MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE – THE FINAL DAY
A Forest, Near the Hidden Leaf Camp
It's the night before the contest. Nobody is training anymore, their fate can no longer be changed, either they are strong enough to win or they are too weak to survive. It has been a hard month for the villagers of the hidden leaf, what was supposed to be a reprieve from the constant attacks of the invading forces had instead become a cascade of difficulties and challenges. To even make it to the contest has been a challenge for some, for Minato it has become an impossibility.
As Uchiha Sarada lays with her back against the branch of a sturdy tree she gazes up into the night sky, contemplating the last month. 'It really has proven Boruto's words to that Captain right. Welcome to despair, welcome to our world'. Suddenly though she begins to smile, 'No, the summoning worked, Lord 7th has come. We have no reason to despair any longer because he will save us'.
It's a perfectly clear night, something very pleasing to the 9th Hokage who would often gaze up at it in her youth. The moon is as big as her hand in front of her face as she looks upon it. This is the moon created by the sage of the six paths, inhabited by his brother and then by his descendants for many years after him. The moon is not only a thing of true beauty but a location rich with history.
"Hey" an unenthusiastic voice calls to Sarada.
The 9th Hokage lowers her eyes from the moon, instead directing them to her side. Sat on the branch next to her is a man clad in deep red armour. She of course recognises him instantly as her oldest predecessor, Senju Hashirama.
"Lord 1st…" she stammers before remembering their promise to address one another on a first name basis. "Sorry, I mean Hashirama. You're back".
"Yeah" he nods, no more cheerily than before. It is clear to Sarada that he is still suffering from the effects of Mito's death. It's hard to blame the 1st Hokage, after all, he had been thrust into the future alongside his wife only for her to die very quickly upon getting here. Mito was destined to live a long life in the past, that has been taken from her.
"Where did you go for so long" Sarada asks, noting that Hashirama had been missing since Naruto's six paths power had awakened. "You had us worried".
"I went to train" he answers honestly, "I had to prepare myself somewhere where I could concentrate, where I could be away from things".
Sarada does her best to smile at Hashirama, though she struggles to do so. In her heart, she had hoped that during his time away, Hashirama might have calmed down, may have started smiling once again and dreaming of a better future. Of course, this is not the case, the 1st Hokage is not smiling and though she cannot tell what he is thinking she can tell what he is not thinking. He is not thinking of a better tomorrow; he is thinking about the pain of yesterday.
"I understand" she eventually offers to him, "It must have been hard for you. I thrust you into the future to deal with a huge problem and you didn't deserve that".
"It's fine" Hashirama offers, his eyes fixed on his raised feet, "I'm a Hokage after all, this is part of my job".
"I guess it is".
An awkward silence begins between the duo. Hashirama is in a terrible position, he doesn't say anything because he doesn't want to say anything, he doesn't have anything he can say to alleviate his pain. His loss is the pain which he wishes would end. Sarada has also lost loved ones since the time-based summoning, however, she has not let it get to her in the same way as Hashirama.
'Is this really the 1st Hokage' Sarada asks herself, 'I was always told he was just like Lord 7th… but Lord 7th wouldn't let this stop him, he would come back stronger and even more lively than ever before'.
The wood-style user suddenly speaks, breaking her from her thoughts, "When I came back I saw you and Boruto arguing".
The last Uchiha lowers her head, "Oh, you saw that did you" she questions.
Her divisions with Boruto are a great shame to her. The two of them have forged a strong bond over many years spent around one another, years where they had nobody else who could understand the pressure and expectation placed upon them. Even Himawari, Naruto's second child didn't have to endure the same pressure, being deemed more like Hinata than Naruto.
Along with that they understood one another's suffering, the absence of their parents. When they were young Naruto and Sasuke both came to understand the difficulty of not having parents, they suffered at the hand of fate. More than that happened though, they learnt that regardless of how you end up in that situation, no matter how a bond is stripped from you it hurts. That same understanding passed onto their children, that understanding passed onto Sarada and Boruto.
