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"Haori, do you know what day it is today?"
A few months ago, the Third Hokage stepped down, Minato Namikaze officially took office, and the Yellow Flash finally became the Fourth Hokage. This happened faster than Minato had expected. After all, he was only twenty-four years old.
But although Minato was now in the spotlight, the Third Hokage's influence was still being felt.
"Today? Kushina-sensei, there's nothing special about today."
At the same time, Kushina would soon give birth to a boy named Naruto.
Although Minato and Kushina didn't know that yet.
"It can't be denied that you're a very smart person, Haori. But why do your reflexes and memory sometimes go offline? It really makes me wonder if there's something wrong…" Although she said this, Kushina showed a gentle smile.
People's changes can be witnessed firsthand. Even the closest people, Kushina wouldn't have had this kind of expression before.
"Haori, happy sixteenth birthday."
"…"
"Speaking of which, is it today?"
Then, it was Upper白石 Haori's sixteenth birthday.
But at this time, Haori didn't care about this kind of thing.
There were many things that occupied his mind, but clearly remembering his birthday wasn't one of them.
"What kind of reaction is that? Sixteen is an important day in life. You should be happier." Kushina, in the past, would have scolded Haori more for his lack of self-concern. But now, she was just advising him.
"I'm happy enough. Thank you, Kushina-sensei."
He was truly happy enough. After all, there were still people who remembered his birthday and would say happy birthday to him… when he had forgotten about it himself.
"Here you go."
"What is it?"
"A gift. A birthday gift… I really don't know what you're busy with every day. You've been spacing out a lot lately. Midlife crisis? Are you already becoming an old man at sixteen?"
"I've been busy thinking about life lately." Haori took the gift from Kushina and said casually.
But sixteen is indeed the first step, the first step on the path to becoming an old man.
For Haori, Kushina didn't need to know what he was doing lately.
"Can this kind of jutsu be sealed?"
It was a very practical gift. After all, Haori is a ninja, so the gift he received was still something with a distinct ninja characteristic.
"Of course, it can. Although it took a lot of effort." Kushina said.
Haori's sealing jutsu was taught by Kushina after all. As a member of the Uzumaki clan, her own proficiency in sealing jutsu goes without saying. Things that ordinary people can't do, she can do with just a little effort.
"This way, you can be more relaxed when you face some enemies, right? Considering your apparent constitution that attracts certain things, I think you might need this."
"Yeah, it'll definitely be a big help. But… time's up. Sensei, we should go for a walk." Haori put the gift away carefully and said to Kushina.
In other words, the topic of his birthday was over. After all, it wasn't really an important thing.
Seeing Haori like this, Kushina wouldn't delve into this matter. Although she wasn't thinking the same thing as Haori. In her opinion, Haori was an orphan after all. He probably didn't want to talk much about his birthday. It had been like that in previous years.
She felt empathy for Haori, although it wasn't true.
"You're too stiff. Don't be so mechanical about everything you do." So, she said, following along.
Although she said this, Kushina was still getting up.
Her pregnant belly made it difficult for her to move. Haori quickly helped her.
"It's not a matter of being mechanical. According to the professional book, 'Prenatal and Postpartum Care for Ninjas,' you should get moderate exercise during this period."
"Is there a professional book like that? Why haven't I heard of it? And… what kind of books do you read?"
"Actually… there's no such book yet. But I'm going to write one myself based on my experience taking care of pregnant women. To benefit the countless women of Konoha."
"It's one of my life goals."
"Your life goals are really grand." Kushina rolled her eyes. "But if there really is a book with that title published, please anonymize the pregnant woman you're taking care of. I don't want to become the object of emulation for the countless women of Konoha…"
"Understood. I respect the privacy of ninjas."
The two joked as they walked out of the house. Kushina was in front, and Haori was behind.
Haori's current task was to act as Kushina's bodyguard during her pregnancy. This job was undoubtedly the most suitable for him, as her disciple.
But he looked like he was wearing casual clothes for staying at home. He didn't look like a cautious bodyguard at all. Instead, he looked a bit lazy.
Even if he was nervous, it was Haori's own reaction. He wouldn't show this emotion to Kushina outwardly. Even in something as simple as clothing.
On the street, there were many people at this time. Kushina walked slowly, stopping from time to time. Scenes that didn't attract her before now caught her eye.
For pregnant women, children, especially babies, are very attractive. So, Kushina would occasionally chat with people who had children with them.
In this situation, most of the time, Haori would just silently follow behind Kushina. He wouldn't disturb her activities. If the people talking to Kushina looked at him, he would smile.
Just like now.
"Speaking of which, what's the child's name?"
"I haven't introduced him yet. His name is Sasuke."
Hmm… Hmm?
Wait, what? Sasuke… Haori knows that name.
"Sasuke-kun, so cute."
He is pretty cute. It's hard to imagine that he'll be a chuunin teenager later.
"He already has an older brother who's five years older than him. He really likes his younger brother."
"Older brother? When my child is born, he'll have an older brother too." Kushina replied, although this older brother didn't seem like the kind of person who would like children.
That's true. Haori doesn't really like little kids.
"When is the due date?"
Kushina was about to answer, but Haori said first, "Sorry, ma'am. The due date for the Fourth Hokage's wife is top secret. I can't reveal it."
Haori looked smiling, and his tone was soft, but his meaning was clear, and his eyes were a bit strange.
The other person's behavior might have just been a casual question, but as long as there was a slight possibility that it wasn't just a casual question, the due date couldn't be revealed.
Many problems arise from these kinds of casual questions. The time when the Nine-Tails' seal weakens, that absolutely cannot be revealed.
"Is that so? I apologize. I slipped up." Uchiha Mikoto expressed her apology sincerely. Her expression was natural, as if she didn't have any ulterior motives.
But Haori still had his doubts. In terms of proportion, about forty percent of ninjas are acting masters. Appearances don't mean anything.
Especially since this person is an Uchiha. Theoretically, the Sharingan has the ability to control tailed beasts. And the Uchiha clan isn't very well-liked in Konoha. What's hidden in the darkness, Haori doesn't know, but he knows that a lot is hidden.
A lot, a lot.
The two talked for a while, then Uchiha Mikoto left with her chuunin son. Kushina continued to walk around with Haori.
"Haori, you're being too cautious, aren't you?"
Haori remained silent.
Was he being too cautious?
"When this child is born, you'll be responsible for teaching him ninjutsu." Kushina naturally understood Haori's thoughts, so she didn't dwell on his reaction. Instead, she said spontaneously, "That's right."
"Well… if this child's learning ability is at least half of mine."
"Then, there's no problem. Genetically, he'll be a smart child."
Kushina, are you really that optimistic about the intelligence of your future child? Saying that kind of thing is very easy to get slapped in the face by reality.
In Haori's impression, it seemed that Naruto wasn't the kind of ninja who could understand things quickly.
In every sense.
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