Day 520
Ichibi discovered and monitored northeast of Kaze No Kuni, ten kilometers south-southeast of Maetô.
Kakuzu
"Absolutely not," declared Madara immediately as he read over Sakura's shoulder. He knew exactly what those few lines meant. He knew what she had asked Kakuzu to do, having discussed it with her at length.
"The Bijû will cause countless wars in the future," said Sakura, throwing the letter into a nearby brazier.
"This isn't about peace or conflict, Sakura. It's about the fact that you're pregnant and it's out of the question for my wife to expose herself two months before giving birth, especially not to confront a Bijû!" Madara's tone grew heated.
"Though I am pregnant, I am perfectly capable of traveling. I'm not a fragile flower to be kept in a room. Don't forget who I am, Madara," Sakura retorted sharply, inwardly flattered by how much he worried for her and their child.
"My answer remains unchanged, woman!" Madara thundered, his voice powerful as he tried to impose his will.
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Madara. Your grand airs of a clan leader don't scare me. I fully intend to go to Kaze no Kuni, join Kakuzu, and fulfill what we've been fighting for since the beginning," Sakura declared, standing up, under the astonished gaze of the military triumvirate composed of Ashina Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Suzuki.
"I must say, I love watching her put you in your place," Ashina said with a mocking smile.
"Shut up! You should be helping me reason with her instead of spouting such nonsense!" Madara snapped, standing up to join his wife.
"It would take away the pleasure of seeing the great Uchiha Madara struggle against his wife!" Ashina shouted as Madara left the room.
"How powerful is Sakura-sama, Uzumaki-dono?" Suzuki asked after the peculiar verbal exchange between his Heikage and his wife.
"I don't know... I got a glimpse of her skills during the First Great Shinobi War, and I can say that as a ninja, she has reached a level that few have attained," Ashina replied, his gaze filled with respect and a hint of admiration.
Day 530
A terrifying scream echoed across several kilometers of the Kaze No Kuni desert. The air vibrated long after the sound faded. It was the legendary roar of the Ichibi Bijû. Throughout the country, people knew that this roar heralded a wave of destructive violence, reducing survival chances to almost nothing.
Legends told of Ichibi, a creature of the night, destroying villages to satiate its thirst for blood and destruction. Thus, it was almost natural for all nearby inhabitants to be seized with terror the moment this scream resounded. No one had ever heard it, but everyone immediately understood what it was.
"Damn! It's spotted us," growled the Second Kazekage.
Accompanied by fifty Shinobi, he had surrounded the Bijû. During the First Great War, its Jinchûriki had died, allowing the tailed demon to break free and hide. That's why the Kage was determined to reclaim this creature, which ensured the safety and prosperity of his country. During the peace negotiations orchestrated by Hashirama Senju, the First Kazekage had demanded possession of Ichibi because it made the land fertile. This allowed the Land of Wind to meet its food needs for a long time.
But since the demon had been free, the country was on the brink of famine, an intolerable situation for the Kage.
"Deploy! Stick to the plan!" ordered the Kazekage as his troops silently approached the monster.
Another roar resonated through the dunes, under a starry sky that would be the only witness to what was about to happen.
Suddenly, the wind began to blow violently, converging toward the Bijû. It absorbed the surrounding chakra and took a deep breath, amassing a huge ball of air in its mouth. Once the air was balanced in its lungs and mouth, Ichibi unleashed a devastating attack. The gust destroyed everything in its path, creating a sandstorm mixed with blood. A dozen soldiers perished instantly.
"Hold on!" shouted the Second Kazekage, manipulating a large amount of sand to entrap the demon.
"Petty insect! Do you really think using the element I'm composed of has any chance of success against me ?" taunted Ichibi's guttural voice, glaring at the Kage. With a flick of its tail, it swept away half the sand entrapping it before another wave of sand took its place.
"That's right… focus on me," whispered the Second Kazekage as the creature ignored the other Shinobi.
