"Talking"
'Thinking'
Biju talk/think/Jutsu
Flash Back
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Are you absolutely certain you'll be alright?"
"Yes."
"Are you positive you wouldn't prefer one of us to sit with you? I'm quite sure Inohiro would permit it."
"Yes. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure—"
"Nī-san!" Minaruki groaned dramatically, her voice echoing slightly. Minato offered her a sheepish grin.
"Gomen, Imōto."
"Come on, you worrywart, we already went over this," Kushina said, gently pulling Minato up from his crouched position in front of an exasperated Minaruki. "You're taking Kakashi to finish his water walking practice while I wait here for Minaruki's appointment to conclude. Afterwards, we're meeting at Ichiraku's for some comfort ramen and a lazy afternoon."
Minato sighed dramatically and bent down to Minaruki once more. Minaruki smiled into his spiky blonde hair before gently pushing him back and nudging him in Kakashi's direction.
"I'll be perfectly fine, Nī-san. Inohiro promised we'll only talk if I'm comfortable doing so." Minato pouted for a moment but then nodded in resignation. With a swift shushin, he and Kakashi were gone.
"He's such a mother hen," Kushina chuckled affectionately, watching their departure. She turned back to her little sister and smiled softly.
"You won't push yourself too hard in there, will you?" she asked gently.
Minaruki met Kushina's violet eyes with a reassuring gaze. "I won't. I promise you."
Kushina nodded, a small smile gracing her lips as she kissed Minaruki's forehead.
Minaruki turned and quietly slipped into Inohiro's office. The elder Yamanaka was already seated comfortably on cushions on the floor, a low table with tea and an assortment of small snacks placed neatly to one side.
Inohiro acknowledged her entrance with a nod and placed his hand briefly on a barely visible seal etched into the floor.
"My office is sealed and secured against any intrusion. Would you care for some refreshments?"
Minaruki offered a polite smile as she settled onto the cushion opposite him. "Thank you. Tea, with two sugars, please."
Inohiro hummed softly as he gracefully poured them each a cup of tea.
"Given the unique circumstances of your situation, I will allow you to guide the direction of this session."
Minaruki hummed thoughtfully as she finished her tea and placed the empty cup aside.
"I am aware of the Hokage's trust in you, and I share that confidence in the Yamanaka clan's unwavering loyalty to both the Hokage and Konoha."
"What, then, is the source of your hesitation?" Inohiro inquired gently.
"Unseen meddlers," she replied with a slight grimace. "If it is within your abilities, I would prefer that this session be conducted via a direct mind scan. This would assure me that no information can be inadvertently leaked, and it would also allow me to demonstrate the progress I am making."
Inohiro nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. Without further question, he executed the necessary hand seals, his movements fluid and precise.
Inohiro stood once more within the tranquil forest clearing of Minaruki's mindscape, this time allowing himself a more thorough observation. The vibrant meadow of flowers from his previous visit was absent, but as he turned his attention to the trees, he noted their remarkable diversity, a collection of distinct species and even intriguing crossbreeds.
He could sense the muted, rhythmic breathing of the Kyuubi emanating from the shadowed cave to his right, but he deliberately ignored it, his focus drawn to the adult figure of Minaruki standing at the edge of the denser woods.
"Do your mental forms fluctuate?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Minaruki glanced at him. "Yes. When I am among those of my physical age or when I'm teasing Kakashi, my mental representation tends to be that of a five-year-old. However, when interacting with adults or those aware of my true origins, or simply when I am alone with my thoughts, I appear in my adult form."
Inohiro nodded slowly, making mental notes of her explanation. "Was there something specific you wished to show me here?"
Minaruki nodded, her gaze returning to the forest. "When you and Jiji first entered this space, what was your initial impression of this forest?"
Inohiro frowned, his brow furrowing as he recalled their brief initial encounter. "I didn't have much opportunity to truly observe it. But it seemed to be just a collection of trees and flowers." He looked around the clearing again, a dawning realization in his eyes. "Now, though, I suspect you deliberately obscured the truth from my perception."
"Indeed," she confirmed. "Much like the room where we first met, I was able to work in conjunction with Kurama and the mental disciplines taught by Ino to create barriers within my mind, shielding certain aspects from your family's sensory techniques. You were prevented from discerning the true nature of the forest beyond it being a collection of ordinary trees. The meadow flowers served as a deliberate misdirection. These trees, however, represent memories. Each hybrid tree is imbued with recollections shared with a specific, precious individual. You will find that the majority are from Naruto and myself. There are relatively few memories of solitude, at least until my later years. The remaining trees are filled with cherished moments spent with my friends and our shared experiences."
"Was that how you were able to so readily access the specific memory of the Shodaime's necklace?"
Minaruki offered a small, wistful smile. "Yes. My mind possesses a more structured organization than my brother's did. His was a chaotic jumble of scrolls upon scrolls, lacking much discernible order." Her smile faded slightly. "Organized chaos, perhaps."
A brief, contemplative silence hung between them before she spoke again. "Come," she said softly, gesturing towards the trees. They walked together into the woods, Minaruki leading him to a tree that, at first glance, resembled a Copaiba.
"Is this a Copaiba tree?" Inohiro inquired.
"Yes," she confirmed, her gaze fixed on the charred trunk and the ash-colored leaves. However, Inohiro noticed that some of the leaves were neither the vibrant green of health nor the dull gray of death. Instead, they were a unique blend of Copaiba foliage intertwined with delicate violet blossoms. He stepped closer, a flicker of recognition in his eyes.
"Lespedeza," he murmured.
"Violet Lespedeza," Minaruki clarified.
"The Yamanaka clan," he stated, looking back at her to see her eyes intently focused on the violet blooms.
Slowly, her gaze drifted over the blossoms. "Only the positive memories still bloom," she confirmed quietly. "Would you like to see how strong your granddaughter became?"
Inohiro's gaze returned to the tree. A deep longing flickered within him. With a sad smile, he looked back at Minaruki.
"Perhaps another time." She nodded understandingly, and he glanced back at the unique tree. "Is it…healing?" he asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.
"Slowly," she confirmed, then moved to examine a newly sprouted lower branch. "While my academy instructor isn't a blood Yamanaka, she still carries the name. But there's a Yamanaka girl I've met... Inosui."
"Ah, yes, she is a cousin of ours."
