At Jiraiya's shout, everyone downstairs turned their gaze straight toward the shallow, human-shaped crater in the floor.
The geometric patterns on Yamato's chest shone blindingly bright. Dark red light spread from the center of the formation diagram toward his neck. It had already burned through the fabric over his collarbones, exposing glowing lines on the skin beneath, like a circuit board that had burned through.
White foam bubbled at the corners of his mouth, and his limbs thrashed against the floor with sharp cracks.
Hinata covered her mouth. Ino took half a step back. Sakura instinctively crouched to examine him, only to be blocked by a hand holding a huge bowl.
Goten.
He hadn't even stood up.
He blocked Sakura with one hand and held his bowl of tonkotsu ramen with the other. Tilting his head back, he turned the bowl upside down and poured the broth into his mouth, leaving not a drop or a scrap of chopped scallion behind.
He put down the bowl and belched so loudly that even the Ramen Shop's windows rattled.
"Finally full. Now I've got the energy to work."
Sakura froze, her hand still poised to check Yamato's pulse. Her lips trembled twice.
"C-can't you save him before you eat?"
"Save what? He's not going to die. How am I supposed to suppress it on an empty stomach? Run on love?"
Trunks came over from the doorway, crouched beside Yamato, and watched him for two seconds. He reached out to feel Yamato's forehead, then pulled back and shook his fingers.
"Hot enough to fry an egg."
"Perfect. Ayame, got any eggs left?"
"Honey, stop fooling around."
Ayame poked her head out of the kitchen, her voice gentle but her eyes a little helpless. Her long brown hair slipped off her shoulder and fell