HOPE, A THING OF THE PAST – A VILLAGE WORTH PROTECTING
The Hidden Leaf Camp
Following the explanation of ninja history, Minato and Kushina decide to get to know some of the villagers. Not only will this help their understanding of history, of what the village has become but it is essential for a Hokage to know their villagers. While the incumbent Hokage is Uchiha Sarada, the 9th Hokage, that cannot detract from the fact that Minato is the 4th Hokage and forever will be. As for Kushina she is the wife of the 4th Hokage, the mother of the 7th Hokage and the nine tails jinchuriki, a truly important member of the hidden leaf village.
Knocking on one door results in a familiar looking face opening it. The long black hair and the shadowy presence indicates to Minato and Kushina that this is a member of the Nara family. The man introduces himself as Nara Shikadai, the latest member of the Nara clan to join an Ino-Shika-Cho formation.
"So, the Nara clan is still faring well" Minato notes with a smile. He recalls the days of growing up in the academy, fighting alongside many brave men and women from the Nara family. It was a clan that had earnt its reputation not only as the hidden leaf's most intelligent clan but also one of the most respected in its history.
"Yes Lord 4th, we have suffered a few… a lot of setbacks because of the war but we are still here, we are still alive" Shikadai answers. It is a painful answer to give, agony wracks his heart as he thinks back to the day Boruto lead an assault on the enemy forces. That day he had primarily taken members of the Nara and Akimichi clans, nobody but Boruto had returned.
"Please don't call me Lord 4th" Minato waves his hand vertically with a tone of embarrassment, "You can just call me Minato".
"I believe my grandfather was friends with a Namikaze Minato" Shikadai points out.
"Shikaku" Minato raises his voice subconsciously as he leans inquisitively towards Shikadai, "Is your grandfather Shikaku?".
Shikadai nods, "That's right… I never met him, he died in the fourth great shinobi war".
Kushina lowers her head, 'They all talk about it, the fourth great shinobi war, as if it was the most important event in history. They all give credit to winning that war to Naruto… just how important was my son'.
"I see" Minato lowers his head awkwardly just like his wife, "I have been told that I was reanimated for the fourth great shinobi war, I'm sorry that I couldn't save him".
Shikadai chuckles at the apology, "There is no need to apologise, that hadn't even happened in your life yet, besides, if not for you and the other Hokage we would never have won the war".
A smile comes to Kushina's face as she rubs her hand along Minato's back. "Good work Minato".
"Thanks" Minato smiles awkwardly, "Though I haven't done anything yet".
"But not everything worked out well" she continues, "We've been bad parents to Naruto and bad grandparents to Boruto and Himawari".
Minato remembers the stories Sakura told them just a few hours ago, of how Naruto grew up in terrible circumstances. He remembers how it was said that Naruto was bullied and abused by the villagers, the same villagers who blamed him for the death of himself, the 4th Hokage. All because of one curse, the nine-tailed fox. It is testament to Naruto that he could do what nobody else could have ever done, taken all that hatred, that curse and turned it into a blessing.
"If I may, you saved Lord 7th's life when he was first born" Shikadai points out as places a hand on the shoulders of Minato and Kushina, "If not for you two he would have never gone on to become the greatest hero this village has ever seen. You had but a few moments to be parents and you raised the finest child this village has ever had".
"I suppose so" Kushina's lips curl as she realises that even to the latest generation Naruto is such an important part of the village.
"You have been given a golden opportunity to unite your family, you should take some time to get to know one another before the war prevents you from doing so".
"That's a good idea" Minato nods, "It would be nice to have a conversation about something other than fighting".
As he looks to his left a nod comes from his wife, "Yeah, Hinata is from the Hyuuga clan isn't she, does she have any surviving relatives?".
"Just one" answers the man from the present, "Her sister Hanabi would be delighted to meet you all but… you see… her husband was the 8th Hokage, he sacrificed his life so that we could make it here".
"I see" Kushina scratches her chin, "You better not say anything to upset her Minato!"
"Me?"
"Can you take us to meet her?".
Shikadai nods with a smile, "Of course, follow me".
Near the Hidden Leaf's Camp
Finding a clearing in the forest, Sarutobi Hiruzen decided that this would be the best spot for some privacy given the circumstances. It was a special occasion after all, it's not very often that you get to meet your grand-daughter for the first time.
