Some months later...
Kenji still didn't know that Kakashi had joined ANBU, just like in the original timeline. Right now, he had more immediate concerns.
Honoka was pregnant.
Two lifetimes, and this was the first time he was going to be a father. The news hit him like a lightning jutsu to the chest, leaving him standing in his workshop completely frozen while Honoka watched him with an amused smile.
"Kenji? You okay?"
"I... yeah."
He'd confirmed it himself using medical ninjutsu. There was a tiny new presence growing inside her. But professional paranoia made him want a second opinion from actual medical specialists.
"We're going to the hospital," he said abruptly.
"I'm fine, really—"
"Humor me."
So they went to Konoha Hospital, where a medical-nin examined Honoka thoroughly before confirming what Kenji already knew.
"Congratulations," the medical-nin said with a warm smile, checking her notes. "You're definitely pregnant. Based on the chakra development, I'd estimate the due date around September 20th."
"I'm going to be a mom!" Honoka grabbed Kenji's hand.
"And I'm... going to be a dad." The words still felt surreal in his mouth.
Before the medical-nin could leave, Kenji pulled her aside with a barrage of questions. Dietary requirements during pregnancy, activities to avoid, warning signs of complications, proper chakra control to prevent affecting the fetus, everything he could think of and several things he probably didn't need to worry about yet.
The medical-nin answered patiently, clearly used to nervous first-time fathers.
When they finally left the hospital, Kenji made a detour to the bookstore and bought every text on pregnancy care and childcare he could find. Some of them were probably useless, but he wasn't taking chances.
Over the next few days, they went into full preparation mode.
Baby clothes, a crib, specialized nutrition supplements for pregnant women, medical supplies in case of emergencies. The spare bedroom that had been serving as storage quickly filled with purchases. They stood in the doorway surveying the bags, and Honoka started laughing.
"What's funny?"
"We went a bit overboard, didn't we?"
Kenji looked at the mountain of supplies. "...Maybe slightly."
"Slightly." She leaned against him, still smiling. "Our kid isn't even born yet and we've already bought enough stuff for three children."
"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."
"That's very practical of you."
"I'm a practical person."
She kissed his cheek. "I know. It's one of the things I love about you."
---
Life settled into a new rhythm after the initial excitement faded.
Honoka's Uzumaki bloodline meant she handled pregnancy better than most. Her vitality and chakra reserves remained strong, and aside from occasional weird food cravings, she was fine.
The cravings were interesting though.
"Pickled plums with honey and chili powder," Kenji said flatly, watching her eat the bizarre combination. "That's what you want right now?"
"Don't judge me. The baby wants it."
"The baby has terrible taste."
"The baby," Honoka said pointedly, taking another bite, "is perfect."
A few weeks after they'd learned about the pregnancy, Kenji realized they should tell Ikkaku. His friend had been instrumental in getting them together in the first place. He deserved to know.
They invited him over for dinner, and Kenji waited until after they'd eaten to bring it up.
"So," he began. "We have news."
Ikkaku set down his tea cup, looking between them. "Good news or bad news?"
"Good news," Honoka said, unable to keep the smile off her face. "I'm pregnant."
Ikkaku's eyes widened. Then a huge grin spread across his face. "Seriously? Congratulations! Both of you, that's amazing!"
"There's something else," Kenji continued. "We wanted to ask if you'd be the godfather."
Ikkaku froze mid-celebration. "Wait, what?"
"You're the reason we got together in the first place," Honoka said warmly. "If you hadn't pushed us to talk about our feelings, we'd probably still be dancing around each other. It feels right that you'd be part of this."
Ikkaku looked touched. "Yeah. Of course. I'd be honored."
"Good," Kenji said. "Because you're also helping with diaper changes."
"What? That's not part of being a godfather!"
"It is now."
Honoka laughed, watching them bicker. This was right. Their strange little family was growing, and it felt good.
---
The wedding happened quietly, three months after they'd learned about the pregnancy.
