Hiruzen stood inside his home with a grave expression, speaking in a low voice to his wife, Biwako Sarutobi:
"Kushina is going to give birth tonight. I've already arranged for the Barrier Team to set up the barrier. I'll have to trouble you to take her there."
Biwako nodded:
"Don't worry. You handle the outer security. With me inside, nothing will happen."
Hiruzen gave a slight nod, looking at her with trust.
Biwako was an experienced Medical Ninja. With this matter entrusted to her, he could rest assured.
Before long, Biwako arrived at Kushina's home and took her away.
The two walked along the path leading to the barrier location.
Suddenly, Kushina's eyes lit up as she spotted a familiar figure.
"Mikoto!"
She quickly stepped forward and saw that Mikoto Uchiha was holding a baby in her arms.
"Eh? So cute!"
Kushina leaned in to take a closer look, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Is it a girl?"
Mikoto pressed her lips together in a smile and shook her head:
"No, it's a boy."
"What's his name?"
"Sasuke."
Beside them, Biwako teased:
"Oh? The same name as the Third Hokage's father."
Mikoto nodded, her tone gentle with a hint of expectation:
"Yes, Fugaku hopes that in the future, he can become an outstanding ninja like the Third Hokage's father."
As she spoke, she looked at Kushina's prominently swollen belly and said softly:
"Speaking of which, Kushina, you're also about to give birth, right? Have you decided on a name?"
Kushina immediately perked up, her face brimming with excitement:
"I have! Naruto!"
As she spoke, she reached out and gently patted little Sasuke's head, her tone soft yet earnest:
"She will be classmates with Sasuke in the future, so the two of them must get along well."
As soon as she finished speaking, her expression suddenly changed, and she dramatically covered her face:
"By the way, does giving birth hurt a lot?!"
Seeing this, Mikoto couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh:
"My, who would have thought that you, the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero, would have something to fear? How surprising."
Hearing the two of them chatting more and more enthusiastically, Biwako gave a light cough and grabbed Kushina's arm:
"Let's go, Kushina!"
Kushina was pulled forward but still turned back to wave at Mikoto.
Once they had walked far enough away, Biwako's expression turned serious as she spoke in a low voice:
"Your childbirth is a village secret. Even if you meet acquaintances on the way, you can't linger, understood?"
Kushina stuck out her tongue and scratched her head, smiling awkwardly:
"Got it, sorry, sorry."
On the other side, Mikoto took Sasuke and found Fugaku, who was patrolling.
The moment Fugaku saw Mikoto, his face immediately stiffened as he scolded:
"Why are you here! Didn't the clan head order all clan members to evacuate outside the village?"
Hearing this, Mikoto immediately said with grievance:
"I… I felt that something big was going to happen tonight, so I was a little worried about you. That's why I brought Sasuke to see you…"
Hearing this, Fugaku glanced at Sasuke in Mikoto's arms, and his gaze gradually softened.
Then he put on a stern face again and said to Mikoto:
"I also feel that the atmosphere in the village is very wrong right now. I'm afraid something major is about to happen."
"Hurry and take Sasuke back to the clan. The clan head is there to protect you. It's very safe!"
Hearing this, Mikoto could only reluctantly bid farewell to Fugaku.
"Then you must be careful in the village!"
...
Elsewhere, inside the Hokage's office.
Minato Namikaze sat at his desk, looking at Kakashi who had just walked in, a gentle smile on his face:
"Kakashi, you've worked hard protecting the pregnant Kushina during this time."
Kakashi was slightly taken aback and looked up at him:
"But… isn't it not time yet?"
Minato nodded:
"Yes. During Kushina's delivery, the guard duties will be taken over by the Third Hokage's Anbu."
Kakashi responded calmly upon hearing this:
"Understood. In that case, I'll return to the Anbu and continue carrying out missions."
Minato waved his hand with a smile:
"No need to rush. Take some time to rest first."
Kakashi didn't say much, only nodded before turning and leaving the office.
Right after, he went alone to the Konoha cemetery.
