Chapter 315: Tsunade's Pregnancy Confirmed; From Now On, We Truly Are a Family [HN]

Inside the hospital restroom, Chiya stood motionless as he listened to everything Tsunade had just told him.

The hand Tsunade had guided onto her abdomen was trembling slightly, and through the faint flow of chakra, he could even clearly feel the violent pounding of his own pulse.

Once, then again, each beat struck against his palm and against his suddenly blank mind.

A child?

He and Tsunade…

They really had a child?

“You… you’re sure?”

Chiya’s throat felt dry, and his voice carried a nervousness and caution that he did not even realize he was showing, as though he were afraid that speaking too loudly might disturb something.

Tsunade looked at his rare, foolish expression.

The last trace of anxiety in her heart suddenly vanished, replaced by overwhelming warmth and an urge to laugh.

She nodded firmly and gently placed the pregnancy test Shizune had secretly handed her, its result already clearly displayed, into Chiya’s other hand.

“Yes. It’s confirmed.”

Chiya lowered his head and stared at the two unmistakable red lines on the small test.

An indescribable feeling surged through his heart.

He suddenly raised his head, the shock in his eyes already transforming into overwhelming joy, disbelief, and…

A trace of flustered panic.

He pulled Tsunade tightly into his arms, his arms trembling slightly from excitement while he carefully controlled his strength, afraid that he might hurt her.

“How are you feeling? Was it very uncomfortable just now? Are you still feeling unwell anywhere? Should we go home and rest right now? No, we should do a more comprehensive examination first and check all the indicators…”

He spoke incoherently.

The composure and calmness he usually possessed had completely disappeared.

At this moment, he was simply a man who had just learned that he was about to become a father, overwhelmed by both surprise and joy and completely unsure of what to do.

Tsunade was held tightly in his arms, feeling the violent beating of his heart against her chest and the clumsy yet sincere concern he was showing.

Her eyes grew slightly warm.

She wrapped her arms around him in return, buried her face against his neck, breathed in his reassuring scent, and laughed softly.

“Idiot, I’m not that fragile. I only felt a little nauseous just now, and I’m already much better.”

“Nauseous? That must be the little one causing trouble for you!”

Chiya loosened his embrace slightly and cupped her face in both hands, nervously studying her complexion.

“From now on, you need to reduce your work at the hospital. No, you absolutely can’t perform high risk surgeries anymore! You also need to stop training. Sage chakra ultimately consumes too much mental energy, and what if it affects…”

“Hey, hey, aren’t you being a little too nervous?”

Tsunade interrupted him with both amusement and helplessness.

“I’m the strongest medical ninja. I know my own body better than anyone. If I control the sage chakra properly, it might even be beneficial to the baby. As for my work… I’ll be careful.”

Although she said that, her heart was filled with sweetness.

Seeing Chiya lose his composure and become so nervous for her and their unborn child felt a thousand times better than winning any gamble.

“No, I need to make proper arrangements.”

Chiya took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, but the light in his eyes was still astonishingly bright.

“Your nutrition, safety, schedule… And this news can’t be made public yet. We should wait until things are more stable. Konoha’s security level also needs to be reassessed…”

Seeing him immediately switch into “Hokage mode” and begin making plans, Tsunade felt both amused and touched.

She took his hand and spoke gently.

“All right, my Hokage-sama. We can discuss all of that slowly. For now, let’s go home, okay?”

“Home! Right, let’s go home first!”

Chiya immediately nodded and carefully put an arm around Tsunade’s waist, even slowing his walking pace by several steps.

…

By evening, the setting sun had dyed the sky a warm orange-red.

Deep within the Uchiha district, the traditional Japanese-style residence belonging to Chiya was filled with the enticing aroma of food.

Uchiha Mikoto was wearing a simple and elegant home kimono with an apron tied around her waist, carrying the final bowl of miso soup to the dining table.

Her black hair was tied up, revealing her fair, slender neck, and a gentle, peaceful smile rested on her face.

When she heard the courtyard gate slide open, her smile deepened, and she quickly walked toward the entrance.

“Welcome ba…”

Her words stopped when she saw Chiya carefully supporting Tsunade inside.

A trace of surprise flashed through her eyes.

Although Lady Tsunade held a highly respected position, Chiya had never treated her with such…

Well, excessive caution.

Furthermore, Tsunade’s face seemed to carry a gentle and radiant glow that was different from her usual appearance.

“Mikoto, we’re back.”

Chiya’s voice carried barely suppressed excitement.

“Mikoto, sorry to trouble you.”

Tsunade also greeted her with a smile, her manner completely natural.

Yet when their eyes met, Tsunade seemed to convey some kind of message.

Mikoto was perceptive and immediately understood.

Her gaze instinctively fell upon the hand Chiya was still hovering protectively around Tsunade’s waist.

She then looked at Tsunade’s posture, which was not particularly unusual yet was clearly being overprotected by Chiya.

A guess flashed through her mind like lightning.

The surprise on her face quickly disappeared, replaced by understanding and joy.

