Chapter 348 - 349: The Other Parent

Chapter 349: The Other Parent

The three of them followed Jiraiya into the living room.

Unlike Jiraiya’s usual messy style—a "doghouse" of scattered books, manuscripts, and wine bottles—the living room had clearly been meticulously tidied.

The floor was clean, clutter was organized into boxes in the corners, the sofa cushions were neatly arranged, and a faint, fresh scent of soap lingered in the air.

Third Hokage Hiruzen’s gaze swept across the refreshed environment, a flash of surprise and understanding crossing his eyes. He stroked his beard and teased Jiraiya:

"Heh... it finally doesn’t look like a doghouse. It seems having someone to manage the household really makes a difference."

His words were pointed, noting the change Konan’s presence had brought to this "home" while also implicitly testing the nature of their relationship.

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado also observed the shifts in Jiraiya and Konan’s expressions.

But the attention of the three was soon drawn to the most important member in the living room.

Third Hokage’s gaze fell upon Miharu in Konan’s arms; the little guy seemed to be sleeping soundly.

My, what a quiet child. He looks much easier to handle than Kononamaru was as a baby.

"Your name is Konan, right?"

Third Hokage stepped forward a few paces, his tone gentle and carrying the kindness of an elder.

"Could you let me... hold this child?"

Konan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she subconsciously looked toward Jiraiya with an inquiring gaze.

Jiraiya hurried to introduce them: "Konan, this is my teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, our Hidden Leaf Village’s Third Hokage. The Old man is very kind, don’t worry."

Hearing the title "Third Hokage," Konan’s face showed no reaction.

She certainly knew what that name represented.

The leader of Hidden Leaf Village, the "God of Shinobi" who once stood at the pinnacle of the Ninja World, and one of the culprits who brought the flames of war to the Land of Rain.

But seeing the trust and encouragement in Jiraiya’s eyes, and thinking of her current situation...

She took a deep breath, suppressed her complex emotions, bowed slightly to Third Hokage, and then carefully handed over Miharu.

"Please be careful, Third Hokage."

Konan’s voice was very soft.

Third Hokage quickly reached out both hands and took Miharu.

As an Old man who already had a grandson, he was very experienced at holding babies.

The little guy’s body was light and soft.

However, just as Third Hokage took Miharu and prepared to take a good look at this "unexpected joy," the child in his arms stirred and slowly opened his eyes.

A pair of... golden eyes with slitted pupils met Third Hokage’s eyes, which were seasoned by time but now filled with astonishment.

Miharu was awake.

He didn’t seem afraid of being moved to another’s arms. He just used those unique golden slit pupils to stare curiously and unblinkingly at Third Hokage’s face. His small face held no expression, being unnervingly quiet.

"!"

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, who had leaned in wanting to see the child, both froze the moment they saw Miharu’s eyes!

These eyes... this color... the shape of the pupils...

Golden snake pupils?

A figure they were incredibly familiar with—and had even felt wary of—instantly surfaced in their minds!

Orochimaru!

That’s right, these eyes were exactly the same as Orochimaru’s signature golden snake pupils—cold, inquisitive, and seemingly able to see through one’s heart.

No, perhaps they were purer and more youthful, but the unique hue and slitted pupil characteristics were definitely identical to Orochimaru’s.

Third Hokage’s previous doubts about the name Miharu were now infinitely magnified by these eyes.

Jiraiya’s child... how could he have eyes exactly like Orochimaru’s?

A coincidence? Or... heredity?

All the clues combined in his mind like a puzzle, pointing toward a shocking possibility he was extremely reluctant to believe yet could not ignore!

Just as the three elders’ minds were reeling with shock at Miharu’s eyes, almost on the verge of blurting out that name, Konan, who had been standing quietly to the side, seemed to see their suspicion and disbelief.

She felt that perhaps it would be better for an "outsider" like herself to break the news than to have Jiraiya awkwardly explain it.

Thus, Konan took a small step forward and explained to the dumbfounded Third Hokage and the equally shocked Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado:

"This child’s mother... or rather, the other ’parent’..."

She paused, seemingly weighing her words, but ultimately chose the most direct phrasing:

"Is Orochimaru."

"!!!!!"

The three of them felt as if they had been stuffed inside a giant bell that someone was relentlessly striking from the outside.

Their heads were buzzing.

Third Hokage:???

Utatane Koharu:???

Homura Mitokado:!!!

A deathly silence fell over the living room.

Only Miharu, seemingly uncomfortable in Third Hokage’s stiff embrace, squirmed slightly. Those golden snake pupils remained pure and curious as they examined the expressive face of the white-bearded Old man.

Then he reached out a chubby little hand, grabbed a strand of Third Hokage’s hanging white beard, and gave it a gentle tug.

"I can explain this."

Jiraiya had already guessed their reaction to this news, as Konan had reacted the same way yesterday.

After learning the child was cultivated by Orochimaru, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado instantly lost interest.

However, Third Hokage still cherished the child.

Biologically speaking, the child’s parents were indeed his two students, and he was much quieter than Konohamaru had been as a baby.

This child was like Naruto when he was little—no crying or fussing.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Third Hokage.

Hey, I have a great idea!

, , , , , , , , , ,

"Huh?"

Orochimaru’s body, which had been leaning lazily against the workstation, instantly stiffened!

Her golden snake pupils, which were always calm, deep, and seemingly in control of everything, snapped wide open.

She even thought she was hallucinating, or perhaps it was some new type of Spiritual-layer genjutsu!

"You old geezer!"

Orochimaru’s voice rose several octaves due to extreme shock, losing its usual magnetic composure and even cracking slightly.

"Have you gone senile? Or did you drink too much yesterday and haven’t woken up yet? What kind of nonsense are you babbling in my laboratory!"

"Oh, Orochimaru, don’t get so excited. I’m doing this for the child’s sake."

"Miharu will have to go to school eventually!"

Third Hokage flicked the unstamped marriage registration form in his hand, emphasizing the main point.

After all, no matter the hardship, the child shouldn’t suffer; no matter the poverty, education shouldn’t be neglected.

"Without a legal marriage, the child’s birth certificate and household registration will be very troublesome. In the future, things like going to school, inheriting property, or even finding a partner could be affected."

"Besides," Third Hokage leaned in a bit closer and lowered his voice.

"You already have a child together. Getting the paperwork done is only natural, isn’t it? Let this Old man... have some peace of mind. Maybe I can even have a drink at your wedding feast!"

Orochimaru: "..."

She felt this Old man was purely looking for trouble because he had nothing better to do!

"Kidomaru, show the guest out!"

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