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[matlabkuch-bhii]

As someone who enjoys crossover fics, color me surprised at the lack of Avatar the Last Airbender and MHA crossover fics. I mean, how can anyone who grew up watching Avatar, especially with its recent resurgence, not look at the Todoroki family situation and be like 'huh.'

I remember when MHA was starting out, the comparisons between Zuko and Shoto were very very common, and I'm not sure if it's true or not, but it was generally accepted that Zuko was the inspiration for Shouto. I suppose it's been a long time since and MHA has truly grown into its own story.

But my nostalgia for both fandoms got me craving a nice crossover between the Todoroki family and the Avatar universe, and I was surprised to find how rare it was.

If anyone knows any good recommendations, please send them my way.

[matlabkuch-bhii]

In the mood for a jetko story from the start. Where Zuko stumbles upon Jet and the freedom fighters very early after his banishment and sort of ends up a part of their crew. Obviously Jet fixates on this scarred and traumatized boy 'Lee'.

Something something suppressing your bending is actually super bad for your health and Zuko develops a horrible fever. Jet, not knowing what to do, along with longshot, takes him to that kooky herbalist near the Pouhai stronghold.

Revelations happen. Jet tells Zuko/Lee to get lost, that he won't kill him out of consideration for the time spent together. Only Jet and Longshot get attacked on their way back, and Zuko risks his life to save them.

Now Jet has to deal with being indebted to the fire nation prince, even though all Zuko wants is to bury that identity and remain just 'Lee'.

They talk, there's a lot of angst and shouting involved. Zuko realises that the people who wiped out Jet's village are actually the Rough Rhinos and tells him he can help find them.

Cue Jetko life changing fieldtrip to track and get revenge on the Rough Rhinos. It's up to you if he actually kills them or not, I don't care and think it's justified either way.

Jet makes Zuko a permanent part of the freedom fighters, and Zuko becomes Lee. They're actually a super healthy couple (because I'm so so tired of the toxic take on them).

Jet is careful of when suppressing his firebending gets too much for Zuko, and helps him blow off some steam. Zuko understands Jet's anger especially as they collect more and more orphans into their crew, and helps him keep a level head and not loose it.

Zuko tells him all the good things about the fire nation and their important holidays, and Jet teaches him earth kingdom culture and the history of the valley. He hates the fire nation settlement in this valley because it used to be his home, but doesn't have any violent plans. Instead he and Zuko try and come up with a plan to get rid of the villagers without actually murdering them. Maybe they make it seem the village is haunted or something. ( I do think removing the fire nation settlement is important, just non-violently, because I never have and never will support any form of settlement/colony).

Jetko in this are wildly co-dependent, they've known each other since they were 13 and got together when they turned 15.

They don't have big dreams beyond staying with each other and protecting the family they have. They aren't officially, but may as well be as good as married. (I'm being extremely self indulgent I know.)

The GAang eventually shows up around the time they do in canon, but they're being hunted by Zhao. Zhao tracks them to the forest where he's confronted by both the GAang and the freedom fighters.

Things get out of hand, Zuko has to firebend to protect them, and Zhao recognises him as the the banished prince, who obviously now is a traitor.

(Zuko now has a panic attack over being recognised.)

Knowing that there's no other way, that Zhao is sadistic and will hurt the freedom fighters to get to him, he decides to leave to protect them, only Jet absolutely demands to come along.

They part ways, Smellerbee and Longshot taking over the rest of the freedom fighters with the promise to meet up in Ba Sing Se, and Zuko and Jet joining the Avatar since they're both being hunted down by Zhao, and well it's faster to travel by Appa anyways.

The rest of the season follows as it did, but with the addition of Jetko, which I think is objectively hilarious.

Imagine meeting Jeong Jeong and both being horrified. Zuko for whatever crap Jeong Jeong is teaching Aang about fire, and this coming from someone with a scar on his face and having to actively hide his bending and Jeong Jeong being like holy shit Prince Zuko is on my doorstep, actively not dead, with an earth kingdom boyfriend and how do I tell Iroh about this.

