Fugaku and Itachi rushed over the moment they heard what was happening.
Fugaku murmured under his breath, "Weren't we told there were still a few days left? Why the sudden timing? I hope nothing went wrong."
When the baby's cry finally came, the three men outside all exhaled in relief at once.
Anya was about to step inside when Fugaku blocked her path with his arm, coldly saying, "You don't need to come in. It's not appropriate."
Anya didn't respond, hesitating for a moment before stopping in place.
Itachi, watching the two, could feel the tension in the air. It seemed like his father held deep resentment toward his foster father.
Fugaku entered the room and saw Mikoto already sitting up, holding the baby. Surprised, he said, "Why aren't you lying down? Don't strain yourself."
Mikoto looked at the infant in her arms with deep affection and replied, "I'm fine. The child was very cooperative; it was actually quite easy."
The doctor nearby added, "This was the smoothest delivery I've ever assisted with. This little one must be destined for great fortune."
Taking a couple of steps closer, Itachi asked, "Mom, is it a brother? I want a little brother."
"Haha," Mikoto smiled warmly. "Yes, it's a boy. Your little brother."
Carefully, Itachi used his fingertip to gently tap the baby's cheek. Inside, he thought: This is life—an entirely new life. I must protect him well.
Fugaku happily picked up the child, examining him carefully from head to toe.
Mikoto asked, "Have you decided on a name yet?"
"Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha."
Mikoto nodded, saying, "Ah, that's a good name, but…"
Fugaku smiled. "Yes, after Father Third's name. I've already spoken to the Third. Sasuke, don't disappoint this name. Grow up to be a real man."
"Oh, by the way, where's Anya?" Mikoto looked around but didn't see her.
Fugaku's previously cheerful expression darkened slightly. "Outside the door."
Noticing Fugaku's mood shift, Mikoto sighed inwardly. She pulled out a note and handed it to Itachi, saying, "Give this to your foster father. Let him follow what I wrote, or else I won't speak to him again."
"Okay," Itachi took the note and quickly ran out of the room.
Fugaku curiously asked, "What does it say?"
"It's Anya's personal matter. I don't want him to remain lonely anymore."
Outside, Itachi handed the note to Anya. After reading its contents, she gave a bitter smile, her eyes clouded with conflicting emotions.
She never expected that the real reason Mikoto had brought her back was not because the baby was about to be born, but because Yuhi Kurenai had approached Mikoto, hoping to make contact with her.
Since the war started, the two had barely seen each other. Now that it was over, Kurenai hadn't seen Anya even once. That she had come to seek out Mikoto—Anya couldn't imagine how much effort that had taken.
On the note, Mikoto had even used a gentle but firm tone: Anya must meet with Yuhi Kurenai. She had even arranged the meeting place for them.
Back at the Root headquarters' entrance, Anya had clearly sensed Red's distance toward her. Her words made it unmistakably clear: don't appear casually in front of people — a rule that clearly included Kurenai Yuhi as well.
Anya was the only one left standing after the battle at Mount Hakuto — and he hadn't said a word about what really happened. His methods had been ruthless. It was only natural for Red to feel hesitant, and Anya understood that. But understanding didn't mean he wasn't hurt — or heartbroken.
Sigh. That dumpling of a girl. Thinking about Red once again gave Anya a headache. If he forced her to make the kind of choice Tsunade once faced, how would she decide? Was he being too harsh on her?
"Alright, might as well meet the girl." Anya folded the note and said to Itachi, "You're an older brother now. Remember, take responsibility for taking care of your younger siblings."
"Yes, I will," Itachi replied firmly.
You're such a good kid. Anya quietly slipped several candies into Itachi's hand and whispered, "Remember to eat them secretly."
Itachi carefully hid the candy as he watched Anya walk away.
After leaving, Anya headed directly to the location mentioned on the note — a riverside on the outskirts of Konoha, a place where he and Kurenai Yuhi had officially become a couple.
When he arrived, Kurenai Yuhi was sitting by the river, lost in thought, her youthful face filled with sorrow beyond her years.
"Kurenai," Anya softly called out as he approached.
Kurenai turned around in disbelief, her eyes lit up with joy. But that joy quickly gave way to resentment. "So you finally came to see me. If I hadn't reached out to Miss Mikoto, how much longer would you have kept avoiding me?"
"Master Red probably already talked to you, right?"
"He's him, and I'm me. I told you, our relationship doesn't need any outsiders getting involved," Kurenai said emotionally.
That was the essence of first love — always ready to give everything.
"Child, how can there be a future if even our closest relatives disagree?" Anya remained calm. "Kurenai, our relationship has to come to an end now. I have other things to do, just as I once said. I'll wait for you until you grow up."
Kurenai's eyes immediately filled with sadness. "Can you tell me what exactly you need to do? I want to know."
Anya didn't intend to hide anything from her and honestly replied, "I want to change this world — to make it the kind of world I want, where I and the people I love can live happily. In the future, I'll be facing many enemies, some might even come from Konoha itself. Do you understand?"
Kurenai looked surprised. This was the first time he had ever spoken to her like this — entirely different from what she had learned before. She even sensed danger within his words. "So… you're leaving Konoha?"
Anya confirmed, "Yes, but I promise I'll come back for you once I've accomplished my goal. Is that okay?"
Kurenai became lost. Suddenly, Anya felt unfamiliar to her. The boy who once followed her to learn genjutsu, the cheerful young man who once carried her to school and affectionately called her "Miss Kurenai" — he was gone.
He was now the Commander of Anbu, with his own ideals and ambitions. So what did that make her?
Finally, Kurenai bravely asked, "Anya, do you love me? Not just like, but truly love — deeply, passionately?"
"I…" For a moment, Anya found himself unable to speak. Facing the girl's courage, his calm completely vanished.
"Kurenai, perhaps I do..."
"Never mind, don't say anything."
Kurenai Yuhi stopped Anya from speaking, tears streaming down her face.
"I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes." Kurenai Yuhi left these words behind, wiped away her tears, and turned to leave, leaving Anya standing there feeling lost.
Great love finds no long life; deep feelings weigh too heavily to carry.
Anya gave herself a bitter smile. Haku's death pierced her heart like a needle piercing flesh, causing her to instinctively resist emotions from the outside world. That's why she let Tsunade go and avoided Kurenai Yuhi. Now that everything's out in the open, with no more attachments, alone in this world… maybe that's not so bad after all.
The day I achieve my goal, I'll reclaim everything I've lost. This is the belief I hold onto now.
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