Chp-144: Birth of an Actor

Inside the delivery room, screams of agony echoed intermittently.

Biwako squatted between Kushina's legs, working with the medical ninjas nearby to assist with the delivery.

"Nine-Tails, stay calm!"

Minato was drenched in sweat. His hand was pressing on Kushina's stomach, and he was trying his best to stabilize the seal.

Kushina screamed in pain, her stomach covered with large, protruding black seals.

The Nine-Tails' chakra was too violent, repeatedly crashing against the seal at this critical moment of childbirth.

It roared madly, almost instinctively.

"Minato! Strengthen the Nine-Tails' seal! Do not let it break free!"

Biwako shouted.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru stood guard outside the barrier, their expressions stern as they watched for any disturbances.

The Nine-Tails was too important; Konoha's top combat forces surrounded the delivery room.

Though standing outside, Orochimaru's mind couldn't help but drift to the scene inside the delivery room.

How was Kushina doing?

What impact would the tailed beast's chakra have on the childbirth process?

It was a pity he couldn't witness it firsthand.

His intense curiosity engulfed him, and in the midst of this serious atmosphere, he began to mentally calculate the scenario of Kushina's delivery.

"Orochimaru, stay focused."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sternly reminded him.

"Got it, old man."

Orochimaru sighed, giving up on his mental calculations.

Even as Hokage, the old man Sarutobi was still just as annoying.

...

A few hundred meters away from the secret delivery room, a swirling vortex appeared out of thin air.

Two figures emerged in the woods.

Zero looked at Tobi in surprise.

Kamui was really convenient, allowing them to casually enter Konoha's restricted area.

Especially with dual Kamui, the speed seemed much faster than single Kamui.

"It looks like we arrived just in time."

Tobi sneered, turning to Zero.

"Zero, you handle the people outside. I'll go inside the delivery room and release the Nine-Tails."

"What? Are you kidding me?" Zero rolled his eyes. "There are two Hokages out there, Hiruzen and Orochimaru, and you expect me to hold off two Hokages by myself?"

"That's not my concern. Nagato's order was for you to handle the others."

Tobi's voice was cold.

Was this a test?

Zero sighed. Were they really using two Hokages to test his strength?

What a hassle.

Oh well, acting was just acting. How they performed didn't really matter.

A vortex engulfed Tobi, and he disappeared.

...

Inside the delivery room.

A sudden cry of a baby broke the tense atmosphere.

"It's out, bring hot water quickly."

Biwako held little Naruto, a look of relief on her face.

"That's great."

Minato sighed in relief, smiling happily as he began to reinforce Kushina's seal.

Suddenly, a twisted vortex appeared, and in a brief instant, Biwako and the medical ninja were killed, and Naruto was snatched away.

"Who are you?"

Minato shouted, wanting to act, but the Nine-Tails' seal began to loosen.

He was caught in a dilemma.

"If you don't want this child to die, hand over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Tobi stared straight at Minato.

So it had come to this, Minato-sensei...

Don't worry. In the new world, I create, everyone will be revived.

Minato didn't move, guarding Kushina and watching the intruder cautiously, trying to remain calm.

"Who are you, able to bypass the defenses and enter here... There are only a few people in all of Konoha who know how to open this barrier."

Tobi placed an explosive tag on Naruto, throwing him high into the air.

"Minato!"

Kushina cried out weakly.

Without hesitation, Minato leapt up, catching Naruto and tearing off the explosive tag.

Boom!

In the next moment, Tobi appeared beside Kushina, pressing down on her and disappearing with her in a vortex.

All of this happened in an instant.

"Damn it! Who is this guy? Is his target the Nine-Tails..."

Minato, holding Naruto, looked grim and vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

...

Meanwhile.

Outside, the guards noticed the disturbance in the delivery room.

"Something's wrong, what happened?"

"Biwako!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi mourned as he held his deceased wife.

Orochimaru gasped.

It seemed Satoru's prediction was correct; something had gone wrong.

With a whoosh, Minato appeared in the delivery room, having placed Naruto in a cradle.

"Minato, what happened? Where's Kushina?"

Hiruzen asked anxiously.

"A mysterious man in a black cloak attacked us. He took Kushina."

Minato's face was serious.

"I'm going to find Kushina. I'll leave things here to you!"

With a whoosh, he disappeared again.

"Is the target the Nine-Tails?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi calmed down, quickly analyzing the situation.

"Orochimaru, we must not let the Nine-Tails break free. We need to alert the village's ninjas immediately."

"I understand," Orochimaru's face was equally grave.

The two rushed out of the delivery room, only to find a mysterious figure in a black and red cloud cloak standing outside.

"Was it you who took Kushina? Bastard! What do you want?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared in anger.

"Uh... Are you talking about Madara? I think you're mistaken. I'm his comrade, responsible for stalling you. Taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is his task."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.

He exchanged a glance with Orochimaru, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

What was going on?

???

How could such important information be revealed so easily?

"Who are you people? Why are you after the Nine-Tails?"

Hiruzen pressed.

"See this outfit? This is the uniform of the Akatsuki organization. Looks good, right?"

Akatsuki?

What was that?

"You mentioned Madara? Didn't he die long ago?"

"Well, he claims to be Madara, and our leader calls him that, too. Whether he's dead or not, I don't know."

Zero shrugged.

Selling out his comrades wildly.

If Tobi were here, he'd probably want to tear Zero apart.

I asked you to stall them, and you exposed everything about me!

This barrage of information left the present ninjas bewildered.

Was this guy not quite right in the head?

So much crucial information, just given away so easily?

"Orochimaru, it seems the enemy isn't too bright. You go help Minato. I'll handle things here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Orochimaru.

"Old man, take care then!"

Orochimaru prepared to leave.

Zero sighed, thinking, I've said all I can.

This identity is still useful within the Akatsuki. If I don't fight, they'll suspect me.

So please, play along with me, okay?

He slapped his hand on the ground.

"Iron Tree Domain!"