Kawaki lived a simple life, constantly traveling back and forth between his home and the Hokage's office.
He always used the [Flying Thunder God] technique, making him seem like a fleeting shadow.
After days of careful surveillance, Kakuzu hadn't even managed to catch a glimpse of his shadow.
Kawaki came early and left late, never returning with anything to show for it.
Kakuzu's mood began to slowly turn restless. He paced anxiously within his room at the inn.
"This can't go on."
"I'll have to take a risk."
It seemed he'd made a decision—his eyes became more resolute.
Meanwhile, Kawaki was gently feeling Tsunade's belly, occasionally leaning in close to listen for fetal movements.
So many days had passed, and he had completely forgotten about the assassination plan.
"It moved! It really moved!"
Kawaki looked excited—until he suddenly got a strong kick to the face from the baby.
"Look at you, grinning like an idiot."
"It's just kicking."
Tsunade smiled, her figure more voluptuous than before her pregnancy.
"In a few more months, it'll be born."
"Won't you tell me if it's a boy or girl?"
Kawaki lay beside Tsunade—it must've been the hundredth time he asked.
"Boy or girl, isn't it still your child?"
Tsunade didn't answer again, leaving Kawaki hanging on purpose.
"Aww, come on, just tell me."
Kawaki acted unusually sweet, actually acting all clingy and affectionate, making Tsunade shudder slightly in disgust.
"Stop showing off that embarrassing act."
"Do I really have to keep guessing?"
Tsunade gave in, finally speaking.
"You're right, you're right."
Kawaki beamed proudly, clearly the tactic worked regardless of gender.
Wish I'd tried this earlier.
Though it was pretty gross, to be honest.
"It's a boy. You're gonna have a son."
It wasn't much of a secret anyway—Tsunade had only been teasing him.
Now that she said it, she didn't feel particularly different about revealing it.
"Well then, a boy it is. That works too."
A flash of disappointment crossed Kawaki's face—he had secretly been hoping for a daughter.
"What? Are you not happy?"
Seeing his expression, Tsunade reached over and twisted his ear.
"No, no, a son is great."
As his head swayed with Tsunade's hand, Kawaki began backing down.
"That's better."
Tsunade didn't push further, satisfied with herself either way.
"Have you thought about what name to give him?"
Kawaki immediately started worrying about naming their son.
"That's your job—I won't interfere."
Tsunade gave Kawaki full authority on naming; she disliked dealing with such things.
"Then let's call him Yuto, Hatake Yuto."
"I hope he lives a long life."
Kawaki chose a name filled with good wishes.
He didn't expect his son to become an extraordinary ninja—just wished him peace and longevity.
"The meaning's nice, but sounds kinda weak."
Tsunade shook her head disapprovingly.
"You just said it wasn't your problem."
Kawaki muttered quietly under his breath.
"What did you say? Speak louder."
Tsunade didn't hear clearly, thinking Kawaki was talking to her.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking about names."
How could Kawaki repeat himself? He quietly went back to thinking instead.
After having ten names rejected by Tsunade, he decided to stop trying.
Whoever feels like getting up can go ahead!
"Let's stop here for today. We still have time."
"I think naming isn't something urgent either."
Kawaki spoke politely, indirectly hinting he feared getting beaten up.
"I've always told you to read more, but you never listen."
"You can't even come up with a decent name."
Tsunade didn't realize it was her own fault and scolded Kawaki instead.
"You're absolutely right. I'll definitely flip through some books later."
Kawaki had planned to argue back but thought better of it.
After all, step back, and the sea and sky await; step forward, and you might end up skinned alive. He valued his own hide far too much.
"All right then, if there's nothing else, go to sleep."
Tsunade pulled Kawaki's arm under her neck to use as a pillow and closed her eyes after settling into a comfortable position.
She'd long since given up on seducing Kawaki—that guy had made it clear he wasn't going to touch her, and had stayed celibate for months now.
Given how determined he looked, he'd definitely last until she gave birth.
"Good night."
Kawaki gently kissed her cheek, then lay down and began drifting off.
The night gradually deepened, and all of Konoha fell silent.
Kakuzu crept quietly out of his room—tonight, he would set his plan in motion.
Without alerting anyone, Kakuzu left the inn and reached the streets outside.
The street lay completely empty, lit only by a few scattered lights.
A cool breeze stirred, rustling his coat.
"Konoha, prepare yourself for my surprise!!"
No sooner had those words fallen than Kakuzu shot forward like an arrow.
Darting across rooftops, he vanished into the night in seconds.
Before long, he arrived at his destination.
The Hokage Building.
He'd chosen the spot wisely.
If anything happened to the Hokage Building, Kawaki would certainly show up.
Of course, great rewards came with significant risks—Kakuzu could sense patrolling ninjas inside the Hokage Building.
But they were merely jonin, insufficient to hinder his progress.
Kakuzu waited briefly, timing his move carefully.
Right after the patrol ninja passed, he slipped silently into the Hokage Building.
Initially, he intended to find an important office to set fire to, but unfamiliarity with the layout forced him to compromise.
Settling on a random room instead, he piled flammable objects together and took out explosive tags from his possession, placing them carefully atop.
Pity his idea of art wasn't explosions, or he'd have muttered, "Art is an explosion!"
Oh—
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After accomplishing all this, Kakuzu snuck back out quietly.
Finding a concealed corner, a triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Explode!!"
At Kakuzu's whispered command, the Hokage Building erupted with a deafening blast.
Boom!! Boom!!
"Extinguish the fire!!"
"There's a spy causing chaos! Notify Lord Kawaki immediately."
...
The explosion sent the ninja inside the Hokage Building into chaos, making Kakuzu cackle with delight.
As thick smoke and flickering flames rose from the Hokage Building, Kakuzu waited patiently, keeping himself even more hidden.
Not long afterward, a crowd gathered around the Hokage Building.
Leading the way was none other than Kawaki himself, with Tsunade following closely behind while supporting her large belly.
Kawaki couldn't persuade her otherwise, otherwise he wouldn't have let her come along.
If the child got hurt, he would never forgive himself.
"Hokage-sama, Lord Kawaki."
"The fire has been extinguished, but we haven't found the culprit yet."
"It's our failure. We failed to detect any infiltrators."
The captain on duty tonight bowed respectfully while reporting to Kawaki and Tsunade, wearing an expression of deep shame.
This was an unprecedented scandal in Konoha.
Someone had actually set the Hokage Building ablaze—a grave humiliation.
"What's the damage?"
Kawaki frowned. The time for assigning blame had not come yet.
"The fire was strongest in the storage room. The losses are within an acceptable range."
The on-duty captain gave a detailed report.
Fortunately, Kakuzu wasn't familiar with the layout of the Hokage Building; otherwise, this blaze could've caused unimaginable destruction.
"Any clues?"
Tsunade stared at the captain, her tone sharp.
The pressure coming off her was immense. Cold sweat trickled down the captain's forehead.
"Not yet. Whoever did this left no trace."
The captain forced himself to withstand the intense pressure. He wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Why did it have to occur on his shift?
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