Dawn rose over the Sanctuary of Life.
The sky blushed faintly pink.
The sacred lanterns dimmed.
And inside the birthing hall, the air was thick with warmth and milk, heartbeat and breath.
Naruto moved gently between them.
Nine women, each glowing with afterbirth and awe, wrapped in thin silks, nursing or cradling his children.
He helped Sakura adjust Emiko against her breast.He kissed Hinata's temple as Himeko nuzzled under her chin.He rocked Ino's twins in each arm, holding them against his chest until their cries softened.He stroked Sasuko's hair while she hummed to Shisui.He lifted Karin's daughter, who wailed until Naruto whispered her name.He changed Tsunade's daughter's first cloth, fingers careful, reverent.He cradled Aya's daughter so gently she didn't stir — only smiled, still latched to her mother's milk-swollen nipple.He kissed Mizuha's sleeping form, their child curled against her heartbeat.
Then he sat at the center.
Bare chest rising and falling.Hair wild.Hands trembling.
And slowly — one by one — they came to him.
Hinata pressed to his left.Sakura to his right.Ino curled against his shoulder.Sasuko behind him, hand at his back.Karin, skin to skin.Tsunade, proud and radiant, leaned in and laced her fingers through his.Aya brought her baby to his lap.Mizuha followed, silent and smiling.
Ten babies.Nine wombs.One family.
And Naruto, voice hoarse from crying, whispered:
"This is more than I ever dreamed I could protect.And I swear… on the name of every Hokage,on every ancestor I never knew…
I will love all of you.I will raise you.I will burn for you."
Their chakras flared.
Every baby stirred.
And the seals above glowed a perfect gold spiral — the mark of a clan no longer forming…
…but born.