Rasa's mysterious demeanor left everyone in the room feeling curious and slightly uneasy.
"Don't worry, it should be good news. You'll find out tonight."
Pakura, unable to contain her curiosity, asked,
"Are all of us going?"
This reminded Rasa to clarify. He glanced around and said,
"Sēramu, you don't need to attend. You've only just started learning ninjutsu, and that kind of power is still too early for you."
Rasa's cryptic words immediately sparked surprise among the group. The quicker thinkers among them began to piece together what he might be hinting at.
Sēramu, however, nodded without objection. She had only recently begun learning how to extract chakra and hadn't even mastered basic chakra control exercises like water walking. She knew better than to aim too high too soon.
Rasa then added,
"Oh, and let's also call Yashamaru. This time, the two elders, Pakura, Michikawa, Karura, Baki, Yashamaru, Honoka, and Hana—nine people should be enough."
These nine individuals were, in Rasa's mind, the core of Sunagakure's present and future—his most trusted aides.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, everyone is dismissed."
"Understood!"
Hana happily led Honoka away, following Chiyo and Ebizō. The others also left shortly after.
Soon, only Karura remained in the office.
With no one else around, Rasa dropped his stern Kazekage demeanor and reverted to his gentle, caring self. He stepped down from his seat and embraced his wife.
"What's wrong?"
Rasa asked this because he had noticed Karura's hesitant expression from the moment she entered the room.
As expected, Karura, blushing slightly in her husband's arms, said,
"Rasa kun, I have some good news to tell you!"
"Good news? What is it?"
Rasa was puzzled.
"Um... let's talk about it at home."
"U-umm."
Once they returned home, Karura still didn't reveal the news. Instead, she asked Rasa to freshen up first. Although Rasa hadn't been away from the village for long, the journey had left him somewhat weary. After a refreshing shower, he changed into comfortable home clothes and emerged to find Karura had prepared a lavish breakfast.
The two sat across from each other at the dining table. Karura's cheeks were still slightly flushed as she gazed at her husband.
Rasa, though curious, maintained his gentle tone and asked with a smile,
"Alright, can you tell me the good news now?"
Karura shook her head again.
"Rasa kun, you've been away for so long. You must be tired. Let's eat breakfast first."
Rasa found this even more peculiar, but he didn't press her. Instead, he began enjoying the meal Karura had prepared.
However, halfway through the meal, Karura nervously clenched her hands, took a deep breath, and finally said,
"Rasa kun... I... I'm pregnant!"
"Wha—?!"
For a moment, time seemed to stand still in the house. Rasa's mind went completely blank.
"P-pregnant?!"
Rasa stared blankly at Karura, who was looking at him with expectant eyes.
Instinctively, he felt he should be overjoyed.
But inexplicably, a strange emotion welled up inside him—confusion, uncertainty?
Ever since he transmigrated into this world and became the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, he had been diligently playing this role.
His feelings for Karura, this gentle and caring woman, were also built on this foundation.
He acted so tenderly, like a dutiful husband, only because she was originally his wife.
It felt like an arranged marriage in ancient times—there was no courtship or romantic phase. She simply became his wife, and he had to adapt to life with her, striving to play the role of a husband.
But when Karura announced her pregnancy, Rasa felt as if his heart had been struck hard, shattering the barrier that separated him from this world due to his identity as a transmigrator.
At this moment, as he gazed at the gentle woman before him, Rasa felt, for the first time, that he no longer needed to "play" the role of a husband. She was truly his wife.
Because the child in Karura's womb wasn't some legacy left behind by his predecessor—it was the result of his own efforts, entirely his child.
"My child!"
With a clatter, Rasa stood up from his chair, his usually calm face now filled with unrestrained joy. He rushed to Karura's side, pulled her into his arms without a second thought, and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha…!"
Feeling her husband's tight embrace, as if he wanted to merge her into his very being, Karura also melted into happiness, burying her face in Rasa's chest.
After what felt like an eternity, Rasa finally released Karura. With a voice trembling with excitement, he looked down at her blushing face and asked,
"When did you find out?"
Karura, still shy, replied,
"I started feeling symptoms two weeks ago, but I didn't think much of it at the time. It was Nonō-san, who knows medical ninjutsu, who diagnosed it."
"Two weeks ago?!"
Rasa immediately felt a pang of guilt.
At that time, he had been busy training in the Eight Gates at Ryū no Shio, neglecting his wife. Reflecting on it, ever since he arrived in this world, he had been so focused on gaining strength that he hadn't paid enough attention to his family.
Thinking this, he said sincerely,
"I'm sorry, Karura. As a husband, I've been too neglectful."
"No..."
Feeling Rasa's tenderness, Karura responded considerately,
"Rasa kun, you're the Kazekage. The village comes before family."
"No... family is just as important as the village. I have two more things to take care of, and once they're settled, I'll spend more time with you."
"Okay."
Karura leaned gently into Rasa's embrace.
Rasa then thought of something and said,
"Since you're pregnant, you don't need to attend tonight's meeting. I'll find someone to take over your duties at the orphanage. You should rest and take care of yourself."
Karura, though touched by her husband's concern, shook her head.
"I'm not that fragile. Besides, the children at the orphanage still need me. Nonō can't handle it all alone."
"Is that so?"
Rasa pondered for a moment. A kunoichi's physical constitution was indeed much stronger than that of an ordinary woman, and the orphanage truly couldn't function without Karura.
"Then make sure not to overwork yourself. I'll also find someone to help you."
"Okay."
Rasa finally released his wife and, curious, knelt down. He gently placed his hand on Karura's still flat stomach, marveling at the thought that a tiny life—his child—was growing inside.
To ensure the safe growth of this little life, Rasa decided that Karura should continue staying at Ryū no Shio. The natural energy there might help the baby develop more healthily.
And so, as the loving couple basked in their happiness, time quietly slipped into the night.