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Inside the Hokage Office.
Akio listened with great interest as the First Hokage gave the Second a lengthy ideological lecture, inwardly snickering at Tobirama's helpless yet unresisting expression.
The lecture went on for a full thirty minutes before it finally ended.
Tobirama's expression shifted from indignant, to resigned, and finally to a "whatever you say" look—almost making Akio burst out laughing. The ever-serious Second Hokage only revealed such expressions when beside Hashirama.
When Hashirama noticed Tobirama still had a hint of defiance, he glared at him, clearly about to launch into another round of lecturing. Akio quickly interrupted with a chuckle, "Tobirama, just admit it—you're developing this jutsu so you can revive your big brother in a few years, aren't you?"
Tobirama's expression stiffened. Surprisingly, he didn't deny it.
Akio's mouth twitched. So it really is true...
Hashirama looked around and sighed. "Tobirama, let this be the last time... Let's seal this jutsu as a forbidden technique for now."
The storm around Edo Tensei settled—for now. Akio knew all too well the havoc this technique would wreak in the future. He could've destroyed it like the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
"In a few decades, I should be able to create a proper resurrection technique... As for the cost? I'll think about it later."
That was Akio's plan. He still felt some regret about not changing the outcome of the Battle at the Valley of the End. So just like in the original story, Edo Tensei was labeled as a forbidden jutsu and preserved.
Afterward, Akio received a new task—Hashirama entrusted him with keeping an eye on Tobirama...
Of course, not in person. Akio had no interest in spending his days in the Hokage's office. He simply positioned himself nearby and occasionally used Kagura's Mind Eye to monitor Tobirama—checking whether he was around or had sent out any Shadow Clones.
As for where Akio was hiding...
"Great-Grandpa, you're here for tea again?" Kenji sighed and sat across from him.
Akio smiled as Kaori came over with two cups of tea, teasing, "Tea brewed by the Princess of the Land of Fire isn't something just anyone gets to taste."
He paused, then added, "But Kenji, since Kaori's pregnant, let's not trouble her next time..."
Kenji had just begun to relax when his face froze.
"Next time, I want tea brewed by you!"
"Great-Grandpa, it's really no trouble..." Kaori said gracefully as she approached—worthy of her status as a noble lady of the Land of Fire. Among the women Akio had met, only Mito from back in the day could compare.
"I'm only three months along—it's not a big deal," she said with a gentle smile.
Akio nodded but sighed again, muttering, "Only three months... looks like I'll have to stick around for another half a year or so..."
Kenji's eyes widened. "Great-Grandpa, you—"
Akio ignored him. He had already made up his mind: he'd stay with Kenji's family for the next six months—not only to avoid Hashirama and his gambling habits but also to monitor Tsunade's birth. As for Tobirama? That was just incidental.
"Great-Grandpa!" Kenji shouted, snapping Akio out of his thoughts. Before he could speak, Kenji continued through gritted teeth, "It's getting late... maybe you should head home for today?"
Akio glanced outside. Sure enough, the sky was dimming. He nodded. "Alright, I'll head back... but I'll be back tomorrow!"
Kenji quickly added, "Second Grandpa, I need to go to the Academy tomorrow, so you—"
Akio waved him off. "No problem, as long as Kaori's home!"
Once Akio had left, Kenji looked helplessly at the troubled Kaori and smiled bitterly. When it came to that great-grandfather of his, he really was out of options.
On his way home, Akio muttered to himself, "Tobirama's been inactive for half a month. Did he notice my surveillance, or has he really given up?" Then he chuckled, "Kenji, oh Kenji... when you were little, you used to bully me all the time. Now that you're grown, it's payback time... When Mito was pregnant with you, I used the same trick to pester Hashirama. Brings back memories..."
Over the next five months, Akio turned into something like a modern-day office worker—clocking in at 9 and out at 6, reporting to Kenji's house daily.
But by September, once Mito moved in, Akio felt a bit awkward about continuing to visit. Mito had started to grow suspicious of his true age, and that made him a bit guilty.
The reason Mito moved in, however, took Akio slightly by surprise—she wanted to be ready to deliver the baby herself, just in case.
"Wasn't it Hiruzen's wife who delivered Kushina in the original? Are all the midwives in the Naruto world this... unqualified?" Akio shook his head with a wry smile. "Kushina had a strong body and the Nine-Tails helping her. But Kaori's not a ninja... is this really safe?"
Even though he knew Tsunade would be born safely, Akio couldn't help worrying more than Kenji's entire family.
And so, with a mixture of tension and anticipation, the date arrived—August 2nd, Year 10 of Konoha's founding.
In the hallway of the Konoha Hospital, four people waited anxiously—Akio, Hashirama, and Kenji among them.
Inside the room, they could hear Kaori's cries of pain and Mito's calm, precise instructions. The contrast left Akio with an odd feeling.
"Did Mito actually train in childbirth techniques? Even the medical-nin are taking orders from her... this old lady is seriously impressive."
Akio glanced at Kenji and asked, "Have you picked a name for the baby yet?" He was hoping to steal the naming rights, but Kenji's answer made his face darken.
"Yes. If it's a girl, Tsunade. If it's a boy, Nawaki."
Great... not even a chance to name the next generation.
Akio was still regretting not claiming the name "Tsunade" earlier when the cries from the room began to fade.
After two sharp slaps, a baby's wail filled the air.
"She just... smacked baby Tsunade's butt, didn't she?" Akio couldn't help but find it oddly amusing.
A moment later, Mito came out holding a tightly bundled infant. "It's a girl," she said, lifting the blanket slightly to let them take a peek.
Kenji stared at the baby for a moment before snapping back to reality and rushing into the room to check on Kaori.
Hashirama beamed with joy, circling around the baby in Mito's arms like a curious child.
Akio gave the baby a few glances, then let out a quiet sigh. Shaking his head, he turned and walked away, leaving two confused people behind.
Wandering aimlessly through the streets of Konoha, Akio felt an unexpected swell of emotion.
"I just saw Tsunade's naked body... and felt nothing," he murmured.
"After all that anticipation, I just get a tiny baby... how long until I get to witness the Sannin in action, or see the other major players appear..." Akio was getting tired of waiting.
"Sitting around doing nothing really sucks... maybe I should find something to do." He sighed, then added quietly, "After we send Hashirama off, maybe..
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