Konoha, behind the back gate of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mansion.
Rinjin stood with two bewildered little kids in tow, carefully reading the notice posted beside the door.
Konoha Baby-Loving Mothers' Mutual Aid Society
Address: No. 2 Hokage Avenue, Konoha—Back gate of the Third Hokage's residence
Open: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Still stressed about balancing missions and childcare?
Come join the Baby-Loving Mothers' Mutual Aid Society!
We offer the most nutritious baby meals! A dazzling array of toys! Tea parties where moms can relax!
Bring your children and join us!
For details, please contact Mrs. Sarutobi Biwako, wife of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Staring at this oddly familiar notice, Rinjin's mouth twitched in disbelief. He glanced down at little Kakashi.
"This where you used to hang out?"
Kakashi nodded, then shook his head, replying seriously,
"It's where I went during the day. At night, I'd go home with Aunt Nohara next door. I mean, back to my own house."
"What about weekends?"
"I stay home and read."
"What about meals?"
"I go over to Aunt Nohara's for food."
Mooching meals, huh...
This kid's got some real pride.
Suppressing a laugh, Rinjin reached over and ruffled Kakashi's hair.
"Well, that's over now. No more mooching. Papa Rinjin's house is packed with good eats."
"It's Uncle Rinjin," Kakashi muttered.
"It's Papa!" Rinjin knocked lightly on his little head, emphasizing,
"Your dad and I have been thick as thieves since we were kids.
Back before your dad met your mom, he was sharing a bed with me every night!
If I were a woman, I'd be your mom!
And by that logic, if your dad were a woman, I'd definitely be the papa!"
Little Kakashi rolled his eyes so hard it was almost audible.
What the heck kind of logic is that?
Still, as he grumbled, he couldn't help but feel a strange warmth toward Rinjin.
Next to them, little Mei Terumī looked up at Rinjin, her big eyes full of innocence.
"Uncle, what about my daddy?"
"Your dad?" Rinjin repeated, then smiled,
"Your dad saved my life. So, Little Mei, you're basically my daughter too!"
Hearing that, Mei Terumī nodded with utmost seriousness.
For a one-and-a-half-year-old, finding a familiar, kind adult to rely on was just basic survival instinct.
With a child in each hand, Rinjin knocked on the Third Hokage's back door.
A moment later, a kindly middle-aged woman opened up.
"Hello, can I help you?"
"Sarutobi Biwako."
"Lady Biwako is inside, may I ask—"
She glanced at the two kids by his side, and her face immediately blossomed with a warm, welcoming smile.
"Here to drop off your children? Please, come in!"
"No, no! I'm here to join this… whatever club!"
Rinjin shook his head at once.
Drop off my kids?
Please, I'm the Daimyo of the Land of Rain—the whole of Amegakure does what I say. Drop off your own kids, not mine.
I'm here to pick up some real parenting experience, like a normal person.
He had zero interest in the whole boarding system.
Hearing this, and seeing the imposing figure in front of her, the woman's smile froze.
"Um… well, sir, all our gatherings are for mothers with children…"
"Huh?"
Rinjin's eyes flashed with a hint of pressure.
"So, male moms aren't allowed?"
The woman shrank back, looking flustered and at a loss for words.
"Hmph." Rinjin snorted, then ordered,
"Forget it. Go tell Sarutobi Biwako that 'Shimura Dandan' is here!"
The woman nodded like she'd just been pardoned, and scurried off.
While Rinjin waited at the door, next door at the Sarutobi residence,
Shimura Danzō hid behind his own back gate, clutching his mouth, tears and snot running as he laughed in silence.
Male mom!
Oh, gods, I'm dying here!
The legendary Rinjin—the guy who made the entire Uchiha clan clam up—calling himself a male mom!
I can't take it... this is too much!
Just as Danzō was losing it, a book suddenly flew over the wall and bonked him square on the head.
He instinctively glanced at the book lying on the ground, and his laughter died instantly.
On the cover, written in bold calligraphy:
"The Root Behind the Root."
Now, Danzō couldn't laugh anymore—his face turned black as the bottom of a pot.
...
Soon, Sarutobi Biwako hurried to her back door.
One look, and her heart sank a little.
Rinjin.
Normally, her seniority in Konoha was second only to Uzumaki Mito and a handful of Sarutobi Hiruzen's old classmates—everyone else would bow their heads in her presence.
The Third Hokage's wife was no joke.
But this man was different.
He was the one person in the Konoha upper echelons nobody wanted to cross—
Powerful, and no one could restrain him.
The benefits of keeping the peace far outweighed any possible gain from causing trouble.
With that in mind, Sarutobi Biwako put on a perfectly measured smile.
"Rinjin-kun, what brings you here today?"
Rinjin nodded seriously and pointed at the notice by the door.
"Lady Biwako, I'd like to join this 'Konoha Baby-Loving Mothers' Mutual Aid Society.'"
He was polite, but direct—clearly not giving her room to refuse.
"Of course!"
Sarutobi Biwako nodded without the slightest hesitation.
She couldn't care less about male moms or female moms—what mattered was her husband's power staying secure.
Seeing her agree, Rinjin grinned, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction.
Smart woman.
Under Biwako's guidance, he stepped into the Sarutobi residence.
Inside, it was another world entirely.
This estate was at least as big as Rinjin's own home. The back courtyard had been filled in and transformed into a sandy playground for kids.
In the center stood a small pavilion.
Inside, a colorful gathering of women—some plump, some slender, all chatting and laughing, sharing stories about their children.
Out on the sand, kids of all ages—some barely toddlers—ran around, chasing and playing, shrieking with joy.
Following Sarutobi Biwako, Rinjin walked into the pavilion, feeling a surge of excitement.
So this is why men aren't allowed in!
All these vibrant flowers—stick around too long, and you'd become the public enemy of every man in the village!
Damn! I hereby declare this place Cao Cao's paradise!
While Rinjin's mind wandered, Sarutobi Biwako clapped her hands, drawing the attention of all the women.
"Ahem… Let me introduce… a male mom.
Um… His name is Rinjin, and he has two children."
She stepped aside, revealing the tall, broad-shouldered Rinjin behind her.
Rinjin grinned, scooping up a child in each arm, and introduced himself,
"Hello, everyone! I'm Rinjin—just call me Rinjin.
This is my eldest son, Kakashi;
and this is my second daughter, Mei Terumī."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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