I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does
Fugaku held in a chuckle as he watched Minato rub his temples slowly. Fugaku's ambitions used to be for the Hokage hat, but after increasing his friendship with Minato and becoming one of his most trusted advisors that ambition quickly faded alongside the increasing stress his friend was put under. He definitely no longer wanted that hat; he is content with the pressures of being the Uchiha clan leader and the father of a genius.
Itachi. His first born, a true Uchiha prodigy. The child had such an inquisitive mind at an incredibly young age. A mind that took both Mikoto and himself by surprise. It's become very clear that young boy could remember mostly everything that has been said or he has seen, a gift that Uchiha's have only when their sharingan is active. The boy quickly learned jutsu and taijutsu, and absolutely absorbed the information during his genjutsu training. Fugaku is close to teaching him the last few things in the clan training, but he is choosing to wait since he is only eleven years old. He doesn't know what more he can do for him, his child is already close to starting his own life quicker than he expected.
However, he did have Sasuke who hasn't shown that he is a genius like his brother. Yet, he did have his own unique mind. Unlike Itachi who picked things up quickly, Sasuke has learned the value of hard work. It made him smile every time he saw the young boy outside training constantly. Both his children were going to be great shinobi for both Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
Minato let out another groan, causing Fugaku's smile to widen. Uzumaki Naruto. The firstborn son of the Yondaime, a loud and boisterous child already the opposite of his famed father. However, he is on par on the personality that his mother holds as well as how he remembered Obito when he was a child, long before that rock crushed him. Fugaku's smile faltered. Truly for him as a clan leader Obito was still one of his greatest regrets. A child shunned by his own clan, now that he is a father he holds a certain hate in his heart for his past actions.
Minato leaned back in his chair staring out the window, "this has always been my dream. To be Hokage. Now that I've fulfilled my dream, I have come to see not every dream is going to be as you thought. The paperwork and the politics that have come along this famed title are incredibly tedious."
Fugaku gave Minato a quizzical look, "being a clan leader I had no reservations of what being Hokage would entail."
Minato gave him a smile, "I honestly thought it would be just leading the village and being its face. Unfortunately, I've found that those thoughts are just a small part." Minato smile fell, "I thought the elders and council were only to advise the Hokage, not out right defy and attempt to instate their own insane laws. Yet that is what they are, I have even past laws that I'm not proud all to please those who sit on those seats."
"I believe it's to keep the Hokage in check, like it would need to be if Danzo became Hokage." Fugaku responded.
The Youndaime gave a nod, "except the Hokage still holds the power to ignore them, which leads me to my current predicament."
"Are you worried about loosing the hat?" Fugaku asked.
Minato nodded, "I believe my time as Yondaime Hokage is coming to a close. Those two elders hold more sway with the Daimyo than I would like."
"That may be true, however who is going to replace you? As far as I can see is the three best options for the next Hokage would be the Sandaime once again, myself, and Hiashi. I am sure both the Sandaime and I would refuse. Hiashi may accept especially after his embarrassment against Obito." Fugaku said.
Minato chuckled before saying, "it's not everyday someone can put a Hyuga clan head in a genjutsu."
"No, it isn't, especially with how quickly he did it," Fugaku took a breath before he got lost in thought over Obito's ability, "yet I still don't think Hiashi will want the title of Godaime Hokage. That leaves the last two options: Jiraiya or Tsunade, which come from the Sandaime's line of shinobi as you do, therefore I don't think Homura will even offer them as a suggestion." The Uchiha leader watched Minato's mind race, "I understand that for Homura, Danzo's death affected him more so than for Koharu. I believe he was in the same squad as Danzo and the Sandaime. Yet the problem lies that there are none with great standing in the village who hold Danzo's beliefs."
"That may be the case, however I don't think it matters if my successor shares in Danzo's beliefs as long as I'm replaced. Anger can cause many to make choices they normally wouldn't make with a clear mind." Minato took a breath, "yet as long as I have this hat I'll continue working towards the peace these lands need, that Obito needs. I've failed him many times I can't fail him again."
