[POV: 3rd Person]
[Scene: Hokage's Office – Morning]
[Track Change: Naruto OST "Daymare"]
The next day...
[Date: October 13th, Year 65 of the Konoha Calendar]
The sunlight poured through the wide window of the Hokage's office.
Papers covered Minato's desk, some sealed, others annotated in his careful handwriting.
The faint hum of the village could be heard through the open window, a sign of calm after weeks of tension.
Minato stood behind his desk, dressed in his Hokage cloak, brushing the last bits of dust from the collar. His movements were precise and deliberate. Every detail mattered today.
Kushina sat on the couch nearby, holding a small bowl of porridge for Naruto, who babbled happily between bites. She smiled faintly before looking up at her husband.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked. "The whole village will be watching."
Minato nodded. "I am. The people need to see unity, not rumors. Fugaku has already agreed to stand beside them."
"That alone will raise eyebrows." Kushina leaned back, crossing her legs. "The Uchiha head, the Nine-Tails, and two outsiders, all standing beside the Hokage. That is a statement."
"It needs to be," Minato said. "The villagers have been uneasy since Asriel arrived. Yesterday's whispering nearly caused a scene. If I don't act now, that unease will fester."
Kushina fed Naruto another spoonful. "Then make sure your words reach them, Minato. Not just their ears, but their hearts."
Minato smiled. "I intend to."
He stepped to the desk, opened a scroll, and reviewed the speech again.
Each line had been revised until the tone felt just right: truth mixed with reassurance. He rolled the scroll shut, fastened his cloak, and looked toward the door.
"Send the summons," he said to the ANBU waiting nearby.
The masked shinobi bowed and vanished.
[Scene Change: Uchiha Compound – Courtyard]
[Track Change: Deltarune Ch. 1 "Quiet Autumn"]
Fugaku waited outside in his formal clan attire, arms crossed, expression unreadable. When Asriel and Renjiro arrived, he gave a small nod.
"You look prepared." Fugaku said.
"As much as I can be." Asriel replied. His robe was spotless, pendant polished.
Renjiro's voice spoke quietly within him. "Remember, look confident without seeming arrogant. Be calm, avoid being confrontational, but we also can't be seen as spineless."
Fugaku's gaze softened slightly. "The crowd will not be gentle. Many still cling to superstition. Do not let their words decide your worth."
Asriel smiled faintly. "I learned that lesson long ago, I was a prince before."
"Good." Fugaku turned toward the road. "Let us go then. The Hokage waits."
[Scene Change: Konoha Village Square]
[Track Change: Naruto Shippuden OST "Kokon Musou"]
The square had been transformed overnight.
A wooden stage had been built near the Hokage Monument's base, banners displaying the Leaf symbol swaying in the wind.
Villagers gathered in rows, murmuring quietly. Shinobi lined the sides to keep order.
Then Asriel appeared.
The noise rippled through the crowd. Conversations hushed as he walked calmly to his place beside Fugaku. His height, his horns, and the gentle expression that never faltered drew every eye.
Renjiro's voice came quietly from within. "Steady. They're looking for a reason to believe or doubt."
Minato stepped forward. The square fell silent.
"My fellow villagers," Minato began. "Today, I speak not as the Fourth Hokage, but as a man who owes his life and this village's safety to those who have chosen to protect it, no matter their origin."
He paused, eyes scanning the crowd.
"Some of you have heard whispers about Asriel and Renjiro. You have seen them walking beside the Nine-Tails and asked why they are here.
The answer is simple. They are our allies. They are family under the same name, Konoha."
Murmurs spread. Minato continued.
"When peace is fragile, it is easy to fear what is different. But true strength in Konoha has never come from sameness. It comes from unity.
The Will of Fire burns brighter when it warms more than one kind of soul."
His voice rose slightly.
"These two have risked their lives for our safety. They have shown restraint, compassion, and wisdom.
I ask that you judge them by their actions, not their appearance."
The silence was heavy.
Then a voice from the crowd shouted, "You say that now, but what happens when that beast loses control again? When those monsters turn on us?"
Kurama's ears flicked, but he said nothing. Asriel stepped forward.
"I will answer that." he said. His tone was calm and clear, carrying easily through the air.
