Ch. 27

--Zach POV--

It's been almost two months since I proposed to Tsunade, a lot has happened during that time. For example, Tsunade started to have weird cravings. The one that really made me look at her sideways was pickle juice flavored ice cream. I just shut my mouth, nodded my head, and found out that an ice cream shop in my town made it. When I went and got her a tub, the owner congratulated me on becoming a father. Wondering how he knew, he told me that it was a fairly common craving for a pregnant woman. With that tidbit, I bought two more tubs and came back to a very happy wife.

We also officially married a month ago at the courthouse in Tanzaku. We both decided that being married on paper was more important at this point. Once we get to the village and everything settles down we will have a proper wedding. I'm personally thinking we should have it after the kiddos are born but we will see.

We've all gotten closer to Kayla and Karin during this time. Tsunade and Shizune have taken them both under their wings and started teaching them how to be great medics. I've also made laptops for everyone, so that way we are not fighting over the one and imaged over my harddrive over onto theirs. I do want to say, ninja's reflexes are nothing to joke with. I showed them the joys of video games, I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Karin is now a grandmaster in Starcraft II and beating everyone like it's nothing. Shizune is doing the same with Counter-Strike and has been getting emails from pro-teams. Kayla has gotten heavily interested in Stardew Valley. Finally, Tsunade and I have been playing overwatch together, she plays Mercy while I rock it out with Reinhardt. We make a great team, a lot of clutches, and making our team jealous with the lovey-dovey talk.

During the two months, I haven't been neglecting my training. I usually head to the workshop first thing in the morning and make as many ingots as I can with my essence. With my essence low, I'd start working the metal into various weapons, kitchen knives, measuring cups. The quality of the work spoke for itself, and the word of mouth is what keeps the sales coming in. My bank account has never been happier, and Tsunade is still sneaking into the casino but not fully cleaning them out like she used to. We were finally able to finish off paying all of Tsunade's debt.

Today is the 4 days before the chunin finals in Konoha. We've already gotten everything packed up and a horse and carriage waiting downstairs for us. We're all gathered in my and Tsunade's room and going over the game plan.

Tsunade: "So, Shizune and I are going to be disguised the whole way, that way we can avoid both Orochimaru and Jiraiya. Nobody who knows me would ever suspect me being pregnant so that just adds another layer to the camouflage. Once we hit the gates of Konoha we're here to visit my father Sato, who works as the head servant in the Senju compound. Shizune, you're going to be my sister and Kayla, Karin you two will be family friends. Zach, you're, of course, my husband, and everything should be good. Any questions?"

We all shook our heads no, and with that, we left the room and jumped into the carriage. I wanted to make Humvee 2.0, but Tsunade shot that down, calling it a metal deathtrap. She probably got dis-illusioned of the greatness of vehicles after they got blown up in it. I hope you're doing well wherever you are Trunk-kun, run those people and critters over with pride. Tsunade had warned me that it would take us around a week to get there, and I was not liking the idea of sleeping outside. Maybe I'll build us a little cottage each night and have Tsunade help me recover my essence.

Tsunade: "Yes, If you do build them I will help."

Woah, can she read minds now? Crap that adds a whole nother level of scariness to her.

Tsunade: "No I can't, you have a one-track mind. Plus you told me you hated sleeping outside."

I don't even remember telling her that! Better watch what I say and only make promises I keep. Wait, this is a great thing, all I have to do is remember her birthday and our anniversary, and she will remind me of the rest! Talk about teamwork, this will be awesome, and with that, we made our way to Konoha to see if this world would match up to the show and manga.

The journey was uneventful thankfully, after the 1st night I started to make 2 smaller cottages instead of one big one. That 1st morning we came out only to see the other 3 with bags under their eyes and rosy cheeks. We got a good laugh at it and received some death glares with that.

Our group was about a day out from Konoha when we got word from a traveling merchant that the village was attacked during the chunin exam. Finding out about the death of the 3rd Hokage didn't mean anything to me, but Shizune's eyes started misting up. Gazing at Tsunade, I saw her looking stoic, something I haven't seen in a while. I motioned for Kayla to come and take the reigns of the carriage and climbed back into the cab. Climbing over Shizune and Karin I placed my hand on Shizune's shoulder and squeezed it gently to reassure her. I sat down next to my wife and put my arm around her, pulling her in close, as she rested her head on my shoulder.

I couldn't blame her for the grief she is feeling. Even though the old man was a piece of shit, he was still her teacher for all those years. She squeezed my thigh, letting me know she was alright, but we just sat like that for the rest of the ride.

We were on the final leg of our journey and I was back to driving the carriage. As we approached the gates of Konohagakure, I saw two gate guards hailing us to halt, I recognized them as Kotetsu and Izumo and brought the carriage to a stop.

Kotetsu: "How many are you, names, and reason for visiting?"

Zach: "There are five of us in total. I'm Zachary Briggs, my pregnant wife is Yua Briggs. Her sister, Ichika Watanabe, and the two redheads are Kayla and Karin, Kayla is the mother. We're here to see my wife's father Sato Watanabe, who is the chief butler of the Senju clan."

Kotetsu just nodded his head as he jotted everything down, all the while Izumo was inspecting the carriage. With a nod indicating that everything was in order from Izumo, we entered Konoha. After watching and reading hundreds of hours of this village, my eyes were darting everywhere. It was bigger than in the stories and more bustling than you would expect, luckily I had Tsunade to guide me to where the compound was arriving in no time.

I hopped off the driver's seat and made my way to help the ladies down out of the carriage. By this time an older man was standing outside the gate to the compound. Tsunade and Shizune in disguise ran up to the old man while yelling papa, which threw him off guard. Following behind them I heard Tsunade whispering to him as I got closer.

Tsunade: "Nawaki peed on you when you were changing his diaper and I laughed so hard that milk came out of my nose. We're secretly back, I'll explain inside."

With that, the old man went stiff, and I could tell he wanted to bow but he stopped himself and grinned like a proud father and hugged the girls. As he noticed me and the Uzumaki's approach, he gave us a curious look.

Tsunade: "Dad, I'd like you to meet my husband Zachary Briggs."

The old man's eyes widened at that and I saw Tsunade with a mischievous grin.

Tsunade: "And I'm 4 months pregnant."

And there go the lights. I love it when it's not happening to me, such a pleasant sight. I picked up who could only be Sato and sat him on the driver's seat of the carriage. Taking the reins I walked the Carriage into the compound and by the time I reached the stables Sato was awake again and staring back and forth at me and Tsunade chatting happily. I could see his eyes misting up at the sight of Tsunade being in love. He must have been more to Tsunade then just the head butler.

After putting the horses away everyone got sorted to their permanent residence, Tsunade and I were in the living room, telling Sato most of the truth of our situation. Leaving out the whole gods and anime parts. By the end of it, the old man was brimming with pride and joy. It was watching the two talking happily that I've finally been able to take a moment and think.

I've come so far since that night when Tsunade found me again in my drunken stupor. I made friends who I know will eventually become my family. I will be able to continue exploring my abilities. I literally fought for my life against the god of war and came out alive, and the most important thing of all, I have my wife, and we're finally home.