Third person pov

Iruka can't stop shaking, his face drained of all the color it previously held and his heart beating so fast he can hardly hear it anymore. 

It was the first day back to the academy since the Hokage's reinstatement ceremony. The festivities had stretched on for days on end, their charismatic Fourth Hokage coming down to join them for the celebration. He walked around and interacted, actually taking the time to talk to the civilians under him and hear their concerns. 

People showered him in absolute praise. Iruka had been one of those people, though it was from afar. The Fourth Hokage was a living legend. A powerful man who'd faced down the terrifying nine-tailed fox and beat it. To find out he was still alive had been astonishing. To see him return to power had provided elation. 

And now, to watch him sweep his way into Iruka's quaint little classroom... well, he's scared shitless.

He is everything Iruka imagined and more. All power and intimidation, with strong blue eyes and a shock of blond hair that gave him his moniker to begin with. The Yellow Flash stands tall, towering over him with his long coat sweeping behind him. The one Iruka had revered as a child. 

The smile he wears is terrifying, and Iruka had only faintly been able to register the boy in his arms before a wave of killing intent heavy enough to level a building beat him into the dirt. It's like all the air has been sucked out of the room. He just barely manages to comprehend that the Fourth has one of his students.

Naruto Uzumaki stares at him with unrestrained apprehension. That dog from before is in his arms again, looking at him with a grumpy and judgmental gaze that makes his legs threaten to fold underneath him. At first he's astonished. Why in the world would the Fourth Hokage be carrying around the village Jinchuriki? The very monster that killed his wife and so many others? He can't fathom it. 

It doesn't seem ill, or hostile. He cradles Naruto carefully, like he's something to be cherished. There are a few dots Iruka feels he should be connecting as he looks between the pair. Something obvious is flying over his head, and goddammit he is terrified. 

"I heard you had some complications with my son last he was in class." Minato cocked his head coyly and well, yeah, that makes a little too much sense. That doesn't mean it quite processes in his mind. There's too much to wrap his head around. One thing he knows for sure is that he's made a very, very grave mistake.

"S-Son?" Iruka sputtered out. He almost denies it, but then those finicky little dots finally find themselves and he realizes just how similar they look. Two shocks of yellow and two pairs of ocean blues, both staring at him with very different intents. 

Naruto just looks scared and uncertain, whilst Minato Namikaze's gaze feels so sharp it could physically cut him. The pieces fall into place, and Iruka distantly wonders how no one else has figured it out. The baby Lord Fourth was forced to use was not cherry-picked from a group. He used the only child available in order to save the village. In the end... it's quite obvious he had to seal the Nine Tails in his own son. And if that isn't tragic, well, Iruka's death certainly will be.

Minato is all cold, pleasant rage and sharp smiles that bury themselves in Iruka like a lion's claws. His breath stutters in his chest, every bad thing he's ever said or done to Naruto crashing back into him in his state of shock. He looks at his student, wondering how much of it he's told his father. 

He can't find it in himself to be upset at the boy, every ounce of reasoning draining out of him as the story comes full circle in his mind. The realization that this life is the last thing their Fourth Hokage wanted for his son, and that Naruto in fact isn't the nine tailed fox. That's he's just a boy. Because the Yondaime would not be holding him so carefully were he a monster, and Iruka is sure of this. 

"When he came home crying, I was quite worried." Minato leaned forward, casting a shadow over him that makes him wilt. Naruto doesn't seem to notice his father's absolute rage, hugging Pakkun as his teacher shrinks further and further back. "I sent my student's ninken with him to school to help him out. You know how he has trouble learning traditionally, don't you? So imagine my surprise when he comes home begging me to believe he didn't cheat."

"I...I-I'm sorry." It comes out a squeak. "I shouldn't have--- I--"

"He doesn't receive the extra help he needs. It's such a shame." Minato continues, ignoring him entirely. His eyes seem to glow eerily, the rising sun casting ominously across his face. 