Neither Kenji nor Honoka wanted anything elaborate. Just close friends, simple vows, and the traditional sake exchange ceremony. They held it at a small shrine on the outskirts of Konoha, far from the crowds and noise of the village center.
Ikkaku stood as Kenji's witness, dressed in formal hakama. Kushina served as Honoka's witness. Kaede and Haruto stood nearby, both looking slightly out of place in formal clothing but clearly honored to be there. Aoi was the only notable absence, still traveling with Tsunade.
"You look beautiful," Kushina whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
Honoka wore a traditional white shiromuku kimono, her red hair arranged in an elegant style that Mikoto had helped her with that morning. Kenji wore a black montsuki haori hakama, the Yamanaka clan crest visible on the fabric.
He felt ridiculous and couldn't stop fidgeting with his sleeves.
"Stop that," Ikkaku muttered from beside him. "You're getting married, not going into battle."
"Battle would be easier."
"Too late to run now."
The shrine priest called them forward. Kenji took his position across from Honoka. She met his eyes and smiled.
They went through the traditional rituals in order. First came the purification, followed by the offering of tamagushi branches to the kami, and finally the san-san-kudo ceremony. They shared three cups, taking three sips each, sealing their union in the eyes of both the gods and the law.
Kenji lifted the first cup to his lips. When it came time for the vows, he spoke the traditional words first.
"I vow to stand by you, to honor and protect this bond, and to walk beside you for the rest of my life."
He hesitated briefly, then continued in his own voice.
"I'm not good at relationships or feelings. But I promise to try. Every day, I'll try to be what you need."
Honoka's eyes were bright with tears, but she was smiling. "That's all I've ever wanted. Just you, trying."
After the ceremony, they gathered at a nearby restaurant that Fūza had reserved for them. The meal was simple but delicious, and the atmosphere was warm despite the small number of guests.
Ikkaku stood to give a toast, raising his sake cup.
"I've known Kenji since we were kids. And I can honestly say I never thought I'd see this day. Romance wasn't in his vocabulary. But then Honoka came along and somehow convinced him that there was more to life. She made him live. And watching them figure out how to be together has been... It's been an honor. So here's to the couple. May you be as happy together as you've already made the rest of us happy just by watching you."
Everyone raised their cups and drank.
Later, as they were preparing to leave, Kushina pulled Honoka aside.
"You know," she said with a mischievous grin, "now that you're married and pregnant, you'll have to tell me all your secrets."
"What secrets?"
"How you got pregnant so fast! Minato and I have been trying for months with no luck. What's the trick?"
Honoka's face turned red. "Kushina! That's not something you just... there's no trick! It just happened!"
"But there must be something—"
"Kushina." Minato appeared, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Maybe save this conversation for later?"
"Fine, fine." She waved him off but winked at Honoka. "But we're definitely talking about this later!"
Kenji and Honoka walked home together as the sun set, still wearing their ceremonial clothes. Neither of them spoke for a while.
"That wasn't so bad," Kenji finally said.
"The ceremony?"
"All of it. I thought it would feel more... I don't know. Overwhelming?"
"Did it not feel overwhelming?"
"Not really."
Honoka laced her fingers through his. "Good. Because you're stuck with me now."
"I can live with that."
---
A month after Kenji and Honoka's wedding, Kushina came to visit.
She pulled Honoka into the bedroom and closed the door, leaving Kenji in the living room with strict instructions not to eavesdrop. He could guess what they were talking about. Kushina had been dropping increasingly obvious hints about wanting children.
Sure enough, just over a month later, Minato showed up at their door.
Kenji was in the yard with Honoka, helping her hang laundry while she supervised from a chair. The pregnancy was making her tire more easily now, but she insisted on staying active.
Minato's knock interrupted their routine.
"Kenji!" He stood there with the biggest smile Kenji had ever seen on his face. "Kushina's pregnant!"
"Congratulations!" Kenji shook his hand, happy for his friend.
So it was happening. Naruto's birth was approaching, and with it, the Nine-Tails attack that would change Konoha forever.