"You should cut him some slack" Hashirama suggests.
Sarada turns to look at Hashirama once again, as if to verify he had just said the words that she had heard.
"He was thinking with a clear head" the Senju clansmen raises a hand into the air beside him, "That's something the rest of us refused to do".
"Hashirama…".
"This is a battle for survival, that is a battle that can be won with our brains but not with our hearts".
Sarada lowers her eyes to the ground beneath her. Images pass through her mind, the lessons of the past. Lessons of the way people lived, of Madara, Tobirama, Danzo and Orochimaru. Then lastly of her father. These people have all been taught to be wrong in history yet they operated with their brains. One man had not acted according to brains but always according to heart, only one man had always done his best to do what he believed was right. Uzumaki Naruto was that man. It was Naruto, not Sasuke, who has gone down in history as the greatest hidden leaf shinobi.
"Forgive me Lord 1st" Sarada frowns to her predecessor, "But that is something I cannot agree with".
"That's good" Hashirama smiles, "It's people with good hearts like you that Boruto wants to protect".
"…".
"Perhaps Boruto believes that as long as you survive then the goodness in our hearts will live on too" Hashirama continues.
Sighing, Sarada finally sees where the 1st is coming from, "Maybe I was too harsh on him".
"It's at times like these where we need those we love more than ever".
"Those we love" Sarada repeats before going a deep shade of red.
Hashirama sits up, turning his head to face his 8th successor. "Are you and Boruto not…".
"No" she snaps quickly, "No, we are just friends".
"I see" Hashirama's head returns to its resting place as his blasé attitude comes back to him, "I was mistaken about that then but there are some things I am certain of".
"You have to survive this contest Sarada because if you die, his hopes and dreams may die with you".
The 1st Hokage finally rolls himself off the branch he is sitting on, plummeting to the floor below. Placing his hands into his pockets and beginning a long, slow stroll back towards the village.
"Hashirama".
The long-haired man turns to look at Sarada once more.
"The hidden leaf village was a dream. Dreamt of by two young children, one of those was my ancestor and the other one was you".
"I know you may be tempted to give into despair but you have to keep fighting".
"If not for your dream… then for his".
A small smiles creeps onto the face of the former 'young child'. "Don't worry Sarada, I have no intention of letting the village die".
Hanabi's Hut, The Hidden Leaf Camp
A temporary residence created by Hashirama, this is the 'house' registered to Hyuuga Hanabi. Of course, that means another member of the Hyuuga clan is resting here temporarily. Hyuuga Hinata has decided to spend as much time as possible with Hanabi given that the other members of her family are busy.
As she thinks to the other members of her family, a knock comes at the door.
Hanabi stands up from her seat at the table to answer it.
"Naruto" she smiles, "It's so good to see you are doing well".
"Thanks Hanabi" Naruto smiles in return while scratching the back of his head.
His expression quickly turns more serious though, "If you don't mind me asking… about Konohamaru, have you…".
Nodding, Naruto's sister-in-law replies, "I buried Konohamaru. A lot of the villagers have been to pay their respects to him".
Despite the chaos that has ensued since the Hokage of the pass came to the present, many villagers have that man, Sarutobi Konohamaru in the forefront of their mind. If Konohamaru and Sai had not given their lives to hold back the forces of the enemy, they would not be here right now. The odds are that the enemy would have pursued them and that Sarada would not have been able to hold them off for long. Indeed, they would likely be dead.
"Good" Naruto nods briefly, "I will go to him after the contest, I'll go and tell him how his bravery saved us".
Hanabi has seen what Naruto and Hinata have not, she has seen years of the 7th Hokage's reign and how the people of the hidden leaf village adore him. To hear him say these words brings a smile to her face, "Thank you Naruto".
They share a smile before Naruto changes the subject, "Is Hinata here?".
