It had been a while since they met with Kurenai Yuhi. During this time, Jiraiya spent nearly every day with Anya, going over battle strategies and reviewing in detail how she fought against Orochimaru.
Anya was nearly driven crazy by his persistence. Finally, she issued a clear order: they would depart immediately and discuss plans along the way. In short, just one rule—adapt on the fly.
After securing Minato's approval, Anya set off immediately, with Jiraiya close behind, both making their way toward the Grass Village.
At Minato's home, two guests had arrived—Hiruzen Sarutobi and his wife.
Hiruzen wore a serious expression as he spoke to Minato and Kushina: "Kushina, there's something I must clarify with you. Just like with Lady Mito before you, during childbirth the Nine-Tails' seal nearly broke. To prepare for any possibility, I must humbly ask you to give birth within a barrier located slightly outside the village."
Minato looked at Kushina with deep concern and said, "As for the seal, I will be by your side when you give birth."
Hiruzen continued, "Minato, Anbu's Tobushi, and my wife Biwako will accompany you. This must all be done in secrecy, and my personal Anbu guards will also provide protection."
Biwako stepped forward and said, "Kushina, I'll accompany you there."
"All right, thank you."
As they walked along the road, Kushina noticed Mikoto holding Sasuke and instinctively stepped closer. "Is it a girl?" she asked.
Mikoto smiled. "It's a boy."
"He's so adorable. What's his name?" Kushina clearly took a liking to the child.
Mikoto gently replied, "Sasuke."
Beside her, Biwako added, "Named after the Third Hokage."
"Yes," Mikoto nodded. "I hope he becomes a truly amazing and strong ninja someday. Kushina, you're close to giving birth too. You should decide on a name early."
"I've already chosen," Kushina said. "His name is Naruto. I hope he and Sasuke become classmates and get along well."
Inside the Hokage's office, Minato looked over the scroll on the desk with a warm, serene smile before addressing an Anbu below him: "Thank you for your efforts these past days, Kakashi. Your protective duties were executed flawlessly. Now that Kushina has moved to the secret location to prepare for childbirth, your mission is over."
"Is it truly over?" Kakashi murmured, somewhat lost in thought. The time he spent guarding his sensei's wife had allowed him to slowly witness the miracle of life's birth. A ray of warmth had entered his once-cold heart, healing it slightly—exactly the reason why Minato had entrusted Kakashi with this mission.
As he walked down the road, Kakashi stopped by a flower shop and bought a few bouquets. With a wooden bucket filled with fresh water, he headed toward the cemetery.
Standing before Rin Nohara's grave, Kakashi took out a towel and wiped away the dust on the stone. Then he placed the freshly bought flowers into the vase in front of the gravestone.
"I'm sorry... It's been far too long. Please believe me, I never meant to forget you."
Although Rin's final moments had carved a permanent scar into Kakashi's soul, the bond between the three of them was something he could never erase.
"There's something I want to tell you. It's still confidential for now. Master Minato's child will be born soon. This generation will be born into a time of peace. If only we could have been born a little later..."
A trace of melancholy passed over Kakashi's face as he picked up the bucket and said, "I'll go tell Obito about it too."
Not long after Kakashi left, a man wearing a spiral-patterned orange mask approached Rin's grave. He suddenly yanked the flowers out of the vase and flung them to the ground.
After finishing this, he murmured, "Nine-Tails, the seal will weaken to its lowest point during childbirth. This is our chance."
"That won't work," a voice came from underground. "Madara warned before leaving that we must wait until that person completely leaves Konoha to begin our plan. His Mangekyo has a flaw. That period is when he's weakest. It's more critical to deal with him first."
Obito scoffed, "What? Is a descendant of a fallen clan really worth Madara's attention?"
"He isn't an ordinary descendant. Nearly twenty thousand allied forces from the four great ninja villages were nearly wiped out on his own."
Upon hearing this, the masked man's only remaining eye also became heavy. However, soon, his eye burned with hatred again. "It's just another Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. Does he really think he's invincible?"
Hearing this, the voice from underground fell silent completely. He knew the masked man's resolve was set and didn't try to persuade further.
Jiraiya followed Anya to the Grass Village. After taking a complicated route, they stopped in front of an underground cold cave.
"Are you certain this is Orochimaru's new stronghold?" Jiraiya looked doubtful at the shabby appearance.
Anya shook her head. "It's just a guess based on what we found at the last stronghold. If Orochimaru were that easy to find, I wouldn't have been chasing him for six months."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement, saying, "The entrance seems to be here. Let's send a small creature to scout ahead."
[Summoning Jutsu]
A wisp of light smoke appeared, and a small toad was summoned.
"Gamakichi, help us investigate, okay? I'm counting on you."
The small toad readily agreed, "No problem at all."
There was nothing unusual at the entrance. The two followed the toad and slowly walked inside.
Frowning, Jiraiya said, "This doesn't look like an inhabited place. Could we be mistaken?"
Anya casually replied, "Then let's check the next location."
"Haha, no need. We've come this far," Jiraiya laughed casually. "Better to be thorough."
After walking down a long corridor, two paths diverged ahead.
"What do you think? Should we each take one?" Anya suggested.
Jiraiya nodded and said, "It seems we have no choice. Which way will you take?"
"Right," Anya immediately chose a direction without hesitation and walked in.
Jiraiya's eyes flickered with hesitation for a moment. Finally, he sighed quietly and followed the path Anya had taken.
Not far along the path, Jiraiya stepped on a floor tile that sank slightly. Immediately, many runes lit up around the walls, and a transparent barrier appeared out of nowhere on the ground.
Oh no, it's an ambush.
Before Jiraiya could even make a hand seal, his entire body completely vanished from the corridor.
Anya and Orochimaru stepped out from the shadows.
"How'd you know he'd follow you in?" Orochimaru asked curiously.
Anya replied naturally, "He suspects me."
Orochimaru smiled with interest. "Oh? In that case, won't his suspicion of you deepen further?"
"Suspicion isn't evidence. It doesn't matter," Anya said, unwilling to waste time playing cat-and-mouse with Jiraiya. She then asked, "Uncle, where did your space-time barrier send him? Can it keep him busy for a bit?"
"Hmph. Let him contribute something to the Ninja World," Orochimaru said casually. "Back when you had me set up the Four Red Yang Formation, I slipped another barrier in at the same time."
Anya couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Taka."
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