Tsunade personally arranged Kushina's postpartum care.
Minato Namikaze would stay by his wife and son's side himself.
Once Kushina had delivered safely, the Tailed Beasts all returned to their own homes.
After confirming at the hospital that Kushina was all right, Yanbai took Madara Uchiha back to the Princess Mausoleum.
By the time they arrived home, the sky had begun to lighten.
The night had passed so quickly.
When they returned, the cats whispered beside Yanbai, telling him what had happened while he was away.
Sasori had stayed holed up in his workshop without coming out.
Once Yanbai had heard everything, he left Shikaku Nara a message in advance, asking him to bring the official documents to the Princess Mausoleum during the day. The animals would come to greet him.
After taking care of that, Yanbai also cleaned up the wineglasses and bottles left in the narrow corridor.
Then, after a hurried bath, Yanbai finally lay down in his room.
As always, Madara Uchiha lay down beside Yanbai, though he kept a certain distance so he wouldn't upset Yanbai and earn himself another beating.
"Even though you said you were relieved... I feel like you're even more downhearted now."
Lately, Madara Uchiha had always lain beside Yanbai, observing him in silence, drifting through a hazy world.
He recalled what Yanbai had said in the courtyard before they went to the hospital.
Madara Uchiha felt as though something inside his heart had been peeled open.
He couldn't tell whether Yanbai had told the truth or deliberately made up a story.
While they waited, Madara Uchiha had thought about many things.
Yanbai kept emphasizing that he was a man.
Yet clearly, no matter how Madara looked at him, Yanbai wasn't a man.
Putting together everything he had learned, Madara Uchiha could reach