[5 months into the Third Year]
Me and the gang are currently sitting on our table. Well there has been a new addition to the gang in the form of Uchiha Mikoto. Mikoto became Kushina's first female friend in the academy. Tsume was the next one but Tsume already had her clique which shouldn't have been really surprising in hindsight. Inuzuka are very pack oriented and there's no way a girl 2 years our senior won't have her own pack by now. I have to stop myself from assuming that canon holds any value here.
Everyone here is a real person and the people I would have called mob characters have their lives as well. 'Only Canon characters are relevant' is a wrong thing to assume... I try to tell myself this everytime I make a wrong assumption about a 'Canon' character but it's really hard to actually think like that when almost everything I have witnessed till today only shows that mob characters are irrelevant. While I see them as people, I still see them more like Cannon fodder than actual soldiers despite my efforts on the contrary.
Anyways,the friendship between Mikoto and Kushina wasn't really formed by some destiny type meeting. Mikoto is one year older than us and thus in the next class. There was a competition between the two classes in Tajutsu(excluding me of course) as there isn't much improvement in Taijutsu oriented classes in the two batches' curriculum and the instructors wanted to know whether that affected the growth of the students.
Of course I was excluded from the competition as no one wanted to see me humiliate other kids even when I didn't want to do so. Kushina is the fifth rank in only Taijutsu skill if considered Academy wise. The first is of course me, the second is that shit Fugaku, the third is Hiashi and the fourth rank goes to Mikoto.
Kushina lost to Hiashi in the Taijutsu match even though it was definitely quite a close one. Mikoto and Hiashi fought in the finals and Hiashi won by an inch. Kushina was impressed by Mikoto's prowess and invited her to eat lunch with the gang on that day. Mikoto was a little wary but opened up to us after 3-4 days. Part of the reason may be the fucking fantastic food cooked by Mito sama.
By god, that food is heavenly. Even Choza admits that Kushina's lunch is comparable to some of the best things he has ever tasted and getting an Akimichi to admit that is a big deal. *Ahem* Anyways, Mikoto opened up to us. It turns out she is Fugaku's fiancee which isn't... exactly unexpected by me.
She doesn't really want that because she and Fugaku are acquaintances at best and most of the Kunoichi she has seen and looked up to, marry either for love or because the other guy/girl was a good choice. She being a candidate for the clan heir position doesn't have that luxury. She doesn't really like or dislike Fugaku as while he is arrogant, almost everything he does is for the benefit of the clan. Fugaku while extremely arrogant and even rude, has always been hardworking and has a well known desire to have the Uchiha Clan achieve great heights due to him believing that by doing that he helps himself.
Honestly, the guy isn't that bad. It's just he reminded me strongly of Xianxia young masters and that he called me a disgrace to my parents. That's the reason I still hold a grudge over him. He while not as good as yours truly is still a highly talented shinobi.
Mikoto just wants to get out of that mandatory marriage fiasco. She even admits that she wouldn't really have a problem marrying with Fugaku in the future if she actually liked him in the future. It's the mandatory marriage clause that irritates her. Thankfully for her, that Clause is mandated by the wish of the official clan heir. That position can only be permanently claimed by having at least a position as a Special Jonin. The clan heirs in Uchiha clan are determined by their talent and power.
The clan heir is to be the next clan head after all. If the clan head isn't even a Special Jonin then the Uchiha clan would be mocked heavily. Now some might think that why is the requirement not strict enough and why doesn't it require being a Jonin? Well it is because there will definitely be room to grow stronger for the heir and secondly because being the clan head isn't just about Power.
The clan politics is very convoluted and I can safely say that there was a Special Jonin Uchiha clan head 2 generations before. The guy was a great clan head to be honest. His reign was during the time when Tobirama was still alive and kicking. Everyone knows about his dislike of Uchihas and I know how hard it must have been for him.
It was a miracle that the guy was able to get Uchiha clan to not stagnate or get pushed back even more. So, this means that Mikoto has a chance. Special Jonin is also a position that is not really affected by the age of the shinobi. Mikoto is only about 2 and 1/2 years younger than Fugaku so any one of them could get that position before the other one. Of course the current clan heir is the one who is the most powerful kid in their generation i.e Fugaku.
Mikoto therefore hasn't really lost any hope on becoming the Clan head and marrying out of her own desire. It may seem like selfishness to others but Mikoto isn't really trying to disrupt the clan for her own desires. She can donate her egg to get a child from Fugaku if the purity of the bloodline is what the elders are going for but that decision can only be taken by either the clan head or the clan heir.
Well the elders can do that as well by performing a vote on the matter but they won't really get involved in what would be childish shit according to them. Really shows the difference between civilians and ninjas doesn't it? A civilian (I have met lots of them) won't ever donate their reproductive cells for such a thing as they would consider doing that blasphemous while on the other hand Ninja consider this an opportunity to be with their loved ones and have strong kids as well.