Hanabi gestures Naruto to sit at the table. A near featureless hut with only a table and a few sheets inside, it cannot be described as luxury but it can be described as homely. Naruto follows Hanabi's gesture and sits opposite Hinata.
"I'm going to go and get some fresh air" the elderly Hyuuga smiles as she leaves her sister alone with her future husband.
"Do you feel ready for tomorrow?" Hinata asks.
"Yeah" Naruto nods confidently, "Are you coming with the others to watch the action".
"I wouldn't miss it" she answers, "We've put enough work into preparing you".
"Thank you for all your hard work" Naruto bows as he slaps his hands together".
"Not a problem".
For a while they discuss what they have been doing and the progress of Naruto's training. According to the man himself, he has reached a level even higher than when he fought Kaguya. Despite the absence of the tailed beasts, his physical training, his comprehension of chakra, his senses, all these things have been improved upon many times.
Then Naruto, brings up something else.
"I was walking through the village… well the camp, I met an old friend. It was Ayame".
"Ayame's still alive" Hinata smiles brightly.
"Yeah" Naruto nods, "Though her father died a few years ago. It was natural causes".
"At least it was peaceful" the Hyuuga clanswomen sighs.
"Anyway, I spoke to Ayame and she said she can still make some great ramen". Naruto loses himself in the past for a moment, thinking of all his favourite ramen dishes and how it felt like so long since he had eaten any. He had been through jinchuriki training, the 4th great shinobi war and now this invasion in the future and hadn't had any ramen along the way.
"I was wondering" Naruto begins, his eyes darting nervously around the room, "After the contest, if we survive uh… would you like to get some ramen together".
Hinata smiles brightly and nods. "I would love to Naruto".
"Great" the 7th Hokage smiles in return, "I'll pay of course… somehow… with uh… I'll earn some money".
"I'm sure you will find a way" Hinata giggles as she witnesses Naruto's spiralling confusion.
Hinata walks Naruto the door and they exchange quick goodbyes. The blonde shinobi is reluctant to part though, looking into Hinata's eyes he sees concern. It begins to dawn on him that he may never get to eat ramen with her. He may never get to know his children, everyone in this new world that he loves and that he cares about, they may well all die tomorrow.
Eventually, Naruto decides against going and hugs Hinata tightly.
"Good luck Naruto" she whispers in his ear.
"Thank you".
Minato and Kushina's Hut, The Hidden Leaf Camp
A knock comes on the door. Just as agreed earlier in the day.
Kushina answers the door to see a boy with smooth blonde hair. Hair that is very familiar to her, a shade that has passed down from Minato, to Naruto and finally to this man. Though he is similar in age to her he is in fact her grandson from the future, Uzumaki Boruto.
"Hello Boruto" she nods to him, "Please come in".
"How is he" Boruto asks as he enters. Boruto is of course referring to his grandfather who had endured an attack from a captain wielding a poisonous blade. A poison so deadly that no medical shinobi in the village can cure it.
"Come and see for yourself" Kushina replies as she walks Boruto over to Minato's bed. Despite her civil attitude she still holds a degree of resentment towards Boruto in her heart. They may be related by blood and share a clan name but they are from different times. And the latter is a man who suggested leaving her husband to die.
Minato grunts in pain as the poison once again acts to hurt him. "Hello Boruto".
"Hi grandfather" he smiles to the 4th Hokage.
There is an irony in that if Boruto was the 9th Hokage, his order may well have ended Minato's life. However, the reason Boruto decided against becoming the Hokage is that his father and grandfather had already become the Hokage, it was too boring a path to walk for him. By making that path boring, Minato saved his own life.
"Kushina, could you give the two of us a moment alone?".
"Of course" the red-headed grandmother nods, "I'll be just outside if you need anything".
The grandson and grandfather keep their eyes fixed on one another as they wait for the sound of the door closing.
Finally, the door closes. "Boruto…" Minato starts.
"I'm sorry" the 'shadow Hokage' cuts his grandfather off.
