Chapter 202: The Strongest Midwife

Chapter 202: The Strongest Midwife

Since Hyuga Fuji defected from Konoha and Hyuga Hizashi became an advisor, the Hyuga clan leader had always maintained a cautious and low-profile attitude.

He avoided offending anyone and never actively offered his opinions.

After all, the Hyuga clan had produced a traitor like no other, unprecedented and likely never to be seen again, who had taken away thousands of Konoha's talents.

Even though many shinobi understood it wasn't the clan leader's fault, there were still some people harboring malicious intent toward the Hyuga clan, spreading rumors.

Although Tsunade and others suppressed the rumors, Hizashi believed it was not a good time to stand out.

Avoiding trouble and staying invisible seemed to be the best approach.

Initially, when Tsunade and Shikaku guessed Hizashi's mindset, they tried to advise him otherwise. But as time passed, they realized it was futile and stopped trying to persuade him.

Out of respect for Hizashi, they occasionally asked for his opinions during meetings, giving him a sense of involvement, only to hear him repeatedly say, "Yes, yes, exactly."

'It's all Hyuga Fuji's fault! He used to say he'd give me pocket money every month, but it turned out to be blood money to shove me into this position. Liar.'

While secretly grumbling about the fraud, Tsunade handed over another piece of intelligence to the two men. "This is information revealed by the shinobi from the future."

After the two of them finished reading, Tsunade didn't bother to symbolically ask for Hizashi's opinion again. Her gaze turned directly to Shikaku, awaiting his response.

Seeing this, Shikaku twitched the corner of his mouth. "Based on the intelligence provided by Kakashi, it's clear those shinobi came from the future. However, we can't fully trust the information they brought back."

"After all, among their companions, one was sent back by Hyuga Fuji deliberately. We can't be sure if the others are in the same situation."

Was Sheren a puppet? Were the others as well?

Had they staged this as part of some larger scheme?

Was all of this Hyuga Fuji's plan?

No one could say for sure—not even Shikaku.

"Moreover, their intelligence might not necessarily be accurate."

As he spoke, Shikaku glanced at Hizashi, who was staring blankly at the document in his hands. "We need to coordinate with the intelligence department, conduct investigations, and make further judgments. I believe the focus of these investigations should be on the Alaya Plan."

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "I'll have the Third Hokage keep an eye on it."

Kakashi had recorded every word spoken by Naruto and the others and passed it on.

Among their words, the Alaya Plan, which was only briefly mentioned a few times, appeared to be of utmost importance. The shinobi from the future seemed deeply concerned about Hyuga Fuji completing this plan.

Once Tsunade agreed, Shikaku continued, "The other key issue is the United Nations. If we take the initiative to propose this, we can unite the nations as quickly as possible and reach an agreement."

Cooperating with other great nations to establish a Shinobi United Nations? Tsunade furrowed her delicate brows as a series of thoughts flashed through her mind. Ultimately, she shook her head. "That's not appropriate. We shouldn't take the initiative."

Shikaku's expression remained unchanged, as if he had already anticipated Tsunade's response.

Excluding Hyuga Fuji's faction, the Land of Fire was the strongest in the shinobi world. It wasn't their place to be anxious—the ones who should worry were the Lands of Lightning and Earth. When those two nations could no longer withstand the pressure from Hyuga Fuji, the Land of Fire would gain the upper hand.

"When they soften their stance and approach us, the Land of Fire will have the rightful authority to take the lead and secure its voice in the United Nations. Besides, they need to pay for their previous actions—at the very least, they must return Jiraiya's body!"

Tsunade's words mirrored Shikaku's thoughts.

However, her reasoning wasn't solely based on profit and camaraderie; it was also a matter of foresight.

The Land of Lightning had an atrocious reputation, and with the Raikage being so domineering, if the Land of Fire didn't suppress them during the founding of the United Nations, future disputes and mutual obstruction would be inevitable.

If it devolved into such a mess, there would be no point in forming an alliance at all.

The two of them discussed the matter for a while, with Hizashi occasionally chiming in with "Tsunade-sama is absolutely right" or "Shikaku-sama's point is valid," ultimately finalizing their strategy.

During the conversation, Tsunade and Shikaku tacitly avoided mentioning the Land of Water.

First, because the future shinobi had not brought up the Land of Water.

Second, because they had their own concerns.

Given the current dire state of the Land of Wind, Hyuga Fuji's involvement had been pivotal. Even when he was still in Konoha, he had been setting the stage.

So, the question arose: what about the Land of Water?

Although it was located overseas and its information was isolated, word had spread that the country had undergone a revolution. The daimyo was deposed, and the Mizukage had taken charge.

This event had occurred not long after the Land of Fire had completed its own reforms.

The Mizukage was one of the only two kage to have had direct confrontations with Hyuga Fuji. Shikaku strongly suspected that the Land of Water had also fallen into Hyuga Fuji's scheme.

Otherwise, the Mizukage's grasp of the situation wouldn't have been so precise.

Could it be that the Land of Water was Hyuga Fuji's true stronghold, and the armies advancing from the Land of Demons into the Land of Wind were merely a diversion?

'The Land of Water also needs attention.'

Shikaku thought silently.

Knock, knock, knock!

As the discussion was nearing its conclusion, urgent knocking and Shizune's muffled voice came from outside. "Tsunade-sama, everything is ready over there. Please come quickly!"

"I understand. Shikaku, I'll leave the analysis of the other intelligence to you."

Tsunade abruptly stood up, not hesitating for even a moment, and walked toward the door.

It was clear that in her mind, what Shizune had mentioned was far more important. After all, the reason she had returned to Konoha in the first place was for this matter.

In Shikaku's eyes, however, Tsunade simply hated paperwork.

…

The sky was clear, with only the moon hanging above.

Under the moonlight, several Anbu members and Shizune followed Tsunade to a forest outside Konoha, arriving at a steep cliff.

There was a hidden cave in the cliff.

A massive boulder blocked the entrance of the cave. On its surface were sealing talismans for suppression, along with protective barriers to prevent intruders.

Upon reaching the cave, Tsunade nodded toward the surrounding Anbu, undid the seals, and entered the cave with Shizune.

The Anbu accompanying her concealed themselves in the forest, monitoring the surroundings to guard against potential enemies.

Inside the cave, Tsunade saw the situation illuminated by the wall-mounted lamps.

Two medical-nin were standing by the bedside, comforting Kushina, who lay on the bed.

An Anbu ninja in uniform kept a vigilant watch on the surroundings while frequently glancing at Kushina, his movements revealing his nervousness.

Tsunade's eye twitched when she saw the blonde-haired Anbu but chose to ignore him. She walked over to Kushina and gently asked, "How are you feeling now, Kushina?"

Kushina, holding her swollen belly, gave her a warm smile. "I'm fine. Thank you so much, Tsunade-sama. Even with your busy schedule, you came all this way to help deliver my baby."

Tsunade replied, "As you said, the Nine-Tails' behavior a few months ago was unusual. It's better to be cautious."

In the spiritual space, the Nine-Tails, waiting for an opportunity to break through the seal, almost exploded in anger upon hearing this.

What nonsense was this? Just because of those two fools, Chomei and Saiken, stirring up trouble a few months ago, now Tsunade, the strongest midwife in history, had been brought in to deliver Kushina's baby, reducing its chances of escape to nearly zero?

Damn you, Chomei and Saiken, you two idiots! Not only did you escape, but you also dragged me into this mess!

In its mind, the Nine-Tails cursed endlessly, a string of expletives flashing through its thoughts.

(End of Chapter)

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