Konoha Hospital, special care ward.
The air was so still it felt as though water could be wrung from it, and the oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. The ward door was gently pushed open, and the medical ninja in charge of the examination emerged with a grave expression, signaling that those waiting outside could enter.
Almost the moment the door opened, Uchiha Satsuki rushed inside. She came to the bedside, her gaze locked tightly onto the unconscious Naruto, then abruptly turned toward the medical ninja who had followed in. Her voice trembled uncontrollably, charged with emotion that was nearly breaking through her reason.
"Please, his condition... Naruto... how is he?!"
Naruto lay quietly on the bed, his eyes shut and his face unnaturally pale. But he was not entirely still—his body was trembling faintly beyond his control, and fine beads of cold sweat kept seeping from his forehead.
The medical ninja was an experienced Jonin. He first nodded to the anxious crowd, especially acknowledging Jiraiya and Kushina, who had entered afterward, before looking at Satsuki, who had asked first, and carefully choosing his words.
"Please don't panic. After a preliminary comprehensive examination, we can confirm that Young Master Naruto... is not currently in immediate danger of death. His heartbeat, breathing, and basic vital signs are fluctuating somewhat, but they remain within life-sustaining limits."
At the words "not in danger of death," Satsuki's taut shoulders loosened for a moment. But then Naruto's pained appearance made them tense up again. She was about to press for more.
The medical ninja decided to explain the most difficult issue all at once. His expression became even more solemn, and his voice dropped.
"But... that is precisely where the problem lies."
"We employed every conventional and some unconventional means of examination. We even