Count Down (3)

"Normal Speech"

'Inside Thought'

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May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live.

-Robert A. Heinlein

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September 10th before Kyuubi Attack

"I do not know who you are. However, you better come out now before you feel the wrath's of the Great Toad Sage," shouted Jiraiya sharply.

An-androgynous-figure stepped out from the line of the tree. Blank white mask and black cloak covered the body of the figure. The figure tilted its head and its shoulder-length red-haired gleaming under the sun.

"Hmm. The Great Toad Sage? However, you realized my presence too late," said the figure with a deep voice. "Better call you the Slow-poke Sage, right?"

Jiraiya looked at the figured in front of him and trying to identify the figure who openly provoked him. Jiraiya was already aware of his stalker who followed him three months ago. Every time he tried to pinpoint the source of the chakra, the figure's chakra would immediately disappear. So, it was a bit surprising for Jiraiya that his stalker finally came out from his hiding.

'Tch! Why this imbecile man! How dare he provoke me after stalked me for forever. Two can play that game.'

"So, the little mouse is brave enough to come out from his lair now," said Jiraiya while posing his foolish trademark pose.

"Why do not you search for a new lair rather than wasting your time to save bread crumbles for the winter?" interrogated Jiraiya.

The figure shook his head amusedly and put his left hand on his waist.

"Maybe, I am just one of the unknown fans that fated to meet you soon or another way," chuckled the figure.

'So he didn't pursue me for my spy work,' deduced Jiraiya.

"Ho, ho, ho. I am so flatter," said Jiraiya. "Now, cut out all of this crap! What is your intention to pursue me?"

Jiraiya could feel the figure's grin behind his mask.

"Maa. Don't you curious about the sender of that scroll?" mused the figure.

Jiraiya's body went rigid after hearing the revelation.

"So, it is you. Who are you? What is your intention toward Konoha?"

The figure stepped forward and stopped a few inches from Jiraiya. Jiraiya's mind already prepared his best jutsu to counter any upcoming-attacks from his stalker.

"I am a nobody. I am neither the enemy nor the ally of Konoha," said the figure mysteriously.

Suddenly, the figure leaped toward Jiraiya so fast. Jiraiya jumped back and crossed his hands forward to counter any attack. However, Jiraiya did not feel any harmful impact toward his body, but some great force passed through his body.

"Wish you the best! Sampai jumpa lagi [1]!" said the disappearing figure.

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Jiraiya had arrived inside Konohagakure safely at noon. He went straight to the Hokage's office to report his last encounter with the possible sender of that scroll. He jumped roof-to-roof fastly while avoiding the traffic below him.

Jiraiya knocked one of the Hokage office windows and waiting for his pupil to open the window. Minato calmly looked at the source of the sound and found his teacher had arrived safely in one-piece. Minato let his teacher entered his office through the window then closed it tightly while smashing the seal for silence into the wall.

"How was your trip, sensei?" Minato skipped the usual banter and eyeing his teacher tiredly.

Jiraiya stood perfectly tense - all of his jolly attitudes had vanished - a few meters from his student's office desk. Jiraiya observed his pupil pointedly. Blood-shot eyes, black circles under the eyes, and face as pale as a paper detected from his pupil.

"I successfully convinced Tsunade-Hime for her involvement on that day," Jiraiya pushed the scroll that contains Shinigami mask toward Minato. "The Shinigami mask was already obtained too."

"Thank you for all of your hard work, sensei. But-," said Minato as if sensing the hesitate tone that Jiraiya used.

"Somehow, coincidently, I met the possible sender of that scroll," Jiraiya observed Minato's face that devoid of any expression. "This man has shoulder-length red-haired, and confessed that he doesn't have any alliance toward Konoha or other villages."

'Is it possible that the man is an Uzumaki?' pondered Minato.

"I suspected that the man is an Uzumaki considering his physic and ability to make that scroll," said Jiraiya as if sensing Minato's suspicion. "That man is a skillful shinobi."

'He is beyond skillful. He is dangerous, sensei,' snorted Minato. "Is there any other oddity that comes from this man?"

"Hmm. After this man wished me the best, he was saying something in a language that I have never heard."

"What did he say?"

Jiraiya repeatedly cleared his throat and trying to match the said man's accent.

"It was sampai jumpa lagi."

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October 3rd before Kyuubi Attack

Jiraiya had been invited to family dinner by Kushina. At first, Jiraiya wanted to decline the offer politely, but Kushina had insisted him to join them. Here he was now, looking at the busy Minato who helped his wife preparing the dinner.

Jiraiya felt awkward for not helping them, but Minato effectively convinced Jiraiya to relax and enjoy himself.

