Konoha Village, hospital, inpatient ward.
"Pakura, look, why does this little guy look just like a little monkey!"
"You're the little monkey! If you can't speak properly, then don't speak!"
"Alright alright! I won't say it, I won't say it. My son!"
Gekko Chizan looked at the baby lying in the crib, grinning so widely his mouth could barely close.
He was a father now. Pakura had given him a big, healthy son.
As for the name — Gekko Dōnin!
Such a great name. The moment he gave it, everyone praised it.
"Alright, let Dōnin sleep properly."
"You… you're already a father, can't you be a little more steady? Did you forget what I told you?"
Pakura leaned against the hospital bed. Her complexion hadn't worsened at all — on the contrary, thanks to the tonic Orochimaru had given her, her body was still in great shape even after giving birth.
Because of this alone, Gekko Chizan practically felt like kneeling to Orochimaru in gratitude.
"How could I forget? Don't worry, I'll definitely not lead Gekko Dōnin astray. So, when are we taking him to—"
Just as the little family of three enjoyed their warm moment together…
Suddenly, a figure appeared, breaking the peace.
"Yo, Chizan kid, congratulations."
"Huh? Jiraiya-sama, you really refuse to use the door, huh? You have to come through the window?"
Being interrupted during family time soured Gekko Chizan's mood instantly.
Seeing Jiraiya crouched on the windowsill, he looked extremely unamused.
Jiraiya laughed heartily, then turned his gaze toward the child in the crib. His eyes softened slightly.
After that, he casually took out a flask from his robe.
The word "oil" was written on it.
"Here, a gift for the child. It's oil from Mount Myōboku. This oil was refined by the two Great Sages."
"Use it to rub on the child's body — it can greatly enhance physical sensory perception, but don't apply too much at once."
"You know well how terrifying natural energy is."
Seeing the gift Jiraiya brought, Gekko Chizan froze for a moment.
This was… heavy. Everyone knew Mount Myōboku's oil was a sacred item for training in natural energy.
And Jiraiya was using that as a gift?
Stunned, he completely failed to notice where Jiraiya's gaze was actually directed.
Because Jiraiya wasn't looking at the baby at all — he was looking at Gekko Chizan.
In his mind, he couldn't help recalling the Great Toad Sage's words:
"The future grows increasingly hazy. The hidden youth has already grown to adulthood. To protect his family, he will become an irreplaceable strength that safeguards this world."
The hidden youth — the only person Jiraiya could think of was Gekko Chizan.
After all, he had met Chizan because of that unique kekkei genkai of his.
And now Chizan had a family and a child.
This made him even more certain that the prophecy referred to him.
The toad oil was also a gift from Mount Myōboku.
"Thanks, Jirai—"
"Hmph, it's just a bit of worthless oil."
Just as Gekko Chizan was about to thank Jiraiya, his sentence was cut off midway.
Two lights suddenly burst forth from Pakura and Gekko Dōnin's bodies at the same time.
Green light and blue light respectively formed into Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime.
The appearance of the two snake princesses made the room feel slightly crowded.
But since their bodies were formed of chakra, it didn't really matter.
"Hmph. Things from Mount Myōboku are worthless to us of Ryūchi Cave."
"Whether Pakura or Gekko Dōnin, both will receive Ryūchi Cave's protection."
"Take your useless oil and use it on yourself."
Because of Gekko Chizan, both Pakura and Gekko Dōnin had received the protection of the three snake princesses.
Gekko Chizan was overjoyed, immediately assigning Tagorihime to guard Gekko Dōnin and Ichikishimahime to guard Pakura.
Now Jiraiya felt awkward — he had thought bringing something from the sacred Mount Myōboku would raise his prestige.
But he ran into a brick wall. The snake princesses of Ryūchi Cave had shown up themselves. What was he supposed to do?
"Aiya, you two, stop arguing."
"Jiraiya-sama meant well, haha."
"Thanks. I'll accept the oil. I'll use it on the little guy later."
With Gekko Chizan smoothing things over, Jiraiya was finally able to laugh.
No matter what, the gift had been delivered.
...
Three months later, at the Gekko household.
Pakura had long been discharged. As a jonin she had excellent physical condition, and with Orochimaru's medicine she recovered even more quickly.
Still, Gekko Chizan made her stay in the hospital for seven days before bringing her home.
Tsunade had also left a gift for the child: a tiny green cloak embroidered with the character "gamble."
Seeing it made Gekko Chizan's mouth twitch nonstop.
During this period, Gekko Chizan had become a complete stay-at-home dad — practically identical to Uchiha Fugaku in demeanor.
Until today, Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku both visited.
"So, Minato, you're going to be a father too?"
"Fugaku, you're having a second child?"
"Not bad!"
"Very nice."
While heating milk for the baby, he teased his friends.
Yes — both Kushina and Mikoto had become pregnant around the same time.
This meant the Crown Prince and Second Pillar would soon be born.
But it also made Gekko Chizan's relaxed heart tense slightly.
After all, Kushina's pregnancy would be a major ordeal.
"Hahaha, yes, I'm going to be a father too."
"Hmph, once your son grows up a bit, I'll have Itachi teach him."
Minato was delighted. Fugaku was proud. As usual, both entirely normal.
After dinner, Fugaku left first.
Minato and Gekko Chizan sat in the courtyard.
"Chizan…"
"Enough, no need to say it. I know what you want to ask."
Seeing Minato hesitate, Gekko Chizan waved his hand.
"When that day comes, I'll help you."
"And you must believe in yourself and Kushina. You know better than me how strong the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques are."
"But… precautions must still be in place."
Both men drifted deep into thought, though what they thought about differed.
Minato, an optimist, believed that with his strength and Gekko Chizan's help, they could suppress the Nine-Tails even if it broke loose.
Gekko Chizan, however, was thinking about Uchiha Madara and Nagato.
Those two would never let such an opportunity slip. And when he thought of their distance-ignoring ocular abilities, even he felt troubled.
"Waaaah!"
Suddenly, a cry snapped Gekko Chizan out of his thoughts.
"Dōnin! Daddy's here!"
"Hey hey hey! Don't cry!"
Hearing his son's cry, Gekko Chizan skillfully began feeding him milk.
Watching this scene made Minato visibly envious — but he knew that soon enough, he would be doing the same.