7 a.m. 19 October 54; Training Field 8
"Are you sure this is what you want to do for your birthday?" Katya asked dubiously as she focused on creating the fourth Hashirama tree of the morning. Exhausted, she fell back onto the grass.
"Yup!" Shisui chirped, jumping to the top of the tree before hopping down each branch.
"You're both crazy, you know that, right? Literally, no one else wants to practice kenjutsu while walking on the sides of moving trees."
"We know," Isamu replied, jumping back up. "Thanks for the practice space. I'm so ready for this battle royale!"
Katya lifted a thumbs up before dropping her arm onto her face. Suddenly she sat up and yelled at the disappearing figures. "Tou-chan's cake! Don't forget! He made you a cake!"
"We won't!" Shisui yelled back. "Whenever you're ready!"
She grumbled a moment before placing her hands on the nearest tree trunk and focusing her chakra through the boughs. The branches moved and whipped, trunks bent towards the ground and back up as she commanded the trees to move at random.
There was a smack of wood on flesh. Isamu yelped, "Shit!"
"Do you want me to stop?" Katya hollered from the ground.
"Keep going!" he yelled back. "Just a black eye. God damn it! Shisui, you asshole!"
There was a ring as a tanto clashed against a ninjato. Shisui laughed loudly before there was a brief explosion at the top of the farthest tree.
Katya spread her senses, honing in on where Shisui was in the massive tree before swatting him off a branch.
"Ouch!" he yelled, while Isamu bent over laughing.
"Serves you ri—" Isamu started before Katya made his own perch disappear.
"You didn't think I wasn't going to join in, did you?" she goaded from her relatively safe space on the ground.
Isamu jumped behind her, throwing a kunai at her hands. Rolling away from the tree trunk, she crouched down and countered his kunai with one of her own. Throwing a dummy exploding tag attached to a kunai, she hid a seal beneath a secondary kunai in his direction. A wide rope net exploded out and caught his foot as he tried to dodge.
Hopping down on top of Isamu, Shisui took advantage, swinging his tango down towards Isamu's head. Isamu countered. He swung his ninjato up into his hand and pushed up against Shisui's tanto. It catapulted Shisui to a nearby tree. Suddenly, Shisui was everywhere. He surrounded Isamu and Katya on all sides.
"Kai!" Katya yelled out to dispel the genjutsu.
"Caught you," Shisui said grinning as he put an arm around her shoulder with a kunai hanging limply from his hand. Even after years of sparring together, Shisui couldn't hold a kunai to her throat.
"Hardy har har," Katya said, rolling her eyes. She held up her hands in surrender before yelling after Isamu. "I'm out! It's cause it's your birthday. It was a freebie"
"Right, and I'm the Mizukage," Shisui laughed before bounding after Isamu.
Two hours later and after multiple battles, the trio lay exhausted on the field covered in dirt.
"I think," Katya panted, "I could drink a whole bathtub of water right now."
"I could drink a whole river," Shisui added.
"A lake. Drown me in a lake. Right now," Isamu breathed out, wiping his brow.
"Did you two get that move you wanted down?" Katya asked, turning her head toward them.
"Yeah. Combination move. It's what I used on you earlier," Shisui said. "I use arial genjutsu to cover Isamu's retreat so he can sneak back in. I substitute with his kunai, he subs with mine. It's been working pretty well. I think a few more tries, and we'll have it down pat."
"Just have to be careful with the genjutsu," Isamu said between greedy gulps of his canteen. "I almost got caught in that one."
Shisui waved him off and took the canteen from him.
"Happy Birthday Shisui," Katya said, sitting up and reaching into her pack. She held out a flying thunder god kunai and a scroll. "This is from tou-chan. I told him what you were doing with your shunshin. He told me to give this to you with it. It explains the theory behind the seals. You can't use the actual seals because your chakra isn't compatible with his seal work. He said he'd be happy to help you develop your own when he has a spare minute."
"Thanks, Kat," Shisui said with a smile.
Isamu held up a slip of paper. "Gift card to Ichiraku Ramen. It's good for two of the big bowls. Figured you'd want something practical."
"Thanks, Isamu."
"Oh, and my gift!" Katya said, digging further into the bag. "Sealing ink and paper. To get you started. It's not your birthday yet, but I got you some too, Isamu, so you can work on it."
Isamu laughed. "We can be a tracking and sealing team. The enemy will be so confused they won't know what hit them."