Fugaku gave him a smile, "it is rare to see a shinobi treat those he trained as if they are truly part of his family. Which is why I still hold that as long as you live there can be no other Hokage." Fugaku looked at the setting sun outside the window, "I'll provide all the help I can. For now I need to return home before Mikito gets more and more angry with alongside the cooling temperature of my dinner."
Minato gave him a smile, "I should get home as well. Thank you again for your continued counsel and friendship."
Fugaku gave him a small bow, "it is my pleasure, Yondaime-Sama."
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Fugaku reached his home, to a sight of Mikito patiently showing Sasuke how to throw a shuriken. Glancing to the steps leading to a patio that laid before their back door, sat Itachi thoroughly investigating a scroll he must have gotten from Fugaku's personal library. Fugaku gave his family a smile, "How's his progress?" he asked a slightly frustrated Mikito.
She gave him a glance that let him know how much anger she was hiding from her children. A husband who hardly comes to dinner on time, who rarely is home thanks to the demand of being a clan head and the advisor to the Hokage. Her youngest son who stops at nothing to get anyone to train him in something new, always chasing the shadow of his elder brother. Itachi. Her first born ignoring the world, lost in his newest obsession, whatever the scroll he had is about Fugaku couldn't tell at the moment.
"You're late, dear." Mikito responded with a flat cold tone that sent a shiver down Fugaku's back. He often found it amusing that he and Minato were two of the strongest shinobi in the world, yet their wives were the only thing that could bring a gripping fear deep within their chest. Mikito does better than Kushina in hiding it in front of others, letting her anger boil unto they retire into their private chambers. "As for Sasuke, he is improving at a remarkable rate."
Fugaku looked at the proud smile of Sasuke, "that is great maybe before we go to bed you can show me your improvement." He watched Saskue's eyes gleam in excitement as his smile grew wider.
"Yes, tou-san!" Sasuke exclaimed.
Fugaku gave him a smile. Before he learned the truth of Obito, seeing that poor kid chained to a darkness most cannot fathom, he would have treated Sasuke with a cool contempt while hiding his pride and happiness. A clan leader must seem strong at all times, everything they do must be for the best of their clan, that includes child rearing. But seeing with his own eyes how someone who had hardly anyone fall, and watching how the love the few have for him reach him, made Fugaku realize that maybe it wasn't wrong to show affection. It's not a lack of strength to do so, in fact it shows more strength. For someone to keep loving throughout all struggles, an unconditional love requires more strength and focus than not showing love or affection. This was the conclusion watching Obito, Minato, and the rest of their team. The bright affection Minato and Kushina show their children in their team, with no care who thinks it is weak. Him being an Uchiha he is aware that his clan feels love deeply, yet they try to hide it along with most of their feelings. The only one he has seen who didn't, was Obito. He wore his feelings on his sleeve, even though he'd try to hide it with his words.
"Go get cleaned up and we will have some tea and cookies," Mikito said softly to both Sasuke and Itachi.
"Yes, ka-chan," the answered in unison.
The two brothers quickly entered the house leaving their parents alone outside, as soon as the door closed Mikito turned to her husband, "I'd have half the mind to condemn your lateness, but I can see something is bothering you. I'd wager the council meeting about reinstating Obito didn't go well."
Over a decade together helped understand each other without saying anything, just as he was able to discern her anger, she could discern the stress he believed he hid well. As much as he tried to convince Minato that his title wasn't going anywhere, he too was nervous of a prospect of a new Hokage. "No, it didn't."
Mikito signaled them to sit on the same steps that Itachi sat on. "Then let me help you with your burdens."