Another thing very similar to my world here is the people's beliefs in gods. The pantheon here is a curious mix of Shinto gods and some original ones here. Honestly, I don't think the gods have much authority here as there are powerful entities here like that Sage of Six paths guy. His mother was the most powerful goddess here I think? Ate the chakra fruit and became a divine being after that. Went crazy and her sons sealed her in the moon then...
This world is absolutely bullshit and I still love being here. My friends are here, I get to learn cool shit like Chakra and stuff and most importantly I am useful here. I know that my life has meaning here. I had tried not thinking about this before as I was a pretty much a coward but now that I think about it, it was my nihilistic tendencies that ruined my previous life.
Oh my parents were right bastards as well but most of the other things that went wrong was because of my strong belief that nothing I did mattered. That nihilism was gone by the time I died as it was only a phase of my life but one that ruined almost everything.
When I reincarnated here and got the confirmation that I was in Narutoverse of all places, I tried not to think about anything in the distant future and I tried avoiding making plans about anything due to two reasons:
I knew and I still know that I don't have the necessary power to do anything about important events in the near future.
I was afraid that I would again embrace that nihilism and believe that everything would go according to 'Canon' whether I interfere or not.
Kushina doesn't know it but I owe a huge debt to her. Seeing that Kushina isn't insecure like in the Manga and Anime and that she's a friend of mine when it was explicitly told in canon that she didn't know me assauged my fears.
That was also the reason why I declined being a vassal to the Nara clan. Uncle Shikado was a little disappointed but ultimately didn't think much of my refusal to be their vassal. I considered the pros and cons of the deal and found that the only good thing that can come of the deal was avoiding Danzo but I already accomplished that by being so famous. While I may not be famous among Shinobi much, the clan heirs in Academy already know me enough that I can't just 'disappear'.
The resources provided by the Nara clan would be very few and would only last me in the academy. While I am not sure if I will get in an apprenticeship with Jiraiya or Orochimaru, I am at least sure of the fact that Konoha's upper echelon has at least noticede a little. Otherwise, I don't see why Uncle Shikado would try to recruit an academy kid like me in his clan.
I can at least expect a good Jonin as my teacher... Hey don't be pessimistic!! Be optimistic Minato! You will get one of the Sannin as your teacher!! You have worked for that! Phew...
Anyways, the only reason I would have considered accepting the deal would have been to gain some proof that Canon wasn't fixed...that it could be changed... Now I already have that proof so I politely declined the offer. Shikaku was not aware of that shit till I actually declined and was fucking shocked that I lasted so long in front of his father before saying an incriminating thing. His shocked face was priceless.
Ohh... How could I forget that?? I am an idiot... Apparently Mito sama has invited the gang to her house in the Senju Compound. Shikaku and Choza can't really go as they are the sole heir of their respective clan and it would be disrespectful in the formal capacity to visit a higher up like her in her home without the proper formal procedures. Mikoto can't really go as while the Senju Uchiha rivalry isn't fanon bad, it still exists. Visiting the compound of your rival clan would be very awkward.
So only I will be there for the visit. I don't really think that it wasn't planned. I was definitely her target but for what? I don't really understand. Yes, I am Kushina's friend but so are the others and while I am a renowned prodigy, she was Hashirama's wife and Tobirama's sister-in-law, she has seen her fair share of prodigies.
Well, I will roll with whatever happens when that actually happens. For now, let's enjoy the delicious bento brought by Kushina.
My portion is finished way too fast. I need more!! I see that the main lunch box has some extra fried rice. I move my hand stealthily towards the box and-
Smack*
I turn to see Kushina absolutely livid and the rest of the gang looking at me in pity and exasperation.
"This is the 10th time this month you have done that Minato! You eat more than even Choza! You are banned from my bento for a week dattebane!" I look at her in shock and betrayal. How could she do this to me?*Sad Minato Noises*
My food! It was... innocent. I sit back in my seat sulking while Kushina ignores and Shikaku mentions something about troublesome blondes but I know that must be the imagination of my sulking mind.
As we continue talking about various topics and just generally having fun(or sometimes them making me miserable), an ash blonde haired guy comes up to our table. Huh? It's Inoichi I think... But he looks completely different. His eyes have bags and he looks like he has been in a horrible mood for weeks. He even looks ready to cry. What the fuck happened to him? Wait... I see Shikaku averting his eyes. Did he do something? Was it-
"Please Namikaze I beg of you! Please return me my friends or let me be a part of your group. I don't know what I did to you that you avoid me so much but I will rectify it. I don't wanna be alone anymore. I don't-" His voice cracks at the end of his whisper shouts and he starts to sob. Kushina hugs him and gives me a glare while saying soothing things to the poor guy.
