Konohagakure, hospital, inpatient ward.
"Pakura, look! Doesn't this little guy look just like a monkey?"
"You're the monkey! If you can't speak nicely, don't speak at all!"
"Okay, okay! I won't say anything. Son!"
Kazuyama looked at the baby lying in the crib, grinning so hard his mouth wouldn't close.
He was a father now—Pakura had given him a healthy son.
And his name? Michihito Gekkō!
What a name! Everyone praised it.
Though Kazuyama knew none of them really understood the meaning behind it. The name had to be read together to capture its essence—split it apart, and it lost its charm.
"Alright, let Michihito get some sleep."
"You're a father now. Can you act a little more serious? Did you already forget what I told you?"
Leaning against the bed, Pakura looked fine, even glowing. Thanks to the supplements Orochimaru provided, she was in great shape despite just giving birth.
For that, Kazuyama was almost ready to bow in gratitude to Orochimaru.
"Come on, no way I'd mess this up. Relax, I won't lead Michihito astray. So, when do you think we should start..."
Just as the little family was enjoying their peaceful moment...
A figure suddenly appeared, shattering the tranquility.
"Yo, Kazuyama, congrats."
"Huh? Lord Jiraiya, seriously? You couldn't use the door and had to climb through the window?"
Having his family time interrupted soured Kazuyama's mood immediately.
He looked at Jiraiya crouched on the windowsill with clear displeasure.
Jiraiya laughed heartily, then turned to the baby in the crib, his gaze softening.
He casually pulled out a small jug from his robe, with the character for "oil" written on it.
"Here, a gift for the little one. This is oil from Mount Myōboku, refined by the two Great Sages."
"Rub a little on his body—it'll greatly enhance his physical sensory ability. But don't overdo it."
"You know how dangerous natural energy can be."
Kazuyama blinked in surprise at the gift.
That was no ordinary present. Mount Myōboku's oil was a sacred item for training in natural energy.
And Jiraiya was giving it away as a baby gift?
He was so stunned he didn't even notice where Jiraiya was really looking.
Because Jiraiya wasn't focused on the baby—his eyes were on Kazuyama.
His mind replayed the words of the Great Toad Sage:
"The future has grown uncertain. The invisible boy has become a man. For the sake of protecting his family, he will become a force this world cannot afford to lose."
The "invisible boy"... To Jiraiya, that could only be Kazuyama.
After all, their first meeting had been because of Kazuyama's unique Kekkei Genkai. And now he had a family, a child...
He was more convinced than ever that the prophecy referred to him.
Even the toad oil was a blessing from Mount Myōboku.
"Thanks, Jiraiya..."
"Hmph, just some lousy oil."
Kazuyama had just started to thank him when he was cut off.
Two lights flared up from Pakura and Michihito—one green, one blue—and took form as Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime.
With the two Snake Princesses suddenly appearing, the room felt a bit cramped.
But since their bodies were made of chakra, it wasn't a big deal.
"Hmph, we of Ryūchi Cave don't care for anything from Mount Myōboku."
"Pakura and Gekkō Michihito are under Ryūchi Cave's protection now."
"Take your rotten oil back and use it on yourself."
Thanks to Kazuyama, both Pakura and Michihito had received the blessing of the Three Snake Princesses.
Kazuyama was delighted. He assigned Tagorihime to guard Michihito and Ichikishimahime to protect Pakura.
Now it was Jiraiya's turn to feel awkward. He thought offering a sacred gift from Mount Myōboku would make a grand gesture—but ended up completely upstaged. With Ryūchi Cave's Snake Princesses showing up, what more could he do?
"Alright, alright, don't fight."
"Lord Jiraiya meant well, haha."
"Thanks again. I'll definitely use the oil on the kid later."
With Kazuyama smoothing things over, Jiraiya finally relaxed and laughed.
At least the gift had been accepted.
...
Three months later, at the Gekkō residence.
Pakura had long since been discharged. As a Jōnin, her body recovered quickly, and with Orochimaru's medicine, she bounced back even faster.
Still, Kazuyama had her stay in the hospital for a full seven days before bringing her home.
Tsunade had left behind a gift for the child too—a little green cape with the word "gamble" written on it.
Kazuyama's mouth twitched at the sight.
During this time, Kazuyama had become a full-on doting dad—almost identical to Fugaku Uchiha.
Until today, when Minato Namikaze and Fugaku both visited with their families.
"So, Minato, you're going to be a dad too?"
"Fugaku, this your second kid?"
"Nice!"
"Not bad at all."
He teased them while warming up a bottle for the baby.
Yes, both Kushina and Mikoto were pregnant around the same time.
Which meant the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were on their way.
But that also made Kazuyama, who had been feeling relaxed, a little uneasy.
Kushina's pregnancy would be a huge challenge.
"Hahaha, yeah, I'm going to be a dad too."
"Hmph. When your son grows up, I'll have Itachi train him."
Minato was thrilled. Fugaku, as always, was proud. Nothing wrong with that.
After dinner, Fugaku left first.
Minato and Kazuyama sat in the courtyard.
"Kazuyama..."
"Say no more. I know what you're going to say."
Seeing Minato hesitate, Kazuyama waved it off.
"When the time comes, I'll help you."
"Besides, you and Kushina—you know better than anyone how strong the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques are."
"But still, be prepared."
Their minds were racing, though in different directions.
Minato, ever the optimist, believed that with his power and Kazuyama's, they could suppress the Nine-Tails if it ever went berserk.
Kazuyama, however, was thinking about Uchiha Madara and Nagato.
Those two wouldn't miss this opportunity. Just the thought of that eye technique that ignored distance was enough to give even him a headache.
"Waaah!"
Suddenly, a cry snapped Kazuyama out of his thoughts.
"Michihito! Daddy's here!"
"Hey, hey! Don't cry!"
Drawn by his son's wail, Kazuyama instinctively moved to feed him.
Minato watched, full of envy—but he knew, soon enough, he'd get to do the same.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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