Anya hadn't returned to the lab yet when Minato suddenly appeared beside her using the [Flying Thunder God Technique].
Still shaken, Anya suddenly remembered she was still carrying Minato's marker. That was close—she'd almost been exposed.
"Hey, you scared me popping out like that," Anya said, clearly annoyed.
Minato was even more annoyed. "This is all your fault. And by the way, since when did you start calling yourself Oub? How come I didn't hear about it?"
"A name's just a code name," Anya replied with a 'what's the big deal' look, adding, "I've got plenty of names."
Minato thought she was joking and didn't take it seriously. He got straight to the point. "Where are those cards you made? Give me a set and add your autograph too."
Anya smirked playfully. "What, you into it too? You think I made you look good, huh?"
Minato sighed. "It's for Kushina. She really likes them and spent half the day buying one for herself. But just now the Third took it, and now she's furious."
"Little Pepper? No way," Anya shot him down flat.
Knowing how bad the two got along, Minato helplessly said, "Then how about me? I'll pay for it."
"First, take off the Flying Thunder God marker on me," Anya started setting her conditions.
"Fine." Minato placed his hand on Anya's shoulder, and the Flying Thunder God marker was successfully removed.
Anya relaxed a bit. After all, the Wood Release Experiment had already been ordered to stop by Sarutobi. If Minato ever showed up out of the blue, it would definitely lead to conflict.
"There's no such thing as an autograph to begin with. I've been stuck in the lab the whole time and didn't go out," Anya explained. "I bet Yearly Boss came up with that trick just to make some quick cash."
Minato slapped his forehead and sighed. "So Kushina stood in line for nothing."
"Not exactly. To outsiders, that signature looked just as real as the real thing," Anya added casually with a smile. "Come on, I'll make you a custom set on the spot at the shop."
Minato, clearly moved, said, "Thank you."
The entire afternoon, Anya and Minato spent making the card set at Yearly Boss's shop.
Yearly Boss watched with mixed feelings as Anya—who had such a close relationship with the Fourth Hokage—made the cards. He almost spoke up a few times but decided against it. After all, the Hokage himself was buying them and clearly didn't care about the consequences. As just a villager, maybe it wasn't his place to interfere. Besides, his daughter Tenten was still in someone else's hands. In the end, he held himself back.
Once the cards were finished, they were packed in an elegant gift box, signed by Oub—truly a limited-edition autographed set.
Minato, holding the cards, finally felt relieved and sincerely thanked her again.
"You don't have to. Just make sure you can calm down your Little Pepper."
As Anya was about to leave, Minato called out to her. "Wait, there's one more thing. I was going to tell you in a few days, but since you're out today, I'll tell you now. In a week, Kushina and I are hosting a small wedding. Be sure to come."
"Congratulations," Anya replied, then asked, "You two have been together this long and never had one before?"
" I've been on nonstop missions during the Third Battle. Even after coming back, I was swamped with work. Now that I finally have some free time, I want to make it up to her with a wedding ceremony. And another main reason is..." Minato's eyes sparkled with excitement, but he suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Anya snapped, "Hey, don't stop halfway through your sentence."
"Kushina is pregnant. Her due date is October tenth—I'll be a father soon." Emotion swelled in Minato's chest. Clearly, the idea of becoming a father stirred deep feelings within him.
"So soon? Naruto's going to be born?" Anya murmured.
"Oh, you've read Jiraiya-sensei's The Tale of the Indomitable Shinobi too," Minato quickly found common ground. "I think the story is fascinating—especially how the protagonist never backs down no matter what happens."
"Wait a second—you said this book was written by Jiraiya?" Anya asked suspiciously. "Isn't he best known for writing those Make-Out Paradise books?"
"It's Jiraiya-sensei's debut work. I heard the sales weren't great, but I really like it. The name Naruto is actually quite good. Anya, you got me thinking—maybe I should name my future child after the protagonist from my teacher's book."
So that's how Naruto got his name—you gave him the name, and Kushina gave him the surname.
"Since you've already decided, why not go ask Kushina's opinion? I'll be there for your wedding."
"Great." Minato picked up a card he was holding. "Then this will be your wedding gift to us."
"Isn't this too simple?" Anya didn't mind spending money; she just wanted something more valuable.
"What matters most is the thought behind it. Besides, it's handmade by you. Kushina will definitely love it."
"Fine then."
Soon, a week passed, and Minato's wedding took place as scheduled.
Due to Kushina's special circumstances, the ceremony was kept very simple—just held at their home with only a handful of close friends in attendance. It was nowhere near the grand event typically expected of a Hokage, though Minato clearly didn't care about such things.
Anya noticed that Mikoto was already visibly showing.
"Mikoto-nee, are you pregnant? How many months along are you?" Anya asked with concern.
Mikoto gently touched her belly, glowing with maternal warmth. "Over four months now, Anya. When the time comes, you'll continue being the child's foster father."
This must be Sasuke, thought Anya with a slight headache. Mikoto-nee, neither of your two kids will be easy to handle. Changing the subject, she asked, "What about Fugaku? Wasn't he invited?"
Sighing, Mikoto replied, "Ever since he lost the Hokage election and took the loss to heart, he's become very despondent and rarely goes out."
Someone who never had a real chance at the position getting so upset over losing it—truly…
As they were talking, the wedding formalities had already finished, and everyone gathered around one table, eagerly enjoying the delicious feast laid out before them. This banquet was specially prepared by Anya, using basically every finest ingredient available in Konoha Village, creating an incredibly rich aroma. Nearby, Choza Akimichi was already drooling uncontrollably.
After everyone toasted the new recruit and took their seats to begin the meal, halfway through the banquet, the three members of Ino–Shika–Cho (the elite Ino–Shika–Cho trio) made their way to Anya's table to offer a toast.
Inoichi raised his cup first, saying, "Captain, I'd like to toast you."
The other two followed, saying, "We're grateful for your aid in battle."
Anya politely replied, "It was nothing."
At this moment, Inoichi used a secret jutsu to send a message straight into Anya's heart: "Captain, Yugao has been looking for you. She seems unwilling to leave Anbu (the elite intelligence division). If you have time, please go see her."
Anya silently replied, her expression unchanged, "Alright, I will."
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