My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Sunagakure, the Wind Kage's residence.

As the wife of the Kazekage, Karura had begun experiencing some of the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy as her belly gradually grew larger.

It was her first time becoming a mother, and at times, Karura would feel overwhelmed and helpless. But even when she felt terrible, she would do her best to endure it, because she didn't want to trouble her husband.

Rasa-kun was the Kazekage of the entire village.

Though he always carried himself with confidence and composure, Karura could feel the weight of the pressure on his shoulders.

In the past year, he had not allowed himself a moment of rest, dedicating himself completely to the welfare of the village. Especially now, during a time when Kumogakure and Iwagakure had joined forces to attack Sunagakure.

Fortunately, good news had come just the day before.

Rasa-kun, along with Michikawa-kun and Pakura, had successfully defeated the advance units of Iwagakure and captured two of their Jinchūriki. This forced Iwagakure into a cautious position and instantly broke the dangerous deadlock that Sunagakure had been trapped in.

This morning, when she went out to buy groceries, she once again heard cheers echoing through the village. It was all thanks to her husband, Rasa-kun, and as his wife, Karura felt incredibly proud. However, amidst her pride, perhaps due to the heightened emotions of pregnancy, she found herself having other thoughts as well.

She knew she shouldn't feel this way… but she couldn't help wishing that she were the one fighting at her husband's side, not some other woman.

As Karura sat on the couch, gently stroking her belly and feeling ashamed for even thinking such thoughts, a knock came from the door outside.

She snapped out of her reverie and was about to stand up when a lively voice rang out.

"I got it, Karura-sama, leave it to me!"

A cheerful figure dashed out from the bedroom and ran to the entrance.

Seeing Hana in such high spirits, the tangled emotions in Karura's heart seemed to ease a little.

She had to admit, she truly liked Hana.

If the child in her belly turned out to be a girl, she hoped she could grow up to be as joyful and bright as Hana.

Just then, a delighted voice rang out from the entrance.

"It's Rasa-sama!"

Karura turned her head and saw Rasa, who had changed out of his shoes and coat, stepping into the house.

She was about to happily stand up when Rasa gently pressed her back down.

"No need to get up."

He came to the couch, sat down beside her, and gently placed a hand on her belly.

"How is it? Has the baby been restless these past few days?"

Feeling her husband's tenderness, all of Karura's earlier worries and insecurities melted away. Her heart filled with sweetness as she answered,

"Not so soon. The baby is still small, it'll be a few more months before it starts kicking."

Hana quickly chimed in, eager to share her contribution.

"Rasa-sama! I've been taking really good care of Karura-sama and the baby in her belly these past few days!"

"Thank you."

Rasa gently patted Hana's head as a reward, then turned back to his wife and said,

"You've been working hard too, Karura. As your husband, it's painful not being able to stay by your side."

"No…"

Karura shook her head.

"I understand, Rasa-kun. As Kazekage, you belong to the entire village… I can't be that selfish."

Hearing such a gentle and considerate response from his wife, what else could Rasa do but pull her into a warm embrace? Watching from the side, Hana's cheeks turned bright red. Only when Karura noticed the girl's gaze did she let go, a bit embarrassed.

Rasa also released her and said with a smile,

"Besides coming to see you today, I brought you a gift."

Then, as if second-guessing himself, he added,

"Well… I suppose it counts as a gift?"

"Eh?"

Karura blinked, confused by his hesitant tone.

Rasa called Hana over as well and then placed a seal on both of them: the Heavenly Seal of Origin.

Karura and Hana both felt something strange coursing through them and looked around in amazement.

"This is called the Heavenly Seal of Origin," Rasa explained. "While this seal is active, it can completely block your chakra and your presence from any external sensory perception."

"Amazing!"

Hana tried using her sensing abilities and was shocked to find she could no longer sense Karura's chakra at all.

Karura, on the other hand, simply looked at her husband with eyes full of wonder. She knew Rasa would never do something meaningless.

Just then, Rasa waved his hand, and a distortion appeared in the room, an actual rift in space.

Karura quickly realized: the "gift" he mentioned… was likely inside that rift.

But… what exactly could it be?

"Come on out," Rasa said.

In Karura's astonished gaze, three children stepped out of the space-time rift, eyes full of alertness, confusion, and wonder as they looked around. But the moment their eyes fell on Karura, their pupils shrank in shock, as though they recognized her.

Karura was stunned.

What… is going on?

Before she could even react, the blonde girl in front, clearly the oldest, had already run straight into her arms, crying uncontrollably with tears streaming down her face.

Karura didn't push her away. She trusted her husband completely. As long as Rasa was present, she believed there was no danger.

But still… what was happening?

She was sure she didn't know this girl.

Yet oddly, it wasn't just the blonde child who seemed to recognize her. Another boy with face paint had tears welling up in his eyes too. He clearly wanted to come forward but didn't dare take the step.

And finally, the smallest boy, with red hair and the word "Love" etched on his forehead, his body trembled as he stared at her, eyes brimming with emotion.

Karura was completely lost. She could only turn toward her husband for answers.

Rasa finally spoke up.

"These three children are named Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara. They're our children."

"!!"

Karura wasn't the only one shocked this time. Even Hana stood frozen, her brain barely processing what she'd just heard.

"???"

Knowing how absurd it all sounded, Rasa patiently continued, pointing at the girl in Karura's arms.

"If history proceeds without deviation, Karura… the child you're carrying right now… is this girl, Temari."

Temari slowly lifted her tear-streaked face and looked at the woman who looked exactly like the mother in her memories. She couldn't hold back any longer and cried out:

"Mom…"

Even if Karura had been confused before, by this point, she could sense the truth.

She turned to Rasa, her voice trembling with disbelief.

"Rasa-kun… could it be that they're…?"

Rasa nodded.

"Yes. The full explanation is complicated. But to put it simply, because of a certain special power, I used space-time ninjutsu and ended up in what may be Sunagakure thirteen years in the future. I investigated thoroughly. Although the two worlds are very similar, ultimately… they are not the same world."