The shinobi world had temporarily returned to peace, giving Konoha time to regroup and consolidate.
Even with every clan's shinobi mobilized, the police force numbers were barely sufficient, which added to Orochimaru's responsibilities.
He was tasked by Yoichi to develop a genetic serum derived from the Extremis Virus, allowing Konoha to recruit ordinary citizens into the police force. After passing an evaluation, they would receive the serum and then be led by a team of shinobi.
This way, each town would only need one or two shinobi-led police squads supported by dozens of Extremis -enhanced recruits, which would be enough to maintain order and control in the area.
Yoichi continued to delegate more power, especially after Konoha made moves against the feudal lord's government in the Land of Fire.
The loyal guardians of the feudal lord were quickly removed, and those who fiercely supported him were captured and handed over to Orochimaru as unexpected gifts—test subjects were becoming scarce as the war had ended.
With the help of those influenced by Kotoamatsukami among the daimyo and ministers, the transition of power went relatively smoothly, as Konoha quickly subdued any resistance.
While this caused an uproar among the nobility, it was swiftly suppressed and had little effect on ordinary citizens.
Reflecting Yoichi's strong stance, the shinobi beneath him followed his example. Any minor hesitation that caused interruption to Yoichi's affairs often led to reprimands or reassignment.
When not with his family, Yoichi focused on the secret techniques he had collected from Mount Myōboku. Some of the Yin-Yang techniques produced fascinating effects. Although not necessarily stronger than conventional jutsu, these methods of manipulating souls were something ordinary ninjutsu couldn't achieve.
Now, the only enemies left worth considering were the Ōtsutsuki. Isshiki remained hidden, while Momoshiki and Kinshiki wouldn't arrive for another twenty years, posing no immediate threat to Yoichi.
...
Several months later…
While studying the Yin-Yang techniques, Yoichi suddenly felt a pulse of chakra from Kushina.
"Could it be… she's going into labor?"
Realizing that Kushina's due date was approaching, Yoichi instantly used the Flying Thunder God to transport himself to her side.
"Kushina, is it time?"
Arriving at her home, Yoichi saw Kushina clutching her stomach, her transformation jutsu dispelled due to the pain, revealing her pregnant form.
Seeing Yoichi, Kushina grimaced through the pain. "Quick… hurry."
"On it!"
Yoichi immediately teleported her to a hospital in the Land of Fire's capital, where he had reserved the best room with a barrier for two months.
After settling her onto the bed, Yoichi teleported again to find Rin. "Rin, come with me."
Without further explanation, he transported her to the hospital room.
"Kushina-neesan? Is it time?"
Seeing Kushina on the bed, Rin understood immediately. She had learned of this from Yoichi-sensei a month ago, feeling a mix of surprise and perhaps a touch of jealousy.
She and Yoichi had shared many moments, yet she hadn't conceived.
"Yoichi-sensei, I've got this covered. You should step outside!"
With that, Rin drew the curtain, ready to assist with the delivery in the well-equipped room.
...
Yoichi waited patiently outside, and after several hours, Rin finally emerged and said, "It went well, Yoichi-sensei. It's a girl."
"Thank you, Rin!"
With a smile, Yoichi stepped inside.
Kushina, though slightly weakened, was cradling the newborn in her arms. Even for a kunoichi, childbirth was no small feat.
"You did great, Kushina!"
Smiling, Yoichi gently transferred life energy to Kushina, instantly restoring her vitality.
However, when Yoichi reached to hold the baby, Kushina turned away, pulling her daughter close. "This is my daughter, Uzumaki Ayane. If you're not ready to acknowledge her, then don't even think about touching her!"
Recalling her circumstances, Kushina felt a pang of resentment. She had grown accustomed to Minato's absence, but Yoichi's rare visits during her pregnancy, combined with his occasional advances, had left her feeling neglected and frustrated.
"I'm not going to hide my daughter away. But you're going to have to help me with this."
After sharing his apologies and comforting her, Yoichi finally managed to appease Kushina. Over the past months, her body had grown accustomed to him in many ways.
As for her feelings toward Minato?
Kushina's lingering feelings for Minato had long faded, only remaining because he was Naruto's father. But Naruto was now part of Yoichi's family, and Kushina had gradually come to terms with the situation.
With life energy at her disposal, Kushina required no recovery period and could easily return to battle if needed.
However, Yoichi now faced the challenge of explaining this to Mikoto, Mina, and Tsunade.
His new home was ready, a mansion near the Forest of Death and around 20 kilometers from the Hokage Rock. Tsunade had already moved in.
Even Kaguya now resided there, visiting him more often with each passing day, and her affection for him had reached a score of 69.
After dinner, Yoichi asked his children and students to leave the room, leaving Mikoto, Mina, Tsunade, and Yūgito.
"What is it, Yoichi-kun? Do you have something to tell us?"
After Karin left with Yoiko, Mikoto asked, as she was managing some affairs of the Uchiha Trading Company and hadn't heard of any major village events.
"Yes, there is something."
Yoichi hesitated briefly before speaking. Tsunade, noticing his hesitation, raised an eyebrow. "Do you need our help, or did you do something you regret?"
