Approaching the table, Kaname noticed a white sheet of paper. Yielding to curiosity, she immediately picked it up and began to read. Shock was the only readable expression on her face. And when Kushina approached, she showed her the paper with these words:
"Do you understand what this means for you? Last time, I barely managed to seal the Nine-Tails back! " Kushina, meanwhile, cursing herself for forgetfulness, began to contemplate escape routes.
"Aunt Kaname, I understand, everything is datttebane, but... but..." She began to tear up, but the hand of her dear aunt, resting on her head, managed to quell the hysteria, if only slightly.
Minato, appearing from above with their daughter in his arms, descended downstairs. Seeing the familiar sheet in his aunt's hands, he understood the reason for the heavy atmosphere that had settled in the kitchen and spoke up:
"Kushina, Aunt Kaname, we need to consult with the Third... all of us. I'll call Kakashi to watch over Miroku."
Both nodded in agreement and began to gather, not forgetting to feed Miroku. When Kakashi arrived, Kushina made a list of how to take care of their daughter to avoid any mishaps. Arriving at the Third's residence, they prepared all the questions for discussion, and when the Hokage himself arrived, they began their unplanned meeting, setting up a barrier against eavesdropping. Minato was the first to speak:
"So, we're gathered here to discuss some very serious news. Kushina is pregnant!"
After these words, the Third's pipe dropped instantly from his mouth, but regaining composure, he easily picked it up. And he spoke up:
"Minato, Kushina, Kaname, this is a very big problem. And it's not just about you, Kushina, risking your life. If the Nine-Tails is released, the entire village could be destroyed. Even if everything goes well, we don't have any Uzumaki children on hand. Or do you want to make Miroku a jinchuriki?"
After that tirade from the old Hokage, a shiver ran through all three of them. The newlyweds were the first to regain their senses, both responding with a resounding refusal. Kushina had long grown accustomed to this role, and the others understood that she contained this colossal power and demon's wrath. But to sacrifice the fate of the jinchuriki for their daughter... they couldn't even consider it. Kaname, lost in thought, began her musings and presented one argument:
"There's one option, but please, don't interrupt me! Seeing the interested faces, she continued: If there's sealing, there's unsealing too, but we can try to do it without risks. And the endurance of our clan won't let you die so quickly. Remember Lady Mito! She walked for another week after sealing, and I even suspect she simply died of old age... Yes! Kushina, don't look at me like that, it's true! I think she used a special kind of unsealing, and notice! She first extracted the Nine-Tails from herself and then sealed it into you. Although she could have passed Kurama on immediately. And here's what I think! I need to go to Uzushio, since Lady Mito didn't have time to teach anyone else! I need companions. Minato, can you lend Kakashi for a month, he's still your ANBU anyway?"
Still pondering Kaname's arguments, Minato didn't respond immediately. For him, figuring out what to do with Kushina was much more important than arguing about Kakashi, so he nodded. But the Third Hokage spoke up again:
"Kaname, this is all great, but what about Kurama? We still need to seal it into a carrier, preferably a child, because adults won't withstand its mental attack."
After a moment of reflection, Kaname pointed at Kushina's stomach and said, "We'll seal the Nine-Tails into him!"
Everyone raised an eyebrow in question. But Kaname continued, more coldly this time:
"We'll seal the demon into the child that will be born to you. I understand it's somewhat cruel, but you know yourself, if we don't do this, it's the end for all of us. The bijuu are the balance of power among the Great Nations. Even if we manage to kill Kurama, the other nations will just devour us, and after rebirth, Kurama will trample over our corpses."
Minato and Kushina protested vehemently, but Kaname stopped them with a wave of her hand.
"Minato, Kushina, I understand it's cruel, but you're both Leaf Shinobi, you both swore to protect your home. At the moment, you have no attachment to this unborn baby, so don't get too attached to him. You may have to part with him, but it's too early to talk about it. By the way, when's the due date?"
"On October 10th," said Minato and Kushina in unison, and Kaname noticed that it would be the hottest day in Konoha's history, excluding the date of the battle between Madara and Hashirama. Hiruzen, who had been listening attentively, began to boil inside and, unable to contain himself, started:
"Kaname, have you gone mad?! You've just condemned an unborn child to hellish life! How could you even think of such a thing? And what do you mean by them," the old man gestured towards the couple, "having to part with him?!"
Kaname started boiling with anger at all this bravado and screamed back:
"And what do you suggest, Hiruzen? Let Kurama roam freely in Konoha or kill it so other nations come knocking at our door, rubbing their hands in anticipation? I won't allow my niece to die! She's all that's left of our family in Uzushio!"
Hiruzen grimaced in response.
"Kaname, I'm not against the idea of this newborn becoming a jinchuriki, but him being left without a family while his parents are alive is madness!"
"Hiruzen, this is the first time the strongest of the bijuu is being sealed into an infant. I'm not even sure if he'll remain human! And that's why I can't have this monster living in the same house as my niece, my son-in-law, and granddaughter. Well, if everything goes smoothly and he's okay, we'll bring him back home. So, who's in?"
Everyone, including Third, raised their hands. But the meeting was not yet over. Minato once again captured everyone's attention:
"You do understand that this information is classified, and no one has the right to disclose it, right? We don't need any unnecessary noise." Everyone nodded vigorously.