Konoha was now 48 years old.
This year, an unusual phenomenon seemed to sweep through the village: it felt like all the prominent wives were pregnant. The trend began with the announcement of the Uchiha patriarch's wife expecting their second child.
Soon after, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio also revealed that their wives were pregnant too. Tatsuya couldn't help but joke, "Are all your wives at the same time? Did you all have a secret meeting before conceiving your child?"
The news didn't stop there. Tsume Inuzuka, the head of the Inuzuka family, announced her pregnancy, followed by the wife of Shibi Aburame, the head of the Aburame family. Even Minato Namikaze's wife, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki Kushina Uzumaki, and the wife of Hiashi Hyuga were expecting.
As Tatsuya walked through the village streets, he felt like he might bump into a pregnant woman at any moment. Even after nearly forty years in this world, the specific years and events had eluded him.
However, hearing all these pregnancy announcements made him realize that the next generation of ninjas was coming. He mused, "If all these children are born around the same time, they'll be classmates at the ninja academy."
After greeting Mrs. Hyuga, who was out shopping for groceries, Rin Nohara, with her hands folded behind her back and her signature angelic smile, commented, "It's going to be a lively year at the academy in the future, isn't it?"
"Uchiha, Minato-senpai, Ino-Shika-Chō's ... so many high-ranking clan heirs will be gathered in ninja school, it feels intimidating," Kurenairemarked.
In the same year, Rin and Kurenai, along with Uchiha Obito, Hokage's son Asuma, and White Fang's son Kakashi, formed their group. However, compared to the scale of the upcoming generation of twelve young heirs, it still fell short.
"It's been a long time, Master Tatsuya, and Rin, Kurenai, and Mei," a gentle voice called out.
Turning towards the voice, they saw a woman with a kind expression, waving at them with a big belly and a smile. She was holding a vegetable basket in her left hand and a child about four years old in her right.
"Mrs. Mikoto, it's been a long time since I saw you," Rin smiled back and ran up to her.
"Hello, Itachi," Rin waved to the little boy next to her.
Uchiha Itachi forced a shy smile and replied, "Hello."
"Are you two familiar?" Tatsuya asked as he walked up.
"I knew her from my time working at Konoha Hospital," Rin explained with a smile. She rubbed Itachi's head and added, "This child will grow up to be as cute as Itachi."
"Cute? This kid?" Tatsuya, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
Mikoto chuckled, "Yes, Itachi is a sweet child. He might not show it now, but he'll grow into a fine young man."
Tatsuya nodded, "Let's hope all the new arrivals grow up strong and capable. The village's future depends on them."
Tatsuya looked at the young Itachi, noting the tear grooves on both sides of his nose. He couldn't connect this child with the unluckiest shinobi in the history of Konoha.
"Damn it," Tatsuya thought, "this kid has nothing to do with cuteness."
In comparison, he preferred to imagine Hinata as a mascot. It wasn't because of her future figure, he assured himself. Though come to think of it, the current Terumi Mei was very close to that size.
Kurenai and Rin, despite being younger, were considered attractive among women of their age. Tatsuya mused about Tsunade's development; at fifteen, she was still quite flat. It wasn't until she turned eighteen that she blossomed, thanks to the genes of Hashirama and Mito.
Reflecting on the Minato class and its future counterpart, Class 7, Tatsuya drew some comparisons. Naruto was like Obito, but on the right path, while Sasuke was akin to Kakashi, though more wayward. However, he could never see Rin and Sakura as similar. The thought of an airport-flat Rin was simply... disastrous.
"Tatsuya-sama, hello. My name is Uchiha Itachi," came a small voice.
Tatsuya looked down to see Itachi, who, despite his quiet nature, had gathered the courage to introduce himself. He saw the determination in the young boy's eyes and couldn't help but be impressed.
"Nice to meet you, Itachi," Tatsuya replied with a smile. "You've got a lot of potential. I look forward to seeing what you achieve."
"Well, that kid Shisui mentioned you to me, saying that you think like a Hokage even at the age of four," Tatsuya said, eyeing the young Itachi.
The women—Kurenai, Rin, and Mikoto—were slightly taken aback. Four years old and thinking like a Hokage? That seemed a bit far-fetched.
"I just want to understand life and why ninjas keep fighting," Itachi said quietly, lowering his gaze.
"Think about it in your when you are older," Tatsuya replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I have to leave now."
He signaled for the trio to follow him, clearly uninterested in delving into such philosophical discussions with a child.
In Tatsuya's view, such debates seemed pointless in a world where strength and power dictated outcomes. After all, in this world, the strong held the reins, and everything else was secondary.
"Naruto?"
In a quiet inn, Tatsuya and Rin, who had been invited there, learned about the names Minato and Kushina had chosen for their upcoming child. The name came from the protagonist of Jiraiya's first published novel, "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi."
While Kushina's belly wasn't as pronounced as Uchiha Mikoto's, it had a slight bulge.
"So, what did you want from me?" Tatsuya asked, sitting opposite Namikaze Minato.
"During childbirth, the seal on a Jinchūriki is at its weakest," Minato said, the happiness on his face turning solemn. "I hope you can be present during the delivery of the child."
Tatsuya fell into a brief silence. He understood the dangers Kushina faced during childbirth, but he couldn't shake the thought of Obito. According to the plot, Obito should have turned dark by now, yet Rin was alive and well.
Tatsuya couldn't help but wonder what Uchiha Madara, the old fox, was up to. Could it be possible that Madara hadn't saved Obito at all, and the kid had truly died in the Battle of Kannabi Bridge?
"Tatsuya," Minato continued, breaking his thoughts. "Will you help us?"
Tatsuya nodded slowly. "I'll be there. We'll ensure nothing goes wrong."
"It's a pity, I..."
Clang! Tatsuya was about to speak when the sound of a plate shattering on the kitchen floor cut him off, followed by Kushina's painful cry.
"Kushina!?"
Minato dashed into the kitchen, panic etched across his face. Tatsuya quickly followed, finding Kushina kneeling on the ground, clutching her stomach in pain, surrounded by three concerned women. A faint red chakra was beginning to overflow from her body.
"The Nine Tails is trying to break through the seal again. I'm here!"
Minato, sweating profusely, started performing hand seals to reinforce the barrier.
"Hello~" Tatsuya suddenly shouted.
Minato, thinking Tatsuya was calling him, turned his head subconsciously.
However, the truth was happening elsewhere:
In Kushina's mind space, she was gripping her stomach in agony, facing the Nine Tails who were leering menacingly from the other side of the sealed gate.
Suddenly, from the void behind the Nine-Tails, a pair of enormous eyes appeared, making the beast shiver violently.
The Nine Tails growled, its confidence momentarily shattered. "Who dares to intrude here?" it snarled, trying to maintain its composure despite the chilling presence it felt.