After returning to the village, Wen Lan brought Tsunade straight to the Hokage's office and reported Nagato's ambush in detail.
Tsunade also reviewed the intelligence on the Akatsuki. The more she read, the darker her expression became.
She placed the documents down.
"When a jinchūriki gives birth, the seal is at its weakest," she said gravely. "If they plan to act, it'll be on the day Kushina delivers."
Wen Lan nodded and looked at Minato.
"Minato-senpai, I suggest that on the day Kushina gives birth, every Kage-level combatant should be mobilized."
"Not appropriate," Shikaku immediately objected.
"If we do that, we'll basically expose the Hokage's wife's location. If the enemy attacks en masse, what then?"
"And if all Kage-level forces leave their posts, the village interior becomes vulnerable. If they use a diversion and target Konoha directly, we'll be in serious trouble."
Wen Lan frowned. He had overlooked the village's internal defense.
"Then we establish multiple guarded sites to mislead them."
"That may be our only option," Minato sighed, rubbing his temples.
After the meeting, Wen Lan returned to the Uchiha compound and went to Fugaku's residence.
Mikoto was sitting in the courtyard, holding baby Sasuke.
Itachi knelt beside her, leaning forward curiously to watch his little brother.
Fugaku sat cross-legged nearby, eyes closed, hands tucked into his sleeves.
Cherry blossom petals drifted down in the breeze, landing softly on Sasuke's face. Mikoto gently brushed them away.
Itachi grinned and poked Sasuke's cheek.
The baby giggled.
It was such a warm, peaceful scene.
And Wen Lan knew how fragile it truly was.
Fortunately—
This time, things would be different.
When Wen Lan stepped in, everyone noticed.
Mikoto smiled in greeting. Fugaku opened his eyes and nodded.
"Senpai," Itachi bowed respectfully.
Sasuke waved his tiny fists, babbling.
Wen Lan grinned and tapped Itachi's forehead with two fingers—his now habitual teasing gesture.
Itachi winced but endured it obediently.
Sasuke reached toward Wen Lan, babbling louder.
Wen Lan bent down and gently tapped the baby's nose.
Sasuke burst into laughter.
"Yo, this Second Pillar seems pretty close to me," Wen Lan joked, pinching Sasuke's cheek.
"Second Pillar?" Fugaku frowned.
Wen Lan shrugged.
"He's named Sasuke, and he's the second son. 'Second Pillar' fits, doesn't it?"
He didn't elaborate further.
Fugaku rolled his eyes but didn't pursue it.
Mikoto chuckled softly.
"Well, if that's what you call him."
The courtyard filled again with light laughter.
Fugaku eventually asked, "So? What brings you here?"
Wen Lan explained the Akatsuki's movements, the attacks on jinchūriki, and Nagato's ambush.
After listening, Fugaku's expression turned serious.
"So you want me to guard Kushina during childbirth?"
"No."
Wen Lan's tone sharpened.
"Your task is to guard the Uchiha compound."
Fugaku blinked.
"Because I plan to have Kushina give birth inside the Uchiha compound."
Fugaku nearly stood up.
"Are you joking?! If anything goes wrong, the Nine-Tails will break loose!"
Wen Lan stared at him blankly.
"What are you afraid of?"
"You, me, Hikari, Shisui, Naori—five pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan."
"You think controlling the Nine-Tails would be difficult?"
"Madara did it alone."
Fugaku fell silent.
After a long pause, he snorted.
"In theory, perhaps. But the Nine-Tails is no trivial matter…"
Wen Lan smiled faintly.
"Relax. Nothing will happen."
Though still uneasy, Fugaku chose not to argue.
Wen Lan had once told him—
His eyes could see the future.
Days passed.
Minato balanced work and family life, assembling a personal guard: Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami.
Then one morning—
Wen Lan entered the Hokage's office and froze.
Three familiar figures stood inside.
Tsunade.
Orochimaru.
And—
Jiraiya.
The legendary Sannin were gathered.
Medicine.
Science.
Literature.
Or, less politely—
Gambling.
Poisons.
And perversion.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Minato and Shikaku stood nearby.
When Wen Lan entered, all eyes turned toward him.
His gaze settled on Jiraiya.
The man looked exhausted, eyes dim, face worn.
He had clearly learned of Hiruzen's fate.
Wen Lan walked forward casually.
"Well, well. Isn't this the great Jiraiya? Finally remembered you're a Konoha ninja?"
Jiraiya stiffened.
He had no retort.
He hadn't returned when his student became Hokage.
He hadn't returned when his teacher died.
Mockery was deserved.
"Wen Lan," Minato said gently, shaking his head.
Wen Lan shrugged and turned to Shikaku.
"So, what's today's matter? If there's nothing urgent, I still have to train Itachi and Kurenai."
Shikaku sighed.
"Iwagakure is mobilizing. Ōnoki is gathering troops. It seems he plans to march on Amegakure and demand answers."
"Oh." Wen Lan waved dismissively.
"That's not our problem. Let him go. I doubt he'll get anything."
"I agree," Shikaku said. "Which is why I'm considering informing them that Hanzo is already dead."
The room fell quiet.
Outside—
Storm clouds were gathering over the shinobi world once more.
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