Kushina's due date was fast approaching, and Shin had strengthened security throughout the village. The Sunlight Tower, in particular, monitored the entire village around the clock, letting no suspicious person slip by.
Although history had long since taken a different course, Shin was still worried that someone might choose this moment to stir up trouble.
Everything was ready for the Jinchuriki's delivery. So long as no one interfered, it would all proceed smoothly.
Jiraiya suddenly returned to the village at this time and went to visit Kushina.
Ever since Shin had succeeded as Hokage, Jiraiya and Tsunade, the two remaining members of the Sannin, had both left the village. However, finding out where they were was hardly difficult.
Tsunade lived much as she had before, traveling everywhere and moving between casinos large and small throughout the Land of Fire. She could often be found in bustling, prosperous places, but she never stayed anywhere for long because she had to dodge her debts.
As for Jiraiya, he treated Amegakure as his second home. All three of his disciples were there, and all of them held power, so he spent most of his time in Amegakure.
Inside the Hokage residence.
Shin was not home, and Ayari had left Kushina and Jiraiya alone to talk.
Kushina reclined against the bed, one hand resting on her heavily swollen belly, her expression calm.
Jiraiya sat in a chair beside her, looking at her with slight surprise. "You named the child Naruto?"
"Mm."
Jiraiya fell into thought. He had once written a novel called Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja, whose protagonist was also named Naruto.
Minato had read that book too. Back then, he had praised Jiraiya's story as excellent. But Jiraiya knew perfectly well that hardly anyone wanted to read a novel filled from