Suddenly, a fireball appeared on the left, exploding and followed by a cry of pain. None of the ninjas used Katon, so where did this technique come from? Then, a flash of light, like lightning, tore through the sky.
"We're under attack!" yelled one of his men before falling, his throat slit.
The wind began to move again, converging towards Ichibi's mouth, which focused on the Kage. If his men didn't act quickly, the Second Kazekage would die or have to cancel his restraining technique to dodge the attack.
Ichibi, colossal, stood several dozen meters tall. Any of its attacks could level a city. As it was about to release its wind attack, Fûinjutsu seals appeared on it, and a smile lit up the face of the Second Kazekage.
"They did it," he sighed with relief, properly maintaining Ichibi in place to prevent it from breaking the seal.
But focused on his objective, he didn't see the figure that appeared behind him. Too late, he felt intense pain as an arm pierced his ribcage. The pain paralyzed him, and he looked down to see what was happening. A bloodied arm protruded from his chest, holding his still-beating heart.
"Your heart will replace the one I have for Futon," Kakuzu murmured in the Second Kazekage's ear before pulling his arm back. The Kage collapsed immediately.
Hundreds of black threads emerged from Kakuzu's body, twisting and weaving with terrifying precision. A mask sewn into his back detached and floated to his hand. The mask split open, welcoming the new heart before reintegrating into Kakuzu's body.
"Hmm, so much power in this heart," Kakuzu rejoiced, feeling the elemental affinity of the deceased Kazekage. He then turned his gaze to the Bijû, which, freed from its captor, unleashed its destructive fury once more. Without the Kazekage's support, the shinobi had no chance. Kakuzu silently savored the macabre spectacle under the cold, starry sky.
It took less than a minute for Shukaku to annihilate all his opponents. The one-tailed demon then turned its gaze to Kakuzu, who remained immobile. The two beings sized each other up, a silent exchange of power and challenge. Finally, Shukaku broke the silence:
"What do you want?"
"To kill anyone who tries to capture you," Kakuzu replied, his voice as cold as it was determined.
"Why?" asked Shukaku, wary. Experience had taught him to distrust humans.
"Because I asked him to!" a new voice intervened, drawing the attention of Kakuzu and the Bijû.
"Who are you, insect?" the gigantic creature asked the pink-haired woman before noticing the man beside her. Suddenly, its body bristled, its fangs bared, and its maw twisted in rage. "No! I won't be sealed again! Stay away from me, Madara!"
"He's not here to seal you, Shukaku-sama!" the pregnant woman replied immediately, raising her hands in a gesture of peace.
"How do you know that name?" Shukaku asked, surprised. No one knew that name except his beloved father.
"Because the one who gave it to you sent me to offer asylum to you and your brothers and sisters," Sakura said with a gentle smile.
"My father?" repeated Shukaku, suspicious.
"Yes, Ōtsutsuki-sama hasn't forgotten you, Shukaku-sama," Sakura reassured, aware of the mortal danger every word posed. The Ichibi was notoriously unstable and sadistic, every mistake could cost her life.
Beside her, Kakuzu and Madara listened attentively. The immortal wondered who this woman and the mysterious Ōtsutsuki-sama were.
Upon hearing this name, Shukaku immediately relaxed. No one in the living world knew his father, much less his name. This meant the woman was telling the truth.
"What does he want?" Shukaku asked.
"Peace," Sakura replied.
Day 570
A month ago, Sakura could still move without difficulty, but those days were over. She recalled her last unencumbered mission: guiding a Bijû through the elemental lands to Ta No Kuni.
At first, the inhabitants were terrified by the appearance of the gigantic monster in the valley, but their fear subsided upon seeing two figures perched on its head, heading north. An announcement was quickly broadcast to the army, informing the people that the creature was there to protect them.
