Chapter 22 - Revelations (1/2)

”What!” exclaimed a shocked Kushina, unable to believe that Konoha has a hand in her family death.

Minato then explained his reasoning like with Mito, and the girls were forced to admit that made sense. And when he mentioned that Mito approved his theory, they became sure of it.

”But why Mito-sama did nothing?” asked Mikoto, not understanding why such a powerful woman will not do anything.

”Because Konoha was created by her husband, and in the end her love surpassed her hate, making her unable to act. And she was not willing to continue the conflicts, already tired of this world.” explained Minato

Kushina fumed, but remembering that she was a weakling, she deflated. Even Tsume and Mikoto were at loss, what he said shattered their world views.

”In the end, what I want you to understand is that you need power to protect what you cherish, and to choose what to protect, not following orders like mindless sheep and sacrificing yourselves for the village or the clan. Ask yourselves, who is worth dying for?”

The three began pondering and were at loss. They don't want to die, and they have nobody whom they love enough to sacrifice themselves. Seeing through it, Minato smiled.

”I see, so you're like me” Startled, they looked up to him ”I don't have anybody worth to die for, in the end, you three are people that I cherished, but I can't say I love you enough to risk my life for you” A bitter feeling spread through the 3 of them, facing for the first time the harsh reality. And it's now that it sunk in Kushina that her family, the people that will die for her, are gone for good.

”But don't worry!” Shouted Minato. ”In the end, it's totally normal. After all, love is festered, it's not something that happens in one day. Maybe in some years, we will be willing to lay our lives for each other.” Minato's world swept their bitter feelings aside. He was right! The will of fire or love for the village is rubbish, it's just an indoctrination that forced them to sacrifice themselves, why should they love people that they don't even know? In the end, a village is merely a gathering of clans, not a place where everyone loves each other.

”You should choose your family. Your clanmates or blood family doesn't like you? So what! A family is a place where love is given without benefits, the friends and lovers that you cherish are your family! Konoha is your home? Rubbish! Your home is where your family is, if your family inhabit the oceans, become merwomen and go live in the ocean!” In the end, Minato was swept up by his feelings and shouted. Thankfully he placed the silencing seals, if not he would have been executed for high treason.

Minato's declaration made their blood boils, and Mikoto for the first time began to hate her clan that wants to control her for their benefits, and even more, she hated her weakness. If she was powerful she would not be a mere chess piece! Even her father is a mere chess piece controlled by the elders.

”Gasp” Sensing something wrong, Mikoto looked puzzledly at the shocked looked that Kushina and Tsume directed her, and is it her or her vision was clearer?

”Mikoto, your eyes!” Cried out Kushina in surprise.