Even when it rains, transportation remains convenient.
As for the schools, that issue has basically been settled. Only some remote villages haven't set up educational institutions yet. In all other places where people gather, no matter their size, schools have been built that fit the local level of development and circumstances.
The remaining thing is to recruit educated people, have them use the textbooks put together by people Hakushi arranged, and begin teaching in these schools to push through education reform across the Land of Demons.
Every week, Hakushi would only visit Ruri at the shrine once; he poured himself into work the rest of the time.
Occasionally, Ayane would return to upgrade her equipment, and share a moment of intimacy with Hakushi.
Unknowingly, the summer and autumn had already passed, giving way to the biting cold of winter.
Ruri's due date was also near.
—In the side hall of the shrine.
The four Jonin assigned to guard Ruri were outside, playing cards.
The Hyuga Clan's Jonin held his hand of cards up to shield his eyes, squinting sharply.
Byakugan!
Even though his movements were quite covert, the momentary change in chakra flow was impossible to hide from the Uzumaki Clan's Perception Ninjutsu, given their chakra-sensing traits.
"Hey, aren't you being way too shady? You're actually using Byakugan to peek at our cards!"
The Jonin from the Uzumaki Clan protested discontentedly.
"Haha, well, I couldn't help myself. Besides, aren't you keeping your Perception Ninjutsu activated the whole game too?"
"Mine can't see through things to check cards—it only senses chakra. I keep it running to make sure no strangers get close to this place, that's all."
The Uzumaki Jonin sighed.
"Well, mine's also just to prevent enemies from getting close."
The Hyuga Jonin made a blushing excuse.
That line instantly earned him disdainful looks from the other three.
At that moment, the device hanging on the wall began to beep: "beep beep beep!"
"Looks like Lady Ruri is going into labor. No more playing around—get ready for defensive duty."
The four set down their cards and, just as always, stood at their designated posts to guard the delivery room.
Inside the birthing room, two female Medical Ninja were already on standby. As escorts, their only task was to stand guard and not interfere.
Outside the delivery room, a Rebound Barrier had been raised. Even Space-Time Ninjutsu would not allow someone to force their way inside while the barrier was active; in fact, it would be bounced back by the barrier.
And with both Byakugan and Perception Ninjutsu deployed as a double-layer of security, any stranger approaching would instantly be detected.
Hakushi arrived ten minutes later.
Along with Hakushi were Ruri's parents, Uchiha Sosuke and Uchiha Miyoko.
Standing outside the delivery room, they could hear Ruri's faint cries of pain from within. Although she was desperately enduring the agony of childbirth, she still couldn't hold back her cries.
Hakushi was a bundle of nerves, having no idea what things were like inside. Ruri's cries sounded so agonizing—was it really all right?
He'd barely sat in a chair for a few seconds before springing back up, feeling like the wait was dragging on for centuries.
Why is it taking so long?
"Hakushi, being anxious won't help. You might as well try to calm down and wait. Ruri's a tough child; she and the baby will definitely be safe. The Uchiha bloodline isn't so fragile,"
said Uchiha Miyoko, speaking from experience.
Uchiha Sosuke walked over, patted Hakushi on the shoulder, and said nothing. But that was already encouragement enough.
As a man, he naturally understood the jumble of tension and excitement Hakushi was feeling now.
At last, Hakushi managed to settle down a little.
No one knew how much time went by, but after the cries of pain finally ceased, the clear sound of a baby wailing came from inside the delivery room.
That was the newborn's cry.
The barrier outside the birthing room opened, and Hakushi was the first to rush to the door. The female Medical Ninja inside opened it, and Hakushi asked anxiously, "How is it?"
The Medical Ninja smiled at Hakushi. "Rest assured, Lord Hakushi—everything went smoothly."
Hakushi's nerves finally eased. He hurried in, followed by Uchiha Sosuke and Uchiha Miyoko.
Inside, Ruri was just coming down from the pains of labor, lying weakly on the birthing bed and panting for breath—she looked absolutely exhausted.
Sweat trickled down her face, causing her hair to stick to her cheeks.
Beside the birthing bed stood another female Medical Ninja, cradling two babies in her arms.
"Congratulations, Lord Hakushi—it's a pair of healthy boy-and-girl twins. Both babies are in good shape."
She placed the babies into Hakushi's arms. Hakushi thanked the Medical Ninja, then lowered his head to look at the boy and girl in his embrace.
Earlier, Hakushi had already used medical devices to check the rest of Ruri's pregnancy, so twins didn't really come as a surprise.
But actually seeing the babies for himself, he couldn't help feeling overwhelmed.
"…Let me see…"
Ruri spoke weakly from the bed. With Miyoko's help, she slowly sat up.
Hakushi brought the babies to Ruri so she could take a close look at her newborn children.
Looking at her boy-girl twins, Ruri's pale face finally showed a weak, but genuine smile.
"Ruri, you're still very weak—you should rest and recover."
Hakushi handed the babies to Miyoko, then helped support Ruri's back so she could lie down and recuperate.
"Mm."
Her reply was weak and she didn't try to push herself.
After giving birth to two babies, Ruri could feel just how drained she was.
She might not be a Perception Ninja, but even so, she could sense these two children had extraordinary Life Force. Their bodies naturally displayed a special affinity for Natural Energy.
Was this due to the Sage Art Chakra and the Sharingan?
As for whatever benefits her own bloodline provided, Ruri just automatically ignored them.
"By the way, have you decided what to name them?"
Miyoko brought up the question, a little anxious inside.
Even if the young couple themselves didn't care whose surname the kids took, as the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan of the Land of Demons, Ruri couldn't just casually let both kids take Hakushi's surname.
Hakushi was well aware of Miyoko's concerns, as well as Ruri's status in the Uchiha Clan there—successor matters couldn't be dictated by personal whim. After thinking it over, he told Miyoko: "Ruri and I discussed it before—our son will take Ruri's surname, and our daughter will take mine."
Hearing Hakushi's answer, Miyoko felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart.
"That sounds good—one with each parent's surname."
Miyoko smiled.
"I really don't care either way. If another clan prodigy turns up later, maybe they'll succeed me,"
Ruri said bluntly. Not even her own flesh and blood would make her waver in this resolve.
The Clan Leader's seat wasn't her personal property.
That comment naturally made Miyoko unhappy.
"You merchants are so utilitarian, always trying to hoard public things for your own! No wonder you can't control the Sharingan for long. Uchiha is the symbol of 'strength.' The position of Clan Leader isn't anyone's private property,"
Ruri's comments made both Uchiha Sosuke and Uchiha Miyoko cough awkwardly.
Truthfully, they'd been planning for Ruri's child to inherit the next leader's seat in the Uchiha Clan of the Land of Demons.
Before they could say anything, Ruri spoke again, cool and unyielding: "The capable rise, the mediocre step aside. That's the Uchiha rule."
Hakushi didn't intend to get mixed up in Ruri's family affairs; instead, he moved over to play with the two babies in his arms.
The boy was still squalling away, but the girl was uncannily quiet—almost abnormal for a newborn.
Hakushi was a little surprised. He glanced intently at the baby girl.
Those proud, superior eyes… why did they look so much like Ruri's as a child?
Hakushi suddenly had a bad feeling deep in his heart.