Jet is just uncomfortable with the amount of fire nation people around him.

Anywayssss, the rest continues as is, I'm sure there will be a lot of changes in the story line as a result of the Jetko addition, but I can't plot it out rn.

I just think it's objectively hilarious if you ad Jetko to the season 1 and 2 dynamic of the GAang.

I would add in something there about everyone thinking the Zuko should inherit the fire nation throne, but he actively does not want to and wants to live a simple life with Jet somewhere in the earth kingdom, and both of them slowly coming to terms with the greater calls of their destiny.

Anyways let me know what you guys think and any insights you might have.

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Been on a rewatch of Avatar the last airbender to wash out the bad taste of the live action, but watching the Deserter episode, which introduces Jeong Jeong, I realised that he would not have been accepted by the Dragons or the Sun Warriors. Jeong Jeong is by all rights a firebending master, but he hates being a firebender and hates fire itself. I don't think he would ever have been accepted by the dragons, or understand the true meaning of fire, which is ultimately why he was also a bad match for Aang

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Does anyone ever think about how Megumi and probably Tsumiki too, are Gojo's trial kids? Like yeah he's a teacher at Jujutsu Tech, but in the aftermath of the Hidden Inventory arc, Gojo hadn't decided to be a teacher yet, but he does take over guardianship of Megumi and Tsumiki. That means somewhere between being the only active duty sorcerer amongst his former classmates, and raising/looking over the Fushiguro siblings, is where he decides to be a teacher instead.

That means, that the whole, protecting the Youth, started with Megumi and Tsumiki really. I love to think that before Gojo became even a halfway decent teacher to the others, it was Megumi who dealt with his clumsy attempts at teaching and being a somewhat functional and responsible adult.

I'm just imagining the sheer amount of annoyance and shenaniganery the Fushiguro siblings had to endure. I can almost imagine Gojo recruiting Megumi to help plan his lesson plans, only to get judged by an 8 year old, like why are you asking me? I'm 8? And Tsumiki being like, sorry Goio-san I don't have Cursed Energy, so I can't help.

We all know that Megumi was the start of it, but I wonder if it was the Fushiguro siblings that inspired Gojo to become a teacher. Something in their care for one another, a sorcerer and non-sorcerer coexisting, that inspired Gojo to become a teacher, because that's the kind of world he wants to see.

Also I just loveeee the idea of Gojo projecting himself as a cool teacher to Yuji and Nobara, only for Megumi to pull out a folder full of Gojo's clumsy and frankly horrifying attempts at teaching. Up to and including throwing him headfirst into a fight soon after manifesting his technique at 6 (Megumi swears that this is child endangerment), giving him a lecture on quantum physics to try and explain his technique and randomly jump scaring him 3 months straight to improve his spatial awareness and control over cursed energy. If Yuji thinks he has it bad, well that was just version number 22 of Gojo's teaching methods.

I just always wish wish we got more of this dynamic. Gege why couldn't you?!

[matlabkuch-bhii]

I need more fics that focus on Tsumiki Fushiguro. I've noticed that for a character whose sole motivation is his sister, there are surprisingly little Megumi centric fics that focus on Tsumiki, and I just wish we got more.

Personally, my favourite brand of JJK fics are the 'Gojo raises the Fushiguro siblings,' and I would love to see girldad Gojo, but in all honesty I just want to see more of Tsumiki. We didn't even get a look at her face in Season 3 of the Culling Games, even though the whole plan is to make sure that she survives.

I want a Tsumiki and Megumi dynamic that is codependent. I want eldest daughter syndrome Tsumiki. I want a Tsumiki that had to step up when Megumi and her were abandoned, had to make sure she and Megumi were fed, had money, could make it to school.

