When one person leaves, another arrives—that is life.
It had been a long ti since Mito had left, and Kawakaze and the others had returned to their normal lives. However, they still occasionally thought of the kind woman, and it never failed to bring a hint of sadness.
Today, the setting sun once again bathed Konoha in a golden light.
"Mikoto is in the hospital, isn't she?" Kawakaze started the conversation at the Hatake Clan's dinner table.
"Yes, she should give birth in the next two days."
"Fugaku looked embarrassed when he ca to see ."
Tsunade let out a light laugh. The Clan Head truly cared for his wife.
"Well, you are the Hokage," Kawakaze pointed out, tossing a peanut into his mouth with a contented look. "It's only natural for him to be embarrassed when the Hokage is the one delivering the baby."
"What's the big deal?" Tsunade teased. "If I want to win him over, I have to put in so effort."
At this point, there was no such thing as "winning him over" between them. Those words would only tarnish their relationship.
"Sounds good. He's about to be a father."
Sakumo took a drink. A newborn was a sign of Konoha's continued prosperity.
"I'll go join the fun that day," Kawakaze said casually. "Anyway, everyone's gotten along well over the years."
Nayuki had handled social matters adeptly, acting like the true head of the household.
"Fugaku has been staying at the hospital these past few days," she noted.
"He's afraid he'll miss it," Tsunade said, feeling both amused and touched. It seed all the n around Kawakaze were deeply devoted to their wives.
"That's normal. He practically worships Mikoto," Kawakaze remarked. He still couldn't understand how the Fugaku from the original story had been willing to let his wife follow him to death.
"You're doing quite well in that regard. Keep up the good work."
Tsunade shot Kawakaze a flirtatious glance—the old married couple still putting on an act.
"Ugh."
Kakashi and Ginji both grimaced in disgust.
"Never been hit before, huh?" Minato muttered wisely.
"You looking for a beating?" Tsunade shot him a glare, making the two younger ones quickly bury their heads in their bowls.
"Hahaha."
Sakumo and Nayuki laughed heartily. The warm, harmonious atmosphere of the family filled the room.
"You're too kind, Lady Hokage," Kawakaze said smoothly, clinking his glass against Tsunade's.
...
Two days later, in the afternoon, Tsunade was in the Hokage's office handling so business when a call from the hospital ca—Mikoto was going into labor.
Outside the delivery room, Fugaku was visibly tense.
"Don't worry, just wait to beco a father," Tsunade said, patting his shoulder. Kawakaze was already by his side, watching with amusent.
Shisui sat quietly nearby, observing the adults without saying a word.
"Please, Lady Tsunade."
Fugaku bowed slightly. Even though he had been the one to call for her, his nerves were impossible to hide.
"I'm going in," Tsunade said with a wry smile before stepping into the delivery room.
Kawakaze casually pulled out a chair and patted the empty seat beside him, making a 'pop' sound. "Co sit."
"I can't sit still."
The mont Fugaku's bottom touched the seat, he imdiately stood back up, restless as an ant on a hot pan.
"Don't you trust Tsunade?" Kawakaze gave him a look. "I've been there before. Sit."
Fugaku let himself be pushed down again. "I trust her, of course I do." But his eyes kept darting toward the delivery room.
"Do you want a son or a daughter?" Kawakaze suddenly asked, as if uncovering so great mystery.
"It's a son. I've known for a while now," Fugaku answered distractedly, his attention fixed on the door.
Kawakaze sighed. He had montarily forgotten that in the Naruto world, there were countless ways to determine a baby's gender before birth.
"Stop staring at the door. Giving birth isn't like drinking water—it's not that quick."
"That's not necessarily true. So births happen fast," Fugaku muttered. He had done his research, even if it made him seem a little obsessive. Who goes around asking new parents how long their labor lasted?
"Forget it. What did you na the baby?" Kawakaze asked, deciding not to argue the point. There was no such thing as a 'quick' birth anyway.
"Itachi. Itachi Uchiha."
Fugaku's expression finally softened. He was clearly pleased with the na.
Kawakaze frowned. The na Itachi didn't exactly carry the best connotations. "Does it have any special aning?"
"Er... not really. It's just the na of a senior I admired as a child. I hope my son grows up to be as strong and respected as he was."
Fugaku smiled sheepishly. He hadn't put too much thought into it beyond that.
Kawakaze was speechless. So you just copy nas when naming your kids?
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh," Fugaku said, completely missing the sarcasm. But he had no intention of changing the na. A na alone wouldn't decide the fate of his son.
Ti passed slowly, their conversation growing more absentminded by the minute.
"Has my disciple not co out yet?"
Orochimaru's voice cut through the air, his arrival so silent that no one had noticed him approaching.
Kawakaze flinched. "Damn, I was wondering who that was—you nearly gave a heart attack."
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to show up. It didn't really fit his usual aloof deanor. So he was actually serious about this...
"Lord Orochimaru."
Fugaku greeted him with a respectful nod. Orochimaru's words from a previous dinner conversation suddenly resurfaced in his mind. He had almost forgotten about them.
"For Itachi, becoming your disciple would be an honor."
Fugaku blinked in confusion before realizing what he ant. If Orochimaru hadn't casually ntioned it back then, he wouldn't have even rembered.
"Forget about blessings," Orochimaru continued, his lips curling into a small smirk. "Just don't complain later when I'm too strict."
Having learned from Nawaki's case, he knew better now—strict teachers produced the best results.
"You can teach as you please. Mikoto and I will never interfere," Fugaku assured him. He had endured hardships in his own youth and had no objections.
"Haha, that's good," Orochimaru chuckled—a rare and genuine laugh. He was clearly in a good mood.
Kawakaze, on the other hand, wasn't about to let that slide. "Don't go ruining soone's life."
He just couldn't stand seeing Orochimaru so pleased with himself. The idea of Itachi becoming his student was too amusing. The image of the original Itachi taking down Orochimaru with a single glance was legendary.
"And who are you to talk about being a sensei?" Orochimaru's laughter cut off, his eyes narrowing at Kawakaze.
"You're one to talk—you're the laziest ntor ever."
"Which of my disciples isn't outstanding?" Kawakaze shot back confidently, puffing out his chest.
Orochimaru scoffed and waved a dismissive hand. "I don't even want to deal with you."
He turned and sat opposite them, knowing better than to argue with soone so shaless.
"Actions speak louder than words," Kawakaze said smugly, as if he had just won a battle.
"Right, Fugaku?" He turned to his friend for validation.
Fugaku coughed awkwardly, sneaking a glance at Orochimaru, who was watching him with unreadable intent. He wisely chose not to respond.
Just as he was searching for a way to change the subject, the door to the delivery room finally swung open.
"Congratulations, both mother and child are safe," Tsunade announced, peeling off her bloodstained gloves with a beaming smile.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Fugaku didn't wait another second. Forgetting everything else, he rushed into the delivery room without hesitation.
My son, you've co just in ti—I love you!!!
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