As we approached the gates of the Academy, I could see more families. Noticeably more jubilant than my grandfather's solemn march.
Intercepted by an ANBU before we could get within earshot of the other students. We were redirected to a side path. We ducked in and out of alleys for a few minutes before we found ourselves inside the Hokage Tower, up the stairs we went.
I had expected to be met by the old man Hiruzen Sarutobi, the third Hokage. But my sense of timing must've been off, I had never been one to really obsess on timelines of stories but I knew one thing for sure.
The tall, blonde-haired man wearing the Hokage's hat was Minato Namikaze, not Hiruzen Sarutobi, whom was also present; but seemed to be in an advisory role.
Internally, at this revelation, I was screaming 'FUCK!' At the top of my lungs.
Externally I was giving my all into appearing like the awestruck five year old I was supposed to be.
"Lord Fourth, Hiruzen." My Grandfather greeted, giving a polite bow to the Hokage and his Advisor.
"Sekitangara-san"
"Ryunosuke."
They spoke simultaneously, I couldn't hear any of that animosity my grandfather had mentioned in Sarutobi's tone though. Lord Fourth's voice was kind, but I can tell he would rather not have to deal with this drama at the moment.
You and me both, Pal.
"This is my Grandson, Sekitangara Isshin. Say 'hello', Grandson." Ryunosuke introduced me, gently nudging me forward with his cane, probably thinking I was just shy from being in the presence of the Hokage instead of dealing with the sense ofimpending doomcaused by a certain giant red fox attacking in about six weeks. Shaking my head clear of those dark thoughts I stepped forward and gave my own bow.
"My name is Sekitangara Isshin, it is great to meet you both, Lord Fourth, Sarutobi-Ooji." I spoke, putting in as much decorum as this diminutive body could muster. I saw an amused smile form on the Fourth's face, and Hiruzen's stern visage softened just a little.
"What a polite young man. Alright, let's have a look at you." Namikaze spoke, stepping out from behind his desk and approaching, he kneels in front of me to look me in the eye.
"I'm sure you're wondering why you're here and not with all the other kids waiting on the academy gates to open." His tone is gentle, about to deliver some bad news before he catches my eyes twitch.
In my previous life, I had been a gunsmith, my eyes trained to track bullet trajectories as to adjust scopes, or adjust powder loadings to achieve the desired results in a hand loaded cartridge.
As such I had a reflex of my eyes tending to lock in on motion that seemed to have followed me to this life, such the telltale blur of something moving from one concealed position to another. I couldn't tell what, but the context of where I was filled in the gap.
"ANBU…" I whispered, awe in my voice. Another soft smile from the Fourth, and I could see Sarutobi suddenly seem a lot more interested.
"You've got good eyes, don't you, kid?" Minato commented, to which my grandfather responded.
"He's very sharp, Lord Fourth." Okay, I'm gonna rip the bandage off.
"Pop-Pop is worried that I won't be able to be a Shinobi, because he used to be one for Stone." I spoke, and the reactions themselves to that were priceless.
"Snrk- HA!" Gone was the composed Fourth Hokage, here's Minato Namikaze, young father-to-be and overalldork."Sekitangara Ryunosuke, 'Pop-Pop' HA!" Giggles wracked the young man's body as he began to regain his composure, but the damage had been done, and the weight of the room had lessened significantly.
My from here-forth dubbed 'Pop-Pop' was wearing a strained smile with a vein twitching on his temple. This is what you get for making my day more dramatic than necessary. You're now Pop-Pop, deal with it.
Sarutobi was also amused, but held his composure better. Years of politicking I would assume. His reaction was restricted to an amused smile with his pipe quirking upward. Maybe it was me being five years old and still believing in the good in people, but I couldn't see any malice in the man's face when he looked at my grandfather. He stepped forward and looked me over himself.
"This conversation was easier to have with your father, as he didn't wish to be a ninja. But you…you've got Shion's fire in your eyes. My sister was always fierce, y'know." He spoke, before Minato regained control of himself and took over.
"Your family joined the village under…some rough circumstances, buddy. Old Man Tobirama was never the most friendly of people, and considering exactly who your 'Pop Pop' was." Minato spoke gently, I cut in
"A Spy."
"The former student of the Tsuchikage, actually, but yes, that too. In order for Old Man Second to let him defect, there were rules in place. Rules that got worse when your grandmother died." Minato continued, not losing steam. "The only one that concerns you right now, is that the Second Hokage mandated that there were not to be any more Sekitangara Shinobi to be trained in the Academy, for three generations. Not two, kiddo."
What kind of 'Sins of the Father' Bullshit is that! Even beyond the purepettiness, why thehellwould he deny the village thetreasure trovethat is a wholefuckingclan! Hidden Stone Techniques! Training Methods! That makes nosensefrom a Tactical standpoint.
Wasn't Tobirama supposed to be the smart and ruthless one?
