The war between the Hidden Cloud and Konoha is ongoing, with a trend of intensifying.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Hidden Mist Village is recuperating, licking its wounds.
The Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock are also just observing, with no intention to intervene.
The Hidden Sand, due to logistical supply issues, gained very little in the Third Ninja Realm War they initiated; overall, they suffered more losses.
Adding to this, the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage Rasa faces a village in ruins, with many areas needing his personal attention, such as water shortages and lack of funds, and he has to negotiate with the Daimyo of the Land of Wind.
They have already experienced Konoha's strength in the previous war.
Although the Hidden Cloud is aggressive, even without the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, Kazekage Rasa does not believe that the Hidden Cloud can defeat Konoha on the battlefield.
Because they are opponents, Rasa understands the terror of Konoha.
As for the Hidden Rock, it's purely a matter of having no manpower available.
Konoha's prowess also makes the Third Tsuchikage very wary, and at his old age, finding a suitable Fourth Tsuchikage is more important than assisting Hidden Cloud in its war against Konoha.
Apart from this, the Land of Demons naturally finds no necessity to intervene in the disputes among the Five Great Nations at this time.
Focusing on cultivating the younger generation of ninjas, utilizing effective technology, and continuing to enhance military and civil development are the most important priorities right now.
It soon came to the end of December, and the snowy and icy winter arrived.
Moreover, being nighttime, there were fewer pedestrians on the streets of Shion City.
The fireplace was radiating heat, filling the room with a warm atmosphere.
"How's your body?"
Hakushi looked at Ayane lying on the bed and inquired.
Ayane smiled and said, "Don't worry too much, no matter what, I'm still a ninja, not as frail as ordinary women."
This was something Hakushi did not doubt.
Ayane's physical condition had always been better than his and Ruri's. In direct confrontations, even the Fourth Raikage from the Hidden Cloud was no match for her.
Beside her lay a newborn baby, struggling to open its eyes, moving tentatively as if trying to understand its current predicament.
Lacking sufficient cognition, all it could do was use its eyes to observe this incredibly wondrous world.
Ayane had given birth to a healthy boy, but it was not yet clear whether he had the potential to become an outstanding ninja.
After all, anomalies like Ichihime are rare, and such an accident is unlikely to happen again.
Although it couldn't be like Ichihime, stimulating and surprising, this kind of normal child ironically provided more peace of mind.
However, being overly honest like Asuka would leave people helpless.
Fortunately, Ichihime wasn't so mischievous as to steal Asuka's birthday gifts, but when it's time to give out their New Year's money... hopefully, Asuka will grow up quickly.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about Asuka, it's almost time to give him his New Year's money."
Hakushi spoke without hiding it.
"What's wrong?"
"I feel like I'll be swindled out of my money by Ichihime again, only to see him flaunt the 'cheap goods' he got from her, boasting about their sibling love."
Upon hearing this, Ayane also laughed.
"Ichihime is a unique child, but I don't think Asuka is lacking, either. He could become an excellent man when he grows up."
Ayane stated affirmatively.
"You like him a lot?"
Hakushi paused; this wasn't something he anticipated.
On second thought, it wasn't too surprising. Ayane had spent most of the year at home pregnant, spending more time with Asuka and Ichihime. Since Asuka is more approachable than Ichihime, it made sense for him to have a good relationship with Ayane.
Conversely, if Ichihime got along well with Ayane, that would indeed be surprising.
Ichihime's character is too similar to Ruri's—arrogant, wild. Beneath a cold exterior lies a wildness beyond ordinary people.
"Asuka... being able to grow freely under the sky, an unrestrained bird, isn't that a good metaphor? Maybe he will become an extraordinary man in the future."
Ayane replied.
Hakushi did not answer but looked at the baby beside Ayane.
Ayane also looked at him. Although she had not yet fully recovered her spirit from post-delivery fatigue, her complexion was not as good as usual, yet her smile had not lessened, covering the exhaustion on her face.
"I always feel like I can't be willful anymore in the future."
Ayane said, with a hint of complaint in her tone.
Looking at this child, a strange sense of responsibility inexplicably emerged in her heart.
Carrying a burden had always been something Ayane hated most, reminding her of many unpleasant memories.
But now, this kind of 'burden' didn't seem detestable.
Perhaps, the burden given by family and the burden given by one's child are inherently different things.
More than a burden, it feels like encouragement and growth.
So... does she need to learn to be more graceful and dignified in the future?
Ayane was pondering such things.
"Why can't you? If you want, you can do it anytime."
Hakushi did not mind.
"No, I felt that many actions in the past were immature."
"Isn't living the way you like what you wanted for the future?"
Hakushi asked curiously.
"I used to think so, but with this child, life seems different now. It feels like Hakushi-kun is no longer essential for comforting me."