The Ruins of Land of Whirlpools
After Tobirama's departure, Hakuryu returned to the site once more.
He walked into the underground space beneath the shrine.
The concealment seals on the walls had already deactivated.
The glass container was now empty, and the lifeless body of a White Zetsu lay on the ground.
"So this was where it was hidden all along," he murmured softly.
"How long can you keep hiding?"
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
Without hesitation, he melded into the ground and disappeared.
Moments after his departure, several figures entered the underground space, led by none other than Hyuga Hakumen, a personal guard of the Hokage.
"This is definitely the place," Hakumen assessed, scanning the surroundings before issuing orders to the Anbu operatives.
"Search thoroughly. Don't overlook a single clue."
Hidden underground, Hakuryu observed them silently, his gaze lingering on Hakumen for a long time.
Eventually, he left without a sound.
Meanwhile, Hakumen and his team searched the underground space meticulously but found nothing.
The seals on the walls were no longer operational.
Beyond the shrine, several other Anbu operatives were dispatched throughout the ruins, questioning residents about any sightings of ninja or unusual occurrences.
Unfortunately, they found nothing.
.......
Inside the Hokage Residence
Ayari personally brought a bowl of porridge and set it down in front of Mikoto.
"Give it a try — it's highly nutritious."
Mikoto accepted it helplessly, gazing at the surface of the soup where oil and rare ingredients floated.
She took a sip.
Even when she was pregnant with Itachi, she hadn't been treated this attentively.
Itachi, holding Neji in his arms, sat nearby with Kushina, both staring intently as Mikoto drank the soup.
Kushina couldn't help but say, "Is there any more? I'd like to try some too."
Ayari shot her a glance. "Nope. These ingredients are rare; I had to rely on some wealthy merchants to get them."
Kushina pouted in disappointment.
Ayari added, "If you get pregnant too, I'll have Makoto source some more."
Kushina acted as though she hadn't heard, turning her head away.
Although the soup was nutritious, it probably didn't taste great judging by Mikoto's reluctant expression as she drank it.
Itachi spoke up, "Kaa-san, drink it all so you can give me a healthy baby sister."
Kushina chuckled. "Weren't you always asking for a younger brother?"
Itachi replied matter-of-factly, "I already have Neji as a younger brother, so this time I want a sister."
Kushina teased, "Aren't you greedy?"
As she spoke, she playfully pinched Itachi's little cheek.
Itachi frowned in protest: "Aunt Kushina, I'm already a Chunin! You can't treat me like this anymore!"
Kushina reached out with both hands to pinch his cheeks. "I don't care; I'll pinch anyway!"
Little Neji, cradled in Itachi's arms, was thoroughly amused by the scene, clapping his hands and laughing.
Mikoto had finished half of the soup but finally paused, turning to Kushina. "Do you want to try it?"
Kushina glanced at Ayari. "Forget it. I wouldn't want to upset certain people."
Ayari merely shot her a glare in response.
Mikoto tilted her head back and finished the nutritious soup in one go, letting out a long sigh. "What a punishment."
Pregnancy was something that couldn't be hidden.
It didn't take long for her son to find out.
And once he knew, word spread throughout the Uchiha clan.
Considering the timeline of Fugaku's departure, the public narrative was that the child belonged to Fugaku, which didn't raise any suspicions.
Many clan members even came to visit Mikoto, bringing gifts.
However, what worried Mikoto most was the possibility that the child would be born with a pair of Byakugan.
If that happened, everything would be exposed.
Yet she couldn't go against Makoto's wishes.
Since moving next door to the Hokage Residence, Ayari had constantly summoned her over and assigned people to serve her.
At first, when Ayari gave her the cold shoulder, Mikoto had assumed it was the end of their friendship.
But now it seemed that wasn't the case.
The two women acted as if nothing had happened, silently understanding the current situation without speaking of it.
Mikoto sympathized with Ayari, who had to endure her husband's numerous wives and concubines.
Uncertain about what the future held, Mikoto could only take things one step at a time.
Itachi was playing around with little Neji when Kushina joined in.
He suddenly asked, "Aunt Kushina, when are you going to get married and have a child?"
Kushina immediately smacked him on the head. "Why is a kid worrying about so much?"
"But you're friends with my mom and Aunt Ayari, right? Now you're the only one who hasn't gotten married or had a kid."
Kushina glared at him. "Mind your own business, or I'll beat you up."
Itachi wasn't afraid of her; he knew she was just bluffing.
This aunt always treated him like a three-year-old, even though he was already a Chunin.
........
Later that night.
As Kushina lay in bed, ready to sleep, she suddenly heard the door open.
There was no need to guess who it was—only one person would walk into her room at this hour without knocking.
She remained motionless as the blanket was lifted, and a figure climbed into the bed.
"Move over," the person said.
"..."
Kushina silently shifted to make space, followed by the rustling sound of them getting comfortable.
"Where's Ayari?" she asked.
"Resting."
"You're not leaving tonight?"
"Mm."
"Why don't you go to Ayano's?"
"She's not available."
"Heh..." Kushina suddenly chuckled softly.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Didn't Ayano always want a child? Seems like you're not up to the task."
"You're asking for it, aren't you? Want a spanking? Turn over!"
The sounds they made were barely audible, no more than soft sighs one might hear when admiring the distant night through an open window.
Kushina felt herself slipping into that half-familiar, half-strange world once again, a place devoid of any recognizable elements of the real world.
In that realm without reason, she had no choice but to keep moving forward, wandering deeper into the maze.
In the room, the only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall.
Kushina clung tightly to a pillow, resting her head on Makoto's arm.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, partially illuminating her body beneath the blanket.
Her vibrant red hair lay scattered across the bed.
Though her breathing was steady and even, her eyes remained open in the dark.
Suddenly, she asked, "What's today's date?"
"16th," Makoto replied in a deep, half-asleep voice.
"16th..."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing..." Kushina murmured. "I just realized... it's been four months for Mikoto."
"Mm."
"..."
The night passed quietly.
Kushina always liked to sleep in, only getting up when someone came to call her.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Neji standing on her bed, his bright, innocent eyes blinking curiously at her.
Kushina instinctively shrank back under the covers and muttered, "What time is it?"
Carrying Neji, Ayari answered, "Nine-thirty."
"No breakfast left?"
"My sister saved some for you."
"Tell Ayano-nee thanks for me."
Her long red hair fell over her face, spreading across the bed like a pool of blood.
Ayari said, "Hurry up and get up, or I'll have Natsu pull off your blanket."
She turned to leave the room with Neji in her arms but paused when she noticed the wastebasket filled with used tissues.
Turning back to the stunning woman on the bed, she asked, "It's the 17th today—still nothing?"
After a moment of silence, Kushina replied, "Being two days late is normal, right?"
Then she added, "You're quite attentive, huh..."
Ayari quipped, "Only Makoto is the one who doesn't care enough."
--------------
Exclusive access : All novel on paetron
Genshin impact Complete novel, Naruto birdcage Complete novel, Overlord Complete novel
From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny 200+ch, Genshin Impact Eerie Teyvat 100+ch
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz