An hour later.
Inside Minato Namikaze's residence, the delivery room was warm and cozy.
Nami Uzumaki lay on the bed, her fingers clutching the bedding tightly. Fine beads of cold sweat covered her forehead, and her face was deathly pale.
She gritted her teeth, every muscle taut as excruciating labor pains swept through her body.
Biwako Sarutobi stayed beside the bed, speaking rapidly as she kept soothing her in a quiet voice.
"Push a little harder! Keep your breathing steady! The baby is almost here!"
Nami nodded firmly, steadied her ragged breathing, and gathered every ounce of strength into her lower abdomen.
The next second!
A baby's clear cry suddenly pierced the silence of the residence!
Waaah!
The crisp, loud cries echoed throughout the delivery room, dispelling the gloom and oppression of the entire night.
All strength instantly drained from Nami. She went limp on the bed and let out a long breath.
Her eyes brightened slightly as she spoke weakly.
"Lady Biwako... is it a boy or a girl?"
Biwako Sarutobi picked up the swaddled infant and carefully wiped him clean, her eyes smiling.
"A healthy boy. His features look just like Minato's. He's truly blessed."
A gentle smile surfaced in Nami's eyes, and her taut nerves finally relaxed.
The door was gently pushed open. Minato Namikaze strode into the room, his eyes immediately falling on his wife, full of tender concern.
He bent down and gently took Nami's hand, his voice warm yet firm.
"Nami, thank you for everything you've endured. Rest well. Leave all the little matters and potential threats to me."
Nami nodded lightly, her eyes filled with reassurance.
No one noticed that a distorted black shadow had long been lying in wait in the shadows outside the residence.
Obito's eyes remained fixed on the delivery