[Track Change: Undertale "His Theme (2nd Movement [1:03])"]
"I cannot erase the fear you feel. But I can promise this. I live here now. I work here. I train beside your Hokage and your clans. My strength will never be turned against this village."
He looked toward the man who had spoken. "Fear of the unknown is natural. But fear cannot be the foundation of peace. Only understanding can."
The man who spoke up hesitated, unable to reply.
Renjiro spoke quietly through him, just loud enough for the nearest villagers to hear.
"In my world, we learned that no one becomes their best alone. We learn and grow by how we treat and understand each other.
When we show kindness, we bring out the good in others and in ourselves. We're not here to take someone's place or prove we're better, we're here to protect and help each other grow."
A faint murmur spread through the crowd, quieter now, less hostile.
Minato nodded and continued.
"Konoha is not perfect. We have made mistakes, but each generation grows wiser.
It is time to welcome those who share our ideals, even if their origins differ. That is what it means to carry the Will of Fire."
He turned to Fugaku, who stepped forward with a small wooden box.
Inside lay a polished Konoha ninja headband and a pendant shaped like a heart with the Hidden Leaf symbol on it. Its surface glimmered faintly with engraved chakra lines.
Fugaku spoke firmly. "On behalf of the Uchiha Clan and the people of Konoha, I present this to you, Asriel Dreemurr. A symbol that you are one of us."
Asriel hesitated, eyes wide. He reached forward slowly and accepted it with both hands.
Kurama lowered his head slightly, watching. His expression was unreadable, but the corners of his mouth hinted at pride.
Asriel put on the headband and placed the pendant around his neck. The sunlight caught its metal surface, reflecting a single bright flare.
Minato watched with a smile before announcing, "With my power as the 4th Hokage, I hereby declare that Asriel and Renjiro are granted the title of 'Konoha's Guardian SOUL'!
They will have authority on par with the Hokage Advisors and should be treated as such. In addition they will soon be joining Konoha Hospital as a Medic-nin for the foreseeable future!."
[Track Change: Deltarune Ch. 1 "Don't Forget"]
Applause began faintly. One person clapped, then another. Within moments the sound filled the square. It was uneven, hesitant, but real.
Asriel bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."
Renjiro's voice was soft, full of warmth. "You did it. That's the first step."
Kurama leaned closer, speaking quietly. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Tomorrow, they'll still whisper. But today, you earned silence."
Asriel smiled faintly. "Silence is fine. I'll fill it with action."
Minato raised a hand. "Today marks not an end, but a beginning. Let this ceremony remind us that even the strangest paths can lead to family."
The villagers slowly dispersed, conversations changing tone. Curiosity replaced suspicion, and for the first time since Asriel's arrival, there were smiles that were not forced.
[Scene Change: Village Street – Afternoon]
[Track Change: Naruto OST "Naruto's Daily Life"]
Asriel walked beside Fugaku and Kurama, the pendant glinting softly on his chest. Renjiro's voice was quiet now, content.
Fugaku spoke first. "You handled yourself well. You spoke with sincerity. That carries farther than power ever will."
"Thank you, Fugaku," Asriel said.
Kurama stretched lazily, tails flicking. "So, now that you're officially part of the village, what's next?"
Asriel smiled. "The same as before. Training, cooking, living. But maybe now, fewer people will cross the street when they see me coming."
"Perhaps," Kurama said with a grin. "Or maybe they'll come over just to ask for your recipe."
Renjiro laughed inside him. "Now that would be a first."
They turned the corner toward their home. The pendant swayed lightly with each step, catching the afternoon sun.
For once, there were no whispers. Only the sound of the village alive and at peace.
( A/N:
I'M BACK!
Sorry for disappearing on everyone! I had taken a break around early October and kept meaning to come back to writing but a ton happened all at once.
I'm a college dropout so I am still living with my parents. My Dad sold his house and moved out October 31st so I had been helping him pack and store his entire house.
Then afterwards was family gathering after gathering taking up all my weekend rest time. I was so burnt out I couldn't come back to writing.
Then I found out my ADHD medication was getting dropped from my Insurance and if I want to keep using it, it would cost $933 for a 90-day supply...
Finally got a generic version of it for cheaper so that's why I can finally return to writing today! Hopefully I can keep uploading more soon!
- THEN )