5 p.m., 1 November 54 Namikaze Residence
A cold breeze filtered into the Namikaze residence through an open window, causing Kushina to shiver.
"Close that please," Kushina called from the kitchen as she stirred a pot of egg drop soup. Or what was supposed to be egg drop soup.
The broth still wasn't quite right. As soon as she had taken the pot out of the cabinet, Kakashi left the apartment. He cited having an errand, but the two books in his hands told a different tale. She didn't miss the look Katya sent his way or the subtle passing of money after a pitiful whine of 'Nii-chan, please'. No doubt a takeout container of tofu teriyaki would mysteriously find itself in the fridge after dinner.
"Tou-chan's heading home. I thought you said he was in trouble with Hokage-sama?" Katya asked before locking the window and activating the security seal. "He's in a good mood. Like. A really good mood. Weird."
Picking up the bottle of shoyu again, she added a good amount to the broth before tasting it. Almost there. She added in some more, tasted it again then winced. Now it was way too salty. More sake went into the pot before she stirred it and let it rest. She hoped that the alcohol would neutralize the salt.
"Is he now?" Kushina asked curiously, leaning against the wall that separated the kitchen and living room.
"Yeah. You can't feel that? I'd guess he's about halfway home now," Katya said before absentmindedly turning to another manga page. The seven-year-old sniffed the air and subtly wrinkled her nose. "Isamu's turning thirteen tomorrow. I gave him his present early, though, it was a two-for-one at the store. Got Shisui the same thing."
Kushina simply shook her head before walking back to the stove. This newfound frugality was no doubt Kakashi's influence. The smell of steamed rice filled the kitchen when the cooker beeped.
'At least we won't starve,' she thought, grimacing at the bitter smell now coming from the pot of soup stock.
Minutes later, the apartment door slammed open to a flushed Minato.
"Sorry, ladies," he called out before gingerly shutting it again. They nodded at him, putting away the various weaponry they had grabbed at the loud noise. "It smells good in here."
"What did Hokage-sama want?" Kushina asked as he patted Katya's head before walking into the kitchen.
Minato stammered. He gave Kushina a quick peck on her lips and looked at the contents of the pot.
"Kaa-chan said you were in trouble," Katya interrupted. She placed her book face down and propped her head up on the arm of the couch.
"Did you get a scolding?" Kushina continued, holding the soup ladle in the air. Minato's blush deepened as he waved his hands in front of him.
"He wants me to be the Yondaime Hokage."
Kushina plowed ahead before he could finish his sentence, "Oh really? Don't mind what he said—"
"Kaa-chan! Tou-chan is going to be the Hokage!" Katya cheered.
"Oh! Minato!" Kushina cried, throwing her arms around his neck and peppering his face with kisses.
"I take it I have your blessing?" he said jokingly, returning her affection. He took the soup ladle from her hand and placed it on the counter. Ignoring the disgusted sounds from the peanut gallery in the living room, Kushina held tightly to him.
"I love you," Kushina replied, holding her forehead against his. "I'm so proud of you."
"I love you too," he whispered against her lips, kissing her again. "I've only come this far because of you. Because of your support. I'm nothing without you, love."
"GROSS!" Katya yelled from the couch. "Stop smooching!"
"I love you," Kushina repeated, running her hands up his arms to his shoulders. He reached behind her and turned off the stove. His hands were strong against her bare skin when he teased the hem of her shirt. She nuzzled his neck while they moved slowly towards their room locked in an embrace.
6 p.m., 1 November 54; Hashirama Park
Obito scooted closer to Rin on the metal park bench. A mild chill was in the air as the wind brought down the dead leaves. Rin shivered slightly before moving into him.
"Cold?" he asked, stretching up and casually throwing his arm behind her on the bench.
"A bit. I'm back on shift at the hospital since we haven't had a mission in a while. It was busy today."
He nodded slightly in understanding before slowly dropping his hand onto her shoulder. When she didn't flinch him off, he smiled.
"I had a good time tonight. I like this. Us," he said.
She looked up at him before kissing the side of his jaw. An intense blush crossed her face. Butterflies erupted in his belly, it felt as though the air had thinned. The temperature was rising, he was sure of it. It felt like late spring instead of early fall. Madara Uchiha could've come back from the dead right in front of him and he wouldn't have noticed.
"I had a good time tonight too," Rin said quietly, dropping her head onto his shoulder.
He placed a hand beneath her chin and lifted her up. His hand was shaking when she closed her eyes.
