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The noise of the shinobi world did not affect the Uchiha clan.
Instead, the atmosphere grew more tense and expectant.
Uchiha Kasumi sat on the veranda of the courtyard, her hands without thinking resting on her flat stomach.
Her expression was a mix of nervousness and waiting.
The slight disappointment from not accompanying the daimyo to the Land of Hot Water a few days ago had long been replaced by something far more important.
Her body was going through subtle changes.
These changes sent ripples of excitement throughout the entire Uchiha.
Her older sister, Mikoto, sat beside her, gently draping a coat over her shoulders, her eyes filled with tenderness and encouragement.
Seeing her sister's worried expression, Uchiha Mikoto soothed her. "Don't be nervous. Lady Tsunade has already examined you. Now we're just waiting for the final confirmation."
Kasumi looked up at her sister, her beautiful face a little lost. "Sister, I... I'm a little scared."
"What if... what if it's really true... what should I do?"
"But what if it's not? Will everyone in the clan... be very disappointed?"
She was torn between hope and fear, her heart in chaos.
This was no longer just about her. The future of the entire Uchiha clan also rested on this.
Grasping her sister's cool hand, Uchiha Mikoto smiled softly. "Silly girl, I was the same when I was pregnant with Itachi."
"This means you're starting to feel the responsibility of motherhood."
She paused, her eyes sparkling with confidence. "And, I have a feeling that our Uchiha clan is about to enter its most glorious era."
Just then, a rush of hurried footsteps approached.
An Uchiha clan member responsible for Kasumi's health rushed over with an excited expression. "Clan head's wife! Lady Kasumi!"
"Con...confirmed!"
"What wonderful news!"
"Lady Kasumi... she's pregnant!"
This news left Kasumi somewhat confused.
Even though she had a feeling, the confirmation still made it hard for her to believe.
After repeated confirmations, Uchiha Kasumi finally realized that she was going to be a mother.
She naturally lowered her head, touching her abdomen, a smile spreading across her face.
It's true... it's true!
I... am carrying the daimyo's child!
At this moment, she was like a little girl, completely empty of the planning she once made in the palace.
"Quick!" Uchiha Mikoto was the first to react. "Immediately send word to the clan head!"
...
Land of Fire, northeast frontline camp.
As Kumogakure gradually withdrew, the atmosphere here finally became less tense.
Inside the tent, Uchiha Fugaku was discussing troop rotations with Jiraiya.
Suddenly, an Uchiha clan member appeared. "Lord clan head, a letter from your wife!"
Fugaku raised an eyebrow, took the scroll, and unrolled it.
When he saw the contents of the scroll, the Uchiha clan head, always known for his calm and dignity, was overcome with joy.
It's confirmed!
It's truly confirmed!
The bloodline of the Uchiha clan will be completely merged with the bloodline of the Land of Fire daimyo!
This is no ordinary offspring!
This could be the future heir of the Land of Fire!
An offspring flowing with the noble bloodline of both the Uchiha and the daimyo!
"Ha, haha, hahaha!"
Fugaku could no longer hold back the wild joy in his heart and burst out laughing.
Unlike the Uchiha's four mad laughers, his laughter was full of pure joy.
Jiraiya on the side quickly asked. "Fugaku? What's wrong with you? Did you find money?"
Fugaku suddenly turned, his eyes bloodshot, and grabbed Jiraiya's shoulders, shaking him. "Kasumi is pregnant!"
"Oh, congratulations!" Jiraiya immediately understood what had happened and quickly offered his good wishes.
"Hahaha!"
Facing Jiraiya's congratulations, Uchiha Fugaku smiled even more brightly.
After a long while, he held in his laughter, then picked up a brush and quickly wrote a reply.
"Deliver my orders!"
He handed the letter to the Uchiha clan member. "From today onwards, ensure Lady Kasumi's safety with utmost care!"