Did I make a kid a social outcast because I was paranoid? Did I just make a kid cry hysterically because I was a self centred shit? Oh God what have I done? I start breathing heavily and I start to become increasingly frantic.
Remembers beating Hiashi, a kid over a small insult
Am I such an asshole? I haven't even apologised to Hiashi for that. I have been a self centred asshole haven't I? This is why I see Not-Canon characters as Cannon fodder don't I? My breathing rate accelerates quickly. How am I different than those Iwa shits then? Has my morality started to become a protagonist type mentality? No...no!! I won't become a monster like those guys. I won't-
Slap*
"Come back you idiot! Can't you see Inoichi here is crying so much. What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you space out now?"
Kushina's slap brings me back out of shitty spiral of thoughts and I realise that Inoichi is still crying. I grimace a little. Kushina looks absolutely livid with me. Mikoto looks like she doesn't know whether to support Kushina or just stay away from the matter. Shikaku looks extremely pale while Choza looks downtrodden and extremely confused.
I give my best impression of a smile(that's obviously fake) and go towards Inoichi. I then pry him out of Kushina's hug carefully under Kushina's scrutiny and hug him. His cries change from the soft sobs of before to hysterical crying
" I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! Please forgive me..."
He is asking forgiveness from me when I should ask that from him. Since when did I become such a dick? No more... I won't be like this anymore. This world isn't my playground where everything I do will just turn out for the best. I will be a better person from now on... But first I have to get this poor guy in a better state.
I end the hug and bring Inoichi face to face with me
"Look Inoichi, it's not your fault. I was a dick to you. My parents told me horror stories of genjutsu specialists and mind readers before they passed away. That's why I tried to be away from you. I...am sorry for everything you had to go through. It's all my fault. You will get your friends back. You will get new friends as well. I can be your friend...if you let me."
Inoichi looked enraged when he got the fact that I avoided him because of horror stories in his head. He then looked resigned and hopeful towards the end. I feel bad for deceiving my friends like this but I can't mention my meta knowledge. Not now, not ever.
Technically it is true. My fear of Yamanakas is due to watching Naruto but Mom and Dad told me about genjutsu specialists and mind readers in their version of horror stories and I was absolutely terrified by that. Mom and Dad must really be disgusted at me right now, won't they?
Inoichi looks like that his opinions are warring inside him. After sometime he finally looks wary but hopeful. He extends his hand towards and says," While...I can't...forgive you this easily Namikaze, I will be your friend. I...may forgive you in the future"
He doesn't know how much that relieved me. My face splits into a beaming smile and I hug the hell out of Inoichi Shikaku looks a little guilty but happy. Choza looks like Christmas has come early while Kushina looks at me in silent approval. Guess I just have to become better...for my friends and...my family.
"Ahem, While I don't want to interrupt your sentimental moment kids, Lunch break has been over for a while. I was waiting till the drama finished but you do have to attend classes *whispers to himself* Fucking kids... Brats get sentimental over anything."
Shit! Looks like everyone has the same expression. That's why Mikoto wasn't showing any outward emotions. Also that Instructor did say something rude at the end... The next target for our pranks is here...
"We will discuss this at my home this evening Inoichi buddy. For now let's hurry up..."
We all run for our classes... Mom, Dad, Shika,Kushina, and all of you, I promise I will be a better person from now on.
A/n: Okay so first of all, I know the character development moment was shit... Yeah I know that before you all curse me. It's the reason why I am a noob! I don't have any experience and that's why I am writing this. So while I would accept your suggestions on how to be better at dialogues and such and even the criticism, I won't accept a comment on the lines of 'This was horrible writing'.
Also I tried to show how the position of clan heir is decided and why Mikoto can't just cancel the marriage. I tried to do some character by introducing Inoichi as the idea by [USER=12853]Marlin/USER] was a brilliant one. I know that it didn't come off as a good one but I needed Minato to be aware that there are consequences and that his actions can be bad as he isn't an all powerful protagonist... Minato beating up Hiashi was a bad thing.
The guy admitted that himself but he ignored that as he didn't want to confront the fact that he was wrong. After this episode, Minato will try to be more like the OG!Minato who was a kind fellow. Oh Minato will still gleefully massacre Iwa nins as that is an important part of his identity but from now on, he will try to be a decent guy.
Also we will be having a meeting with the Uzumaki princess of the previous generation! Let's see how that goes... Do comment on how you would like that meeting going. I may take an inspiration from your ideas. Also the Inoichi part will be expanded on in the next chapter.
If you spot any bullshit plotholes,point them out and I will try to patch them up. Enjoy the chapter!
Goodbye and stay tuned for the next chapter
