Chapter 298: The Last Peace
Night had fully fallen.
Konoha’s main streets were deserted. Every house had its doors and windows shut tight.
Not a single ordinary villager could be seen outside. Only ANBU sentries silently rotated between high vantage points.
Kaede turned through two quiet alleys and stopped in front of Minato’s courtyard gate.
He knocked lightly.
The door opened a crack almost immediately.
Kaede paused when he saw who was standing inside.
A young woman with long black hair draped over one shoulder held a swaddled infant in her arms.
Mikoto Uchiha.
When she saw that it was Kaede outside, the caution in her expression faded into a gentle smile.
"Kaede-kun."
She stepped aside to let him in.
"Kushina was just talking about you. Come inside."
Kaede entered, his gaze naturally falling on the baby in her arms.
The infant, not even a year old, was sucking his thumb while a pair of black, grape-like eyes curiously studied Kaede.
Sasuke Uchiha.
The corner of Kaede’s mouth twitched faintly.
"Who’s outside?"
Kushina’s slightly strained voice came from the inner room.
Supporting herself against the wall with one hand, she waddled out with her round belly, movements noticeably clumsy.
Kaede immediately stepped forward and steadied her by the elbow.
Kushina leaned into the support and used her free hand to poke Sasuke’s chubby cheek.
"This little guy is really handsome."
She looked at Mikoto, clearly fond of the child.
"When he grows up, he’ll definitely be the most popular boy in the village."
Kaede listened and glanced at Sasuke’s not-yet-developed features.
An image of the original Sasuke—always wearing a cold face with both hands in his pockets—appeared in his mind.
For once, Kaede agreed.
Mikoto laughed and lowered her head to kiss her son’s hair.
Kaede leaned closer to Kushina and quietly said,
"The outer area has been cleared. We should get moving."
Mikoto heard him clearly and tactfully stepped back half a pace.
"Then I won’t keep you."
Holding Sasuke, she nodded to Kushina in farewell.
"Once Naruto is born safely, I’ll bring Sasuke over to visit both of you."
Kushina smiled and waved as Mikoto and her son disappeared into the night outside the courtyard.
When the gate closed again, Kushina released a long breath and gave Kaede a look indicating she was ready.
They left the courtyard together.
Kaede matched Kushina’s heavy pace as they slowly followed the street toward the edge of the village.
Looking down toward her feet, Kushina suddenly spoke.
"I’m actually pretty scared."
Her voice was unusually quiet, with none of her normal fiery temper.
Kaede turned his head to look at her.
"I’m not worried about something happening to me. I’m afraid the baby will get dragged into this."
Her fingers tightened around Kaede’s sleeve.
"I’m even more afraid Minato will be distracted trying to protect me while he’s fighting."
Kaede waited a moment before answering.
"Relax. Nothing will happen tonight."
Kushina froze briefly and looked at his profile.
There was no exaggeration on his face, only complete rationality and certainty.
She snorted and cursed with a smile,
"Brat. That’s a huge claim."
Still, his words relieved much of the worry inside her.
Kushina lowered her head and supported her heavy belly with one hand.
"When this child is born, I don’t expect him to become some great hero."
She seemed to be speaking to herself.
"As long as he grows up healthy and lives a good life, that’s enough."
Kaede said nothing and continued helping her forward.
Before long, the thick forest at the village’s edge appeared ahead.
A pale-blue barrier flickered faintly between the trees.
Directly behind it was an extremely hidden cave.
Biwako Sarutobi stood at the barrier entrance in a dark kimono, hands folded in front of her. She had been waiting for some time.
The moment she saw them approach, the elderly woman hurried forward.
"Give her to me."
She efficiently took Kaede’s place and supported Kushina’s arm.
Then Biwako turned and gave Kaede a strict look.
"Outer security personnel stop here. No men are allowed inside the core delivery barrier."
Kaede nodded.
He released Kushina and stepped behind the security line.
Kushina followed Biwako toward the cave.
Just before disappearing into the shadows, she turned back and gave Kaede a thumbs-up.
Her smile was relaxed.
Kaede watched until the pale-blue barrier completely closed.
The ANBU in the forest returned to their positions, and aside from insects, the surroundings became silent again.
He adjusted his breathing and looked toward Konoha’s outer walls.
...
Far across the wilderness, darkness erased the terrain’s outline.
Fu stood atop the head of a Tailed Beast.
Beneath him, seven colossal creatures stood in a row.
Even from a distance, the sight created overwhelming pressure.
Black Zetsu emerged halfway from Fu’s shadow.
Its gaze pierced the darkness toward Konoha.
"It’s time."
Fu gave no verbal response.
His eyelids lowered slightly as he slowly brought his hands together and formed seals.
The Rinnegan’s absolute control poured outward.
Six unconscious Tailed Beasts raised their heads in unison.
Violent roars burst from their throats at the same time.
Dust and broken stones were blasted outward in every direction.
...
On Konoha’s outer wall, the night guard rubbed his aching eyes and carried a lamp along the battlements.
Days of continuous high-intensity preparation had exhausted everyone.
He yawned and habitually glanced beyond the wall.
The ground beneath his feet suddenly shook violently.
The flame in his hand swayed enough to blur his vision.
Before he could regain his balance, a muffled explosion sounded from the darkness outside.
The earth itself seemed to have been violently overturned from below. Huge chunks of soil and stone burst into the air.
The guard’s mouth fell open.
"Enemy attack!"
The shout shattered the silence above the camp.
Shinobi rushed from their barracks.
The moment their feet touched the ground, they froze.
Outside the walls, several lights appeared in the darkness.
On closer inspection, they were enormous eyes.
They stared directly at the dense crowd inside.
Everyone who saw them stopped breathing.
...
Outside the barrier surrounding the cave, Kaede felt the earth beneath his feet tremble.
He looked down at several pebbles bouncing on the ground.
A sharp rush of air followed immediately.
An ANBU appeared before him and dropped to one knee.
He was breathing so hard that his words broke apart.
"Kaede-sama... giant targets appeared outside all four camps... at the same time..."
Cold sweat covered his forehead.
"They’re Tailed Beasts! The enemy released all the Tailed Beasts they captured!"