Fugaku explained the events of the council meeting and the supplicant meeting in the Hokage's office. "He is a shinobi of considerable strength, he should be a welcome edition to Konoha and the clan, but those others can't see past their mistrust and fear of things they don't have a full understanding of. My guess is that they've had their share of deceptions with Danzo that they have started believing everyone has a hidden agenda. And Obito didn't help matters with that violent outburst of his, however amusing it was."
Mikito gave him a smile taking his hand into hers, "we are Uchiha my love, as you know we feel love deeper than most, and when that love is gone it is always replaced with anger and hatred. A type of hate that is just as deep as the love we felt. Obito is the same. He never knew the love of a parent, but he had his grandmother for the first handful of years of his life. But she passed as well, leaving him alone. Not only that but his own clan, something that was supposed to be an extended family shunned him. Dealing with him as if he was some kind of pest. Truly alone he did find one friend. And she became a light in a dark world. Always staying by her side, he made another friend, one who was just alone as he was. He knew then he was not alone in his suffering. Even though his newest friend was stronger and that made him jealous, he still wanted to be like him. More so he wanted the respect his friend commanded. Which also led him to a dream of being the most respected and loved figure in all the village. Being part of their team with his new sensei and his wife created a familial situation he always dreamt of. But then that was stolen from him, the same day he unlocked his sharingan. Something he wanted to hopefully finally become stronger and be respected amongst his clan. That boulder not only took Obito from his new family, but his family from Obito.
I'm sure that whatever happened to Obito in the presence of Madara, he still wanted nothing more to get back to his family. And finally getting out going to find his two friends only to see someone he admired apparently killing the love that brought light into his dark world. Well, it's no wonder he fell into a descending darkness that all Uchiha fall into losing something they hold dear."
Mikito paused letting Fugaku think over her words, "we both know how much that hate and anger can grab hold of you. Do you remember that feeling?" She asked.
Fugaku nodded, "I do."
"Unlike us he had no one to help him out of that darkness that gripped him so. No one to guide him through that pain, except for Madara who only told him to embrace the pain and darkness. Look at how you are guiding Shisui through his own pain and darkness. Obito still doesn't have someone like that, but you still have a chance to change that."
Fugaku's face tightened, "how can I help him, when I played a part in his ostracization. Like many I didn't hold much regard for Obito. He didn't show any inclination of having even the average strength of an Uchiha. Because of that even I treated him like a low life. I didn't know his true potential until I saw his sharingan in Kakashi. He unlocked his sharingan with two tomoe, not even I the clan leader had two tomoe when I unlocked my sharingan."
"The way the clan was before your friendship with Minato, strength was all that mattered. You know well as do I that with how things were, we were gearing closer and closer to attempting a coup. You didn't tell me, but I could see, I'm sure there were even plans being set. As I'm sure you were the one who kept the anger back, trying to see if change would take place. With that kind of climate you couldn't really act on your own judgements if there were no clear advancements for the clan. If you remember that is what affected your relationship with Itachi at first." Mikito responded.
His face softened as he raised his eyes to his wife's, "I am truly blessed with a wise wife."
Mikito blushed, "you have changed Fugaku. You are different from the man I married, but the changes are more than welcomed. In fact, they make me love you more and more every day."
They quickly shared a kiss lasting only a moment before Mikito stood up, "so are you going to reinstate Obito into the clan?"
"That choice belongs to Obito, but I'll try to persuade him. Maybe he'd prefer a small involvement in the clan at first. I think that asking him with help in training the younger generation would be a good start. I might have him train Shisui and Itachi, mostly Shisui at the moment since he has awakened his mangekyo. And I'm sure Itachi would be happy in learning from someone with such knowledge of jutsu that Obito has." Fugaku answered.
"I think that might work well, since Obito has been training Naruto he may not mind taking on a couple more," she responded with a smile.
Fugaku stood as well, "then it's settled. I'll go find him; it would be better if I talk to him instead of summoning him here."
Mikito gave him a sly smile, "is the Uchiha clan head worried of his summons being ignored?"