"I'm really sorry for what I did. I didn't want you to die but I… but I…"
"I did what I thought was best for the leaf's survival. I did what I thought was best to protect the will of fire".
"I wanted so badly for the village to survive and I…".
Minato chuckles lightly, interrupting Boruto's rambling. "It's fine he says".
Boruto starts at his grandfather's reaction. But a few weeks ago, Boruto himself had called for his death, for the 1st Hokage to give up on saving Minato's life and instead focus on training for the tournament. That had proven to be the wrong call and yet Minato isn't angry about it at all.
"We all act in different ways and it's our combined thinking that brings us to the best result" Minato smiles, "Now, more than ever before, we have to work together".
"Don't feel guilty for having a different point of view Boruto, that is what is necessary to make a sensible decision".
Boruto clenches his fist, trying his best to avoid tearing up. "Thank you, gramps".
"I've been talking with Hiruzen" the 4th Hokage explains in a sudden change of subject, "We've talked about my vacant spot in the contest".
"He's willing to compete right" Boruto goes wide as he gets to his feet.
The thought of Hiruzen refusing to compete is absolutely horrifying at this point. In everyone's mind, the 3rd Hokage's participation is the only thing that can save them now, the last truly strong shinobi amongst a group who couldn't quite reach the level above Kage.
"He is" Minato nods, "But we've discussed an even better option".
"Boruto, I want you to take my place".
"Me" Boruto's entire body loosens up as he stares at his grandfather in surprise, "But, I'm not a Hokage".
"Neither is Mirai" the yellow flash smiles.
"I've been making these controversial remarks though" Boruto continues, "I've been stepping on toes".
"I just told you" Minato adopts a faux-irritated tone, "It is important for somebody to do what you have done".
"I'm not as strong as Lord 3rd".
"The mark of a shinobi is not how many jutsu he knows. The mark of a shinobi is how much he has had to endure". The 4th Hokage echoes the words of his sensei, of the toad sage of the legendary sannin, Jariya.
"Boruto" he continues, "Your grandmother and I, we believe in you, your parents do to".
"Gramps…".
"Please do it for me" Minato asks as he grabs Boruto's black jacket sleeve, "Protect my village… protect my dreams".
Boruto continues to gaze at his grandfather in disbelief. Hiruzen, Tsunade, Dan, his grandmother, he considers these people all of whom would be just as qualified to compete in the contest. Yet his grandfather, the man whom he tried to condemn to death, is begging him to compete in this contest, to take on the odds, to fight so many levels above himself and to win.
Sighing he responds. "OK, I'll compete for you".
"I'll protect the village".
The night before the contest begins, the final team is finally ready to face the invading forces.
Senju Hashirama, the 1st Hokage who had lost a loved one to them.
Senju Tobirama, the 2nd Hokage who had been unable to protect those he cared about.
Hatake Kakashi, the 6th Hokage who deeply resented his inability to fight with his comrades.
Uzumaki Naruto, the legendary 7th Hokage, who had risked his life to obtain his power of old.
Uchiha Sarada, the 9th Hokage who had lost both her parents to unlock the power of her rinnegan.
Sarutobi Mirai, the woman who had watched for years unable to save her dying friends, finally unlocked her hidden powers.
Lastly, Uzumaki Boruto. The man who nearly condemned his grandfather to death, only to take his place at the last minute.
As the sun rises on the fateful day the moth of tribulations draws to a close. Against all the odds, the shinobi of the hidden leaf emerge from that month stronger than they went in.
In this moth has the impossible become possible?
Author Note:
Hi All,
That concludes part 2 of to the future, Making the Impossible Possible.
I will of course do my best to plan out part 3 and return to writing it as quickly as possible.
I hope you have enjoyed the story so far and will return to reading it when I bring you part 3.
You have all been very supportive of this story and as always I would like to thank you for that.
I'll see you soon.
Thanks for Reading,
Me