Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

Minato ended up using Fuinjutsu as a core part of his battle power, incorporating barrier seals in ways that shocked even the clan who specialised in them. His different perspective helped him innovate and build on tried and tested techniques taught to him. But the real reason he had originally learned it was the Flying Raijin. He moved on to it under Katsuro's personal teaching and thanks to the trial and error Katsuro went through, Minato was able to pick it up much quicker. Often yellow and white blurs could be seen in Katsuro's personal training ground as the two used each other to improve the technique. While Katsuro would still win with his experience, and strength Minato was rapidly closing the gap with the Flying Raijin. The Jutsu seemed to be made for him, and he dived into it like it was his mother's arms. He came up with numerous formations which employed the Kunai he had also specially commissioned like Katsuro with his help.

These formations helped the Flying Raijin be used more effectively, but it was Minanto's cup of tea more than Katsuro, who had the firepower to blitz his opponent. Unfortunately, the names of the Spiralling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Styles caused Katsuro immense irritation, and he forced Mianto to change it - thus creating Light Step Styles which were true Shinobi killers. Minato had also quickly picked up the signless Jutsu Katsuro had made for the Flying Raijin - the Rasengan. This Jutsu too was something Minato took in stride, while Katsuro had developed it with a flash of inspiration, it was something he would rarely use since his Kenjutsu was more than enough. The Jutsu wasn't complete without adding a Chakra Nature Transformation, but it was something that had been put aside. That was, until Minato got a hand of it, seeing it as a perfect compliment to the Flying Raijin, since he didn't use a sword. He delved into it, mastering the Jutsu within weeks, he picked up where Katsuro had left on, trying to add a Chakra Nature Transformation, which saw the development of variations such as the Big Ball Rasengan. Seeing this, Katsuro realised he had underestimated the potential of the Jutsu and also joined in in perfecting it, before evolving it further.

But where they had achieved less success was trying to teleport to a moving marker, i.e when a Kunai was mid air. It seemed easy enough, and they had all the tools to do it. But it was incredibly difficult. They had to sense the Kunai in mid air, while keeping their sense locked on it as it moved, which brought numerous factors that made it so much harder than a stationary marker. And once it was sensed accurately, they needed to teleport instantly, while still sensing it to avoid teleporting themselves into a tree or something for an instant death. This therefore made it incredibly risky - luckily, the cheat code of Shadow Clones circumvented these risks. It required time and effort, and they would try with very slowly thrown Kunai but it still evaded them for a long while before they had started making progress. Still, they had a long way to go before they could teleport to a Kunai thrown at battle speeds.

The squad overall was one of the strongest in Konoha, even if they had a medical ninja and on paper, one of the worst Shinobi of the graduating class. And under Minato and being pushed by a rivalry with Kakashi, they too were making progress. Through the link with Kakashi and Minato, Katsuro had even met the two Ninja prospects. Obito especially was ecstatic to meet one of his heroes, even if he was of the Senju. He even asked if he would become the Hokage, to which Katsuro chuckled lightly and brushed it off, saying it wasn't up to him.

—

Later one night, Katsuro and Tsunade were lying in bed together, and for some reason or another, the Patriarch couldn't help but reminisce on his life so far. His parents, Mito, Tsunade, the Academy, Sakumo, the first encounter with the Root, first encounters with the Hokage, Danzo and elders, uniting the Senju, Kakashi, Nawaki's death, going to war, bringing back the Umuzaki, Sakumo's attempt, Danzo's downfall and Sarutobi's subjugation.

Damn. My life's had a lot of drama - and I'm only 23. What's next for me?

It wasn't like Katsuro was jobless - he was training his clansmen and the Uzumaki kids, as well as Kakashi and Minato from time to time, and a lot of his time was also spent in meetings regarding his clan's future - not just the combat, Shinobi side, but also their businesses and funds throughout the Land Of Fire. Katsuro had no intention of letting his clan be anywhere near broke - no, he wasn't a fool, and he knew money made everything easier.

But even still…

Something was missing. But what could it be? Katsuro had plenty - Tsunade, his clan, Sakumo and Kakashi, the Uzumakis - he'd even say Jiraiya and Minato were people he cared about too. Not to mention Fugaku, who, despite their previous personal rivalry and rivalry between their clans, had become an important ally and dear friend.

Speaking of Fugaku, the man had recently been making his life slightly difficult. Ever since he'd had a child, Itachi, Tsunade had been even more persistent - not that he could blame her, the baby was very cute, and the couple often found themselves in the Uchiha complex, cooing at and babbling to the baby.

"See, even Fugaku has a kid!"

"Itachi is so cute, and he looks just like Fugaku and Mikoto! Just imagine a little one of you and me running around in a few years!"

"I want a kid!"

"Give me a baby!"

Katsuro had been stalling before. After all, he had crazy responsibilities. He was the man responsible for the Senju clan, one of the founding clans of the Leaf and made up of over a 1000 people and the Uzumaki clan, and more or less one of the people in charge of the Leaf now that the influence of the Hokage was rapidly decreasing over time. He was just too busy.

And not just that. In fact, the reasons, although technically logical, weren't the reason why he was stalling.

Nawaki's death had happened years ago now, but the memory - the pain - was still as raw as the day he had heard about it. There were many times, when he was alone, that he stood silently, just thinking of Nawaki, trying to come to terms with his death. He'd tried so many ways to give a reason to his death.

It was a sacrifice.

He protected his comrades.

He's a hero of the Leaf.

But it was futile. Over and over again, the same feelings replayed in his mind. Guilt. Shame. Denial. Coping.

But the worst part was the pure, unfiltered sadness. The acknowledgement that no matter how hard he thought about it, it wouldn't change anything. Nawaki wasn't coming back.

What if that's my kid?

Katsuro knew he was strong - one of the strongest alive, one of the strongest even in history. But that meant next to nothing in this Shinobi world. The people he loved could die at any time.

Just recently, Sakumo had almost died. Against Hanzo, Tsunade and Jiraiya too. Not to mention how many clansmen had died under his responsibility. Every casualty, every death, even every injury, Katsuro was reminded about the fragility of life. He respected the sacrifices they were willing to make, but it didn't mean he had to - what am I even saying? I'm ruminating again.

But even then…

Despite all his worries, Tsunade's yearning was growing on him.

A kid, huh?

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