Wrecking The Past

20

4 Years Later

Minato was bandaging his forearm from a recent injury. His gaze narrowed over to Naruto who was pouring over a map. He hadn't expected to be placed on his squad but no one could deny that Naruto's squad was the only successful one to return with no deaths. Gravely injured but never dead. Naruto's destructive power colored the start of the war, his Lava Release is certainly an asset. The Fire Diamyo was certainly happy for the way the Uchiha had stepped into war with vigor and they were guaranteed a reward for their overwhelming contribution. Every Uchiha was on the frontline and something about it rubbed Minato the wrong way. 

When counting up casualties the Uchiha have suffered no loss. It was practically impossible but looking at Naruto he didn't want to imagine how the other had pulled it off. Naruto was the leader and the rest were under his command. He didn't have an advisor and it wasn't like he needed one. Shikaku who had been there longer than him had told him how Naruto operates and Minato had to admit Naruto had him beat. Naruto would run his plan by Shikaku who could find little fault and then the plan proceeded without a hitch. 

Beside him was Kushina who had grown into a rather fine woman. He was a bit miffed he didn't try harder to come between them as now they were the symbol power couple to any Genin and Chunin. Naruto was aloof and detached while Kushina was his emotions and rock. Kushina could read Naruto easily just like all the other Uchiha women that married into the clan. She wore a diamond ring that showed she was engaged, how that wasn't ruined in the fighting was beyond Minato. 

In the last few years, Kushina had gone under to be tutored by Tsunade Senju so she was rocking that lady's monstrous strength and had gained a bond with her tailed beast. Naruto had gone to great lengths to educate people on Jinchuriki and in the end, Kushina could walk proudly through the village with her head held high. Even Minato had to admit he would have no way how to resolve Kushina's situation within the village. Naruto shone brightly, hailed as the Uchiha's blessing. Even Minato could see how dominant of a force the Uchiha was becoming in the village but no one acknowledged it. Just a few years ago, it seemed the Uchiha were just outside their field of vision and suddenly dead center. 

Naruto gained a lot of favor when he unveiled his Hiraishin Technique and the mechanics behind it. Everyone on his squad was given a special kunai that should be thrown only in times of danger. Minato had received his and he couldn't even decipher the seal on the hilt of the oddly shaped kunai. And the next was the technique that made Naruto flee on sight in this war. His Rasengan and the variations that came with it. Such a destructive technique under his hands made Minato jealous. It was an original jutsu, fully complete with elemental chakra in the variations. He sighed and turned away from them not knowing Naruto was watching him. 

Naruto was amused. He had gotten to mule over a lot in the last 4 years. More importantly his growth. Without Kushina Minato didn't develop an interest in seals even with Jiraiya's insistence. Hence he never tinkered with the Second's Hiraishin Technique which was the skeleton for the technique of today. He would abuse this shit until it became known as his original technique, no ties to that prejudice Tobirama. The enemy is my friend in all things except women. More importantly in a few days if his spy network was correct he would take over the one thing that gave Minato his fame. Those 1000 Iwa shinobi were his for the taking and once that was completed he would move on to his next campaign to ensure he gets the seat. 

Listening in on the round table talks Hiruzen was considering one of his students since his high hopes for Minato had fallen through. It was close between Orochimaru and Tsuande since Jiraiya needed to maintain the spy network he was expanding. He's gathered the evidence of Danzo's involvement in sparking this war. Hiruzen has been boasting about Danzo being the genius behind a lot of the plans the village went forward with. When the reveal comes he'll deal with Danzo there and then and the Third's students since they've all been cozy. With all those connections becoming marred in comes the only one with a clean reputation minus rogue shinobi on their docket. 

Naruto wasn't against farming his propaganda, Danzo was just an idiot with his. You need to do your propaganda, no other person can be entrusted with that. Hence Naruto had scrolls prepped with ten blood clothes each for a situation he found beneficial. So beneficial he saved the Diamyo of Fire making a rather strong impression on the man. He knew that the news he was about to release was about to push the Diamyo in his corner and he had public opinion in his court as the entire village loved him. Even the clan heirs had gotten around him as he slowly worked out the kinks Minato had tried placing on his reputation. Kushina helped a lot in that regard and while Minato didn't see it his friends were pulling away slowly, charmed by his cool charisma. 

"What's with that look on your face?" Kushina got him out of his thoughts by cupping his cheek. He gazed at her, in all her lovely curves and brilliant red hair. Her eyes gleamed with adoration, truly an open book for her. 

"I want to get married before I become the Yondaime," Naruto murmured. "Would you be comfortable with that?" 

"Of course!" She beamed and kissed his cheek. "How can you be sure you're getting it?" 

"I'll tell you when it happens. So many ears listening at this moment," He replied as he kissed her cheek. "Promise." 

"Alright." 

With that he sat up straight and clapped his hands once, it was enhanced with chakra so it could be heard all over their camp. It was the signal to gather, mission details for the next attack would be handed out. Minato stayed in the back and his and Naruto's eyes locked. Minato shivered because Naruto didn't have any emotion in them. No hatred, he wasn't even worthy of annoyance. He gripped his fists tightly as they maintained eye contact until it was broken by Kushina grabbing Naruto's bicep. 

'I'll prove myself. You haven't won yet.' He thought bitterly.