I sit in the guest room waiting for Shikaku's dad and just take a moment to admire the beauty of the craftsmanship. Sure, in my world we had better machines to deal with construction and things but the artistry of the things made by human hands is on another level. In my previous world, this whole compound may as very well have been sold to the topmost rich people in the world. Really shows how much work and planning was done in making the clan compounds present in Konoha. As I take my time to admire the artistry, Shikaku's dad enters the room. I try not to tense but his whole posture just screams at me that I can't hope to defeat him. I tense imperceptibly but force myself to relax...
What the fuck was that? I haven't developed a sixth sense like that have I? But then it should-
"Good morning Minato! I would like to welcome you in my house. How has your day been?" He smiles like there is nothing wrong with the situation and as if he was sitting in the sun's shade listening to music. There's... Wait a second, why am I tensing this much? This is my friend's home and I am in a safe zone. Ohh.. of course that DANGER signal to my instincts must be setting me off..
"My day has been wonderful Sir." I say offering a smile.
His smile widens considerably and he says,"Well certainly it must have been a good one otherwise I don't think you wouldn't be tense right now just after I dosed a little bit of my killing intent in the room." I jolt a bit immediately. The fuck? Why did he use his killing intent? Is this a meeting or an interrogation? Oh... Shit! I forgot about the ninja sensibilities. He hasn't actually done anything to me other than test me. Otherwise I would have been dead or suffocating. Ok ok cool down...
"The hell sir? Why the hell did you use your killing intent on your son's friend. Are you unhinged or something?" Fuck!! Why did I say that? Where's my brain to mouth filter?
"Hahahahahahaha..." I see Shikaku's dad laughing uproariously. I give him a look I am sure wouldn't look out of place on a constipated guy.
"Sir?.." "Oh yeah! Sorry for that but most conversations between Shinobi work with them releasing a bit of their intent. It actually gives a very rough estimate of the other guy's strength. A rough one but still an estimate. I released that killing intent to remove your inhibitions while talking as the brain defaults to mostly speaking without any reservations at that point but you proved to be a stubborn one and kept a grip on your words. That was certainly something. Looks like you live upto your title of a prodigy Namikaze Minato." His eyes sharpen a little while saying my name and I feel very uncomfortable here.
I feel a bead of sweat on my forehead at his casual admission of how shinobi conversation with people normally go. That's weird but so ninja like. I should remember this. Wait... Is he giving me advice? Was that all there is to it? It wasn't an interrogation?
"Yes it wasn't an interrogation and no I didn't read your mind. It is the most frequent question formed in a shinobi's mind when confronted with the fact that the killing intent they were on the other side of wasn't used as some sort of psychological or real life weapon. When your instincts scream at you to flee or fight and you don't see how either of the two could happen, this is the response. Also don't call me sir. Call me Uncle or something along the line"
I flinch a little as he elaborates on the topic. He is actually teaching me but why? Maybe because I am Shikaku's friend? Should I have known these things beforehand? My confusion must have shown on my face as Shikaku's Dad Uncle stops sipping his tea and opens his mouth to say," Yes you should have known those things by now but you didn't because you aren't a clan ninja and because you didn't have anyone teach these things to you. You may be a prodigy but some of the small and important things come to a shinobi either through experience or being taught by their elders. These small things are never taught at the academy because well... many civilian raised and clan less ninja are in the academy and these things require fortitude cultivated through the years. Yes... Shikaku has undergone the same treatment as well. Now, I will be sipping my tea and give you some time to digest what you heard."
Huh? That was a lot to take in. As Uncle Shikado- Yeah that's his name- sips on his tea, I start to actually understand how scary he is. I have seen Death Note and some of the deductive leaps taken by the main characters seemed dumb even though they were proven right afterwards. I always thought that it was because of plot but seeing a man as scarily intelligent as Uncle Shikado, I am starting to see how high IQ makes people fucking scary. It isn't even that he was trying to actually scare me but fucking hell. The man almost guessed and provided answers for every question I had. I do not for a bit believe that he has done this before on anyone other than Shikaku. He can't actually be as experienced in this thing as he is trying to show. That means that he actually deduced most things from my behaviour and answered them at his own discretion. That's scary as fuck.
Now I actually understand why a Shogi game with a Nara isn't recommended. If I had been arrogant and tried to use my meager skills against him, I would be more in the hole of mind games than I already am. I learnt my lesson after being thrashed by my Taijutsu teacher. The Minato before that might have challenged Uncle Shikado in his false sense of superiority but I certainly fucking won't.
