Hokage Office.
Having already learned some news in advance from the Anbu, Minato looked at Orochimaru in front of him, along with Gintoki, Jiraiya, and Tsunade behind him, unsure of what to say, feeling a bit envious in his heart.
Orochimaru was there to submit the security plan for Miss Hinowa's night of childbirth, and the so-called security consisted of Jiraiya, Gintoki, and the child's biological father, Orochimaru.
As for Tsunade, she was personally "invited" back to oversee Miss Hinowa's delivery!
Just look at the configuration for their childbirth: the Sanin gathered together, plus the number one of the new generation of Konoha, and compare it to the arrangement the Third Hokage made for his own wife's childbirth: Lady Biwako plus the Anbu's Mokuji, with the guards being the Third Hokage's direct Anbu…
It's unfair!
Minato felt unfairness in his heart!
Gintoki and Jiraiya had been caught in Orochimaru's trap, so they had no choice but to accept Orochimaru's conditions.
—They would serve as security for Hinowa before and during her childbirth, which would clear the debt from the money they had tricked him out of.
This… well, fine, he could reluctantly accept it, after all, Gintoki and Jiraiya-sensei were at fault first.
But what about Tsunade?
Orochimaru was really going all out!
Just for his wife to give birth, he actually managed to bring back Tsunade, who could hardly be invited back!
Speaking of which, what means did he use to get Tsunade back?
Was it that left cheek of his that looked like it had been punched hard and was still swollen?
Trading a punch for Tsunade's presence? If he used Sage Mode, he might just barely be able to handle it!
Minato knew Tsunade's strength; even Jiraiya-sensei would take months of recovery after receiving a full-force punch.
Speaking of which… was Orochimaru's rush to submit the village exit application a few days ago really just for this? Just to bring Tsunade back to oversee the delivery?
This Orochimaru was even more driven than himself!
"Um… it seems there are no oversights…"
Minato suppressed his envy and jealousy, looking up and smiling as he said this.
Of course, he knew he was stating the obvious.
With this configuration, let alone just a pregnant woman giving birth, they could easily conquer a small country!
"Then it's settled, Minato. I'll trouble you with the recent mission arrangements for Jiraiya and Gintoki."
With that, Orochimaru turned around and left with Gintoki and Jiraiya under Minato's envious, jealous, and even slightly resentful gaze.
However, just as the three were about to walk out of the Hokage office, Minato suddenly had a clever idea and called out to Orochimaru, speaking seriously.
"Wait, Orochimaru-san, may I ask when Miss Hinowa's due date is…"
"October 10th."
Upon hearing Orochimaru's reply, the last glimmer of hope in Minato's heart was shattered.
Originally, Minato had thought that if the timing was staggered, he could ask Tsunade to join Kushina's secret childbirth plan, but he never expected that both due dates would be the same day!
Damn! No free ride!
"Um, can Tsunade stay for a bit? I have something I want to discuss with you…"
Knowing that a free ride was impossible, Minato ultimately chose to struggle one last time.
Although he couldn't have Tsunade oversee Kushina's delivery, having her do a prenatal check-up and comfort the pregnant woman's emotions should be acceptable; that request shouldn't be too much!
...
After watching Tsunade agree and leave the Hokage office, Minato sighed lightly and then turned to the Third Hokage, who had been quietly puffing away, creating secondhand smoke.
Feeling a certain someone's resentful gaze, the Third Hokage shifted slightly to avoid the look and continued to smoke, thinking.
'Tsunade is a person Orochimaru brought back with his own ability and at an unknown cost; don't complain to me about the different treatment for your wife giving birth, Minato.'
"Third Hokage…"
Understanding what Minato meant and what he wanted, the Third Hokage finally sighed lightly and replied leisurely.
"Minato, this matter… I don't have the final say."
"Third Hokage, how about letting Tsunade oversee both pregnant women at the same time?"
"What do you think?" the Third Hokage countered.
"Uh… that should be impossible, right?"
Minato was clear-headed, scratching his head with an awkward smile.
Not to mention that Orochimaru would definitely not agree, but Kushina's delivery was also a top-secret matter that couldn't be known by anyone.
...
That evening, having arranged for Tsunade to check on Kushina's health, Minato returned home early, personally cooking and preparing a feast for Tsunade.
Entering the living room, Kushina, with her large belly, looked at the delicious dishes on the table and a bottle of exquisitely packaged, seemingly expensive wine, and asked.
"Minato, are we expecting guests? This dinner seems a bit extravagant."
"Um, yes…"
Minato, who was flipping food in the kitchen, turned around and smiled in response, but was suddenly interrupted by the ringing doorbell.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
"I'll go open the door!"
Even close to giving birth, Kushina still retained her usual carefree personality, not waiting for Minato to stop her as she hurriedly walked towards the entrance.
...
"It's been a while, Kushina."
As she looked at one of the Sanin of Konoha, the unparalleled medical ninja in the Shinobi World, Tsunade, standing at her doorstep, Kushina was momentarily stunned.
Then, Kushina seemed to realize something and understood!
She couldn't help but feel moved to tears!
Minato…
To ensure nothing went wrong during her delivery, he actually managed to bring back Tsunade, who no one could invite back!
This husband of mine is truly kind!
He truly gives her the best!
"Minato, I love you…"
Unable to contain her emotions, Kushina wiped away her tears of joy and turned to Minato, softly expressing her deep feelings.
Realizing that Kushina might have misunderstood him, Minato wanted to explain, but looking at her expression, he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth.
Minato knew that pregnant women shouldn't have too much emotional fluctuation.
If he told her, she would go from being moved to being unable to contain herself to disappointment and sadness.
Such a drastic emotional shift would not be good for a woman about to give birth!
"Um, Kushina, let's invite Tsunade in."
"With her belly so big, what kind of husband are you, making a pregnant woman open the door?"
Tsunade frowned and complained a bit.
Although she didn't care much about Konoha now, Kushina was somewhat different.
After all, she was also a relative of her grandmother (or great-grandmother?), so she still cared a little.
At that moment, Kushina linked her arm with Tsunade's and smiled as she defended Minato.
"I just ran to open the door while Minato wasn't paying attention. Come in quickly, Tsunade, Minato has prepared a lavish meal!"