Sakura knew her physical abilities were diminishing as the delivery approached, but she wasn't worried. She had meticulously studied the medical manuscripts she had brought with her, knowing the theory inside out. She knew how to relieve the pain of contractions, facilitate the baby's descent, and heal any intimate tears. Although she had assisted in several births before, this one was different, as she was directly involved. She had asked Hitomi, Amaya, and Hana to help her, and Hitomi had already returned to the capital to be by her side.
Her pregnancy had been relatively easy, without the frequent discomforts. It was only in the last few weeks that she began to feel the baby's weight on her slender frame. Her Kunoichi training had strengthened her body, allowing her to continue her daily activities until now.
But that morning, Sakura felt different. Although she was comfortably settled to relieve her back, she knew something had changed. She wasn't more tired or in pain, but a deep intuition told her that today would be the day she became a mother. Rather than focusing on the outcome, she decided to concentrate on her body's reactions.
She settled into a chair, gently placing a hand on her rounded belly and softly caressing it. She had never understood why pregnant women made this gesture, but since her belly had started to round, she did it instinctively. It was an unconscious way to create an invisible bond between mother and child. Even if the fetus only faintly felt these caresses, Sakura knew this imperceptible sensation reassured it. Thanks to her chakra control, she could strengthen this bond.
It was thanks to Madara that she had learned to use chakra this way. She remembered how he had soothed her mind with this energy. She knew it would have no effect on the fetus's development, as the transmitted chakra didn't interfere with its cells. Sakura used this technique as an enveloping caress for the fetus and had even allowed Madara to practice it himself, ensuring the father-child bond.
From the moment she told him about her pregnancy, Sakura had prepared to sleep separately, as was customary in the Sengoku era. But to her great joy, Madara refused to let her leave their marital bed.
"How could I watch over you if you're not by my side, Sakura? You're my wife and the mother of my children. Your place is with me, no matter your condition."
They had thus shared the entire pregnancy, a special experience for him. He had to get used to Sakura's physical changes and overcome his natural fears: could he still touch her and make her his? Madara had also learned to temper his protective nature.
As the weeks passed, Sakura had slowed the pace of her days. The fatigue and the baby's weight no longer allowed her to walk long hours through the city.
That morning, as he was about to leave his wife, Madara observed her and noticed something different in her. She didn't seem worried, but he knew when Sakura was concerned about something.
"Sakura? You seem preoccupied."
She looked at the man she loved and gave him a tender smile while absentmindedly caressing her rounded belly.
"I'm not entirely sure yet, but I think the time has come," she said, her eyes shining with emotion.
"Are you… are you sure?"
Sakura smiled at Madara's question, perfectly understanding the emotion that could overwhelm her husband. Madara Uchiha, despite his reputation as the most powerful Shinobi, remained a man concerned for his wife.
Madara had absolute confidence in Sakura's medical abilities, but he also knew that births could hold surprises, sometimes tragic.
"Yes, Madara, I'm certain, it's today. My body doesn't deceive me," she affirmed, still smiling.
Sakura had listened to her body's signals, perceiving the first contractions. At first, they went unnoticed, normal for a pregnant woman. But soon, she noted their regularity and the gradual increase in their intensity. Her belly tensed regularly, and when the pain became a dull ache, she knew their child would arrive in the coming hours.
"What do I need to do to help you, Sakura?" Madara asked, mastering his emotions despite the uncertainty of the situation. Predicting the outcome of a battle was simpler than this.
"Go inform Hitomi, Amaya, and Hana. They'll know what to do," she said calmly.
The man complied immediately.
The three young women arrived quickly, their emotions visible on their faces. Sakura was moved to see them, and a happy smile spread across her face before a more intense contraction made her frown.
"How many minutes apart?" Amaya calmly asked once the pain passed.
"Every ten minutes for an hour, and I've checked, the baby is doing fine."
"Good, it's time to go," Amaya replied.
The three women took care of Sakura, completely ignoring Madara. The birth seemed to be a women's affair, where men had no say.
"What do you plan to do with Sakura?" he asked loudly, drawing attention to himself.
