Outside the hospital room, the crowd was still surging.
The Uchiha clan members occupied one corner.
Fugaku stood with his hands behind his back, Shisui smiled beside him, and Itachi remained expressionless, though his eyes kept flicking toward the room.
The Hyuga Clan had come too. Hyuga Hiashi led them personally, with Hinata following behind, her face so red she looked ready to steam.
"Hinata, go in and see him."
Hiashi spoke with rare gentleness.
Hinata held a small basket filled with treats she had made herself.
"But... there are so many people..."
"What are you scared of!"
Ino appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Hinata.
"Come on, let's squeeze through! We can't let those lovesick nurses beat us to it!"
Sakura followed behind them, carrying a bouquet.
"Go for it, Hinata! You can do this!"
The three girls struggled through the crowd toward the room.
Meanwhile, a figure in green was trying to break through the blockade.
"Let me in! Youth demands a visit! Let me in!"
"Guy, sir, please stop pushing... ow!"
Rock Lee followed behind Guy on crutches, equally excited.
"Teacher Guy is right! Youth demands a visit! Let us in!"
Tenten and Neji stood at a distance, wearing expressions that said, "We don't know them."
Asuma leaned against the wall with a cigarette between his lips and spoke to Kurenai beside him.
"Aren't you going in to see him?"
Kurenai smiled.
"I'll wait a little. It's too crowded right now."
She looked toward the room, her gaze gentle.
Inside the hospital room, the door suddenly opened.
Izumi walked in with a tray holding two bowls of porridge.
"Xiao Ye, Lord Hashirama, have some porridge. Honestly, those people outside just won't leave, no matter how many times I tell them..."
She set the porridge by the beds,