Minaruki smiled faintly. "She bears little physical resemblance to Ino. Her hair is a different shade, her eyes more green than pale blue." She placed her hand gently on the tree's trunk. "But she will contribute her own memories to the Yamanaka tree within my mind."
Inohiro nodded thoughtfully. "How did you find your first week at the academy?"
Minaruki's expression clouded slightly. "I experienced a panic attack before we even left the gates. Thankfully, Minato had already departed. Only Kakashi and one other student witnessed it."
"What triggered such a strong reaction?" he asked, observing as Minaruki began to circle the tree, channeling chakra into its burnt sections. Inohiro watched as the damaged areas seemed to regain a subtle vibrancy under her manipulation.
"Fear. Justified fear, I believe," she stated. "I possess sensory abilities. Kurama's presence, coupled with my attunement to Natural Energy, allows me to perceive chakra signatures around me, quite apart from my own Uzumaki lineage. The range isn't as extensive as it once was, but once I master Sage Mode, I anticipate regaining that sensitivity." She waved a hand dismissively. "But I digress. In the classrooms, I could feel everyone's chakra. I recognized the signatures of those I once knew. Being in a younger class was initially manageable. But it didn't truly register until that moment that I would be facing individuals long since deceased in my original timeline. Jounin and Chuunin who sacrificed themselves to protect us, to safeguard the remaining civilians. It all seemed to converge at once."
"Yet, you faced it. That is a significant step. I might not have advised such a direct confrontation—"
"I didn't. I didn't even look at them. Acknowledge them. Not until after lunch. I had to meditate during class, repeatedly reminding myself that they weren't truly dead in this reality. That I had somehow achieved the impossible and traveled through time." She finally turned back to him, her gaze direct. "They are dead, but they aren't." She blinked, then gently brushed her fingers over a violet bloom. "Will these new experiences…overwrite my old memories?" she asked softly, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.
Inohiro recognized the underlying fear in her question. "No. While only you will retain the memories of their original selves, the new experiences will not erase the old ones. Not unless you allow them to." He joined her, his gaze also fixed on the tree. "Have you considered separating the tree? Planting a new one to represent the fresh memories you will create in this time?"
Minaruki's lips curved into a soft smile. "No, I hadn't considered that. That's a rather insightful idea."
Inohiro nodded, observing silently as she moved within the landscape of her own mind, seemingly enacting his suggestion. He watched as she carefully separated several branches and their new blooms, transforming them into smaller saplings planted just inches away from the original tree.
"Why not place them further apart?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"They may represent new memories, new individuals, but their fundamental origins remain the same," she explained. Then, she offered him a sheepish smile. "Also, I am rather particular about my gardening. I prefer everything to be…organized."
Inohiro shared a quiet chuckle with her as they continued their exploration of her mindscape.
As they ventured into the deepest part of the forest, Inohiro stopped, a look of astonishment spreading across his face as he gazed at the massive, intricately intertwined tree before them. A towering redwood stood, its trunk embraced and bound by the ancient, gnarled branches of an oak. Yet, the intertwining branches softened the imposing sight, and cascading from them like a vibrant waterfall were countless violet wisteria blossoms.
"I didn't have the opportunity to grow up with my parents," she said softly, her voice tinged with a familiar sadness. "They died protecting me during the Kyuubi attack. My own father sealed the fox's chakra within Naruto and myself to safeguard his village. He was a master of seals. He also wished to meet us again. So, he sealed remnants of his chakra, and that of our mother's, into our seals. He even connected them, allowing us to be there for each other in a way. With that masterful sealing, he created this." She gestured towards the complex, yet beautiful tree before them.
"When Naruto and I were finally able to connect with their chakra impressions, this twisted form ceased to resemble a nightmare and instead bloomed with such vibrant energy. We may not possess memories of our parents in the traditional sense, but what we have is incredibly strong. Tō-san only strengthened that bond when we later fought side-by-side. This is the healthiest tree in my mind. They will always be my parents. I may call them Nī-san and Nee-san now, but in my heart, they will always be so much more."
"It's…beautiful," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine awe.
"Tō-san, Minato, is the oak wrapped around the redwood. Ka-san, Kushina, is the Wisteria blooming from it all. Kurama…is the redwood."
"He is?"
Minaruki smiled warmly and nodded at Inohiro. "He's always been a constant presence in our lives. His chakra is the very essence of the birthmarks Naruto and I carry." She tapped her cheek lightly. "He's as much a part of my family as my parents are, especially since we've long since moved past our initial…disagreements."
A faint, dismissive snort echoed in the mental space, and Minaruki rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"Come," she said, gesturing. "There's another matter I require your guidance on. Your advice regarding my memory trees has been invaluable, but I'm currently struggling with persistent double vision."
They returned to the central clearing, and Minaruki explained that she was experiencing an unsettling overlay of the living faces she now knew with the spectral images of those who had perished in her original timeline. Inohiro commended her strength in attempting to categorize these overlapping visages based on those she felt a responsibility to protect. Together, they devised a temporary mental framework to help her differentiate the two sets of faces, a stopgap measure until the underlying cause of this phenomenon could be understood. Inohiro recognized that this was a deeply psychological issue, one that Minaruki herself would ultimately need to resolve, though the duration remained uncertain. It hinged on her ability to forgive herself or to patiently await the new births of those she had lost.
Inohiro suppressed his burgeoning curiosity at that profound thought. Engaging with this time traveler and understanding the unique burdens she carried was both fascinating and illuminating. He still felt a pang of sorrow for her lost comrades, their fallen village, but her unwavering determination was palpable. If he ever doubted it, he only needed to observe the immense effort she had dedicated to healing the wounds within her own mind.
"So, a distraction then?" Minaruki murmured as they re-entered Inohiro's office. He swiftly warmed the remaining tea with a practiced jutsu and refilled their cups.
"Precisely. As a student at the academy, the quiet moments during the day leave your thoughts too vulnerable to being drawn back into your own mind and past experiences. While dedicated times for healing your mindscape are beneficial, being surrounded by children is not an ideal setting for such introspection. I suggest incorporating meditation into your mornings, perhaps in place of your usual physical training. Additionally, finding an engaging outlet will help keep your mind occupied should negative memories resurface unexpectedly."
Minaruki nodded thoughtfully, taking a slow sip of her tea. She used the rim of the cup to subtly conceal a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. She had a very specific type of "outlet" in mind, one she intended to explore with considerable enthusiasm.
