Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 203: Can the Split Clone Jutsu Make Two Babies?

Outside, hearing Tsunade's response, Kushina teased, "With you here, Naruto will definitely be safe."

"Naruto, huh..."

Tsunade recalled Kakashi's report, hesitated for a moment, and leaned in to share some information about the future with Kushina.

Given Kushina's current status, she would inevitably come into contact with this information sooner or later, so telling her in advance wasn't a big deal.

What puzzled Tsunade most was the presence of the Nine-Tails within Naruto in the future. If nothing happened to Kushina, would she, with her personality, really allow Naruto to become a jinchūriki?

Perhaps Tsunade was overthinking it.

If Kushina were truly in danger, Naruto wouldn't have missed this opportunity to warn them and save his mother.

Besides, before coming to help with the delivery, Tsunade had gambled several more times—and lost every single one!

There was absolutely no problem!

Kushina listened carefully to Tsunade, but failed to grasp her underlying meaning.

First, she marveled at the power of the Dragon Vein to traverse time and space. Then, her attention shifted to her future child's ideals.

The hope for people to understand each other was undoubtedly a beautiful dream.

As a mother, she wanted to support Naruto.

But Kushina didn't believe such an ideal world could truly exist, nor did she want Naruto to make it his goal—it would be too painful.

Still, what stood out the most was...

"Hot-blooded, impulsive, values comrades, and a bit silly... Isn't this just like Obito back in the day?"

Kushina muttered.

Her voice was so faint that even Tsunade, standing right next to her, didn't catch it.

In Tsunade's eyes, Kushina—who had seemed fine just moments ago—suddenly looked pale, murmuring to herself, which gave Tsunade a fright.

But when Tsunade leaned in closer, her expression became one of disbelief.

"My son can't be like Obito! I was joking back then when I said I wanted Naruto to be like him. I'd rather he be like Fuji, but no way should he turn out like Obito! How can I prevent Naruto from becoming like Obito..."

What kind of nonsense was this?!

Like Hyuga Fuji? Do you want Naruto to defect from the Land of Fire with his comrades too?

Or are you dissatisfied with me, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, coming here in the middle of the night to help you give birth?

Seriously, even if unintentional, this kind of talk is pretty hurtful!

Tsunade stared at the flustered Kushina, her expression turning deadpan.

Pregnancy really does make people silly for three years.

She had never had children herself and used to think this saying wasn't scientifically valid.

But looking at Kushina now, Tsunade felt there might be some truth to it.

Kushina had clearly lost her wits!

Sighing lightly, Tsunade flicked Kushina's forehead with her thumb. "Stop overthinking. Isn't it enough if your child grows up healthy?"

Kushina, still contemplating how to prevent Naruto from becoming like Obito, suddenly brightened up as she looked at Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama, what do you think? If I use the Split Clone Jutsu now, could I have two babies?"

If she had two children, she'd double the joy and have more room for trial and error.

Surely, both kids wouldn't end up like Obito, right?

Being a carefree optimist was fine, but experience had shown that such personalities were prone to extremes...

"..."

The room fell silent.

The five people present stared at Kushina in shock, dumbfounded by her suggestion.

Using the Split Clone Jutsu to have twins?

This idea... was revolutionary.

'Technically, an unborn child and the mother are one entity. If Kushina used the Split Clone Jutsu, it might indeed affect Naruto. If two Narutos were born, their differing life experiences could lead to distinct personalities and memories. Would that count as two people...?'

Caught up in a scientific mindset, Tsunade began pondering the feasibility of the idea, only to snap out of it abruptly.

What was she thinking?! Was this the time for such thoughts?!

In Kushina's current condition, how could she even use the Split Clone Jutsu?

Rolling her eyes, Tsunade dispelled her Transformation Jutsu, put on the white coat Shizune handed her, and prepared to assist with the delivery. "Stop overthinking. If you're worried about raising Naruto, I can help you in the future."

As the Daimyo, she had returned to help deliver a ninja's baby. If the aristocrats found out, she'd never hear the end of it.

Thus, she had arranged for a ninja to act as her stand-in at the Daimyo's residence using Transformation Jutsu. Even when moving around outside, she used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise herself slightly. Though familiar faces could still recognize her, it was better than nothing.

Hearing Tsunade's reassurance, Kushina suddenly imagined a scene in her mind.

A five-year-old blond boy stood outside a casino, counting the massive stack of bills in his hands. After laughing a few times, he puffed out his chest and confidently walked into the casino, "donating" the money to the gamblers inside as if performing a charitable act...

At that thought, Kushina withdrew her gaze from Tsunade.

She decided it was better for her to raise Naruto herself.

Tsunade was definitely not fit to raise a child.

'They say strict discipline raises filial children... No, that's too violent and bad for the child. It's better to have Naruto study more. Knowledge brings wisdom. Obito became the way he is because he didn't study well...'

...

Under Konoha's nighttime sky, the village maintained its usual peace and tranquility. As night fell, the bustling marketplace grew lively.

"It's been so long since I returned to Konoha. The scenery feels so unfamiliar now."

With a swirling distortion of space, Obito, wearing his mask, appeared on the rooftop of a tall building, gazing coldly at the bustling scene below.

Enjoy this brief peace while it lasts. Soon, this place will become a living hell.

"Obito, the location is a cave outside Konoha, in the southwestern corner..."

Zetsu appeared beside Obito, reporting the findings of his investigation. "It seems they're worried about the jinchūriki giving birth and the Nine-Tails breaking free, so they chose a location outside the village. There are twenty Anbu guarding the area, and two more medical-nin just entered. They're—"

"Forget about unimportant medical-nin."

After taking one last look at Konoha, Obito headed for the location Zetsu had mentioned.

Madara had previously arranged for some White Zetsu to infiltrate Konoha. A few had disguised themselves as medical-nin and worked at the Konoha hospital.

Their positions were low-level, mostly running errands or compiling pharmaceutical records, so their knowledge was limited.

But sometimes, key information was hidden in the details.

In recent months, some expensive prenatal medicines had been purchased without leaving any records of the buyers. When questioned, the higher-ups at the Konoha hospital gave vague answers and warned the "White Zetsu" compiling the sales records not to pry.

That was suspicious.

Even when Fugaku's wife, Uchiha Mikoto, was pregnant, the hospital didn't treat the information as confidential.

So, eliminating all other possibilities, who in Konoha would need such precautions during pregnancy?

Obito could think of only one person.

The Nine-Tails jinchūriki—Uzumaki Kushina!

Watching Obito vanish before they could stop him, Black and White Zetsu exchanged glances.

Wait, what did he mean by "unimportant medical-nin"? Did that include the one with the little tagalong—Shizune?

"...I have a feeling we won't capture the Nine-Tails this time," White Zetsu muttered after a moment of silence.

Black Zetsu's second form responded hesitantly, "It shouldn't be that bad, right? Tsunade... Obito should be able to handle her... probably."

(End of Chapter)