Autumn, October 10.
For ordinary ninja, today was no different from any other day-another repetition of the same routine.
In this harvest season, genin who had accepted commissions busied themselves harvesting rice in the fields, earning enough to keep themselves fed and clothed. The Military Police Force, responsible for civil disputes, patiently explained the village's laws to its residents with stern faces.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
Yet the major ninja clans scattered throughout the village sensed that something was wrong. More ANBU were patrolling the village's perimeter. In this time of peace, what warranted such tight security?
Could the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina, the Fourth Hokage's wife, be about to give birth?
The Hokage's wife, Kushina, was pregnant. That was no secret in the village, but few knew exactly when she was due, lest hostile forces seize the opportunity to harm her.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure, for instance, had long coveted the Land of Fire's territory.
At the secret delivery room, Minato Namikaze waited anxiously outside, pacing back and forth.
The Third and the three jonin of the Ino-Shika-Cho were there with him. They all shared the same goal: to protect the Hokage's wife, Kushina, and ensure she delivered her baby safely.
"Has Jiraiya still not returned?" the Third asked the ANBU beside him, his expression stern. With his wife in labor, Minato Namikaze could not remain calm, so the Third issued orders in his stead.
"We can't reach Lord Jiraiya..." the ANBU replied, head lowered.
The Third's expression darkened at once. He and Minato had notified Jiraiya in advance to return to the village, yet he still had not arrived. Ruling out the possibility that he did not want to see his student's child, the only explanation was that someone had intercepted him along the way.