Ando Yuto had never imagined that opening his eyes could be so exhausting. He exerted all his strength but still couldn't manage it, feeling as though he was submerged in water.

"Where am I?"

His mind was blank, with no recollection of how he ended up in this strange place. He tried to make his body move, but it was as if it no longer belonged to him, utterly unresponsive. "Is this...hell?"

A fleeting thought crossed his mind—perhaps he was indeed in hell. After all, there was no other explanation he could think of.

Ando Yuto knew how severely he had been wounded, and survival was out of the question. This couldn't be a hospital; the environment was too different.

Whatever, he told himself, I've already died once—what more is there to fear? Though he thought this, he couldn't help but hope for another chance at life.

With great effort, he managed to slightly sway his body. This small victory elated him. Once I'm out of here, boss, you'd better watch your back! If my parents have been harmed in any way, I swear I'll wipe out your entire family, Ando Yuto vowed silently.

What he didn't know was that he was no longer in the world he once knew, and his wishes would never come true.

As Ando Yuto struggled, a beautiful young woman outside was suffering. She lay on a bed, her hands gently caressing her round belly, crying out in pain. Two young maidens, clearly her attendants, were by her side. One asked repeatedly, "My lady, should I call for the healer?"

The woman could only moan in pain, terrifying the two attendants. Minutes passed, and it was unclear if it was the baby who had stopped moving or if the woman had become numb to the pain. She managed to say a few words, "I don't know why, but little Sasuke keeps moving... Ah! There it is again..."

"My lady, it seems you are about to give birth," one of the attendants said. "Shizuka, stay with the lady while I fetch the healer and the clan leader," she instructed as she dashed toward the door.

"Hurry, Shizuka! I’ll take care of her," Shizuka responded.

"Understood!" the reply echoed from outside, indicating the other attendant's swift departure.

"My lady, hang in there. The healer will arrive soon," Shizuka reassured the woman, who managed a weak smile, her hand still on her belly, radiating a mother's warmth. "So warm," Shizuka whispered to herself.

"Shizuka, don’t worry. When I had Itachi, it was even more painful. But knowing I’ll soon have another son fills my heart with joy. I never imagined little Sasuke would be so restless before even being born. I hope he grows up to be a great ninja, just like his father," the woman said as she stroked her belly.

"My lady, rest assured, the young master will surely be as gifted as his elder brother," Shizuka replied confidently. "But I do hope little Sasuke won't be as serious as Itachi."

The woman thought of her first son, who, at ten years old, already acted like a small adult, and couldn't help but smile.

“Clan leader, the lady is about to give birth,” Shizuku reported to the middle-aged man seated before her, bowing her head slightly.

“You may leave,” the man waved his hand dismissively.

“Yes, sir,” Shizuku promptly left to find the healer.

“Finally, Mikoto is about to give birth. If Sasuke has the same talent as Itachi, the Uchiha clan will regain its former glory under my leadership,” the middle-aged man thought, a smile creeping across his lips.

Ando Yuto was losing his mind. After several minutes of struggle, he found he could only sway his body slightly, unable even to open his eyes. A few minutes later, all his strength was gone. So sleepy… Might as well sleep, he thought.

“My lady, are you alright?” Uchiha Fugaku asked the maid guarding Mikoto’s room.

“Clan leader, the lady is inside, and the healer is attending to her. Please don’t worry,” the maid answered, bowing her head.

“Very well,” Fugaku said, glancing at the door.

When Ando Yuto awoke, he felt a force pulling him outward. He tried to resist, not knowing what awaited him outside, but instinctively feeling it would be dangerous. His struggle made the situation even more difficult for the woman giving birth.

As Fugaku listened to the agonized cries from inside, he asked the maid, “Why hasn’t Mikoto given birth yet?”

Though the question was posed lightly, to the maid it was as terrifying as a thunderclap. Cold sweat dripped down her pale cheeks. “Clan leader, please rest assured, there are highly skilled medical ninjas inside. There won’t be any danger,” she stammered, knowing how strict the clan leader could be.

“Calm yourself! Even if you’re not a ninja, you’re still a member of the Uchiha clan. Compose yourself and don’t disgrace us. Leave now!” Fugaku ordered sternly.

“Yes, sir,” the maid replied, slowly exiting the courtyard. She couldn’t explain why she always felt uneasy in the clan leader’s presence—perhaps it was his reputation, or the sheer force of his presence.

I have no strength left… For some reason, Ando Yuto felt weaker by the minute. The pull was getting stronger, and he was powerless to resist it. Fine, if I’m going to die, so be it! Ando Yuto thought bitterly.

“Clan leader, the young master has been born,” a maid burst out of the room, addressing the clan leader outside.

“Excellent!” Fugaku exclaimed as he headed toward the room, already envisioning the Uchiha clan’s return to glory.