I want a Tsumiki that always knew her brother was special, but is horrified to learn that he's basically sold himself into Jujutsu society, something completely unknown to her, for her continued survival. She hates it and tries to convince Megumi they should just run away, but also knows deep down this is their best chance at survival.

I want a Tsumiki who saves every penny possible and forces herself to be nice to Gojo, just so that one day, she and Megumi can get away. I also want a Tsumiki who is so insecure about her place in life, because Megumi and Gojo are part of this whole world she doesn't understand, that she can't see, and she will always be on the outside looking in and one day they'll take her brother away, and she won't know what to do.

I want a Tsumiki who's a little jealous she doesn't have cursed energy, because she can't relate to her brother, who's gotten into it with Jujutsu Tech because of her. I want a Tsumiki who secretly vowed to never curse anyone or be the cause of a curse, so she desperately tries to be happy and make her friends be happy too, because she wants to help her brother in any way she can.

I want to see a Tsumiki who tries to get as many scholarships as she can, so that the expense doesn't come out of her brother. She is brilliant though, amazing at math and physics and when Gojo finds out, he's absolutely delighted. He helps her, tutors her, tells her all the cool theories and workings of infinity, and she keeps up. Its how they bond, and for once Gojo gets to impart knowledge that isn't sorcery.

I want to see a Tsumiki who comes to love and care for Gojo, despite her better judgement. He showed up when they really needed him. He helps them keep the kitchen stocked, he shows up for birthdays and other events. He sometimes picks them up from school, signs all the parent slips, takes them out for dinner, buys them expensive clothes. He tutors her, buys her the books that interest her, asks questions about them like he really cares. He teases her brother for his bad attitude, but doesn't get upset about itnand accepts it as how Megumi is, and he's always always smiling. So despite her better judgement she comes to love him.

But Tsumiki is also so angry at him (she doesn't want to hate him), because he is Jujutsu Society, and even if he prevented his brother's sale, he still the reason her brother is fighting for his life. She is grateful that he's teaching him, training him, but hates that he's a part of Jujutsu Tech.

The first time Megumi comes home after a gruelling mission, covered in bruises, she can't look him or Gojo in the eyes, and her hands shake. How is she supposed to fix this?

I want a Tsumiki that has planned her life out, perfect student record, good university, great career, so that she can take her brother away, and has a panic attack every time it gets too much and she feels she can't accomplish it.

I want a Tsumiki that hates her mother and Toji especially for putting them in this situation, where they're constantly indebted. She tries not to, because she doesn't want to curse them and create more work for her brother and Gojo.

I want a Tsumiki, who sees how sad and tired Gojo is at times and tries to cheer him up by telling him about her school gossip and asking him to do her nails. I want a Tsumiki, who despite everything, baked him a cake for his birthday.

I want a Tsumiki, to whom Gojo could just be Gojo Satoru, something like a parent or older brother, not Gojo Satoru The Strongest. I want a Tsumiki who brings a breath of fresh air and some semblance or normalcy to Gojo.

I want a multi dimensional, Tsumiki, who, when she goes into a coma, is a deeply beloved sister and daughter, not a forgotten side note.

On that note, there are some fics that I read and inspired me so much, and I base some of my headcanons of off. Those being:

sea glass gardens by thepolysyndetonaddictsupportgroup - it's not complete, but I honestly loved it's portrayal of Tsumiki.

sky's effluents by ennuied - This I think is just a classic all around. Honestly, anything by this writer is absolutely amazing. I would recommend checking it all out.

Angel's egg by Odokuro - Also a classic

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Maki from JJK is what Hinata could have been, and I will stand on this hill!

I love Hinata, I really do. I like her soft spoken and sweet demeanour. I find her belief in Naruto amazing, and her crush on him very cute. I like her on screen, and I cheered so loud when she came to save Naruto in the Pain arc. That said, I don't think Naruto and Hinata should have ended up together, simply because I think it would have been better for her character to eventually grow out of her crush, and be a strong reliable friend for Naruto. Someone who always saw his potential.

