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"You know…for the past twenty years, I tried to convince myself that I didn't need anyone; that I was better off alone; that I could only rely on myself. But I was wrong: really, really wrong. I know we'll always be there for each other. Because we're family." |
- "Truth, as defined by ideals"
- —The Once and Future King
Minegumo Uzumaki (鞍馬峯雲, Kurama Minegumo) is a prodigious, S-rank Shinobi who hails from Konohagakure. The result of a brief, but passionate, love affair between Akigumo Kurama and Shenron Uzumaki, he is the product of Noble blood: descending from both Konoha's Kurama Clan, and Uzushiogakure’s Uzumaki Clan. The eldest of Shenron's children and a proud member of the infamous House of X, he remained a secret from the man for several years until the abrupt manifestation of his blood during his Chunin Exams.
A familiarization with his paternal family would follow, meeting his newfound siblings and stepmother, and followed by his seemingly endless amount of relatives. But alas, the family reunion would not be all rainbows. Power inherited but unchecked would rear its head, and Minegumo would set off on the road upon his promotion: leaving with his godfather to see the world and all it had to offer. After a handful of years, he would return to his home village; staying long enough to earn a promotion to an elite position, before departing for life as a bodyguard. For several years, Mine would remain in the service of the Daimyō; steadily improving his skills and making a name for himself as he fought off countless assassinations and domestic threats.
However, even that life began to grow unappealing. Once again packing his bags, Minegumo would set out again as restlessness set in: his soul calling out for something that he could not name. It would only be after a chance encounter with some relatives on the road, that Mine would realize what it was that he was looking for: home. A talk with his father, and he would come to settle in Uzushiogakure: choosing to remain with the family he was slowly getting to know and love. Integrating himself as a proper member of Uzushio's militia and choosing to work his way up from the bottom, Minegumo's exceptional skill would earn him the position of Head Ninja. Protecting his chosen village as extraterrestrials descended down and hidden enemies made themselves known, he would make a name for himself as stalwart guardian of the village.
Fast-forward, and centuries later he's been deified by the people of Uzushiogakure as Bishamonten(毘沙門天, lit. "He Who Hears Everything"); watching over his people and helping to ensure their prosperity.
Background[]
Birth[]
Minegumo is the product of a brief, but intense relationship between Akigumo Kurama and Shenron Uzumaki. Having met during one of the Uzumaki's many visits to the village for meetings with the Hokage, the two's initial dynamic was anything but good. With Shenron's fraudulence plain to see, Akigumo was distrusting of the Uzumaki Lord and made no secret of her loathing for the man. Likewise, Shenron himself had his own grudge against Aki after the woman managed to undo his numerous protective seals and compel him to harm himself.
For several months, sparks flew between the two and it wasn’t uncommon to see them bickering in the middle of a street during Shenron’s visits to the village. But eventually, the taunts grew down to teasing and the heat became warmth as they eventually got to know one another. As time continued to pass and they became friends, it was not long before Aki and Shenny both began to look forward to Shenron's meeting for the sole purpose of seeing each other.
However, friendship soon developed into a passion as they grew more aware of the other. It would all come to a head after a mission of Aki's went wrong that nearly resulted in her capture and the near-death of her squad. Realizing how dangerous the mission truly was, the Hokage called for aid, which Uzushiogakure immediately responded, with Shenron himself going back up. After a long and drawn-out battle that left even the legendary Uzumaki fatigued, the group made their journey back to the leaf. And it was here that Akigumo would give Shenron the offer of spending the night, which would be readily accepted.
For the next six months, the Kurama and the Uzumaki would enjoy a fiery relationship that saw only good times. However, it was not soon before Akigumo realized that, as much as she'd grown to love Shenron, things between them would not be able to last: with Aki as Head of both of her Clan and the Analysis Unit, and Shenny as leader of an entire village. Knowing of Shenron’s father's and the string of heartbreak the man left in his wake, she resolved that she would not allow history to repeat itself with a similar script. To his bemusement and chagrin, Akigumo promptly ended the love affair: stating that “she would rather have Shenron be the one with a broken heart, than have it be herself.” Unbeknownst to either, however, Aki would already have a baby developing in her womb.
Following this breakup, and rejecting all of her former flame’s attempts to rekindle their romance, Akigumo realized she was pregnant: the result of lying with Shenron just two weeks prior to the termination of their relationship. As her belly slowly but steadily began to swell, it became well-known to everyone that the Head of the Kurama had a child. However, the knowledge of the child's father was unknown as the two's relationship was under tight wraps. Although there was speculation about who the father was, Aki deflected or outright refused to answer any questions, and the mystery went unsolved as a result.
In either case, Akigumo would take a sabbatical from her career as a kunoichi as she got ready to be a mother. It was during this time, that Aki would be introduced to Mika Fuyuzuki: a diplomat from the Land of Iron and the heiress apparent of the prestigious Fuyuzuki Clan. The two became fast-friends, and it soon became the norm to the pair arm-in-arm as Aki's pregnancy continued along.
On October 31st, the baby was finally born on a stormy night in Konoha. It was decided that the newborn would be christened with the name “Minegumo” in reference to the storm clouds that piled over the village that night and as a continuation of the Kurama tradition. The day’s surprises would also continue when Mika, filled with emotion after being named the Godmother, decided to ask Aki to marry her: completely ignoring the process of dating or courting. Aki said yes, and Minegumo's birth would also be remembered as the day that brought his two mothers together.
Early Life[]
The first few years of Minegumo’s life were very hectic. While delivered as a healthy baby, he fell gravely ill barely a month after his birth. Spending the next couple of months as a long-term patient in Konoha Hospital, Minegumo suffered from a number of symptoms that wreaked havoc on his body. In time, he would be diagnosed with asthma and bronchitis pneumonia as a way to explain his health problems.
During this time, Aki would surprisingly get pregnant once more following a wild night with Mika and another member of the Kurama Clan. Before Minegumo's first birthday, she gave birth to a little girl who she would name Asuna. As he continued to get sent to the hospital and his visitations grew in length, he was not able to spend much time with his family for the first few years of both of their lives. As a result, he was unable to really connect with his sister; the two viewing each other as relative strangers.
The situation would continue on for a handful of years, and it would not be until Minegumo was five years old that the truth would come to light. As the doctors continued to give out different diagnoses over the few years, his health continued to deteriorate, and showed no signs of improving. While they did not want to say it, the doctors told Aki there was a very real possibility that Minegumo would die from whatever was making him sick.
With Tsunade out of the village and no one else in the village being quite up to her skill, Aki called upon on her long-time friend and Minegumo’s Godfather, Heiwa Sōzō to help her only son. It would be the Supreme Surgeon who uncovered the truth about his Godson's sickness and frailty. After performing his own diagnosis and running his own tests, he revealed that Minegumo sickness was the result of his unique heritage. He was a hybrid: inheriting the spiritual prowess of the Kurama and the vitality of the Uzumaki, as well as the other unique uniques abilities of his father’s family. Originally clashing, the different aspects of his genetic heritage were merging together into a single evolved bloodline. The cause of his physical weakness and regular illness was simply his body trying to adapt as best as it could.
