Pregnant women are sensitive—Shūichi understood this well. With so many women around him, it was already hard enough for someone as strong-willed as Tsunade to accept the situation.
If not for his decisive and bold approach in the past, bypassing conventional methods, it would've been impossible to win her over. Using normal tactics, he'd have ended up empty-handed like Jiraiya.
A deep kiss, followed by a quick change of topic to their child, was enough to coax Tsunade back into a good mood. Together, they headed home for a late-night snack.
This time, instead of teleporting with the Flying Thunder God Technique, they strolled leisurely as a group of three.
One arm around Tsunade's waist and the other holding Shizune's hand—life didn't get more serene than this.
Jiraiya emerged from a pub with a bar hostess in tow, only to spot the scene. Startled, he quickly ducked into an alley and peeked out to watch.
Of course, Jiraiya was already aware of Tsunade's pregnancy, but seeing it now, he couldn't help but grumble, "Who would've thought Shūichi managed to pull it off? These young people nowadays… no respect for their elders!"
Still, looking at the smile on Tsunade's face, Jiraiya eventually laughed it off. "Well, I'm Jiraiya, the legendary toad sage! A hero, after all!"
With a hearty laugh, Jiraiya exited the alley and headed toward the village gates.
He planned to continue gathering material to write a masterpiece—a grand literary work that he'd present as a gift to Tsunade's child.
Surely, it would be a wonderfully surprising gift.
Although... it was a bit regretful that he couldn't deliver it personally.
---
After their late-night meal, Shūichi and the others strolled and chatted in the courtyard.
Gazing at the bright moon in the sky, Shūichi suddenly smiled and asked, "Do you all want to visit the moon?"
The women looked up in unison. Mei Terumi spoke first, "Shūichi, I remember you once said that the moon was created by the Sage of Six Paths using the Rinnegan's Chibaku Tensei to seal Kaguya Ōtsutsuki."
Shūichi nodded, and Asuka couldn't help but exclaim, "That's incredible!"
Tenka chuckled and said, "Since Shūichi sealed Kaguya, your strength should now rival that of the Sage of Six Paths. Does that mean you can also create a moon?"
Without hesitation, Shūichi nodded confidently. "Of course I can."
How could a man ever admit he couldn't?
Besides, he really could.
Tsunade, however, was sharper and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking if we want to visit the moon?"
Mei Terumi, well-informed as Mizukage, grinned and said, "Shūichi once mentioned that people live on the moon—the descendants of Hamura Ōtsutsuki, Kaguya's second son. They share the same lineage as the Hyūga Clan."
Hearing this, Tsunade looked at Shūichi and asked, "Are you planning to take control of the moon?"
Shūichi nodded. "The Ōtsutsuki Clan on the moon is also divided into a main family and branch family. However, due to differing interpretations of their ancestor Hamura Ōtsutsuki's will, a civil war broke out. The branch family eventually gathered all the Byakugan eyes to create the Tenseigan, an ocular ability rivaling the Rinnegan, and annihilated the main family."
Everyone was stunned by this revelation.
Tsunade's expression turned serious. "Differing interpretations?"
"Does it concern the shinobi world?"
Shūichi nodded. "When the Sage of Six Paths and his brother rebelled against their mother Kaguya, it was because they discovered the truth about the God Tree. After sealing Kaguya, they freed those trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, founded ninshū, and created the shinobi world."
"This is the origin of the legend that the Sage of Six Paths created the world."
"Hamura Ōtsutsuki chose to settle on the moon to stay with his mother while guarding her seal.
"In doing so, he was protecting the new world he and his brother had created, albeit in a different way."
"However, after Hamura's death, his descendants—specifically the branch family—misinterpreted his final wishes. They came to believe that the shinobi world created by the Sage of Six Paths was a failure, plagued by endless wars, and should be destroyed."
Mei Terumi was shocked. "That's… even more extreme than Madara Uchiha!"
"But even with an ocular power on par with the Rinnegan, they couldn't possibly destroy the shinobi world, could they?"
Shūichi gazed at the moon hanging high in the sky and said with a smile, "If the moon were to fall and crash into the shinobi world… the Earth wouldn't be destroyed, but most of the people in the shinobi world would perish."
The women were stunned, their foreheads beading with sweat.
Tsunade gritted her teeth. "They're… insane!"
Asuka asked worriedly, "Would they really go that far?"
Shūichi nodded.
The Ōtsutsuki clan on the moon was likely down to only two living members now.
Yet, to the shinobi world, they were still a ticking time bomb.
Shūichi didn't believe that just because he had dealt with Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki ahead of time, the father-and-son duo on the moon, Toneri and his father, would change their minds.
However, seeing the concern in everyone's eyes, Shūichi smiled and said, "Don't worry. Compared to Madara and Kaguya, the Ōtsutsuki on the moon are insignificant."
Hearing this, Tsunade and the others relaxed immediately.
After chatting for a while and aiding digestion, everyone headed inside to rest.
Shūichi finished tending to the fields before entering Tsunade's room. He embraced her from behind, gently caressing her belly.