A sudden, inexplicable shiver traced its way down Inohiro's spine. A distinct glint of mischief danced in Minaruki's bright blue eyes. A strong gut feeling, one he'd learned to trust over the years, warned him that his well-intentioned advice was about to backfire spectacularly, and quite possibly very soon. He let out a quiet sigh, attempting to push the unsettling premonition aside. It couldn't be that bad, could it? She was, after all, confined to the body of a child. What's the absolute worst she could possibly do? Inohiro mused internally.
He would, in due course, come to deeply regret that fleeting moment of underestimation.
Minaruki released a long, weary sigh as she exited Inohiro's office. Kushina was seated on the nearby couch, her brow furrowed in concentration as she perused a fuuinjutsu theory book adorned with a familiar spiral design. Minaruki recognized it instantly as a text originating from Uzushiogakure. Kushina looked up, offering a strained smile, but her expression softened considerably when Minaruki returned a genuine grin. Relief washed over Kushina, her shoulders visibly relaxing as she opened her arms. Minaruki readily embraced her, and the two Uzumaki shared a tight, comforting hug.
"Everything alright?" Kushina asked her little sister, her voice gentle.
"Yes," Minaruki mumbled into Kushina's shoulder. "I think I'll be okay moving forward. We didn't discuss Nī-san today, but it was still a beneficial session. I believe I'll be ready to talk more about him next time."
Kushina stood, still holding Minaruki close. "Progress is progress, Mina-chan. Don't push yourself beyond what you're emotionally prepared for."
"Hai~" Minaruki murmured, inhaling the comforting scent of Kushina.
Upon their return to Kushina's apartment, Minato and Kakashi were already there.
"How did it go?" Minato asked, approaching and placing a reassuring hand on Minaruki's back.
"Okay," Minaruki yawned, the exhaustion from her mental efforts catching up to her.
Minato smiled softly. "Kushina had the right idea. You were gone for a good three hours. We can spend the rest of our day off simply relaxing."
"Hm," Minaruki hummed contentedly, snuggling further into Kushina's embrace.
She felt herself being gently moved but didn't bother to open her eyes again as everyone settled onto the couch. She vaguely registered Minato, Kakashi, and Kushina discussing potential movies, but opted instead for a well-deserved nap. The mental excavation and reorganization she had undertaken had been utterly draining.
Minaruki didn't stir until the enticing aroma of food wafted into her senses. She also became aware that she was no longer nestled against Kushina but was instead comfortably reclined against Minato on the couch, though his attention was fully absorbed by the scroll in his hands. Keeping perfectly still, she scanned the room for Kakashi and found him curled up in the armchair, a book open in his lap. A soft smile Tōched her lips at the peaceful scene.
"Hungry?" Minato asked softly, his gaze briefly flicking down to her.
Minaruki nodded sleepily but didn't shift her position. Minato chuckled and gently scooped her up, carrying her to the kitchen where Kushina was already arranging lunch for everyone. Kushina smiled warmly at Minaruki.
"Did you have a good rest?"
"Naps are almost as wonderful as ramen," she yawned, stretching languidly.
Kushina and Minato both snorted in amusement.
"Are we truly not going to train anymore today?" Kakashi asked, joining them at the table.
Minato ruffled his silver hair. "While dedicated training is essential for becoming stronger, a wise shinobi understands the importance of allowing their body to recover. You've both pushed yourselves diligently this week. Enjoy this day off. Let your muscles rest and simply be kids for a day."
"Hm," Kakashi hummed noncommittally before diving into his meal. Minaruki simply rolled her eyes playfully and began eating her own lunch.
While Minato and Kakashi handled the post-meal cleanup, Minaruki quietly slipped away to her bedroom, feigning a need to retrieve a scroll. Which she did. But her primary intention was to summon a clone.
The clone materialized, accepting the scroll and awaiting instructions as a small amount of Minaruki's blood seeped into its form. The Blood Clone sighed contentedly, relishing the influx of chakra.
"It's a day of leisure," Minaruki stated seriously, even as her body underwent a henge, transforming into her adult form. "No training. Focus on strengthening your bond with Kushina and Minato. Tease Kakashi. I don't anticipate you sustaining a fatal injury, but please, try not to get yourself killed."
The clone observed as Minaruki's blonde hair darkened to a raven black and the faint whisker-like markings on her cheeks vanished.
"What's the plan, boss?" the clone inquired.
Minaruki smirked, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I have a promise to fulfill to a certain nine-tailed companion. After that, I have an old friend to visit. Possibly two, depending on how my schedule unfolds."
The blood clone nodded in understanding and headed towards the apartment door. "Stay safe, boss."
"Always," Minaruki replied with a confident nod, before disappearing in a swift shunshin. Reappearing in the training grounds Minato often used, Minaruki took a moment to reacquaint herself with the familiar sensations of her adult body. With a practiced movement, she applied a seal to her wrist. This would anchor her henged transformation until the seal was intentionally removed, ensuring that she wouldn't revert to her child form even if injured. However, she understood that this didn't grant her access to all of her adult capabilities; Sage Mode and Kurama's chakra cloak remained beyond her reach for now.
"Is it that time already?" Kurama mused, his massive consciousness drifting to the forefront of her mind to observe his host's intentions.
'Indeed~. I have a promise to keep to you, don't I?' Minaruki smirked outwardly, a silent communication passing between them. Kurama simply settled into a meditative lotus position within her mindscape, gathering and molding his immense chakra, prepared to witness the unfolding events. He would readily lend his host his power should the need arise.
Minaruki completed her stretches and practiced her katas with fluid precision. She swiftly checked the scroll containing her specialized sealing ink and ensured all her concealed weapons were securely in place.
With a decisive nod, she approached a nearby tree and placed one of her unique teleportation seals near its base. She would need to dispatch clones to mark various locations within the village later; her father's space-time ninjutsu wouldn't go to waste.
Melding seamlessly into the shadows, Minaruki suppressed her chakra signature to near nothingness and swiftly made her way towards the Uchiha compound. Slipping over their walls and bypassing their security measures proved almost comical in its ease. Now, however, patience was paramount.
She remained crouched in the deep shadows, further concealed by subtle seals, until well after sunset. Her keen eyes meticulously tracked the movements of the patrolling guards. Her enhanced senses registered the chakra signatures of those beyond her direct line of sight. Their routines and patrol paths solidified in her mind, overlaid with the detailed map Kai had so helpfully provided.
