Konoha's Blind Dragon (Under Revision/ Rewrite)

Chapter 5. Love for the village

Sundays were our lazy days. Uncle and I would usually work in the garden, visit Aunt's grave, stop by the academy, say hello to anybody we met along our way and use our weekly savings to buy ourselves a treat. Uncle preferred sweet treats.

Today was no different. We weeded our lawn and nurtured our vegetables and herbs. Then we put on our yukatas and went to the cemetery. On the way, Uncle stopped by somebody's house and pulled out his kunai from his academy days.

"I don't think the Hyuga household would mind a missing rose from their garden." Uncle said.

I heard the swift chop of a stem being cut, and then Uncle pulled my hand and we continued towards Aunt's grave. We walked in silence. Every now and then, Uncle would stop and say hello to people he knew and ask them how they were doing. I would stand behind him, holding his hand and listen.

When we finally reached Aunt's grave, Uncle kneeled down and placed a flower on her headstone. Then he removed the old flower and brought his hands together and said a short prayer. When he was done I followed in the same manner. I hope you're happy up there and that you have loads of flowers to mend to. I hope you get to eat dangos every day and that you never have to work. I hope you're happy, Aunt Mai. But Uncle misses you a lot, Aunt. He cries every night. Please help him. Please. I love you and I miss you.

When I was done with my prayer I got up and Uncle took my hand and led me out of the graveyard. He let out a surprised noise, stopped dead in his tracks and bowed deeply.

"Lord Hokage." Uncle said.

I quickly bowed as deeply as possible. I didn't even notice him, not even a flicker of movement! He really is fast! No wonder he is Hokage.

"Masao! Please there is no need to bow!" The Fourth Hokage exclaimed.

I heard Uncle fidget with his sleeves. He was nervous. I was curious. The Third had stepped down due to his age, and a talented Jonin took his place. I had heard rumors of Minato Namikaze. Fast, intelligent and acknowledged by everyone in the village. A person truly worthy to be called Hokage.

"How are you?" The Fourth asked.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking." Uncle replied.

"And how are you, Misayo?" He asked.

He knows me?

"I'm good." I replied.

"I hear that you are becoming an outstanding engineer! Keep working hard and you might even outdo your Uncle! I believe in you."

The Fourth laughed as he ruffled my hair. My cheeks felt warm and chest felt tight. The Fourth believed in me!

"I think she already has outdone me." Uncle said.

"I don't doubt that. How old are you now?"

"Five." I was smiling widely.

"Wow! I could barely solve any math problems when I was five." The Fourth said.

"It's true. You never did well in calculations." Uncle said.

"Yeah, I got better at it eventually I suppose! I still find it quite hard, I let Kushina handle the bills at home. Haha!" He added sheepishly. I could hear him scratch his head.

"Ah yes! How is the Red Habanero?" Uncle asked.

"She's fine. She's fine. A bit violent though."

"It will wear off. Pregnancy is always tough to get through. Just be supportive and never comment on the appearance and you'll do fine." Uncle advised.

The Fourth simply laughed.

"Yes, I realized that."

There was a long moment of silence before Uncle broke it.

"Out here to visit Obito and Rin." It wasn't a question, Uncle stated it gently.

"Yes." The Fourth replied.

His voice became quiet, and his breathing was shallow.

"I'll leave you be." Uncle said.

"Thank you."

With that we bowed and left the Fourth alone in the cemetery.

***

"Uncle?" I started.

"Hmm?" He replied.

"Is Obito and Rin the Fourth's parents?" I asked.

"No. They were his students" Uncle replied.

Were?

"They were killed during the Third Shinobi War." Uncle finished.

If they were his students, then they must have been young. Twelve or thirteen. No wonder the Fourth became so sad. They were only kids. Lives of shinobis may be exciting, but there are many risks. Imagine how the parents felt. I felt my throat swell and my eyes tear up. Our road home seemed to last for eternity.

"Misayo."

"Yes?" I croaked.

Uncle kneeled down beside me, wiped my tears with the sleeve of his yukata and held my shoulders.

"I know it is harsh to hear that children are sent off to war, but that is the duty of a shinobi. Protect and maintain the village's peace." He said.

"But they were only kids! How would their parents feel?" I said.

Uncle remained silent for a while.

"Each and every shinobi knowingly chooses to put their life on the line to protect what is precious to them. Just like your parents." Uncle paused.

"Itachi, Shisui and all the students at the Ninja Academy, have also decided to put their lives on the line for their own reasons, but each shinobi have one thing in common."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Love for their village. It is love that drives them to fight for what's precious to them and it is love that makes them strong." Uncle's voice was light and gentle.

I thought of the Third's speech about the Will of Fire.

"It is perfectly fine to be sad about the deaths of shinobis like Obito and Rin, but know that they all die knowing that they have managed to protect their villages and its citizens."

Uncle cupped my face.

"Don't be sad, Misayo-chan. And don't worry about Itachi and Shisui. They have plenty of love for this village and the villagers."

"I just don't want them to die so young, Uncle." I muttered.

"Nobody does, Misayo. But we don't live in privileged times. You have all seen war in early childhood."

I stilled. I remembered only parts of the Third Shinobi War. None of my memories were coherent. I did not like thinking about the memories. They were not good ones.

Uncle sighed, and I put my hand in his and we walked in silence back home.