"Shikamaru, I might be pregnant!"
Upon hearing the news, Nara Shikamaru was so shocked that he couldn't hold onto his teacup, spilling tea all over the table.
But Nara Shikamaru didn't care about the teacup on the table; he was anxious and quickly asked, "Wh-when did this happen? Temari, are you really pregnant?"
"Yeah, it's been a long time since my last period, and I've been feeling nauseous a lot lately, so I should be pregnant... But I'll go to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow."
After saying this, Temari suddenly remembered that her body was marked with unwashed 'positive' signs, and there were many strange patterns on her lower back. If she were to undergo an examination, she definitely couldn't expose her lower abdomen.
"Pregnant, huh..."
Although Nara Shikamaru was delighted, he quickly thought of the current situation— the village is now facing two mysterious organizations, one related to Uchiha Obito, and the other involved with the Otsutsuki, and both wield the Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan.
He's very busy every day, sometimes not even able to return home.
And he also needs to consider how Lu Dai would feel about it. Although Nara Shikamaru thinks Lu Dai would accept having a sibling, if Lu Dai doesn't like it...
After pondering for a while, Nara Shikamaru tentatively asked, "Temari, do you really want this child?"
Hearing this, Temari was taken aback and immediately asked, "Shikamaru, what do you mean by this?"
"No, I just think we should ask for Lu Dai's opinion..."
"Why should we ask Lu Dai? This is... my child!"
When Temari said this, a pang of guilt hit her heart. She originally wanted to say it was their child; however, thinking that this child had nothing to do with Shikamaru, her tone weakened.
Afterwards, Temari didn't want to talk anymore. Aside from the guilt toward Shikamaru, she felt more inclined to follow Uchiha Yoichi's advice.
Temari was slowly developing a mindset that so long as she listened to Uchiha Yoichi, she would enjoy comfort; otherwise, she would face punishment. So, she turned away and said with determination, "I'm going to the hospital tomorrow, and I must give birth to this child."
Finished speaking, Temari stomped off, the sound of her footsteps revealing her anger.
"Temari, Temari... I never said I wouldn't agree..."
Nara Shikamaru sighed. He just felt the current village situation was poor, and they would be facing formidable enemies soon. At any moment, the village could become a battlefield; at that time, having a second child would become... a burden.
This rational sentence was something Nara Shikamaru dared not say to Temari; otherwise, Temari would certainly quarrel with him.
After thinking for a while and feeling a headache coming on, Nara Shikamaru decided not to dwell on the matter anymore, as Uzumaki Naruto was probably still at the Hokage Building, and he needed to head there as well.
Hyuga Hinata's acting in a television drama had already been discussed with him by Naruto. It's precisely because Himawari and Boruto have been entrusted to Hyuga Hiashi that Hyuga Hinata had some free time, and sometimes when the Uzumaki Family was absent at night, Uzumaki Naruto stayed at the Hokage Building to handle affairs.
Thanks to Naruto, Nara Shikamaru could relax a lot now, having dinner at home with a cup of tea afterwards.
But he couldn't stay too relaxed; tonight, he had to go to the Hokage Building to assist Uzumaki Naruto.
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"Cut! Great performance!"
After Director Wada called for a stop, a joyful smile appeared on his face. Initially, it was just a task, but he suddenly felt that once completed, this television drama might have the quality to become popular, especially considering Hyuga Hinata's exquisite display of both acceptance and rejection along with loyalty to family, which holds the potential of a big star.
"The upcoming scene is the key highlight of this drama, so hang in there. I'll reward you all after it's done."
Once Director Wada finished talking, he instructed everyone to pack up and move on to another location for the next scene.
At this moment, Hyuga Hinata approached, holding a script, and said to Director Wada, "Director, I..."
Director Wada immediately began to praise, "Lady Hinata, your performance these past few days has been excellent, and I'm glad you accepted my invitation. Just the smooth shooting alone has saved the crew a lot of money."
Feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise, Hyuga Hinata still managed to say, "Thank you for your praise, Director Wada, but about the next scene..."
"From here on, you can decide how to deliver it, Lady Hinata. I've nothing more to teach you," interrupted Director Wada. "Your understanding of the role surpasses mine. Perform according to your interpretation, and I'm sure you'll portray the drama excellently."
"Uh, got it, I understand..."
Hyuga Hinata immediately complied, but just as she was about to broach the next kissing scene, Director Wada had already left.
After watching Director Wada leave, Hyuga Hanabi quietly approached. She currently had a task to protect the crew.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
"Hanabi..." Seeing her sister, Hyuga Hinata felt a bit aggrieved and said, "I didn't manage to talk to the director about the next scene, but it seems too late now..."