While the development could be paused, Heiwa warned that the best thing to do would be allowing it to run course. With the good doctor's advice, a team of medics were assigned to continuously funnel chakra to Minegumo as his newly developed Kekkei Mōra came into being. And slowly but surely, he began to recover. Over the course of a year, the pains he experienced throughout his body lessened until they were barely there, while his fever spells broke at quicker rates. At the age of six, Minegumo was deemed to be in perfect health, and could finally leave the hospital.
Growing Up[]
No longer a patient, Minegumo was able to live his life with his family, and most importantly, take his position as Kurama Heir. Although the Fourth Shinobi World War had passed by half a decade, its horrors were not quite forgotten. While there were many in the world who allowed themselves to relax and were even carefree with raising their children, the same could not be said of Akigumo Kurama. Having quite literally grown up under the cold hand of Danzō Shimura, Aki had learned to be always vigilant and wary. And even more than that, she had grown to distrust the village she was supposed to call her home.
As a result, both Minegumo and Asuna would begin instruction early on as proper shinobi. This was not only in preparation for another war but also on the chance that Konoha's darkness would rear its head once more. From sunrise to sunset, Minegumo's days would be spent being taught by his tutors in the clan. Under their watchful eyes, he slowly developed his skills; most notably showcasing the signature genjutsu affinity of the Kurama Clan. In the midst of this, he would develop a rivalry with his sister, Asuna. Initially starting off as a seemingly simple sibling rivalry, it did not take long for things to become strained between them.
The very night that Minegumo was released from the hospital, Asuna roused him from his sleep for a private conversation. Sneaking away from their guards into a hidden space in the compound, they were able to have their first proper talk as siblings. However, the discussion soon collapsed as a result of their conflicting views and the two ultimately clashed. Unbeknownst to everyone around them, this event would set the ground for the two's dynamic.
However, Minegumo did not spend every waking minute in Kurama Compound. With his evening days training, Mine’s solace would come during the evening hours where he was looked after by his godfather. While a working shinobi himself, Heiwa had a more flexible schedule that allowed him to bring his godson with him wherever he went in the village: be its clinical work, looking for herbs and other plants to make medicines, or even the hot springs where the Good-Looking Lecher liked to spy on women.
Eventually, both Aki and Mika would be called away to go on a long-term mission to investigate sightings of crazed cultists. Trusting no else with the safety of her son, it was decided that Minegumo would temporarily be entrusted into the care of his Godfather, while his sister would be placed under watch with the other Kurama clansmen.
The time spent with Heiwa is one that Minegumo would remember fondly for years to come. As godfather and godson already spent their morning hours together, the new situation was easily adjusted to. When Heiwa began traveling the Land of Fire, Minegumo went with him: even on missions, no matter how dangerous or high-ranked. For the several months, it would be a common sight to see the carrot-topped medic traveling the Land of Fire accompanied by a violet-haired child who looked at the world with wide eyes. No matter where the pair went, Minegumo was never out of his godfather’s sight. During this time, Heiwa would also continue his godson’s lessons: moving into practicalities, he would help the child learn the traditional set of general skill techniques.
However, all good things must come to an end.
After a year and a half, Minegumo’s time with Heiwa would come to an end when his mothers returned to the village. Their mission over and their workload lighter, Aki and Mika returned for their son. While Heiwa was initially reluctant, having grown accustomed to having a small child with him, he did eventually give Minegumo back to his mothers and the family returned to the Kurama Estate.
While initially put off, a week after their return, Aki decided to start back up Minegumo’s training as the time for him to enter the academy grew closer and closer. Coming from a clan renowned for their prowess in genjutsu, it was naturally decided that he would begin instruction in the field immediately. However, he would first have to study the theory of the illusionary arts before he could truly start. Yet this did not go well. Despite coming from a prodigious lineage and even showing that he could already use basic knowledge, Minegumo struggled to show the brilliance that was expected of him with only scrolls to go off of: having no eidetic memory like his mother, or low latent inhibition like his father.
Unwilling to go to anyone else for help for fear of disappointing them, it took Minegumo a full month to fully understand and make sense of even just a single theory. Seeing the visible disappointment and confusion on his mother’s face had been a major blow to his self-confidence. Paired with the remarks from his sister who could perfectly make sense of things, Minegumo began feeling frustrated. Not knowing what else to do, he began studying in his free time to better understand things.
It would also be this time, just days after the welcoming ceremony for the Ninja Academy, that Minegumo was pitted against Asuna in a practice duel. Meant to see where the two were in terms of skill and prowess, the pair took it all too seriously. Differing from a regular spar between those their age, Minegumo and Asuna both showcased techniques and plans well beyond their years. In the end, during an explosive climax that threatened to destroy their training room, Minegumo would ultimately be declared as the winner.
Academy Years[]
In the two years following his battle against Asuna, Minegumo would finally join the Konohagakure Ninja Academy. Having mostly closed himself off from others at even that tender age, the boy became a loner very early on. Despite the change in environment, Minegumo’s track record in joining the academy would set the stage for him. He struggled greatly with understanding everything being taught to him, and his frustration caused him to lash out. In a vein much like when he’d been sick, the adults around Minegumo would be baffled about the lack of progress he was making as a shinobi and whether or not he was cut out for a life that he struggled with understanding.
Strangely, the few times that Minegumo showed no problem were during the weekly spars. It would be in these bouts that he got to actually show off and dazzle those around him: showcasing a brilliance for genjutsu that was years above his young age. Already capable of creating projections and casting other low-level spells, it was nothing short of surprising for his teachers as Minegumo was already close to being the dead-last of his year due to his low test scores. This genjutsu talent and his loner tendencies combined to earn him the nickname of Dark Magician (魔法使い, Mahōtsukai, English: Magician; Wizard) by his classmates; a title that would be the cause of several fights with his peers over the years.
Months later, it was finally discovered what the cause of Minegumo’s learning problems was. During the class’s first practical exam for chakra control, they were to make an attempt to walk on a tree. While many of his classmates struggled with the exercise, Minegumo once again surprised his instructors by breezing through it. After having him do the exercise again, to make sure it wasn’t a fluke or that he wasn’t cheating somehow, the teachers had him go through a set of drills. While he initially struggled as per usual, he immediately took to it after one of the instructors showed him what his form was supposed to look like.
It then discovered that Minegumo was a kinesthetic-type learner: someone who requires whole-body movement to process new and difficult information. Being given a private tutor to break his lessons down for him, his standing within the school slowly, but surely, changed as he began scoring higher and higher on his written tests and exams. Before too long, he would finish his first year at the Konoha academy at the top of his class.
Seeing the progress, Aki once again started up Minegumo’s genjutsu lessons. Knowing what he needed, she was able to teach him in a more hands-on-method, and there he shined. No longer struggling, he took to his training in the art like a sponge: mastering his clan’s hiden illusions without a challenge, and even learning other techniques with similar ease. As he continued to hone his skills, Aki made the decision to lessen the power of the seal holding his powers at bay: allowing him to access his unique bloodline in intervals.
Graduation[]
With his prodigious skill and talent, Minegumo, like Asuna, was given the opportunity to take the final exam a few years early. He got a perfect score on the written portion and when the time for the practical exam came, he was able to see the true nature of the test. However, his loner tendencies gave him problems when the time came. compel one of his classmates to make sure he had a partner.
