C209

It had been fifty years since the founding of Konoha, and some time had passed since the end of the war. The village was thriving, with rapid development and a growing population.

To accommodate the increasing number of settlement applications, Konoha had initiated an expansion plan, adding two new residential areas and three additional training grounds. 

As a result, the village's barrier needed to be adjusted. However, due to a minor issue with Uzumaki Kushina, the head of the Barrier Team, the modifications had been temporarily postponed.

Despite this, Konoha and even the Land of Fire as a whole remained relatively safe—except for a few areas still recovering from the war.

Konoha Hospital

Kushina sat in the examination room, waiting expectantly for her test results. Although she had visited multiple times, she never grew tired of the feeling—each time she touched her growing abdomen, she could sense the strong life growing within her.

"Kushina Jōnin."

The door suddenly swung open, and Yakushi Nono, dressed in a white coat, stepped in. Holding the examination report in her hands, she adjusted her glasses and said with an expressionless tone:

"The fetus is very healthy and is expected to be born next month. However, due to your status, I have already reported this to the Hokage. A medical team and an Anbu unit will be stationed at your home when the time comes."

Kushina was all smiles when she heard the first half of the report, but her expression soured slightly upon hearing that so many people would be stationed in her home.

"I don't need that many people—Miss Tsunade will be there, after all."

Nono sighed lightly.

Although she was Tsunade's student, she knew all too well about her teacher's temperament. In truth, it was hard to say who would be looking after whom once Tsunade moved in. 

However, when it came to delivering the child of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, there was no better option than Tsunade. She alone was worth an entire medical squad.

"Regardless, let the Hokage decide. Given your identity, your childbirth is no small matter."

Kushina sighed but nodded. The thought of so many people hovering around her was frustrating, but as she placed a hand on her belly, excitement overtook her concerns. Her child would be born soon.

After listening to Nono's instructions and thanking her, Kushina left the hospital.

As soon as she was gone, Nono's neutral expression cracked. She glanced down at her own flat stomach and couldn't help but feel a hint of frustration.

We got together around the same time… so why did Kushina get pregnant, but not me?

She frowned.

Does it have to do with our bloodline compatibility?

Hokage's Office

An Anbu officer presented a special report regarding the delivery of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. It was well known that during childbirth, Jinchūriki became extremely vulnerable, as the Tailed Beast inside them would instinctively resist the process.

Although Kushina constantly reassured everyone that Kurama wouldn't act up, Konoha couldn't afford to take any risks.

Orochimaru carefully read through the report before looking up at Hyuga Hiashi, who stood beside him.

"Hiashi, keep a close watch on security."

Hiashi nodded firmly. "That is the duty of the Hyuga Clan, Hokage-sama."

Like many, Hiashi was already aware that Kushina was nearing childbirth. Since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, her identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was no longer a secret among Konoha's shinobi. 

With her heavily pregnant belly, even civilians could tell.

By now, it was highly likely that other villages had caught wind of the news as well.

What Kushina didn't know, however, was that Orochimaru had secretly dispatched two Anbu teams to guard her.

If she attempted to leave the village, the number of guards would immediately be doubled.

As the head of the Barrier Team, she rarely left the village anyway—but extra precautions were necessary.

Hiashi continued, "Hokage-sama, given that Kushina Jōnin is about to give birth, I suggest we carry out a thorough sweep for spies in the village. The Security Division has compiled a list of suspicious individuals, but we currently lack solid evidence. Until then, we need manpower to monitor them discreetly."

Orochimaru thought for a moment before nodding.

"Proceed with the operation."

"If there is any suspicious activity, have them leave Konoha immediately. Shisui, inform Yatsushiro-kun that the Security Division usually patrols near Uzumaki Kushina's residence. You no longer need to stay by my side—join your team and assist in protecting her."

After all, the Hokage in this office was just a Shadow Clone, and Uchiha Shisui's role was more akin to a summons than a personal guard.

As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, a figure flickered into existence, kneeling on the ground.

"Understood, Lord Hokage."

His speed was astounding. Hyuga Hiashi sighed internally. No matter how many times he witnessed it, it was still difficult to track Uchiha Shisui's movements.

And yet, Hokage-sama placed such trust in the Uchiha clan—allowing their forces to take part in the direct protection of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

After Shisui disappeared, Hiashi's expression darkened slightly. He frowned as he reviewed a classified Anbu intelligence report, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

"One more matter, Lord Hokage."

He placed the scroll on Orochimaru's desk.

"Jiraiya was spotted in the Land of Hot Water ten days ago. However, Namikaze Minato deliberately avoided the area, despite the fact that Anbu provided him with advance intelligence on Jiraiya's location."

Orochimaru smirked, seemingly unsurprised.