That said, the comparison with Maki comes from the fact that, Maki has so much rage in her for being mistreated by her misogynistic clan and she fights that, and is angry about it. I'm not saying Hinata should murder the Hyuga clan, but I am asking where is her rage and anger for being treated the way she was in the Hyuga clan? For her sister? Her rage for Neji too? Like her and Neji could have accomplished so much together, changing the Hyuga clan, but I wanted to see Hinata get angry at her father, fight back and everything.

I very much think she could be a sweet and soft spoken individual, and still be incredibly angry at her clan for doing what they do. But unfortunately, we don't get multifaceted and multidimensional female characters. :(

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Had a thought about Lelouch and Suzaku from code geass being reincarnated into the BNHA universe and genuinely fucking shit up.

I love the idea of reformist terrorist and emperor Lelouch looking at the BNHA world with it's systemic discrimination, ghettoisation, post capital hyper consumption and income disparity, thinking, is anyone going to fix that? No? Okay

His grumbly but devoted sidekick Suzaku who handles the physical aspect of the BNHA world, because in this crossover, Suzaku actually lived a life as Zero, so as much as he hates how they got there, the Zero Requiem and Lelouch's plan did work. They also each other's check and balance on each other's violent tendencies, as well as enablers. Don't ask how that works, they're not sure either. Are they toxic and together, are they not? Or are they a secret third thing.

Lelouch would absolutely despise hero society and hate most villains too, because he finds their reasoning for their actions deplorable. As we know, he's not afraid to get his hands dirty, but only if it serves a greater purpose. Suzaku is somewhere in the middle, I think he would understand the HSPC a bit more, but is definitely against the creation of child soldiers that the BNHA universe tries to pretend are heros. It is their most contentious point, because Lelouch is hell bent on bringing down the HSPC, but the issue is, who takes over when the vaccume inevitably emerges?

Lelouch coming into contact with AFO and consistently outsmarting his plans, since his Geass, for all it behaves like a quirk is not actually one, thus can't be taken. Some quirky line or joke in there about being the real demon king.

He also takes over the LoV and the Meta Liberation Army, using them kind of like the black knights to push his agenda.

I think the duo would honestly start out with a bit of theatre, with Lelouch orchestrating fights with villains and Suzaku to make a point about quirkless discrimination, or hero brutality, hero spectacle and celebrity culture. I think he would also have a very Stain like effect, using viral videos to spread his message or something.

Eventually he does come into contact with Nezu, accuse him of creating child soldiers, perpetuating this highly discriminative celebrity culture, before trying to come up with a much more realistic solution to the power vaccume the fall of the HSPC would ultimately create.

I think both Suzaku and Lelouch would have a love and hate relationship with All might, because the symbol of peace is a) very reminiscnt of Zero and b) is thinly veiled hero worship and cultism that promotes passivity in the citizenry, which Zero also did and did not, because he was revolutionary symbol. That and they don't believe he's as pure of a person as he comes across.

I think the ultimate goal here would be to empower the civil justice system such as police, first responders, rescue authorities, civil courts, public defenders etc. rather than the privitized hero agencies.

So yeah Suzalulu rock BNHA

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Between Minato and Kakashi both reaching points where they might have had to kill their students i.e Minato and Obito during the fourth great Shinobi world war and Kakashi and Sasuke after the 5 kage summit.

Who do you think would have actually done it?

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Got deeply inspired by a fic.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

To do one which focuses on Minato in the Shinigami's stomach with Kurama. I honestly don't have much, just the broad strokes of different conversations that could probably take place.

I imagine the setting inside the Shinigami's stomach to be a vast and entirely empty world. The first setting is the desert, where the sun beats down on you like crazy and there's so much heat, but you don't get thirsty and you don't die from heatstroke, just endure. There's no end in sight, just you and the path you pick.