My internal rant was cut off by me reiterating one sentence before my brain could stop me.
"What kind of pettybullshit-"
"Isshin!"
"If you think that was bad, Pop-Pop, I got more."
"OKAY, that's enough! Kami it's like Shion going through puberty again." Hiruzen cut in, having to be the mature voice as Namikaze was laughing his lungs out. "Look, Nephew. You're obviously very sharp. An order from Lord Tobirama is not something easily overturned."
"Even if it's a stupid order, Ooji?" I snarked, earning another upward quirk of the Elder's lip.
"A Hokage's word is law, Nephew. Overturning that law requires approval of the shinobi council. The Leaf Village is still recovering from yetanotherwar with Stone."
I let out a sigh, and I felt a pout form on my small face that earned a soft smile from both the Third and Fourth Hokage. Politics.
"I wanted to learn how to do cool shinobi stuff, Pop Pop." I groaned out, earning a head pat from the aforementioned grandfather.
"I know, Isshin, and I'm sorry." He spoke, resigned, "Come on, let's get you back to your mother."
"Do you think that I would summon you up this tower if I didn't have an option for you, Sekitangara-san, the last twenty years must've been hard on you. Look beneath the underneath: No Sekitangara Shinobiin the Academy." Namikaze cut in before we could take a step towards the door. "You'll be on your own in teaching him, and your other restrictions still stand, but he'll be allowed to take the Exam, up to three times. It's not fair, it's biased and cruel. But it's there."
A fire lights up in my grandfather's eyes. His back straightens and his grip on my shoulder gains the strength of a Shinobi. Oh dear. I'm about to go to boot camp.
"Missing an arm, chakra sealed, and twenty years out of practice…I'll turn him into the best in his class, Lord Fourth, just you watch." No more melancholy or regret in his demeanor, just a rather unsettling purpose. We made our way to the door once more before Sarutobi spoke.
"Ryunosuke. I expect this to be the last day of twenty years of self-punishment for my goodbrother. You were always a mopey bastard, but don't deceive yourself into thinking I do not care forallof my family. Marriages included. I'll be in touch."
Grandfather dropped me off in front of my family's apartment and practicallysprintedoff to devise a curriculum.
My mother, doting as she was, immediately looked me over and seemed relieved at how early I had been returned home. Unfortunately, with grandad having ditched me, I had to break the news to mom. So, putting as much youthful excitement into my voice as I could muster, I spoke.
"Pop-Pop is going to teach me how to do Shinobi things, Mama! I met the Hokage! And Sarutobi-Ooji!" I spoke, and speaking like a child was becoming a bit easier, an underdeveloped brain? Possibly. Either way, my words may have displayed my excitement at learning the other half of the family trade but by the growing frown on my mother's face she was nowhere near as excited as I proclaimed myself to be.
"What do you mean, Isshi? Are they letting you go to the Academy?" She asked, concern marring her face as my father joined us in the sitting area.
"No, Mama. Lord Fourth that Lord Second, that a-"
"No swearing, Isshi, we've talked about this." Mother cut me off with a stern look, I continued, excluding the many rude comments about Tobirama Senju I had planned.
"Lord Second didn't want any of Grandpa's family at the Academy. At the Academy. That doesn't keep Pop-Pop from teaching me himself. Lord Fourth says if I can pass the Exam in three tries I can be a Shinobi!"
"Do you even want to be a Shinobi, Isshi?" Mom asked, and I shrugged.
"I don't know, Ma, I'm five." I spoke honestly. I was more concerned in trying to figure out a way to get my new family out of harm's way when big red and hypnotized comes calling. Still, even if I don't become a shinobi of the Leaf, learning from Ryunosuke would be incredibly useful.
Ma gives a soft smile and kisses me on the forehead before pulling me into a hug and leaning back on our couch, Dad joins us, throwing an arm around Mom's shoulder.
"You're so smart Isshi. Much smarter than most of the other kids…I know what these hidden villages do to smart kids, and I'm scared that they'll do something to you." She spoke, resting her head on Dad's shoulder.
"Not that smart, Mama." I muttered, unable to escape familial affection. Pa barked out a laugh.
"You went from being near-silent to speaking full sentences in aweek. Know more about shinobi history thanIdo, and I've seen your drawings. I know weapon designs when I see them, Isshi."
Fuck I thought I hid those. -CHOP-OW! Damn, must've said that bit out loud.
"One thing I wish was a little less smart is that mouth of yours. Too much time listening to the shinobi in your father's shop, I say." My mother said, having delivered a light knife hand to the top of my head.
"We're in a Shinobi Village, Dear. He's gonna have a rough tongue no matter what we do." Pop spoke,
"That is no excuse for a dirty mouth, Yoroi. It seems I'm going to have to be the responsible parent and teach you proper etiquette, Isshi. Don't you worry, Mama's tea ceremonies are legendary."
…..is it too late to go back to Texas?