Birth

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in his home with a grave expression and spoke quietly to his wife, Biwako Sarutobi:

"Kushina is giving birth tonight. I've already had the Barrier Team set up the barrier. Sorry for the trouble, but please take her there."

Biwako nodded.

"Don't worry. You handle the guards outside. With me inside, nothing will go wrong."

Hiruzen gave a slight nod and looked at her with trust in his eyes.

Biwako was an experienced medical ninja. He could rest easy leaving this to her.

Before long, Biwako arrived at Kushina's home and led her away.

The two walked along the road to the barrier site.

Suddenly, Kushina's eyes lit up as she spotted a familiar figure.

"Mikoto!"

She hurried over and noticed that Uchiha Mikoto was holding a baby.

"Oh? How adorable!"

Kushina leaned closer, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Is it a girl?"

Mikoto smiled and shook her head.

"No, he's a boy."

"What's his name?"

"Sasuke."

Biwako, standing beside them, chimed in teasingly:

"Oh? The same name as the Third Hokage's father."

Mikoto nodded, her gentle voice carrying a hint of hope.

"Yes. Fugaku hopes he'll grow up to be as outstanding a ninja as the Third Hokage's father."

As she spoke, she looked at Kushina's swollen belly and asked softly:

"Speaking of which, Kushina, you're due soon too, aren't you? Have you decided on a name?"

Kushina immediately perked up, an excited smile spreading across her face.

"We have! Naruto!"

She reached out and gently stroked little Sasuke's head, her voice warm but earnest.

"He'll be classmates with Sasuke someday. You two had better get along."

No sooner had she said that than her expression changed, and she clutched her face dramatically.

"Come to think of it, does giving birth really hurt that much?"

Mikoto couldn't help covering her mouth as she laughed.

"Well, who would've thought even the Red Hot Chili Pepper had something she was afraid of? That's a surprise."

As their conversation grew livelier, Biwako cleared her throat and took Kushina by the arm.

"Time to go, Kushina!"

Even as she was pulled along, Kushina turned back to wave at Mikoto.

Once they were some distance away, Biwako's expression turned stern, and she lowered her voice.

"Your delivery is a village secret. You can't linger even if you run into someone you know. Understood?"

Kushina stuck out her tongue and rubbed her head with an embarrassed smile.

"I know. Sorry, sorry."

Meanwhile, Mikoto took Sasuke to find Fugaku, who was out on patrol.

The moment Fugaku saw her, his expression hardened, and he scolded her:

"What are you doing here? Didn't the clan head order everyone to evacuate outside the village?"

Mikoto immediately replied, looking hurt:

"I... I had a feeling something big was going to happen tonight. I was worried about you, so I brought Sasuke to see you..."

Fugaku glanced at Sasuke in Mikoto's arms, and his gaze gradually softened.

Then he put on a stern expression again and told her:

"I've also felt that something is very wrong with the atmosphere in the village. I'm afraid something big is about to happen."

"Hurry and take Sasuke back to the others. The clan head is protecting them there. It's safe!"

Mikoto could only reluctantly say goodbye to Fugaku.

"Then make sure you're careful in the village!"

Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's Office.

Minato Namikaze sat at his desk and looked at Kakashi, who had just entered, with a gentle smile.

"Kakashi, thank you for all your hard work protecting Kushina during her pregnancy."

Kakashi paused briefly and looked up at him.

"But... isn't it still too early?"

Minato nodded.

"Yes. During Kushina's delivery, the Anbu directly under the Third Hokage will take over guard duty."

Kakashi answered calmly:

"Understood. Then I'll report back to the Anbu and resume my missions."

Minato waved a hand with a smile.

"There's no need to rush. Take some time off first."

Kakashi said nothing more. He simply nodded, turned, and left the office.

Afterward, he went alone to Konoha's cemetery.

At Rin Nohara's grave, he crouched down, removed the wilted bouquet, and replaced it with the fresh flowers he had brought.