I also imagine the scenery changes only when you have some sort of realisation. So you would eventually stumble into a forest, only it's deathly silent, not a living thing or insect in sight. The trees are tall and all wrong and the shadows jump out at you at every point. Or the next is an island with just you and the sea, the water is harsh and burns you, but you don't actually die from it. There's no food so you constantly feel hungry but you can't die from hunger.

Worst of all is the crushing loneliness. What takes your mind first, the bodily requirements or the thoughts in your mind.

This is where Minato and Kurama find themselves and where I imagine the dialogue takes place. I haven't really thought of what scene corresponds to what dialogue/realisation/acceptance but below are just a few conversations between Kurama and Minato in my head.

The first is when they first arrive, and do nothing but fight:

Minato: Aren't you tired of this?

Kurama: Are you? Don't deny that you want to fight me, after all I destroyed your home, took the life of you and your wife, forcing you to trap us here. I am far from finished.

Minato: ....

Next scene, from this point on I believe that Minato starts moving forward in the Shinigami's stomach.

Kurama: Do you think your village thanks you? You, the brilliant fourth Hokage, who couldn't prevent the destruction of his village...

Minato: We both know Madara was involved, his actions rest squarely on him. But do tell me, how did it feel to be controlled against your will a second time.

Kurama:...

Next scene:

Kurama: Do you think your lovely wife Kushina forgives you? You couldn't protect her, sealed her curse, my other half inside your newborn child and forced her to charka to live on inside him as a failsafe, so she can't even go to the pure lands.

Truly what a loving husband...

Minato: I don't know Kurama, if I meet her, I'll be for her forgiveness, but until then you're trapped here with me, in case you forgot. We're both in the same boat.

Next scene:

Kurama: You had students didn't you? A loud mouthed idiot, a frail little girl and a traumatized child soldier. You did so well with them didn't you? One crushed under a boulder and the other impaled herself on her remaining teammates fist.

Minato: How...?

Kurama: You took me with you here, I can see your memories...Did you forget?

Kurama: Poor little Yellow Flash. Fastest Shinobi alive, but too late when it really mattered.

Kurama: Don't you live up to your Sensei's legacy, two teammates dead and the surviving one a war machine I'm sure he's so proud.

Minato: ...

Next scene:

Kurama: You had one more student right? The one who survived. The one you were so proud of?

Kurama: Do you think he'll survive your death? How are you sure he isn't lying somewhere in a....

At this point I imagine Minato simply smiles and throws two Kunai at Kurama's eyes

Minato: Kakashi is strong, he'll make it. He has friends and people to lean on, who won't leave him. Unlike you.

Kurama: ...

Next scene:

Minato: We don't have to do this you know? You could try not to whisper my greatest fears at me and I could try not ignoring you and ignoring your existence? How about that?

Kurama: ....

Next scene, Kurama tries once again:

Kurama: Do you think your son forgives you? For sealing me inside of him? Cursing him to the existence of a Jinchuriki?

Do you think he'll love you?

Minato:... I don't expect him to. As long as he understands why I had to, that will be enough for me.

Kurama: What is it about fathers and understanding? Do you really think he wanted you to sacrifice yourself and leave him behind?

Minato: *smiles* of course not. But I will take his anger, anything he is willing to give, so long as he understands why I did what I did.

*peaks at Kurama* Doesn't mean I don't love him more than anything else.

Kurama: ... We are still talking about you right?

Minato: *beams* of course.

Next scene:

Kurama: Do you think they took care of your son while you're gone, like you asked?

Minato: *wistful smile, looking to the sky* I hope so.

Kurama: *knows it's not the truth, knows Minato knows it's not the truth but chooses to say nothing*

Next scene:

Minato: Say... When you said you could see my memories. Does that mean...?

Kurama: I saw your pathetic practice attempts at asking your wife out?