"A teacher-student bond is understandable. If he weren't handling it this way, he'd have to sever his Summoning Contract with Mount Myōboku on the spot. Forget it—just assign him some S-rank missions instead."

He chuckled softly.

Sarutobi-sensei has been resting at home for a long time, and I haven't directly moved against him… but even this much is enough to make him regret everything.

Hiashi nodded knowingly. Without another word, he sorted through the classified missions and selected a high-risk infiltration assignment in Kumogakure, involving intelligence gathering on the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. He would ensure that Anbu assigned it to Namikaze Minato.

It was only natural for the new ruling faction to suppress the old guard.

After all, the difference between a B-rank mission could mean spending half a year patrolling the border, or just a single month escorting a VIP while enjoying a hot spring.

As a Hokage's advisor and clan head, Hiashi understood this power dynamic well.

The Ino–Shika–Chō clans were at least willing to work hard to secure their positions, but the Sarutobi clan?

For them, transitioning from combat roles to administrative ones required only training. But transitioning back to combat from cushy civilian roles? That could mean losing lives.

Orochimaru sighed slightly.

No wonder Sarutobi-sensei held onto power so tightly…

He understood the allure of power himself—but he had far greater ambitions.

Since Jiraiya defected after the Fourth Hokage's death, Konoha had placed a bounty on him, distributing it to major villages.

Yet aside from Kakuzu, no one had even attempted to claim it.

Even Kakuzu, after a single encounter with Jiraiya, gave up on the bounty entirely. While 70 million ryō was tempting, it wasn't worth the risk—not when he could collect debts from Kain's Casino instead.

Hiashi returned to processing village affairs, knowing that his chances of becoming Hokage were slim.

The next Hokage would likely be Nawaki, who had inherited the Wood Style bloodline.

Not that Hiashi cared much—his ambitions were not for personal power, but for the Hyuga Clan's standing.

The Uchiha had gained far too much influence recently. As Hokage's assistant, Hiashi had to act as a counterbalance.

Aside from a gradual de-escalation in the Land of Water, there were concerning developments in Kumogakure that he would need to discuss with the Fourth Raikage. Everything else, he handled personally.

After leaving Konoha Hospital, Kushina spent some time with Uchiha Mikoto, wandering through the commercial district.

As night fell, the two women stopped by the market, purchasing fresh ingredients before heading home.

As her due date approached, Kushina's powerful Uzumaki constitution allowed her to move just like any ordinary person—even leaping over walls with ease.

After returning to her and Kain's home, the Anbu personnel stationed outside could not follow her in. The house was not only protected by a powerful barrier but also shielded from Anbu's sensory techniques, leaving them with no choice but to guard the perimeter.

Besides, with Princess Tsunade—one of the legendary Sannin—inside, there was little concern for safety.

"Miss Tsunade, I'm back!"

Kushina called out upon entering the house, but after several seconds of silence, she frowned.

"Wait… you're not home?"

That was strange. Normally, the moment she walked in, she would hear Tsunade shouting "I'm starving to death!" Yet today, the house was eerily quiet.

Setting the groceries down in the kitchen, she headed toward the living room—only to find Tsunade sitting unnaturally stiff in front of the round table. She had the guilty expression of someone who had just been caught red-handed.

Seeing Kushina enter, she forced a mischievous smile.

"Miss Tsunade, why didn't you answer if you were home?"

"Because she's reflecting on herself," a familiar voice responded from behind. "She came here to take care of others, yet somehow, she's the one being taken care of."

Kushina's eyes widened in surprise. She turned around—and without hesitation, threw herself into Kain's arms.

"Don't get too excited—be careful of the baby, Kushina," Kain cautioned, careful not to hold her too tightly.

His hand instinctively brushed through her fiery red hair as a small smile formed on his lips. Hearing the news had been a surprise—even more so after being away for a while, only to return and find an extra family member on the way.

If all went as expected, this child would be Naruto pent… or rather, Uzumaki Naruto.

Using "pent" as a surname would certainly be unusual in the ninja world, where surnames always came first.

Kushina nestled into his chest with a contented sigh, rubbing her head against him affectionately.

"Did you just get back?" she asked.

"Yeah, more or less. I made some good gains this time—I'll tell you all about them later."

Then, his gaze shifted toward Tsunade.

"Tsunade, have you reflected enough?"

The woman, who had just been about to slip away unnoticed, froze mid-motion before slowly lowering herself back into her seat. She hesitated for a moment before mumbling:

"I was… going to make dinner for you."

She knew she was in the wrong. She had come here to help take care of Kushina, yet somehow, she had ended up being taken care of instead. And now, she had been caught by Kain—her biggest creditor, no less.

With no other choice, Tsunade decided to play it safe and act obedient—at least for now.

…

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