As the exam progressed, he was sought out by none other than the legendary Kurenai Yūhi. Catching the kunoichi's attention after she fought down his sister, they had a brief bout where he made a stand against her. While he managed to hold out momentarily, he chose to escape after reversing one of her genjutsu back onto her. Despite his negative feelings about it, Minegumo teamed up with Asuna after realizing that the older kunoichi was hunting both of them down. Together, they were able to fight off Kurenai, showing off unusual synchronicity despite their mutual dislike of one another.
Successfully getting the bells needed to pass the exam, Minegumo graduated from the academy with a near-perfect score. A celebratory dinner was thrown in honor of he and Asuna's early graduation. As the event progressed, Asuna revealed her true colors and ruined the dinner with a vicious attack on everyone at the dinner table. In the end, Minegumo made his own leave after feeling disoriented.
Frustrated and confused by Asuna's actions, Minegumo sought his sister and immediately questioned her. However, the questioning went nowhere and ended with him only feeling more upset than before. Following her to the training grounds near Kurama Manor, the two once again had another battle to settle their differences. During the fight, Minegumo showed off his newer advanced techniques; performing a sonic genjutsu, and different bukijutsu maneuvers. In return, Asuna showcased greater refined strategies and tactics; the culmination of two years of training and self-study. In the end, Minegumo was taken down by a maneuver of his sister's that preyed on his troubled emotional state. Caught in an explosion, he was knocked unconscious from pain and a concussion.
X Family Vacation[]
Eight years after his birth, Minegumo would finally make contact with his father’s family: a day that Minegumo would look upon with equal parts fondness and regret. During a journey to a fledgling village at the bequest of the Shinobi Union, Mika decided to take her son with her so as to give him more worldly and traveling experience. Packing him up for a trap that would take a few days at the least, the two departed from Konoha and made it outside of the borders of the Land of Focus in a record time. After a day spent traveling on foot, the two decided to camp out and spend the night in the woods.
It would be a decision the two would later regret.
Unbeknownst to either Mika or Minegumo, the mother-son duo had been spotted when they’d appeared at the borders of Focus by a group of Jashinists who were in opposition of the Shinobi Union. Tracking the pair as they made their way to Eigakure, they struck just as camp was set up. A sudden ambush while their guards were lowered, Mika and Minegumo scrambled into a counter-attack. While she was more than skilled enough to hold her own against a few on her own, the large number and the task of also protecting her vulnerable son proved too great for Mika. After one managed to draw blood after she took a hit for Minegumo, the battle took a turn for the worse as one of the Jashinist activated a curse that tortured Mika by repeatedly stabbing themselves in the stomach.
The trauma of the situation, the fear for his life, and the horror of seeing one of his mothers being tortured overwhelmed young Minegumo: pumping him full of adrenaline as his fight or flight response activated. However, it would not be the only thing that was roused within him. Unwittingly breaking the seal that bound his abilities, his guardian angel and inner demon would both rush to the surface in response to the child’s storm of emotions. One coming out of unholy protectiveness for her charge and the other from righteous anger on behalf of his vessel, they united as a single entity. Intertwining their powers, they readily took over and transformed Minegumo into a monstrous beast that swiftly eradicated the Jashinists.
The battle would not go unnoticed, however.
Detecting a sudden spike of concentrated chakra and intent not too far away from them, a squad of Eigakure shinobi led by none other than the Eihei Uzumaki would rush to the scene just in time to see the transformed Minegumo devour the last Jashinist. When the demonic wolf turned its gaze toward the newly arrived ninja, the group would get ready for an attack, only for the kunoichi to command them to stand down. Sensing a connection to the beast, Eihei reached out instead. Within minutes, she was able to successfully reach Minegumo who’d taken sanctuary within his subconsciousness. Helping him come back to himself and regain control, she was able to piece together the scene that had been stumbled upon.
She would immediately spirit the mother and son back to the safety of the village, checking Mika into a hospital where they both spent the night. The very next day, a rested and fed Minegumo would be given a proper introduction to his aunt, and later, the rest of the extended family who called Eigakure their home. It would be from Eihei that he learned the full story history of his family and his inherited abilities, and begin instruction on how to harness and control them.
Team Lee[]
Mine during his days as a Genin
Following the week spent in Eigakure, Minegumo returned to the village just in time for Genin placements. Assigned to a unit under Rock Lee, Konoha's famed taijutsu master, his time as a genin would not be an easy one. In some ways Lee was like a father: fair and paternal, he could always be counted on for an encouraging word or positive reinforcement. The man was a tough teacher who desired nothing but the best from his students, and he made sure to get it.
However, despite the grueling instruction and the tests of endurance, Minegumo thrived. While the adjustment to learning under a full-blown Elite Jōnin was not easy, he still managed. When beaten down, he only got back up; when pushed to the wall, he held his ground; when his body protested, he carried on. No matter what, Mine did not quit: unwilling and unable to give up. And as he proved himself, Lee began to expand on his teachings. It is here that he began to truly blossom as an upcoming shinobi and slowly test his abilities.
During this time, Hikari Hatake and Naraku Aburame would be selected as Minegumo’s genin teammates; the three specializing a reconnaissance unit. To say that the trio of shinobi did not get along at first could only be a gross understatement. Having quickly turned on each other during their Genin Exam, things only went downhill from there: constant bickering became the norm, and it wasn’t uncommon to see two of them ganging up on one. On one occasion, during a D-rank mission in the village, Minegumo even went as far as to compel Naraku to throwing himself into the rivers around Konoha during the middle of winter.
Things continued on like that for several more weeks, until the team’s first C-rank mission. What happened during the mission is mostly unknown as Minegumo does not like to speak of it. It is noted however that Team Lee came back from their mission as close as could be. While they still bickered and argued, the maliciousness of their words was replaced with sarcasm and teasing. They were well and truly a proper unit.
Following the mission, Minegumo upped his studies. While learning his clan’s signature gentaijutsu he was given the idea from his mother to expand upon it. Going to Lee for help, he would be put through physical conditioning to improve his agility and flexibility. With his sensei’s instruction, Minegumo honed his physical abilities, growing to a level where he could at least defend against other taijutsu practitioners without too much struggle.
For the next several months, Minegumo continued to train under Lee alongside Naraku and Hikari. Under their teacher's watchful eye, the trio developed their skills as far as they could. And before too long, it was time for the Chūnin Exams. At the age of nine, Minegumo and his teammates set out from Konoha to the reconstructed Uzushiogakure, where the Exams were being held.
Chūnin Exams[]
Leaving from Konoha by way of a ferry, Team Lee set off to Uzushio. However, they would not experience smooth sailings to their destination. Less than an hour after setting off, a massive tropical storm was born. While it did not destroy any of the boats, they were still rocked and knocked into. Many Chūnin hopefuls too were knocked overboard or found themselves fleeing through the use of emergency seals.
For a full night, the storm raged on and dwindled down the number of teams who would be participating. When morning came, Team Lee was one of four teams who remained on the boat: having come together and combined their chakra to create a small barrier to shield themselves. As they reached Uzushio, it was revealed that the journey to the village was actually a “kick start” for the Chūnin Exams. The trip during a sea storm was a test of loyalty and bravery, to see if those participating could be counted on to put their mission above their own lives.