When the next guard passed along his designated route, she vanished into the darkness. The branch family residences were her initial targets, their inhabitants' comparatively lax training proving a significant vulnerability. Slipping into the first house was effortless. Minaruki applied the first color-changing seal of the night to the shampoo and conditioner bottles in the bathroom. She then placed a small stasis seal on both the front and back doors. These stasis seals would ensure the color-changing effects persisted for a full month, even if the original seals were discovered and removed. Minaruki likened it to a localized time-freezing effect for hair. All the seals were incredibly small, applied with a mere Tōch of her fingertips, fitting discreetly along the upper door frames.
The rest of the branch and civilian homes were just as easily infiltrated. She moved like a phantom, dodging and slipping past the occasional guards with practiced ease, her extensive experience and knowledge of the Sharingan proving invaluable.
The main branch residence presented a significantly greater challenge. It was considerably larger and housed veteran shinobi who actively patrolled its grounds.
Minaruki had never been particularly known for her stealth during her childhood. She and Naruto had favored bright orange jumpsuits, practically announcing their presence. As they matured, their attire shifted to darker oranges and blacks, but true stealth had never been their forte. Baa-chan had rarely assigned them those types of missions. However, the aftermath of Madara and the Jyuubi's rampage had necessitated a broader skillset.
She drew upon those now honed stealth abilities, moving through the main house with the grace of a shadow. She adhered to walls, traversed ceilings, melted into darkness, and maintained an iron grip on her suppressed chakra, willing it into absolute nothingness to evade detection by the active Sharingan eyes on patrol.
What felt like an eternity, but was only a few short minutes, passed before Minaruki slipped back out of the main house, having placed the final stasis seals on its doors.
Then, simply to underscore her capabilities, she effortlessly scaled the compound walls once more and waited until she was a safe distance away before utilizing hiraishin to instantly return to the secluded training clearing.
Minaruki snorted softly in the deserted training clearing. "Well, that was almost disappointingly easy," she muttered aloud, stretching her limbs once more. Humming a quiet melody, she glanced up at the moon, gauging the late hour. Realizing that Jiji should still be in his office, she swiftly created several hundred shadow clones.
"Henge," she commanded, and each clone transformed, adopting various unassuming civilian guises or the appearance of average chuunin shinobi.
"You know the drill. Tag every conceivable location. A few of you, locate Danzo's likely hideout and discreetly place some tags there."
"Hai!" they responded with synchronized salutes before dispersing into the night.
Minaruki smirked. Her limitations as a child were now shed; in her adult form, her capabilities were significantly amplified, especially with Kurama's potent chakra bolstering her reserves. She could afford to stir the pot a little and observe the resulting ripples through time.
First priority: a meeting with Jiji to secure clearance for ANBU operations.
Minaruki waited until she sensed her clones dispersing before initiating her own movement, utilizing hiraishin to instantly transport herself to the vicinity of the Hokage's office.
She crouched silently on a nearby rooftop, directly across from the illuminated window of the Hokage's office. Minaruki eyed the glass thoughtfully, contemplating her entry. Was it worth antagonizing the ever-vigilant ANBU by crashing through the window? Or should she opt for a more startling approach and simply shunshin directly inside?
"Decisions, decisions," she whispered to the night wind. The logical part of her mind cautioned against unnecessary conflict with ANBU; she might very well need to collaborate with them soon.
Letting out a soft, annoyed grunt, she applied a henge to her face, shaping it into a distinctive fox mask. She then retrieved Baa-chan's necklace from beneath her shirt, ensuring Sarutobi would recognize her.
Gathering her chakra, she initiated the shunshin, appearing directly before the Hokage's desk in a swirl of leaves. She lowered herself to one knee, deliberately ignoring the sudden flares of ANBU chakra that instantly surrounded her. A kunai grazed her throat, drawing a thin line of blood, but she remained motionless in her kneeling posture.
Sarutobi observed the fluid movements of his ANBU as they reacted to the sudden arrival. His gaze settled on the black-haired woman kneeling respectfully before his desk. He began to form the demand for her identity, but his words caught in his throat as he noticed the familiar jewel adorning her neck. A sigh escaped his lips, and his tense posture relaxed.
"Ah, Kitsune. Finally reporting for duty?" he remarked, sensing the brief waves of confusion rippling through his masked ANBU guards.
"Hai," Minaruki's familiar adult voice filled the room, a low and steady tone. "My apologies for the delayed arrival, Hokage-sama. I seemed to have gotten temporarily lost on the winding path of life."
Sarutobi chuckled softly and waved a dismissive hand at his ANBU. "You are dismissed." Once the silent figures vanished into the shadows and their chakra signatures receded, Minaruki rose, and the fox mask henge dissipated.
Sarutobi appraised her adult form with a thoughtful gaze. "Will you require a standard uniform?"
Minaruki nodded, glancing down at her current attire. "This is merely a particularly resilient bloodline henge. Maintaining it will be less taxing if I don't also have to consciously sustain the illusion of clothing."
Sarutobi nodded in understanding and tossed her a compact scroll. "This contains the specifications for the standard uniforms, necessary equipment, and your designated mask." She caught it deftly and tucked it away. "While you are here, you will also need the ANBU affiliation mark."
Minaruki nodded again and moved to kneel behind his desk, presenting her bare left shoulder to the Hokage. With a brief surge of chakra and a momentary burning sensation on her skin, the ANBU seal was branded onto her arm.
"Will you be able to conceal that from your elder siblings?"
Minaruki snorted softly. "Of course. A simple concealment seal applied whenever I'm not on active duty will render it undetectable to others."
Sarutobi nodded as Minaruki moved to sit across from him once more. "You are settling in adequately, then?"
Minaruki offered a slight shrug. "Adjusting to the smaller body will take some time, but I am making progress. I have a feeling true comfort won't come until I'm at least a teenager, when the physical form aligns more closely with my perception. I will endeavor to avoid overextending myself unnecessarily."
Sarutobi nodded in understanding. "As to be expected. How did your session with Inohiro proceed?"
Minaruki shrugged again. "A promising start. There is still much to explore, but we will get there." She paused, then corrected herself. "I will get there."
Sarutobi nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "So, you have honored me with a visit this evening. Does this signify that I should anticipate…complications?"