Minato: *blushes and squeaks* yes....

Kurama: *guffaws* Hah, I knew about that before I was trapped in here, your wife saw it too!

Minato: WHAT?!?!

Next scene:

Kurama: That filthy Uchiha is still out there isn't he?

Minato: Yes

Kurama: You should have stabbed him better, like you do me

Minato: Well maybe you should have closed your eyes

Kurama:...

This is the last scene I imagined before Minato is brought back using Edo tensei. I specifically imagined it with Minato walking along the seaside

Kurama: Its been a while hasn't it? Since your last good fight? Since you felt that adrenaline rushing through your veins? Since you felt a dying heartbeat and blood on your Kunai....

*Kurama curling his mouth into a wicked grin* Do you miss it?

Minato: *stills*

Kurama: *laughs* You do, don't you? Hah! All that time making everyone believe you were just super nice!

Minato: *sheepish smile* Hey! I am nice... but... don't tell anyone.

*fingers on lips and wink to the camera*

And that's really all I had in my head. I don't know if I'll ever write this tbh. I just wanted to get it out of my head so that THE PLOT BUNNIES WOULD STOP CHASING ME AND I COULD FINISH MY THESIS

*ahem*

Anyways... I imagine Kurama being more mean or more like an inner demon in this case cos this is his darker half

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Tbh, I started Naruto because I wanted to experience the founding fathers of Yaoi and ended it shipping Naruto with anyone BUT Sasuke.

Why am I contrary like this?

On a more serious note though, Naruto has a genuinely rich story which I didn't think I would be drawn into, but I heavily was and I can see how deeply it has influenced modern Shounen anime. That said, anyone who was accused of seeing things back in the day when it came to Sasunaru deserves an apology.

It might not be my cup of tea but I can't deny the pot definitely exists.

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Currently on the latest iteration of a Naruto hyperfixation, courtesy of procrastinating on my very quickly due thesis.

But my mind is a spinwheel of my favourite characters in no particular order Kakashi, Minato, Tobirama and Shikamaru. Please help me I really need to write my thesis and NOT come up with new headcanons constantly.

[matlabkuch-bhii]

I don't know if I'm in the minority here, but two ships that I could never get behind, for all that they are titans in the shipping community, are Obikaka and Satosugu. They're both pretty much the same flavour with some variation.

I don't know, there's something about the homoerotic rivals turned enemies because one of them lost their marbles due to grief, and tried to reform a society that honestly they could have done a better job of if they stayed within the system and ended up causing more grief and damage than good, but are still for some reason given some sort of redemption arc, that just doesn't sit right with me. I suppose it's because in my mind whenever Obito (mostly) and at times Geto were on screen, I kept thinking, my man I think the call is coming from inside the house. Mostly because Obito, the wars and violence you hate, are actually being worsened by your actions and Geto, I don't think killing 98% of the world's population will give you the solution you want.

I also think it's a bit of an insult to the characters like Kakashi and Gojo that did their best to persevere through it all, and do their best regardless of the problems that came their way, no matter how they coped with it. I just feels like it makes them stronger.

It feels weird in a space where, and this is especially for Satosugu, that the whole fandom ships Satosugu and I just don't see it. This is around that time that I simply headcanon both Gojo and Kakashi as Aro and move on, because for me it's their character, trauma and independent growth that makes them such wonderful and compelling characters, that I just can't have that mixed with a ship.

I respect people that do ship them genuinely, if they enjoy that particular brand of doomed yaoi. But I was wondering if someone else felt the same way, or like saw what I saw instead.

Anyways, I'm always down to discuss shipping dynamics, I mean I'm more likely to ship Kakashi and Gojo, though I do see them being more like brothers, than I am to ship Obikaka and Satosugu.

Anyways, those are my two cents on two major ships that leave me scratching my head. Let me know if any of you feel the same.