Walking to Rin Nohara's grave, he crouched down, removed the withered bouquet, and replaced it with the fresh flowers he had brought.
"Sorry, Rin, I haven't come to see you for a while."
He spoke softly, his tone low:
"I've never forgotten you."
After a pause, he spoke again:
"There's something… although I can't say much right now, I still want to tell you."
He lifted his head, looking at the gravestone, his gaze somewhat lonely:
"Sensei Minato's child will be born tonight."
"They… were born in a time of peace. If only we had been born a few years later…"
He didn't finish his sentence, letting out a soft sigh.
"I'll go tell Obito as well. I'm leaving, Rin."
He stood up and turned to leave.
After he walked far away, a black figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
The person wore a mask and a black cloak, standing before Rin's grave.
He looked at the bouquet Kakashi had just placed on the ground, remaining silent for a moment.
Then, in anger, he knocked Kakashi's flowers to the ground, scattering them.
...
Night had completely fallen.
Inside the barrier, the firelight burned brightly.
Minato stood to the side, his gaze fixed intently ahead.
His wife, Kushina, lay on the delivery bed, her face pale and drenched in sweat.
The childbirth had already begun.
Minato's hand remained pressed against the seal on her abdomen, his expression tense.
He was still thinking about what Gento Uchiha had mentioned earlier–about "someone invading."
Yet up until now, there had been no abnormalities in Konoha's barrier, the Anbu guarding the perimeter, or even this barrier here.
It seemed that he really had been exaggerating. Kushina should be able to complete the delivery safely.
"Ahhhh!"
Kushina's cry of pain interrupted Minato's thoughts.
"It hurts!!!"
She clenched her teeth tightly, veins bulging on her forehead as her entire body trembled.
Minato was full of worry, sweat beading on his own forehead:
"Um… this, this kind of loud crying from Kushina… it's my first time seeing it. Is this… really okay?"
Biwako focused on the delivery, not even lifting her head as she replied:
"It's fine! Focus on the seal, don't get distracted!"
"Ah…!!!"
Another cry of pain burst from Kushina.
Minato spoke again with concern:
"But… Kushina, she–"
Biwako frowned, her tone turning more severe:
"As the Fourth Hokage, don't panic like this when something happens."
Minato gritted his teeth, shut his mouth, and continued focusing on the seal.
At that moment, the seal suddenly transmitted a violent fluctuation.
Minato's heart tightened as he immediately increased his chakra output, firmly suppressing the restless force.
Kushina's cries of pain gradually became hoarse.
Suddenly.
"Waaa!"
A loud baby's cry rang out.
Biwako wrapped the infant in swaddling cloth, a smile appearing on her face:
"He's born!"
Minato's whole body trembled, his eyes instantly turning red.
His voice shook with excitement:
"That's great… that's great! From today on, I… I'm going to be a father!"
Holding Naruto, Biwako gently placed him in front of Kushina.
Kushina weakly opened her eyes, looking at that tiny face as a gentle smile appeared on her lips:
"Naruto…"
Biwako quickly carried the child away again and softly said to Kushina:
"Alright, next, you should rest well."
Minato walked to Kushina's side, holding her hand, his voice choked with emotion:
"Kushina… you've worked hard. Thank you."
He paused, then said in a low voice:
"Although you've just given birth and are very exhausted, please hold on a little longer. I need to stabilize the Nine-Tails first."
As he spoke, he pressed his hand against the seal on her abdomen once more.
Just as he was about to channel chakra–
"Ahhh-!"
A scream came from behind him.
Minato suddenly turned his head.
His pupils shrank abruptly.
"Biwako-sama!"
He saw that Biwako and another Medical Ninja had already collapsed in a pool of blood.
Their bodies had been pierced through by kunai, and they were long without breath.
And the Naruto who should have been lying in the swaddling cloth was now being held hostage in the arms of a masked man.
The masked man slowly spoke, his voice low and cold:
"Fourth Hokage Minato, leave the Jinchuriki at once."
"Otherwise…"
The kunai in his hand lightly pressed against Naruto's face:
"This child's lifespan will only have one minute left!"
...
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