Minaruki subtly masked her smirk at the impending "complications" that dawn would reveal. "Nothing that will fracture the timeline. My primary reason for this visit, aside from solidifying my ANBU designation, concerns Danzo."
Sarutobi sighed, setting down his beloved pipe. "Let us finalize your ANBU codename first then—"
"No. We address this now."
Unyielding blue eyes met aged, knowing brown.
"Minaruki."
"Hiruzen."
The silence in the office thickened, heavy with unspoken understanding and a subtle power struggle. Sarutobi was the first to break the intense gaze. Minaruki offered no outward sign of triumph; she understood this confrontation caused him pain, but she believed it was necessary.
"What specific assistance do you require from me?" he asked, his gaze now averted.
"A formal scroll granting me, as your personal ANBU operative, the authority to act and speak on your behalf concerning Danzo. I intend to conduct reconnaissance on him over the coming week, gathering irrefutable evidence of his activities. Once I provide confirmation that I possess concrete proof of his crimes, you will authorize me to present him with a choice: imprisonment followed by execution, or complete and unconditional surrender of his control and perceived power."
Sarutobi looked back up, his gaze meeting the unwavering blue of her eyes. Eyes that held a resolve far beyond her apparent age. He wasn't looking at a lost child, nor simply one of his ANBU. No, the Rokudaime Hokage sat before him.
"As you wish, Rokudaime-sama," Sarutobi conceded, lowering his head in a respectful, albeit small, bow.
Minaruki's brow furrowed. "No. You are not to bow to me."
"Technically, you are—"
"A four, almost five-year-old who loves you dearly. I have no desire for the Hokage hat. My sole aim is to protect our village and the precious lives within it."
Sarutobi's lips quirked into a faint smirk as he met her gaze. "Sounds like the heart of a Kage to me."
She flinched slightly, a warning glare directed at him. "Enough with your old monkey antics."
Sarutobi chuckled softly before releasing a long, contemplative sigh. "I sincerely hope my old teammate possesses the wisdom to recognize that opposing you will not end favorably for him."
"I fully anticipate a confrontation," Minaruki countered with a knowing smirk. "That is precisely why I intend to conduct thorough reconnaissance first. I need to acquire one of his ROOT operatives and understand the nature of the seal he employs to control them. If I can successfully link the counter-seal I've developed to even one of them, it should establish a connection to all of them. Danzo will be unable to manipulate them against me if they choose not to be."
"He has them sealed?" Sarutobi sat up abruptly, his aged eyes sharp with concern.
Minaruki sighed, then dedicated the next hour to elucidating the intricate and disturbing inner workings of ROOT to the Hokage. As she had suspected, Danzo had deliberately withheld crucial information from Sarutobi, revealing only the barest essentials. It didn't help that Sarutobi, perhaps out of a degree of willful ignorance, hadn't pressed for a more comprehensive understanding.
Once she had finished her detailed explanation, Sarutobi provided her with the necessary official documents and the key to her ANBU alias's new apartment, along with a modest sum of cash to give the residence a semblance of occupancy.
She briefly visited the one-bedroom apartment to drop off her ANBU gear before returning to her actual home. There, she slipped quietly into her bedroom and dismissed the sleeping blood clone.
Releasing her own henge, she allowed the accumulated memories of her blood clone and the dispersed shadow clones to flood her consciousness. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she gratefully collapsed into her bed, surrendering to the sweet embrace of oblivion.
Minaruki jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open in confusion. What had disturbed her slumber?
"Did you hear that too?" Kakashi mumbled sleepily from his futon on the floor. Minaruki shrugged, pushing herself up and looking around the dimly lit room.
The muffled sounds came again, more distinct this time. Minaruki's gaze snapped to the closed door as she recognized the source: rhythmic thumping, hushed cursing, and Minato's rapid-fire chatter punctuated by Kushina's groggy, muffled replies.
Minaruki quietly slipped out of bed, carefully stepping over the still-sleeping form of Kakashi. Navigating around him silently last night had been effortless; he wasn't the elite shinobi she remembered yet.
He trailed behind her as they cautiously opened the door and crept down the hallway. There, they found Minato hopping on one foot as he struggled to pull on his sandals. He snatched his weapons pouch and distinctive mask from Kushina with a hurried kiss and then bolted out the window with a burst of speed.
Minaruki and Kakashi blinked at the empty space where Minato had just been, then exchanged a confused glance before turning to a yawning Kushina.
Kushina glanced at them, her red hair Tōsled. "Morning, Imōto, Kashi."
"What was wrong with Nī-san?" Minaruki asked, her curiosity piqued, though a suspicion of the answer was already forming in her mind.
Kushina sighed, ushering them towards the kitchen. "Minato got called into the Hokage's office. Something urgent about the Uchiha clan, or so he mumbled," she reported sleepily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Minaruki raised a skeptical eyebrow. Was Kushina even privy to ANBU operations? Also, since when had Minato been ANBU?
"Is Minato-san ANBU?" Kakashi asked, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and surprise.
Kushina paused mid-pour of her coffee, a frustrated curse escaping her lips.
"Pretend you didn't see him. No one is supposed to know their identities, not even family."
"Hai," the two children chorused obediently.
Silence descended upon the group as Kushina, still half-asleep, began preparing breakfast. Minaruki watched her with a Tōch of amazement, marveling at her ability to navigate the kitchen with her eyes barely open.
She felt Kakashi's persistent gaze on her and finally met his questioning look.
"Uchiha?" he asked softly, his brow furrowed in thought.
Minaruki offered him a cryptic smirk. He stared back, his eyes widening in sudden comprehension.
"How?" he whisper-hissed, his voice barely audible. They had spent the entire evening together; she hadn't left his sight.
"Hi-Mi-Tsu," Minaruki replied with a wide, knowing grin.
Kakashi's intense stare remained fixed on Minaruki throughout the entire breakfast. Minaruki simply savored the attention, a smug smirk playing on her lips as she mentally pictured the delightful chaos currently unfolding beyond the confines of the apartment. There was no need to rush and witness the fruits of her labor immediately. She had a whole glorious month to simply bask in the triumph of her sealing and pranking ingenuity.
Inohiro stood quietly to the side as the Hokage diligently worked through the stack of reports already cluttering his desk. Inohiro didn't mind the multitasking; the privacy seal was active, ensuring their conversation about Minaruki's mindscape remained confidential.
"Mina gave me a brief overview of their session. I understand you can't divulge everything, but how did it progress?"
