Conflicting Feelings
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE!
THE IDEA OF THESE OC CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME. THESE SPECIFIC VERSIONS HOWEVER ARE MY BRAIN CHILD, IF YOU USE THEM GIVE ME CREDIT.
The Uchiha Rebellion
Chapter 4: Conflicting Feelings
During the Final Fight
The soft light of the afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Minato's modest home, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. It was quiet—far quieter than the chaos and excitement that filled the arena just miles away. Minato sat at the low table in the middle of the room, his gaze distant, lost in thought.
Jiraiya, seated across from him, let out a long sigh as he leaned back, stretching his arms. His usual playful smirk was plastered across his face, but Minato could tell his sensei was watching him closely, taking note of the turmoil swirling just beneath the surface.
"So, Minato," Jiraiya began, his tone light and teasing, "looks like you've become quite the lady magnet. First Kushina, and now Akane too? You're turning into a real heartbreaker."
Minato's brow furrowed, and he gave Jiraiya a sideways glance. "Come on, sensei, not now. Quit with the jokes."
Jiraiya chuckled, though he could tell Minato wasn't in the mood for teasing. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Alright, alright. But I think we need to talk about this. You can't just brush it off."
Minato sighed, running a hand through his golden hair. He had been trying to process everything that had happened—Akane's confession, the look on Kushina's face, the tension that now hung over their friend group like a storm cloud.
Jiraiya's voice softened. "So, how do you feel about it all? I know this can't be easy for you."
Minato hesitated, staring at the floor as he gathered his thoughts. "I… I care about both of them. But it's different, you know?" He paused, his voice quieter now. "With Kushina… it's more like a brotherly love. She's been my best friend since we were kids, and I've always felt protective of her. I love her, but… not in that way."
Jiraiya nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And Akane?"
Minato leaned back, his eyes distant as he searched for the right words. "Akane… she's different. I don't know exactly how I feel, but there's something there. Something more. But at the same time…" He trailed off, his mind flashing back to the way Kushina had looked at him after the confession.
"Kushina would be devastated," Minato continued. "If I pursued anything with Akane, it would ruin everything between us. And I can't lose that friendship, not after everything we've been through."
Jiraiya watched his student carefully, sensing the weight of the decision that rested on Minato's shoulders. After a long silence, he leaned forward, his usual light-hearted demeanor replaced with something more genuine.
"You're right that it's a delicate situation," Jiraiya said, his voice steady. "But you also can't let this hang over you forever. You have to decide what's more important—your friendship with Kushina or your feelings for Akane."
Minato's chest tightened at Jiraiya's words. "But what if it's both? What if I care about both of them too much to hurt either of them?"
Jiraiya let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You really are something, Minato. Always trying to do right by everyone."
He stood up, walking over to the window and looking out at the village below. "Here's my advice—don't make any decisions right now. Let things cool off. The friend group might be a little awkward for a while, but things will heal eventually. Kushina and Akane are both strong, and they'll find a way to move past this."
Minato nodded slowly, though he didn't entirely feel reassured. "So, just act like nothing happened?"
"For now, yeah," Jiraiya replied, turning back to face him. "Let things settle. Once everyone's had time to process, you'll figure out what's right for you. You've got a good head on your shoulders, Minato. Trust yourself."
Minato sat in silence for a moment, taking in his sensei's words. There was truth in them—he didn't need to rush into anything, and trying to sort out his feelings in the middle of everything else would only make things worse. But the thought of seeing Akane, of facing Kushina after what had happened, still filled him with unease.
"Thanks, sensei," Minato finally said, offering Jiraiya a small smile. "I appreciate it."
Jiraiya returned the smile, the familiar mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Anytime, kid. Now come on, let's get back to the arena. We're missing all the action!"
Minato stood up, following Jiraiya toward the door. As they stepped outside, the tension in his chest eased just a little, knowing that, for now, he could let this all rest.
By the time Minato and Jiraiya arrived back at the arena, the final moments of the match between Akane and Akimitsu were unfolding. The tension was palpable, the air thick with the residual heat of Akane's fire techniques and the raw power of Akimitsu's Wood Release. Even from the stands, Minato could see how hard both of his friends had pushed themselves—far beyond what any normal shinobi could endure.