She stepped forward several times and, without looking at Chiya, gently took Tsunade’s other arm.

“Please, come in. The food is ready. I prepared mostly light and nutritious dishes.”

Mikoto’s voice was as warm as a spring breeze as she naturally took over part of Chiya’s “duties.”

She guided Tsunade toward the living room while discreetly glaring at Chiya, signaling him not to be so nervous that he made Tsunade uncomfortable.

Chiya caught Mikoto’s look and froze for a moment before touching his nose, realizing that he might indeed be overreacting.

The three of them entered the living room.

Under the warm lights, a table filled with delicious dishes radiated the atmosphere of a home.

Mikoto helped Tsunade sit down on a soft cushion.

She then turned around, took a teacup from the cabinet, skillfully brewed a cup of warm herbal tea with a faint fragrance, and placed it in front of Tsunade.

“Lady Tsunade, have some of this. It helps calm the nerves and relax the body.”

Mikoto then glanced at the pot of sake on the table, naturally removed it, and replaced it with a pitcher of freshly squeezed fruit juice.

“Alcohol can be irritating, so you should avoid it for the time being.”

Tsunade watched Mikoto’s considerate actions, and warmth surged through her heart.

She had originally harbored a faint, indescribable concern, worried that Mikoto might feel resentful because of this.

After all, she had already become the “first” one.

But at this moment, Mikoto showed only sincere concern and acceptance, without the slightest trace of reluctance or displeasure.

“Thank you, Mikoto.”

Tsunade accepted the tea and sincerely thanked her.

Chiya sat beside Tsunade, watching Mikoto’s gentle figure as she busied herself and then looking at Tsunade beside him, who was carrying his child.

The smile at the corners of his mouth became even softer.

“Mikoto, sit down too.”

Chiya spoke gently.

Only then did Mikoto untie her apron and sit across from them, a gentle smile on her face as her gaze moved between Chiya and Tsunade.

“So… it’s really true?”

Tsunade’s face reddened slightly as she nodded.

“Yes. We just confirmed it.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Mikoto clasped her hands together, her eyes shining with genuine happiness.

“This is such wonderful news! Chiya, Lady Tsunade… congratulations!”

She looked at Tsunade with clear and warm eyes.

“Lady Tsunade, please take good care of yourself. From now on, leave everything at home to me. Come over whenever you like, and if there’s anything you want to eat or need, just tell me.”

Her attitude was so natural and generous that it seemed as though Tsunade were carrying the child of her own younger brother or sister.

There was only pure blessing and concern, without the slightest trace of jealousy or disappointment.

Tsunade was deeply moved.

She reached out and held Mikoto’s hand on the table.

“Mikoto, thank you. And… I’m sorry to put you in this position.”

Mikoto gently held her hand in return and shook her head with a warm smile.

“Lady Tsunade, please don’t say that. Being able to stay by Chiya’s side and live together with everyone like a family already makes me very happy. Now that a new life is about to join our family, this is something all of us should be happy and look forward to.”

As she spoke, she looked toward Chiya, her eyes filled with dependence and affection.

“Chiya’s child is our child.”

Those words completely established the warm and harmonious atmosphere of this special family.

Chiya reached out and took Tsunade’s and Mikoto’s hands, their hands tightly overlapping above the dining table.

“Let’s eat.”

Chiya’s voice was deep and filled with emotion.

“From now on, we truly are a family.”

Dinner proceeded in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Mikoto continuously placed food into Tsunade’s bowl, thoughtfully explaining which dishes were nutritious and easy to digest.

Tsunade also put aside her usual boldness and ate in small bites, savoring this rare warmth of family.

Chiya occasionally looked at Tsunade and then at Mikoto, the smile on his face never disappearing.

He even enthusiastically began discussing with Mikoto how to arrange the baby’s room, debating whether it should be placed beside the main house or whether they should renovate a side room closer to the courtyard.

Tsunade watched the two of them discussing it so seriously.

Listening to their “debate” over whether the child should resemble one of them more and whether they should teach the child ninjutsu, medical ninjutsu, or shuriken techniques, she could not help but burst into laughter.

“You two are getting way too excited already, aren’t you?”

Under the warm lights, her smile was bright and happy, carrying the radiance of motherhood and making it impossible to look away.

Chiya and Mikoto exchanged glances and laughed as well.

Yes, they had plenty of time ahead of them.

But they were already impatiently looking forward to the moment when this little life filled with love and hope would arrive and bring even more laughter and a brighter future to their family.

Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, gently covering the Uchiha district and the happiness and anticipation quietly growing within the residence.

“Chiya, you don’t have to stay with me tonight!~”

Tsunade looked at Chiya lying beside her and watching her.

Before Chiya could speak, she continued.

“Mikoto still needs you!~”

Seeing the seriousness on Tsunade’s face, Chiya swallowed the words that had been about to leave his mouth.

After a long while, Chiya got up, paused, and then lay back down.

Tsunade was stunned when she saw this.

“I’m staying with you tonight!~”