Here's @riojiyo131, your trusted writer.

You can now get early access up to Chapter 164 of Re: Naruto Uzumaki on my Patreon.

Up to Chapter 11 of Marvel: Star Wars System is also available on my Patreon. Each chapter averages 5,000 words.

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"Do you really have to go?" Hinata asked, her voice heavy with worry as she held her already swollen pregnant belly with both hands.

Only four months had passed, but the curve of her belly was already noticeable.

Reika, standing beside her, was in the same situation, her hands also resting on her belly as if instinctively protecting the new life growing inside her.

Karin, a few steps ahead of them, frowned as she looked at him. She crossed her arms, clearly dissatisfied.

"Since you found out you were going to be a father, you haven't stopped acting paranoid."

Naruto couldn't help but admit, at least to himself, that Karin was right.

Since he learned he would be a father, his protective instinct had skyrocketed... and not without reason.

"I can't be everywhere, all the time, with you two to protect you," Naruto said firmly, directing his gaze at each of them. "Akatsuki is still hunting Jinchūriki to take the Bijū... that's why I have to stay ahead of them."

"Do you think they'll try to hunt you down at some point?" Hinata asked, her voice full of concern.

Naruto nodded. "And they won't hesitate to use my weaknesses now that they exist," he added, letting his gaze drop to the bellies of Hinata and Reika.

He remembered how Obito attacked his mother when she was pregnant with him, taking advantage of her most vulnerable moment. The thought that the same thing could happen with his own children made his stomach churn.

He wasn't going to allow it.

That's why he had decided to leave the village temporarily and head to Kirigakure, with the sole purpose of capturing the Sanbi, Isobu, from the hands of Yagura Karatachi.

A few days earlier, he had received news that Rōshi and Han, the Jinchūriki of Iwagakure, had been killed. Their Bijū, Son Gokū and Kokuō, stolen by Akatsuki.

Originally, Kisame was supposed to defeat Rōshi and capture Son Gokū, but with his death, Akatsuki seemed to have grown impatient.

There were no clear clues about who attacked them, but Naruto could only think of two names.

Nagato... or Obito himself.

They were the only ones smart enough to carry out something like that... and leave no witnesses.

If those two were moving, it was time for him to move as well.

"By the time my children are born, I will have made this world such a safe place that it might even be boring," he thought silently, clenching his fist with determination.

"Hey, brat!"

Naruto's thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling him. He looked up and saw Shūen walking toward him.

"Leaving without saying goodbye? I've agreed to lead the clan in your absence, but at least say goodbye, damn it."

"Say goodbye? We talked last week and I gave you all the steps to follow. What else is there to say?"

A vein popped on Shūen's forehead as he heard the response.

"Do you think all the work you're leaving behind is easy?!" Shūen crossed his arms, frowning before smiling and ruffling Naruto's hair. "BWAHAHAHA! You remind me so much of myself, it's impossible to get mad at you. You're just as cheeky and lustful as I am!"

Naruto swatted his hand away, unsatisfied.

"What are you really here for, Shūen?" Reika stepped forward and asked.

Shūen wasn't the type to bother with farewells or concern when someone left.

He glanced between Naruto and Reika for a moment.

Naruto, knowing what he was about to say, quickly shook his head, warning him not to open his mouth.

But Shūen just smiled amusedly.

"You can trust me, brat! I will take the Uzumaki Clan to Uzushiogakure completely safe in your absence. When you want to come back, everything will be sorted and we will have started rebuilding."

Naruto slapped his face.

For the past few months, Naruto had focused nearly all his energy on clan matters, besides taking care of Reika and Hinata.

As leader of the Uzumaki Clan, the responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders. He had spent countless days gathering funds, negotiating with merchants, securing supply routes, and buying everything needed to survive the first months in Uzushiogakure.

This was not just a simple move, it was the first step toward resurrecting a land that had been abandoned for decades, waiting for its people to return.

Naruto had vowed that when the clan stepped foot in their ancestral home again, it would be with enough strength and stability so no enemy could ever destroy them again.

He had sent scouts to inspect the terrain, make updated maps, and record the region's dangers.

He commissioned the manufacture of tools, fishing nets, medicines, long-lasting provisions, and seeds to start crops. He had even begun gathering scrolls with the Fūinjutsu techniques still held by scattered survivors, so the clan's art would never be lost.

Unfortunately, even with all those efforts, they hadn't managed to recover as much as they hoped. However, thanks to Mito and his mother, Kushina, they had rescued much more than initially seemed possible. Even he himself had contributed significantly to this task.

In endless meetings with Shūen, his son Naoto, and other influential clan members, he had discussed every detail about the political structure that would govern Uzushiogakure, the island's defense system, and even the educational model they would create for the new generations.

It wasn't just about rebuilding walls, but raising a home where the Uzumaki could prosper and grow with dignity.

But Naruto had not yet revealed any of this to Hinata or Reika.

The only one who knew was Karin...

They knew he was preparing the Uzumaki Clan's move to Uzushiogakure, but he never told them when it would be. With their pregnancies so advanced, they couldn't undertake such a long and risky journey.

Had they known earlier, they would have undoubtedly insisted on helping, even risking their health.

And now, thanks to Shūen's loose tongue… they had found out everything.

They looked at each other for a moment and sighed at the same time.

"As always, you make decisions on your own without consulting us, Naruto," Reika said, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"We know we can't do heavy work, but we could have helped you with all the paperwork," Hinata added firmly.

"Besides, we don't plan to stay in Konoha while everyone else moves to Uzushiogakure," Reika continued, crossing her arms. "Don't even bother arguing."

"My father won't like to see me leave Konoha... but my home is wherever you are," Hinata confessed, lowering her gaze and blushing slightly.

"BWAHAHAHA! You got her pregnant and she still gets red just from saying a few nice words! This girl is hilarious!" exclaimed Shūen, pointing at Hinata while tears of laughter gathered in his eyes.

Without thinking twice, Hinata activated her Byakugan and lunged forward. In a quick and precise move, she sank two fingers into Shūen's abdomen.

The man's eyes rolled back instantly before he collapsed, hitting his face on the ground, unconscious.

Silence reigned for a few seconds. Everyone looked at Hinata with a mix of surprise and slight apprehension.

"H-He… deserved it…" she murmured, looking away.

No one argued.

...

After saying goodbye, Naruto left Konoha.

To reach Kirigakure, in the Land of Water, he took the path that led into the eastern lands, surrounded by forests and streams.

He hadn't gone far when, once he was far enough from the village, a figure appeared in front of him.

"Hey, kid!"

Naruto stopped abruptly. In front of him was a tall man, broad-shouldered and imposing, with short blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a thick but carefully trimmed beard.

But what really surprised him were the marks on his face… identical to his own.

"Or should I say... hello to myself?" the stranger muttered, almost as if talking to himself, without breaking eye contact.

That was when Naruto realized he wasn't talking to someone else... but to himself. Or rather, to Alternate Naruto.

He sighed with frustration, mentally exhausted by the situation.

He looked up at the sky and shouted in desperation:

"Can't I have just one normal day!? Is that really too much to ask?!"