CHAPTER 1.5 - The Funeral
After the devastating attack on Konoha and the heroic sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage, the Leaf Village was left maimed. The aftermath was evident everywhere: thousands of shinobi and civilians had lost their lives, the Hokage Tower lay in ruins, and sorrow enveloped every corner of the village. However, amidst the rubble and grief, one symbol stood tall, unyielding: the imposing Hokage monument, reminding everyone of the strength and hope that still lingered in Konoha.
As news of the attack spread to the other hidden villages, many sought to take advantage of Konoha's weakness and launched covert offensives to finish off the battered village. Yet, every attempt proved futile. The invading forces seemed to lose all contact once they crossed the borders of the Fire Country, vanishing without a trace. At first, speculation arose that weakened Konoha forces were behind these mysterious events, but as the failed attempts piled up, it became clear that something else was protecting the Leaf. There was a shadow within the shadows.
Constant reports from Konoha assured that all shinobi and ANBU were dedicated to the village's reconstruction. This raised the question: who or what was defending Konoha? It was evident that there existed a mysterious force, beyond the known ranks of ANBU and Leaf shinobi, rising in defense of the village. Its influence was undeniable, but its identity and intentions remained concealed in the shadows, its actions continuously saving Konoha from its imminent downfall.
On the other hand, Danzo Shimura was fully occupied trying to convince the rest of the village that the most sensible decision was to choose him as the Fifth Hokage. However, the decision had already been made. Fugaku Uchiha would be named the Fifth Hokage, just as the Fourth had wished. Of course, things did not end with a simple acceptance. Danzo, backed by his entourage in the council, claimed it was a ploy by the Uchiha to seize power.
However, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, supported Fugaku's appointment, and he was not alone. Jiraiya also endorsed Fugaku as the future leader of the village. There was no turning back when the Daimyo of the Fire Country arrived in the village to give his approval for the appointment and provide the necessary financial support to rebuild the ninja village.
This enraged Danzo. All his work, everything he had done to rid the village of the weak Fourth's governance and eliminate the Uchiha threat, had been in vain. He believed that the Daimyo had been deceived by the words of an incompetent old man and a perverted war hero. How could they dare put an Uchiha in charge of the village? The Uchiha had been the village's greatest enemies ever since Madara rebelled against Hashirama. According to him, the decision should have been made to eliminate all the Uchiha. But now, with an Uchiha in power, things would get complicated. His plans had changed, and he needed to devise new strategies, even if, for the moment, he decided to keep a low profile.
Three days after the village's attack, the funeral of the Fourth Hokage, the hero who had saved the village from the Nine-Tailed Fox and sacrificed his eldest son to become the vessel of the beast that nearly destroyed the village, was announced.
On the other hand, Kushina was not in her best state. Her husband had died saving the village, and her eldest son would have to bear the burden of being the Kyubi's jinchuriki.
In a moment of opportunity, she approached Hiruzen and Jiraiya to inquire if there was any possibility for her to become the Kyubi's container again while they repaired her seal. Though such a possibility existed, both Hiruzen and Jiraiya believed it was best for Naruto to remain as the Kyubi's jinchuriki. They explained that over time, Kushina would age, and the Kyubi might be released. With no more Uzumakis capable of containing such power, the only option lay with one of her children.
She was against it all, but deep down, she knew it to be true. A jinchuriki existed to protect the world and the village from the immense power of the Tailed Beasts. Or at least, that's what she had been taught in her early years in Uzushiogakure, when it still existed.
Although she accepted the fate of her eldest son as the new Kyubi jinchuriki, she could also see the pain reflected in Jiraiya's and the old Hiruzen's eyes. Both promised her that they would be there for Naruto when he needed them. She simply nodded, though not fully convinced of her own decision.
On the day of the funeral, she and her children had to be present. They had decided that the Fourth Hokage would be buried in a secluded place away from the rest. Kushina quickly dressed, but her heart tightened at the sight of the black dress she had to wear. She remembered the first day Minato made her heart skip a beat, the day he rescued her. She still remembered the words he said: "I like your hair." A small smile graced her face as she recalled the silly expression on that occasion. For a moment, her sadness faded away.
She then went to her eldest son's room. Little Naruto had been a restless child from an early age, but after the incident, as she decided to call that dreadful night, something changed in him. He no longer cried as much and seemed more calm. At just one year old, he was the only one of her children with those marks on his face. Was it his destiny to be the Kyubi's jinchuriki? If so, destiny was cruel in its most terrible forces.