Two days later, the true exam finally began. Taking place in a maze that’d been constructed in the outskirts of the village, the first round was a challenge that tested their wisdom and prudence. Unknown to the participants, a barrier was put in place over the maze that essentially put the area into its own dimension. Once someone entered, they would find themselves running in circles: always ending up back in the same place they’d entered. However, the maze could not be broken in any way, and they were not allowed to exit the same way they’d entered. And not only did they have to pass as a team, but the maze was also slowly draining them of their chakra as time went on.
After Minegumo probed at this maze with his sixth sense, it took very little time for the trio to come together for an idea. Eventually, they decided to beat the challenge by not entering the maze at all. Instead, they would go over it. Banding together, the three created a platform of chakra which they used to hover off the ground. After this, it was a simple matter of creating air currents to guide them over and pass the maze. In the end, Team Lee was not only the first to finish the first phase of the exam, but they’d done so with a flawless score.
While this helped in proving themselves as worthy of being promoted, it also gained them enemies: the other genin in the exam marking them as their main competition to overcome—by any means necessary.
Beginning right after, the second phase was of all things a dodge-ball game. While seemingly simple, the matches were a deadlock between four teams and allowed only a single team to come out as the victor. Once again being the first one up, Team Lee immediately found themselves on the defensive as they were forced to fight off assaults from the three other teams who’d decided to band together for the purpose of taking them out. After an encounter that left Minegumo with a swollen wrist and bruised ribs, they made the decision to divide and conquer splitting up for each of them to go after a team on their own.
Once separated, he was able to deliver his own counterattack and take out a Kumogakure team on his own. Using enhanced speed to evade their attacks, he showcased his genjutsu skill by overwhelming them with illusionary panthers. From there, all he had to do was cast a simple agricultural illusion to ensnare them, before dealing out punishment. Rejoining his comrades with bloodied knuckles as his only added casualty, Team Lee made it out on top with another high score.
Following several more rounds of what would be remembered as the dodge-ball game from Hell, it was time for the third phase of the Chūnin exams. Another team vs team duel, but this time one-on-one. Going first, Minegumo was given one of the swiftest victories in the history of the exams after he plagued his opponent with phantasms of not being able to breathe. They were knocked out within minutes, and he advanced to the next round without a hitch.
The next couple of rounds proved to have the same result; demonstrating his prodigious skill in genjutsu in combination with his creativity and intellect to win his matches. Even when against an opponent who knew what to expect, Minegumo was still able to get the upper hand. What made his victories particularly notable was that Minegumo hadn't relied on his Kekkei Genkai: all he'd needed was his own skill and talent.
That would soon change.
In his semi-final bout, Minegumo would find himself going up against Yuno Onigumo: a genin from the Land of Wind who’d gained her own notoriety for her use of unorthodox puppetry. The kunoichi started the match by unsealing a massive amount of sand and using it to create a controlled sandstorm; impairing his vision and disrupting his chakra sensing. In turn, Minegumo was left scrambling to adapt. Deciding to go on the defensive, for the time being, Minegumo cloaked himself before creating his own clones and ordering them to venture further into the sandstorm in search of Yuno.
However, after only a few steps, they were immediately attacked by a robed figure who slashed through the phantasmal clones. As the hood was torn off, the figure was revealed to be Kimimaro Kaguya. Once a powerful shinobi who served Orochimaru, he'd been vanquished years ago, with his body now turned into a puppet.
Faced against one of the strongest taijutsu fighters in history as a puppet, Minegumo found himself hard-pressed to come up with a way to come out of the battle as the victor. Appearing in a puff of smoke, he once again cast his genjutsu barrier and used it to transform the arena into a dense jungle. From there, he was able to ensnare Yuno within a powerful tree to restrict her movements. However, while the kunoichi was immobilized, the same could not be said for her puppet, who remained in action even as she was taken down. She once again showcased her brilliance when it was uncovered that rather than chakra threads, she was using a unique seal that allowed her to manipulate the puppet with only her thoughts: an evolved application of the Puppet Technique.
Once again forced onto the defensive, Minegumo found himself on the run as bullets of bone were shot at him in rapid-fire. Even as he ran and ducked and weaved, he was not quite fast enough to outrun the attacks: the bullets of the bone easily slicing into him. Phasing underground to give himself a momentary break from the assault, he leveled the ground and created a massive sinkhole directly underneath the Kaguya Puppet. With that completed, Minegumo resurfaced just as his barrier dissipated. In the blink of an eye, Yuno was free of the genjutsu he'd used to bind her. And she immediately went back on the offensive.
To the surprise of everyone, she summoned yet another human puppet: Kidomaru of the Sound Four.
From there, it was a vicious taijutsu engagement as the two genins clashed. While Minegumo’s reflexes and speed allowed him to avoid the most fatal blows, he still wound up bruised and battered. Eventually, the puppet landed a vicious punch to the ribs that sent him crashing to the other side of the arena. Minegumo once again called upon his genjutsu skills: creating a great jungle of whip-like vines that lashed out at the kunoichi. With the illusion once again taking root, he quickly took advantage by stitching additional layers to keep her at his mercy.
However, no sooner had he done that, did she suddenly vanish in a puff of smoke: revealing that she’d been a shadow clone the entire time, with the true Yuno still hiding away. As Minegumo stood dumbfounded, the ground suddenly rumbled, before great spires of bone drilled out of the ground. With his chakra low, he could only watch in dismay and horror as the attack came his way.
Yet, it would never connect.
Just as the first bone spire erupted from underneath him, the other side of his inheritance would manifest as chains of chakra erupted from his back. Thin, but razor-sharp, they moved with a swiftness that surpassed even his speed: wrapping around the bone spire and pulverizing it within a blink. Dismay turning to wonder, Minegumo doubled over and looked on with awe-filled eyes as the chains lashed out all around him: breaking through the other towers of bone and leaving only dust in their wake.
With the tides firmly turned in his favor, he made his counterattack: using the chains to finally destroy the barrier, he used his returned sensing ability to locate Yuno. With both of them on their last legs, they made their final moves: the kunoichi commanding her puppets to take him out, and Minegumo himself striking with a Genjutsu: Unknown Fire; unconsciously calling upon his bloodline ability as he did so. Hot and intense, the flames moved quickly: incinerating her clothes, and soon burning her skin. While the illusions would end with Minegumo’s knockout, the damage would already be done as a portion of her face was melted off. Minegumo was ultimately declared the winner of the match, and he would be allowed to advance to the Finals, being given a small respite.
Exam Finals[]
Blood Calling Blood[]
Minegumo’s performance in the Chūnin Exams was televised for the world to see: every move he made, every step he took, every trap he planned, and of course, every technique he used. And so, the whole world was able to see when he cast the Uzumaki Clan’s legendary chakra chains. While the version that Minegumo used was still incomplete, the fact that he’d even been able to call upon the powerful technique was still noteworthy. Both in Konoha and in Uzushiogakure, speculation of his heritage ran rampant. However, there were some observers who did not have to wonder at all and could immediately solve the riddle of his mysterious parentage. Among those would be Shenron Uzumaki.
Having been there in person to see the boy’s match, he’d known that Minegumo was the son of his former flame from the very beginning; that did not take being a genius. While he’d initially speculated the chance that he was the father, he’d banished the idea when he’d learned of the boy’s exact date of birth. However, after seeing him in the final match, and how he’d manifested the Uzumaki chains, the idea had come back at full force. He’d gone straight to the hospital to ask the boy himself, but the need for the questioning died the moment he walked in the room. Just being in each other’s general vicinity caused their shared connection to sing out.
