Chapter 2 — A Leader's Burden
The day of the funeral came cold and still.
The village had been cleaned in haste — debris cleared, blood scrubbed from stone — but the smell of smoke still lingered. The streets were lined with black-clad shinobi and civilians as Hiruzen Sarutobi's casket passed.
He lay dressed in his Hokage robes. Someone had straightened his hair, smoothed the lines of battle from his face.
Minato stood at the head of the procession, cloak moving with the wind, eyes fixed ahead. Kushina was just behind him, holding Naruto close under her cloak, her hand curled protectively over the baby's back.
The funeral procession ended, but no one left the square.
The pyre's last ember still glowed faintly in the wind. Minato stepped onto the platform where Hiruzen's bier had rested only minutes before, Kushina at his side, Naruto nestled under her cloak.
He let the silence breathe — long enough for the people to feel the weight of the day. Then he spoke.
"Konoha has lost many leaders, friends, lovers, and protectors," Minato began, voice steady and clear. "Hiruzen Sarutobi — and many others — gave their lives so ours could continue. That sacrifice will not be wasted."
Faces lifted from the crowd — shinobi still bandaged, civilians clutching their children, clan heads standing tall among their people.
"The Nine-Tails has been sealed away. The threat is gone. Our walls still stand. Our spirit still stands."
His gaze swept the square, catching the youngest genin and the oldest elders alike.
"We will rebuild, and we will do it together. Every hand will have work, every child will have a roof, and every family will have a reason to see tomorrow. This village has faced war, invasion, and loss — and every time, we have risen stronger. This time will be no different."
A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd. Someone — a chūnin near the front — called, "For the Fourth!" and a ripple of voices followed.
Minato raised a hand for quiet, a faint smile on his lips.
"For the Leaf. For those we've lost, and those we will protect. We will honor the Third's memory not with mourning alone, but with the strength to keep moving forward."
He stepped back. The applause wasn't loud, but it was firm — real. People began to move, not drifting away in shock, but walking with purpose.
Kushina leaned toward him, voice low. "Nice speech, dattebane. Almost makes me believe you don't have a pile of paperwork waiting."
Minato huffed a short laugh. "Almost."
By midday, the Hokage's office was full.
The council chamber smelled of ink and old wood, scrolls spread across the main table. Minato stood at the center, the heads of every major clan gathered around him.
"We will recover," Minato said evenly. "The village still stands. Our walls are intact. Our people will not be left without food or shelter. Within three days, every civilian household will have repairs underway. Within one week, every patrol route will be running again."
Heads nodded around the room. Even Danzo, lurking at the back, gave a thin incline of acknowledgment.
"Uchiha, Aburame, Hyūga — coordinate joint patrols for the perimeter. Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi — relief and resource management. We will have order before the week ends."
Fugaku Uchiha nodded. "Consider it done." His tone was polite, but Minato could hear the careful neutrality.
Hiashi bowed. "The Byakugan will watch every approach."
"Good," Minato said, his voice taking a sharper edge. "And one final matter — last night's sealing. Only those who stood in the field will know the truth. Officially, the Nine-Tails has been sealed away. Not in anyone. That story does not change."
The silence was heavy, but no one challenged him.
When the council broke apart, Minato called quietly, "Fugaku. Shikaku. Kakashi. Stay."
The room emptied until only the four of them remained. Minato closed the door himself.
"This is not for the record," he said. "During the attack, I engaged the man who released the Nine-Tails. He wore a mask. He had a Sharingan."
Fugaku's brows drew together, but he stayed silent.
Minato continued. "His abilities were unusual. Space-time ninjutsu. He could phase through attacks. And his chakra signature—" Minato shook his head. "I've never felt anything like it. It isn't a match for any Uchiha I've met."
Finally, Fugaku spoke. "No one in the clan has those abilities. If they did, I would know." His tone was cool, but firm.
"I believe you," Minato said, and meant it. "But I need your help. I'll search the Uchiha archives myself, compare old records. In the meantime, monitor the clan — quietly. If someone with a Sharingan tries to hide that kind of power, we find them before they become a threat."
Fugaku studied him. "You're trusting me with this."
"I am," Minato replied. "I don't want a rift between the Hokage and the Uchiha. Not now. Not ever."
A pause — then Fugaku inclined his head. "Then I'll return that trust."
Minato's lips lifted slightly. "Good."
The discussion shifted quickly.
"Shikaku," Minato said, "double border patrols. Iwa and Kumo will see the Nine-Tails' attack as an opening."
Shikaku's eyes narrowed. "Already put scouts on the Land of Lightning pass. I'll reinforce the Iwa side."
"Kakashi," Minato continued, "inform Dragon I want ANBU rotating along the coastline and river routes. Any sign of foreign shinobi, I hear about it immediately."
Kakashi nodded. "Understood."
Orders went out without fanfare. In the background, hawks and coded scrolls were already moving. Konoha might be wounded, but it would not bleed in silence.
That night, the house felt heavier.
Naruto slept in the small room they'd set up for him, tiny breaths soft in the quiet. Kushina sat in the living room, hair down, blanket over her lap.
Minato dropped onto the couch beside her. "Long day."
She didn't look up from the doorway to Naruto's room. "Did you get what you needed?"
"Not yet. But Fugaku's with us. That's a start."
She glanced at him, a small, knowing smile. "That's more than a start. That's the kind of trust you build on."
Minato leaned back, eyes half-closing. "I'm going to make sure he grows up in a village that isn't tearing itself apart."
Kushina reached over, squeezed his hand. "Then we start here. With him."
From the bedroom came a soft cry. Kushina was up instantly, already moving. "Guess he agrees."
Minato followed her in, watching as she scooped Naruto up and murmured, "Hey, sochi-chan. Big day for you too, huh? Time for another bottle?"
The baby settled almost immediately against her shoulder.
For the first time all day, Minato let himself relax.
Tomorrow, there would be patrols, reports, and questions without answers. But tonight, in this small, warm room, the village could wait.