Inohiro smiled reassuringly at his Hokage. "She possesses remarkable inner strength. I believe she will be one of my most cooperative patients. She acknowledges her pain and is actively seeking healing. Her mind is resilient, and she has already begun the process of mending it."
Sarutobi's lips curved into a gentle smile as he paused his writing. "She is certainly a unique individual. My successors chose wisely."
"Indeed they did, Hokage-sama. Her mindscape is truly extraordinary. That initial clearing was merely a facade, a way of preventing intrusion. The reality within is breathtaking. She has organized her memories of significant people and Clans into distinct types of trees. And her core memory tree? It appears twisted and even unsettling at first glance, but it's profoundly beautiful. I almost wish I could cultivate something so resilient."
Sarutobi chuckled softly at Inohiro's awestruck report.
"She is already facilitating her own healing?"
Inohiro nodded, considering how best to explain. "She possesses a keen awareness of her situation. I believe that had this transition been more abrupt and unplanned, her mind might not have adapted so readily. But she understands that she has returned to the past. The reality that the people she lost are only temporarily absent is beginning to take root. She recognizes that her bonds with them will be different now, but she also fears losing the memories of their original selves. We devised a temporary solution for that within her mindscape. We haven't yet delved into her more traumatic memories, so in the interim, I recommended she find an engaging outlet to distract herself. I also suggested replacing her morning training with meditation to address some other challenges she's facing."
"Am I permitted to know what those challenges are?" Sarutobi inquired.
Inohiro hummed thoughtfully. "She is experiencing an overlay of faces," he said carefully.
Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, that would explain the persistent undercurrent of grief I've noticed in her gaze when she looks at me."
Inohiro nodded, leaning against the wall. "This is a novel situation. I'm not entirely certain of the most effective way to assist her with this. I have a theory that it's a psychological manifestation, a constant reminder of her mission to protect the future, or perhaps a subconscious fear of the consequences should she fail."
Sarutobi frowned at the latter possibility. "Whatever the cause, we can only hope she possesses the fortitude to overcome it."
Inohiro smiled confidently. "She does."
Sarutobi raised a questioning eyebrow at Inohiro's unwavering certainty before a small smirk Tōched his lips. He shared the same conviction regarding the young Uzumaki.
A sudden disruption rippled through the privacy seal.
Inohiro nodded, indicating the completion of his report, but he didn't have time to leave before the office doors burst open the instant the seal dissipated.
Even as an enraged Jounin stomped towards the Hokage's desk, a conflicting mix of dread and suppressed laughter churned in Inohiro's stomach. He managed to stifle the amusement, instead observing the irate Jounin's agitated approach.
Sarutobi couldn't suppress the widening of his eyes as Fugaku Uchiha stormed into his office, his fiancée Mikoto and the Uchiha clan head, Kaito Uchiha, entering shortly after.
"Hokage-sama! Someone breached the compound's defenses!" Fugaku declared, his voice tight with barely contained fury. "As head of the Konoha Military Police Force, this is unacceptable! I demand full authorization to launch a thorough investigation!"
"Fugaku-kun, please try to remain calm," Kaito interjected smoothly, taking the offered seat across from Sarutobi. "Hiruzen," he acknowledged the Hokage with a polite nod. "A rather… colorful morning, wouldn't you agree?"
Sarutobi cleared his throat, his gaze pointedly meeting Kaito's dark eyes.
"Indeed, Kaito-dono. Now, regarding this intrusion, will the Uchiha Police Force require any assistance from ANBU?"
Kaito glanced at the still-fuming Fugaku. "For the primary investigation, we request to handle matters internally. Fugaku, as the Chief of Police, will oversee the proceedings. We came here primarily to inform you of the security breach so that ANBU and the other clans can be vigilant for any potential threat."
"Kaito-sama—" Fugaku began, his tone bordering on a whine.
"Fugaku, no harm appears to have come to the clan. Without concrete evidence of theft or damage, we cannot escalate this to a full-blown conflict over what seems to be a rather elaborate prank."
"Fine," Fugaku snapped, his jaw tight. "I will commence the investigation immediately." He offered a stiff bow to the Hokage and strode out of the office.
"Mikoto-chan, perhaps you could assist your fiancé in…cooling down?" Sarutobi suggested gently.
"Hai, Tō-san," Mikoto replied tonelessly, following the irate Uchiha.
Kaito turned his attention back to the Hokage. "Fugaku will undoubtedly press for severe repercussions. However, as clan head, I will not permit it. I recognize a prank, regardless of its sophistication, for what it is: harmless amusement. I would, however, request that Kushina-chan select a more aesthetically pleasing color palette next time. This particular shade clashes rather dramatically with our eyes."
Sarutobi cleared his throat again. "Kushina-chan has been rather preoccupied lately. She and Minato-kun recently took in her younger sister while her temporary guardian is away on a mission. They have also been caring for Sakumo's son, as he is the girl's guardian and a close friend of Kakashi-kun."
Kaito blinked slowly before humming thoughtfully. "So, another Uzumaki with a penchant for pranks? How old is this child?"
"Minaruki-chan is only four years old. I am quite certain that she lacks the necessary skills to bypass multiple Sharingan users to orchestrate such a prank on the clan and the head family," Sarutobi stated with a remarkably straight face, a blatant falsehood that both he and Inohiro recognized instantly.
Kaito sighed, rubbing his temples wearily. "Then, please expedite the deployment of ANBU. If neither Kushina nor her sister is responsible, we do have an unidentified intruder who needs to be located and questioned."
"I will have ANBU assembled and placed at your and the Police Force's disposal immediately," Sarutobi said, gesturing to a nearby ANBU operative to relay the orders and summon his captains.
"Thank you, Hiruzen."
"Kaito," Sarutobi acknowledged, dismissing him with a subtle nod.
Inohiro watched the Uchiha clan head depart. A sudden thump to his right drew his attention to his esteemed Hokage, who was precariously half-draped over his desk from his kneeling position, fumbling for the privacy seal. The moment the chakra flared, activating the barrier, Inohiro witnessed his usually composed Hokage collapse to the floor, erupting in unrestrained laughter.
"Oh, Kami!" Sarutobi roared between gasps. "Did you see that brat's face? It matched his hair!" He continued to cackle, rolling on the floor. "PINK! Pink hair! Oh, Kami!" Sarutobi's laughter echoed maniacally.