She placed one of her fingers on Naruto's cheeks and began to caress him. Moments later, the little blond started to open his eyes with a weak yawn. Once fully awake, Kushina carried him with her and took him to the bathroom. He didn't cry or try to move, remaining still as the warm water cleaned him. When she finished, she took him out and dried him with a towel, then dressed him in the clothes he was supposed to wear for the funeral, leaving him in the small living room of the house while she had to tend to her other two children.
She went through the same process with the other two until she finally had her three children clean and changed. Now came the difficult task of taking care of her three children.
Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. Kushina stared at the door for a moment before deciding to open it. Before her stood five people, almost all of them dressed in black yukatas, as the Uchiha were accustomed to.
Her former team-mate Mikoto, her husband Fugaku, who now had an eye patch, and their three children. Itachi held little Sasuke in his arms, and Setsuna was carried by Mikoto.
"I thought, maybe, you might need some help," Mikoto said, her voice soft and understanding.
Kushina looked at Mikoto and Fugaku standing in front of her house, along with their three children. Kushina's heart filled with mixed emotions as she saw her former team-mate and her husband. Mikoto seemed concerned for her, and Fugaku avoided her gaze, carrying the guilt of what happened with Minato. Kushina felt she wasn't ready to face Fugaku until she could overcome her own guilt.
"Good morning, Kushina-san," Itachi greeted formally, still holding his younger brother.
Kushina responded with a lump in her throat, "Good morning. You've grown so much, I remember when you used to hide behind your mother's skirt, though it didn't last long."
Remembering Itachi's childhood amidst the war brought sadness to Kushina, but she also admired the young shinobi's bravery and determination that until the birth of Sasuke and Setsuna seemed immersed in intense sorrow.
Itachi seemed to blush slightly at the memory but maintained his serious and calm demeanor, just like his father.
The tension and unexpressed emotions between Kushina, Mikoto, Fugaku, and Itachi were palpable in the air, creating an atmosphere filled with memories and unresolved conflicts.
"We've come to help you with the children and accompany you," Mikoto said kindly.
Kushina sincerely appreciated the gesture, recognizing how much she needed support at that moment, especially without Minato's presence. As she mentioned her late husband's name, she felt a lump in her throat but forced herself to stay strong for the sake of her children.
"Itachi can help you with the little one..." Mikoto paused briefly, realizing she didn't know the name of Kushina's youngest child. Kushina let out a soft laugh and apologized for not mentioning the names earlier: Menma and Akame. She then continued, but a new issue arose. "And... where is Shisui?" Mikoto asked, looking for her eldest son. Itachi shrugged, indicating that he didn't know where he was.
At that moment, footsteps could be heard behind them, and a boy with short black hair approached.
"I apologize for the delay, Mikoto-san," Shisui said, bowing slightly. "I had to go back home to take care of a few things."
Kushina observed the newcomer, recognizing him as an Uchiha without a doubt. He seemed to be a year or two older than Itachi, but unlike other clan members, he appeared more relaxed and open in his demeanor.
"You need to take little Akame," Mikoto ordered. Shisui nodded and approached Kushina, bowing and saying that it would be an honor for him to carry the daughter of the Fourth Hokage.
Kushina smiled, a smile reminiscent of the days before the incident. She looked at her friend and entered the house. Some time later, she brought out Menma and handed him to Itachi, who seemed comfortable taking care of the two children. Then, she brought out Akame and handed her to Shisui, who received her gently. Although she had some apprehension about entrusting Akame to someone she didn't know well, it wasn't due to a lack of trust in her friend, but because her daughter was very, how should I put it, spontaneous. But to her surprise, Akame felt at ease with the Uchiha.
Afterward, she emerged carrying Naruto in her arms and approached her friend. Both, with smiles on their faces, set off on the path to Minato's funeral. When they arrived at the designated area, they found a sea of people, all dressed in black with sad expressions on their faces. They made their way to their seats, where those who had once been close to Minato were gathered.
There she could see the Third Hokage with his wife and two sons. Further ahead was Jiraiya, who had decided to attend his student's funeral alone. Shikaku Nara was also present, a survivor of the attack on the Hokage Tower. Unfortunately, surviving meant carrying marks, not only physical but also mental. Part of his face had been burned, not severely, but for Shikaku, it was a reminder of his mistake in leading the defense of the village that night. Though he still held his position as the Hokage's right-hand man, he had asked for time until he considered himself ready to fully return.
The weather that day would be something no one would ever forget. It wasn't sad, not a single cloud in the sky. A shining sun illuminated the entire place, and a warm breeze caressed the cheeks of all those present.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze, whose origin no one could determine, carried with it two leaves floating in the air. Slowly, the leaves settled on Minato's grave, as if they were the final farewell from the one who sacrificed everything for his people.