Birth
Kakashi entered the Hokage's Office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi awaited him.
After listening to Kakashi, Hiruzen exhaled smoke from his pipe and said, lips curling into a faint smile before turning serious:
"No one can easily accept such a thing, Kakashi. But tell me—have you personally sought confirmation from Chi Yu?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. There's no need for confirmation. I've been with Teacher Chi Yu for years. I already noticed signs of… certain things. I just didn't want to believe it. But now that the bloody truth has come out, I can't deny it any longer."
Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Then, Kakashi, will you join the Anbu—become my direct subordinate and serve Konoha from the shadows?"
Kakashi knelt on one knee.
"Hokage-sama, I have always served Konoha and upheld the Will of Fire. I will join the Anbu."
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. "You've chosen correctly. I wasn't mistaken about you. From this moment, you are an Anbu operative. Report to the Anbu headquarters later today."
"Yes."
"One more thing," Hiruzen added. "For now, don't let Chi Yu know you've joined. Publicly, I will assign you a long-term mission outside the village. If Chi Yu—or Orochimaru—suspect you've been placed in Anbu to target them, they may misinterpret my intent. That could leave us with no room for maneuver."
Kakashi bowed his head. "I understand, Hokage-sama."
The Third Hokage stepped forward, helping Kakashi up. "Then, welcome to the Anbu."
Kakashi met his eyes. "Please rest assured, Hokage-sama. Like my father before me, I'll dedicate everything to Konoha."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "I believe you will surpass Sakumo."
After Kakashi left, two hidden Anbu—Qing and Lin Jiao—emerged from the shadows.
Hiruzen set down his pipe. "After Kakashi joins, continue to monitor him closely. Report to me regularly."
"Yes!"
---
Less than a week remained before Uzumaki Kushina's due date.
Chi Yu had already brought her to Konoha's hospital, personally tending to her day and night.
On the appointed day, Miyuki Uzumaki, recently discharged, visited Kushina while holding baby Naruto.
Kushina forced a smile. "Miyuki… was it very painful when you gave birth to Naruto?"
Miyuki met her anxious gaze, then glanced at Chi Yu's silent plea. She clasped Kushina's hand warmly.
"Don't worry. It doesn't hurt as much as you think, and it's over before you know it."
Kushina let out a breath of relief. "That's good. I'm so worried about giving birth to Cangna today."
Miyuki chuckled softly. "The due date is only an estimate. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. It doesn't have to be today."
Kushina's eyes widened. "So that's it… I thought the baby always came right on the due date! You nearly scared me to death."
Chi Yu could only shake his head. No wonder she had been gloomy since morning—she truly believed she would give birth today.
The two women chatted until suddenly, Kushina clutched her stomach, face twisting in pain.
Chi Yu rushed to her side. "Kushina, what's wrong?"
"My stomach… it hurts so much…" she gasped.
Miyuki swiftly reached beneath the blanket, then said sharply: "Chi Yu! Her water broke—she's going into labor. Call the medics now!"
Chi Yu vanished in an instant. Less than a minute later, he returned carrying two startled medical-nin under his arms like bundles.
Though bewildered, the medics quickly understood the situation. They wheeled Kushina into the delivery room and began preparations.
Chi Yu followed, gripping Kushina's hand tightly as the ordeal began. He encouraged her with every contraction, though his body was stiff with tension, heart pounding as her cries echoed through the room.
For all his strength, this was one battle he couldn't fight in her stead. All he could do was stay by her side.
The atmosphere was heavy, the medics trembling under the pressure radiating from Chi Yu's chakra.
Then, at last—
A baby's cry filled the room.
The newborn was carefully placed beside Kushina.
Exhausted but smiling, she gazed at the tiny face. "Cangna… I finally see you. You're so full of life."
Chi Yu stared blankly, stunned.
"Chi Yu," Kushina teased through her fatigue, "aren't you going to hold her?"
Coming back to himself, he nodded vigorously. "Yes—of course."
He carefully lifted little Cangna, who soon drifted back to sleep after crying. His hands trembled as he whispered, eyes shining with tears:
"Thank you, Kushina… for making me a father."
She smiled faintly. "And thank you for making me a mother."
Their smiles met, warm and relieved.
Later, Kushina was returned to her ward to rest, while Cangna underwent her first examinations. When the results confirmed she was perfectly healthy, Chi Yu carried her back into the room.
"She's very healthy," he said with pride.
Kushina chuckled. "Orochimaru-sama checked on me and the baby every month. Of course she'd be healthy."
Chi Yu placed the sleeping infant gently in the bassinet. Looking at her, the joy on both parents' faces never once faded.
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