"The mother and child are both in good condition. It's a boy."
Tsunade entered the slightly tidied-up delivery room to confirm Kakashi and the mother's situation with her own eyes but didn't stay long, exiting shortly after.
The mother needed rest now.
Haseo couldn't determine whether this newly born Kakashi was truly the Kakashi he knew—from a probabilistic standpoint, such matters are difficult to verify. However, ethically speaking, if Sakumo Hatake had named this child Kakashi, then of course it was indeed Kakashi… Hmm, that sounds like a tautology.
Plus, Haseo figured that in a few years, this kid would fully grow into "Five-Five Kakashi" [his future nickname].
"Not bad—a white-haired child," Tsunade remarked afterward.
"Well, even if he had black hair, it might just be inherited from his mom…"
Haseo added instinctively, though… this addition was completely unnecessary.
Tsunade shot him a look full of indescribable meaning before casually saying, "From a genetic standpoint, it doesn't matter much, but morally speaking, paternal traits always seem more convincing."
Haseo stared at his nose, then looked inwardly at himself, thinking, I don't understand what she means. There are plenty of black-haired people in this world—for example, Orochimaru.
Anyway, it has absolutely nothing to do with me.
This is entirely Sakumo Hatake's business.
"I'll go send a message to inform Sakumo."
Haseo turned around and left immediately, fearing this woman might trouble him further… Could it be that Tsunade, having been emotionally moved, secretly envied Sakumo for starting a family? Unlikely.
He stepped into another room, lit a lamp, and took out a sheet of paper and a brush before beginning to write.
"Sakumo, hope this letter finds you well... No need for formalities. The delivery mission has successfully concluded. It's a boy. Both the child and Tsumiki Nono are doing great."
Yeah, keep it short and to the point. As for how Tsumiki Nono sweated profusely during childbirth, how her long hair stuck to her flushed face, how her damp clothes became semi-transparent, clinging to her skin, how her chest rose and fell with each breath—well, Haseo hadn't seen any of that, so naturally he didn't describe those details.
Haseo tore off the note, rolled it up, then gave a whistle. Immediately, a falcon swooped down from above, flapped its wings, and landed on Haseo's outstretched forearm.
Clearly, this was a prepared means of communication. Sakumo Hatake had not yet reached the level where he could forget his family entirely and devote himself solely to fighting for Konoha.
Haseo inserted the note into a small bamboo tube attached to the falcon's claw, sealed it, then lifted his arm to release the bird. The falcon shot into the night sky… This time, Uzumaki Shikou wasn't by Haseo's side, so no one stopped him from writing a letter with such a strong personal flair.
Sakumo Hatake would surely receive this message soon. At first glance, he'd probably feel extremely joyful—but the longer he pondered, the more suspicious he would become.
Read between the lines—it's a message worth rereading.
"Have we sent the message already? It's getting late—we'd better go."
"With someone to take care of things at the Hatake household, what a new mother needs most now is rest."
Before long, Tsunade came over to inform Haseo it was time to leave.
They wouldn't stay overnight, of course. Now that things were sorted out, sticking around wouldn't help—it'd only cause trouble.
"Yeah, I understand," Haseo replied with a nod.
The two left and headed home.
This was the closest Haseo had ever been to witnessing childbirth in both of his lifetimes. So Tsumiki Nono's cries of pain echoed continuously in his ears, leaving his nerves somewhat shaken. That night, he tossed and turned restlessly, unable to fall asleep.
Luckily, Tsunade was a medical ninja who'd even studied some psychology. She patiently accommodated Haseo's condition, softly murmuring comforting words to him. Only after her combined physical and mental support was he finally able to drift into deep sleep.
It goes to show that even the strongest people have moments of vulnerability and weakness.
...
Naturally, Kakashi's birth wasn't anything particularly significant, and at this moment in time, Konoha wouldn't change because of one infant's arrival.
But Kakashi's birth did give Haseo a solid reason to remain in Konoha a bit longer—taking care of his good friend's pregnant wife was a heartwarming-sounding excuse. However… looking after her before delivery made sense, but surely Haseo wouldn't need to continue caring for someone during her postpartum period, right?
Thus the next day, Haseo met with Tsunade and Orochimaru to receive an audience with the Third Hokage. These people indeed should return to the battlefield soon enough.
Inside the Hokage's office.
Since the passing of Mito Uzumaki, the Third Hokage seemed somehow more aged than before… although this could possibly just be Haseo's imagination. Anyway, he hadn't really paid close attention to how exactly the Third acted on a regular basis.
"Orochimaru, are you adapting well now?"
Sarutobi asked first.
The question sounded vague, yet everyone present understood precisely what was implied. Both Haseo and Tsunade fixed their gazes upon Orochimaru simultaneously.
"I'm perfectly fine now, Sensei Sarutobi. In fact, I can already use a small portion of that power." Orochimaru answered with a slight smile creeping across his face.
Controlling the Nine-Tails turned out to be much easier than Orochimaru had expected, but he didn't seem all that bothered by it. Of course—he always saw himself as a genius. Maybe his chakra just happened to get along surprisingly well with the beast's.
If Haseo had known about that smug little thought, he probably would've punched the smirk right off Orochimaru's face.
"That's good news," the Third Hokage remarked, exchanging a meaningful glance with Haseo without betraying his emotions.
Clearly, once divided and stripped of its overwhelming size, the Nine-Tails had become more obedient—"as responsive as one's own limbs."
Then the Third continued, "Therefore, you've stayed in the village long enough. It's time for you to return to the Front Line…"
One was toying with the Nine-Tails' chakra in Konoha, another was being spoiled rotten, while poor Jiraiya alone had to endure the hardships at the Front Line.
"Lately there might be new developments at the Front Line. Returning will allow you to prepare in advance, just in case."
Tsunade and Orochimaru both nodded in agreement. Naturally, they had no objections to such an arrangement. After being idle for so long, it was time for them to get back to work.
"As for you, Haseo, since Lady Mito's matter has been settled, you've already had some rest. Now the Front Line urgently needs a fighter like you."
From the funeral of Mito Uzumaki until another man's wife had given birth, Haseo indeed enjoyed a good period of relaxation—even though he'd simply shifted his previous daytime burdens to nighttime ones.
What can you do? He's just born with a workhorse kind of fate.
"I get it, Hokage-sama. Just let me know who to target—dead or crippled, right?"
Haseo voiced his support enthusiastically. Clearly, he wasn't just looking to loosen up—he was really eager to jump into action.
But hearing those words, the Third Hokage felt a chill run down his spine. This guy being overly enthusiastic was never a good sign.
"The thing is, I intend to transfer you to the Western Front as well..."
"The Western Front? Going to the Land of Rain instead of heading north?"
This time, Haseo was genuinely surprised.
"In the north, Sakumo Hatake's been doing just fine."
The Third Hokage thought that keeping small skirmishes going with Kumo, maintaining mutual understanding, and exercising restraint to control the scale of war was going rather well. However, if Haseo headed north, he would surely shatter this tacit understanding and balance completely.
Therefore, yes, he needed to keep him restrained.
Ah, impulse always spells trouble.
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