Iruka's heart is like a jackrabbit in his chest, and he can still hardly believe it. Son. Son, son, son, son. Iruka knows his mistreatment of Naruto was wrong. But everyone did it. It was second nature to see Naruto that way-- as an extension of the fox inside him. He'd never thought for a second someone would step up to bat for the boy. Especially not the Fourth Hokage who is, apparently, evidently, his father. 

"We-- I-" Iruka can't come up with a single thing to say. The Fourth Hokage, his hero, is about to murder him. And he's not even sure he can be upset about that. Then again, he can't feel much other than absolute, utter shock. He's never felt fear like this before. He blinks rapidly to try and keep his tears from following, eyes darting between Minato's smiling face and Naruto's slightly-perplexed one. "I-I apologize--"

Minato's smile drops. Iruka feels he's made a grave misstep. A hand lashes out, grasping his collar and tugging him up. He chokes slightly, pupils shrinking as his fear kicks into maximum overdrive. He thinks he hears Naruto suck in a sharp breath of air but he can't be sure. 

His eyes are stuck connected to Minato Namikaze's cold, blue gaze. There's a dangerous magnetism that keeps him from looking away. He doesn't want to think about what could happen if he dared to dart his eyes away.

"Umino," The way the Yondaime spits his name makes him feel like he's less than trash. He makes a strangled noise as Minato's face leers closer, so enraged he's not surprised the man managed to beat the Nine Tailed Fox. Minato's voice is low and sends a thousand alarm bells shrieking through Iruka's head. "I want you to know that my son is the most important thing to me. Above any and all else, he is my first priority. The only reason I left him in the first place was because he would've died if I hadn't. My death was not just for the village. Do you understand?" 

Iruka manages a pitiful nod. It's hard to breathe. The air is too stifling.

"Any insult to him is an insult to me. I want you to throw any preconceived notions you have about him away right now. You're starting over." It wasn't a request. "Naruto is smart. He learns faster than any child I've ever met. Just because his process isn't the same does not mean he is less. His circumstance," The grip tightens. Iruka's heart sputters pathetically. Iruka is honestly surprised it hasn't stopped yet, "means nothing in relation to his character. His sacrifices go far beyond anything you will ever do in your pathetic, miserable little life. If he comes home with even an inkling of a complaint about you or your teaching abilities, I want you to know that I am above the law in every imaginable aspect. This is my child. You take care of him, or I'm going to take care of you." 

He punctuates his calm, cold, venomous words by thrusting him back. Iruka stumbles, barely managing to catch himself against the blackboard as his legs give out. He blinks a few times, his entire body trembling so hard he can practically feel his brain rattling around in his skull. He wonders how many years were just shaved off his lifespan. Far too many, he's sure.

The Hokage's cold expression is gone, his false pleasantness back and much preferred when put up next to whatever that smackdown before was. Iruka gulps down a few deep breaths, looking to Naruto. The boy looks more lost than anything else, blinking down at his teacher with evident concern etched into the lines of his young face. The dog in his arms looks impossibly smug, lips curling. 

Iruka can't do much else other than take deep breaths, resisting the urge to clutch the fabric resting over his wildly racing heart. He wonders why he's not dead. He almost wishes he was.

"I-I'm very s-sorry." The brunette somehow manages to choke out. He can hear some of his other students chattering in the hallway, no doubt forming a line in wait for him to tell them to come in like he does every morning. Minato adjusts his grip on his son, looking downright polite as Iruka struggles to right him. "I-- I'm sorry." 

"Prove it." Minato chirps in contrast to his previous brutality. And just like that, he's plopping a happy kiss in his son's sunny hair and setting the boy on the ground. Naruto lets it happen, still looking beyond confused as his father gives him a hug and dotingly straightens his backpack straps. 

Iruka could gawk at the whiplash. The sudden mood change makes him wonder if he just imagined the entire encounter. His heart about to bottom itself out tells him he hadn't pretty clearly. That doesn't make him feel any less astonished.

The Hokage tells Naruto he's going to have an amazing day. He's the picture-perfect image of a loving father. He beams at his son, and Iruka can't help but think of a planet circling a star. That's what Minato is. Earth orbiting around the sun, all encapsulated and reliant on its light. 

