**Chapter 70: Sarutobi Konohamaru or Sarutobi Mirai?**
The dark clouds gradually dispersed, and the weary setting sun peeked out from behind them.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
Someone knocked on Teacher Shinnosuke's door. A few seconds later, a woman hurried out from the kitchen.
"Who is it?"
"We're Teacher Shinnosuke's students," replied Itachi's calm voice from outside.
"Shinnosuke! Your students are here to see you!"
The woman called out as she opened the door.
When the door swung open, three children carrying gifts smiled and bowed politely to her.
The visitors were none other than Naraku, Itachi, and Senju Chaka.
Naraku's eyes first fell upon the woman standing by the door.
She appeared to be around twenty years old, with long, smooth black hair neatly coiled up. Her elegant demeanor and gentle smile framed a beautiful face. Her skin was fair and radiant, and she wore a pink blouse beneath an apron.
*What a rare beauty,* Naraku thought. *It seems Teacher Shinnosuke is quite fortunate in love.*
"Haha, my dear students! What brings you here?"
The door to the inner room opened, and Sarutobi Shinnosuke emerged, his face radiating joy.
Naraku observed his beaming face, almost like a blooming flower, and pursed his lips. *Is this the joy of becoming a father?* he thought bitterly. *Damn it, I'll never experience this in my lifetime.*
Naraku and the other two entered single file. Ever since Senju Chaka revealed the news about Teacher Shinnosuke's wife's pregnancy the previous night, the trio had spent the following afternoon scouring the market for suitable gifts before rushing to deliver them.
"Teacher, we heard about Teacher's Wife's pregnancy and came to see you. This is a gift for the future child. Please accept it," Uchiha Itachi said, presenting the carefully prepared gift with utmost respect.
"Hahaha, you kids sure get news fast! Come in quickly. Dinner's almost ready—let's eat together!"
Xi Hua handed them slippers, ushering the three inside before putting away their gifts. She then returned to the kitchen to finish preparations, while Naraku and the others followed Teacher Shinnosuke into the inner room.
When the door opened, Naraku saw the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Sarutobi Asuma seated in the inner room, chatting.
Even Sarutobi Kuima, whom he had encountered on the street earlier, was there, yawning boredly.
"Lord Hokage!"
Naraku's Three Ninja greeted Hiruzen respectfully, maintaining proper etiquette despite their true feelings.
"Itachi, Naraku, Chama, you're here. No need for formalities among friends. Please sit. Dinner will be ready soon."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's wrinkled face beamed with delight, his anticipation for his soon-to-be-born grandson palpable.
Just as the three found their seats, Kuima hastily scooted away from them, as if afraid of catching some kind of contagion from the Uchiha Clan.
"Shinnosuke, why are you still teaching the Uchiha Clan?!"
Kuima clearly hadn't forgotten the incident where Shisui had helped him evade the Konoha Guard.
"Kuima, if you don't have anything constructive to say, keep your mouth shut. If you're that uncomfortable, feel free to leave. My students are not your concern!"
The smile vanished from Sarutobi Shinnosuke's face. He'd been protecting his students for years—what right did anyone have to come to his home and criticize them?
*Who gave you the courage? Fish Leong?*
"Shinnosuke! You actually..."
"Enough, Kuima! If you can't handle this, then leave! We're all comrades of Konoha. There's no 'Sarutobi Clan' or 'Uchiha Clan' here—your behavior is utterly disgraceful!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table, clearly furious. He usually tolerated Danzo's grumbling, but now even his own nephew was being so persistent.
Seeing his Hokage uncle's anger, Sarutobi Kuima shrank back and muttered:
"Fine, fine, I was wrong, okay?"
Just then, the door opened, and Xi Hua entered carrying two platters.
"Dinner's served!"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly stood up and took the dishes from his wife. Normally, in the Island Country, such courtesy wouldn't be required. But now that his wife was pregnant, Teacher Shinnosuke was probably being extra cautious about the baby's safety.
In any case, Naraku was force-fed a mouthful of "relationship goals" by the two of them.
The table quickly filled with Japanese dishes, showcasing the Teacher's Wife's culinary expertise.
Naraku and his two companions didn't hold back, especially Senju Chaka, who ate so heartily that oil dripped from his mouth.
By the time they finished eating, night had fallen.
In their joy, the three members of the Sarutobi clan drank heavily, while the underage Sarutobi Asuma, having finished his meal, watched his brother and father laugh uproariously.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard and announced the future grandson's name:
"If it's a boy, we'll call him Sarutobi Konohamaru. If it's a girl..."
*Nonsense, it'll definitely be a boy,* Naraku grumbled inwardly.
"...we'll call her Sarutobi Mirai!"
Whether the names were genuinely good or merely politically correct, everyone in the room praised Lord Hokage's choices effusively.
The Sarutobi family members then began discussing the future, envisioning the joyous reunion of the family after the baby's birth.
Naraku and his companions, unable to contribute to the conversation and noticing the late hour, excused themselves and took their leave.
"Alright, you can go back now. Oh, I was going to wait until tomorrow's gathering to tell you, but since you're here today, I'll just say it now."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, his cheeks flushed from drinking, burped before continuing:
"I've already registered you for next month's Chūnin Exam, and Lord Hokage has approved it. So you need to work even harder during this time, understood?"
"Yes, Teacher!"
The three of them bid farewell to the others in the room and left.
"Father, have you noticed that child, Uchiha Itachi?"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke watched the three leave before suddenly asking his father.
"Of course I have. He's an exceptional child. Why do you ask?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, didn't immediately understand why his son was asking.
"Exceptional doesn't even begin to cover it. He's not only incredibly strong in practice, but his talent is frightening. He possesses a strong Will of Fire, and I even think he can already consider things from the Hokage's perspective."
As Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke about his student, the corners of his mouth curled into a proud smile.
"You must understand, he's only eight years old! This level of power is terrifying. I even think he was born into Konoha solely to become Hokage. I believe we should..."
"Enough, Shinnosuke!" Hiruzen roared, his face stern. He couldn't fathom why his son would say such things.
"Uchiha clan members can never become Hokage. How can you not understand something so basic? Don't utter such nonsense again!"
Hiruzen glared fiercely at his eldest son.
"Why? What's wrong with the Uchiha clan? Why are you all so hostile towards them? Aren't they part of Konoha? They were one of the two founding clans of our village!"
Perhaps fueled by alcohol, Shinnosuke abruptly stood up.
"Yes, the Uchiha are comrades and one of the founding clans, but do you know why no one in Konoha ever supported Uchiha Madara becoming Hokage? You don't understand a thing!"
Hiruzen also stood, his voice rising.
"The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan requires immense negative emotions to evolve. Almost every Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyō fell to darkness! You actually want to let such an unstable person lead Konoha? What were you thinking?"
"..."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked at his father, whose beard trembled with anger.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly recalled the moment his disciple awakened his Mangekyō in the Land of Waves—the overwhelming love that moved even him.
The Uchiha Clan was nothing like his father described.
"Father... I cannot agree with your words. I'm full now..."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke had intended to tell his father about his disciple awakening his Mangekyō at the age of eight.
But now it seemed unnecessary. He decided to keep this information secret... for Itachi's sake.
With that, Sarutobi Shinnosuke walked to the door.
"Brother, don't be like this. Father, he..."
Sarutobi Asuma felt his father's words made perfect sense. Why would his brother...?
However, Sarutobi Shinnosuke said nothing, simply leaving the room in silence.
...
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(End of Chapter)