A flash of embarrassment flushed onto Fugaku's face, "no."
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Rin let out a soft sigh as she lowered herself into the hot water. She enjoyed the immediate relaxing sensation of the hot springs.
"This is nice," Kurenai said in the midst of her own relaxed sigh.
"Nothing beats coming to the hot springs after a long mission, well except maybe for some dango," Anko added.
Rin nodded, not particularly agreeing about the dango, but she didn't want to get into another heated argument with Anko about dango not being the superior food she believed it to be.
"So, Rin what is it that you wanted to tell us?" Kurenai asked, eyeing her friend with curious eyes.
Rin closed her own eyes and leaned her head back trying to extend her brief reprieve before going into a conversation that could either be stressful or enjoyable. Opening her eyes and looking at her two friends, "Obito is alive." She watched her friends give her a confused look, sighing she said, "he wasn't dead. For the past seven years Obito has been on a mission only the Yondaime knew about."
Kurenai's eyes grew, "wait you're serious! Is in the village?"
Rin nodded, "he has been back since yesterday. Today he even had a meeting with the council where he and the Hokage explained the nature of his mission and the secrecy of it all."
"I can't believe," Kurenai gave Rin a knowing smile, "I bet you are happy."
Anko gave a snort, "well that's great, the idiot returns."
Rin sighed, she forgot that Anko never got along with Obito. They often argued when they were younger. "He killed Orochimaru," Rin said letting the words sit in the air.
Anko's face went from indifference to a look of shock, "you're lying!"
Rin shook her head.
"There's no way, that fucking pipsqueak was barely able to hold his own against Kakashi for five seconds! And you're telling me he is strong enough to kill a Sannin?" Anko exclaimed, "how did it happen? What jutsu did he use? Are you sure Orochimaru didn't use his kawarimi jutsu?"
"I don't know all the details since it was an S-class mission, but I do know that Sensei even confirmed it. Orochimaru is dead." Rin answered.
Anko leaned back in contemplative thought, Kurenai moved closer to Rin taking her hands into hers, "are you going to tell him?"
Rin gave her a confused look, "tell him what?"
Kurenai shook her head in annoyance before leaning in and in a whisper, "tell him that you love him of course."
"Oh." Rin said. She took a moment trying to think of the best thing to say, "He is different now."
Kurenai moved back, "different how?"
"I guess the best way to describe it is more withdrawn, I can't tell what he is thinking." Rin answered.
"Well, that's to be expected, I'm not sure what kind of mission requires a length of seven years, but it is safe to say that your favorite idiot had to remove parts of himself to survive on his own this long." Anko replied.
"Anko is right, I'm sure him just being around everyone again will bring back his old cheery self." Kurenai added.
"I hope so. But I thought the same thing which is why I was thinking we throw Obito a welcome back party." Rin said.
"I think that's a great idea!" Kurenai exclaimed.
"Good then I'll get to planning and making invitations right away, maybe we should make it a surprise party," maybe surprises won't be a good thing with Obito at the moment. Rin shook her head, it'll be fine. "Don't tell anyone, I'll let everyone know when I give them the invitations. Oh, and don't tell Obito if you see him." Rin raised herself from the water shivering from her nakedness in the cool air. A sound that no women wants to hear crept into her ears. A giggle. Rin immediately dropped down.
"What's wrong?" Anko asked with slight annoyance.
Rin looked around spreading out her senses. She may not be the best at sensing but she was good enough that not many can sneak about in her vicinity, "I think someone is peeping at us. I heard a giggle," Rin answered in a whisper.
Both her friends froze as they looked around. Rin begins to put on her towel underneath the water. Kurenai and Anko followed Rin's example. Rin quickly ran through a jutsu to create more steam, hopefully to obscure the pervert's eyes. As the steam thickened to a point she felt safe her and her friends quickly ran inside. Reaching the dim lit room, Rin turned around to look at the hotsprings, who in the hell can sneak up on us and not let themselves be known. Well except for one giggle.