Also why did Uncle Kazuta not teach me about this? Wait... He must have no idea how to teach anything.. Teaching to shinobi isn't something that comes naturally. People have to work hard at being a Teacher. Uncle Kazuta is just a High Chunnin. He certainly wouldn't have had that expertise... So that's why... Hmm... But why is Uncle Shikado referring to clans so strangely. Strange... definitely strange.
All this information is giving me headaches. I visibly sigh and proceed to say," Thanks for the advice Uncle Shikado but can you please elaborate why you called me here as I don't believe a high ranking officer has so much free time that he would waste it on an academy student, son's friend or not."
Uncle Shikado's eyes narrow slightly and the corners of his mouth upturn. During my contemplation earlier I had deduced that this wasn't just a meeting with his son's friend otherwise he would have advised me on those matters. His motive is something very different and I don't have a fucking clue as to what.
"Perceptive, are we? Very well, while I was having fun teaching and pranking a kid other than Shikaku, we have to move on to important matters." Wait what? The whole time he was just pranking me? Fuck!! And I was mistaking him for macheavellian mastermind. Fucking Naras! That's why the fucker loved the pranks so much, isn't it? Must have felt cathartic to actually prank people and not be pranked by his serious looking Dad. My expression couldn't have been more deadpan.
"Oi! Oi! Don't look at me like that. I gave you valuable advice didn't I? The pranks were just the payment." On one hand, I am proud of him as a fellow prankster as the prank he pulled off right now were just on another level and on the other hand, I want to kick him in the nuts.
Uncle Shikado looks a little embarrassed but then coughs into his hand and then becomes entirely stoic and serious. I straighten up a little and become serious as well as the time for jokes is apparently over.
"So I called you here as after looking through your ancestry... Oh.. Don't look like that. You have a very uncanny intelligence. People would investigate something like that. So... After looking through your ancestry, we found that your great grandmother on your father's side was a Nara and while the Nara gene isn't as dominant as let's say a Hyuga or an Uchiha's gene, it is still fairly visible. Your father was quite intelligent for his age and you I am sure inherited and fully used that Nara gene. So, the crux of the matter is that the Nara clan would like you to be our vassal. Of course I would give you time to decide on whether or not you want to become a Nara Vassal and I would give you a list of pros and cons but I have given you the offer and that advice before? That is one of the smallest benefits offered if you become a Vassal of ours."
I digested that information and was not sure what to think about it. On one hand, I could get protection from Danzo and his shadiness(though I don't know how he operates here) but on the other hand, I have to be under the Nara clan. Well I would think about it afterwards. For now let's enjoy the tea and squeeze some valuable lessons from Uncle Shikado...
A/N: So yeah.. This happened. Don't worry he won't join Naras as a vassal but I had to show that this happened. Ninjas by their very nature can't be altruistic unlike they are special outliers like Naruto. Everyone has an agenda. We have seen Shikado defend Minato in the council but it wasn't just for a petty reason like him being Shikaku's friend.
While it wasn't shown in the council meeting due to all people there being veterans, Naras are master manipulators. Shikado actually enjoyed pranking Minato but he gave him those small lessons to implant the necessity of being under a clan. He then got Minato to actually believe that those were pranks and just a method to teach some important things to his son's friend. It was a subtle manipulation that would prevent Minato from connecting the start of the conversation with the offer laid out to him until and unless he is shown that directly.
Don't get me wrong! Shikado won't actually force Minato as pressganging a future S class shinobi into your clan is stupidity and Shikado isn't stupid but he would do many things to stack the odds in his favour. Speaking of which, how do you all like 'Eternal Rival' Kushina. Of course I won't make powerful than Fugaku as that would be just making the guy and others look unnaturally weak. The other clan studens in the academy are while not freaks like Minato, still fairly powerful. Kushina would actually have to earn her place as Minato's rival. Fortunately, she is a 9 year old with abandonment issues and a highly competitive spirit so she would definitely be joining Minato's regimen sooner or later.
Next two chapters would cover the third year of the academy. Also, Marlin I am not including Inoichi anywhere as I don't know how to portray him at all. Shikaku is basically a Pre-shippuden Shikamaru except he procrastinates a lot less. Choza is just a ball of happiness and I would actually invest in Kushina's character due to her being the love interest. Inoichi hasn't actually been shown to be important in the previous wars and he is tough to write so I try to not include him.
Also, I will be getting Minato an apprenticeship as having teammates doesn't really make sense for my fic's Minato. OG!Minato yes, but the Minato here can hand any Academy student's ass while blindfolded. Having him in a team would just give his teammates inferiority complex or they would too much be like background characters.
Anyways, enjoy the chapter. If you spot any bullshit plotholes, inform me. I will patch them up. Here's the discord server's link if you want to contribute to the story or just chat normally:
https/discord.gg/72vandfbmG
Goodbye and stay tuned for the next chapter.