"That's wonderful news!" Honoka called from her chair. "Tell Kushina I'm so happy for you both!"
"I will." Minato's smile faded slightly, his expression becoming more serious. "Actually, Kenji, there's something I need to ask you."
"Let's talk inside."
They settled in the living room while Honoka excused herself to make tea.
"As you know, when a female jinchūriki is pregnant, the chakra used to seal the tailed beast transfers partially to the fetus. The seal weakens. On the day of delivery especially, it's at its most vulnerable."
"I'm aware."
"I need someone I can trust to help guard Kushina during the birth." Minato met his eyes. "I want you there, Kenji. Would you be willing to serve as one of her guards?"
"Of course. You didn't even need to ask." Kenji had been planning to volunteer anyway. "What's the due date?"
"October 10th. And that date is classified." Minato's voice dropped lower. "No one outside of a very small circle can know. If word gets out when Kushina is most vulnerable..."
"I understand. The information won't leave this room."
Minato relaxed slightly. "Thank you. I know I'm asking a lot—"
"You're not. Kushina's important to Honoka. That makes her important to me. We'll make sure nothing happens to her or the baby."
After Minato left, Honoka came back into the living room and settled beside Kenji.
"October 10th," she said quietly as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
---
The weeks passed quickly.
Honoka's belly grew larger, and Kenji quietly reshaped their days around her comfort. He chose lower chairs so sitting down was easier for her, reorganized the kitchen so everything she needed was within reach, and turned the spare bedroom into a proper nursery. None of it felt like a chore. It was simply how their life was changing, step by step, as he made room for her and for what was coming next.
Ikkaku came by regularly, helping with the heavier work and keeping Honoka company when Kenji was called away for missions.
"Have you picked a name yet?" he asked one afternoon while assembling the crib.
"Not yet," Honoka admitted. "We keep debating options."
"What about something from the Yamanaka clan tradition?"
"Most Yamanaka names relate to flowers or plants," Kenji said from where he was organizing baby supplies. "I want something that represents the future we're trying to build."
"That's surprisingly poetic coming from you."
"Don't get used to it."
They finally settled on a name a week before Honoka went into labor: Daiki. It meant "great radiance" or "great nobility." They chose it for the future they wanted their son to have, bright and full of possibility.
---
The day Honoka went into labor started normally enough.
Kenji was reviewing intelligence reports when she walked into his workshop.
"I think it's time," she said calmly.
He looked up. "Time for what?"
"We need to go to the hospital. My water broke about ten minutes ago."
The reports hit the floor as Kenji shot to his feet. "Why didn't you say something immediately?!"
"Because you would've panicked, like you're doing now."
"I'm not panicking."
"Your hands are shaking."
He looked down. She was right. "Okay, maybe I'm panicking a little. We need to go. Do you have your bag?"
"Already packed. It's by the door."
They made it to the hospital in record time. Ikkaku met them there, having been alerted by one of Kenji's puppets.
"How is she?" he asked.
"The medical-nin say everything's progressing normally. But it's taking forever."
"That's how labor works."
"I know that. But it doesn't make waiting any easier."
Hours passed. Kenji wore a path in the floor while Ikkaku sat reading, occasionally offering unhelpful comments like "first baby always take a while" and "at least you're not the one giving birth."
Finally, a medical-nin emerged.
"Yamanaka-san? You can come in now."
Kenji ran into the delivery room. Honoka looked exhausted but radiant, holding a tiny bundle wrapped in soft blankets. She looked up when he entered, smiling tiredly.
"Meet our son."
Kenji approached slowly, afraid he might somehow break something. The baby was so small, face scrunched up and red, tiny fists waving. Red hair, just like Honoka's, stood up in small tufts.
"Can I...?"
"Of course." Honoka carefully transferred the baby into his arms.
Kenji stood there holding his son, and something in his chest cracked open. This tiny person, completely dependent and vulnerable, was his responsibility now.
"Hello, Daiki," he said softly. "I'm your dad."
The baby made a small noise.
"He's perfect," Honoka said, watching them. "Isn't he?"
