The day of Kushina Uzumaki's childbirth was drawing near.
Shindai had already made all the necessary preparations. Today, Shindai, Obito, and Kakashi, who had just returned from a mission, arrived at the Hokage Building.
Minato Namikaze looked at the three of them and asked, "What did you want to talk about?"
Obito and Kakashi both turned their eyes toward Shindai at the same time—they didn't know what was going on; they'd simply been dragged along by Shindai.
Shindai said seriously to Minato Namikaze, "Lord Minato, the three of us want to become Sister Kushina's bodyguards!"
Minato let out a confused, "Hmm?"
Shindai explained, "Sister Kushina is special. To be prepared for any contingency, she won't give birth inside Konoha, right? It'll probably happen somewhere outside the village. That's why we want to guard her and make sure she stays safe!"
Minato replied with an approving smile, "It's thoughtful of you, but Kushina's protection will be very tight. I will personally be there when it happens, so you don't need to worry."
Shindai pleaded again, "Lord Minato, please let us join in!"
Hearing this, now that he understood what was happening, Obito also spoke earnestly alongside Kakashi, "Lord Minato, we want to serve as guards!"
Seeing how insistent the three were, Minato finally agreed, "Fine then. You'll all act together with my personal Hokage Guard Unit."
After leaving the Hokage Building, Shindai led Obito and Kakashi to the workshop inside the store for a small private meeting.
Shindai questioned them, "Obito, Kushina Sister is about to go into labor soon. When that time comes, we'll move together—I'm the leader, and you two must follow my commands. By then, your Mangekyo Sharingan might come in handy, Asu Natsuka!"
Hikaku Uchiha walked in. Shindai pointed at Obito and said, "Give him one."
"Give him one what? Give him what?" Obito asked puzzled.
Hikaku activated her Mangekyo Sharingan. Obito's eyes nearly popped out in shock: "What?! Mangekyo Sharingan?! Asu Natsuka, how do you have a Mangekyo Sharingan?!"
Kakashi too stared at Hikaku in surprise, never expecting her to actually belong to the Uchiha clan.
"Because I do."
Hikaku's gaze locked onto Obito's eyes while her hand pressed onto him: "[Eight Trigrams Sealing Array]!"
She applied the [Eight Trigrams Sealing Array] onto Obito's body.
Then Hikaku deactivated her Mangekyo Sharingan and said to Shindai, "I've done what you asked. Don't bother me again!"
Shindai smirked with a kiss-up grin: "Of course! Thank you for your hard work today!"
"Snort!" Hikaku tossed her head and left the workshop.
Obito stood dazed, asking, "Wait—what exactly did Asu Natsuka just do to me? She must've done something, right? Why can't I feel even the slightest thing?"
Shindai explained, "I've placed an Imprint on you. It'll enhance your Dojutsu and reduce the side effects when using Mangekyo Sharingan techniques. However, this isn't permanent. Don't be foolish enough to think you can use your Dojutsu recklessly. The side effects only decrease when Asu Natsuka strengthens you."
Obito was thrilled, "Really? That's amazing! I haven't even used my Dojutsu a few times since awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Kakashi frowned, "So you're saying, Shindai, that you believe something will happen on Kushina-sama's delivery day?"
"Not necessarily," Shindai replied, "It's just a precaution. Hopefully nothing happens at all. Alright, that's it for now. Dismissed!"
Shindai had already explained everything necessary and made all preparations possible.
Now they could only wait — wait for that day to arrive.
He hoped nothing would happen, but if something were to happen, he certainly wouldn't back down!
Akatsuki organization.
Deva Path said in a monotone voice, "Zetsu has confirmed everything. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha is about to give birth, and they've set up a cave outside Konoha Village as the delivery room. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki will deliver there.
We will undertake this mission. Next, myself, Konan, Tobi, and Sasori will move out to assassinate Minato Namikaze and release the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha. Kakuzu and Zetsu, you two will remain at the organization's hideout."
"Yes!"
...
Seven days later — the day Kushina Uzumaki was due to give birth.
Minato Namikaze summoned Shindai, Obito, and Kakashi.
"You three wanted to join the guard mission before, right? Now Anbu has already departed. You'll go with my personal guard team. Shisui."
Shisui Uchiha appeared inside the Hokage's office.
Minato said to Shisui Uchiha, "Shisui, these three will follow your squad from now on. Kushina and I will arrive a bit later."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Shisui Uchiha smiled kindly at the three boys and said, "I'll be relying on you from now on."
Shindai couldn't help but grin — his grin stretched all the way to his ears.
With Shunshin no Shisui here too, what was there to worry about?
If Akatsuki dares to show up, he'd fucking wipe them out!
Right now, Shindai is brimming with confidence.
Uchiha Shisui announced, "We'll meet at the village entrance in one hour. Dismissed for now!"
Shindai went home to pack his things.
When he got home, Shindai told Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha who had already returned from work, "Pakura, Asu Natsuka, I'm heading out. If I need chakra later, I'll contact you through the radio."
Hikaku Uchiha nodded, "Okay!"
"Be careful," Pakura warned. "Sister Kushina has successfully given birth—please send us good news. If you need our help in battle, let us know immediately. Asu Natsuka and I will come to reinforce you right away!"
"Don't worry. Here—please give this to Sister Kushina. Make sure she keeps it on her at all times. I have to go now."
Shindai pulled out a round spherical object from his gear bag and handed it to Pakura before slinging the bag back over his shoulder and leaving.
Pakura frowned as she watched Shindai disappear into the distance. Turning to Hikaku Ubiha, she said uneasily, "I don't know why, but my heart's pounding."
Hikaku Ubiha nodded solemnly. "Yeah, there's an unpleasant feeling in the air."
Shindai met up with Obito and Kakashi at Konoha Village's entrance.
An hour hadn't yet passed, so Shisui Uchiha wasn't here yet.
Shindai opened his gear bag and pulled out a monocle, tossing it to Kakashi. "It's an upgraded monocle equipped with Orochimaru-sama's battle-assist system. I've also made some modifications—it should suit you better and function more intuitively than your current one."
Kakashi caught it and put it on immediately. "Thanks."
An hour later, Shisui Uchiha arrived too, bringing five members of the Hokage's personal guard unit—elite ninja from various clans.
"Now that everyone's here, let's move out."
Under Shisui Uchiha's command, they headed outside Konoha Village to guard the prepared delivery room.
Meanwhile, inside a dimly lit chamber, Danzo's smirk curled coldly. "Minato Namikaze… your time is up."
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