The long-awaited day for Kushina and Minato Namikaze finally arrived.
Kushina, heavily pregnant, had already left Konoha Village at dusk, escorted by her Hokage husband. It must be said, Flying Thunder God is fast.
The couple, accompanied by Sarutobi Biwako, the Third Hokage's wife and midwife, and Taji, arrived at a barrier located far outside Konoha Village.
To put it nicely, this was for secrecy; to put it badly... this was also to prevent the worst-case scenario—the Nine-Tails breaking free—a necessary measure.
And so, there, Kushina began her labor, beginning the first thing a mother should do.
Meanwhile, Obito, at this moment, was arriving in Konoha Village, facing the dim sunset. The tiger-striped mask on his face and his black hood radiated malevolence.
Through Zetsu's intelligence, he already knew that Minato and Kushina had left the village and knew their present location. There was a barrier there... but unfortunately, he had Kamui.
Looking at the familiar Konoha Village, with only a familiar yet hated face added to the Fire Shadow Rock... He had already made his plans and strategies. His present objectives were only two: reclaim the Nine-Tails and destroy Konoha Village. He had waited a long time for this day.
Rin... I will...
Obito disappeared after spiraling himself into the Kamui dimension. He wanted to pay respects to Rin again before taking action.
Fang Wuwei had only just caught a fleeting glimpse of Wuwei before immediately averting his gaze. He wasn't foolish; looking for too long would likely draw attention, and he waited until Wuwei left.
However, since Obito was out, then... was the Reincarnation Team far behind?
"Maki, tonight you should hide far away, preferably leave the village."
"Huh? Master?"
Fang Wuwei swallowed the three-colored dango in his hand, casually tossing the skewer back. His expression serious, he instructed Ikenouchi Maki—her following him was already out of line, and he certainly couldn't let her die here. This wasn't a place she could afford to get involved in.
Seeing her master's grave expression, Ikenouchi Maki understood something... She nodded and quietly left.
Night gradually fell, the bright moon began to shine high, darkness swept across the sky, and was about to sweep across Konoha Village.
Somewhere outside the village, Kushina's long, painful wails resounded. This was a process every mother had to experience, a great process.
During Kushina's delivery, Minato was by her side the entire time, his face filled with worry and heartache. He knew his wife well; for such a strong person to scream so loudly, he couldn't imagine how much pain she was in.
Outside them was a barrier, guarded by countless Anbu. The Hokage himself was protecting them, along with dozens of elite Anbu, making it the highest level of protection.
But unfortunately... this was not enough to deal with Obito, with his elusive Kamui.
He had already taken a good look at Konoha Village. past memories surfaced repeatedly. When he looked again, they were already shattered like a reflection in water, leaving only a heart full of hatred... He had made up his mind; he could not turn back.
Following the intelligence, he arrived at Kushina's delivery location. It was a cave, not particularly secret, but surrounded by a barrier and guarded by several Anbu. There was only one entrance, making it the safest location.
From inside the cave came waves of painful wails and flickers of candlelight. Obito knew it was time.
The surrounding Anbu were as good as useless, completely unable to stop Obito's steps. Kamui was almost unresolvable, killing unseen...
After cleanly dispatching these mere soldiers, facing the barrier's guardians, his choice was...
To pass directly through the rock wall beneath the cave. The barrier was useless to him.
Inside the cave, the painful wails gradually ceased, accompanied by a cry. Kushina opened her tightly closed eyes and let out a long sigh, tears streaming down her face.
It was both pain and joy.
Minato, beside her, stared blankly at the yellow-haired child in Sarutobi Biwako's arms, lost in thought.
He was born...
Under the candlelight, the child was so adorable, tugging at his heartstrings.
Tears of excitement streamed down Minato's face. With trembling hands, he took his child from Sarutobi Biwako's arms, his face showing a gentle and loving gaze.
Reaching out to caress Naruto's small face, Minato gently placed the child beside Kushina, letting her see him clearly.
Though Kushina was utterly exhausted and weak, her gaze was fixed on Naruto. Even though Naruto was still crying incessantly, she felt a heart full of joy.
Naruto... I finally see you...
Every mother is so great.
Sarutobi Biwako took the still-crying Naruto away. Kushina should now relax and rest; the child could be with her temporarily.
Minato placed his hand on Kushina's, feeling her warmth and the softness in his hand, unable to help but worry.
"Kushina, are you alright?"
Though Kushina was extremely tired, seeing Minato's gentle and worried face made her feel as if her entire body was healed.
"Thank you..."
Minato was still sharing a tender moment with Kushina, while Wuwei, who had been lurking in the darkness for a long time, knew this was a good opportunity, an exceptionally good one.
After a brief tender moment, Minato lifted the clothing on Kushina's belly, revealing the Eight Trigrams Seal on her stomach. Due to childbirth, the seal's power had weakened, and the Nine-Tails had been restless... The immediate priority was to reinforce the seal and make the Nine-Tails completely obedient.
Having married into the Uzumaki clan, he naturally had the ability to learn the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu. Just as he placed his hand on Kushina's belly, preparing to reinforce the Four Symbols Seal, he heard a heart-wrenching scream from Sarutobi Biwako behind him.
"Lady Biwako! Taji!"
As soon as he turned around, he saw Sarutobi Biwako and her assistant lying in a pool of blood, instantly lifeless.
Wuwei took advantage of Minato still being immersed in the joy of becoming a father and the Nine-Tails not breaking the seal, and swiftly intercepted and killed the two, while also grabbing the still-crying Naruto as a hostage.
Holding Naruto with one hand, and placing his other hand near Naruto's face, Naruto was still crying in his swaddling clothes. Freshly born, he was now facing the gates of hell. This was the quickest moment for Naruto to reach its conclusion.
"Fourth Hokage Minato, immediately move away from the Jinchuriki... Otherwise, this child's life will only be one minute!"
Kushina and Minato's faces showed shock and anger. Minato's joy-addled mind immediately sobered. He began to ponder how this mysterious masked man had passed through the barrier here, and who this guy truly was...
An enemy? An Anbu from an opposing village? Or a traitor?
As their attention focused on Wuwei, Kushina began to scream. The Eight Trigrams Seal on her belly started to spread, climbing onto her face. A sudden pain in her abdomen made Kushina let out a suppressed shriek.
A part of the Eight Trigrams Seal protruded... The Nine-Tails was starting to act up.
Seeing this, Wuwei added fuel to the fire, pulling a kunai from his sleeve and pointing it directly at Naruto's face, as if he would kill Naruto the next second.
"Quickly move away from the Jinchuriki! Don't you care what happens to the child?"
Looking at Sarutobi Biwako and the other person lying on the ground, Minato had no doubt that this mysterious masked man would deliver a fatal blow.
"Wait... calm down."
"You should say that to yourself, Minato. I am perfectly calm right now." Everything was proceeding according to Wuwei's plan...