"Uchiha-sama," Hitomi replied, bowing, "forgive us for not explaining in more detail. Trust us, we'll ensure everything goes well for both the mother and the child."
Madara looked at them sternly before turning to Sakura.
"Madara, I want you to trust me. I chose these women to help me give birth to our child. You've supported me every moment, but you won't be any help to me now. Let them take over, they have the necessary experience."
"So be it! But there's no way you're walking to the hospital, Sakura! Have you seen the distance!" Madara exclaimed.
"Oh no, my lord," Amaya retorted, "it must be done so the baby takes the path to exit. The longer we wait, the harder the distance will be. You can accompany us, but Madam must walk despite the contractions."
Madara, bewildered, realized he understood nothing about a pregnant woman's physiology. He resigned himself to follow the women's instructions.
Madara helped Sakura up from her chair and offered her his arm for support. They moved slowly, at the pace of Sakura's contractions, which made her stop more and more regularly and for longer periods. Despite the visible pain, the young woman kept smiling while her husband remained stoic, powerless against the suffering he could not alleviate.
With each stop, Madara refrained from asking how she was feeling, knowing that the expression on her face was enough to convey her pain. As they were only a hundred meters from the Heiwa hospital, Sakura stopped longer than usual, curling slightly from a more painful contraction, inadvertently gripping Madara's arm more tightly.
"Sakura, how are you feeling? We're almost there, but you can't keep going at this pace," Madara said, worry in his voice. Why was she putting herself through this when she had performed miracles to heal him when he was on the brink of death?
"Thank you for your concern, but I have to go through these stages. The contractions are more painful and longer, but that's a good sign," she replied with reassuring calm.
"Couldn't you use one of your Fūinjutsu techniques to cancel the pain?"
"I thought about it, but if I numb the pain now, I won't know if everything is going well for the baby and me. Contractions are a necessary step for us pregnant women. I must admit, I didn't realize how hard the pain would be to endure."
"Then why walk if it causes you so much pain?"
"Because it helps the baby descend. A woman's body is designed so that when the child is ready to be born, it starts moving toward the exit. Contractions, combined with walking, help the baby find its way. I know everything is going well; I feel a heaviness pressing downward more and more."
At the hospital, Madara had no choice but to leave Sakura in the expert hands of the women she had chosen. He released a small amount of comforting chakra around her and the child. Sakura welcomed this gesture with gratitude, casting a final loving glance at her husband before following Hitomi, Amaya, and Hana to the delivery room.
Madara stayed for a moment, watching his wife being taken away, feeling helpless. He left the hospital and walked toward the wall.
"It's frustrating, isn't it?" Ashina, who had joined him at the wall, asked. He was a man who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
"I hate not being in control," Madara replied, pacing back and forth.
"Like all men of power. But these are women's matters, and we have no say," Ashina added.
"You, more than anyone, should understand my fear," retorted Madara. A veil of sadness passed over Ashina's eyes.
"Yes, I understand better than anyone," Ashina said softly, thinking of his wife who died giving birth to their daughter, Mito. "But you're fortunate to have a wife with extraordinary knowledge."
"I hope everything will be alright…"
"She married you... the hardest part is already done," Ashina teased.
Once Madara was left behind, Sakura let out a sigh. She was relieved that he wasn't present for the delivery, not wanting him to be shocked by what was to come. Although she had witnessed many births, she knew that the birth of a child, as wonderful as it might be in theory, could be a difficult sight for men to bear.
"Sakura-sama? How are you feeling?" Amaya asked as she helped her undress to be more comfortable.
"I'm fine, Amaya. Contractions every five minutes for the past thirty minutes, and I can feel the head pressing down."
"Alright, we'll check that more closely," Hitomi said, indicating the delivery table.
The three women prepared themselves, carefully washing their hands and donning suitable clothing designed by Sakura to establish the first hygiene rules. The furniture and equipment were revolutionary for the time.
Sakura positioned herself as best as she could on the delivery table she had had made according to her plans. The situation felt strange: being in the patient's place when she had always been the doctor.
