5. Big Brother!?

Here are 5 chs that I am done with. If I get some stones throughout the next week I'll know that people are interested and then it will be a regular schedule.

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For the villagers and ninjas of Konoha Village, the Nine-Tails had become more myth than menace. Fewer and fewer people remembered the terrifying beast, thanks to its two landlords, who were exceptionally skilled at sealing it.

The Nine-Tails' days… they didn't seem to be going well.

"Its chakra properties are so strange..." Kushina, as a tailed beast management technician, muttered as she observed the crow perched on Itachi's shoulder. Kitahara's chakra gave off an odd vibe—faintly reminiscent of a tailed beast.

"It feels a little like that stinky fox's chakra… No, that can't be right." Curious, Kushina reached out and gently stroked Kitahara's feathers, sending a burst of chakra into him. This was a common method humans used to communicate with ninja beasts.

"Gah?" Kitahara tilted his head in confusion.

"Maybe I'm just too hungry since I skipped breakfast," Kushina mumbled to herself, shaking her head. "Why am I even thinking a crow's chakra feels like the Nine-Tails'?"

She slumped onto the table dramatically. "Boss, hurry up with the ramen, or someone's going to starve to death here!"

"…"

Itachi and Kitahara watched her antics in silence.

Despite her lack of decorum, Kushina still maintained her pride as an elder. She refused Itachi's polite suggestion that she eat her ramen first. But the moment the steaming bowl was placed before her, Kushina displayed the elegance of a seasoned ramen enthusiast.

"I'm gonna start now."

Slurp... slurp... gulp!

While Itachi was still chewing his first bite of pork, Kushina's bowl was already empty. She wiped her mouth with a satisfied sigh. "Thanks for the meal!"

"Gah..." Kitahara blinked, impressed by her speed.

As the three left the shop, Kushina casually struck up a conversation. "Itachi, where are you heading this afternoon?"

"We're going to the hospital to pick up Mother," he replied, holding the glass of water she'd given him earlier.

"Such a sensible kid!" Kushina ruffled his hair, her tone light and warm.

On the way to the hospital, she kicked at pebbles and chatted with Itachi. "Do you have any dreams, Itachi? What do you want to do when you grow up?"

"I want to be a ninja," he answered after a moment's thought. His recent training with Kitahara had only strengthened his resolve.

"I thought you'd say you want to be Hokage!" Kushina teased, her laugh trailing off into a soft sigh. "Most kids in the village dream of becoming Hokage—to protect their friends and the people they care about. Like that boy from your clan... Obito."

Her voice turned somber. The name Uchiha Obito had been coming up often in the clan lately. Itachi knew he had died heroically in the war, sacrificing himself to save his comrades.

"Aunt Kushina, if no one wants to die, why do ninjas fight?" Itachi asked, his young mind struggling with the weight of the question.

Kushina fell silent for a moment before placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That's something I've been trying to figure out too," she admitted. "But just because we don't have all the answers doesn't mean we can't do anything about it. If we work hard, get stronger, and eliminate the causes of war, the ninja world can become peaceful."

"…"

Kitahara couldn't help but think there was something... off about her logic. While technically correct, her optimism seemed overly simplistic.

Still, Itachi was deeply moved by her words. Determination filled his young face as he resolved to become a powerful ninja, learn more about the world, and work toward ending conflict.

"Itachi, have you already started learning ninjutsu?" Kushina asked, intrigued by his focus.

"Yes," he said. Over the past few weeks, he had become increasingly skilled at basic ninjutsu.

"That's amazing for a four-year-old!" Kushina ruffled his hair again, her expression a mix of pride and curiosity. She toyed with the idea of teaching him something herself, but most of her techniques—like the Adamantine Sealing Chains—were either highly advanced or required immense chakra reserves.

Teaching him ordinary techniques would feel like an insult, and tradition dictated that teaching someone ninjutsu made them a disciple. Could she handle the responsibility of guiding the Uchiha heir, the son of her best friend?

The conversation shifted as they arrived at Konoha Hospital. Uchiha Mikoto stepped out, holding a bag close to her abdomen. Her gentle smile radiated warmth and kindness.

"Mikoto!" Kushina waved excitedly.

"Mother!" Itachi called out, rushing to her side with Kitahara clinging to his shirt.

"Kushina? Itachi? What are you two doing here?" Mikoto asked, surprised.

"I ran into him at Ichiraku Ramen," Kushina replied, grabbing Mikoto's hand. "Are you feeling okay? Any discomfort?"

"No, I'm fine." Mikoto shook her head and glanced at her son with a soft smile. "Itachi, you're going to be a big brother!"

"Huh?"

Kushina's eyes widened, her gaze darting between Mikoto's face and her belly. "You're pregnant?"

Mikoto nodded, her laughter light and cheerful. "Yes, Itachi's going to have a sibling soon."

"A younger brother?" Itachi asked, still processing the news.

"Or maybe a sister!" Kushina interjected, rubbing Mikoto's belly playfully.

Mikoto chuckled. "A daughter would certainly make the house livelier."

The two women fell into animated conversation about pregnancy and family life, leaving Itachi to talk quietly with Kitahara.

"I hope it's a little brother," Itachi said thoughtfully.

"Gah..." Kitahara agreed, though his reasoning was based more on his knowledge of future events than any personal preference.

As snowflakes began to fall from the sky, signaling the start of winter, Kitahara looked up.

Winter had arrived....