The conversation had been nice, Biwako found that she and Mirai had a lot in common. Food, music, art, there were so many similarities in their likes. While Hiruzen found less common ground it failed to detract from his happiness, while he had yet to have children of his own his grandchild was standing before him and she was perfect to him. To see Biwako and Mirai smiling he felt the world was complete.
However, Mirai did find some common ground with the genius shinobi and it was a common ground that was very useful in the present circumstance.
"So you want to spar with me?" Hiruzen asks.
"Yes" Mirai answers as he nods her head like a child, "There aren't many opportunities to spar with anyone around here".
Many would consider it strange that with all the fighting going on in this time that there were so few opportunities to spar. Regardless, the situation is one that Hiruzen is familiar with, spending a prolonged period where you must be prepared for an incoming attack means you should remain in peak condition constantly. This is no longer the case however, because now the village had a multitude of legendary fighters to protect it.
"Especially since you are on the Kage level" Mirai continues, "Sarada's always too busy for sparring".
Hiruzen smiles at the enthusiasm his descendent is showing, "So you enjoy testing your limits too, that's something we have in common".
Biwako sighs as she closes her eyes and shrugs her shoulders, "So our children became fighting enthusiasts just like you Hiruzen".
"My father was quite laid back when it came to fighting" Mirai points out, thinking back to the stories that her mother, Kurenai Yuhi, had told about her father. Apparently, Asuma's demeanour was not that of a battle maniac but was instead more laid back.
"It seems the enthusiasm skipped a generation" Mirai suggests with a shrug of her shoulders and a relaxed smile. "Anyway, I was never told that we had that in common, I have always been told you were very relaxed just like my father".
"Really?" Hiruzen questions with incredulity thick in his voice.
"Only some of the villagers like Lady Sakura remember your reign as Hokage, you were old at that point" Mirai tells her grandfather, "I imagine you had calmed down somewhat in your old age".
"I see" Hiruzen begins before a smile comes to his face, "Then nobody from this time will know of my true power".
"I suppose not".
"Well then… let me show you".
Hiruzen bites his thumb and slams it onto the ground, an inky formation appearing around it as he calls out the words that have become well known within the ninja villages. The words to a summoning jutsu.
As a poof of smoke appears a bulky figure appears with in it before it begins to slowly dissipate. The figure is not that of a man but a monkey. A few members of the older generation might be able to identify him as the monkey king, Enma.
Enma turns his head to look at the 3rd Hokage, his long-time partner. "You look… you look so young" he smiles.
"I'm surprised you are still alive old friend" Hiruzen replies.
"Hmm… my lifespan greatly surpasses yours Sarutobi; are you aware of the attack on this world?".
"Yes, that's why I summoned you" the 3rd declares as he swivels his body back around to face Mirai, "I'm going to have a practice match with my grand-daughter".
"Fighting alongside you again, how nostalgic". Enma thinks back to the last time he fought alongside Sarutobi Hiruzen during the fourth great shinobi war, to the time before that when he gave his life to protect the village from Orochimaru. The latter didn't have a happy conclusion but the former did, the former was supposed to solve all their problems.
Enma changes into his staff form as Hiruzen takes hold of the newly transformed weapon. He and Mirai charge at one another to do battle. A practice match that Mirai had been craving for ages, a spar that Hiruzen always wanted to have. A true source of happiness, an outlet for stress for both shinobi.
As the two engage Himawari approaches the onlooking Biwako. "Lady Biwako, how are you feeling?".
"It's a bit overwhelming, moving to the future, finding out all that is happening" Biwako answers honestly.
Himawari nods, understanding perfectly what the medical shinobi is saying. Truthfully, she herself had wondered earlier just how the Hokage of the past had managed to maintain such a calm attitude, they had been suddenly taken away from important moments in history and thrust into the future. How were they supposed to cope with such stress? Himawari had only one answer in her head, 'It's because they are Hokage'.
"As well as that there are so many people, so many shinobi like you who came after us that we have to learn about" Biwako continues. The hidden leaf contains many clans, more so than other villages. Whether it was the Senju or the Uchiha, the Uzumaki or the Sarutobi, the clans all had proud histories that didn't stop after the deaths of the previous Hokage.
"But… I'm happy to see my husband and my grand-daughter sparring, having fun together" she finishes.
"I see" Himawari smiles.
Meanwhile on the 'battlefield', Hiruzen swings his staff towards Mirai, making sure to hold back so that he wouldn't cause her any serious harm.