"Yeah. He really is."
Ikkaku was allowed in a few minutes later. He took one look at the baby and grinned.
"Congratulations, you two. Hey there, Daiki. I'm your godfather. That means I get to spoil you and teach you all the things your dad doesn't want you to know."
"No."
"Too late. It's in the godfather contract."
---
A few weeks after Daiki's birth, October 10th arrived.
He spent the morning with Honoka and Daiki.
"You'll be careful, won't you?" Honoka asked as he prepared to leave.
"I will. I'm leaving the Magnet Release puppet here to protect you and Daiki. When the evacuation order comes this evening, it will escort you to the shelter."
"I'm not weak. I can protect our son myself."
"I know. But humor me anyway."
She kissed him. "Come back to us."
"I will."
---
The Hokage Building was quiet when Kenji arrived. Most staff had left for the day, leaving only essential personnel. He found Minato in his office, studying a map of Konoha.
"Have you decided on the barrier location?"
"Yes," Minato confirmed, pointing to a mark near the village's edge. "It's in a secret chamber here. Far enough from residential areas that if something goes wrong, civilian casualties are minimized. Close enough that reinforcements can arrive quickly if needed."
"When does the delivery start?"
"Tonight. Within the next few hours, most likely." Minato rolled up the map. "Lady Biwako and Taji will handle the delivery. Rin and I will be inside the chamber with Kushina. I need you outside the barrier with the ANBU guards, preventing anyone from breaking through."
"Understood."
Kenji hesitated, then voiced the concern that had been nagging at him. "Don't forget what happened to Rin. The organization that tried to use her... they might see this as another opportunity."
Minato's expression darkened. "You think they'll attack during the birth?"
"We can't afford to assume they won't. That's why I'm suggesting we announce a civilian evacuation drill tonight. Get people into the shelters before anything has a chance to happen."
"That'll signal to anyone watching that tonight is significant," Minato said slowly. "If there are spies in the village, and there probably are, they'll know Kushina's due date."
Minato was quiet for a long moment, weighing risks against safety, tactics against protection. Finally, he nodded.
"We can't gamble with civilian lives. Even if other villages figure it out, they won't have time to mobilize. As long as Kushina delivers safely, any threat passes. If something does happen, we'll have forces ready to respond immediately. Better to be overprepared than caught off guard. I'll give the orders now. Evacuation drill starts at dusk, all civilians in shelters by nightfall. Every jonin and chunin on standby, ready for combat deployment."
---
Evening settled over Konoha.
The village was still lit up, lights glowing in windows and streetlights illuminating the main roads. But the streets were empty of civilians. Only ninjas moved through the village now, patrolling in pairs or standing guard at some intersections.
The evacuation had gone smoothly. The Magnet Release puppet would have escorted Ikkaku, Honoka, and Daiki to the shelters by now. They'd be safe behind reinforced walls and barrier seals, protected with all the other civilians.
If Obito was watching and planning an attack, seeing an apparently defenseless Konoha might make him overconfident. Overconfidence created openings, and openings could be exploited.
In the secret chamber at the village's edge, everything was prepared.
Kushina lay on the medical table, Minato holding her hand tightly. Biwako and Taji made final preparations. Rin stood guard in the corner, ANBU mask in place.
Outside the chamber, beyond the barrier, Kenji waited with several ANBU operatives.
Unlike the others, he kept his sensory techniques active constantly, monitoring a wide radius for any unusual chakra signatures. His mind ran through scenarios. If Obito came, it would mirror the original timeline. He'd phase through the barrier, appear inside the chamber at the moment of greatest vulnerability. Minato would be forced to choose between protecting Kushina and fighting the intruder.
They had to be ready.
---
The romance development is now complete. In the original Chapter 90, the story was meant to lead to Kenji becoming the godfather, but p@treon readers didn't respond well to that direction. After the poll results, I shifted focus and developed the romance instead, which is why the previous chapters were dedicated to it. Given the limited timeframe, this was the best I could manage.
---
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