In the blink of an eye, half a year had rushed by.
Bird Country, Gekko Chizan's private residence.
"Hey, the reason I called you here isn't for you to sit around eating and drinking."
"Hurry up and check on Pakura. She's already nine months along. Even if her condition has been stable, you can't just let her eat whatever she wants..."
"Stop!"
Gekko Chizan's voice cut off instantly.
Because the person in front of him had already clenched her fist.
"Chizan, can you not be so dramatic?"
"This is all normal. You're worked up because you care too much."
"Look at Pakura—she's gained a whole round. I'm thinking about her health."
Tsunade pointed at Pakura, who was resting nearby, her face full of helplessness.
For the past six months, Gekko Chizan had been pampering her nonstop—endless gourmet food, endless indulgence.
The result was obvious: Pakura had become straight-up over-nourished.
Of course, as a kunoichi, chakra had another wonderful use—while protecting the body, it could also help maintain her figure a little.
Otherwise, Pakura would've been crying every day.
"Is that so?"
"Really no problem?"
"Forget it, Tsunade, how about you just don't leave? I won't go back to the village either, you can just stay here and—"
"Stop!"
Tsunade cut Gekko Chizan off again, delivering a merciless glare.
"Don't even start. If not for you, Shizune and I would be relaxing in the Land of Hot Water right now."
"I shouldn't have accepted that kunai of yours!"
"Hmph! Completely ruined my plans."
Tsunade was speechless.
Back when she left, she only accepted his technique-marked kunai so she could contact him in the future if she needed to.
And what happened?
One day, a shadow suddenly descended from the sky, swooped down, and whisked her and Shizune away in an instant.
By the time they understood what was going on, they saw the grinning Gekko Chizan pointing at his wife, Pakura.
Only then did Tsunade realize—she'd been dragged over as a doctor.
She was furious. But since he treated her with good food and good drink, she held back in the end.
And now?
This brat actually wanted her to be the midwife!
Excessive! Far too excessive!
"Shizune! We're leaving!"
"We still have traveling to do!"
Tsunade called out to her little follower—only to see her now sitting beside Pakura, smiling from ear to ear.
That smile even stunned Tsunade.
Pakura was chatting happily with Shizune. Shizune was still a child after all.
To someone about to become a mother, she felt especially close.
"Tsunade-sama, can we stay a few more days?"
"I want to wait until Pakura-san's baby is born."
Shizune rarely made requests, and when Tsunade saw the child's hopeful face, she couldn't bear to refuse.
She nodded lightly.
With Tsunade's permission, Shizune jumped in place with joy.
Seeing that he'd failed to make Tsunade stay, yet Shizune succeeded, Gekko Chizan was overjoyed.
"Hmph, don't you start smiling."
"Bird Country is nice, but it doesn't have the medical equipment the village has."
"Tomorrow morning, you're taking us back."
Gekko Chizan nodded—no problem.
It was only going back. He could do that in minutes.
...
The next day, Konoha Hospital.
The news that Gekko Chizan had returned with Tsunade shocked both Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen so much they rushed over immediately.
The two of them cornered Gekko Chizan at the hospital entrance.
"Why are you blocking me?"
"I've only been gone for half a year."
"The village can function without me, can't it?"
Gekko Chizan looked at the former and current Hokage with a face full of annoyance.
"Chizan, as a jonin of the village, you've already taken half a year off."
"Even the classes at the academy fell behind. Principal Hatake has been covering for you."
"This won't do."
To Minato, Gekko Chizan being both a jonin and a teacher meant he shouldn't be away for long.
As a man, he admired that Chizan stayed with his wife completely. But as Hokage, the village came first.
Gekko Chizan scratched his head. If he could avoid work forever and just travel, he would. But thinking of the terrifying enemies of the future, he had no choice.
Even though he was Kage-level now, the future opponents were all far beyond ordinary Kage.
Troublesome.
"Fine, fine, I get it. But Minato, while I was away, nothing big happened, right?"
He still tried to salvage his vacation. Who wants to work if they don't have to?
Minato smiled. "Just routine matters. But the students keep talking about their interesting teacher."
Sarutobi Hiruzen then suddenly spoke—and instantly ruined Chizan's mood.
"Hmph. You left without notice. Danzō has been criticizing you nonstop."
"Now that you're back, do not leave again."
"ANBU is about to begin a special training program. You'll be the instructor."
"This is an order from both Minato and me."
What?
Special training?
ANBU special training?
"And Yamato—are you used to being a hands-off guardian?"
"Hmph, irresponsible KID."
The moment Yamato was mentioned, Gekko Chizan froze.
Oh right… he did have a Yamato.
Where was that kid now…
"To avoid wasting Yamato's talent, I assigned him to Kakashi."
"As for your brother, Gekko Hayate, he's with Uchiha Obito."
"Both teams are fired up and sparring every day."
Gekko Chizan let out an awkward laugh. He really had forgotten Yamato.
He was doomed. No way he could escape now.
"Of course, we won't make you start immediately."
"Everything can wait until after you become a father."
Minato and Hiruzen smiled together.
Hearing that, Gekko Chizan nodded.
Right now, he had no thoughts other than waiting for Pakura to give birth safely.
...
In the days that followed, Pakura moved into the hospital.
Gekko Chizan stayed with her every moment. Their friends came one after another to offer congratulations.
Half a month later.
Konoha Hospital, outside the delivery room.
Gekko Chizan paced anxiously at the door.
The hallway was filled with his closest friends.
"Hey, can you stop walking?"
"Calm down!"
Uchiha Fugaku looked at him helplessly—his words making Mikoto cover her mouth and laugh.
After all, when Itachi was born, Fugaku acted the exact same way.
"Sensei, don't worry. Tsunade-sama is inside."
"With her there, nothing will go wrong."
Rin smiled gently, comforting Gekko Chizan.
Just as he was about to reply—
A newborn's cry echoed from inside the delivery room.
Great joy!