"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 169: Matters of Childbirth
After speaking with the ANBU beside him to relay a message to the Minato couple, Feng Bai accompanied Hyūga Iroha to his hospital room.
It was a double room, and Iroha's roommate was also a member of the Hyūga branch family, though much older than Iroha.
When the man lying in bed saw Feng Bai arrive, he was momentarily stunned, then quickly recognized him by his appearance and hurriedly propped himself up: "Jōnin Feng Bai."
"Please, lie back down, lie back down."
Seeing how respectful the Hyūga were, Feng Bai didn't dare act superior and quickly gestured for the man to rest.
After a brief conversation, Feng Bai learned his name: Hyūga Dekai.
His injuries weren't from the Third Great Ninja War, but from a recent border mission where he'd been ambushed by unknown assailants.
"Although the large-scale warfare has ended, conflicts between villages continue. Moreover, Kirigakure and Kumogakure still haven't signed peace treaties with us."
Hyūga Dekai spoke with some helplessness.
He could tell his attackers were most likely Cloud ninja, but with both villages currently in a state of war, there was no way to hold them accountable.
"Yeah, that Fourth Raikage is really persistent."
Feng Bai couldn't help but admire the man's tenacity.
Anyone with eyes could see that continuing to drag out the conflict with Konoha wouldn't yield any benefits, but the Fourth Raikage stubbornly refused to relent, maintaining the state of war with Konoha. Even Sakumo was at a loss.
Dekai knew Feng Bai had come to talk with Iroha, so he didn't say much more and quickly ended the conversation.
Only then did Feng Bai get the chance to ask Iroha about the circumstances of his injury.
"Our squad was ambushed by Kirigakure. The leading jōnin was killed on the spot, leaving just us few chūnin and genin to resist."
A flash of pain crossed Iroha's face: "In the end, only Uchiha Yowan and I were left hiding behind cover. With no reinforcements coming, we finally decided to make a desperate last stand."
Pointing to his right arm, Iroha forced a bitter smile, trying to sound casual: "I was lucky—only lost a leg and an arm. Yowan had it worse; they couldn't even find his body."
"Can it be healed?"
Seeing his former schoolmate in such a state, Feng Bai felt heartbroken and asked Hyūga Tetsu beside him.
"Yes, but it'll take a long time—probably about a year for complete recovery." Hyūga Tetsu's words brought Feng Bai relief.
As long as he can recover.
"Hmph, you rascal, making me worry for so long. It's good that you'll recover. But what about your eyes..." Looking at Iroha cosplaying his father's appearance with the bandages, Feng Bai felt his face start aching again.
"My eyes are fine too, just might leave a scar on my face." Touching the bandages on his face, Iroha smiled, feeling fortunate that his Byakugan remained intact.
If he'd truly lost a Byakugan, the clan would probably abandon him completely.
Being from the branch family and unable to fulfill his duties, he'd end up just doing odd jobs in the clan, becoming a mere servant.
A ninja is just a tool. When a tool becomes useless, it naturally gets discarded.
"Anyway, seeing that you're all right is truly wonderful."
Feeling it was about time, Feng Bai glanced at the clock on the wall and bid farewell to Iroha: "I'll come visit you again if I have time."
"I thought the White Reaper would be a cold and ruthless person." Watching Feng Bai's retreating figure, Hyūga Dekai sighed: "And I can't see any trace of the Shimura clan in him."
Hyūga Tetsu and Hyūga Iroha exchanged glances, smiled, and said nothing.
Returning to his previous location, Feng Bai immediately saw Minato supporting a blushing Kushina as they emerged from the examination room.
A jinchūriki pregnancy—this is no small matter.
Upon receiving the news, Sakumo immediately reported it to the village's high command.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—the three advisors—arrived at Sakumo's office at once.
As for Danzō, he was busy with his own affairs and merely replied to Sakumo that he was aware of the situation.
"When a jinchūriki gives birth, the seal restraining the Tailed Beast weakens. Lady Mito experienced this very thing years ago."
Holding his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a serious expression for the first time since retirement:
"Therefore, during delivery, a ninja skilled in sealing techniques must be present to ensure the seal doesn't break."
Sakumo nodded: "Let's entrust this to Minato. After all, Kushina taught him quite a bit of sealing jutsu."
Currently, aside from Kushina, only Minato and Danzō were proficient in sealing techniques in the village.
As for Feng Bai?
His leaky sealing jutsu could at most handle ordinary ninja.
If he were really put in charge, even he couldn't guarantee success.
Danzō himself hadn't attended this meeting, clearly not intending to get involved, so Minato was the only one capable of taking on this task.
"For the village's safety, it would be better to set up the delivery room outside the village. This way, we can establish a tight sealing barrier in advance and deploy ANBU to protect their safety."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement and offered his suggestion.
"Who will handle the delivery?" Koharu Utatane inquired.
"Let Biwako do it. Her medical skills are only slightly inferior to my disappointing student." Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed.
"Biwako? Indeed, she's suitable." The two advisors exchanged glances and approved Sarutobi's suggestion.
With the general plan settled, everyone present turned their attention to Sakumo. Homura Mitokado spoke first: "Fourth Hokage, your ANBU aren't fully recruited yet, are they? In that case, let Sarutobi's ANBU handle the perimeter security."
Sakumo nodded—the other was right. His ANBU were currently understaffed, so he indeed couldn't spare anyone to protect Kushina's safety.
"I'll speak with Minato myself when the time comes."
Lighting his pipe, Sarutobi took a deep drag and took responsibility for this task.
...
Border of the Land of Rain.
"Kyūsuke, while we're away, I'm entrusting the organization to you."
Yahiko spoke seriously to Kyūsuke before him.
"Mm, don't worry, boss."
Looking at Nagato, who needed Konan's support just to walk, Kyūsuke didn't say much and simply nodded.
"Mm, I trust you."
Yahiko extended his hand, and Kyūsuke was reminded of when he first joined the Akatsuki organization.
"You must bring Nagato back safe and sound, Yahiko!" Grasping Yahiko's hand in return, Kyūsuke wore the same expression as back then.
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