"Sorry, Rin. I haven't come to see you lately."

He spoke softly, his voice low.

"I haven't forgotten you. I never would."

After a pause, he continued:

"There's something... I can't say much about it yet, but I wanted to tell you now."

He raised his head and gazed at the gravestone, his eyes lonely.

"Minato-sensei's child is going to be born tonight."

"They... get to be born in a time of peace. If only we'd been born a few years later..."

He trailed off and let out a quiet sigh.

"I'll go tell Obito too. I'm leaving now, Rin."

He stood up, turned, and walked away.

After he had gone, a black-clad figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

The man wore a mask and a black cloak as he stood before Rin's grave.

He stared silently for a moment at the fresh bouquet Kakashi had just left.

Then, in a rage, he flung Kakashi's flowers across the ground.

Night fell completely.

Firelight shone brightly inside the barrier.

Minato Namikaze stood nearby, his gaze fixed ahead.

His wife, Kushina Uzumaki, lay on the delivery bed, her face pale and drenched in sweat.

The delivery had begun.

Minato kept his hand pressed against the seal on her abdomen, his expression tense.

He was still thinking about Uchiha Gentō's earlier warning that someone would invade.

Yet so far, neither Konoha's barrier, the Anbu outside, nor the barrier here had shown any sign of trouble.

Apparently, Gentō really had been fearmongering. Kushina should be able to deliver safely.

"Aah!"

Kushina's cry of pain broke Minato's train of thought.

"It hurts so much!"

She clenched her teeth, veins bulging on her forehead as her entire body trembled.

Minato's face was full of worry, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead too.

"Um... this is the first time I've ever seen Kushina... crying out in pain like this. Is... is she really going to be all right?"

Focused on the delivery, Biwako answered without looking up:

"She's fine! Focus on the seal. Don't get distracted!"

"Aah!"

Kushina let out another cry of pain.

Minato voiced his concern again.

"But... Kushina, she..."

Biwako frowned, her tone growing sterner.

"You're the Fourth Hokage. Don't get so flustered when something happens."

Minato gritted his teeth, closed his mouth, and returned his attention to the seal.

Just then, a violent surge suddenly rippled through it.

His heart tightened. He immediately increased his chakra output, firmly suppressing the restless power.

Kushina's cries gradually grew hoarse.

Then, suddenly.

"Waaah!"

A baby's loud cry rang out.

Biwako wrapped the infant in a blanket and smiled.

"He's here!"

Minato shuddered, his eyes instantly reddening.

His voice trembled with excitement.

"Thank goodness... thank goodness! Starting today, I... I'm a father!"

Holding Naruto, Biwako gently lowered him in front of Kushina.

Kushina weakly opened her eyes. As she gazed at that tiny face, a tender smile touched her lips.

"Naruto..."

Biwako soon lifted the baby away again and spoke gently to Kushina.

"All right. Get some rest now."

Minato came to Kushina's side and took her hand, his voice choked with emotion.

"Kushina... thank you. Thank you for everything you've been through."

He paused, then continued quietly:

"I know you're exhausted after giving birth, but please hold on a little longer. I need to get the Nine-Tails under control first."

As he spoke, he pressed his hand against the seal on her abdomen again.

Just as he was about to channel his chakra into it.

"Aah!"

A scream rang out behind him.

Minato whipped his head around.

His pupils abruptly contracted.

"Lady Biwako!"

Biwako and another medical ninja were already lying in a pool of blood.

Kunai had pierced their bodies. Both women were already dead.

And Naruto, who should have been lying in his swaddling blanket, was now held hostage in the arms of a masked man.

The masked man spoke slowly, his voice low and cold.

"Fourth Hokage Minato, step away from the Jinchūriki immediately."

"Otherwise..."

He lightly pressed the kunai in his hand against Naruto's face.

"This child has only one minute left to live!"