Ruri, who had passed out, suddenly felt himself float to the surface. He looked at the expanse of white around him, but just as he tried to move and take a few steps forward, he plunged into the deep sea again. His mouth opened wide, but he could not speak.
Where on earth am I? Why am I on the river one moment and deep in the sea the next? What is going on? he thought as he drifted through the deep sea, blowing bubbles.
Then, in another instant, just as Ruri was trying to gasp for air deep in the sea, he appeared on the river's surface again.
An unknown amount of time passed before a feeling of warmth roused Ruri from his unconsciousness.
I suddenly feel so warm! Have I gone to heaven? Ruri thought as he regained a little awareness.
Feeling the warmth, Ruri groggily opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was an exceptionally pretty, captivating face. The sight made his whole body relax, leaving him unconcerned with anything else. Then he heard Uzuki Yugao's voice.
"Ruri, you're finally awake! Thank goodness! I thought you would never wake up again!" Seeing Ruri regain consciousness, Uzuki Yugao removed the warm towel from his forehead and spoke to him with a smile.
After hearing Uzuki Yugao's voice, Ruri finally got a clear look at the beautiful face before him and realized it was hers.
"How long have I been unconscious?" Ruri blinked, then struggled to sit up. Looking around, he discovered that Uzuki Yugao was not the only person there. Almost all the Konoha ninja were gathered around him.
"You've been unconscious for less than three days now. About two days, I suppose! If you hadn't woken up soon, Yugao would probably have worried herself to death