Lead clouds birthed a fine nasty drizzle.
Drip... tink... drip... tink...
Drops drummed on cemetery paths and rows of fresh gravestones. Long queue slowly moved to last resting place of Fourth Hokage. Young and... dead hero. Shinobi, kunoichi and civilians—seemed all Konoha today donned mourning veil. People grieved in silence, sending relatives and friends to Pure Land with flowers. Meanwhile many thoughtfully gazed at sky or... graves.
Of all kin, I lingered at cemetery longest after clanmates. Head allowed another full hour to mourn. Believe me, generous, especially when Konoha short on shinobi, and around clusterfuck of "ultra-urgent" missions. But fuck business, now I have what to weigh and ponder, and also honor dead kin.
Death and four graves... how symbolic, and disgustingly ironic! Shogo (lucky), Fudo (unwieldy), Yuko (useful) and Mitsuki Hyuga (aristocrat). Four names, two very close.
Yuko—little sister. I remember you from early childhood. Watched you grow, bloom like beautiful bud... awaiting beloved fiancée, wife in your sweet face. And Mitsu was reliable friend and cousin. Was. Were. And this!!! Biju! All said! Yesterday they lived! Breathed! Talked. BUT! All. They. DIED!!!
Mistake, bitch, of top leadership apparatus, at highest bastard level. Info classified. Chiefs' sad song sung. End.
Tikushēmo (sons of bitches)! How POSSIBLE? Why? Clumsy Minato with his Uchiha autist... drowned all Konoha in shit! Fanatics. Handed out happiness to all, fled like rats! One immediately chickened out, second imbecile voluntarily jumped into grave. All—happy end! No accountability from dead!!! Blind idealists.
And if only Minato "Rasengan'd" the bastard by teapot. Send Uchiha to grave and stew in Shinigami's gut at leisure. Fuck you frog-lover masochist. But no, Fourth always loved to mandal, cripple to catch up, chat about life and Konoha good with other crap. And because logically fucked up big time young Hokage, managed at end to splatter all with farsighted decision. Bet all on favorite "Hiraishin" and lost half village with adult jinchuriki.
No! Just think! How to DO THAT? Easily trade wife with "Nuclear Suitcase" for sniveling infant! Where's biju logic? And this politician's decision? SERIOUSLY? Or he hormone hysteric? He was commander!!! Killed kids by packs in Iwagakure, Kirigakure and other battles! (Plus collateral blackfoot peasants). Right? Or decided outplay Shinigami himself, tossing ball to roulette and all-in on zero? Then, since failed, play again, sealing half biju in self? For Kami's sake, can rational do THAT? And who's our beloved Hokage after? Hero?
Who are you really—Minato? Hiruzen's mad dog with rotten "Will of Fire"? Dumb idiot? Or prophecy fanatic of ancient toad? But... I get it, who—you!
Greedy idealist—that's the true answer!!! Why? Because... Namikaze wasted tons time. Betray Kushina. Let loose Kyuubi! Summon Gamabunta for hype. Solo Hiraishin Nine-Tails and lock from all Konoha "escorts" (so Kyuubi his only) in barrier. Incline to scam and kill wife. Summon Shinigami. Stuff self and Kushina into kid's gut. (Nah, what sly freak, even hid seal key from his Generator). And finale, heap advice for son's road. Something like that!
But create couple clones, "Hiraishin," plus seal Kyuubi in genin (like Rin Nohara). Alas, not fate! They have less chakra than FIVE-MINUTE newborn! Biju nonsense!!! Even temporary solutions THERE aplenty! Clear to all adequate as day!
Minato—grabber—that's your essence! Young Hokage flubbed everywhere! Night left Konoha without Kage-level shinobi; Betrayed Kushina thrice; Even son DUMPED to beg, but WHOLE village happily handed greedy macaque with brainwashed mind!
Curtain! Hamster Namikaze snatched Kyuubi chunk so not bored, and off to Shinigami brig. Congrats! Applause from Hiruzen and greedy elders club.
Nearsighted politician, Third's pupil and fanatic commander. Great hero!
Brr... I shook head and distanced from such grim thoughts. Looked at skies.
"Alright, fuck reflection. Forget deceased leader till better times. Honor beloved, brother and kin once more. Then, sadly, deep breath in-out. And mantra few times. Calmer that way.
Experience tells.
Om Mani Padme Hum."
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan