Nobunaga: The Copper Caper

Nobunaga: The Copper Caper

One
Namikaze Shinobu

Far too often. That was how much he had been using his time-space technique. To be quick, to be agile, especially considering his caliber as a ninja, it was the only way to move on. There is no limit for achievement and success for influential people like him. That is why, they are always moving on to the next level. After all, his practices made the technique perfect and unique to his reputation. But far too often had he scattered things while he traveled between dimensions, considering that almost all the time he was still unaccustomed to it. He still had difficulties to further comprehend the side-effects of the technique, if any. He supposed that because of the speed of time and space, his weight or thoroughly speaking, the things that he carry may end up at a different side of the wormhole if they ever fall during his transit. While he was no scientist to prove the theory completely, he knew enough to calculate his risks now and he took great care as to what he carried with him ever since.

He lost most of the light things that he carry: a ring, a necklace, strands of his hair that fell off, etc. Because of the fear that weapons may also fell on some innocent person somewhere in the middle of the dimensions, he then harnessed them properly. His weapons were no exceptions in regards to utilizing the technique. After all, his technique would be nothing without the use of a special seal. He made a great conclusion: safety simply comes in handy for all ninjas. So expecting what to do as preparation to danger, is important. But how many things can you really prepare for? The world is, after all, full of both surprises and possibilities, sometimes too many that they are frightening.

And so far, he had failed in trying to understand how the unpredictable and weird things happened as he travels through time and space.

"Oh yeah? How weird?"

"I-I heard a cry."

He saw her grey eyes widened.

"It was a child, no doubt about it. Every time that I would be able to hear it, it was so close and—I'd never doubt that it was a human child! At some point, it was so… god awful and frightening!"

She gulped down her fears of his story, but to know avail. Namikaze Minato, her newly wedded husband, had told her that about the experience of being in between two spaces: how time slowed down as he would shift from point to another. She felt goosebumps all over her frail, womanly body. She wondered where such thing would come from.

"What happened? Did you checked it out?"

"I did," he said, so calm and composed in a storm as uneasy as this. "It was…"

"Was what?"

But he did not answer. He seemed shocked by it as she was. She held out her hand on his and clenched it; it was this gesture of love and care that brought him normal again. He startled to look into her eyes and smiled.

"What was it, Minato?"

"It was a newborn child—a girl, to be exact."

She gasped, with both awe and wonder. She wanted so much to see a newborn child ever since Mikoto had been rumored to have another bun in the oven. She had to see the child. She must see it for herself.

"Tell me, where is she now? Can we see her?"

He could sense her enthusiasm as she shook his hand like a child begging for an ice cream.

"What? Now, Kushina?"

"Yes! Of course now! Can we see her please, Minato?"

He sighed. He cannot say no to his wife. But they left only because he was as interested to see the child's condition as well. On their way to the Konoha Hospital, she had been quizzing him on how the child looked like: eye color, hair color, what was the child like, did she cry out loud, have chubby cheeks… He could only tell her to wait. But her heart was near explosion and waiting was just too much, even for her. She kept on going and going about how the child was like but with all her anticipation, she never realized that they had arrived. In the end, he did not have to say a word; that was a great favor on his part.

As she walked into the hospital, it seemed like an easy day off for all the doctors and nurses. They were laid back and relaxed, as if there were nothing wrong. After all, the war was only slowing down, the medics just slowed down with it. Kushina was following Minato towards the baby's area; her heart was not only pounding, it was pulsating at a rate so fast she could not even hear her own breathing. As they were getting closer, she could hear the babies crying.

"The Third was here as well, but I'm not sure if he's still here," he opened the door for her and let her follow from behind. As they entered the room, they were greeted with the sight of the Third Hokage's wife.

"Ah, Biwako-san!" Kushina gave a shy wave, overwhelmed with the intense presence of children in the room.

"So Minato have told you, I see."

She noted how Biwako's voice were so soft and low considering the presence of children around them. The redhead kunoichi nodded her head and soon followed the same.

"Yes, he told me about the child he found. I only just wanted to see her."

"It seems that men are all attracted to this mystery. My husband left awhile ago, only to settle some paperwork for this child's identity. Konoha is adopting this child—of course, we're looking into missing children's cases as well but with the war and all, it's impossible for parents to even know they've lost a child. Anyway, don't let me go on and make these children cry! Here, this is the child," Biwako turned and slowly held a silent child in her arms, "Hush, little one!"

Kushina held her breath as Biwako turned around with the child in her arms. She found tears in her eyes when she saw it had pale copper hair. It was like a little bit like seeing herself when she was younger and those baby photos were great proof; the paleness was replaced with piercing red as she grew older. Her gasp turned wider so she covered her mouth in embarrassment, trying to regain control of herself. Minato saw it all.

He caressed the child's subtle and short hair, "How old is she?"

"According to the doctors, she's only just born!"

"I see... And, has anyone considered of adopting her yet?"

Biwako shook her head and turned to Kushina, "Well, what are you waiting for? Hold her!"

"W-what?" Kushina found herself gasping again, "I-I don't think I am q-qualified to do that!"

"Nonsense! All women are born qualified to do this! Here, watch her head! Gently now!"

Kushina held her breath once more. She softly took the child into her arms, feeling the slight brush of its smooth skin and holding it at the level of her chest, feeling its light weight. She then tried to maintain composure and repeatedly tried to breathe in and out. Again, Minato saw it all.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"Y-yes, she is," Kushina joined him and kissed the child's forehead—only to smell that tender, lighthearted and calming smell of birth, "She has chubby c—"

"She looks just like a tomato, doesn't she?"

Kushina nearly growled at her husband for saying that. All the same, when she looked into his eyes at that moment, she knew something big was about to happen. But first, it did not came from him.

"Well, look at both you," Biwako interrupted the couple. "You two look like you're ready to have a family!"

"W-what?"

Minato chuckled shyly, "Oh, come on now, Biwako-san!"

"But if I may, Minato and you too, Kushina, why don't you two adopt the child? I'm sure you have your own plans when it comes to family planning and all, but it seems that young child is fond of you."

Kushina stuttered, "W-what do you mean?"

"Despite not being her mother, the child is not crying when you held her. Of course, she did the same for me but... I am old, you see, and children have a way of knowing that. They can tell when someone has gotten along well with children. But you two are newly weds. It's just rare that they like newly weds."

Kushina fell silent; her cheeks turned red and she felt the intense heat on her face. Her free hand reached out for her husband's and they clenched each other's hand. Their eyes met and for some reason, her heart had calmed down. It was true. It felt like they belonged together, with that child in her arms.

"Ne, Biwako-san? Have you decided on a name?" Minato's question startled her cold.

The older lady shook her head, "I've got some suggestions in my hand."

"Well, let's hear them."

"Earlier on, you were telling me about what the child could remember about her own existence, if ever. It had me thinking about the name 'shinobu', meaning to recollect or remember. But it has some resemblance to the word 'shinobi' and similar meaning to it too, if you take the variant meaning of to conceal or hide... Taking that meaning would have made her a born ninja!"

Kushina raised her head, staring straight at her husband. She knew that there was no doubt that the name was perfect for the child, especially given the fact that she was going to adopt it. She did not know how to tell her husband that she wanted very much to adopt. But there was no doubt in her heart. She hoped that he could read her signs; how she shuffled her feet, how she sheepishly smiled at him and showed him the child, so forth. And he, on the other hand, never hinted that he felt the same way until...

"I think that's actually a great name for her! It has a nice ring to it!"

Kushina wished she could respond loudly. But instead, she quickly agreed for herself as she saw his reaction, "Yeah! It would be nice, wouldn't it? Especially if she were to be named Uzumaki Shinobu..."

"Uzumaki?" Biwako was the one to speak this time; she was quite shocked. "Kushina, so you are thinking of adopting the child?"

"Y-yes, I d-don't know about you, Minato, but... I really like her."

Minato silently smiled at her, "Of course, she seems like a good kid and Shinobu is certainly a nice name... But it'd only be a powerful pack of punches if she was named Namikaze Shinobu!"

"Ja, you've agreed to take her in as well?"

"Hey, I found her, didn't I? If anyone should feel responsible for her, it should be me! After all, she reminded me a lot of you and if I were to come back to you with her at home, I think there is nothing more complete than that, especially at my age."

His smile had her holding her breath again. But before long, she could only returned the smile. Suddenly, the child in her arms began nudging its hand against her breast and she quickly looked down only to find that the child was only waking up. She opened up her brown eyes and met immediately with Kushina's grey ones. She felt so special at that moment; it was like she was chosen to be its mother.

"Minato..."

He came closer to his wife; "What is it?"

"L-Look at those brown eyes... Aren't they beautiful?"

"Oh, the way they sparkle... It's amazing that little babies can do this much by just looking into your eyes."

The Third's wife sighed. "This is just great! The two of you are falling in love! It's no surprise that you both fell in love with each other, but surely—the two of you falling for a child? Now that's rarer than ever!"

"Are you against us adopting her?"

"No," she explained; "It's good that you want to adopt her. In fact, it's very good! Being young newly weds like you, you should start practicing family life! And being a ninja, it's not really easy to find time for family now or what's more in the future, but if you start early, you have lots to do and be supported of."

Minato nodded without hesitation, "That's exactly my thought!"

"What do you mean, Minato?" Kushina turned to him, her cheeks still red as rose.

"I want to start an early family life, Kushina. I want to be able to see my children grow up and have as fun with them as possible. And when I'm old and sore, I can meet my grandchildren and then be able to have fun with them too. Do you share the same vision as I do, Kushina?"

"Minato, I'm in no rush but... When you say it like that, I can't say anything anymore."

His eyes widened, "So do you agree to adopt this child?"

"Oh, Minato, of course! A million times yes!"

Biwako cheered on the sideline, "Well, it looks like we have a winner!"

"But I have one condition," chuckled Minato, "And I know this may comes across as very unwise, considering the enemies that I've gathered, but I would still like to name her Namikaze Shinobu!"

The older lady shook her head in disbelieve, "Minato, that's not only unwise, but really uncalled for! This might put the child in jeopardy!"

"I agree! With your reputation, I don't think we can simply do that! Minato, please consider her safety!" Kushina added.

"I understand your concern," Minato smiled and this time, took the child into his arm, "But I believe the fire's shadow illuminates the village. It will definitely protect her! With the village behind her, she shouldn't be in any danger! I will make sure of that for as long as I live!"

Kushina's grey eyes widened, truly awed by her husband's speech. "Minato... Your enthusiasm for this... I can't believe it! Are you really sure that you want to name her Namikaze Shinobu?"

"There's no doubt in my mind. When I found her, I felt like I found a bit of myself that has been lost in the universe! To name her with mine would only be right," Minato pushed up the child up to his face, so that he could reach down and kiss her forehead. True enough, he felt just like Kushina did—as if he was chosen to find the child when he did.

"Alright then," Biwako nodded, "Namikaze Shinobu it is!"

Kushina walked over to Minato, smiling and caressing the child as he held her in his arms. Shinobu seemed to like him as she repeatedly tried to grab his face and gave a baby chuckle. The newly weds laughed together; a family newly formed but all the same belonging to each other. Kushina's grey eyes met with his blue eyes as elation grew from their hearts. Then just in time, the door behind them suddenly opened. The Third Hokage quickly smiled as he saw the two of them with the child. He walked in calmly to look at his wife. With that only one look, he understood what had happened. Still smiling, he then revealed a file in his hands without a word said. He gave it to Kushina for her to read briefly. She flipped through it and saw a form—a birth certificate form, to be exact. She gasped.

"And you have decided on the name, I suppose?"

She nodded her head vigorously, "Yes! Namikaze Shinobu!"

"A name that bares your reputation," the Third turned to Minato, "It's a bit reckless, isn't it?"

"Not to worry, I trust Konoha will take care of her. I hope you can understand—I feel this is some kind of a mission for me. I know Konoha will surely protect her and... I have a plan in mind as to her background. If you would allow me, I'll use my clan name as though she is part of a long lost family. If it means her protection, I'm willing to use it as a coverup."

"Protection is well assured, but this decision is a rare feat, Minato. You've gathered many enemies and your family must be given great care. But still, your identity—"

"It's alright!" Kushina suddenly interrupted, nearly waking every child in the room, "We are not the only family for this child—for Nobu-chan! The moment she is adopted by us, she is adopted by Konoha! There's nothing more powerful than a big family of ninjas like us!"

The Third turned to his wife and they nodded together with a smile "So from this moment on, this child, born on 6th December, will be known as Namikaze Shinobu! Her parents are Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina. Congratulations!"

Indeed, Minato had plenty of plans ahead of him, both of political and personal content. But at that moment, what mattered to him was to live with his wife and with Shinobu in her arms. The paperworks for Shinobu's identity was made ready soon afterwards; Minato vouched that a family under his clan had left a young child barren and therefore he had the responsibility to take care of Shinobu. But Minato was sure that his next children will bare his wife's name; it will be a great reminder that Shinobu was a lost family found.

"Still," Kushina pouted, carrying Shinobu by the child's armpits, "I don't understand why you would give simply your name to her? Don't you care for her safety?"

"Well, I guess, for one thing, she liked the name Namikaze."

His chuckle was annoying her. She looked at Shinobu as she placed her into the baby crib.

"Namikaze!"

Shinobu responded by reaching out her little arms and chuckling. Minato joined her as well.

"Uzumaki!"

Shinobu's reaction was stoic. Kushina's vein popped.

"That's really unfair!"

Minato laughed in the background, "Would you stop scaring the kid?"