As she settled into a semi-sitting position, Sakura closed her eyes and breathed slowly to calm her heartbeat. She needed to determine the right moment to activate the Fūinjutsu seal she had placed between her third and fourth lumbar vertebrae.
"It's not quite time yet, hang in there, my daughter, you're doing very well. Are you managing the pain?" Hitomi asked, her concern evident.
"Yes, it's bearable, but the pains are much sharper," Sakura replied, her voice marked by tension.
"Are you afraid, Madam?" Amaya asked, positioning herself to Sakura's right, while Hana was on her left.
Sakura took a moment before responding.
"A little... I know exactly how a woman's body works at this stage, but I didn't expect the pain to be so erratic and intense."
"Don't worry, you're neither the first nor the last to experience this. Trust us, everything will be fine," Amaya said with calm assurance.
Time seemed to stretch for Sakura, marked only by the increasingly frequent contractions. Hitomi suggested that if she wanted to use her Fūinjutsu technique, now was the time. Hana and Amaya helped Sakura adjust. She rounded her back, seeking the precise spot where she had placed the seal. Closing her eyes, she activated it, holding her breath for a few seconds. Immediately, she felt a release in her pelvis and pelvic area. The pain was still there but much less intense, as if muffled.
Then, a stronger contraction surprised her, cutting her breath. She felt pressure followed by a sensation of suction as a fluid flowed from between her legs.
"Sakura, you're going to feel an overwhelming urge to push. Don't hold back until I tell you. The time has come, you'll need to push to get this child out. Time your pushes with the contractions and don't forget what we've learned," Hitomi instructed.
As soon as Hitomi finished speaking, Sakura felt as if the baby was literally slipping from her body. She instinctively knew she needed to assist this movement by pushing.
Amaya and Hana's advice seemed distant as Sakura gripped their hands with surprising strength. The effort was indescribable, but at one point, Hitomi ordered her to stop pushing so she could take hold of the baby. Once the baby was out, Sakura felt a void, as the pain and contractions faded away. All her attention was now focused on the newborn who was letting out its first cry.
Sakura shed a tear of joy, as did the women beside her. She had just given birth to her first child. Amaya joined Hitomi to care for the baby and perform the initial checks after Hitomi had cut the umbilical cord.
"It's a girl, Sakura. A beautiful little girl," Hitomi said, her voice full of emotion.
"Is she alright?" Sakura asked, overwhelmed.
"Yes, everything is fine. Amaya is taking care of her while we finish here. You'll experience new contractions, which is normal. We need to expel the placenta. Are you ready?"
A few minutes later, the contractions resumed. Hitomi and Hana checked to ensure everything was in order and that there was no abnormal bleeding. Once that was done, Amaya brought the baby, wrapped in a thick towel to keep her warm.
Amaya placed the baby on Sakura's bare chest, allowing for the first skin-to-skin contact. Sakura's eyes filled with tears as she gazed at the tiny, wrinkled miracle of life resting against her. The baby instinctively sought out the nourishing breast, and time seemed to stand still around them. Hana covered them to protect them from drafts, while the women cleaned the room so Madara could come in.
When Madara was allowed to enter, he saw his wife and child together. Though he was not known for being emotional, he felt a mix of joy and pride he had never experienced before. He was relieved to see that his wife and child had survived the delivery.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes," Sakura whispered very faintly, exhausted from the experience.
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"A girl."
Their child already had a small tuft of brown hair, a characteristic of the Uchiha clan, and as Madara looked at his daughter, she opened her eyes.
"She seems to have your eyes," Madara whispered, completely moved. "What shall we name her?"
"Nozumi..."
While the couple was immersed in their bubble of happiness, neither of them knew they were being watched, and had been for a long time.
Indeed, someone was paying close attention to what had just happened, and a satisfied smile appeared on their face before they whispered a phrase so quietly it was only heard by themselves:
"At last..."
[Thank for reading. Who is among them? :) ]
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