"I love you," he whispered nervously, leaning forward. His eye closed and he dropped forward. Snaking his hand behind her head, he closed the distance between them. His heart pounded in his chest when he could feel the warmth of her skin. Finally, his lips met her nose. In a panic at missing, he pulled back then pulled forward again and accidentally bumped her nose with his.
"Ow," Rin giggled. This time, she placed her hands on the sides of his head. There was a sound from down the park trail as she began to pull him in. She quickly let go of him and scooted a respectable distance away on the bench.
"Hey Rin, Obito," Kakashi greeted with a small wave.
Obito glowered at him in return. Kakashi had done that on purpose. He had to have, by the smug look on his stupid face. That innocent smile. As much as he loved Kakashi, he could really be a pain in the ass.
"Nice evening," Kakashi commented before sitting between Obito and Rin.
"Pocky?" he asked, holding open a box of pocky biscuits to Rin.
"Ah, sure. Thanks." Rin looked behind Kakashi at Obito and shrugged.
"So what's this? Date night?" Kakashi asked wryly while obnoxiously opening a novel.
"It was," Obito said. He reached over and grabbed three pocky angrily. "Why are you out and about? Wasn't it family game night or something like that?"
Kakashi shrugged. "It was. Minato was late, Kushina started cooking. I left Katya to fend for herself."
Rin snorted. "You're going to get her edible food, aren't you?"
"I am, eventually. But then I saw you two and thought I'd drop in. See what's new with you," he said.
"Go away, Bakashi!"
Kakashi simply flipped another page and smiled at Obito again. "No."
Obito growled and stood up to yell at him. He was interrupted when Gai ran up the road toward them.
"Did you hear?" Gai asked as he ran.
"Hear what?" Obito said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Minato Namikaze was just named Yondaime Hokage! They just posted the notice outside of the Hokage tower. He's going to be sworn in on the fifteenth."
The trio sat flabbergasted on the park bench while Gai ran off.
"That's amazing," Rin said, breaking the stunned silence. "It's Sensei's dream. To make a difference in the world."
"Well-deserved," Kakashi added in quiet reflection.
The three sat quietly. Though it was Minato's dream, it came with at a heavy price. The toll that the role of Hokage would take on their sensei was foremost on their minds.
Breaking the tension, Obito jumped up.
"Just watch! I'm going to be the Godaime Hokage!" Obito grinned, pointing to himself with his thumb.
Kakashi rolled his eye before snapping his book shut. "Well, I'm off to get teriyaki. Later."
3 p.m., 6 November 54; Namikaze Residence
"Ouch!" Minato cried out, squirming away dramatically.
"If you held still, the pin wouldn't hit you," Kushina said back, pulling another sewing pin from her mouth. "Is this straight?"
"A little high on the left," Katya said from the other side of the living room.
"Now?"
Katya squinted, "Yeah, that's straight. Your robe looks so cool, tou-chan! You're going to be the coolest Kage ever!"
"Ah, thank you," he replied, rubbing the back of his head.
"Alright, take it off. Don't mess up my pins."
"Why are you making tou-chan's robe anyway? Is something wrong with Otaka-san?"
Minato gave Kushina a slight nod. Gingerly handing over the robe, he kissed her before walking back to his office down the hall.
"I added seals to it. A lot of them. Otaka-san is a civilian, even if she works on shinobi garb. It wouldn't be safe for her to touch it. Besides, these panels here around his chest have a hidden layer of shinobi mesh." Kushina carefully draped the robe on a collapsible dress form.
"So like a chuunin vest?" Katya got up to touch the chest of the cloak, bending the fabric between her fingers.
"Exactly like that."
"What do the seals do?"
"Ah, just for protection mostly, chakra enhancement. There are some hidden storage seals. It's not befitting a Kage's station to carry a kunai pouch during negotiations. Oh, and there's one here on the collar that protects him from most genjutsu."
"Woah. That's a lot. Wait, so then what's the box of yarn for?"
"Oh, that? Itachi is going to be a big brother. I'm making some sweaters and baby blankets. I got the box from the Senju compound, in that storage room."
"Is that why Mikoto-san's chakra has felt weird lately?"
"Possibly," Kushina said while threading a needle.
"Wait a second, that one looks like what you put in my collar," Katya said, pointing to one of the smaller seals on the inside of the robe.
