So, I couldn't stay in the bed I'd been lying in this whole time anymore. After all, he broke everything—wrecked it all, leaving nothing intact.
How should I deal with him once I wake up?
Should I punch him? Or maybe force-feed him all the spicy food he hates?
Wait. WAIT. Hold on a second—was he a boy?
Was he really a boy??
Could it be... he was a girl all along?
No way. No way in the world! What kind of hospital lets a male and female patient share a bed? Especially when one of them is in a coma? Wait... that's not even the problem here!
It's illegal for any patients to share a bed!
Where the hell am I?!
Something's wrong. Really wrong.
How did I not notice this earlier?
Am I... in a coma?
No, that can't be. How am I seeing light? Fooling around in here like it's nothing? Thinking so clearly? Tasting food?! Not just tasting it—choosing what to eat?
Someone—anyone—please tell me what's going on!!
Okay, okay... I'm panicking.
Deep breath.
...Right. I can't breathe. Doesn't matter. Just imagine it. Inhale. Exhale.
You calm now?
Good.
First priority: get out of here.
The space is getting tighter. It's uncomfortable. I need to leave. I'll figure everything else out later.
Now... where's the exit?
Hm.
...Under me?
How the hell do I turn around in here?
Guess I'll have to roll.
Okay. Left turn. Right turn. It's working—yes! Now faster.
Left, right, left, left, right, left, right, right—wait, no! This isn't a GTA cheat code!
Alright. Almost there. Left, right, left...
Finally! The exit is above me now.
How do I crawl forward? Maybe... if I use the shrinking space to build pressure and shoot myself out?
Yes, that's it! Let me aim... a little down... a little left... locked in.
Now I just need to wait for the right timing...
I don't know why, but I feel like I know what's happening right now.
I just... can't quite put my finger on it.
Maybe after I'm out, things will make more sense.
Hopefully, nothing important is being missed.
Also... since I'm leaving, shouldn't I eat all the leftover food? Especially the spicy ones. It'd be a waste to leave them behind.
Wait... what is this "food," anyway? Is it actually food??
---
Meanwhile, outside the cave...
The happiest moment of a young couple's life was unfolding—but beyond the barrier protecting the cave, the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood.
Corpses littered the ground.
Their deaths made no sense—no clear signs of a struggle. Jagged, unnatural branches pierced through chests and abdomens. Their bodies looked as if they had faced a massive ambush, yet no signs of a large-scale battle could be seen. To any trained ninja, it was an illogical scene.
And in the center of it all stood a lone figure.
Draped in a black cloak, his identity hidden by a spiraled mask, only a single right eye visible. He stood in silence, admiring his work—his twisted "art."
Moments later, he began walking toward the cave.
Without touching a thing, he phased through the wall, disappearing as though he'd never been there. Behind him, the barrier rippled—like a drop disturbing the surface of a still lake.
From beneath the corpses, white humanoid figures emerged from the ground. They dragged the bodies down with them and vanished once more—cleaning the scene, erasing every trace.
Inside the cave, the masked figure moved silently.
Anyone who crossed his path was killed—erased. No blood. No bodies. Just silence.
He advanced like a phantom, swift and efficient, leaving behind nothing but emptiness.
Then, he heard it—screams, urgent voices, commands from a midwife.
He stopped near a side wall, pressing close and listening in, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
---
"Ah, it hurts... Minato, it hurts! Please, just finish it already!"
"I... I've never seen Kushina in this much pain. Is she okay?"
"She'll be fine. Focus on the seal."
"Hang in there, Kushina. Come on, Naruto... you can do this."
"Good! I can see his head. Just a little more!"
"Ughhh..."
"Come on, Naruto. Come out. The Nine Tails is trying to break free!"
"Unnh..."
Snap.
A soft, crisp sound echoed—followed by a tender cry.
"Waaah, waaah..."
"Congratulations! You're the parents of a big, healthy boy! Bring hot water!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"I'm a father..."
As the midwife gently washed the newborn, she noticed something odd. Kushina's pain hadn't eased.
Suspicious, she carefully injected chakra into the womb—just enough to inspect without disrupting the seal.
What she found made her gasp.
"Wait... there's another child! They're twins!"
The words stunned everyone—even the masked figure, who froze where he stood.
Kushina, still in pain, was the first to react.
"WHAT?!! There's another one?! Just kill me already! Minato, it hurts! Wuuhhh!!"
Still in shock, Minato turned to the midwife.
"What should we do?"
"What do you mean what should we do? You hold the Nine Tails. Kushina keeps pushing. I'll deliver the baby."
So blunt it left them speechless—but it worked. They got back to it.
Minato focused on the seal.
Kushina, exhausted but determined, began pushing again.
They both glanced at the newborn—washed, bundled, and resting peacefully in the midwife's arms.
The masked figure continued watching in silence.
He wouldn't make his move yet—not until the second child was born. But he couldn't help wondering how no one had sensed this second presence before now.
As labor continued, Kushina and Minato noticed something strange.
It didn't hurt as much.
In fact, it was easier than the first. Kushina even began regaining some strength.
The Nine Tails' chakra—once wild and violent—was weakening. Fading.
Even Kushina felt something odd... like the beast was confused. Unsure.
Was she imagining things?
---
"His head is out! Hey—he's got red hair! Just like Kushina-san!"
Hearing that, Kushina's heart swelled.
She had been happy Naruto inherited Minato's yellow hair—but secretly, she had hoped for red. A sign that the Uzumaki bloodline would live on in Konoha.
Now her second child carried that legacy.
She smiled weakly and thought: If it's a boy... I'll name him Menma.
Not long after, the second child was born—healthy, just like the first.
But... he didn't cry.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
Nothing.
Minato and Kushina felt their hearts clench. They turned toward the midwife, searching for reassurance.
The old woman calmly flipped the baby, massaged his back, cleared his airways—and gave them a small nod.
"He's fine. Just quiet. He's actually even heavier than the first. Another healthy boy. Congratulations again."
Relief washed over them.
They smiled—bright, warm, and full of joy.
It was the happiest day of their lives.
---
Meanwhile, the baby in the midwife's hands... was not quite as joyful.
Inside, a voice grumbled.
So... I really died back there.
No wonder everything felt so strange. This whole time... I was being reborn.
God, I want to die again just from embarrassment.
And you! The one slapping me—what do you want from me?! Let me go—
"Aaaaah!"
"Alright, he finally made a sound. Bring more hot water."
---