As Ryosuke led the other two toward Konoha Hospital, he could clearly feel the atmosphere in the lobby freeze all at once.
It was as though time had stopped.
Almost everyone was staring at the entrance—at the three of them who had just walked in.
No one in the lobby spoke, but the indifference and hatred in their eyes clearly conveyed their emotions.
Under so many gazes, Hinata could barely maintain her disguise. Her hand nervously gripped Ryosuke's, and she nearly lowered her head.
Those looks and that atmosphere were simply too unnerving for her.
"Excuse me... where is Sasuke Uchiha's room?"
Yet Ryosuke turned a blind eye to the scene before him. As if he had not noticed the strange looks from the crowd, he strode up to the service center counter with Hinata in tow.
When Hinata felt him tighten his grip around her hand, she immediately felt much more at ease.
"R-Room 405."
The middle-aged woman responsible for maintaining patient records hesitated at first, but under the gaze of Ryosuke's pale eyes, she dutifully gave them the room number.
After glancing at the hospital directory and confirming Sasuke Uchiha's room, Ryosuke nodded, thanked her, and led the other two away.
Only after they entered the corridor did the lobby return to how it had been before they arrived.
"Why are the Hyuga family's young lady and young master with that person?"
"Look at those whiskers on his face. Maybe he's..."
"Stop talking. Bad luck!"
Thanks to his powerful senses, Ryosuke heard the quiet murmurs, but his expression did not change in the slightest.
"Ryosuke is really amazing."
Naruto, who had remained silently quiet since entering the hospital, finally spoke.
His voice no longer carried its usual calmness and had turned somewhat bitter. "You can actually face those