He wonders what the man would've been like if his son hadn't been here when he got back. What sort of grief he'd go through-- what kind of character he'd display. Iruka's adam's apple bobs in his throat as Naruto grins back, still shooting concerned and bewildered looks at his sensei. Iruka can't even force a smile, too ghostly to bother trying.

"Kakashi will pick you up! You can tell him all about your day!" A sharp glare reminds Iruka of his place. As though he could ever forget. "Don't worry. The paperwork for Pakkun processed, so you're completely free to have him here to help you." 

"R-Really?!" Naruto looks excited by the mere notion. Iruka's heart would break were it, again, not about to fall straight out of his chest and die on the ground. He still can't breathe. Minato's presence is still large and still fills the room with a tension so thick he can almost see it. Naruto shoots him a small glance, seeming hesitant to say anything in front of him. His voice lowers just a little, his frame shrinking just slightly. "I...It's really okay?"

Minato's happy smile strains for a moment. Iruka wonders if Naruto Uzumaki will accidentally get him killed. Wouldn't be much of a surprise at this point. He wouldn't blame the kid. Not his fault he has a legend as a dad who apparently would murder for him. Iruka is going to have nightmares for the rest of his life. He wonders if he'll be able to look his foxy student in the eyes without shivering. They're the same shade of blue, after all.

"Perfectly fine, kid." Pakkun reassured, patting Naruto's arm with his paw. Minato nods in an overexaggerated way. "Now why don't we go sit down? Bell's about to ring."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minato is in a good mood when he meets with Fugaku Uchiha, humming a jovial tune to himself as the man enters. The blonde waves the bow off happily. It's a nice change that makes Fugaku straighten a little with hopefulness. It's the first time in years he's felt that his concerns about the clan might be heard. 

They'd... begun to consider taking matters into their own hands as the tribulation of the Uchiha Clan with the rest of Konoha grew. The talk of it was mild-- mere whispers, if that-- but Fugaku knew it would grow to be an issue. An issue he feared he wouldn't totally be against if this continued any longer. There was too much distrust and animosity between his clan and the village. Maybe the Fourth Hokage could help resolve that.

He hoped for all their sakes that he would. He'd been good to them when he was in power. The Third Hokage had been okay to them too. Even so, Tobirama Senju had still been Sarutobi's sensei, and those ideals that the Uchiha were not to be trusted had bled into his belief's a little too much for their liking. 

Minato Namikaze was a refreshing change compared to that. Open-minded and kind-hearted. One of his students had been an Uchiha, and his wife had been best friends with Fugaku's own partner. He'd done good by them. Things had felt like they were finally starting to heal when his death struck.

"Lord Hokage." Fugaku gave a stiff greeting. Minato laughed, airy and light just like Fugaku had always known him to be. The dark-haired man can't help but deflate slightly at the sound of it. 

If Minato is anything like he remembered, he knows the ANBU that are normally stationed here have already been requested to leave. He checks nonetheless, his chakra half-heartedly reaching out and finding nothing there. The privacy seals hidden in the walls and floor are active, giving a small hum that promises security. 

"Enough with the formalities, Fugaku-san! You know just Minato is fine. We've known each other for ages." Minato waved him off for a moment before an odd expression flitted across his face. Fugaku watched the smile turn sheepish. "Though, I do suppose it's been a while. It's still odd to think about. Sorry about that."

"It's no matter. I imagine you've been going through quite a bit in trying to adjust. A lot has changed." Fugaku felt relieved already. Minato really hadn't seemed to have changed, even being dead for six years. He can only hope his blatant distaste for Danzo Shimura has fully stuck around. "I thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

Minato gives him an odd look, and Fugaku realizes that, oh, it didn't used to be hard for the Uchiha clan heads to request an audience with a village leader. Now it's a struggle to get any of the council members to look their way. Trying to get them to listen is-- well, it's nearly impossible. 