Kushina smiled at her. "Yes. That is for deflection. It doesn't run on the wearer's chakra. And that one," she said pointing near the bottom corner, "is for flotation. If you're ever in a situation where you're underwater for more than one minute, it will activate. In Uzushio, everyone's clothes were filled with seals like that—especially children's clothes. There were entire shops dedicated to clothing seals. Hand me that red, please."
Katya sat down and passed over the spool. "I wish I was half as good as you and tou-chan with seals."
"You'll get there. It just takes time, dattebane."
10 a.m., 15 November 54; Hokage Tower
Katya tapped her foot behind her on the top of the Hokage Tower. It was a time of austerity. All of the pomp and circumstance she had been told were present for the preceding Hokages' inductions were absent. To say that war was expensive was an understatement. A mathematician in the Research and Development department had told her it would take approximately ten years before Konoha could do away with all rationing. Thankfully, food was not rationed as strictly anymore, but fabric was. Steel was still difficult to find. She couldn't imagine a world where kunai weren't recycled. Apparently, this was the first time since the founding of the village that it was a necessity.
Cotton was grown in the Land of Wind, and as such was at a premium. Wool was grown in the Land of Lightning, because sheep did not do well in the south. New fabric had been allotted for the Yondaime's robe but not for anything else he wore. Thankfully, Kushina had found a newer pair of shinobi pants in the old compound. Little by little, Kushina and Katya were clearing the cobwebs out of the place. Every day they would go there and clear out various rooms and storage facilities.
The door to the Hokage office below opened. Katya straightened up, keeping a grip on Kushina's hand next to her. Hiruzen Sarutobi walked out first, the wide-brimmed Hokage hat shadowing his face. A puff of pipe smoke floated from beneath its cover. He nodded briefly at Kushina and smiled at Katya before walking to the edge of the tower.
When Minato walked out, Katya's heart swelled with pride. His Hokage robe looked stunning, covered in Kushina's beautiful embroidery and applique. Hours had been spent preparing it for the moment he would accept the mantle of leadership over Konoha. A small patch from a hastily mended hole on the inner elbow of his shirt was hidden beneath the robe. He smiled at his small family before walking to the edge of the Hokage Tower where Hiruzen waited for him.
"This is the beginning of a new era. A new age. Minato Namikaze, do you accept the responsibility of every shinobi in Konoha?" Hiruzen said.
"I do."
"May the gods help you, keep you, and guide you into the right decisions for our people. Konoha, I present your Yondaime Hokage, Minato Namikaze," he said with a grand flourish, removing the hat from his own head and placing it onto Minato's. The entirety of Konoha's shinobi below erupted into loud cheers.
Minato exhaled and smiled at the assembled crowd. He raised his hands, waiting for them to quiet down.
"This is a day that does not belong to one man. This day belongs to us all. To our comrades, to our friends in arms, to our family that did not make it. The glory belongs to them. To those who died so we may be here today. This day marks a new era, yes, but we cannot forget where we have come from. For them, we will be better. We will do better.
"As a leader, I am humbled by your continued faith and trust. I vow that I will do everything in my power to ensure the longevity and strength of this village. I promise that our children and our children's children will look forward to the future of Konoha. And this, our shining beacon of hope for a future, will sustain us in these years as we rebuild."
The crowd erupted again into cheers. With one last smile, he gave a slight bow of his head before looking at the people on the roof.
In a quieter voice to the people on the roof, he added, "May the gods grant me wisdom. I hope I have my family and friends' continued support during my tenure."
Fugaku nodded at him, standing close next to Mikoto. Katya and Kushina beamed happily, waiting for the formalities to be over so they could embrace him. Orochimaru stood quietly near a far pillar. When Katya looked behind her, he was gone.
8 p.m., 15 November 54; North of the Land of Fire
A shadow moved against the cavernous wall. Water dripped down a stalagmite to the ground below in short staccato drops. He could feel himself chill inside of the stone as he pulled his arm from the tangled mass of roots that ran down the stone.
"Master," the shadow rasped.
"What news do you bring?" a wizened old man asked from a dilapidated throne. He gripped his cane and hoisted himself out of the darkness.
"Two viable candidates."
'Ending both would serve my plans best,' the shadow thought. 'How long must I play puppet to this dying human?'
The man smirked slightly. "Two, huh? Send a message to Kiri."
"Immediately, my lord."
AN: Thank you so much for reading! If you have the time, please leave a comment. :)
A lot of the rationing stuff is based on WW2 and post-war Great Britain. WW2 history is just fascinating to me, personally.
Beta'ed by: Cherryberry12