From there, the two had a brief discussion and Shenron formally introduced himself, before revealing that he was Minegumo’s biological father. While shocked, Minegumo was more than happy to finally meet his actual father; Shenron on the other hand was more subdued, though the man was careful not to show it. As their talk continued, the offer to join Uzushio was eventually put on the table. However, Minegumo would firmly decline; stating that he loved his clan and could never imagine leaving it behind. While Shenron accepted and seemed outwardly serene, he seethed inside. Unbeknownst to Minegumo, the older Uzumaki would begin making plans to have his son come and join him.
The following day, Minegumo was introduced to the rest of his family: his younger half-siblings Ichirou, Momoe, and baby Yuutaro Uzumaki. He would even get to meet Seidai Hatake: a famous archaeologist and seals master, on top of being his father’s new girlfriend. To say that Minegumo was surprised at already having a decently sized new family would be an understatement, but he quickly grew joyed as he’d always wanted more siblings. Eventually, Shenron suggested a spar between Ichirou and Minegumo; wanting to gauge the latter’s skill and abilities.
As Minegumo would learn, Ichirou was already a Chūnin despite their three-year age difference. With more experience under his belt and a unique Kekkei Genkai of his own, Ichirou pushed Minegumo in a way that few others had before. In the end, he was able to win after using his Kekkei Genkai to neutralize Ichirou's own. The match served as a humbling experience for Minegumo and taught him the valuable lesson of the dangers of underestimating his opponents.
After spending a couple of more days in Uzushio getting to know his new family, it was finally time for Minegumo to say goodbye and return to Konoha. With the promise to visit in the near future after a warm send-off, he stepped onto the boats to take him home.
Forging His Own Path[]
Returning to Konoha after the events of the Chūnin Exams, Minegumo quickly fell into a funk. While he made an excellent showing and was awarded his promotion, it all felt very hollow. The knowledge that his bloodline had sipped his control made his victor bittersweet. On top of that, he was also at a crossroads of sorts in his life. As he was no longer a genin, the time was coming for Mine to make more decisions for himself and his future.
Several different organizations in Konoha reached out to him with offers; the analysis unit and the torture and interrogation task force were the first to extend invitations, with the claims that he would be a natural. The village medic corps expressed interest due to the extreme chakra control he displayed. He was even scouted to join the newest generation of the fire guardians as an apprentice. While others would feel pride to have piqued the interest of these different groups, it only served to make young Minegumo uneasy as he realized he would have to start making life-changing decisions at only nine years old.
Seeing how troubled her son had become and how reluctant he was to open up about his anxieties, Akigumo once again called upon Heiwa. Fully believing that if Minegumo would open up to anyone it would be his Godfather, Aki set up a get-together for the duo. The carrot-top arrived in Konoha later that day and immediately sought out his godson with the invitation of relaxing in a hot spring. After some brief catch-up, Heiwa questioned about how Minegumo was doing at the present, and sure enough, the boy found himself spilling about the troubles he was facing.
While the two continued their conversation, Heiwa revealed that he would be going on a journey for the next few years; traveling the elemental nations as a freelance healer. As he was feeling restless, Heiwa made the offer to take his Godson with him as his official apprentice, which Minegumo didn’t hesitate to accept.
However, when the time came for Minegumo to announce that he was leaving Konoha, it did not go well. Having just told his own newly found father that he couldn’t imagine being away from his family, everyone around him deemed it ludicrous that he changed his mind so quickly. Aki in particular did not take the news well, and after she attempted to do a genjutsu dissipation to see if he really was thinking rationally or not, mother and son quickly fell into an argument that neither was willing to back down from. In the end, it took the intervention of both Mika and Heiwa for the two to calm down, and for Minegumo to explain how he was beginning to feel stifled in the village. While she understood, Aki was still reserved to Minegumo leaving and confessed that she worried about what could happen to him out there, especially with the revelation of his Uzumaki heritage out in the open.
In the end, the two reached a compromise: if Minegumo could prove he was ready by decoding his mother’s unique portal technique she would give him her blessing.
He began working on it straight away. Taking the scroll he was given, he isolated himself to his bedroom as he started his attempts. Although he did not vocalize it, Minegumo actually did not believe that he would be able to do the task set out for him, at least not in the set amount of time given to him. His learning problems were well-known at this point, and even as he opened the scroll, he was already preparing himself for not being able to understand its contents.
But to his surprise, it never came. In fact, it was quite the opposite: rather than any confusing script that hurt his eyes, the symbols on the paper were recognizable and readable as if they were his native language. For the first time in his life, Minegumo could make sense of what he was reading: no help from others required. With this new skill, Minegumo was able to decode the mechanics of the technique, but it would still not be that easy, for while he could deduce the theory and mechanics of the Heavenly Bridge, actual practicalities were another story.
Over the course of a week, he would make different attempts at using the technique, but each one would be met in failure. While Minegumo could have taken one of his mother’s pre-made seals and used that to break the technique down, he wanted to prove himself and accomplish it without outside assistance of any kind. Another week later, he would finally accomplish his task: not only decoding the technique but also being able to use it himself, albeit at a very basic level.
Having accomplished his Mother’s task, Minegumo wasted no time to tell his mother the fruits of his labor: jumping to his mother to show off that he already began using the technique himself. With mixed feelings of pride and melancholia, Aki did indeed give Minegumo her blessing: along with a set of scrolls containing the secret techniques of the clan. After a promise that he would periodically drop in to see his mothers, Minegumo packed his things and set out with Heiwa on the road.
Sōzō’s Anatomy[]
Leaving with Heiwa, it took only a day for the godfather and godson to fall back into the same patterns from just a handful of years earlier; as if they’d never been separated, to begin with. Their first week together was once again spent playing catch up, only this time, they were able to have full-length conversations instead of brief small-talk. During their talks, Minegumo told the man about everything he’d missed in the past few years: his time in the Academy, his team placements and his teammates that became like family to him, and the Chūnin Exams where he once again lost control over his bloodline ability. The last one, in particular, was a subject that’d weighed heavily on his mind as he recalled Yuno’s scarred appearance. On and on, the two talked, and Heiwa listened carefully to all of his godson’s woes before giving him careful advice.
On the subject of the Yuno and the uncontrollability of his bloodline ability, he advised to instead not let it control him with his fear. Explaining that every power is a tool, Heiwa gave the advice of continuing to hone his genjutsu prowess to a level that he no longer had to fear it. With that in mind, the man began mapping out a training plan for Minegumo to being learning medical ninjutsu. However, learning actual medical techniques would not happen until match later. Instead, the young Chūnin would be called back to basics as he once again began instruction in the realm of chakra control. Initially, Minegumo was against the idea: as an aspiring genjutsu master, his control over his chakra was already well above that of others his age and in his station.
Heiwa was quick to shut this down.