Excuses are spewed out, pushing aside all the mistreatment and downplaying the loss of trust. Blame is tossed out shamelessly. The blatant gaslighting anytime it comes up is so obvious that Fugaku can't help but sigh every time it happens. He once again feels eager to talk to Minato. The rest of his clan has been excited too, the elders abuzz with hope that the Yondaime will do them justice once more.

"Anytime, Fugaku-san. You know it's no trouble." Minato's expression turned a little more serious. He scooted a bit closer to his desk, leaning forward in an intent way that makes Fugaku feel a little more heard. He tries to resist the urge to lean forward as well. "I... I've heard a few things, about your clan. I haven't seen hardly any of them around the village. What happened after I died? Things feel... unbalanced."

"They are." Fugaku lets out a breath of air. Minato Namikaze cares, is concerned. It's a weight off his shoulders. "After the Kyuubi's attack on the village, it was insisted that we move after the damage done to the village and our compound, as well as the police station's headquarters. They claimed it was necessary for reconstruction purposes. It caused a lot of tensions-- though, that's only the tip of the iceberg."

"Move?" Minato blinked, brows furrowing like he didn't understand. "Move where? You're literally the police force. The best place for you is in the center of the village!"

"No one will outright say it, but the blame for the Kyuubi attack is being placed on our clan." Fugaku admitted. He leaned forward, earnest and begging to be heard.  "I want you to know this isn't true. We never-- we never would've thought... you know how much Kushina-san meant to Mikoto. But with the reports of the fox having Sharingan eyes, nobody would listen to our protests or bother to look into their credibility. We were moved to the outskirts of the village. The very far South."

Fugaku held his breath, watching with a morbid sense of awe as several different emotions flitted across Minato's face. His expression shifted so openly, showing his absolute astonishment. Fugaku feels his worry melt away. The stress lining his shoulders lessened significantly.

He could almost bring himself to laugh as Minato stared at him like what he'd said was absolutely batshit insane. Like he's waiting for a punchline, or for it to be a joke. Fugaku wishes it was. The fact that Minato does too is a sure and positive sign that makes Fugaku look forward to tomorrow for the first time in a long time.

Finally, the Kage seems to snap out of it. He leans forward even more, almost rising from his seat. He looks a mixture of angry and confused. Maybe even hurt.

"What happened to the land your clan used to occupy?" He checks. Fugaku blew out a breath of air.

"It remains. It has yet to be repaired, despite its location." The clan-head admits bitterly. Their clan had inhabited the center of the village since its founding. It had been the epicenter of it when it had been built. The very core of Konoha once upon a time, so proud and strong. The beating heart of the village. Fugaku can still remember those days, so golden and full of trust. He misses them. He wishes his kids had gotten a chance-- a real chance-- to see.

"Oh, so it's empty?" Minato quirked a brow, collapsing back into his seat. Fugaku blinked at him as the man shrugged. "So, we'll just move you back." 

Fugaku stares for a moment. Minato stares back, completely serious. The casualness of it all nearly makes the Uchiha clan head choke. The idea of home burns its way to the forefront of his mind. Its like a piece of meat being held up in front of a starving dog. 

He almost thinks Minato is going to yank it away. That he's taunting him. He knows the Yondaime isn't like that. He knows this, but he can't help but think it. The idea of his clan returning and retaking their duties protecting the village... it's almost unimaginable. 

He can practically see the joy on his clanmates' faces, can see the crime rates fall, their relationship with the civilian population restored. The offer sounds impossible. Even he hadn't thought to consider it.

"You'll just... what?" He checks. Minato blinked at him.

"Move you back." He offered, shrugging as though it weren't a big deal. His brows furrowed, and Fugaku swallowed thickly at the influx of emotions that flooded through his very core. "Well-- the few contractors I knew are probably not as reliable anymore, I guess. Do you know anyone good at building restoration? If it was damaged and hasn't been fixed, we'll have work to do. Your clan has been inhabiting that land for over a century! It wasn't right for them to-- h-hey, are you crying?" 

Fugaku is, but the privacy seals won't tell if Minato won't.