Ever since Pakura got pregnant, Gekko Chizan had completely changed—he spent all day smiling.
He had already told Hatake Sakumo over at the ninja academy, and now he alone was taking on two classes.
The Concealment class and the ninjutsu class were both taught by him, while Pakura rested on the side.
Of course, there were exceptions—like right now.
"You bastard! Gekko Hayate!"
"You bastard! Put your sword down!"
"Ah-da!"
Gekko Chizan cursed while punching his own younger brother and sending him flying.
Then he snatched up his sword.
Furious—utterly furious!
"Gekko Hayate! As your sensei! As your big brother!"
"I'm putting you on trial right now!"
"Obito!"
A figure suddenly appeared, descending from the sky with twin blades in hand and lightning cascading down—like a thunder god descending.
It was Uchiha Obito, wielding the Lightning Blades.
"Sensei, I got you!"
Obito grinned, grabbed Gekko Hayate, and bolted toward the academy gates.
He kept releasing lightning as he ran.
Shocking himself and shocking Hayate just as badly.
Judging by how practiced it looked, this wasn't the first time.
When the weekend came, Gekko Chizan took Pakura out sightseeing everywhere. He believed it was good for her—and good for the baby.
The Land of Frost had to be the first stop. Not for any special reason, but because two of Chizan's disciples were here.
"Kakashi! Take this!"
"Lava Release!"
Terumi Mei and Kakashi were completely engaged in battle.
Though Kakashi was still as expressionless as always.
"Kakashi, Terumi Mei, stop for a moment."
Gekko Chizan halted the two and raised his hand, summoning Ichikishimahime back into his body.
This action meant their special training was about to end.
"Sensei, you're here. Pakura-sensei."
"Sensei—hmm, is this… my sensei's wife? Impossible! Sensei, how did you manage to get such a beautiful wife?!"
Bonk!
The overly blunt Terumi Mei got punched in the head by Gekko Chizan.
"Let's go. Your training is finished."
"Kakashi, Terumi Mei, this round of training ends here."
"I have new arrangements for both of you. Don't worry—they're perfectly suited to you."
The group headed to a restaurant in the Land of Frost.
At the table, when Terumi Mei heard her sensei was about to have a child, she was shocked speechless.
Kakashi, on the other hand, was calm. His sensei had been married a while—having a child was normal.
"Huh? Leaving already? I think the Land of Frost is pretty nice."
"Hey hey… I haven't stayed long enough."
As she said this, Terumi Mei glanced at Kakashi beside her. He, of course, was a block of wood.
Pakura no longer cared when Gekko Chizan suddenly brought back a new kid.
After all, Chizan was a jinchūriki—his actions were often mysterious. But no matter what he did, Pakura supported him.
Afterward, Gekko Chizan threw Kakashi straight into the ninja academy to help substitute-teach.
This left the Hatake father and son completely dumbfounded.
Hatake Sakumo looked at the bulked-up Kakashi—he hadn't even had time to praise him before receiving news that Chizan wanted Kakashi to substitute-teach.
Sakumo was so angry he almost coughed up blood.
With a substitute sensei secured, Gekko Chizan immediately took a long leave with Pakura.
He didn't care whether Minato agreed—he just left.
...
Mid-mountain in the Land of Waterfalls.
"So you're saying… I'm about to become a grandmaster?"
"Mhm, that's one way to put it. Also, Mei, hurry and let my sensei draw a few tubes of blood from you. Being proactive never hurts."
Terumi Mei stared at the sinister Orochimaru and immediately hid behind Pakura.
Pakura shot Gekko Chizan a fierce glare before speaking gently to Mei:
"It's fine. It's just a few tubes of blood. We've both had it drawn."
Terumi Mei: …How did it come to this?!
"This kid?"
"Two kekkei genkai. Can she stay with you for a while to train?"
Hearing "two kekkei genkai," Orochimaru's interest ignited instantly. He stared at Terumi Mei for a long time.
That research-hungry gaze made her extremely uncomfortable.
"Fine. How do you want me to train her?"
"You know, even though Nonō comes to help me, she brought a group of children. If Takigakure hadn't taken them in, I wouldn't be able to handle it."
Right now, Nonō was also living in Takigakure, though she wasn't a ninja—she just lived in the village and regularly assisted Orochimaru with research.
"Ah, just watch over her."
"In some time, send her to Takigakure. Even though the war has stabilized—"
"The undercurrents are surging."
"You must've heard the news about the daimyō being assassinated, right?"
"The one behind it… well, not someone to mess with."
Orochimaru's interest rose again. He could roughly sense how strong Gekko Chizan had become.
Relying solely on Ryūchi Cave senjutsu, he was already Kage-level.
Add his two kekkei genkai, and most normal Kage wouldn't be his match.
If someone could make him say "not someone to mess with," that opponent had to be truly terrifying.
"Details?"
"Next time. Pakura is pregnant. I'm not staying in the village for a while. Until the child is born, I won't return."
This was indeed his plan. Konoha was stable now—staying in the village was a waste compared to traveling with Pakura.
Orochimaru nodded.
He also knew the Fire Country was in turmoil.
If Chizan stayed in the village, given his abilities, he would certainly be assigned to dangerous missions.
"Hmph. One of your goals for coming here is medicine, isn't it?"
"Take it. These are body-strengthening drugs with no side effects."
Gekko Chizan grinned, took the bottles, and grabbed Pakura to leave.
"Terumi Mei, train well. You'll head to Takigakure later—there's a senior fellow disciple there."
"I hope it won't take long before I hear you became a jōnin."
"We're off!"
Flying Thunder God activated, and Gekko Chizan vanished with Pakura.
Leaving only a trembling Terumi Mei and Orochimaru slowly approaching with a syringe.
Terumi Mei: Oh heavens! Someone save me! My irresponsible sensei left me in a den of monsters!
Orochimaru: Hehehehe… A den of monsters, not a bad term. I'll take it. Now, come—let's draw blood.
Leaving Orochimaru's territory, Gekko Chizan took Pakura to Takigakure, then began traveling through major tourist cities.