While Minegumo’s chakra control was excellent and truly advanced for his age and position, it was still not up to par to be a medic. Heiwa voiced this and continued by saying that it wasn’t good enough to simply have exceptional control: absolute dominance was needed. Minegumo’s chakra would need to be perceived and treated as an extension of himself, nothing less than another sense or even another limb. As well as this, his reserves would also have to be larger: needed for the extensive care that is all too often required from Medics, whether on missions as part of a cell or working in the hospital. To that end, Heiwa put Minegumo on a strict and unorthodox regime for different chakra control exercises: the first of which would be climbing upon a waterfall. A more extreme version of the Water Surface Walking Practice, the training was nothing short of grueling: requiring pinpoint and constantly changing bursts of chakra, while also maintaining the same steady stream to walk upon the waterfall.
Over the course of a few days, Minegumo would make continuous attempts with varying levels of success. Eventually, the young Chūnin was able to find the precise balance needed after realizing the “key” to the exercise. Slowly, but surely, Minegumo’s attempts turned to success as his young body began to adapt to the strain being placed upon it. After two weeks, he could complete the exercise with little to no problem: being able to make laps up and down the waterfall, even on his hands. After a full month, Minegumo’s proficiency had grown to where he could do battle without the need to concentrate.
Time continued to pass like this, as Heiwa coached Minegumo through no less than a dozen different chakra control exercises with the waterfall climbing being just the tip of the iceberg. From mountain climbing to using chakra to maintain his breathing underwater, to even feeling the texture of the world around him with his unique chakra sense. At one point, Minegumo was even forced to maintain his balance and walk within a massive maelstrom.
However, it would not only be chakra control training that the young Chūnin would be instructed in. Heiwa would also review Minegumo’s ninjutsu skill and instruct his godson to perfect his general skills: making his chakra completely undetectable when cloaked, fully erasing his presence when moving at high speeds, and sealing and unsealing larger and greater numbered objects.
Finally, nearly a year since their journey began, Heiwa assigned his final task—tying a hair-thin thread into four equal knots, blindfolded and using only his chakra. It would be his ultimate test: the culmination of nearly a year spent focusing on his chakra manipulation. To Minegumo’s surprise, he managed to complete the task on his very first attempt, albeit he did struggle with the very last knot. In any case, Heiwa deemed him ready to learn.
At the age of ten, a year after he’d been promoted to a Chūnin, Minegumo began his instruction in the medicinal arts. Since the regimen of chakra control exercises began, Heiwa had not so much as mentioned anything related to healing techniques. And it had never been questioned either—until now. Heiwa explained to Minegumo that medical ninjutsu was not a field that someone could simply jump into as there were several prerequisites before instruction should ever begin.
First and foremost, one needed truly masterful and unbeaten chakra control as ninjutsu that occurred on the cellular level required the utmost delicacy. The second was that Minegumo would also need to actually understand what it truly meant to be a healer: to choose who lives and who dies, and the responsibility that came with it. Finally, Heiwa stressed the importance to not look at medical techniques as a subcategory of ninjutsu but as its own field. Rather than refer to the art as simple “Medical Ninjutsu”, it should instead be called Iryōjutsu (医術, Literally meaning: Medical Techniques); its own fully functioning category, completely separate from the three basic ninja arts.
Starting immediately, Heiwa would spend the next four years molding his godson into a formidable medic. Building up carefully, Minegumo would first learn the traditional combo of the Chakra Scalpel and Mystical Palm Technique, which are used for surgeries and healing respectively. This pair would more or less form the foundation of his initial medical teachings, later growing into the more complex poison extraction, cell activation, and regenerative healing techniques.
After careful practice and eventual mastery, Heiwa later instructed Minegumo in the use of his own more unique and versatile medical techniques
The apprentice
. To aid in his abilities as a healer, he learned to see and phase through the bodies of his patients in order to perform more complex and intensive operations. Minegumo would also learn techniques that allowed for more widespread healing by creating a healing perimeter. He was even taught to construct a unique healing barrier that could tank great physical attacks without a problem. However, it should be noted that Minegumo did simply master these techniques without any challenge. Due to the complexities of medical techniques, each took no less than two weeks to fully understand, another to get it down pat, and yet another to truly perfect them. Even then, Heiwa often spent time having Minegumo review his inventory before moving on.
In the meantime, Heiwa and Minegumo traveled. Not just through the Land of Fire, but through the rest of the elemental nations as well. Taking place over a handful of years, the godfather and godson duo would trek all over the continent as they played visitors to different villages and towns. Notably, the pair did not limit themselves to human civilization: the ruins of ancient cities and settlements of the past were also on their list of destinations, and even mythical and legendary locations such as the sage regions. During these journeys, Heiwa would continue working as both a medic and a shinobi. Traveling with the man, Minegumo’s prowess as his apprentice would continue to grow; eventually going on to become known as the “Right Hand of God.” (神の右手, Kami no Migite)
It would also be during these travels that Minegumo, remembering the promise he made to visit and keep in touch, began connecting to his paternal family. Having learned unique space-time technique, it was a simple matter for him to travel to his father's village during his "downtime" from his training sessions with Heiwa. These visits would be spent getting to know his stepmother and many half-siblings, and he would in particular cultivate a bond with his half-brother, Ichirou. And as he connected to his paternal family, he also got in touch with the abilities he'd inherited from them as well. After a discussion with Shenron, Minegumo began his basic instruction into the sealing arts. Completely skipping the common sealing and releasing, he was instead taught the signature and versatile seal of his ancestors.
Minegumo would also make regular trips to the see Eigakure to keep in touch with his large extended family. Under the careful eye of Heiwa, his father, and several of his older relatives, he continued to hone his skills.
It would be when Minegumo was fourteen years old, five years after becoming a Chūnin, that he finally returned to Konoha alongside Heiwa.
Letting Go[]
Minegumo returned to the village as a new person. Originally leaving as an insecure and anxious Chūnin of only nine years old, he came back half a decade older, with time and experience serving to help him grow into himself
Coming into himself
. And so, his first couple of weeks following his homecoming were very easy. He of course spent time with his family and clan-mates playing catch up, before going about and seeing the others he’d left when he’d gone on his journey. In particular, he was excited to see his sensei and teammates.
Finding his old sensei, Minegumo immediately challenged the man to a spar to see where he measured up against one of Konoha’s top Jōnin. The match-up was, in one word, explosive. True to his character, Lee held nothing back and while Minegumo was able to stick it out in the beginning, it wasn’t long before he found himself on the defense by the more experienced shinobi. In a testament to his prowess, he was able to push his teacher to use two of the Eight Gates and managed to briefly hold his own. However, as the fight drew on, he found himself hard-pressed to keep up. Opening the Third Gate would push Minegumo to the brink, and the Fourth would end the battle.
While disappointed that he’d lost, Minegumo was still happy and proud of himself for even being able to last against the man he openly looked up to. Deciding to move to a hot spring for their own catch-up, Lee caught his former student up on everything he'd missed while he was gone. To his shock, he found out that both Hikari and Naraku had found partners. After that, Minegumo’s time was spent finding a good organization in the village for him to fit into.
And it is here that things slowly began to sour once more.
After spending so long away from Konoha, Minegumo realized that readjusting to the village life, to the rules and regulations, was easier said than done. The years on the road with only Heiwa had given the young Chūnin a sense of freedom and peace. Two things he’d no idea he craved until he was back in the village and attempting to become another cog in the machine. He made his best attempts to fit in with the village and become a proper shinobi, but despite his efforts, none of them worked out. Not only did Mine not fit in at any of the departments he attempted to join, but he felt out of place on team missions as well. No matter how hard he tried, he just did not fit in: he argued with his teammates when they refused to take him seriously, he argued over commands that he disagreed with, and he was consistently reprimanded for speaking out of turn and not giving proper respect to his superiors.
