Chapter Text
Tapping the recorder button on the camera Shinmi carefully attached one of the cuffs onto the man in front of her. The recorder sat in front of her, video and audio was separate with todays ninja technology, apparently they're working on it.
"Will this suppress my chakra?" He asks, his brows furrowed as he gestured to the singular cuff.
"No, it will merely compel you to tell me the complete and utter truth." She explains calmly. "Don't worry, if you don't wish to answer you can remain silent, this just ensures what you do say is actually true."
"Ah, I suppose that's fair." He concedes. "Shall we start?"
Nodding her head the woman brings the recorder to her lips. "This is reporter Shinmi on 15/06/XXXX at 3:15pm. With me today is Namikaze Minato who will be answering questions under the compulsion cuffs which'll ensure he speaks the complete and utter truth. Namikaze, will you please prove your identity?"
"Yes." The blonde nods along. "I am indeed Namikaze Minato." He throws a kunai onto the table and the wall besides him before teleporting back and forth in an instant and then sitting down.
CGI and photoshop isn't really a thing yet unless you're in the movie industry. Some low level reporter getting her hands on such technology and being able to use it is practically unheard of.
In other words this proves she really is interviewing the yellow flash. Though until she gains more credibility there will be those who doubt it.
"Can you tell us today why you wanted to be a ninja? I'm sure everyone here would like to know why a civilian would take such a path." Shinmi asks, adjusting the mask over face as she does so.
Remaining anonymous will help prevent assassinations after all.
"Sure." Minato smiles slightly. "As you say I am indeed a civilian who wasn't exactly swimming in money as a child. I needed to eat and the academy gives a stipend each month."
"Did the orphanage you reside in not cover your costs?"
The man laughs, a bitter edge to his voice. "Ah, my mistake for not clarifying, I wasn't an orphan."
Just neglected it seems.
"I see." She nods along. "Then would you say you're an orphan now?"
Minato remained silent.
"Very well then. Are you happy as a ninja?"
"At times I'm extremely happy with my job. Other times I wish to quit." The blonde admits. "It's hard, taking all the lives that I do. You know I've defeated an army before, right?"
"Yes, I'm sure everyone knows of that feat by now." Shinmi has yet to see a single person that hasn't. "What of it?"
"It makes me sick to my stomach that I feel absolutely nothing for it." He states as Shinmi clutches the recorder a little tighter. "One thousand people lost their lives in a single day and yet I feel nothing because it was for my village. No one else seems to care either."
What he says is true, people celebrate this fact. The only people who do care are those who knew the ninja personally. Iwa officials only care about the lost soldiers, not the people.
What an awful thing. Though even back then people still didn't care. No matter the world unless it affects you no one will lift a finger.
"And the families? What of them?"
Minato hesitates momentarily before speaking up. "I do feel something for the families. I feel pity."
"They wouldn't want that pity."
"I know."
"And yet you give it anyway." She sighs "I suppose it can't be helped. You'll be Hokage soon because of this battle, what do you hope to achieve by becoming Hokage?"
"Have true peace hopefully. The children of the future deserve it."
She raised an eyebrow though it goes unseen because of the mask. "The children of the future or your children?"
Because he won't be seeing either at this rate.
Minato eyes her wearily. "Hopefully both, though I've yet to have a child of my own."
Technically the truth. Naruto has yet to be born even if he has been conceived.
Shinmi isn't under any delusional about stopping the circ*mstances of his birth. Maybe if she were born during Sakumo's time things would be different.
As it stands...
"Are you married, Namikaze?" She asks abruptly.
The blonde looks as though he wants to remain silent before remembering his wife is going to see this. "Yes, I'm married."
"What, really?" She leans forward. "Konoha's most eligible bachelor is married? Who too? You might want to answer this now Namikaze, otherwise women all over the place are going to claim to be your wife."
More than they already do at least.
"It seems I've been backed into a corner." His smile turns sharp and suddenly Shinmi can see the man that killed one thousand men.
She doesn't falter.
He sighs. "My wife is Kushina." No last name.
Though some people should be able to put two and two together.
Maybe when the Kyuubi attacks she'll be able to leak this part of him first. It can't be more dangerous than his Uzumaki and Jinchuriki status.
"Is she beautiful?"
This time Minato answers without hesitation. "She's the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on. I'll never love another and anyone who dares touch her better pray that she deals with them before I do."
A statement for the masses. Don't come after my wife, she is a trained Kunoichi that can and will kill you.
Anyone smart wouldn't go after her.
Unfortunately for him people stricken with grief aren't exactly the smartest.
In this case Shinmi should help him out, she is the one who put him in this situation after all.
"How strong would you say Kushina is?"
"On the same level as me, maybe stronger."
There, that should ward off the majority of the grieving families. Why get the wife who's on the same level as Namikaze when they can just get him?
Though there will still be those who'll think going after the family will hurt him more.
They aren't wrong.
Without a doubt Minato made a mistake here. He's wet behind the ears when it comes to politics considering he's literally just been announced the future Hokage. He needs to get a grasp on politics and quick, mistakes like these will cost him everything.
Not that he'll live long enough for that decision to bite him in the ass.
Shinmi smiles behind the mask as she pushes a glass of water forward. "Are you thirsty? We don't want you getting parched during this interview."
"I'm fine, but thank you." Minato shakes his head. "Let's continue."
"Of course." She agrees easily. "Many children lost their parents in war as they do every time battle breaks out across the nations and now they're all relying on you. What do you plan to do about the current orphan crisis?"
It may be good to bring these things up now, for after the kyuubi comes.
Minato frowned, the situation causing his eyes to darken. "I will do my best to ensure every child has proper accommodations as well as money for education. This money can be for any type of schooling, not just being a ninja."
"Really? I heard the village was in need of new ninja. Is this wise?"
"Though new ninja are important they aren't more so than the futures of these children." The blonde states, his decision firm.
Taking a low breath Shinmi nods. "That's right, the futures of these children are important. So tell me Namikaze, when you do have children of your own whose life will be more important. These children or your own?"
Silence.
"Please think about it carefully, I don't expect an answer and neither should anyone else but I'll hope you at least think about it."
"Rest assured that I'll keep it in mind."
"Good." She relaxes. "Then I believe I have one last question to pull this entire interview to a close."
The blonde nods. "I'll do my best to answer it."
"Then," Shinmi starts, "what lengths will you go to so that this village remains safe?"
Minato's eyes harden. "Anything except putting my family in jeopardy."
Shinmi wants to laugh in his face.
His future Jinchuriki son would beg to differ when he watches this.
"I hope you remember this Namikaze, I really hope you do." She brings the recorder to her lips. "This is Shinmi closing out of her interview with Namikaze Minato at 3:30pm."