In response, Hyuga Hanabi rolled her eyes with frustration, "You haven't said anything yet? My sister, you're just too absent-minded. What about Naruto? Does he mind?"
Hyuga Hinata replied meekly, "I haven't told Mr. Naruto yet. He's been so busy lately, sometimes falling asleep right after dinner..."
"What should we do now? Seeing Director Wada's confidence in this drama, if you quit now, everything shot earlier might be wasted..."
Hyuga Hanabi pondered for a while, then suddenly clapped her hands and said to Hyuga Hinata, "Sister, how about I take your place in the filming? I can use the Transformation Jutsu to become you, would that work?"
Hyuga Hinata, surprised, asked, "Eh? But Hanabi, won't you have to do the kissing scene? You haven't..."
Hyuga Hanabi patted her shoulder and said, "It's okay, sister. I want to experience acting too. If you don't mind, let's do it this way."
"Then, I'll leave it to you, Hanabi..."
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"Mmm~"
Their lips met, and Hyuga Hanabi instantly tensed up. Her first kiss with someone else made her feel rigid, especially when a hand held her waist, pulling her closer.
"Cut, stop for a moment."
But barely a minute into the kiss, Director Wada called a halt. Uchiha Yoichi naturally separated from 'Hyuga Hinata'; he realized during the first kiss that it wasn't Hyuga Hinata before him and Hanabi hadn't appeared since filming began.
He only pretended not to notice.
"Lady Hinata, I hate to say this, but your performance just now is worlds apart from earlier. How did you regress so suddenly?"
Director Wada sighed and continued, "We've already cleared out the extras, and this scene has been re-shot almost ten times. Based on the character's mindset before, Lady Hinata shouldn't fail so many times..."
His tone was full of disappointment, making Hyuga Hanabi feel deeply ashamed. She vowed to help her sister get through the kissing scene, but her acting didn't earn the director's approval.
"Lady Hinata, perhaps take a break? Clear your mind and maybe shoot again tomorrow..."
Director Wada said, showing a caring expression, glanced at the film, and continued, "A day off could help, hope Lady Hinata can find the feeling she had earlier in filming."
"No, no rest needed, Director, just give me some time."
Hyuga Hanabi decided inwardly, she couldn't let the director down with her sister's appearance any longer. She bowed and continued, "I'll leave for a bit, be right back."
Saying that, 'Hyuga Hinata' quickly left the area.
After leaving the filming site, Hyuga Hanabi undid the Transformation Jutsu and hurried to the place where her sister Hyuga Hinata was. Once she found her sister, Hanabi quickly clasped her hands together in apology and said, "I'm sorry, sister, I failed. I've acted almost ten times but still didn't get the director's approval. Now you'll have to step in!"
"Eh? But Hanabi..."
Hyuga Hinata was taken aback and, feeling a bit flustered, said, "Going back... still for the kissing scene?"
Hyuga Hanabi said dejectedly, "Yes, sister, I couldn't do it, acting is so hard unlike you who are naturally gifted."
"But..."
Hyuga Hinata still hesitated, although it's just acting, it involves kissing another man, and she's Naruto's wife.
"Sister, I messed up this time. If Naruto asks later, just blame it on me."
After some thought Hyuga Hanabi said, "If people ask, tell them I used the Transformation Jutsu to do the scene for you, only the two of us sisters will know!"
"If, if that's the case..." Hyuga Hinata thought for a while, she could barely accept this result.
Then Hyuga Hinata was half-pushed and half-pulled by Hyuga Hanabi back to the filming site. The room had been cleared, Hanabi stood at the door and couldn't enter, she just gave Hinata a cheering gesture.
Once inside, Hinata was called by Director Wada for filming. After learning Hinata was ready to continue, he immediately prepared.
Uchiha Yoichi saw this Hyuga Hinata and knew it was her. The shy blush on her face and the loyalty to her family in her eyes were like an enticing flower, constantly alluring yet hard to taste.
However, as long as it quenched thirst, he didn't care if it was his or not.
"Action!"
Once filming began, Uchiha Yoichi reached out his hands to hold Lady Hinata's arms, quickly getting into character, leaned forward, and directly blocked Hyuga Hinata's lips.
Feeling Hinata's resistance, Uchiha Yoichi forced through her weak defenses.
'He, he's actually coming in!?'
Once Uchiha Yoichi intruded, Hyuga Hinata felt a mix of urgency and indignation. She tried to push Uchiha Yoichi away.
But with her arms held, she could only resist elsewhere.
"Good, just like that!"
Seeing this scene, Director Wada couldn't help but praise it. This was much better than before; it's what he wanted— the portrayal of yearning for love outside the cage, along with a wife's loyalty to her family.