Chapter 272: Listen, The Baby is Crying
Hearing Yoriko's words and seeing her heavy expression, Masahiko was stunned for a long while.
"Ill... how could it be so sudden?"
Yoriko shook her head. "Teacher, Big Sister Nanako's health hasn't been very good for over half a year. She was afraid you'd worry, so she didn't tell you. The moment the news of Kushina's pregnancy reached her, she immediately wanted to set out for Konoha, but almost collapsed."
"Actually, she still insists on coming now, but I had the clansmen stop her..."
Masahiko sighed. "You did the right thing. Since her health is poor, don't let her come. It's the same if Kushina goes back."
"Wait for me in the shop for a bit. I'm going to find Kushina." Masahiko strode outside, his appearance gradually changing from Hagoromo back to Masahiko.
"It seems I won't get to see the births of the other Konoha 11." Masahiko felt a slight regret.
Arriving at Kushina and Minato's house, a stern old woman's face appeared in front of Masahiko.
"Elder Masahiko."
Masahiko frowned, taking a good while to recognize her. "You are... Biwako Sarutobi, right?"
She was the wife of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and also a Konoha Jonin. But Masahiko hadn't really interacted with her much; he had only seen her from a distance a few times.
"It is me, Elder Masahiko."
"What are you doing here?"
"The Fourth Hokage has many things to do and cannot accompany Kushina every day. Hiruzen asked me to come take care of her, to put the Fourth's mind at ease."
"Oh, I see." Masahiko nodded, looking inside the house, which appeared very tidy.
"Hiruzen actually sent his own wife to be a nanny. Kushina has only been pregnant for a month, is there a need to be so nervous... Is he doing this for me to see?" Masahiko shook his head, muttering inwardly.
While they were speaking, Kushina walked out from the inner room, holding her belly with both hands. However, her belly didn't show the slightest bulge, making the image look quite funny.
"Great-Grandpa, you're here." Seeing Masahiko, Kushina blushed and put her hands down.
Masahiko wasn't in the mood to tease her. "Kushina, pack your things. You're coming back to the Land of Whirlpools with me. Your grandmother... is ill."
Kushina's expression changed instantly. "I understand, Great-Grandpa."
She immediately turned and went back to her room to pack. Masahiko looked at Biwako Sarutobi, who had an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating, and said, "Go inform Hiruzen that Kushina is returning to the clan with me."
Masahiko directly used the word "inform"; he didn't want to argue with them at a time like this.
Biwako hesitated for a moment. "I understand, Elder Masahiko."
Watching her leave, Masahiko waited for Kushina to finish packing, and the two went to rendezvous with Yoriko together.
"Don't you need to bid farewell to Minato?"
Kushina shook her head, pulling out a Flying Thunder God kunai from her coat.
Masahiko looked surprised. "Can Minato use Flying Thunder God to travel back and forth from such a distance?"
Kushina pulled out another one. "It should be fine if I leave another one midway."
Masahiko was speechless inwardly. This is what you call other people's Space Ninjutsu. Mine... is probably a fake.
After meeting up with Yoriko, Masahiko securely locked the door of the Taobao Shop. Sara had gone to the Land of Whirlpools to open her shop two months ago; his Taobao Shop would probably have to be closed for three to five years.
Hesitating for a moment, Masahiko took out a piece of paper and wrote: Obito, Rin, Master has to go on a long trip. The next time we meet, it might be in three to five years. I hope by then, you will have become ninjas capable of standing on your own.
Folding the paper repeatedly, Masahiko wedged it into the crack of the door.
"Let's go."
Land of Whirlpools.
Daimyo's Palace.
Masahiko saw Nanako lying on a sickbed.
After carefully examining her physical condition, Masahiko shook his head inwardly.
"Natural aging..."
"Great-Grandpa, Grandmother's health..."
"Kushina, it's fine. What you need to do right now is take good care of yourself," Nanako spoke up. She was clear about her own condition.
"Teacher, I want to speak with you alone for a while."
Masahiko was startled. He chased out the group of people surrounding the bed and sat down beside Nanako's bed.
Nanako also sat up. Although her physical condition wasn't very good, it wasn't to the point where she didn't even have the strength to move.
After a moment of silence, she spoke: "In a flash, it's been almost 61 years since you took me in as your disciple."
"61 years? I can't even remember clearly," Masahiko sighed.
"Yes, in a few more days, it will be exactly 61 years."
Masahiko remained silent for a moment, and Nanako continued: "Teacher, the three of us grew older year by year, while you grew younger year by year. People who don't know the truth could never believe that you are my teacher."
Masahiko smiled. "It doesn't matter if they mistake you for my teacher."
Nanako smiled bitterly, taking a long while before continuing to speak. "Teacher, will I be able to see Kushina's child born?"
Masahiko hesitated, and Nanako sighed. "Is that so? What a pity..."
"You will be able to see it!" Masahiko said decisively. "For the days to come, I will personally take care of you. Speaking of which, I haven't served anyone in my entire life..."
Nanako was stunned, then smiled and said: "Then I leave it to you, Teacher."
Days passed one by one. Nanako aged day by day, while Kushina's belly grew bigger day by day.
Every night, Minato used Flying Thunder God to come to the Land of Whirlpools to look after Kushina, and returned to Konoha every morning, "flying" back and forth non-stop.
As for Masahiko, he personally cared for Nanako.
After completely mastering Space Ninjutsu, his chakra control ability had greatly improved. His current level of medical ninjutsu was on par with Tsunade's.
Relying on this level of medical ninjutsu could allow Nanako to hold on for a few more days.
However, even so, by the end of September, Nanako could no longer move and could only lie in bed all the time, waiting for Kushina to come visit her.
"Nanako, there is about a month left, it will be soon," Masahiko whispered.
A smile appeared on Nanako's aged face. "Sorry for the trouble, Teacher."
The day of Kushina's delivery finally arrived, on an evening at the end of October.
From Konoha Village, besides Minato, Jiraiya and Tsunade also hurried over. For delivering a baby, having Tsunade, the Slug Princess, present was much more reassuring.
As for Masahiko, matters like delivering a baby were quite inconvenient for him, and besides, he couldn't leave his current spot anyway.
Starting yesterday, in order to sustain Nanako's life, he hadn't stopped casting medical ninjutsu. His Tailed-Beast level chakra reserves had been depleted by nearly half.
"Nanako, listen. They are busy outside; Kushina is about to give birth."
For Nanako's sake, Kushina's delivery room was arranged right next to Nanako's room.
"Mm..." It took a long while before Nanako squeezed out a single sound.
Masahiko half-closed his eyes. Naruto was about to be born, but he couldn't feel happy at all. Although he thought he might have the opportunity to resurrect Nanako in the future, he wasn't certain when he would possess that kind of power, or even if he ever would. Right now, it was merely psychological comfort...
"Waah— Waah— Waaah..."
"It's born!"
"It's a boy!"
"Stay alert!"
The baby's crying, mixed with the clamor of the crowd, drifted in.
Masahiko smiled at Nanako.
"Listen, the baby is crying..."
☆☆☆
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