It was with frustration and no small amount of heartbreak that Minegumo came to the realization that while his time away had been needed to help him find himself, it had also served to turn him into a stranger in the village he’d grown up in and had sworn to protect.
This continued on for several more months: a vicious cycle of the teenage Chūnin doing his best to conform to the villages, only to be put on edge and get into fights with his peers. No matter how hard Minegumo tried, nothing he did seemed to work out and his attempts only made him feel drained as life in Konoha dragged on. Eventually, he gave up on and began taking missions on his own; soon establishing a steady rate of successful solo missions as he avoided working with others. However, this retreat into himself only made those around him warier. In no time at all, Minegumo’s childhood moniker of Dark Magician (魔法使い, Mahōtsukai, English: Magician; Wizard) would make a comeback. While he initially had no idea of this, it would be an older Chūnin who made the slip-up: using it to refer to him in the middle of an argument.
Hurt and frustrated, Minegumo once again made the decision to leave the village: this time permanently. After talking to Lee about it, he decided to take the Daimyō on the offer he’d been given years ago and join up with the ninja guardians as a full member. But in order to do so, Minegumo would first need to be promoted: the new Daimyō unwilling to take anyone below a Tokubetsu Jōnin to join his guard. As Konoha was still mostly experiencing a time of peace, the advancement would not come easily; coming to the decision to take part in the Jōnin Exams to show his worth. And in order to be allowed to take the exams, he would need the endorsement of at least three high-ranking Konoha officials. While he already had two in his mother and former sensei, the third would come in the form of a representative of the Hyūga Clan; an endorsement that came after Mine took advantage of their feelings.
In any case, Minegumo took his Jōnin exams at the age of fifteen: six and a half years after Chūnin promotion. He proved himself to be a capable and versatile shinobi after showcasing not only his usual prodigious genjutsu skill but also additional knowledge in the arts of healing, fuinjutsu, and weaponry. While not the most analytic, he did possess noticeable creativity and a sharp mind: employing unorthodox and unique techniques that caught his opponents off guard. The would-be Jōnin’s willingness to fall back and play a supportive role and his ability to plan ahead also helped to show him as being ready for his promotion. However, despite how skilled the young boy was, it was easy to detect that he was not all that he was showing himself to be.
The Chūnin was reserved and brash and put a noticeable distance between himself and those around him. Yet, it was easy to see how heartfelt he was in his own way; while he went to great lengths to cover it up, he truly did possess a tempered heart. There was much debate over whether or not he should be promoted as there was no true way of knowing what would come about of Minegumo’s advancement to Jōnin: while there were those who insisted that he’d be an asset to the village, others argued that he had no true drive and was visibly lacking in the revered Will of Fire. Eventually, the Hokage put his foot down, and after careful consideration, Minegumo Kurama would receive the rank of Jōnin at the age of fifteen years and seven months old. Despite the misgiving of some, the man claimed that Minegumo was deserving of his promotion and needed to continue proving his worth to the village.
Minegumo spent a year as a proper Konoha Jōnin, wherein he only took missions solo or in the company of Lee. Within that year, he completed more than dozen A-rank missions and twelve S-ranks; making a name for himself as an up-and-coming shinobi with an already fairly high bounty on his head despite his young age and recent promotion.
However, nothing lasts forever. After a full year in the village, Minegumo announced that he would once again be departing from Konoha, this time to become one of the Guardian Shinobi for the Fire Daimyō. Taking a week to finalize everything, he took the time to say his goodbye, before packing his belongings for the last time and giving a farewell to his mothers with the usual promise of periodically dropping by. With only the clothes he wore and a single backpack, Minegumo Kurama traded in the smothering pressure of life in the village for the excitement of what the future held.
The Bodyguard[]
The Start of Something New
Now by himself and proudly carrying a new rank, Minegumo set off into the world. Seeing the change as the beginning of a new chapter in his life, he made the decision to dye his hair and style it into something different before his departure: completely changing how he looked.
While he initially planned to immediately take off for Fire Capitol, he decided to hold off as he realized he was now at a point in his life where he could make his own decisions. With that in mind, Minegumo made the choice to travel. With his new ranking giving him greater clearance, he decided to revisit all of the locations he’d traveled to with Hiewa but also some others that he'd been barred from.
Finally, after some time alone on the road, Minegumo arrived in the Capitol of the Land of Fire with only the clothes on his back and the ambition to prove himself and break the mold. Almost as if the universe had heard his desires, his assignment as a bodyguard would begin from the moment of his arrival: stopping an assassination attempt on a member of the royal family and then fighting the would-be killer off in a bout that caught the attention of the entire city. This would spell out the next handful of years that Minegumo would spend as a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
Wanting to start over and reinvent himself, Minegumo decided to change his appearance. Taking a page out of the legendary Tsunade’s book, he used the transformation technique to change himself, and then used a seal to bind it. Looking completely different and with only the Daimyo knowing who he truly was, he went by the alias “Fuyuzuki Un’mine” a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, from the Land of Iron.
Under this alias, he became well-known as one of the Daimyo’s guards; a famous Uzumaki with a well-rounded skill set. To help sell the ruse, he expanded his fuinjutsu reservoir; learning a unique sealing clone and even the true form of his chakra chains.
Return Home[]
Personality and Appearance[]
Appearance[]
A hybrid of the Kurama and Uzumaki clans, with heritage that also comes from the Land of Lightning and the Uchiha Clan, the man known as Minegumo does make a striking picture. An obvious mirror of his mother, he inherited many of her features. Like Akigumo, Minegumo possesses the same brown skin as his ancestors the Land of Lightning, although noticeably more olive. He has a mane of long, violet hair that spills down his back in controlled waves and the same almond-shaped, amber eyes as his mother; the only trait he inherited from his Land of Fire ancestors. He has a full, sharp face with high cheekbones….
Personality[]
Nindō[]
"I won't cry, I won't give up...and I won't run away." |
Abilities[]
Energy & Chakra Prowess[]
While there are members of his generation that can make the claim of being a "Tailed Beast without a Tail" or some other chakra monster, Minegumo is not among them. His chakra is incredibly strong as he is a hybrid of both the Kurama and Uzumaki Clans, and he came into his heritage from as early as the time that he could walk. Inheriting a powerful life-force, his body is naturally strong and durable, and the years of training have only served to increase it to greater levels. Likewise, his great spirit energy grants him greater clarity of the mind, which has only been honed from years of meditation and mental exercise. These come together in a very special essence that in turn translates to great chakra potency.
And yet, when the discussion of chakra monsters of his generation come up, Minegumo's name is not the first to come to anyone’s mind. Despite his heritage, he was not born with any monstrous or unfathomably deep reserves of chakra. As far as actual reserves go, Minegumo’s are nothing to be ashamed of. He does of course have a fairly large pool to draw upon: for he is an S-rank shinobi with years of intensive physical and spiritual conditioning under his belt. With this adequate reservoir, he is able to perform A and even S-rank techniques without any trouble or great drain. As well as this, his reserves replenish at greater rates even after running to the point of depletion; an ability inherited from his father.
