The temple was quiet.
But the air throbbed — with anticipation, with pressure, with the low hum of nine powerful wombs slowly awakening for what they were always meant to do:
Deliver the future.
Naruto wore no shirt.
No robe.
Only prayer beads and the faint scent of his lovers' skin.
He walked barefoot across the birthing chamber, where the nine women lay together in a crescent — bellies full, eyes soft, bodies glowing.
This wasn't sex.
This was reverence.
He knelt before Hinata first.
Placed his cheek to her belly.
And whispered:
"You were the first to believe in me.And you'll be the first I bring into this world."
He kissed low.
And her womb pulsed.
A soft, warm flutter of chakra.
Hinata gasped.
"…She kicked."
He moved to Sakura.
Held her hand.
Whispered:
"You gave me strength when I had none.Our daughter will inherit your heart."
Sakura smiled. "And her father's fire."
To Ino:
"You always wanted to stand out… and you gave me two."
She laughed through a tear.
"They'll fight over the mirror."
To Sasuko:
He said nothing at first.
Just leaned close.
Their foreheads touched.
"Our child won't be alone like we were."
Her belly responded with a ripple of chakra.
Sasuko flinched. Then smiled.
To Karin:
"Yours will probably set something on fire before they learn to walk."
She moaned softly.
"Maybe I'll let them."
To Tsunade:
"You were always the strongest.But thank you for letting me see your softness."
She kissed his hair.
"And thank you for giving me a second chance at family."
To Aya:
"I thought I'd have to protect you.But you've protected me every day since you joined us."
She wept.
"Don't stop talking. Ever."
To Mizuha:
"You gave me trust without knowing if I deserved it."
She reached out and touched his face.
"You earned it the moment you held me afterward."
Then he stood.
Looked at them all.
And said:
"I will be there for every push.Every cry.Every heartbeat.And none of you will be alone."
And just as he turned—
Hinata gasped.
Her belly tightened.
Her thighs twitched.
"…Naruto?"
The first contraction rolled through her like a wave of heat.
Her water had not broken yet.
But the ripple had begun.
And Sakura felt it next.
Then Ino.
Then Aya.
The flames were coming.