Chapter 2—Celebration
The next day was celebration day.
After finding out that Minato had woken up, the whole village had gone crazy with relief. The days of mourning the Yellow Flash were officially over.
That morning, Minato had woken up to find happy villagers gathered outside his house, waiting for him to show himself. Kushina and Naruto were conspicuously gone.
Minato got washed up and fully dressed before exiting his house. As soon as his feet touched the ground, the villagers swarmed him and carried him on their shoulders, dragging him towards the center of town. Their cheering was so loud that Minato's ears were ringing.
As he reached the center of Konoha, he recognized some familiar faces: Rin and Kakashi, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Ibiki, Fugaku Uchiha and his wife, Mikoto were there with their son Itachi and their infant Sasuke, and even Jiraiya had shown up. Minato looked out and saw Sakumo Hatake standing a good ways off from his son, looking at Rin and Kakashi with a wistful smile.
The celebration was just what Minato needed to lift his heavy heart. He couldn't help but be infected with everyone's joy, especially when it was so obviously directed towards him. He felt fortunate to be admired by so many people.
Suddenly, he was lowered to the ground in front of a raised platform. The villagers looked at him eagerly.
I guess they want a speech… He thought to himself.
He stepped onto the platform and cleared his voice. "First off I would like to thank all of you for coming, and for being there for my family when I was… gone. I owe you all very much.
"I know you were all worried, and I promise to try and avoid comas for the next few years." The crowd laughed. "But, on a serious note, I have to confess to you all that I don't have any plans of becoming Hokage again. To be perfectly honest, I'm not as strong as I was, and on top of that, my family needs my attention right now. I'm sorry, but I can't be your leader." The crowd protested loudly, saying that he was fine, that he was the best Hokage, but he was not and could not be persuaded.
"I won't be your hokage; however, I nominate Sakumo Hatake to take my place as the Fifth Hokage." He could feel the surprise transforming the crowd. Some people still called out to him, trying to get him to go back on his words, but others were starting to think. Sakumo was actually a very good choice, considering. He had always been faithful to Konoha, and he was certainly strong.
"Sakumo Hatake, if you accept this nomination, please step forward." Minato knew the man would not say no. The crowd parted, and Sakumo walked forward. He stepped onto the platform.
"I accept the nomination, Naminkaze-sama." He addressed the villagers. "People of Konoha, if you accept me, I will take this office. I respect Namikaze-sama's decisions, and it would give me great pleasure and pride to become your new Hokage."
The applause was tentative at first, but then it grew to a deafening uproar.
Minato clapped his hand on Sakumo's shoulder. "I give you the Fifth Hokage!" He announced.
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"So…how's married life treating you?" Jiraiya asked.
Minato had met up with Jiraiya at Ichiraku's and the two were just chatting, catching up on old times.
"It's treating me way better than I deserve." Minato replied.
"Really?" Jiraiya smiled. "That's good to know. Kushina hasn't killed you yet?"
Minato shook his head. "No. plus, I'm not sure if she can compete with Madara Uchiha and a Nine-tailed demon fox trying to kill me."
Jiraiya chuckled. "I wouldn't say that while she was around. That woman scares me to death."
They both laughed.
"And how's my godson?"
"He's… well; maybe a little too vigorous."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that." Jiraiya commented. "If I remember correctly, you were pretty energetic when you were a kid too. You can't blame your son for being like you."
The two shared a moment of silence, remembering.
Minato broke the silence. "So, how long are you staying for?"
Jiraiya grunted. "I don't know. Just for a little while. I mean, I missed the Third's funeral; the least I can do is make sure the village is okay before I leave again. And I have to make sure my idiot student is alright after his… ordeal."
"Right. And I'm sure the hot springs has nothing to do with your decision to stay?" Minato said mischievously.
"Minato, really, you think I, the great toad sage, would succumb so easily to the charms of attractive women?"
"Yes, Sensei."
Jiraiya laughed hard. "You'd be right, my student."
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Minato was exhausted. The day had been long and tiring, and even though it had felt good, his weakened body couldn't handle all the action. As night fell, he said his goodbyes to Jiraiya and went home. Kushina was already home, and Naruto was in bed, asleep.
"Where have you been?" She asked curiously.
"With Jiraiya-sensei at Ichiraku's." Minato replied. "Ugh, I'm so tired though, my legs feel like rubber and my head feels empty."
He went to his room and dropped like a stone, landing face-down on the bed. He groaned.
Kushina entered the room. "You did good today, babe." She said, smiling proudly.
"Yea, I suppose." He answered. "But I'm so tired I might just stay in another coma. This day drained me."
"Aww…my poor baby." Kushina teased, massaging his necks and shoulders.
"Thanks. I needed that." He said. Then he started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Kushina asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you. Where did you go wrong getting stuck with a deadbeat like me?"
"Aww, honey, thanks; but you're not a deadbeat. You're a loving father and my husband. Just because you're a little weak doesn't mean that you're a deadbeat. You'll get your strength back anytime now." She was worried about Minato. He was usually positive about everything.
He sighed, whether in contentment or sadness, she couldn't tell.
"I need to start training." He declared.
"I would have to agree, Mr. Flabby." She teased again, pinching his arm.
"That's not funny." He said, holding back laughter. "Don't make me hurt you."
"Oh really? Hurt me? Are you forgetting that I used to send boys to the hospital when I was younger? Hmm?" She poked him in the side.
He paled. "You're right, I'm so sorry, please forgive me." He joked.
"I'll think about it." She said, after seconds of mock consideration.
"Well, if you won't forgive you, maybe I'll just have to get where… you…are weakest!" He spun around, his hands flashing, grabbing her abdomen and tickling, tickling.
