Ryo thought about things for a while and then asked: âKurama, if someone comes to hurt Ne-san as she is giving birth, would you cooperate with them?â
The Kyubi didnât seem to expect this question, but he answered without hesitation: âI told you before kid; I donât want to switch Jinchurikis!â
Ryo answered smiling: âThat should be enough! Kurama, trust me, I will definitely protect Ne san, with you!â
Hearing that, the Kyubi could only feel a lot better. Ever since Ryo became Kushinaâs disciple at around 7 years old, he had been watching his growth. Along the years, Ryo never made a promise he couldnât fulfill, and never had trouble he couldnât overcome in one way or another.
Therefore, although the Kyubi couldnât grasp the source of Ryoâs confidence, he still believed in him, and returned control to Kushina.
Kushina didnât get to hear any part of the conversation. Usually, now she would be arguing and urging Ryo to tell her about what she had missing.
However, now she was just too thrilled by knowing she was going to be a mother, and all her interests in life revolved around the one in her tummy; she didnât have time for arguing.
She got back to asking Ryo about what she should do to preserve the fetusâs health, and he answered every question of her in details until Minato returned in the afternoon.
âHoney, Iâm back! Hey, Ryo, youâre here as well!â Minato, who had just entered, found Ryo at home. As he was saluting him, he found Kushina rushing to him while desperately failing to hide her excitement.
âMinato, I have good news to tell you.â She said, trying to speak calmly.
âWhat good news?â
âMinato, youâre going to become a father!â
Minato froze in place for a good while. He couldnât process the news quickly, and then he suddenly snapped out excitedly saying: âA father?!â
âYes! Youâre really becoming a father!â Kushina repeated her answer, and Minato had a large smile covering his face as he jumped on her to hug her closely.
Ryo, who was looking from across the room, smiled and teleported back home.
The next day, Ryo went to Minatoâs office to ask him for help with his Teleportation Technique.
Ryo had been feeling at ease about the whole deal concerning Narutoâs birth. After all, Obito knew the truth about Madaraâs plans, and the relationship between Kurama and Kushina was so good.
But the words of Kurama got to him. For some reason that he couldnât identify, he couldnât feel relaxed anymore. Therefore, with nothing clear to prepare for, he could only focus on overcoming his own shortcomings, including his teleportation limitations.
Minatoâs mastery over the use of the Teleportation Barrier Technique was much better than that of Ryo, which enabled him to teleport disregarding distance. as for Ryo, he could only sense his marks up to a certain distance.
After getting instructions from Minato, Ryo used Narutoâs method to practice, creating three Shadow Clones to practice alongside with him.
Time went by, and over four months passed. This was year 48 after post Konohaâs inception.
Ryo spent this whole period practicing the Teleportation Barrier technique. Besides the period he had spent in Mount Myobuko, this was the longest time Ryo had ever taken practicing a single technique.
Despite this, and despite the fact that he had been using Shadow Clones, Ryo still couldnât fully master this technique. Nevertheless, he still managed to achieve great improvement compared to before.
âItâs time to start preparing!â Ryo whispered to himself.
At noon, he went to Minato and Kushinaâs place, and the former was the one to open the door for him.
When he saw Ryo, Minato smiled and greeted him: âWelcome Ryo! Jiraya sensei is always here. Weâre discussing the matter of Kushinaâs labor.â
Ryo nodded, for he happened to want to discuss the same matter, along with another thing.
The two entered the house together, and Jiraya was inside eating launch.
âOh Ni-san, youâre reading Jiraya sanâs book?â Ryo noticed the âThe Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobiâ lying on the table.
âYes! This book is awesome. This is not an adaptation of legend or mere fiction; it feels more like an auto-biography of Jiraya Sensei!â
As Jiraya heard Minato, he immediately came of the kitchen and explained: âIâve written this book in my times of boredom in my early writing days. I couldnât manage to sell it. Now, Iâve listened to the advice of some knowledgeable people, and a book with the erotic elements Iâm good at writing should be released soon.â A wicked naughty smirk showed on Jirayaâs face.
Minato seemed to ignore that last part, and said: âThe main character of this book, I thought his determination to never give up was really cool. Heâs a lot like you Sensei!â
Jiraya was embarrassed, and his face blushed slightly, âHe⦠he is?â
âThis is why Iâd like your permission to name my son after him. I really hope my unborn son could become a Ninja thatâs just like this main character.â
Jiraya was flustered, and quickly said: âH-hey, are you sure? Naruto⦠thatâs just a name I thought of when I was eating ramenâ¦â
âWhatâs wrong with that? Itâs a nice name! Donât you think so, Ne san?â Ryo smiled and asked Kushina, who was watching the three chatting.
Kushina smiled and nodded: âNaruto⦠Itâs a wonderful name.â
And so Narutoâs name was determined, and then the three began discussing the matter of the day on which he would be born.
The people Minato trusted the most in Konoha were in this room. He intended to intrust Kushinaâs safety to the two in front of him.
While he was sure that Ryo would definitely be around Kushina to protect her, he knew that Jiraya might not have thought that far.
Therefore he said: âJiraya sensei, I want you to protect Kushina when giving birth to Naruto. You should know well of the risks that involve a Jinchuriki upon delivery.â
Ryo also wanted to support Minatoâs case: âJiraya san, donât leave the village around that period; it would feel uneasy without you around.â
Jiraya sniffed and nodded, promising to do as they demanded.
With that, Ryo felt greatly relieved. Then, he took the opportunity to ask Minato for permission to leave the village for about half a month.
After some thought, Minato agreed to his request. After all, there was still over 4 months before Kushina would give birth, and there wasnât much for Ryo to do in the village.
With the Hokageâs permission, Ryo left Konoha alone. He destination, the Lightning Countryâs Hidden Cloud!