Ninja tools... Exploding Tags... smoke bombs...
Sealing scrolls...
Inside the living room of the Japanese-style wooden house, Chiba checked his Ninja Tool Pouch over and over, silently reciting its contents to himself.
"Are you ready?"
At that moment, footsteps sounded upstairs. Hirohiko slowly came down, and upon seeing Chiba checking his Ninja Tool Pouch, asked.
Today was already the third day. He knew the time had come.
Chiba was going with his teacher to the place where she would give birth.
Of course, he did not know where that place was. Even Chiba himself did not know yet.
The birth of a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was a matter of utmost importance. The village took it extremely seriously; even most of the higher-ups still did not know about it.
"Mm."
Hearing Hirohiko's voice, Chiba nodded after finishing his final check and turned to him.
"Check again, just in case something goes wrong."
Yet after hearing Chiba's affirmative answer, Hirohiko unusually asked him to check once more.
"I've already checked more than a dozen times. Besides, these aren't critical tools. Even if a few are missing, it won't make much difference."
Chiba laughed at that and reassured Hirohiko. At the same time, he picked up the Ninja Sword resting nearby and began wiping it down and inspecting it.
Looks like Hirohiko is even more worried than I am! This thought crossed his mind.
"Are we leaving this evening?"
Hirohiko nodded at Chiba's words. As he went to wash up, he spoke in a seemingly casual tone.
How had I never noticed that Hirohiko sometimes puts on a brave face?
He's obviously worried sick.
Yet he insists on pretending he doesn't care...
Hearing that, Chiba could not help glancing at Hirohiko. Seeing the faint tension beneath his poker face, that thought arose in his