"Any updates on the situation at the Kusa front, Shikaku?" inquired the Third Hokage, his expression betraying his concern.

"We've detected several squads of Iwa jonin and chunin moving along the border," replied shikaku, his brow furrowed. "Our ANBU have engaged in skirmishes with some of their Hunter nin squadrons as well."

"Have we been able to gather any intel on their movements or intentions?" asked the Hokage, leaning forward in his chair.

"Team Kai has been conducting surveillance along the Kusa border," Shikaku reported. "We've been able to thwart three infiltration attempts from Iwa so far. Additionally, Team Ro captured two spies attempting to blend in with a group of traders crossing the border from Kusa. Both of them committed suicide before we could proceed with the interrogation"

The Third Hokage's expression darkened. "Casualties?"

"Unfortunately, we've lost three chunin and twelve genin to minor skirmishes with Iwa," Shikaku replied somberly. "All of the genin were part of the genin corps and were on C-rank missions in the area. The chunin were on border patrol duty when they were attacked by what we've identified as the Iwa Explosion Corps squadron.

The situation is becoming increasingly dire. We cannot afford to remain on the defensive anymore. Our intel suggests that Iwa is preparing for an all-out war, with more than an 80% probability," Shikaku informed. "They are moving a significant amount of resources towards their borders and commissioning a vast number of kunais and shurikens from their blacksmiths."

"So it has finally come to this. A war all over again. Did any of our attempts to solve any conflicts diplomatically with the Earth Daimyo bear any fruit?" asked the Hokage, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"No, they weren't even allowed inside the palace. Subtle threats to their lives were also made. As things stand, there is no way of resolving this conflict peacefully. Soon enough, we're going to have a war on our hands," answered Shikaku, a somber expression on his face.

"It's a shame. The cycle never ends. First we go to war to attain peace and then to preserve that peace, we again go to war. It's a never-ending vicious cycle," sighed the Hokage. "It would seem that we have no choice now. Shikaku, call a meeting of the Jonin council tomorrow at 1300 hrs. Make sure all the shinobi clan heads participate in the meeting."

"As you command, Lord Hokage," bowed Shikaku, turning to leave. Just as he reached the door, the Hokage called out to him, "Oh, and congratulations, Shikaku! I heard you had a boy."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage. We had some complications at first, but he pulled through. He's a quiet kid, only crying when he's hungry or needs changing. I thought being a father would be a drag, but it would seem that I was wrong," answered Shikaku, scratching the back of his head.

"Well then, you're lucky. I still remember when I had my first boy. I don't think Biwako and I slept for the first six months. I would give you some time off, Shikaku, but due to the current circumstances, I can't have my jonin commander on leave," said the Hokage.

"I understand, Lord Hokage. It's why I didn't apply for leave either," replied Shikaku.

"Before I forget, what did you name him?" the Hokage asked.

"We named him Shikarai, Lord Hokage," answered Shikaku with a proud smile on his face.

"A fine name for a fine boy. Now, you better get back to your work," said the Hokage with a smile.

__________________________________

"It's been a week since my rebirth, and though it still seems surreal, it is the truth. During this past week, my days have been filled with nothing but eating, sleeping, and well, you know the rest. Despite being grateful for having parents in this new life, the idea of being breastfed by my mother at the age of 24 was jarring, to say the least.

It's not that I am unappreciative of her efforts, but the situation is both awkward and embarrassing. I try my best to be mature about it and to understand that this is how infants are typically nourished, but it's a difficult adjustment for someone who has lived a full life before. Nonetheless, I am trying to make the most of this second chance at life, and I hope to grow and learn as much as I can.

The lack of mobility has been a source of frustration for me since my rebirth. As someone who's accustomed to being active and mobile, the feeling of being confined and restricted in movement is suffocating. It's a constant struggle to keep myself entertained and stimulated within the limited scope of my environment. I can only wiggle my hands and feet slightly before I start to tire out.

Despite my efforts to communicate, I can only produce incoherent sounds from my mouth, which can be quite frustrating. However, my parents seem to find it endearing and shower me with affection whenever I make any noise at all. It's a strange feeling, being so dependent on others, but I suppose it's all part of the process of starting a new life.

Despite the difficulties of being immobile and unable to communicate clearly, there is one positive aspect to this situation: I don't have to stay awake for long periods of time. I'm not sure how long I am able to stay awake, but I estimate it to be around 4-5 hours per day. This may seem like a small amount, but it's a welcome respite from the monotony of eat, sleep, poop, and repeat.

I have also learned my new name, which my parents have given me. It's Shikarai Nara, which has a distinctly Japanese ring to it. However, since people around here speak English, I'm not sure where exactly I am. I feel fortunate that I don't have a curious personality, or I would be desperate to know more about the world beyond my immediate surroundings.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

As the baby boy, was ruminating on his new life, his mother, Yoshino, entered the room."Rai-chan! You're such a little cutie. Mommy is going out today with some friends, so Daddy will be taking care of you while I'm gone," Yoshino said as she picked him up.

Rai held on tightly to his mother's kimono, feeling a pang of disappointment that he couldn't go with her. He tried to make more sounds, hoping that maybe this time he could communicate his desire to go along.

"Aww, do you want to come with Mommy? Is that it?" Yoshino asked as she kissed his cheek. "Hmm, Tsume said she wanted to meet you, so maybe I should take you with me. Shikaku would be happy to go out with his friends, and I'd love to show you off. Okay then, you're coming with me! Let's get you dressed," she decided as she went to the cupboard to pick out some clothes for him.*

_____________________________________

Yoshino had been eagerly anticipating this day for months. Since finding out she was pregnant, she had been confined to the Nara clan compound. Despite the benefits of being married to the clan head, such as security and financial stability, she had grown restless being stuck in the same place. She had only left for necessary doctor's appointments, and the vastness of the compound only provided so much distraction.

