"Yo, everyone's here, huh?"
Shin strolled in, waving casually to greet the room.
"Shin," Minato Namikaze greeted, a trace of relief flickering in his eyes.
"Tch, you're always so slow," muttered the heavily pregnant Kushina, shooting him a sidelong glance, clearly annoyed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged glances with his two old comrades, his expression unreadable.
They weren't fond of Shin.
Or rather, wary of him.
Shin gave Minato a slight nod first.
Then rolled his eyes at Kushina, earning a sharp glare in return.
As for the three elders? He didn't even bother acknowledging them.
Once Shin had entered fully, Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and began:
"Minato, now that Shin's here, we can proceed with arrangements for Kushina's delivery."
After all, this concerned the Nine-Tails, one of Konoha's most vital assets.
The Third Hokage and the two elders weren't about to take it lightly.
In their eyes, a Jinchuriki had no business getting married—let alone pregnant.
As a strategic weapon, it was best for her to live in isolation for life.
Until the next Jinchuriki was chosen.
But… unfortunately, her husband was the Hokage.
So their faces remained sour throughout, not bothering to hide their displeasure.
Minato responded smoothly, "What arrangements do you have in mind, Lord Third?"
"The birth can't take place in the village—it's far too dangerous," Sarutobi said, casting a glance at Kushina. "If the Nine-Tails loses control, the consequences would be catastrophic…"
"Old man Sarutobi, I can control the Nine-Tails!" Kushina shot back, clearly not convinced.
"Kushina," Koharu Utatane interjected in a calm, almost patronizing tone, "Childbirth leaves a woman weakened. Add the Nine-Tails' chakra to that, and you'll barely have any strength left."
Minato remained impassive.
He didn't even hesitate before replying, "We'll find a place outside the village."
Kushina pouted at her husband's agreement but said nothing more.
Sarutobi's expression softened kindly as he continued, "Don't worry, Minato. I'll have the ANBU prepare the site in advance. A barrier will be erected, everything secured both inside and out."
"And my wife Biwako will stay by Kushina's side to ensure everything goes smoothly."
"Tch!"
Shin scoffed from the side, unable to hold back his disdain.
In his mind: Yeah sure, and in the end your wife still gets her heart ripped out by Obito Uchiha…
Sarutobi's brow furrowed slightly.
He turned to glare at the insolent young man.
"Shin, do you have a problem?"
"Me?" Shin shrugged. "Not at all. You're in charge of the arrangements."
Minato quickly stood and bowed deeply to Sarutobi in thanks.
"We're truly grateful to Lady Biwako!"
He was intentionally defusing the tension, steering the conversation away from potential conflict between the Third Hokage and Shin.
After all, he knew Hiruzen had always disliked Shin.
There were... many reasons for that.
Sarutobi nodded, pleased with Minato's tact.
He no longer paid attention to Shin—the scheming, ruthless, and utterly disrespectful man.
Then Minato turned to Shin. "I'd like you to be present when the time comes."
"Fine by me," Shin said, carelessly shrugging again, clearly uninterested in the official talk.
His eyes, however, lingered subtly on the pregnant woman.
There was a flicker of curiosity in his gaze.
"Then it's settled," Sarutobi said, puffing from his pipe. "There's about half a month to go until Kushina gives birth. I'll have the ANBU begin preparations immediately."
Minato nodded, expressing no objections.
Shin rolled his eyes.
Even in retirement, the old man still clung tightly to control over the ANBU.
Shameless geezer.
"Now then, Kushina, could you step outside for a moment?" Sarutobi turned to her. "We need to discuss some other matters."
"Huh?" Kushina scowled. "Why should I leave?"
"It's about inter-village affairs," Homura Mitokado finally spoke up, his face blank as ever. "This discussion doesn't concern you."
Kushina's temper flared instantly.
She jabbed a finger toward Shin.
"Then why doesn't he have to leave?"
Shin, who had been admiring the curves of the small woman, replied with a sigh, "If it's necessary, I can step out. Just have Minato call me back in later."
"Wait, Shin," Sarutobi said in a low voice. "This concerns the Scorch Release kunoichi from the Hidden Sand—Pakura."
"You captured her and have been interrogating her. We need a report."
Shin spread his hands in a helpless gesture toward Kushina, as if to say: See? They won't let me leave.
Kushina opened her mouth to argue again.
But Minato gently took her hand.
"Kushina, just head home for now. You need rest."
"You…"
Kushina glared at her husband, still unwilling.
But looking at Minato's calm, kind face—
She found it hard to stay angry.
"Hmph!"
With a sharp huff, she turned and left, one hand cradling her belly.
As she passed by Shin, her scent lingered faintly in the air.
It tickled Shin's nose.
He knew Kushina well.
Before her pregnancy, she'd been thin—barely any curves to speak of.
But now…
She was a full-bodied, radiant beauty.