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Been watching the last few episodes of Naruto again, especially the final goodbye between Minato and Naruto and I've got to say, Minato really is a shinobi above the rest, and I mean that in the best and worst possible way, the only others I can think of that come close are Kakashi and Itachi. Let me explain my reasoning.

Minato is an amazing shinobi in the traditional sense, we know this. He's the fastest man alive, he can single handedly destroy platoons, can teleport away beast bombs, master in sealing jutsu, sealed away the 9 tails, highest ever records at the academy, tactical genius and so much more. He also comes off as kind and caring, he's light hearted, optimistic, funny, caring, bright and golden etc. So he really does come off as the perfect shinobi, but it's the other things about him, I think, that make him different.

First off, we don't know about Minato's family, or atleast I don't know, so it's highly likely that he was an orphan, and likely born during the second shinobi world war. He is essentially a war child. Sure, he jokes around, smiles, and loves kushina and does everything in his power to protect her, but, he is ruthlessly efficient at it. Even when he foils Kushina's kidnapping attempt, at 11 years old, killing the perpetrators, he is still serene as he holds kushina, because they were enemy ninja.

He has a loving girlfriend, but he fights ruthlessly in war because he is Shinobi. He teaches his genin team, he is playful with them, patient with them, but then turns around and puts them in dangerous situations because that's the sacrifice the situation demanded and they are all Shinobi.

He deals with the loss of his students and simultaneously moves forward because he is Shinobi, and this is their life. Obito dies, but they still take Kanabi bridge, because war stops for no one.

He puts Kakashi in ANBU because he doesn't know how to deal with the messy emotions his student is showing beyond teaching him to package them neatly and move forward, like he does. He thinks keeping being Shinobi should be enough.

When he becomes Hokage, it genuinely is a great decision. You can see it based on how well loved he was as a Hokage and a hero. I have no doubt he would hate Danzo and his policies and he would never allow them, or atleast work around them in a way that would be way better than whatever Hiruzen managed. He would never have stood for the cleansing of the Uchihas, because well 1) without the Kyubi and his death it never would have happened, but also on the off chance something like this cropped up in his reign, he would try to negotiate a peace deal, but if it fails, he wouldn't ask Itachi to kill everyone, he would kill Fugaku and the other leaders of the of the rebellion in quiet assassinations, and then turn around with smiles and try to negotiate again. Pure efficiency, because that's better as a Shinobi.

He's a loving husband and father, but when Kushina gives birth, he knows that his wife is in pain, but he has to reseal the nine tails before it comes undone, so no break. Then, the Kyubi attack puts him in an insane position, his newborn child and wife vs. the village, Kyubi and attacker, he protects the village, he has no choice, he is their Hokage, even though he could choose to leave it to Hiruzen and the others. The most he could do is give Kushina more time with Naruto. He and his family choose the village over their own family. When kushina asks him why he would leave such a burden on Naruto, he says it's because their family is Shinobi. It truly struck me, that while Minato is willing to put his life on the line always, he will not put his responsibilities or the village on the line. He would sentence his newborn son to the fate of Jinchuriki and die himself than leave the matter unfinished. Because he and his family are Shinobi and it had to be done. Eventually Kushina also agrees.

When his son accuses him of putting the Jinchuriki in him, we see that he feels sorrow for it, because he loves his son, but not regret, because it had to be done. During the war arc, he can see that Naruto is fighting a war and struggling, and fighting, but he also continues his duty and his own fight. It really struck me then, normally a father would hover around their son and try and protect them from the worst of it, but Minato doesn't, yes, he helps and puts his life on the line for Naruto, he doesn't stop his own fight and doesn't actively step in, he knows where the tactical advantage is and continues to press it. He knows he place on the battlefield and he stays there.