Inohiro sighed, a soft chuckle escaping his own lips despite himself. He watched as his Hokage slowly regained a semblance of composure. When the older man finally wiped away the last of his joyful tears, he smirked, looking directly at Inohiro.
"I believe we have just discovered Mina-chan's chosen method of distraction," Sarutobi mused, a twinkle in his eye.
Inohiro froze, meeting his Hokage's mirth-filled gaze with a growing sense of unease.
"I'm… not going to be held responsible for this, am I?" he asked cautiously.
Sarutobi snorted. "I probably should. But I won't. When the truth eventually surfaces, we can simply attribute it to her… unique genetic predisposition." He deactivated the privacy seal and began straightening the papers on his desk.
"How long do you estimate it will take them to identify the culprit?" Inohiro asked, his curiosity piqued.
Sarutobi snorted again. "Never."
Inohiro hummed thoughtfully. "You and I both know that. But do you think we could perhaps establish a wager? The proceeds could be directed towards the academy or the orphanages."
"Wager for what, exactly?" Nara Shikaku asked, entering the office and subtly suppressing a yawn.
Inohiro snorted. "Did you happen to miss the… pink Uchiha?"
Shikaku blinked slowly, his typically impassive face showing a flicker of confusion. "Pink… Uchiha?" he questioned, the two words sounding utterly incongruous to the ever-logical Nara.
"The ANBU and the Uchiha Police Force will be collaborating on a joint operation to track down and investigate the individual responsible for last night's infiltration of the Uchiha Compound," Sarutobi announced, his tone official.
Shikaku blinked languidly, a drawn-out sigh escaping his lips. "Mendokusai. And it wasn't that Uzumaki girl?"
"Negative," Sarutobi chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Kushina would have left a more… flamboyant calling card."
Shikaku nodded, a faint smile Tōching his lips as he recalled her previous prank. "True. So, what were the parameters of this wager you were contemplating, and what sparked it?"
Inohiro smirked knowingly. "The culprit's identity, the timeframe until their discovery—"
"And who will be their next unsuspecting target," Sarutobi interjected, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"And, once discovered, the duration until they are actually apprehended," Inohiro finished, a shared understanding passing between him and the Hokage.
Shikaku's gaze shifted between the two smirking men. Men he knew well enough to suspect they already held a significant piece of the puzzle.
"You two already know who it is," he stated flatly, his tone deadpan.
"Naturally," Sarutobi snorted, a Tōch of playful arrogance in his voice. "I am the Hokage."
Shikaku looked to Inohiro for his reasoning. Inohiro simply shrugged. "Head of T&I. I have a decent grasp of how certain minds operate."
"Hm," Shikaku hummed, his sharp mind already attempting to piece together the enigma. "Have I encountered this individual before?"
"Not yet," Sarutobi answered cryptically.
"Alright," Shikaku nodded slowly. "I'll disseminate the information and initiate the betting pool. Will there be a time constraint on the wager?"
Inohiro and Sarutobi exchanged a brief glance. "Five years?" Inohiro suggested.
Sarutobi hummed thoughtfully, considering the proposition as Shikaku raised an intrigued eyebrow.
"Let's give the shinobi ranks a fair chance," Sarutobi countered. "Ten years. Of course, the timeframe for the next target will be a separate wager. We can have bets on how long until the next clan is targeted and a distinct one for which clan it will be. That should generate sufficient funds to support the orphanage for a few years." Sarutobi nodded decisively.
"Eh?" Shikaku mumbled, drawing their attention. "You both seem remarkably confident that this shinobi will evade capture."
Inohiro offered a knowing smile. Sarutobi snorted, a playful challenge in his eyes.
"If they are apprehended, I'll eat my hat."
Shikaku nodded once more, a hint of amusement in his own eyes. "Alright. Now, regarding this month's Jounin exams…"
Sarutobi sighed, and Inohiro seized the opportunity to make a swift and silent exit.
"You two ready to roll?" Kushina called out from the doorway, her hand already on the doorknob.
"Hai!" Minaruki chirped back, hurrying to her side and quickly slipping on her sandals.
"Hai, Kushina-san." Kakashi echoed, his attention fixed on fastening his own footwear.
"Kashi-chan! I've told you, it's Kushina-nee-san!" Kushina playfully chided, a warm smile on her face.
Kakashi simply nodded, his focus remaining on his sandals.
Kushina rolled her eyes good-naturedly, then clapped her hands together. "Alright, we need to do some grocery shopping to stock up on food for your bentos this week. Also, once Sakumo-senpai returns, I'll be back on active duty. I have an evaluation coming up, so we need to swing by the weapons shop to pick up my katana. Do either of you need anything while we're out?"
Minaruki shrugged, lifting her arms innocently. "Nope!" she chirped, a wide smile on her face. Kushina chuckled and scooped her up without protest. Minaruki sighed contentedly, enjoying the familiar comfort of Kushina's arms, her soothing scent enveloping her like a warm blanket.
"Thank you, Kushina-nee-san, but I am perfectly capable of walking," Kakashi stated politely, nodding before taking Kushina's offered hand.
Minaruki subtly hid a smirk. Slowly but surely, she was witnessing Kakashi beginning to act more like his actual age. While she doubted she could alter his peculiar taste in food, at least he wasn't trying to project an air of constant adulthood anymore.
"Alrighty then! Off we go!" Kushina exclaimed cheerfully as they exited her apartment building. They had only taken a few steps when Kushina abruptly stopped. Minaruki turned her head, suppressing a giggle at the sight of the approaching figure, radiating barely contained fury.
"KU~SHI~NA~" Mikoto Uchiha practically snarled, storming directly towards the redhead, her crimson eyes swirling with barely suppressed Sharingan. "What have I told you about pranking the clan without informing me first?!" she demanded loudly.
Kushina's eyes widened in genuine shock, her jaw dropping slightly. Minaruki could feel her Nee-san's body trembling, though whether from fear or suppressed laughter was unclear.
"Oh, oh Kami, Mikoto!" Kushina exclaimed, a wide, mischievous grin spreading across her face. "It's so… pink!" She then erupted into unrestrained cackling.
"KUSHINA!" Mikoto half-growled, half-shouted, her frustration reaching its peak.
Kushina gently set Minaruki down and held up her hands in a placating gesture towards her best friend. "Mi-Mikoto, I-I swear, I didn't prank the C-Clan," she stammered, struggling to contain her bubbling laughter.
