Chaoter 27: Prelude to the Nine-Tails Attack
Five days later
The dark red sunset shone diagonally on the four statues of the Hokage Rock, Konoha's iconic landmark, making them appear somewhat desolate. By this time, the rush of people leaving work had passed, and while the bustle of the night market was just beginning, the streets felt rather empty.
At the end of the street, two figures, one old and one young, were slowly walking toward the outskirts of the Village.
The young woman had the signature red hair of her clan. Even though she was heavily pregnant and her steps were slightly heavy, she still couldn't hide her vigorous vitality. The elderly woman beside her looked solemn, scanning the surroundings with a vigilant gaze.
"Kushina, your delivery is the Village's highest secret."
Sarutobi Biwako, the wife of the Third Hokage, lowered her voice and said, "If we run into any acquaintances during the transfer, try to avoid them and don't stop for small talk."
Uzumaki Kushina scratched her head awkwardly. "Right, right. Sorry about that, Biwako-sama."
"Also," Biwako paused, seemingly uneasy. "Since it's a secret, if you feel pain during the delivery, try not to scream too loudly to avoid drawing attention."
"Eh? Can you really give birth without screaming?" Kushina said with a long face. "Alright, then."
The two figures gradually disappeared into the depths of the twilight, their voices fading with the wind.
Meanwhile, in the "Ichiraku Ramen" shop by the street, two seemingly ordinary Konoha Ninja were sitting at the counter.
The Ninja on the left wore black-rimmed glasses and was eating so hard he was sweating; the Ninja on the right kept his head down, his chopsticks stuck in his bowl, where the ramen had already turned into a clumped mess, untouched.
"Phew—"
Yahiko put down the empty bowl and let out a long sigh of satisfaction, letting out a burp without any regard for his image. He pulled out a tissue, slowly wiped the corners of his mouth, a playful smile in his eyes.
"It's really delicious, boss. The broth is rich but not greasy, and the noodles are chewy. No wonder you've been open for so many years."
Yahiko, under the disguise of the Transformation Jutsu, looked just like a hungry Chunin who had just finished a mission. His sincere praise for the food made the owner, Ichiraku, beam with joy.
"Haha, you really know your stuff! Remember to come back often if you like it!" Ichiraku responded cheerfully while wiping a plate.
"Of course, as long as this shop is open, I'll come back often," Yahiko said with a meaningful smile, casually slapping several bills onto the table.
Sitting next to him, Obito's gaze had been fixed on the direction where Biwako and Kushina had disappeared. It wasn't until Ichiraku turned to the back kitchen to cut some char siu that he leaned in and lowered his voice.
"Yahiko, it looks like tonight is the time."
Obito's voice was low. "That woman has already left the Village. She should be heading to the Barrier cave outside the Village."
"I've already given you the locations of the Fourth Hokage's home and his office. We'll split up after this."
After saying that, Obito was about to stand up when a hand lightly pressed down on his shoulder.
"What should you call me?"
Hearing this, Obito's body stiffened, and his face under the Transformation Jutsu instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
"This is a mission. We're in the enemy's headquarters. Can you be serious?"
Yahiko turned his head, and in those ordinary-looking eyes, a heart-palpitating red light flashed. He rested his head on his hand, staring at Obito with a half-smile, his tone lazy yet carrying a bone-chilling coldness.
"Before the bet, you called me Yahiko, and I didn't hold it against you."
"But now, I won the bet, and you've joined the organization. So, Tobi, what should you call me now?"
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Obito took a deep breath and clenched his teeth, those two words forced out from between them:
"Leader."
"Heh, looks like you're not stupid."
Yahiko chuckled and released his hand from Obito's shoulder, as if the pressure from a moment ago was just an illusion.
He stood up, stretched, and looked out at the night sky, which had turned completely dark. In the distance, the Hokage Rock looked exceptionally solemn in the night, like four silent tomb guards.
"Go, Tobi."
Yahiko's voice became cold. "I expect you to bring back the Nine-Tailed. It's the cornerstone of the new world. Don't let me down."
"As for me..." A playful curve appeared at the corner of Yahiko's mouth. "Since I've come to Konoha, wouldn't it be a pity not to take a stroll through the Library?"
"Humph."
Obito snorted coldly and said no more. His body twisted and he disappeared from the spot.
"What an unlovable subordinate."
Yahiko shook his head, glanced at the boss, Ichiraku, who was still busy in the back kitchen, and said softly, "Goodbye, boss. I left the money on the table. Keep the change."
In the next second, his figure also vanished into thin air, leaving only a few bills with portraits on them on the table.
...Nightfall.
Outside Konoha Village, inside a hidden cave Barrier.
"Aaaaahhh!!"
A shrill scream broke the dead silence inside the cave, the sound echoing in the enclosed space, sending shivers down one's spine.
On the stone bed, Uzumaki Kushina was drenched in sweat, her once vibrant face now distorted by intense pain. Her hands gripped the bedsheets tightly, her knuckles turning white, and every breath sounded like a struggling bellows.
"It hurts so much!!"
Minato Namikaze, the "yellow flash" who struck terror into the hearts of enemies on the battlefield, was now at a loss. He was maintaining the Seal formula on Kushina's abdomen, his golden hair soaked with sweat and sticking to his forehead.
"Kushina, hang in there! Push harder! I can see the baby's head!"
Biwako was kneeling at the foot of the bed, fully focused on the delivery, her hands covered in blood, her voice urgent and firm.
Minato looked at Kushina's expression, which was twisted in pain, and felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart. This strong woman, who usually wouldn't make a sound even if she were injured, was now screaming so miserably.
"This is the first time I've seen Kushina scream in pain like this," Minato's voice was a bit dry. "Is it really going to be okay like this?"
Biwako didn't look back and snapped, "Don't worry! Just focus on keeping an eye on the Nine-Tailed Seal!"
"But..." Minato looked at Kushina's body, arched in pain, his eyes full of heartache and panic. "That..."
"No buts!"
Biwako suddenly turned her head and gave the young Hokage a sharp glare. "You're the Fourth Hokage! How can you look so panicked? A man might die from this kind of pain, but women are much stronger than you lot!"
Just then, the Seal Runes on Kushina's abdomen suddenly fluctuated violently, and a surge of dark red Chakra leaked out like boiling lava.
The Nine-Tailed sensed the extreme weakness of the Jinchuriki, and its will, full of hatred and tyranny, was frantically battering the gates of the Seal.
Minato's expression changed, and he immediately increased the output of Chakra, his hands forming Seals to suppress the restlessness. "Dammit, the Nine-Tailed is struggling to come out. We must hold on!"
He looked at his wife's face and prayed silently in his heart: "Hang in there, Kushina! Hang in there, Naruto!"