He loves Naruto and Kushina, you can see it in every aspect of his being, but he knows he is Shinobi first, he will kill the people he has to, fight the people he has to, make the sacrifices he has to. He can't give that up, and I love the Kushina sees and loves that too. In the last moments he says goodbye to Naruto, you can see his grief at leaving his son again, but he knows that he cannot stay, he cannot stay and deny everything else.

The best part about Minato is that he loves his family, but not enough to forget his responsibilities. He still finds time to make further sacrifices as well, he gives more time to Kushina with Naruto, even in the seal, he devotes more of the chakra to Kushina, even though that means to some extent, he has trapped Kushina with the nine tails and himself with the shinigami.

Minato is the antithesis or someone like Madara or Obito, who couldn't give up their grief and burned the world with it, also the antithesis of sasuke. He has his mistakes, his trauma, his grief, but he knows his duty first and foremost.

What makes him amazing is that despite probably seeing the worst of Shinobi life, he's still bright and golden, and I don't know what that makes him, a sociopath with his emotions locked up, or something else entirely. It's even more amazing when you realise, all those years trapped in the shinigami stomach with the worst of Kurama's hatred, and nothing but darkness and his mistakes and his grief, he doesn't loose to Kurama, but instead manages to control and bond with him. Like that's crazy, even Naruto struggled with it.

That's why I love Minato, his downsides and his upsides. He truly is a Shinobi beyond everyone else. Kakashi comes close, because for all the grief his village has given him, the death of his father because of the village's hatred, himself being called friend killer Kakashi, and his years in ANBU. He's still stupidly loyal to Konoha, he still uses the last of his energy to protect Choji to get a message to Tsunade before he dies in the Pain attack. Similarly Itachi, who is happy dying as a Shinobi of the leaf.

Anywho this is just my rant of how much I love Minato.

[matlabkuch-bhii]

Okay so hear me out, but I've been in a MDZS space for a while and was recently listening to Iris by Goo Goo Dolls, and it resonated so bad. Now most people would think of Wangxian when they first hear it, but personally I think of Chengxian, platonic or otherwise, so it's a bit freeform for me. Mostly it's because of the lyrics,

"You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be"

Which obviously relates to the golden core transfer from JC's perspective and "I don't want to go home tonight," essentially being post reveal, of not wanting to deal with it, but could also be not wanting to go home to Lotus Pier after the siege to deal with the wreckage that's left.

Then the lyrics,

"All I can taste is this moment,

All I can breathe is your life,"

Which so obviously refers again to the Golden core transfer, essentially JC is breathing the life given to him by WWX, but also tasting the moment could refer to a number of things, the way he actually lost his core trying to protect WWX, or the moment of the siege, or even the death of JYL, take your pick.

"I just don't want to miss you tonight,"

To me that's about the 13 years of torment, believing WWX was still alive somehow, or being unwilling to let go, chasing his ghost in other demonic cultivators.

"And I don't want the world to see me, cos I don't think that they'd understand"

To me this refers to the both of them, both of them desperately do not want to reveal their secrets, because they don't think anyone would understand, not even each other.

"When everything's meant to be broken, I just want you to know who I am,"

I think this refers to both of them for me again, everything really did break in the war, but it always was going to, there were a lot of cracks and pressure there, so the yearning to be understood by each other, but it didn't happen. The need to be understood as to why WWX defected, or JC struggling with accepting WWX as someone like family.

The finally, there's,

"Well you can't fight the tears that ain't coming, or the moment of truth in your lies,"

I interpret this as the 13 years of JC struggling to mourn, and also the golden core reveal, the moment of truth between all the lies and how it absolutely shatters their lives, ultimately with WWX deciding to leave JC in the past.

Personally, I'm new to the fandom, and I know I'm taking A LOT of creative license with the song, considering it has a completely different meaning and I'm jumping all over the timeline of the series, still this is my loose, personal and creative interpretation, I just felt like it fits the vibe.

[the-other-soup]

tried animating for like an hour and im ready to kill myself now

[a-tale-full-of-sound-and-fury]