Mikoto glared at her, her Sharingan spinning rapidly before reverting back to their normal black. "You're not lying," she stated calmly, a hint of resignation in her voice. "Damn," she muttered under her breath. "Fugaku's going to be even more furious."
Kushina snorted, her amusement still evident. "Where's the stick-in-the-mud anyway?"
Mikoto sighed, a weary expression crossing her features. "Kushina, please don't antagonize my fiancé any further. He's already quite… a handful."
Kushina rolled her eyes dramatically. "I still don't understand what you see in that man."
Mikoto shrugged, a hint of fondness softening her gaze. "He's strong, he's actually quite sweet when others aren't around, and he genuinely wants what's best for me and the clan. Father approves of him," she paused, a slight hesitation in her voice. "Most of the time, and certainly more than the other suitors."
Kushina simply snorted and shook her head dismissively at her friend. "I'll stick with my pretty boy, thank you very much."
"Uh-huh," Mikoto muttered, her gaze suddenly dropping. She blinked, her dark eyes focusing on Minaruki, who blinked back with wide, innocent eyes. Mikoto then looked back up at Kushina. "You would have told me if you were pregnant. So, who is this little rascal?"
Kushina beamed, her chest swelling with affection. "She's my cousin, like, once removed or something. My father's great-niece, maybe? I just call her Imōto. She's also Minato's half-sister. Apparently, his mother didn't die immediately. She became pregnant by one of my Uzumaki cousins and had Minaruki and her twin brother." Her expression clouded with sadness. "Unfortunately, they didn't make it to Konoha. They sent Minaruki here for protection." Kushina's face brightened again. "Sakumo-senpai found her. He has custody until Minato and I are old enough. But we get to have her while he's on missions, and vice versa." She then affectionately patted Kakashi's head. "Thus, why we have Senpai's brat with us too. They're already good friends."
Mikoto sighed, shaking her head at her long-winded friend. "Only you, Kushina."
Kushina simply beamed, unfazed. "So, you mentioned the Clan got pranked?"
Mikoto snorted as she joined them, Minaruki climbing back into Kushina's arms.
"Totally and utterly pranked. Expert level. That's why I initially suspected you. That, and it's not washing out. It's not like someone just bleached our hair while we slept. Fugaku has the entire Police Force meticulously searching every inch of the house at the moment."
"Your hair is too dark to dye easily," Kushina mused, speaking from past experience. Mikoto rolled her eyes; she had been a frequent test subject for Kushina's hair-related pranks in the past.
"Maybe someone is testing out some new seals?" Kushina offered thoughtfully. "While Jiraiya-sensei, Minato, and I are the well-known Seal Masters, it doesn't mean someone else couldn't reach that level through diligent trial and error." She shrugged.
Mikoto shot her a skeptical look. "Someone skilled enough to evade all the Sharingan eyes within the compound?"
Kushina shrugged again. "It's a possibility."
Mikoto sighed. "Well, it's not my immediate concern. As long as I keep my eyes closed, I don't mind it. The pink clashes horribly otherwise."
Kushina beamed and reached over with her free hand to playfully twirl a few pink strands. "I think it's lovely! It's like Sakura blossoms!"
Mikoto smirked. "Of course you'd like it."
"Well, pink is a light shade of red. You could almost get away with claiming it as an Uzumaki hair color," Kushina teased. Mikoto chuckled softly at her best friend's antics.
"So," Mikoto began, her gaze softening as she looked down at the small girl nestled in Kushina's arms, "tell me about this little one."
"Ah, Mikoto, this is Minaruki. Minaruki, this is my best friend, Mikoto Uchiha!" Kushina announced with a bright smile.
"Hello," Mikoto greeted Minaruki warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She was struck by the child's strong resemblance to Minato, though she also detected a subtle undercurrent in her chakra, a familiar resonance that spoke of Kushina's lineage. A hidden Uzumaki, indeed. A fascinating combination, Mikoto mused internally.
A tiny hand peeked out from Kushina's embrace, offering a small wave before quickly retreating back to its safe haven.
"Is she a bit shy?" Mikoto asked Kushina, her voice gentle.
Kushina offered a sheepish grin. "Around new people, yes. She wasn't even fond of Minato and me at first. She'd just curl up on Ji-san's lap, hiding within his Hokage robes."
"Aw," Mikoto cooed softly, her maternal instincts kicking in.
"Pretty," Minaruki suddenly piped up, pointing a small finger at Mikoto's vibrant pink-tinged hair.
Mikoto blinked, a slight twitch in her smile. "T-Thank you," she managed, her tone a Tōch strained. Kushina snorted, clearly amused.
"She'll come out of her shell more once she gets to know you. Oh! Why don't you join us for dinner this evening? I have a feeling this whole clan kerfuffle will keep the boys occupied. The kiddos are pretty self-sufficient, so we can have some quality girl time."
"Aren't we going to train?" Kakashi interjected, a hint of a pout forming on his lips, though he tried to mask it.
Kushina and Mikoto exchanged a knowing glance. "I wouldn't mind a bit of training," Mikoto grinned, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "It's been ages since we had a proper spar."
Kushina glanced down at Minaruki before meeting Mikoto's gaze with a meaningful look. "Well, we could, but I've been recovering from a significant chakra depletion recently. So, I suppose it would be beneficial to train with someone else before my re-evaluations."
Mikoto's eyes sharpened, her attention fully on her best friend. "What?"
Kushina's smile tightened slightly. "Not here. I'll fill you in later, behind some secure seals."
Mikoto hummed, nodding in understanding. "Fugaku will likely be engrossed in clan business anyway. Father and I aren't overly concerned, as nothing of value has been reported missing yet."
Kushina nodded as they entered the bustling grocery store, Minaruki zoning out before squirming to be put down, taking Kakashi's hand to walk beside him.
The shopping and errands seemed to stretch on endlessly, with Kushina and Mikoto chatting animatedly in front of Minaruki and Kakashi. Minaruki had almost forgotten just how talkative Mikoto could be. When she and Minato had finally reconnected with their aunt, the lecture she had delivered to their poor Tō-san about their upbringing had seemed to last for hours. To say the least, Mikoto had been far from pleased to learn of the hardships Naruto and Minaruki had endured, feeling a deep sense of helplessness at not being able to assist her best friends' children.
