Ten minutes later, Akio returned to the Land of Whirlpools, belly noticeably protruding.
He pushed open the door to Ichiraku Ramen and said calmly,
"Konoha's fine. No invasion. Just that idiot cat stirring up trouble, false alarm."
"We figured as much, so we didn't start eating yet...ah!" Kushina turned around and froze, letting out a gasp.
Everyone at the table stared. Sara's expression was especially strange.
"…Am I about to get a little brother or sister?"
"Whoa! Teacher's pregnant?!" Nagato blurted out.
Naruto gaped.
"Wait, Grandpa Ancestor can get pregnant?!"
"Gods are all-powerful!" someone declared solemnly.
Kushina slowly lowered her hand, smiling as she examined Akio.
"Great-Grandfather… judging by that belly, you look at least nine months along."
Akio rubbed his stomach and walked back to his seat, irritated.
"Knock it off. Can't you sense what's actually inside?"
Kushina chuckled.
"I knew that fat cat was suspicious."
"…Did you eat Little White?" Sara asked quietly.
Akio nodded.
"That thing's gotten completely out of hand. I figured it was time for consequences.
Anyway… if we're having a reunion meal, I'll need to spit it back out first."
Naruto recoiled in horror.
"Ancestor! Are we eating or not?!"
Akio tilted his head, opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of blue flame. His swollen belly steadily shrank back to normal.
The blue fire condensed, taking shape, until a familiar feline silhouette emerged.
"Meow~ You heartless monster! Your stomach is filthy and smells awful!"
Akio's face darkened.
As if chakra constructs could even smell anything and his stomach was spotless.
Absolutely packed with knowledge, thank you very much.
"That cat really is something," someone muttered.
"Even getting eaten by a god doesn't kill it."
"Meow~ You again, brat!"
Akio sighed and explained,
"This cat's a special case. It can freely shift between physical form and pure chakra. Eating it actually benefits the body, it's just… hard to digest."
Kushina's eyes flickered.
"Then if I ate it"
"No," Akio said immediately, shaking his head.
"The baby wouldn't be able to handle that chakra, and that blue flame has a burning effect. Absolutely not."
He paused, then added thoughtfully,
"After you give birth, though… you could try it once. Might be good for checking stomach health."
"MEOW!!" The fat cat bristled, fur standing on end.
Akio laughed.
"All right. No more interruptions. Thanks to that idiot cat warming my stomach, my appetite's better than ever."
"Oh finally! We can eat!"
"Fat cat., you eat last."
"…Meow…"
The cat slumped. Every New Year was cursed for it.
…
Five days later.
News spread across the shinobi world: Nagato of the Land of Whirlpools had formally taken the title of Kage, becoming the Uzukage.
Small nations rushed to recognize it, sending congratulations and gifts.
Ignoring a few self-proclaimed "Kage" from minor villages, the shinobi world now officially had six Kage.
Akio figured that at some point he could organize a "Six Kage Summit" the potential payoff alone made it tempting.
But that could wait.
Today, he returned to Konoha for something more immediate:
the final vote for the Fifth Hokage.
In truth, it was mostly ceremonial.
Obito was going to win by a landslide, and in three days' time, he would officially take office. That outcome had been decided long ago.
Akio arrived at the Uchiha compound, at Kagami's home.
"I heard you handed the clan leadership over to Fugaku," Akio said.
"It was time," Kagami replied, coughing softly. "The torch has to pass eventually."
Akio frowned.
"So you'll be the next one I send off, huh? I thought you'd outlive Hiruzen."
"The Mangekyō takes a heavy toll," Kagami said quietly. "I used it too much when I was younger. Still… I don't have many regrets. An Uchiha will become Hokage. Fugaku's a good leader. Only Shisui…"
Akio nodded.
"I'll have people look into it. Something may have happened, but his life shouldn't be in danger."
"Thank you, Elder Akio."
Knock, knock, knock.
Akio froze slightly, surprise flickering across his face.
"Inabi?" Kagami called out. "Come in."
A plain-looking middle-aged Uchiha entered, carrying a tea tray.
"Clan Head, Elder Akio please have some tea."
Kagami coughed again.
"Set it down. And I'm no longer the clan head."
"Yes, Lord Kagami."
As Kagami reached for the cup, Akio stopped him.
"Don't drink it. Could be poisoned."
Kagami blinked.
"Poisoned?"
The man suddenly extended his tongue, licking his lips.
"Elder… how could I ever poison you?"
Kagami stiffened.
"…You're not Inabi. You're Orochimaru! Where is he?!"
"He's fine," Akio said calmly. "Probably sleeping in some forgotten corner. This is just a transformation, no face swap."
Kagami's expression darkened.
"Orochimaru… you dare sneak into Konoha now of all times?"
Akio smiled faintly.
"He's confident no one here can catch him. You've grown stronger again, haven't you? What do you want?"
Orochimaru dispelled the disguise, revealing his pale, serpentine face.
"I came to see Kagami."
Akio's eye twitched.
"Say it again slowly. What do you want from me?"
Orochimaru paused, then smiled.
"I heard your student Nagato has taken the title of Kage. I came to offer congratulations."
Akio nodded, pleased.
"I won't ask for a gift. Anything else?"
"I came for Kagami."
Kagami finally realized what was happening and relaxed.
"What business do you have with me?"
Orochimaru smiled thinly.
"I hear your health is failing. I'd like to request an inheritance."
Akio stared.
That was… not how people usually said that.
Kagami remained calm.
"…An inheritance?"
"I'd like your Mangekyō Sharingan preserved after your death," Orochimaru said smoothly.
"As payment, I'll tell you what I know about Uchiha Shisui."
Kagami nearly threw him out then froze.
"You know where Shisui is?! Cough—"
Akio's gaze sharpened.
"This wasn't your doing, was it?"
Orochimaru shook his head.
"He was taken by a female shinobi with deep blue hair. That's all I'll say unless Kagami agrees."
"Deep blue hair… a woman?" Akio murmured, stunned.
"…Don't tell me. Is it really her?"