Izumi had just been about to strike again when she was suddenly stopped.
"That's enough, Izumi. Your identity has been exposed. If you go any closer, you could get hurt."
Uchiha Chen hurriedly spoke up and grabbed Uchiha Izumi's hand, stopping her from approaching any further. Then, without hesitation, Uchiha Chen stepped forward and kicked Danzo's intact left arm with all his might. As he did, a kunai slipped from Danzo's hand and fell to the ground.
The scene happened to catch Uchiha Izumi's eye, and a trace of embarrassment instantly appeared on her face.
Although she knew perfectly well that she wouldn't get hurt, being so bluntly called out by her senior still made her feel rather awkward. Meanwhile, Danzo heard his master's voice and realized he had nearly ruined everything. He had actually been about to attack, and a flash of lingering fear crossed his face.
But now he didn't dare move at all. He could only let the force of Uchiha Chen's kick carry his hand down, dropping the kunai, then fall to his knees and repeatedly beg Uchiha Chen for forgiveness.
Uchiha Chen successfully stopped Uchiha Izumi, who had wanted to take out her embarrassment on Danzo. He folded his arms and stared coldly at the wretched figure on the ground, as if looking at an insignificant ant.
In an unquestionable tone, he ordered, "Danzo, the Nine-Tails will appear tonight. You must do everything you can to avoid obstructing the Uchiha Clan's actions, and give them timely assistance without attracting anyone's attention. Understood?"
Danzo's heart jolted at those words. He couldn't understand why his master was so certain the Nine-Tails would go out of control, but out of reverence for his master, he still replied gravely, "Yes, I understand, master. I'll do everything in my power to assist the Uchiha Clan tonight and make sure no one notices."
However, Danzo's expression suddenly turned troubled. After hesitating for a moment, he finally worked up the courage to look up and meet Uchiha Chen's impatient gaze. Carefully, he revealed a startling fact: "Master, when I sent Root members out earlier, I gave them an order... If the situation gets out of control, they're to assassinate the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Will this affect your plans?"
At that, Uchiha Chen tilted his head slightly and glanced at Danzo out of the corner of his eye. A disdainful smile tugged at his lips as he said sarcastically, "Those useless lackeys of yours won't be able to stop the Nine-Tails from appearing. There's no need to worry."
Then he turned to Izumi beside him, his voice turning exceptionally gentle. "Izumi, I've taken care of everything. I'll leave the rest to you.
"Don't worry. That old dog wouldn't dare resist." With that, Uchiha Chen returned to the chair he'd been sitting in earlier, raised his legs, and casually propped them on the table in front of him.
Listening to the faint sounds from below, he slowly closed his eyes and began to rest. After all, he still had plenty to deal with tonight and needed to recover his energy while he could.
A long while later!
"Senior! Senior! Wake up! We have to go back!"
Uchiha Chen gradually woke to the soft calls in his ear. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Izumi, who seemed thoroughly satisfied, then gently rubbed his forehead.
Uchiha Chen smiled and asked, "Feel better now? There's still plenty of time. You can play around a little longer." Uchiha Izumi replied happily, "That felt so good. Thank you for being so good to me, senior."
As she spoke, she darted toward Uchiha Chen like a nimble little rabbit and kissed him on the cheek without hesitation. Feeling the warm, soft touch against his face, Uchiha Chen instinctively reached out and wrapped his arms tightly around Izumi's waist.
Then he looked down at Danzo, whose face was pale as paper, and said nothing. The next moment, the space around Uchiha Chen twisted slightly. Drawn by Kamui, their figures grew blurry, then disappeared completely.
Danzo was left alone. He wore a pained expression, as if he wanted to vomit but couldn't. He gasped heavily and did his best to settle his stomach.
As time flew by, the sun soon sank below the horizon and night quietly fell.
"Ah—this hurts!"
Suddenly, a series of agonized screams rang out.
After Uchiha Chen, Danzo, and Uchiha Fugaku had all gradually made their preparations, Kushina began giving birth.
Namikaze Minato said nervously, "Um... I've never seen Kushina scream this loudly from the pain before.
"Is she going to be all right?"
Namikaze Minato kept his hands in the Sealing Jutsu hand signs, his face full of worry as he watched Kushina scream in agony. Anxiety filled his heart, and he feared that something unexpected might happen.
At those words, Biwako Sarutobi, who was delivering the baby, glared fiercely at Minato and replied impatiently, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen. I know what to expect. Your top priority is to focus and keep a close eye on the Nine-Tails' seal. Absolutely nothing can go wrong!"
Namikaze Minato: "But, um..." Biwako Sarutobi: "You're the Fourth Hokage. Don't be so flustered. A man might have given up by now, but mothers are incredibly strong."
As the Nine-Tails thrashed violently inside the seal, the seal outside gradually began to falter.
At that very moment, Namikaze Minato felt the immense force of the Nine-Tails' resistance and silently cheered on Kushina and Naruto. His eyes brimmed with strength, as though he could send all of it to them through his gaze.
But at this crucial moment, Obito appeared at the outer perimeter of the seal. He clamped his right hand around an Anbu member's throat. After confirming the man was dead, he slowly rose to his feet.
His face, hidden behind a mask, was eerily silent. His gaze was like a cold arrow, fixed on the cave above where the barrier had been set up.
A few seconds later, Obito moved slowly like a ghost, then disappeared into the stone wall. Only a gentle breeze swept across the silent night sky outside, while the bodies strewn across the ground silently spoke of the danger drawing near.
Wah! Wah! Wah!
At last, amid a series of clear cries, Kushina successfully gave birth. Tears slid down her delicate cheeks as she panted heavily. They were tears of joy, as well as hope and anticipation for the future.
The others, completely unaware that danger was drawing closer, all wore relaxed smiles.
As the baby's clear, ringing cries filled the air, the weight that had hung over their hearts finally lifted.
After bringing Naruto over for Minato and Kushina to see, Biwako Sarutobi carefully cradled baby Naruto and slowly stepped back, giving the couple, who had just welcomed their child and were still immersed in their immense joy, more room to be together.
Namikaze Minato squeezed Kushina's hand, his face full of emotion, and comforted her tenderly with a few words. Then, just as he was about to focus on completely sealing the Nine-Tails inside him,
Everything changed without warning!