Tsunade let out a small hum of protest but didn't kick the pervy man off the bed this time.
The night passed peacefully.
---
The morning training routine continued as usual.
After his morning exercises, Shūichi returned home to freshen up. Upon exiting the bathroom, he found Pakura dry-heaving over the sink.
Shūichi hurried over and gently patted her back. "Is this…?"
After rinsing her mouth, Pakura looked up, her face flushed. "I'm… not sure yet."
At that moment, Tenka appeared at the door, waving something in her hand with a grin. "Shūichi…"
Shūichi turned to look and was overjoyed. "Is it true?"
Tenka nodded with a smile before asking, "What's wrong with Pakura?"
Shūichi chuckled. "She's pregnant too."
He had already confirmed it with his medical skills—Pakura was indeed expecting.
Two pregnancies at once. Judging by the timing, it seemed likely that others would soon follow.
When the news reached the rest of the household, Asuka was filled with envy.
Even Konan couldn't help but glance repeatedly at Pakura's and Tenka's stomachs.
After all, she was no younger than Pakura.
As the elder, Nonō Yakushi was overjoyed. Smiling, she said, "Let's all head to the hospital later for a proper check-up."
"And Shūichi, you should inform the Fourth Hokage and request maternity leave for Tenka. While Root's work isn't overly strenuous, she is not a shinobi."
Shūichi readily agreed. "You're absolutely right, Director. A hospital check-up is best."
After breakfast, Shūichi escorted Tenka and Pakura to Konoha Hospital before heading to the Hokage's office to formally request leave.
When Minato Namikaze heard about the pregnancies, he froze for a moment before smiling. "It seems your plan to establish the Hoshita Clan will come to fruition very soon."
Shūichi teased, "Sensei, why don't you give Naruto a younger brother or sister? Maybe they'll even inherit Kushina-san's hair color!"
Minato chuckled. "Kushina has been considering it!"
Shūichi paused in surprise, then laughed. "In that case, Sensei, you better work hard!"
Minato quickly changed the subject. "By the way, about that nomination we discussed—the spots for the Kage representatives have been finalized."
"For the other candidates, do you have any suggestions?"
After a moment's thought, Shūichi replied, "Let the Alliance decide.
"For the first round, there's no need for too many. Seven people will suffice—that makes four three-person squads."
Minato nodded. "Once the list is confirmed, I'll have it sent to Root."
"And as for the Ōtsutsuki clan on the moon, when do you plan to deal with them? How many people will you take?"
Shūichi answered, "The Ōtsutsuki on the moon aren't an immediate concern. They can only destroy the shinobi world if they have the Tenseigan.
"Maybe I'll leave it for Naruto and the others to handle as part of their training."
Minato couldn't help but smile wryly. "Shūichi, even though you claim Naruto is the reincarnation of Asura and could reach the level of the First Hokage, I'm not as confident he'll get there."
Shūichi laughed. "Sensei, you don't have enough faith in us."
Bang!
The office door suddenly flew open, and Kushina Uzumaki walked in with her hands on her hips. "Shūichi's right! With our guidance, Naruto will surpass the Hokage!"
Minato smiled awkwardly and quickly tried to explain. "Um… Kushina, that's not what I meant.
"Of course Naruto will be outstanding. It's just that giving him a rival on par with Madara Uchiha might be a bit much."
Shūichi shook his head helplessly. Sensei, you're really good at shifting blame!
As expected, Kushina Uzumaki immediately gave Shūichi a wary look. "Naruto is still young. Shūichi, don't you dare try anything reckless."
"Absolutely not," Shūichi replied before quickly making his exit.
Feeling something was off, Kushina turned to her husband and asked, "What was Shūichi doing here so early?"
Minato Namikaze chuckled. "Tenka and Pakura are both pregnant. Shūichi came by to request maternity leave for Tenka."
Kushina gasped in surprise. "Wow!
"At this rate, Shūichi will have at least three kids soon, right?"
"It looks like Kakashi and the others need to step up their game."
Minato could only smile wryly at her remark.
How can that even compare?
Shūichi had multiple women to begin with.
At that moment, Kushina added, "If Tenka is going on leave, should we assign another assistant to help Shūichi at Root?"
Minato nodded. "I was already considering that.
"With the training program Shūichi mentioned set to start soon, he'll need someone to handle more routine tasks for him."
"But I haven't decided on the right candidate yet."
Kushina grinned. "I know just the person for the job."
Minato thought for a moment and hesitantly guessed, "Could it be… Anko?"
Kushina snapped her fingers. "Bingo!"
Minato hesitated. "Would that really work?
"Anko seems…"
Kushina cut him off, "Which is exactly why we should give her this chance! Besides, Shūichi is someone reliable enough to entrust her to."
Minato's eyelid twitched. Kushina, your double standards are something else.
Seeing his expression, Kushina huffed lightly. "Well, do you have a better candidate in mind?"
With a helpless smile, Minato gave in. "Alright, Anko it is."
It's such a minor issue—there's no way I'm arguing with Kushina over this.
(End of Chapter)
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