Mirai raises her dual chakra blades, weapons left to her by her father and given to her by Nara Shikamaru, a man who was the closest thing she had to a father. She raises the blades to block the staff, a solid thump shaking the surrounding area as the wind on the blades collides with the solid adamantine like material.
As Hiruzen retracts his staff a few stray sparks fly from the edge of the chakra blades. As the sparks move towards the nucleus of the wind energy Mirai comes to a realisation. 'If they react together they will explode'.
As the sparks collides with the nucleus of the wind the fire turns into a blaze, a truly hot inferno. Seeing no other option Mirai extends her chakra towards the blaze, as if to control it. As her chakra connects with the now fiery nucleus, she forces the blaze out of her wind chakra and fires it towards the weaponised monkey.
Hiruzen quickly drags Enma out of the way before he reverts to his monkey form. Standing next to each other, Hiruzen and Enma both wear expressions of astonishment.
'That was' Hiruzen postulates, 'In that moment she...'.
His thoughts are interrupted as Mirai falls to her knees, exhausted from using her chakra in such an unfamiliar way.
"Go Enma" Hiruzen commands, resulting in his summon quickly disappearing.
"Mirai!" Biwako shouts as she runs over to her close relative, Himawari close behind her.
'In that moment she combined the wind and fire, almost like a kekkai genkai; but such a thing. Such a thing should be impossible'.
A Hut in the Hidden Leaf Village
The hut is empty except for a few people who have been summoned from the past. Hatake Kakashi looks at the cards in his hand before resting his chin in his hand. He had not been under the impression that this would be a good way to pass the time, yet it didn't feel good to be proven right.
"I'll bet another fifty points" Tsunade yells as she flaps the cards in her hand about.
Hashirama laughs hysterically, "Another hundred points".
"What are you doing" Mito asks her husband with a tone of suspicion.
"Gambling" Tsunade and Hashirama answer simultaneously.
"Brother, you really have to kick this gambling addiction" Tobirama says with a scolding tone. It has not caused any great financial problems for the Senju clan or even for their family but it was embarrassing to the ever-serious Tobirama for his brother to gamble like a drunkard.
"Don't turn our grand-daughter into a compulsive gambler as well" Mito complains.
"I think it might be a bit too late for that" Dan sweatdrops.
"You mean she already is?" Mito starts.
"She becomes famous for it" Kakashi points out as he looks over to the Uzumaki clanswomen.
"A professional?" Tobirama questions hopefully.
"No" Dan answers, "she always loses".
Another deafening laugh escapes Hashirama's mouth, "So I might finally win this time, who would have known my grand-daughter would be so bad at gambling".
"Laugh it up" Tsunade says as she slams her hand onto the table, making several cracks appear, "Perhaps I'm only bad because of who taught me".
"Well who taught you?" Hashirama smiles.
"You did".
Once again Hashirama's laughs fill the room, "Sounds about right".
Kakashi shakes his head at the bizarre situation he has found himself in, "Another twenty points".
"What are you even gambling over anyway" Tobirama asks.
"That's right, they don't even use money in this time, the war stopped that" Mito points out.
"Whoever loses will owe the winner money when the war is over" Tsunade answers.
"Are you ready Tsunade?" Hashirama asks with a smile.
"Hell yes" Tsunade answers as she slams her cards on the table.
The laughter begins again, his laughter, "I finally won" he declares as he puts his cards onto the table, "all my gambling has finally paid off".
"I'm not so sure" Tobirama replies.
"Huh".
Hashirama's brother tilts his head sideways twice in quick succession, prompting him to look over to Kakashi's hand.
Kakashi shows his hands to the Senju clan members, "Actually it looks like I won".
"I lost again!" Hashirama raises his head to the heavens.
As Mito holds her head in her hands Tobirama makes a serious observation, "It looks like the Senju clan is innately bad at gambling".
"And they summoned you guys to save the village" Mito shakes her head without removing her hands, as if she cannot bare to look.
"Don't worry Mito that gamble will definitely pay off because…".
The entire room looks towards the 1st Hokage, wondering what wisdom he will offer them. What words of encouragement he will come up with in a time that offers no hope?
"Because the 9th Hokage was the one who made this gamble and she's from the Uchiha clan".
As Hashirama once again begins to laugh Dan looks towards Kakashi, "Will this be OK?" he asks.
"Who knows" Kakashi shrugs, "But at least this way I will have some money if it is".