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Qianyu, Kushina Uzumaki, and their newborn son, Uzumaki Cang M, basked in the warm, quiet happiness of a new family within the confines of the ninja hospital room.
Miyuki Uzumaki had come to offer her congratulations and to see the baby.
She stopped at the doorway. The scene inside—Kushina, Qianyu, and their child, a perfect picture of harmonious joy—made her breath catch. Her eyes dropped to the infant in her own arms, little Naruto. A pang of something sharp and sorrowful twisted in her chest. Without a word, she took a step back, turned, and left the hospital.
She walked home, holding Naruto close.
One street over, a group of villagers chattered, their voices carrying.
"You hear about it? That 'child of calamity' born the night the Nine-Tails attacked. Wonder who it is?" "Of course! Everyone's talking. It's terrifying. What if that child turns into the Nine-Tails again? The Fourth is gone. Who's gonna stop it now?" "Lord Qianyu could." "Maybe, maybe not. The Fourth and Lord Qianyu were both there last time, and the village still got wrecked. With just Lord Qianyu alone… it's dicey." "I say the Third Hokage should find that cursed child and lock it up." "Locking it up isn't safe. A child of calamity shouldn't be allowed to live at all!"
Miyuki froze. The color drained from her face.
Her pregnancy and delivery had been top secret. Only a handful knew when Naruto was born. She never left home. She had no idea this vile rumor was spreading through Konoha.
If they found out Naruto was born that night…
She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. Her face went bone-white. She fled, practically running the rest of the way home.
Back in her house, Miyuki stared at Naruto in his crib, her expression grave.
Qianyu had guessed right. The moment Minato forced the Nine-Tails into her son, the seed of leaving Konoha had been planted in her heart.
She'd been undecided, torn. Where would they go? A life on the run, hunted, unstable—the same life she'd endured for so long. She wanted better for him.
But staying? She could picture it. The mobs. The hatred. The fear in their eyes directed at her baby.
Her fingers gently brushed Naruto's soft cheek. The decision, once a nebulous fear, crystallized into cold, hard resolve.
They had to leave. Konoha was a cage of daggers pointed at her son.
A flicker of relief. She wasn't the helpless girl she once was. Her sealing arts were precise, powerful. She'd mastered Wind and Water Release techniques. They could make it. Find a land without ninja, without tailed beasts, without this cursed legacy.
She took a deep, steadying breath.
But leaving wouldn't be easy. As Konoha's precious jinchūriki vessel, she and Naruto were under constant watch. Her sensory ability, the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, pulsed outwards. Five chakra signatures. Hidden. Circling her home.
She needed a plan. A good one.
Two days later, Qianyu and Kushina brought their son home from the hospital.
Upstairs, Kushina nursed Cang M. Downstairs in the living room, Qianyu offered tea to Orochimaru.
"My congratulations, Qianyu," Orochimaru said, his voice a smooth, dry rustle. "A new chapter begins."
In unusually high spirits, Qianyu allowed himself a slight smirk. "Any plans to start a new chapter yourself, Sensei?"
Orochimaru considered this with academic seriousness. "Not presently. If the notion ever arises, I believe I would prefer to… engineer a child. Scientifically."
Qianyu's eyebrow quirked. He had a vague, future memory of Orochimaru doing exactly that.
A faint smile touched his lips. "Sensei. It seems your teacher has chosen a moment when we are both present. A reminder. A warning."
He'd sensed Hiruzen Sarutobi's approach. He'd already told Orochimaru about Kakashi's report. Orochimaru's reaction was exactly as expected: utter, profound indifference.
Orochimaru sipped his tea. "I almost wish he would act directly. It would provide a convenient excuse to leave this noisy village. Find a quiet place for my research."
Qianyu chuckled softly. "Sentimental, Sensei. You still have feelings for this place."
"For the village? No." Orochimaru set his cup down. "For him? He was my teacher for many years. To claim no sentiment exists would be a lie."
A knock sounded at the door.
Qianyu rose and opened it. "Third Hokage!" he said, feigning surprise. "To what do we owe the honor?"
Hiruzen's face was a mask of grandfatherly kindness. "I heard the happy news about Kushina. Came to offer my congratulations and see the new arrival."
"You shouldn't have troubled yourself!" Qianyu replied, the picture of humble deference. "We should have brought Cang M to pay our respects to you."
Little fox, Hiruzen thought, his eye twitching almost imperceptibly. His act is better than mine. Waiting for Qianyu to visit him? He'd be waiting forever.
"Nonsense," Hiruzen said warmly. "Your place is with your family now. A short walk is no trouble for an old man." He peered past Qianyu. "Is that Orochimaru? How fortunate."
Hiruzen stepped inside, his smile unwavering.
Orochimaru stood. "Sarutobi-sensei."
"Orochimaru. Good to see you out and about. You spend too much time cooped up in your labs."
Qianyu gestured to a seat. "Please, make yourself comfortable, Lord Third. I'll bring Cang M to meet you."
He slipped into the bedroom. Kushina had just finished feeding Cang M; the baby was already asleep, content. She'd heard everything. With a gentle smile, she carefully passed their son to Qianyu.
"I'll bring him back soon," Qianyu whispered.
Kushina nodded. "Go on."
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