NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Aftermath
After sealing Kurama in both his son Naruto and himself, Minato died heroically, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice and strength. While his wife, Kushina, was safe, her vitality was critically low due to the kurama being removed from her body. Typically, when a tailed beast is extracted from a jinchuriki, it results in the jinchuriki's death. However, in a miraculous turn of events, Kushina was still alive, albeit barely.
Her breath was faint, and her body was weak, but she had a fighting spirit. With a few weeks or months of bed rest, she will be back on her feet.
Due to Minato's sacrifice, only a few parts of the Hidden Leaf were destroyed in the aftermath of the battle with Kurama. While several shinobi had died trying to repel the beast from the village, many others sustained injuries but none that were fatal. Those who were injured were admitted to the hospital alongside Kushina, creating an atmosphere of tension and hope within the medical facility.
In one of the hospital rooms, Naruto lay in a crib, unaware of the turmoil surrounding him. His mother, Kushina, was nearby, her condition fragile yet stable. The faint beeping of medical equipment and the hushed voices of nurses filled the room, contrasting sharply with the weight of loss and sacrifice outside.
As Naruto is in the hospital bed, he felt a profound sense of determination rise within him. Even as a newborn, Naruto was already inspiring to become strong. "I'll protect you, mom ,I won't let anyone hurt you Mom again."
Meanwhile, Hiruzen was preoccupied with the burdens of leadership. He was buried under a mountain of paperwork, managing the aftermath of the battle and ensuring proper burials for the shinobi who had sacrificed their lives against Kurama. Their families needed support and recognition for their bravery, and Hiruzen was doing his best to honor them amidst the chaos.
However, in the midst of his responsibilities, a painful decision had to be made. Minato was buried without Kushina's consent, as she remained in the hospital fighting for her own life. It was a decision that weighed heavily on Hiruzen and the village; Minato had been a beloved leader and a hero. The emotional turmoil surrounding his death, coupled with the absence of his wife's final farewell, added a layer of sorrow to the already tragic situation.
After a few months, Kushina was finally back on her feet, her strength gradually returning as she recovered from the ordeal. The Hidden Leaf Village had also been reconstructed, showing resilience in the face of tragedy. As she walked through the familiar streets, she felt a mixture of sorrow and determination, knowing that the village and her family needed her now more than ever.
With a heavy heart, she made her way to the memorial site where Minato was bu8ried. The air was thick with emotion as she approached the grave, her eyes glistening with tears. Kneeling down, she placed a bouquet of flowers beside his resting place. The weight of her loss settled in her chest, but the love they shared pushed her to stand tall.
In that quiet moment, she promised, "I will protect Naruto until the time I die." Her voice was steady, filled with resolve. "I won't let your sacrifice go in vain, and I will raise him to be strong and kind, just like you were."
Kushina knew that being a mother was her most important role now, and she felt the spirit of Minato beside her, encouraging her to be strong for their son. As she stood up, a new sense of purpose filled her. With Naruto by her side, she was determined to ensure that their family would thrive, honoring Minato's legacy as they faced whatever challenges lay ahead.
While Kushina was at the memorial site, her best friend Mikoto Uchiha joined her, bringing along her two young sons, Itachi and Sasuke. Itachi, almost five years old, held tightly onto Mikoto's hand, while the baby Sasuke, barely six months old, rested in her other arm. The four of them shared a moment of silent remembrance, understanding the pain of loss and the strength of friendship that bound them.
After paying her respects to Minato, Kushina returned home with Naruto nestled in her arms. Upon arrival, she noticed an Anbu operative waiting for her—none other than Kakashi Hatake.
"Hokage is summoning for you," he informed her, his tone serious yet respectful.
"Okay, I will see him in a few minutes," Kushina replied, a sense of urgency stirring within her. She knew Hiruzen had important matters to discuss, and she wanted to ensure she was prepared.
Carrying Naruto, she made her way to the Hokage office. As she entered, she was met with the sight of Hiruzen seated at his desk, flanked by the village elders, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokodo and Koharu Utatane. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of responsibility and unspoken tensions.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Kushina," Hiruzen said, his voice softening as he regarded her with empathy.
Kushina nodded, her resolve firm. "It's okay, Hokage-sama. I've already resolved to protect Naruto. I won't let my husband's sacrifice go in vain."
Hiruzen hesitated, then asked, "Kushina, I don't know how you will take this, but would you consider becoming the Fifth Hokage?"
Kushina shook her head gently. "No, Hokage-sama. I promised my husband that I would take care of Naruto. So, I'm sorry."
Hiruzen sighed, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "It's okay. I still have many years to live, and I will be Hokage until a new one arrives."
"Then I'll take my leave," Kushina said, feeling a mixture of relief and determination.
"Okay, you can go," Hiruzen replied, watching as she exited the office.
As she stepped back into the sunlight, Kushina felt a renewed sense of purpose. She would honor Minato's legacy by raising Naruto to be strong, and she would stand as a pillar of support for her family and friends in the days to come.