The two good friends laughed and talked, dreaming about what the future held. Everything seemed full of hope.
Kushina, wanting to keep her friend from doing anything rash, visited Mikoto often. She wanted to make sure Mikoto was okay.
Mikoto knew Kushina was just trying to help, and she appreciated it.
Now, Mikoto was pregnant with her second child with Fugaku. She was determined to be a better mother this time, learning from her experiences with Itachi.
Right now, all she wanted was a healthy pregnancy.
And then to raise the child that she and Fugaku would have together...
"So, Mikoto, have you thought about a name for the baby?" Kushina asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
After all, everyone loves a good bit of gossip.
"Not yet..." Mikoto shook her head, a thoughtful expression on her face.
She was wondering if she should ask Itachi's adoptive father, Young Master Ryo, for help.
It wasn't just because of his status or his kindness towards the Uchiha clan.
It was also because Mikoto saw something of her late husband in Ryo's serious manner.
She thought that since Young Master Ryo understood her late husband so well,
he might have a special insight when it came to naming the child.
So, Mikoto told Kushina her idea.
"Huh?" Kushina didn't seem too thrilled.
Why would they ask Sarutobi Ryo to name the baby?
He was Itachi's adoptive father, not this baby's...
"It wouldn't be a problem if my child also saw Young Master Ryo as an adoptive father... but I don't know if Young Master Ryo would want that..." Mikoto replied with a gentle smile, sensing Kushina's unease.
Right now, everyone in Konoha
thought Young Master Ryo was the most amazing young man around.
He was strong and had a talent for politics, successfully negotiating with Iwagakure.
This gave him a huge advantage over others.
Everyone believed Sarutobi Ryo was the most likely candidate to become the next Hokage.
And if Young Master Ryo became Hokage,
maybe... there would be a Hokage from the Uchiha clan...
Itachi...
Mikoto remembered Young Master Ryo's praise of Itachi's talent and his promises. She believed he meant what he said.
More and more people, both Uchiha and non-Uchiha ninja, were starting to see Itachi's potential.
The Fourth Hokage's son, Kakashi, Might Duy's son Guy... and other teammates, clan member Shisui... all recognized Itachi's talent.
The thought of Itachi being so skilled, even more so than her husband, filled Mikoto with comfort and pride.
Because of all this, Uchiha Mikoto had started to fully support Sarutobi Ryo.
But Kushina had never really gotten along with Sarutobi Ryo, ever since they were kids.
She also felt that Sarutobi Ryo's support of Konoha White Fang's rise to power, and the changes he made... had ultimately cost Minato his chance at becoming Hokage.
"Kushina, the little arguments you and Young Master Ryo had were just kid stuff..."
Seeing Kushina's sour face, Mikoto tried to comfort her like a big sister.
You're not a child anymore; you should try to be more grown-up.
"Okay, I know..." Kushina pouted, trying to act like it didn't bother her.
Her feelings were so obvious that even Young Master Ryo probably knew what she was thinking. But he probably wouldn't blame her.
After all, Kushina was a kind person at heart.
As the two friends chatted, time flew by.
Soon, they had new guests.
It was Tsunade and Sarutobi Ryo.
They arrived together.
Mikoto immediately stood up to greet Tsunade.
Kushina was curious too. What was Lady Tsunade... no, her adoptive older sister, doing here?
"Older sister..."
Kushina happily ran to greet her.
Tsunade shuddered and rubbed her forehead. "Just call me Tsunade..."
She didn't like feeling old, but that was Tsunade's deepest thought.
But the thought of being in her thirties... almost forty, and still being called "older sister," gave her chills...
Ah, I really am getting old...
Tsunade thought.
They all went into the living room and sat down. Tsunade explained why she was there.
She was there to check on Mikoto's health.
Tsunade said that Nohara Rin was handling tasks that Tsunade herself should be doing, like Shizune, which allowed Tsunade to relax.
Listening to Tsunade's explanation, Mikoto smiled awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Cough cough..."
After explaining, Tsunade coughed a few times, probably feeling like she was losing face. So, she changed the subject and started gossiping with Mikoto.
"Have you decided on a name for the baby yet?"
Tsunade placed her fingers on Mikoto's hand.
Sarutobi Ryo was drinking tea quietly, looking calm.
Mikoto had thought about it over and over, but she still couldn't decide on a name.
So...
Mikoto looked at Sarutobi Ryo.
For some reason, just seeing him made her heart beat faster... and...
Mikoto shifted slightly, seeming a little uneasy.
Tsunade noticed Mikoto's subtle reaction.
Medical ninja could tell a lot just by observing someone... by using the "observation, listening, questioning, and palpation" techniques.
And with a close examination, they could notice even the smallest changes.
Tsunade, being a woman and the most skilled medical ninja, knew everything about the human body.
She noticed the strange physical reaction of Uchiha Fugaku's widow.
Many pregnant women became more... interested in certain things after becoming pregnant.
This was because of hormone changes in the body.
Clearly, Uchiha Mikoto was one of them.
Tsunade glanced at Sarutobi Ryo again and saw that he was just drinking tea, looking calm and uninterested.
This kid... I need to remind him to stay away from Uchiha Mikoto... at least until after she gives birth.
But Tsunade was only guessing based on what she saw.
She didn't know what Sarutobi Ryo had been doing to Uchiha Mikoto.
On the days when he brought Nohara Rin to examine Uchiha Mikoto,
Sarutobi Ryo... transmited the Will of Fire.
Without Uchiha Mikoto knowing, she had been deeply affected and had truly felt the meaning of the Will of Fire.
These experiences had caused her to have certain reactions without even realizing it...
Neither Mikoto, who was unaware, nor Tsunade, knew the real truth...
"Young Master Ryo, would you mind helping me choose a name for the baby?"
Mikoto asked with a smile, completely unaware of the anticipation in her own voice...
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 297 (Vol 2 Ch 239) (+104 Chapters Ahead!)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 306 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
🎉 Total PS Goal Milestone Reached! +2 Bonus Chapters Coming Tomorrow! Thank you! 🙏
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
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]