Uchiha Ryōsuke naturally noticed the shopkeeper's gaze. Although he didn't plan on hiding these matters forever, given his current status, news like this spreading would likely cause the entire village to buzz with gossip. He certainly wasn't willing to let that happen. This was his private life, and he had no desire to become the subject of idle chatter over tea and meals.
He frowned and spoke. "You seem to have guessed a few things, but I hope you won't let any of it leak. Do you understand?"
Looking at his cold eyes, the shopkeeper replied tremulously, "I understand. I don't know what happened; I don't know anything at all."
This was a ninja village; the civilians had long ago developed the habit of not prying into ninja secrets. Moreover, the man before her was the strongest member of the Uchiha Clan. Even though the village was strictly enforcing the law according to the Konoha Military Police Force regulations, how could those regulations possibly control the person standing in front of her? If she provoked him, he had countless ways to punish her.
Seeing the shopkeeper's reaction, Uchiha Ryōsuke was satisfied. She was a clever person. "Then deliver everything over there."
The shopkeeper hurriedly nodded in agreement. With so many items, she would have to make several trips, though it wasn't far within the village.
Uchiha Ryōsuke left first and arrived at Yūhi Kurenai's home. Looking at Kurenai's slightly protruding belly, he asked with concern, "Kurenai, how have you been lately?"
Kurenai felt a bit resentful that he hadn't come to see her for so long, even if there were reasons for it. A lot had happened in the village recently, and Uchiha Ryōsuke was right at the center of the storm.
She could only say, "I'm doing okay."
With her mother's care, she naturally faced no hardships. Her mother had also accepted her relationship; there was nothing to complain about regarding Uchiha Ryōsuke. On the contrary, she was quite satisfied.
News of what had occurred during the Clan Head meeting had spread, and her mother knew about it as well. It was precisely because of the Third Hokage's inaction that her father had died a tragic death. If the Third Hokage hadn't chosen to intercept the Uchiha Clan's reinforcements and had instead supported the Fourth Hokage, perhaps her father wouldn't have died. Fortunately, the Third Hokage had now committed suicide out of guilt, which served as a form of revenge.
Hearing Kurenai's words, Uchiha Ryōsuke felt relieved. Since she was his woman, he should fulfill his duty to care for her. Just then, the shopkeeper delivered the items Uchiha Ryōsuke had purchased. She then immediately returned to the shop to prepare other goods for delivery to different addresses.
Kurenai looked at the bags with confusion. "What's inside these?"
Uchiha Ryōsuke smiled and said, "These are maternity shoes, maternity clothes, health supplements for pregnant women, and some sour dates to help with morning sickness."
Kurenai had indeed felt a bit nauseous lately, though it wasn't severe. Now that Uchiha Ryōsuke was here, she realized that it was morning sickness. It seemed Uchiha Ryōsuke was thoughtful after all; he hadn't forgotten her. Her heart felt steady and moved. She had worried that Uchiha Ryōsuke might have forgotten her, but it seemed he wasn't that kind of person.
When she opened them to take a look, the quantity seemed a bit much. There were three pairs of shoes alone, and four sets of identical clothes. Nevertheless, her heart felt sweet.
Having not seen Kurenai for a long time, Uchiha Ryōsuke naturally stayed to keep her company. By evening, when Tsunade and Shizune returned to the clan grounds after work, they found two massive parcels sitting in the main hall.
A servant immediately came forward to report. "Lady Tsunade, these parcels were sent by Uchiha Ryōsuke. There is one for you and one for Shizune."
This was a servant newly hired by Tsunade. If such a large clan estate relied solely on Shizune for maintenance, it would be impossible to keep up. Fortunately, Tsunade still had some funds left to hire help.
Shizune looked at the two bags. Uchiha Ryōsuke had even considered her. Her heart felt a surge of joy; it seemed Uchiha Ryōsuke hadn't forgotten her. She was curious about what Uchiha Ryōsuke had brought her. She immediately went to the bags and opened one.
Inside, she saw shoes, clothes, several bottles of medicine, and a jar of sour dates. Confusion instantly filled her mind.
'Why send such gifts?'
These things didn't look like they could be worn out; they weren't the stylish type. Although she hadn't had much contact with other men or received many proper gifts, these gifts were simply too strange. She felt a small pang of disappointment.
She picked up one of the medicine bottles and looked at the label attached to it.
'Maternity health supplements!'
Her face instantly froze. What was this? What exactly did Uchiha Ryōsuke intend by sending these things? Could it be that he was preparing her for pregnancy now?
Thinking about how she and Uchiha Ryōsuke had indeed been intimate many times, she wondered if she really was going to have a baby. Wouldn't she go from being Uchiha Ryōsuke's woman to being a mother? Her face suddenly flushed red.
The pace was simply too fast, and she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. She hadn't expected that after returning to the village only once, she would quickly become Uchiha Ryōsuke's woman and now be promoted to a mother. Considering they had been together so many times, there probably would be a child. She didn't think there was anything wrong with her, and Uchiha Ryōsuke was so strong, so he certainly wouldn't have any issues. They were both young and healthy.
Tsunade naturally didn't care much about what kind of gift Uchiha Ryōsuke sent her. She wasn't a little girl anymore who could be coaxed by a few presents. But seeing Shizune's face flushed with embarrassment and surprise, she couldn't help but get curious. She walked over to Shizune.
As soon as she saw the bottle in Shizune's hand, her expression became quite colorful. What on earth was this!
Maternity health supplements. And the shoes, clothes, and sour dates in the bag... Tsunade suddenly had an epiphany.
She felt a surge of anger. That guy actually prepared these things for both of them. Then the other bag must be the same thing. She couldn't resist opening it directly, and as expected, it was the same.
She felt a bit piqued. That guy had certainly prepared everything thoroughly. Although she had already become Uchiha Ryōsuke's woman, she hadn't quite decided on becoming the mother of his child yet. That hateful guy—not only did he take possession of her, but he even wanted her to bear his children.
Thinking back on their unions over the past month, she felt dissatisfied with herself.
'Tsunade, how could you be so careless? You didn't take any protective measures at all.'
It shouldn't have been like this. 'Could I have been so happy that I forgot about protection? Am I also greedy for pleasure?'
She couldn't help but touch her own belly. 'Is there really one in there?'
She felt a bit panicked and flustered. How was she supposed to face this situation? Tsunade had never thought about such things. It wasn't that she still remembered Dan Katō; in fact, Dan's influence on her had become very small. It was just that this sort of thing was a first for her as well.