Minato's heart swelled with pride as he watched them battle. They've come so far.
As the proctor announced Akimitsu as the winner, Minato let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He knew Akane had fought with everything she had, and even though she didn't win, her strength was undeniable.
He turned to Jiraiya. "Sensei, I'm going to check on Kushina. I'll be back soon."
Jiraiya waved him off with a grin. "Go on, kid. I'll be here."
The infirmary was quiet, the sounds of the arena far away now. Minato entered the room where Kushina was recovering, finding her sitting up in bed, her red hair slightly disheveled and her face pale. She looked up when she saw him, and the shame in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Minato…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm… I'm sorry. I let the Nine Tails get the best of me during the fight. I—" Her voice cracked, and she looked away, her fists clenched in the sheets.
Minato walked over to her and sat at the edge of the bed, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it," he said softly. "You're both safe, and that's what matters."
Kushina's shoulders trembled, and before Minato could say another word, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug. He hugged her back, his heart aching as he felt the weight of her guilt pressing down on her.
"I'm just glad you're okay," he whispered.
After a moment, Kushina pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Thanks, Minato," she said, her voice steadier now.
Minato smiled, standing up from the bed. "I'm going to check on Akane," he told her. "I'll let you know how she's doing."
Kushina nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Take care of her."
Minato made his way down the hall to the room where Akane was being treated. When he arrived, he found multiple medical shinobi working around her unconscious body, healing the damage she had sustained during the battle. Outside the room, standing in the shadows, was Fugaku Uchiha.
Minato hesitated for a moment before approaching, his eyes filled with concern. "Lord Fugaku," he began cautiously, "how is Akane holding up?"
Fugaku turned to face him, and Minato immediately noticed the fury simmering just beneath the surface of his usually composed demeanor. Fugaku's dark eyes glared at Minato, his voice low and sharp. "It's your fault that Akane may not have a future."
Minato blinked, taken aback by the venom in Fugaku's words. "What do you mean?"
Fugaku's gaze hardened as he stepped closer, his voice seething with anger. "You don't understand how our clan works, Namikaze. The Uchiha do not tolerate weakness, nor do we tolerate disobedience to our traditions. Your presence in her life has led her down a dangerous path—one that may destroy everything we've built."
Minato's stomach twisted in confusion and concern. "What are you talking about? What path?"
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, his voice a cold whisper. "You've seen how she looks at you, how she confessed her feelings in the middle of the arena for the entire village to hear. Such a display is unacceptable. The Uchiha have strict rules—rules that ensure the purity and strength of our bloodline. She may not even be allowed to choose her own future anymore."
Minato felt a chill run down his spine. "You're saying… that because of her feelings, the clan will control her future?"
Fugaku's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "The clan controls the future of all its members, especially the women. Akane's fate will be decided by the elders, and if she is seen as a liability, she will be dealt with accordingly."
Horror washed over Minato as he processed Fugaku's words. He had always known the Uchiha were a traditional clan, but this—this was something far worse. The idea that Akane could be stripped of her freedom, her life controlled by a council of elders because of her feelings for him—it made his blood boil.
"This… this isn't right," Minato said, his voice trembling with anger. "You can't just control people like that. It's inhuman."
Fugaku's eyes darkened, his smirk fading into a cold, emotionless mask. "You don't understand, Namikaze. This is the way our clan has operated for generations. We do what is necessary to ensure our survival and strength. You would do well to remember that."
Minato clenched his fists, every fiber of his being screaming in protest. But he knew now wasn't the time for a fight. He needed to step back, to think things through.
"Just… take care of her," Minato said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. He turned to leave, but Fugaku's final words stopped him in his tracks.
"Stay away from Akane," Fugaku said coldly. "For her sake—and for yours."
Minato's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. He walked away, his mind racing, his heart heavy with the weight of everything he had just learned.
Minato is starting to come to terms with his feelings. So much drama, too bad majority of this cast is dead in The Uchiha Resentment.