The uproar in the Ninja World had no effect on the Uchiha Clan.
On the contrary, the atmosphere became more tense and expectant.
Ragyō sat on the veranda of the courtyard, her hands unconsciously resting on her flat stomach.
Her expression was a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
The slight disappointment she had felt for not being able to accompany the Daimyo to the Land of Hot Water had long been replaced by something far more important.
Her body was undergoing subtle changes.
These changes had sent waves of excitement throughout the entire Uchiha Clan.
Her elder sister, Mikoto, sat beside her, gently placing a coat over her shoulders, her gaze filled with warmth and reassurance.
Seeing her sister's worried expression, Mikoto softly comforted her, "Don't be nervous. Tsunade-sama already examined you. We're just waiting for the final confirmation now."
Ragyō looked up at her sister, her beautiful face slightly dazed. "Sister, I… I'm a little scared."
"What if… what if it's true… what should I do?"
"But what if it's not? Will everyone in the Clan… be disappointed?"
She was torn between hope and fear, her heart in turmoil.
This was no longer just about her. The future of the entire Uchiha Clan now rested on this.
Holding her sister's cool hand, Mikoto smiled softly. "Silly girl, I was the same when I was pregnant with Itachi."
"That just means you're beginning to feel the responsibility of being a mother."
She paused, her eyes glimmering with confidence. "And I have a feeling... our Uchiha Clan is about to enter its most glorious era."
Just then, a set of hurried footsteps approached.
An Uchiha clan member responsible for Ragyō's health rushed over with an excited expression.
"Clan Head's wife! Lady Ragyō!"
"Con… confirmed!"
"It's wonderful news!"
"Lady Ragyō… is pregnant!"
The news left Ragyō momentarily stunned.
Even though she had anticipated it, the confirmation still made it feel unreal.
After repeated verifications...
Ragyō finally realized—she was going to be a mother.
She instinctively lowered her head, gently caressing her abdomen, a smile blooming on her face.
It's true... it's true!
I… am carrying the Daimyo's child!
In that moment, she was like a little girl again, her usual palace calculations and schemes completely absent.
"Quick!" Mikoto was the first to react. "Immediately send word to the Clan Head!"
...Land of Fire, Northeastern Frontline Camp.
As Kumogakure gradually retreated, the atmosphere here finally began to relax.
Inside the command tent, Fugaku was discussing troop rotations with Jiraiya.
Suddenly, an Uchiha clan member rushed in. "Clan Head! A letter from your wife!"
Fugaku raised a brow, took the scroll, and opened it.
The moment he finished reading, the Clan Head, known for his composure and dignity, couldn't contain his joy.
Confirmed!
Truly confirmed!
The Uchiha bloodline would now merge with the noble blood of the Land of Fire's ruling line!
This wasn't just any child.
It could be the future heir of the Land of Fire!
An offspring carrying both the blood of the Uchiha and the Daimyo!
"Ha, haha, hahaha!"
Fugaku couldn't hold back his wild joy and burst into loud laughter.
Unlike the mad laughter of the Four Uchiha Maniacs, his was filled with pure elation.
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Fugaku? What's wrong with you? Did you find treasure?"
Fugaku suddenly turned, his eyes slightly bloodshot, and grabbed Jiraiya's shoulders. "Ragyō is pregnant!"
"Oh! Congratulations!" Jiraiya instantly understood and offered sincere congratulations.
"Hahaha!"
Fugaku laughed even harder in response.
After a while, he finally calmed himself, picked up a brush, and quickly wrote a reply.
"Pass down my orders!"
He handed the letter to the Uchiha messenger. "From today forward, Ragyō's safety is to be treated as top priority!"
"Mobilize three squads of elite Jōnin. Guard her around the clock without fail!"
"Her meals and daily care will be personally supervised by Mikoto!"
One order after another was dispatched from the front line back to the Uchiha compound.
At this moment, the entire Uchiha Clan was mobilizing all of its resources for the sake of an unborn child.
What had once been a quiet courtyard was instantly transformed into the most secure stronghold in all of Konoha.
Ragyō felt a little overwhelmed by the sudden commotion, but more than that, she felt pride and satisfaction.
She leaned into Mikoto's embrace, gently caressing her stomach.
There, a new life was growing.
A life that carried the future of the Uchiha Clan.
Mikoto held her close, her voice soft and full of tenderness. "From now on, your only job is to eat well, rest well…"
"And give birth to a healthy heir for the Daimyo and for our Uchiha Clan."
Ragyō nodded firmly, her face lit with radiant joy.
She felt like she was the happiest woman in the world…
Meanwhile.
Capital of the Land of Fire.
A distribution center.
Mei wore a large cloak, concealing her figure and her beautiful face beneath its shadows.
Across from her stood a man disguised as a traveling merchant.
The man's gaze was alert, his demeanor steady. He was clearly a shinobi who had undergone rigorous training.
He was one of the resistance contacts from Kirigakure.
"This is the third batch of supplies," Mei said, gesturing to the supply carts beside her.
The man carefully checked everything. Only after confirming did he let out a sigh of relief.
His gaze toward Mei was filled with gratitude and deep respect.
It was thanks to the continuous shipments she delivered through hidden routes that the struggling resistance had survived countless encirclements by the Bloody Mist forces.
"Thank you, milady," the man said in a low voice. "The leader wanted me to ask... are you not coming back with us?"
"Everyone in the village misses you dearly."
Go back?
Mei didn't respond immediately.
How she wished she could go back.
But could she leave?
She knew without a doubt that the moment she left the Land of Fire, that devil-like man would leak intelligence about the resistance to Yagura.
At that point, disaster would fall upon all her comrades.
She was a hostage, and she understood that clearly.
More importantly, she had offered herself willingly.
A hostage who had exchanged her body and freedom for a glimmer of hope for the resistance.
This was the unspoken agreement. The deal between her and that man.
"I…"
Mei was about to speak when suddenly...
A wave of nausea surged up from her stomach.
"Ugh…"
Caught off guard, she turned quickly and leaned against the wall, retching violently.
But nothing came up, just wave after wave of sour liquid.
"Milady! Are you alright?"
The contact was startled and quickly stepped forward to assist, but Mei stopped him.
"It's nothing…" she waved her hand, suppressing the nausea as her face paled.
"Maybe… I've just been too tired lately."
Even she found it strange.
In recent days, this feeling of nausea and fatigue had been returning over and over again, leaving her appetite poor and her body drained.
As an elite Jōnin, her body was far stronger than the average shinobi. How could she suddenly be this weak?
Did she eat something bad?
Was it some kind of slow-acting poison?
Countless unsettling thoughts flashed through her mind.
The contact, being a rough man, didn't understand such matters. He simply thought she was exhausted.
"Milady, you must take care of yourself."
"Ah… I know."
Mei straightened herself, taking several deep breaths until the discomfort finally subsided.
She looked at the man again, her tone calm once more. "I've delivered the supplies. Leave now, don't linger."
"Yes!"
The man didn't dare say more. He bowed deeply and quickly signaled the workers to push the supply carts away.
Mei watched them depart.
Only she remained, standing alone.
A light breeze blew by, bringing a bit of chill.
She shivered.
In the next moment, that nauseating sensation surged again, this time even more intense.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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