But today was different. Today, she was finally going out with her friends again. It felt like a long-awaited liberation. What made the outing even more special was that her precious Rai-chan would be joining them for the first time. The thought of introducing her baby to her friends filled her with excitement and joy.

Yoshino had dedicated the entire afternoon to prepare for their outing. She took great care in choosing the perfect outfit for her son, selecting a comfortable and warm onesie and wrapping him in a soft, blue blanket. She also dressed herself in her most comfortable kimono and added a sweater to stay warm if it got chilly outside.

After finishing up, Yoshino sat in the living room waiting for her husband to come home. It didn't take long for Shikaku to arrive as she heard the front door open just five minutes later. Yoshino quickly stood up and greeted her husband with a smile. "Welcome back, dear," she said, holding the baby in her arms."

"..."

Shikaku was momentarily taken aback and he couldn't help but stare at his wife with wonder. He felt like he was seeing her in a whole new light, as if he was meeting her for the first time. Yoshino looked stunning, her long brown hair cascading down her back in soft waves. It framed her delicate features and drew attention to her radiant complexion. Her skin was smooth and flawless, with a natural glow that only enhanced her beauty. Her eyes sparkled with warmth and love, and every movement she made was graceful and effortless.

As Yoshino walked towards him, her hair swayed gently like the branches of a tree in the wind, and Shikaku couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He wondered how he, a self-proclaimed lazy slob, had managed to win the heart of such a beautiful woman. He noticed the blush that crept up on Yoshino's face, complementing her pink kimono perfectly, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for his wife.

*

Yoshino had been apprehensive as she had not been physically close to her husband since finding out about her pregnancy. She had been feeling self-conscious about her weight gain. However, all her worries vanished when she saw Shikaku's intense stare fixed on her. She felt a bit bashful at the attention, as it had been a long time since he had looked at her with such intensity.

Yoshino was hesitant about being intimate with her husband since discovering her pregnancy. She felt self-conscious about her body changes, but when she saw the intense stare from Shikaku, all her worries disappeared. It had been a long time since he had looked at her with such intensity, and she felt a bit bashful at the attention.

"You...you look beautiful," said Shikaku, his ears turning red. Yoshino thought it was cute, and she blushed feeling both flattered and embarrassed by the compliment. She smiled up at him and thanked him for his words.

"I was waiting for you to come home. Both of us are ready to leave," said Yoshino.

"Wait, both of us?" asked Shikaku in confusion.

"Me and Rai-chan, of course. He wanted to come with me. He couldn't bear to see his mama leave. You should've seen the way he grabbed my kimono with his little hands," said Yoshino excitedly.

Shikaku chuckled at the thought of their son grabbing onto Yoshino's kimono.

"Well, Since you're going out I'll see what Inoichi or Choza are up to," Shikaku said.

"Sure. I should get going now. Noriko, Tsume, and the rest are probably waiting for me," Yoshino replied.

"Alright, take care," said Shikaku as he left the house.

As Yoshino and her son stepped outside, the cool breeze felt refreshing. She inhaled deeply, savoring the sensation of being outside again. Her little one seemed fascinated by the sights and sounds around him. They strolled down the street, admiring the scenery and exchanging greetings with neighbors they hadn't seen in months.

After a while, they arrived at a nearby park where Yoshino was supposed to meet her friends before heading off to Yakinku Q. She scanned the area, searching for her friends. She was relieved that Noriko had organized the meetup, as it would have been chaotic if it was Kushina who had organized it. Not that there was anything wrong with Ichiraku's, but it could feel a bit cramped with so many people.

As she walked around with her son, Yoshino began to feel emotional, realizing how much she had missed being outside and experiencing the world. She had taken for granted the simple pleasures of going for a walk or sitting in a park, but now it felt like a whole new experience.

As Yoshino finally met up with her friends, she felt a mix of emotions. She had been eagerly waiting to introduce her new bundle of joy to her friends, and now that the moment had arrived, she was nervous about how they would react. But as her friends rushed over to greet her, she was enveloped in their warm hugs and congratulations, and her nerves quickly melted away.

Of all her friends, Kushina seemed to be the most excited to meet the baby. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and Yoshino couldn't help but laugh at her friend's antics.

As they made their way to Yakinku Q, Yoshino's friends couldn't help but coo over the adorable baby in her arms, admiring every tiny detail from his soft skin to his little fingers and toes. Yoshino was thrilled to see her friends fawning over her baby and was filled with joy that her friends shared in her happiness. The group spent several hours catching up and chatting about everything from their latest missions to their personal lives, all while taking turns holding the little one.

As the day began to wind down, Yoshino felt a deep sense of gratitude for her friends. She was thankful for their unwavering support and for the love they showed her and her baby. It was a heartwarming and unforgettable experience introducing her friends to her new bundle of joy, one that would remain etched in her memory for years to come.

After a joyous day with her friends and baby, Yoshino returned home feeling content and at ease. As she walked into her house, the familiar sights and sounds of her home embraced her, providing her with a sense of comfort and relaxation.

As she gazed around her living room, Yoshino couldn't help but feel proud of the inviting and comfortable space she had created. She had spent countless hours picking out the perfect pillows, curtains, and other decorations to create the ideal ambiance, and now it all felt worthwhile.

Feeling grateful for the simple pleasure of home-cooked meals and the warmth of her own kitchen, Yoshino headed towards the kitchen to prepare dinner. While cooking, she couldn't help but reminisce about the laughter and joy of the day. The memories of her friends' laughter echoed in her mind, bringing a smile to her face and warming her heart.