"D-dad… Daddy???"
When Kushina heard the little boy's words, her smile froze instantly, and her mind went blank. The only thing echoing in her head was the word: "Daddy."
Why is this child calling Natsuhiko "Daddy"?
After struggling to regain her composure, Kushina began to think hard about this question.
Maybe... maybe this child is just joking.
At worst, maybe Natsuhiko just recently adopted him…
Kushina kept searching for reasons to convince herself.
However, the child's distinctive white hair and striking resemblance to Natsuhiko cruelly shattered her fantasies!
Clearly, there could only be one explanation for this situation...
As the terrifying possibility dawned on her, Kushina felt as if she had been struck by lightning and took several steps back.
"Sister, are you okay?"
The little boy immediately rushed forward on his short legs, his small face full of concern.
"I'm fine…"
Kushina forced a smile, but her heart was filled with bitterness.
At the same time, she couldn't help but take a closer look at the boy and estimate his age.
He seemed to be about three or four years old, and Natsuhiko was only sixteen now...
Doing the math, doesn't that mean Natsuhiko… not long after graduating…
Kushina became even more doubtful about everything.
Although she knew that being a ninja meant living on the edge and growing up fast, this was way beyond what she expected!
Sensing that something was definitely off, Kushina quickly identified the critical point of this whole situation.
So, she temporarily suppressed her critical thoughts about Natsuhiko and asked the boy in the gentlest tone she could muster:
"Little one, you say Natsuhiko is your father, but where is your mother?"
Upon hearing this, the boy's eyes widened slightly, then dimmed as he lowered his head and said:
"I've never seen my mom since I was little…"
"And every time I ask Dad about her, he gets furious…"
Seeing the little boy's pitiful expression, Kushina's maternal instincts kicked in, and she squatted down to gently pat his little head, comforting him softly.
"I'm sorry, sister didn't know…"
At the same time, her mind was racing.
It seemed that Natsuhiko had cut ties with the boy's mother.
Did they break up, or…
Kushina felt disappointed in herself for even feeling a slight sense of relief.
Kushina, what on earth are you thinking?
Even though you have feelings for Natsuhiko, he's already got a child.
Are you really prepared to become someone's stepmother?
Kushina was torn inside.
Just then, the little boy sniffled, trying his best to put on a brave face and said:
"I'm okay, thank you, sister."
Seeing how well-behaved and understanding the child was, Kushina's eyes grew even softer.
The boy then said:
"By the way, sister, you said you were here to see Dad, right?"
"But Dad is a bit busy right now, so you should come inside and wait for a bit."
With that, he skillfully took Kushina's hand and led her into the courtyard.
Kushina had a million questions she wanted to ask Natsuhiko, so she didn't refuse the boy's suggestion.
So, hand in hand, the two walked into the courtyard, chatting and laughing.
At the same time, Kushina recalled what Natsuhiko had mentioned in his message yesterday.
A fundamental matter—could he have been talking about this child?
As she thought of Natsuhiko's move, which felt like he was laying his cards on the table, Kushina's feelings grew even more complicated.
After all, this could very well mean that Natsuhiko had feelings for her, too. Under normal circumstances, Kushina might have been overjoyed.
But the problem remained—this child...
Yet, the warmth of the little hand holding hers stirred something within Kushina, making her heart skip a beat.
It felt as if she had known this child for a long time…
If it were this child, maybe… it wouldn't be completely unacceptable.
Just as Kushina's attitude began to soften, the door of the house suddenly opened, and two more figures identical to the boy, except for the colour of their clothes, walked out!
Kushina was stunned once again.
T-t-triplets?!
...
Meanwhile, Natsuhiko was still in the underground lab, conducting research on the Cursed Seal in front of the prototype.
He had already received a system notification that Kushina had arrived at his home.
However, Natsuhiko didn't rush. Instead, he finished his current work, set up the next task for the prototype, and then left the lab, heading up to his house.
"Kushina should be quite surprised to meet those three little ones for the first time," Natsuhiko thought to himself, smiling.
He invited Kushina to his house today to fulfil his promise to Teacher Mito: to help Kushina train in the Yin Seal.
However, considering the difficulty of learning this technique and the fact that Teacher Mito might not have much time left, Natsuhiko made a significant decision.
To accelerate Kushina's growth, he decided to teach her the Baby Clone Technique.
Naturally, there was no longer any need to keep the three little ones he had created with this technique a secret from Kushina.
So, he had tasked them with welcoming Kushina this morning and introducing themselves to her as a prelude to teaching her the Baby Clone Technique.
Before long, Natsuhiko emerged from the underground lab and saw the three little ones leading Kushina into the house.
The lingering surprise on Kushina's face showed that she was still processing what she had just seen, which made Natsuhiko feel a bit proud.
After all, the Baby Clone Technique was his proudest creation, and it was no wonder Kushina was so surprised.
"You're early, Kushina."
Natsuhiko walked over, raising his hand in a greeting, and then added with a smile:
"Kushina, from your expression, it looks like you've figured out what's going on with them, which saves me a lot of explaining."
Kushina looked at Natsuhiko with a complex expression. Seeing his calm demeanour, her emotions were all over the place.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked for confirmation:
"Hay-Natsuhiko, when you said you had something important to tell me, were you referring to them?"
Natsuhiko smiled and said, "Yes, isn't it a surprise?"
Kushina nodded heavily, her face serious.
Then Natsuhiko reminded her:
"I've kept this secret for a long time. Other than me, you're the only one who knows, so you must promise not to tell anyone."
Although she had her complaints about Natsuhiko keeping this a secret, in the end, it was his private matter, so Kushina nodded earnestly and said:
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Only then did Natsuhiko relax and say, "Good. Now… let's get down to business."
It's happening.
Natsuhiko is really going to lay his cards on the table.
Kushina felt her heart pounding, her cheeks starting to flush.
She felt extremely nervous and had no idea how she would respond.
Natsuhiko, with a gentle smile on his handsome face, slowly walked over to Kushina's side.
He patted the silent number two on the head and whispered in Kushina's ear:
"Kushina."
"Mm?"
Kushina responded in a voice as soft as a mosquito's.
In a tempting tone, Natsuhiko said:
"What do you think of them? Do you like them?"
"How about… I help you make a few of your own?"
(End of Chapter)
P.S.: This Note will be posted for the following 6 chapters guys so please do not mind it.
So, guys, I have made some minor changes to my Patreon. Now, advance 60 chapters will be available there, but if you guys subscribe to it today, you will be able to access advance 66 chapters, so do not miss the opportunity.
Also, I am posting Dragon Ball fiction from my alternate account. The fic is likely the best project I have ever done as a translator, so do check it out. It is a multiversal fic with Dragon Ball as the main world. A Saiyan's Journey Begins From A Dream by SenatusAlpha.
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