'At least, I will help them washing the dish later,' promised Jiraiya in his mind.

Jiraiya looked around the room and noticed the Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja book innocently laid on the dining table. Jiraiya took the book and examined the neat cover - while recalling his memories of his journey with the Ame Orphans. He insisted the publisher published this books even after being told that his books would sell poorly. In spite of that, his only pupil loved so much his book.

'Hmmm. Maybe because those people consider this book as silly and absurd.'

"Minato-kun, you silly boy. You are still reading my Tale of Utterly Gutsy Ninja, huh?" Minato smiled brightly at his teacher while putting the foods on the table gently.

"Yup! I have read this book repeatedly and do not even feel bored." Minato knew what he said would stroke his teacher ego to the core.

"It is almost like an autobiography. The way the main character never gave up until the end was cool. The character is just like you, sensei."

"Y-you think so?" asked Jiraiya sheepishly.

Kushina who looked at Jiraiya, just shook her head amusedly while giving these men their chopsticks.

"Absolutely," Minato took the seat across his teacher. "When our son is born, we want to raise him like the main character of your story."

"So would it be okay if we named our son after the main character in your story?"

Minato and Kushina had already discussed their children names. Minato granted naming their son and Kushina naming their daughter.

"H-hey! Are you sure you want to do that? What about the girl?" Jiraiya frantically waved his hands. "Naruto is a name that came up to me while eating Ramen."

'Really? What kind of parents who are in the right mind naming their child after Ramen topping. However, Minato and Kushina were,' Jiraiya felt so exasperated toward these two.

"Naruto. It is a beautiful name." Kushina patted her tummy gently.

"As for the girl, I will name her Michiko, a child with fantastic knowledge."

'Kushina, you can just say that you want to inherit your Ramen addict to one of your children,' suspected Jiraiya.

"We hope our little Michiko will guide and help Naruto to never give up until the end," continued Kushina.

'A child with fantastic knowledge and a fish cake. I pity the boy so much, he is not even born, yet.' Jiraiya could only shake his head.

"If I name him, that makes me his Godfather, huh?" Jiraiya rubbed his head nervously.

"You are my teacher after all." Minato took the book from Jiraiya's hand and held the book tightly to his chest. "You are a man with true skill, sensei."

"Oi, oi, Minato-kun. Enough praising your sensei. He is already as red as a crab, dattebane," Kushina laughed so hard and pointed her hand at the said man.

"Yeah! Enough of your ego-booster, brat!" Jiraiya moved his hands toward the foods on the table. "Let's just eat all of this delicious foods, okay?"

"Alright, alright, sensei," sniggered Minato.

"Itadakimasu [2]," chorused the three of them.

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October 8th before Kyuubi Attack

It had been one week since the arrival of Tsunade and Shizune. They checked in at the most expensive Inn at Konoha and put the bills into the Fourth Hokage's private account. When the night came, Tsunade went into a casino and gambled her non-existence-luck to the core.

Tsunade had met Kushina -her only living family- in Minato's house. Tsunade was surprised that had been chosen as Naruto's Godmother.

"I am honored Kushina-chan. But, you must know that I only stay here until I deliver your babies safely." Tsunade had been told about the mysterious scroll and felt so concerned about her cousin welfare.

"I know Tsunade-sama. I appreciate it," Kushina kneaded her fingers. "If something happens to me, or Minato, I hope you can raise my children."

"I know it is selfish, but I feel one of us will not come out alive." Kushina smiled sadly at the possibility.

Tsunade had been enough with all the bullshits in her life. She feared that someone dear to her would die again and again.

"I will not be the one who raises your children. It will be you and Minato. Both-Of-You." Tsunade pushed her hands toward Kushina.

"I bet with my life that you and Minato will die and both of your children will be orphans," swore Tsunade.

'I bet with my life that you and Minato will be alive and both of you will be the one who raises your children. This why I was known as the Legendary Sucker for real.'

"Th-thank you, Tsunade-sama." Kushina scrubbed her eyes rapidly. 'I would not be crying because of something like this.'

"How about the girl's Godparents? Are they someone who I knew?" Tsunade patted Kushina hair to soothe her worries.

"Ha, ha, ha. It is the stuck up ass - I mean Fugaku-san - and Mikoto-chan," laughed Kushina while rubbing her neck.

"Do not tell me that you and Mikoto-san promised each other to marry your daughter to one of Mikoto-san's children, huh?" deduced Tsunade while sweat-dropping.

"Ha, ha, ha. It is not exactly like that, dattebane," said Kushina nervously.

'Is it that obvious?' thought Kushina questioningly.

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