A few days passed, and Naraku finally achieved his goal, sitting in the center of the only remaining small clear space in his room, his mind blank as he gazed at the gift boxes piled up to the ceiling.
-- So tired.
He couldn't help but complain about his impulsive self from back then, wondering why he came up with such a time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive idea.
Preparing all the birthday gifts for many people for the next ten or so years in one go was an ultimate torment.
But when he looked at the pile of gifts that almost filled his vision again, the fatigue and annoyance became insignificant.
A certain hidden and bittersweet hope quietly sprouted in his heart, murmuring in his own voice.
-- I just want them... not to forget Uchiha Naraku.
-- Don't forget me.
After a long silence, Naraku took out a few small Sealing Scrolls and sealed everything inside.
..."This should do it."
He placed the scrolls in a transparent box in the corner of his desk, where anyone entering would notice them immediately.
Everything was ready, just waiting for the opportune moment.
However, there was one thing Naraku found very regrettable: he wouldn't be able to receive Kakashi's gift for him this year.
-- What could it be?
This question lingered in his mind, and he still had no clue even after finishing Sakumo's care.
-- Forget it, no matter what it is, I won't be able to get my hands on it.
Naraku replenished the cherry blossoms, hoping Sakumo would still see them blooming when he woke up... "Minato, Kushina is nearing childbirth, and there are some things we absolutely must make clear to you two."
At Minato's home, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his wife Biwako Sarutobi sat opposite the young couple, their expressions serious, repeatedly emphasizing the significant risks of a Jinchuriki giving birth.
"When a Jinchuriki gives birth, the Tailed Beast's seal will enter an unprecedented state of instability."
"Lady Mito was the same; the Nine-Tailed's seal almost broke during her childbirth."
"To be prepared for any eventuality, I apologize, but we will have to inconvenience you by having you give birth inside a Barrier slightly further from the Village."
Minato had already guessed something when Hiruzen Sarutobi suggested gathering the Anbu two days prior, and now he completely understood his intentions.
"Third Hokage, you asked me to issue a top-secret mission for this very reason, didn't you...?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, saying, "This matter is no small thing; we must be extremely vigilant."
Noticing his wife seemed a bit nervous, Minato gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Kushina, I'll be by your side the entire time."
Perhaps because the Jinchuriki was too important, Hiruzen Sarutobi showed no signs of vying for power at this moment; instead, he followed Minato's words to comfort Kushina.
"Not just Minato, but Taji of the Anbu and my wife Biwako will also be by your side."
"These matters must be conducted in secret, with no leaks."
"Just in case, my direct Root will also be stationed inside the Barrier, responsible for protection."
Biwako Sarutobi took over, instructing Kushina on precautions: "There are some things you need to prepare in advance, and also, when the time comes, I will take you there..."
However, she found that Kushina's eyes were entirely on Minato, almost glued to her husband, and she hadn't heard a word of what she had just said.
"...Kushina, are you listening?"
"Yes! I'm listening!"
Kushina jolted, like a student caught daydreaming in class, and quickly raised her voice to appear less guilty.
"..."
Biwako Sarutobi was speechless but couldn't really argue with a young person, so she just covered her forehead and repeated herself.
After arranging the relevant matters, the Third Hokage and his wife didn't stay long, returning home to rest in their beds.
But unlike Biwako, who slept peacefully beside him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, even after closing his eyes and waiting for a long time, couldn't fall asleep.
He sighed softly, not waking his sleeping wife, and quietly got up to go to his quiet room to ponder repeatedly.
"What, now that the time has come, Lord Third Hokage has become indecisive?"
The sudden mockery, like a viper's tongue, carried a cold and eerie aura that pressed against Hiruzen Sarutobi's spine, seeping directly into his soul.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer, staring intently at the large shadow in the corner, his expression showing a respectful deference that was hard to tell if it was genuine.
"How could that be? I'm just considering if the plan has any loopholes. The Nine-Tailed is of great importance; no amount of caution is too much."
"That's true. This is, after all, your only chance right now. It's never wrong to be careful."
From the shadows, a young man slowly emerged, dressed in a black robe, hooded, and with blood-red markings all over his face.
His face was pale, like that of a dead person, his lips black, and his deep, hoarse voice sent chills down one's spine.
But ten days ago, this man was just an ordinary Sarutobi Clan Member, able to run and jump, full of the vitality of a living person.
Not like now, reduced to a "living corpse" remotely controlled by someone, his only purpose being communication.
-- Such an evil Ninjutsu, if it weren't for His Highness the Crown Prince's most trusted person...-- Forget it, desperate times call for desperate measures; don't dwell on it for now.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered, then he averted his gaze, offering no comment on the matter.
The "manipulator" behind the scenes, however, actively used this body to mock, "Third Hokage is truly a benevolent sage; does the life of a mere Clan Member pain you to this extent?"
"Don't forget, this was the path you chose from the very beginning."
"The Fourth Hokage is in his prime, with the help of the Uchiha and other bloodline Clans; you won't be able to suppress him for long."
"In seven or eight years at most, or three to five years at least, the advantages you currently hold will cease to exist."
"At that time, not only you, but your Clan will also face a grim end, and the number of people who die because of it will be more than one or two."
The corpse twisted its neck, a strange smile forced onto its stiff face.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is still awaiting your good news, and I imagine you wouldn't want to disappoint him, esteemed Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, and after a few breaths, replied, "...Of course."
The quiet room returned to silence. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up from the tatami mat and went to the window, looking at the bright moon in the night sky.
He knew that from the moment he received the Crown Prince's secret letter and actively responded, he had no turning back.
Unwillingness and greed scorched the beating heart in his chest like a raging fire, compelling him to reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him, no matter the cost.
Honor, power, prestige... what he had lost, he would surely grasp in his hands again, and make Konoha great once more... Eternal Day underground base.
Yun Muyan temporarily interrupted the Blood Puppet Jutsu, rolling his eyes in exasperation: "Is this enough?"
"Our Ayan acted so wonderfully~"
Jin clapped his hands lightly, praising without reservation: "No matter how you look at it, he's a dark guardian ninja doing his utmost to protect His Highness the Crown Prince~"
"Oh, come on. I knew you didn't let me 'perish' in front of Kazuma back then, but instead found a chance to 'disappear,' you definitely wanted to keep using me."
"I wasn't thinking that far ahead; I just thought it would be a shame to throw away this identity for nothing."
"What next?"
Yun Muyan didn't believe a word of Jin's sophistry: "Am I just going to continue being the liaison between the Daimyo's Crown Prince and the Third Hokage? Then who's going to capture the Nine-Tailed you want?"
"Well, that... the opportunity to act has already been reserved, you see."
Jin wagged his finger, complaining with a helpless tone: "That child is very willful; it would be troublesome if we don't satisfy him."