"Send three teams of elite jonin to guard her twenty-four hours a day without interruption!"
"Her diet and daily life will all be personally watched over by Mikoto!"
Order after order was sent from the front line back to the Uchiha clan compound.
At this moment, the entire Uchiha clan poured all its efforts into an unborn child!
Countless precious tonics and ingredients were constantly sent to Kasumi's courtyard.
The originally quiet courtyard changed overnight into the most heavily guarded fortress in all of Konoha.
Uchiha Kasumi was a little overwhelmed by this sudden display, but more than that, she felt a sense of satisfaction and pride.
She leaned into her sister Mikoto's embrace, gently touching her abdomen.
There, a new life was being grown.
A life... carrying the future hope of the Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Mikoto gently held her, her voice soft, filled with affection and waiting. "From now on, your only task is to eat well and rest well."
"To give birth to a healthy heir for the daimyo and for our Uchiha."
Kasumi nodded heavily, her face beaming with a happy and bright smile.
She felt like she was the happiest woman in the world...
Meanwhile, the capital of the Land of Fire.
A distribution center.
Mei Terumi wore a large cloak, completely hiding her graceful figure and beautiful face in the shadows.
Across from her stood a man disguised as a traveling merchant.
The man's eyes were watchful, his presence steady, clearly a shinobi who had gone through strict training.
He was one of the contacts for the Kirigakure resistance.
"This is the third batch of supplies," Mei Terumi said, gesturing to the several supply carts beside her.
The man carefully inspected them, and only after confirming everything was in order did he breathe a sigh of relief.
His gaze towards Mei Terumi was filled with deep gratitude and respect.
It was thanks to the continuous batches of supplies she sent through mysterious channels that the desperate resistance was able to survive repeated surroundings by Kirigakure.
"Thank you, milady," the man said in a deep voice. "The leader asked me to ask you, are you... not coming back with us?"
"Everyone in the village misses you very much."
Go back?
Mei Terumi remained silent.
How she wished she could go back.
But could she leave?
She had no doubt that as soon as she left the Land of Fire, that devil-like man would immediately deliver information about the resistance to Yagura.
At that point, disaster would await her comrades.
She was a hostage, she knew that very well.
And she had offered herself willingly!
A hostage who exchanged her body and freedom for a glimmer of hope for the resistance.
This was the unspoken agreement, the deal between her and that man.
"I..."
Mei Terumi was about to speak.
Suddenly, a wave of sickness suddenly rushed up her throat.
"Ugh..."
Caught off guard, she spun around and clutched the wall, throwing up violently.
But nothing came out, only waves of sour liquid rising.
"Milady! What's wrong?"
The contact man was immediately alarmed and quickly stepped forward, wanting to help, but Mei Terumi refused.
"It's nothing..." Mei Terumi waved her hand, holding back the sickness, her face looking somewhat pale.
"Perhaps... I've been a bit tired lately."
She herself found it strange.
These past few days, this feeling of sickness and wanting to throw up kept appearing on and off, leaving her with a poor appetite and general tiredness.
As an elite jonin, her physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary people, so how could she suddenly become so weak?
Did she eat something bad?
Or had she been poisoned with some kind of slow-acting toxin?
In an instant, countless unpleasant guesses flashed through her mind.
The contact man was a rough individual and didn't understand such things, simply thinking she was genuinely tired.
"Milady, you must take care of yourself."
"Ah, I know."
Mei Terumi straightened up, taking several deep breaths before finally holding back the churning sensation.
She looked at the man again, her calm restored. "I've given you the goods. Leave immediately, don't linger."
"Yes!"
The man dared not say more, bowed deeply to Mei Terumi, and then signaled the laborers to push the supply carts away quickly.
Watching her comrades depart, only Mei Terumi remained.
A gentle breeze blew, bringing a touch of coolness.
It made her shiver without thinking.
In an instant, that feeling of sickness surged again, even more pronounced than before.