She burst into a fit of giggles, squealing like a little girl, unable to defend herself. She rolled around, trying to dislodge him, giggling all the while.
"You can't get away from me." Minato said, and tickled her faster.
"Minato! I. Will. Kill. You." She managed to scream out between spurts of uncontrollable laughter.
Suddenly the tickling stopped. Minato pulled her close in a warm hug and whispered, "I love you, Kushina."
Kushina was touched. She leaned into the hug, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I love you more, silly Minato. She whispered back. "I will kill you though."
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Minato woke up, thankfully, without nightmares. Kushina lay at his side, snoring softly, buried in blankets. Said blankets had been pulled from Minato's side of the bed in the middle of the night, leaving his cold and shivering. But, he had let his wife keep them. Whatever made her happy was okay with him.
Today was training day for Minato. He had made a promise to himself to train every day until his strength returned, and his body was back to normal. For one thing, all his muscles were atrophied, his balance was off, his hands couldn't hold steady, and his vision was blurry. He had a lot of work cut out for him.
So, he decided to head to the Training Field to see how many of his skills he had retained.
First he started off with shuriken throwing to test his accuracy. He aimed at a log and threw once, twice, three times, but every one of the projectiles missed its mark. Kunai were the same; he missed every time he threw.
After collecting all the weapons from the ground, he figured he'd try ninjutsu. He attempted to form a Thunder God seal, but his chakra control was all wrong. It felt like he was a genin again, with hardly any skills except for his intellect.
He tried a summoning justu, but a tiny tadpole was the only thing he could manage, once again due to his poor chakra control.
He was extremely disappointed. He knew that his condition was bad, but this was… horrendous. His skills had fallen so far; even a genin was accurate with kunai and shuriken.
He sighed and shook his head.
I understand your frustration. The Kyuubi spoke up. Why don't you take a trip to my lair?
Just like that Minato's mind was transported to the Fox's abode, a sewer like, slimy, bubbling pit. The demon's furry maw and evil eyes were visible across from a tall gate with a seal hanging from the bars.
Why don't you rip off the seal, Minato? I can give you the strength that you need. In fact, I'm going to give you a gift; from now on, I'm going to purposely leak some of my chakra out so that your body heals faster. How's that?
Minato was tempted to tell the fox to shut up, but any extra help would be useful, even if it was from a demon. But, he wanted to go over some things with the Kyuubi anyway.
Let's be clear. He thought in a steely voice. I despise you. You attacked my village and caused the Third's death. Whenever I need or want your strength, you're going to give it to me, because this is my body, and you'll do as I say. I don't care what you are or how strong you think you are. You're' living inside of me, and you'll do as I command. Am I clear?
The Kyuubi chuckled darkly, a sound like two mountains rubbing together. You're an impotent one, aren't you? You think you can command me, the most powerful of the Bijuu, to do as you say? I am not your pet, and if I could, I would rip out of this prison and destroy you. Then I would track down that Madara and hunt him like a rabbit until his flesh was rent between my jaws. You puny humans are nothing to me, and never will be.
Humph. We have nothing more to discuss, you pitiful creature. Go away.
Just like that, Minato was back in his own world. He felt different, sturdier, and a bit stronger. He picked up a shuriken and tossed it. With a thunk, it embedded itself deep into the target.
He grinned. The Kyuubi had been true to his word; Minato felt so much better.
He practiced with the shuriken and kunai for a half-hour and then stopped, confident that he had regained his skill. He tried to form a Rasengan, but he messed it up and the chakra dissipated into the air.
I guess I can't do that yet…
However, this time, when Minato formed a Thunder God seal, it actually worked! His best technique was working again!
I'm recovering he thought triumphantly.
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Madara Uchiha seethed quietly. Minato Namikaze was awake! The blonde hokage that had thwarted his plans and defeated him had awoken from his comatose state. Madara thought back to that day when he had attacked the Hidden Leaf. Everything had gone according to plan until Madara underestimated the boy, and, before he knew it, he was lying on the ground beaten and bleeding. The Leaf had survived, The Kyuubi had been sealed away, and Minato had managed to keep his wife and son alive! The only good thing that had happened was Hiruzen Sarutobi's death.
Madara's fist tightened. All the hours spent planning, the time spent training his eyes to control the Kyuubi, the bodily pain it had caused him… all for nothing. After that night, Madara had been forced to replace his own sharingan because the drain on them had been too significant. The whole situation was a catastrophe.
"I will avenge my clan!" He promised to the darkness. "Konoha will fall, I swear it!"
If it wasn't for the Hokages always thwarting him… first it had been Hashirama, then Minato, and ultimately the Third had opposed him too. If it hadn't been for the three of them, Konoha would have been his long, long ago.
"Zetsu!" He called, and the plant-like being composed of the First Hokage's cells rose up from the ground.
"Yes, Madara?" The white and black halves spoke in unison.
"Go to Konoha and find Minato Namikaze's child. Bring the baby to me. Do not be detected, and do not harm the boy. Understood?"
"Yes, Madara, I understand." White Zetsu answered.
"To what end do you need a child?" Black Zetsu asked.
"That is none of your concern. Just do what I tell you." Madara snapped.
"Whatever." Black Zetsu grumbled.
Zetsu sank back down into the ground and was gone.
Madara's eyes flashed. "Vengeance…"
Well, that's the end of chapter 2. I liked it hahaa. Next chapter will have some real action in it though, so don't worry, this isn't just some fanfic about relationships. I planned for this to be an action/adventure type thing with some relationships thrown in there, and I plan to stick to the plan. So bear with me and action lovers you'll have your action. Need I say more? I don't think so.