Yūgito, sensing his reluctance, suspected it was the latter.
"It's… well, Kushina was pregnant. She gave birth to a girl today."
Mina repeated, "Kushina is… pregnant? Since when…?"
Mina's eyes widened in realization. "Yoichi-sama, is… is she your child?"
Minato had been dead for a long time, and Mina hadn't heard of Kushina being with any other man. If Yoichi wasn't joking, it was obvious who the father was.
"You perverted brat! I'll teach you a lesson!"
Tsunade, realizing the truth, angrily approached, her expression trembling with fury.
"Tsunade, calm down!"
Feeling the tension, Yoichi quickly activated his Charm Demonic Body, and when Tsunade grabbed his collar, he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Mmph…"
As she was overcome by the surge of sensations, Tsunade bit her lip, her legs pressed tightly together, and her once-angry gaze softened with a pleading look.
Knowing he couldn't push things too far, Yoichi released her.
"Tsunade-nee?"
Mina asked curiously, watching Tsunade's reaction. She had intended to mediate, but Tsunade fell silent, clutching Yoichi's shoulder for support.
"I… I'll go see Kushina!"
Her voice held a subtle tremor. Tsunade quickly released Yoichi and left, afraid of what might happen if she stayed. After wiping her tear-filled eyes, she hurried out.
"I'll go too!"
Before leaving, Mina shot Yoichi a look, saying, "Hmph, Yoichi-sama, we'll settle this when I return!"
"Yoichi-kun… I'll go with them to check on Kushina. Yūgito, take care of the house."
Although annoyed, Mikoto couldn't stay angry. She wanted to see if there was anything she could do to help and also thought it best to leave Yūgito to manage the household.
Once everyone else had left, Yūgito put her hands on her hips and said, "You lecher, there's no way she's the only one. I bet you've got at least…"
Before she could finish, Yoichi silenced her with a sudden kiss, her body trembling as her legs grew weak.
"I'll leave things here to you, Yūgito. I'll go check on my daughter."
Seizing the moment while Yūgito was catching her breath, Yoichi made his way out. Mikoto wasn't overly upset, so he only needed to placate Mina and Tsunade. Fortunately, he had his daughters to help, with Karin likely being the most effective.
Before leaving, Yoichi activated his ability's freeze function.
The recent upgrade of the power wheel had added a freeze function, allowing the ability's fifteen-day period to be frozen and resumed at any time.
"Third Tsuchikage, are you alright?"
Seeing the bedridden Third Tsuchikage attached to an IV, the Fourth Raikage refrained from bringing up past grievances with Iwagakure. The two villages were now allies, putting aside their differences in the face of greater threats.
Ōnoki had lost his abilities as a shinobi in his battle against Madara a year ago.
Despite his age of over seventy, which was high for a shinobi, he should have fully recovered after a year of treatment. But something had clearly happened after his retrieval, as he returned to Iwagakure with severe injuries and a greatly diminished chakra supply.
Kitsuchi had survived the same battle and had emerged relatively unscathed.
"Young Raikage, thank you…"
The Fourth Raikage, A, shook his head. "I'm no longer the Raikage. I came here today to inform you and the Fourth Tsuchikage that Darui is now Raikage."
Though not as incapacitated as Ōnoki, A had lost a leg and used a prosthetic, resulting in a sharp drop in his fighting ability, leading him to pass on the Raikage title to Darui.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, A turned to serious matters. "Ōnoki, Kitsuchi, I'm sure you're aware of the situation in Kirigakure. What are your thoughts?"
"Kirigakure… I didn't expect Konoha to act so quickly. It's only been a year…"
Ōnoki, unable to sit up, spoke through a mask that muffled his weak voice.
"I can't think of a solution. If I could still fight, I'd defend Iwagakure with my life, but now…"
Bedridden for a year and unable to manage even basic tasks, Ōnoki's famed will of stone had been slowly worn away.
Resist Konoha to protect the village?
Ōnoki couldn't even handle an ordinary person anymore, let alone oppose Konoha.
"Ōnoki, are you really giving up? Are you abandoning Iwagakure as well?"
A was furious at Ōnoki's response, and Kitsuchi echoed his concerns. He would never consider surrendering to Konoha and had spent the past year fortifying his village.
Kumogakure had even developed a chakra cannon to counter Konoha's military might.
"If you stop resisting, the daimyo of the Land of Earth won't support you either!" A protested.
Kitsuchi sighed. "It's not surrender. We just don't know what to do. Raikage, we don't even have our tailed beasts anymore…"
"We can't give up, no matter what. Otherwise, both the village and our nation will be gone. Remember what happened to Kirigakure!"
A's resolve was unwavering. Sharing a look with Darui, who nodded in agreement, he made up his mind.
Two months prior, Kirigakure had undergone a coup. Mei, long declared a rogue ninja, led a rebellion, successfully overthrowing the Fourth Mizukage and his few loyal followers.
Following this, she announced that Kirigakure would join Konoha.
Upon hearing this news, the daimyo of the Land of Water panicked. Remembering the fate of the Land of Wind, he fled to the Land of Lightning with his wealth without even contacting Kirigakure.
End of Chapter
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