After Nagato and Konan arrived in the Hidden Cloud Village, Yuzuru stopped taking on other tasks for the time being.
Aside from "working" hard at home each day, he spent the rest of his time helping Konan train. With his deliberate efforts, the relationship between the two slowly grew warmer.
As for Nagato…
Now that he could use the power of the Rinnegan, he devoted himself entirely to researching its secret techniques.
By Yuzuru's estimation, in less than half a year Nagato had already leapt from jōnin level to the level of a kage-class powerhouse.
And with the advantage of his unique abilities, Nagato was already among the top tier even within the kage level.
As for the war in the shinobi world, it was over.
Once the Hidden Cloud turned its attention to the surrounding small nations, Konoha managed to withstand the combined offensives of the Hidden Mist, Hidden Rock, and Hidden Sand.
Although they paid a hefty sum in reparations, the conflict finally ended.
Sometimes, Yuzuru couldn't help but admire how much hardship Konoha could endure.
——
——
Sleeping until the sun was high in the sky, Yuzuru finally emerged from his room.
"Mikoto? Kushina? Karura?"
He called out a few times, but no one responded.
"That's strange…"
He muttered under his breath.
It was the first time he'd seen all three out of the house at the same time.
Was it a special day?
Yuzuru thought about it for a while but had no idea, so he stopped thinking and made himself a pack of instant noodles.
But before he could finish eating, Konan's voice sounded from the courtyard. "Yuzuru, are you home?"
He answered, and she immediately ran in.
Seeing him eating instant noodles, Konan's brows furrowed slightly. "Yuzuru, why are you eating instant noodles? Let me make you something."
Yuzuru quickly waved his hand. "No need. Eating instant noodles once in a while is its own kind of bliss."
Hearing that, Konan couldn't help but smile and shake her head. "I really can't do anything about you."
After finishing the noodles, Yuzuru wiped his mouth. "Konan, good timing. Let me show you something."
With a flick of his hand, a stack of papers appeared as if from a magic trick.
"These are special sheets I had someone research and make. The outside is coated with a unique film—waterproof, oil-resistant, heat-resistant, and hard to burn."
"If your Paper Release uses these, it should be a huge upgrade in real combat."
Konan's eyes instantly brightened. She picked up the papers, unable to look away.
Her Paper Release was powerful—nearly immune to physical damage and resistant to many ninjutsu.
But the weaknesses were obvious: water, fire, oil…
She had tried improving it before, but the best she managed was removing the weakness to water.
She never expected Yuzuru to produce paper resistant to oil and fire.
After a long moment, Konan happily put the stack away and smiled. "Yuzuru, you're amazing. This really helps me a lot."
Yuzuru waved her off. "I set up a science research division in the Hidden Cloud. Their whole job is to invent or discover things through science."
"These special papers were made by them."
Konan rested her elbows on the table, cupping her cheeks as she looked at him. "That's still thanks to you."
"This bouquet is for you."
She placed a paper flower bouquet before him.
Looking at her bright, sparkling eyes, Yuzuru couldn't help leaning closer, and…
Though the moment of contact lasted only an instant, both of them felt a sudden electric spark.
Yuzuru licked the lingering taste on his lips, slightly dissatisfied and ready to move in again—
But the voices of Mikoto, Kushina, and Karura sounded from outside the door.
Konan quickly jumped up in a panic. "Yuzuru, I'll head back now. I'll study the papers you gave me."
Yuzuru nodded. "I actually have other ideas too—like turning them into explosive tags and such..."
"I'll come find you when I have time."
Hearing this, Konan lowered her head shyly: "Mhm."
As she left, Yuzuru unconsciously touched his lips.
'So soft.'
Hearing footsteps right outside, he hurriedly stored the bouquet into Kamui space.
A second later, Mikoto, Kushina, and Karura walked in.
Kushina sniffed the air suspiciously. "Yuzuru, Konan looked really flustered. You two didn't do anything bad in here, did you?"
"Of course not!" Yuzuru frowned, speaking righteously. "Kushina, even if you don't trust Konan's character, you should at least trust mine."
"Pfft!" Kushina rolled her eyes with a laugh. "A big perv like you talking about character?"
"Kushina, if you keep talking like that, I'll have to discipline you properly."
Seeing the two bicker, Mikoto chuckled. "Kushina, Yuzuru does all this for the Uchiha clan. Even if something were going on with Konan, it's fine."
Yuzuru praised her silently in his heart.
As expected of you, Mikoto.
You'll be the queen of my harem in the future!
Kushina huffed. "I don't want to interfere in those things, but today is different."
Yuzuru blinked. "Mikoto, Kushina, Karura—where did you three go so early? Is it a special day?"
Kushina proudly placed her hands on her hips. "Guess."
Yuzuru thought for a long time but couldn't come up with anything.
Seeing his troubled look, Karura couldn't help smiling. "Yuzuru, we went to the hospital today."
"All three of us… are pregnant." (T/N: so he did work hard after all.)
Yuzuru froze, then joy spread across his face. "Really?!"
"How could we joke about something like this?" Kushina laughed. "Well? Surprised?"
"Of course." Yuzuru pulled Kushina into his arms. "How many months along are you?"
Touching her stomach, Kushina replied happily, "A little over one month. You're going to have to work hard during this time."
Yuzuru laughed and waved his hand. "That's nothing. There's always a way to handle things, right?"