Kakashi made his way to the Hokage's office and requested an audience with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen's lips curled slightly when he heard Kakashi say he couldn't accept what Chinya had done. Then he let out a sigh. "No one could possibly accept something like this. So tell me, Kakashi, have you already confronted Chinya about this?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No, there's no need to confirm. I've followed Chinya-sensei for many years now, and there were things I'd already begun to suspect—but I chose not to believe them. But now that the bloody truth has been exposed, even I can no longer deny it."
Hiruzen's expression turned serious. "Then, Kakashi, are you willing to join the Anbu and become my subordinate, devoting yourself to Konoha?"
Kakashi knelt on one knee before Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama, I've always been serving Konoha and upholding the Will of Fire. That's why I'm willing to join the Anbu!"
Smiling, Hiruzen said, "You've made the right choice, Kakashi. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You are now an official Anbu member. Please report to the Anbu Base later to complete your formal registration."
Kakashi nodded. "Understood!"
Hiruzen continued, "One more thing—for now, don't let Chinya discover you've joined the Anbu. Officially, I will assign you a long-term mission outside Konoha. If Chinya and Orochimaru learn you've joined the Anbu, they may get the wrong idea and think I intend to take action against them. If that happens, we'll lose any opportunity we might have had."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "I understand, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen stepped forward and helped Kakashi rise. "Then welcome to the Anbu, Kakashi."
Kakashi assured him, "Please rest assured, Hokage-sama. Just like my father, I will devote every ounce of my strength to Konoha, and fight for the Will of Fire until my dying breath!"
Hiruzen replied with satisfaction, "I believe you will surpass even Sakumo."
After Kakashi left the Hokage's office, Seki and Renjiro appeared behind Hiruzen.
Putting down the pipe in his hand, Hiruzen said, "Now that Kakashi is joining the Anbu, the two of you will continue monitoring him closely and regularly report his activities back to me."
"Yes, sir!"
...
It was less than a week until Kushina Uzumaki's due date.
Chinya had moved Kushina Uzumaki into the Ninja Hospital ahead of time and was taking care of her around the clock.
On the day of her due date, Uzumaki Miyuki, who had just been discharged from the hospital, came to visit Kushina while holding Naruto.
Kushina forced a weak smile before asking, "Miyuki, was giving birth to Naruto really painful?"
Miyuki noticed Kushina's strained smile and Chinya's anxious gaze. She gently took Kushina's hand and comforted her. "Don't worry, Kushina. Giving birth isn't actually that painful—it's over before you know it."
Kushina visibly relaxed a bit. "That's good to hear. Today I'll be giving birth to Sōnagi, and I was so worried."
"Kushina, the due date isn't exact," Miyuki Uzumaki explained. "It's more like an estimate. The baby might come earlier or later. It definitely won't necessarily arrive today."
Kushina Uzumaki immediately felt a huge wave of relief. "So that's how it is! I originally thought labor would start exactly on the due date. That scared me to death."
Chinya shook his head helplessly.
No wonder Kushina had appeared gloomy and unhappy since waking up this morning—she'd been thinking she'd give birth today.
Miyuki and Kushina continued chatting.
Suddenly, Kushina grabbed her stomach, her entire face scrunching up in pain.
Chinya immediately rushed to Kushina's side, asking with deep concern, "Kushina, what's wrong?"
Kushina clenched her teeth and gasped, "It hurts! My stomach—!"
Instantly, Miyuki slipped her hand under Kushina's blanket and urgently told Chinya, "Go call for help right away! Kushina's water just broke. She's about to give birth!"
Chinya vanished without a trace. Before a minute had even passed, Chinya swooped two female medical ninjas into the room like chicks.
The two female medical ninjas looked completely confused, having no idea what was happening.
Though Chinya spoke in a flustered jumble, just looking at the pained Kushina made things clear enough.
The two female medical ninjas immediately wheeled Kushina into the delivery room, preparing to assist with her childbirth.
Clumsily approaching Kushina's side, Chinya stared blankly at the crying Sōnagi.
Giving birth is an extremely challenging experience for women because of the intense pain their bodies endure during labor.
Hearing Kushina's agonized screams, Chinya became so tense his knuckles turned white. His heart twisted with anxiety, and his whole body tensed up.
He could be there for every step of her journey—but this one, he simply couldn't walk beside her.
All Chinya could do was stay by Kushina's side and continuously encourage her.
The medical ninjas assisting with Kushina's delivery also felt extremely nervous.
Chinya's tense aura pressed down on them, making them feel like they could barely breathe.
Finally, a baby's cry rang out.
The two medical ninjas carefully placed Sōnagi Uzumaki, a tiny newborn, next to Kushina.
Since a baby sees its mother first upon birth, Kushina naturally became the first face little Sōnagi witnessed.
Looking at the vigorously crying Sōnagi, Kushina—who was already exhausted beyond measure—couldn't help but smile involuntarily. "Sōnagi, finally meeting you... seeing how energetic you are makes me so happy."
Chinya awkwardly approached Kushina's side, staring blankly at the crying Sōnagi.
Seeing Chinya staring blankly, Kushina smiled and asked, "Chinya, what are you spacing out for? Don't you want to hold Sōnagi?"
Snapping back to reality, Chinya nodded vigorously. "I do—I absolutely want to!"
Chinya carefully picked up Sōnagi. As if crying had tired him out, Sōnagi seemed to have fallen asleep.
Chinya kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside him.
Chinya looked at Kushina Uzumaki with tears in his eyes and thanked her, "Thank you, Kushina. You've made me a father."
Kushina smiled slightly and replied, "Then I should also thank you, Chinya. It's you who've made me a mother."
Chinya and Kushina exchanged warm smiles.
Kushina returned from the delivery room to her ward for rest and postnatal checkups.
Newly born Uzumaki Sōnagi also required a few medical checks.
Once all the checkups were done, Chinya brought Sōnagi back to Kushina's ward, letting out a sigh of relief as he said, "Sōnagi's completely healthy."
Kushina smiled and said, "Lord Orochimaru checked on both me and little Sōnagi every month. He definitely ensured everything was fine."
Chinya gently laid the sleeping Sōnagi into the crib beside the bed. As they both watched the peaceful newborn, joy lit up their faces.
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