Ginji had never imagined that opening his eyes would require so much effort. He exhausted all his strength but still couldn't open his eyelids, only feeling as if he were floating in water.
"Where is this place?"
Ginji's mind was utterly blank, unable to comprehend why he'd arrived in this unfamiliar space. He tried to straighten his body, but the limbs that usually obeyed him now seemed utterly foreign, refusing to budge an inch. "Is this... hell?"
Such an absurd thought entered Ginji's mind. Aside from being in hell, he couldn't think of any other possibility—who would ever guess they were in someone else's womb? Never in a million years would Ginji suspect this was a hospital! Impossible. Ginji knew how severely he'd been injured; there hadn't been a sliver of hope for survival. Besides, nothing about this environment was remotely like a hospital. It didn't matter, Ginji told himself quietly. He'd already died once—what else was there to fear? Even if this was the lion's den itself, what could possibly threaten a dead man? Was he truly unafraid, or just putting on a brave face for himself? Still, if there was even the slightest hope of survival, he'd much prefer it. With that, Ginji again summoned every ounce of strength and managed a faint rock from side to side. That alone made his spirits soar. Just wait until I get out of here, boss, you'd better watch yourself! If my family is ever harmed, I'll wipe you and your bloodline off the map, Ginji vowed. He still didn't realize that he wasn't even on Earth anymore—and this wish could never come true.
While Ginji struggled to escape, things were growing harder for those on the outside. In another room, a young and beautiful woman lay on her bed, hands resting on her round belly as cries of pain escaped her lips. Two young women—obviously maids—stood beside her. One constantly fussed, "Ma'am, what's wrong? Should I get the doctor?"
The woman on the bed could only groan in agony, scaring the maids half to death. After a few minutes, Ginji either tired out or the woman herself was simply numb from exhaustion, and she managed to speak a few broken sentences: She had no idea why little Sasuke inside her just wouldn't settle down—there it was again...
"Ma'am, it looks like you're about to give birth," said one of the maids. "Shizuka, you stay here and look after her, I'll fetch the doctor and Lord Patriarch."
The other maid ran to the doorway while shouting back, "Seiu, hurry up! I'll take care of ma'am." Shizuka replied, "Understood!" Her voice trailed from outside—she really was quick. "Hang in there, ma'am, the doctor will be here any second," Shizuka comforted her.
Shizuka turned to the young woman, surprised when the woman gave a faint smile, stroking her belly as a warm, maternal glow radiated from her. "How warm," Shizuka blurted out unconsciously.
"Don't worry, Shizuka. When I gave birth to Itachi, it was even more painful than this. But the thought of having another son makes me so happy. I never imagined both little Sasuke and his older brother would be so lively before they were even born. I just hope little Sasuke grows up to be a great Shinobi like his father, and as much of a genius as his brother."
She spoke with her hand still resting on her stomach—Shizuka wasn't sure if the words were meant for her, or for little Sasuke himself.
"Don't worry, ma'am. The young master is sure to be as much of a genius as his brother," Shizuka said confidently.
"I just hope little Sasuke isn't as cold and reserved as Itachi," the woman sighed, thinking of her older son—only ten years old but already acting like a little grown-up, truly impossible to call adorable. Still, she couldn't help but smile faintly.
"Lord Patriarch, ma'am is about to give birth!" Seiu reported, kneeling with her head bowed before a middle-aged man seated ahead.
"You may go," the man replied with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Lord Patriarch." Seiu answered, rising and leaving the room.
"At last, Mikoto is about to deliver. If Sasuke has even half the talent of his older brother Itachi, then the Uchiha clan will restore its former glory in my hands. Ha ha ha..."
The middle-aged man grinned at his own thought, unable to suppress the smile at the corners of his lips.
Ginji was going crazy—after minutes of effort, all he could manage was a gentle sway of his body; not even his eyelids would move. Soon, all his energy was spent. Exhausted, he thought, Guess I'll just sleep for a bit...
"Ma'am, are you all right?" Fugaku Uchiha asked the maid standing guard outside Mikoto's room.
"Lord Patriarch, ma'am is inside now, as is the doctor. Don't worry, everything will be fine," the maid replied, kneeling.
"Very good," Fugaku nodded, glancing toward the door.
Then Ginji regained consciousness and realized everything had changed. He felt a suction beneath his head, as if something wanted to pull him out. Ginji struggled to keep from being drawn away—he didn't know what was waiting outside, but he was sure it would be more dangerous than where he was now. While Ginji fought for his own safety, his mother was suffering.
Aahhh... Fugaku listened calmly as faint cries of pain came from inside the room and asked the maid beside him, "Why isn't Mikoto done yet?"
Though it was only a simple question, it struck the maid like a lightning bolt. Sweat broke out on her pale forehead as she responded, "Lord Patriarch, please rest assured—we have several highly skilled medical experts inside. There is no danger."
She knew all too well how strict the head of the family could be.
"Why are you panicking? Even if you're not a shinobi, you still belong to the Uchiha clan. Compose yourself! Get back to your post—don't embarrass yourself here."
Fugaku waved her away.
"Yes, Lord Patriarch." The maid retreated from the courtyard, still feeling anxious—whether from the patriarch's reputation or his intimidating presence, she didn't know.
No more strength left. Ginji wondered in confusion why his strength faded so suddenly. The suction grew stronger until he could no longer resist. Fine—let it pull me out, he thought bitterly. I'd rather die than stay stuck in this miserable space any longer! Then, suddenly, he was out.
"Lord Patriarch, the young master has been born!"
A maid ran from the room, reporting quickly to the head of the family.
"Excellent!" Fugaku responded as he stepped swiftly inside. He could already envision the Uchiha clan's former glory returning before his eyes—his steps were quicker than ever before.