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Obito charged at Naruto careful to keep his speed and strength at a high genin level as the area behind Sensei's house blurred. Reaching Naruto, he struck out with a quick kick that the blonde boy blocked attempting to counter with a left. Obito leaned to his side avoiding the strike, using his other leg he struck upwards hitting Naruto underneath his chin. The boy rose a few feet, seeing the opening Obito jumped up and kicked Naruto in the chest. Naruto flew several feet before skidding over the ground.
Naruto quickly picked himself up wiping the sweat from his brow, a smirk on his face. One thing Obito will always respect Naruto for even at his young age is the fact that he always gets back up. Obito watched Naruto try to figure out how to land a hit on him, before he could see him come into an epiphany. Naruto raised his fingers and crossed them. Obito's eyes narrowed as he sensed Naruto gather to much chakra, "Naruto stop!" Obito yelled.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed as a hundred other Naruto's poofed into existence.
He used too much chakra. Obito, seeing the danger Naruto was presenting to himself, quickly launched himself from the ground. He tore through the clones that stood in his way. He reached Naruto and with more strength than he normally would use during their training sessions, he sent his fist into Naruto's stomach. Naruto let out a gurgle before his clones disappeared in clouds of white smoke.
Obito watched Naruto fall to the ground seeing that the boy still was conscious he said, "I've explained to you many times, that you have to be careful using that jutsu. If your chakra reserves were normal, you'd be dead after making that many clones. This jutsu isn't something you can cast without thinking."
"I'm s-sorry, Sensei." Naruto mumbled out before lifting himself from the ground.
"I can't believe you taught him that jutsu," Minato stated.
Obito turned to his sensei, he'd be surprised to see him if he didn't sense him long before he even reached the house. "I had to, this jutsu is going to be imperative for his training in the coming years."
Minato nodded realizing that he planned to have Naruto train with shadow clones to learn things faster. Kushina came out from behind Minato and started hugging Naruto, "aw, I'm so proud of how strong my little boy is getting."
Naruto tried to hide his reddened face, making Minato chuckle.
Obito smiled for a moment before it quickly fell, how many kids grew up without this familial love because of the sickening system in place? The world is truly hell, but for others it's their happiness. A happiness that Obito didn't get a chance at. "That's it for training today, Naruto remember not to use that jutsu unless under supervision. It's still dangerous for you."
"I know Sensei," Naruto grumbled.
"Well, if you're done with training that means I'll take the opportunity to talk to you about something, Obito." Minato said. Obito nodded and followed his sensei into his office. Minato leaned against the wall and smiled, "I remember that last time you were in here you were trying to take some of my scrolls on sealing."
Obito returned his smile, "how could I forget sensei, it was the night you freed me from Madara's cursed tag." Also, the night Rin told me she loved me, and I rejected her.
"I really hate that you went by doing things on your own after that," Minato stated.
"I know but it was something I felt I needed to do alone. How would my plan work if you and the others would constantly try to stop me. I needed you to hate me, so that you and the other kage would unite in destroying me. Hopefully, to stop the wars between the nations." Obito answered.
Minato nodded, "peace through war is never the answer. How many would die in your plan? Even if worked would it really bring peace in the long run?"
"Many would die, the last deaths before paradise," Obito answered, "I know that having the nations unite to fight a common enemy won't keep them from warring each other in the future. After my death there needed to be someone else that could take my place, a far more peaceful figure. That's what I wanted for Naruto, that's why I trained him. I know you can see it sensei, he has the potential to surpass us all. And with his future strength he'll keep the peace long after my death, hopefully to a point where it will become such common place no one else would want to war because of it.
As for your point I can see how you reach that conclusion, but from the things I've seen, what I've gone through, I see no other way. There's far too much hate in this world, far to many grudges and plans of vengeance. I still believe that the bonds made through fighting with each other instead of against, will be strong and long lasting."