If there are those whose chakra signatures can be compared to the Sun for their brilliance and warmth, then Minegumo’s can be likened to that of the Moon. His signature is undoubtedly brilliant, but it does not invoke any type of sense or feeling when it is detected or create any physical disturbances just from its raw exertion. However, what he lacks in chakra capacity, he more than makes up for with his extreme and truly inconceivable chakra control. As a natural Genjutsu-type and a trained medic to boot, Minegumo has complete and utter dominance of his inner energies. No matter the task, he molds with the highest caliber, easily balancing his chakra and unleashing his techniques with perfection. Everything he does is delivered with infallible accuracy, without so much as a speck of energy wasted. As a result, his reserves typically seem significantly larger than they actually are. A testament to his refined control, Minegumo is capable of weaving hand seals with only a single hand; the drain on his chakra being drastically reduced.
Physical Prowess and Taijutsu[]
No genius in the art and it not being his preferred area of the shinobi arts, Minegumo is not particularly praised for any type of mastery when it comes to the realm of taijutsu. He does not possess any monstrous, legendary strength that can create earthquakes, shatter stone, and even damage chakra constructs with ease. No unfathomable speed that makes simple flickers be mistaken for instantaneous movement. However, for all of this, Minegumo is still no slouch. With one Taijutsu Master for teacher and a plethora of martial arts specialist for relatives, including his many siblings, he has enough skill to at least be labelled as proficient in the field.
Minegumo was taught to to understand that more than any genjutsu or seal, his body is one of the greatest tools in his arsenal; being the living representation of what he is physically capable of. As such, he has gone to great lengths to keep it up to par, and while he is no expert, he is at least able to defend himself against those who are. The one aspect of martial arts that Mine does seem to excel in is that of acrobatics: his reflexes and agility being top of the line. When combined with his sensory skills and the training from Lee, they allow him to keep up with even the speediest opponents.
During the situations that his natural abilities are not enough, he can all too easily enhance them to more unnatural levels with his flawless chakra control by calling upon techniques such as enhanced strength and speed. While seemingly minor, these chakra enhancements have been shown to boost his abilities to the point that he comfortably go toe-to-toe with actual taijutsu masters like his former teacher. Indeed, on one occasion, Minegumo managed to keep with Lee using only chakra enhancements even after the man called upon his Eight Gates; only becoming outpaced upon pushing the man to open up the third.
Bukijutsu & Shurikenjutsu[]
Trained by his Heiwa during his early years, Minegumo boasts considerable skill when it comes to ninja tools. He was taught to see the world around him and realize that if he applied himself correctly, most everything could be used as a weapon; the only limit was himself. Taking these words to heart, Minegumo trained himself extensively in the use of a variety of weaponry: from traditional shuriken, kunai, and other projectiles; to the katana, and even the bō. While not precisely a master in their use, his proficiency is enough that he can not only perform basic and even intermediate maneuvers, but he can also go up against actual weapon specialists and hold his own against them. That said, natural talent only takes one so far, and Minegumo himself admits that should he face against a true master of the sword, it would "undoubtedly be a humbling battle" on his own end.
Tessenjutsu[]
During his time with Lee, Minegumo was pushed to master at least one weapon as the man believed it would be the best way to cover for his lack of skill in taijutsu. After trying his hand at a variety of weaponry and bukijutsu styles under his sensei's careful eye, it would be tessenjutsu that he ultimately chose to specialize in. However, Minegumo's variant would be unique in the fact that, rather than the folding fans that were the norm, he instead chose to to use a Gunbai. With a teacher in his sensei's former teammate, it did not take long for Minegumo to master the sacred tool.
Under Tenten's watchful eye, he carefully learned the ins and outs of his new weapon; how it worked, the ways it differed from a traditional folding fan, and how it was meant to be used in battle. Initially, Minegumo's gunbai was a traditional one: blue and white, and made from the wood of tree's growing around Konoha. Like the very one used by Madara and Obito Uchiha, it was highly durable; able to take large amounts of damage without breaking or shattering in the slightest. Later, after becoming a Jonin, he would be given an upgrade courtesy of his siblings. Rather than using only wood, it is also crafted from solid bone, greatly bolstering its already formidable capabilities. This new gunbai is his preferred weapon when locked in combat and has yet to fail him.
The gunbai's design of bone and wood gives Minegumo a number of advantages. When on the defensive, its durability is several times greater: roughly on par with that of triple summoning on its own. This allows it to easily rebuff controlled shockwaves and even compressed attacks without so much as a scratch. Likewise, he can further bolster its defensive capabilities by generating a powerful barrier, and even directing reflecting chakra-based attacks that come his way. Offensively, Minegumo has shown that he can use the gunbai like a sword; taking advantage of its sharp edges and durability to deliver brutal swings capable of shattering stone. By attaching a chain to the handle, he is able to swing it like a kusrigama and effectively use it a long-ranged weapon.
Sensory Perception[]
Ninjutsu[]
Nature Transformation[]
Fūinjutsu[]
Summoning[]
Medical Techniques[]
Genjutsu[]
Generic Genjutsu[]
Specific Genjutsu[]
Spiritual Natures[]
Phantasmal Techniques[]
Kekkei Mora[]
Gekka Otoko[]
Other Skills[]
Intelligence[]
Equipment[]
Stats[]
| Kaimetsu | Ninjutsu | Taijutsu | Genjutsu | Intelligence | Strength | Speed | Stamina | Hand seals | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaiden |
4.5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 35 |
Synopsis[]
- PSA: As of 10/8/2020, these listed roleplays and events are past works that mostly have no impact on the current incarnation of Minegumo. As a result, they are not wholly relevant and don’t exactly need to be read. However, bits and pieces from each of them will be used, although the works themselves will not be cited.
- The Start of Everything: Two half-siblings — Asuna and Minegumo Kurama, born in entirely different lands live completely separate lives until both miraculously awaken their clan's rare Kekkei Genkai: Nenmu. Due to these odd circumstances, they inevitably meet one another but despite both of them suffering from unusual hardships in this time of peace, they don't see eye to eye. Following a brief meeting and months of training together, the two combat in a surprisingly high-stakes battle in which Minegumo ends up victorious. Thus commencing the start of the rivalry, The Start of Everything.
- My Ninja Academia: Nearly two years following their first battle, Asuna and Minegumo continue their unspoken rivalry into the academy. Both holding top spots in their class, the two were challenged by none other than Kurenai Yuhi during the Academy Exam. With neither of them capable of taking her down individually, the two team up and successfully secure the bells, passing the exam. To celebrate the occasion, Sooun decided to host a family dinner involving both children and their mothers. Unfortunately, festivities didn't last long as Asuna ruined the occasion with her typical antisocial behavior. Troubled by his sister's conduct, Minegumo challenged her to battle but events didn't repeat as, on this occasion, Asuna came victorious. Thus ending their time in Ninja Academia.
- The Minegumo Project:
- Paranormal Chūnin Exam Activity:
Concept & Creation[]
Quotes[]
Notes & Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ Dreams and Nightmares: Minegumo's former peers in the Land of Iron referred to him as a "Dark Magician" due to his strange abilities.
Minegumo Uzumaki is Online
Current Activity: Recuperating in Uzushiogakure.
Status: Alive
Location: Uzushiogakure
Current Mood: Pensive
Current Weather: