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Kakashi found his way to the Hokage's office.
He stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi. When Kakashi said he couldn't accept what Qianyu had done, Hiruzen's lips curved up, just a little. Then he sighed. "No one could accept something like that. So… have you already gone to Qianyu for confirmation, Kakashi?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. There's no need. I followed Sensei for years. I'd already… noticed things. I just didn't want to believe it. But when the bloody truth is laid bare, even I can't keep denying it."
Hiruzen's expression turned grave. "Then, Kakashi. Will you join the ANBU? Become my subordinate, and serve Konoha?"
Kakashi dropped to one knee. "Lord Hokage. I have always served Konoha. I follow the Will of Fire. I will join the ANBU."
A smile returned to Hiruzen's face. "You've made the right choice, Kakashi. I wasn't wrong about you. You are now a member of the ANBU. Report to the headquarters shortly."
"Yes, sir."
"There's one more thing," Hiruzen added. "Do not let Qianyu know you've joined the ANBU. On the surface, I'll assign you a long-term mission outside the village. If Qianyu and Orochimaru learn you're in the ANBU, they might get the wrong idea. Think I'm moving to sanction them. That would close the door completely."
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen stepped forward and helped Kakashi to his feet. "Then welcome to the ANBU, Kakashi."
Kakashi 'promised,' his voice flat. "You have my word, Lord Hokage. I will serve Konoha with every fiber of my being, just as my father did. I will fight for this village."
Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. "I believe you will surpass even Sakumo."
After Kakashi left, two figures shimmered into existence behind the Hokage. Haru and Tsunogai.
Hiruzen set down his pipe. "Now that Kakashi has joined, you two will continue surveillance. Report his activities to me regularly."
"Yes, sir!"
…
Kushina Uzumaki's due date was less than a week away.
Qianyu moved them into the hospital early. He was there 24/7, attending to her every need.
On the due date itself, Miyuki Uzumaki, now discharged, visited with baby Naruto in her arms.
Kushina wore a strained smile. "Miyuki… was it… really painful? Giving birth?"
Miyuki looked at Kushina's forced cheer, then at the pleading look in Qianyu's eyes.
She took Kushina's hand. "Don't worry. It's not painful at all. It's over before you know it."
Kushina exhaled slightly. "Good. Today's the day… I'm so scared."
Miyuki gave a gentle correction. "The due date is just an estimate, Kushina. It could be earlier. It could be later. Not necessarily today."
A huge wave of relief washed over Kushina. "Really? I thought it was set in stone. You have no idea how scared I was."
Qianyu could only shake his head ruefully.
So that's why she's been so down since this morning.
The two women chatted. Then—
Kushina gasped. Her hands flew to her stomach. Her face scrunched up in pain.
Qianyu was at her side in an instant. "Kushina? What's wrong?"
"My stomach… it hurts," she gritted out.
Miyuki's hand went under the blanket. Her eyes snapped to Qianyu. "Get the medics. Now. Her water broke. She's going into labor."
Qianyu vanished.
Less than a minute later, he reappeared—with two female medical ninja held like sacks under his arms. They looked dazed, utterly confused.
Qianyu was babbling, words tripping over themselves. But one look at Kushina's pained expression told them everything.
They sprang into action, wheeling Kushina into the delivery room. Qianyu went with her. He held her hand, whispering encouragement, his own knuckles white.
Labor was a trial. The pain was immense, visceral.
Every pained cry from Kushina twisted his heart. He sat there, rigid, knuckles white, holding her hand. He could fight armies for her. He could move mountains. But this? He was powerless. All he could do was be there.
The medical-nin assisting weren't faring much better. The sheer, palpable tension radiating from Qianyu pressed down on them, making it hard to breathe.
Then—a cry.
A sharp, healthy wail filled the room.
A medic-nin gently placed the newborn, Uzumaki Cang M, beside his exhausted mother.
A child's first sight is their mother.
Kushina looked at the loudly crying baby. Exhaustion was etched into every line of her face, but a smile bloomed anyway. "Cang M… There you are. So loud. So full of life… That's wonderful."
Qianyu walked over, movements stiff and awkward. He stared down at the crying infant, dumbstruck.
Kushina chuckled weakly. "Qianyu? Earth to Qianyu. Don't you want to hold him?"
He blinked. Nodded vigorously. "Yes. Yes, of course."
He reached down. His hands, steady enough to split a leaf at fifty paces, trembled as he lifted his son. Cang M, having voiced his protest to the world, seemed to tire. His cries softened into little hiccups, then silence. He slept.
Qianyu held the tiny, sleeping form. He took a deep, shuddering breath, then another, trying to calm the storm inside his chest. When he looked at Kushina, his eyes were wet.
"Thank you," he whispered, voice thick. "Thank you, Kushina. For making me a father."
Kushina's smile softened. "And I thank you, Qianyu. For making me a mother."
Their eyes met. In that shared look was a universe of understanding, of love, of a future suddenly expanded.
Later, back in the recovery room, all checks complete, Qianyu placed a sleeping Cang M in the bedside crib. He let out a long, relieved breath. "He's perfect. Completely healthy."
Kushina beamed. "Orochimaru-sama checked on us every month. Of course he is."
They stood there, side by side, looking down at their sleeping son. Two sets of exhausted, utterly happy eyes. The smiles on their faces didn't fade for a second.
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