"Hmm, that is probable but if your goal is peace for all, I'm assuming that means us as well." Minato replied.
At Obito's nod, he continued, "then there will be no peace for me or anyone who cares for you if you're dead. We can only have peace if our family is happy, everyone in the family. Which brings me to the reason I wanted to talk to you. You will be reinstated into the ranks of Konoha's shinobi, after taking a few written tests you'll be given the rank of jonin, or you could join Kakashi in the Anbu. The choice is yours."
Obito thinks over his choice for a few moments, he couldn't really see himself taking missions anymore. Being in the Anbu would require assassination missions, something he is very used to, but it'll add more stains on his soul. "I don't choose either. I think for now I should get used to being back in the village and figure out how I'll fit into this world again."
Minato nodded with a smile, "take all the time you need, there's always a place for you among our ranks."
Obito was about to excuse himself when there was a knock on the door, knowing who it was Obito kept a blank look on his face.
Minato opened the door revealing Rin, "hey sensei, hey Obito. Um… sorry sensei can I talk to you in private?"
Minato gave a look to Obito before telling Rin it was fine. Obito gave Rin a small smile which she returned before walking out the office.
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Obito sat on a tree branch leaning his back onto the trunk of the tree as he groaned inwardly at the approaching presence.
"It's a chilly evening don't you think?" Fugaku asked.
"Did you come and find me to talk about the weather?" Obito asked.
Fugaku frowned, "I guess I'll get right to the reason I came here. I'd like for you to be reinstated into the clan again. I won't force you, it's your choice. But your reinstation will come with the benefits of having your own apartment again and you'll be able to participate in the clan meetings."
Obito kept his eyes on the stars above, "the clan never cared about me. And Madara had a very hateful view of the clan. When I was young I wanted the respect of the clan, but now I can't help but think you want me part of the clan again so you can add another mangekyo user that you can control."
"Your feelings are justified; it was the way the clan operated in the past. But just as you have changed many things here have also changed. I want to make amends for my mistakes in the past," Fugaku bowed lowly, "therefore I apologize for my past actions."
Obito looked at the bowing clan head and sensed no lies coming from him, "thank you."
Fugaku straightened himself before saying, "Whether you decide to return to the clan or not I'd like for you to help in the training of two Uchiha prodigies?"
"Who?" Obito asked.
"Uchiha Shisui and my eldest son Uchiha Itachi." Fugaku answered.
Obito returned his gaze to the stars, "why would you want me to train them?"
"Because as you know geniuses have a way of learning without much hard work. You know the value of hard work and you can help them learn it as well. Not to mention that Shisui has awakened his mangekyo and will need help in training to use it. I was in charge of his training, but I find myself more and more busy these days. Having you train these two will help me, but it'll also help you in having the ears of the next leaders of the clan. Which means the change we want will hopefully be instilled into the next generation, where they won't have to always do things that increase our strength." Fugaku answered.
"What level are they at?" Obito asked.
Fugaku gave a smile, "I'd say they both are on par with most jonin."
Obito sighed, "I can't Naruto isn't anywhere near that level yet."
"You don't have to train them at the same time, I'd have Mikito help out more, but she is also occupied with improving the quality of life for the clan." Fugaku replied.
Obito turned to Fugaku, "why is she in charge of that?"
"Because she knows more about what our people need than I do. She made that very evident by being your biggest advocator when you were young." Fugaku answered.
"I didn't know that," Obito said.
"Not many did, like myself and many of us she hid her true feelings, since it didn't increase our strength. She's always been kind inside and out." Fugaku said.
Obito jumped down form the branch, "I'll train them, but I don't want to join the clan again."
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Here's the new chapter, once again sorry for such a delay. Life is crazy. Hope ya'll enjoy the new chapter! Let me know what you think. Thank you for your continued support.
