Chapter 2 : Good Start
This night was destined to be filled with noise. Even though John stayed in the underground emergency shelter, he could still hear all sorts of sounds.
There were the sounds of battle above ground, the wailing from other shelters, the cries of the dying, the mourning of families and babies who had lost loved ones, the intense prayers of the people, and heated discussions about the battle situation. All at once, his mind was bombarded with a unpleasant sound, which left John feeling deeply unsettled.
Is this the suffering of the world? John thought. He knew more than others and, as a result, he thought far more about the future than most. He thought about his own fate, the future of Konoha, and even the larger fate of the entire ninja world. He understood all too well that this was only the beginning. It would be easy to sit back and live a life of survival, but how could he not be a part of the unfolding journey?
That night, John couldn't sleep.
As he lay thinking about family and the affairs of the world, a sudden ominous feeling washed over him. It was then he realized that the strange hot and humid sensation around him came from the sight of little Ino, who was still giggling after wetting the bed. John couldn't help but feel speechless. This is really too much, he thought. The crib wasn't that big, and if he wasn't careful, he'd end up soaked too.
With no other option, John cried out helplessly. It didn't take long for an aunt to rush over to check on the situation. "Oh, the child Master Asaka brought back has wet all over Miss Ino," she remarked. John could only express his sadness with an inward sigh. I just wanted some peace, but this... he thought, wondering if he'd ever get used to it.
The next morning, John and several other children were brought back to the surface. The older children were taken away for more organized management, while the younger ones were kept in the hospital for further care.
As the cries of the children filled the air, creating a symphony of sorrow, John wondered when it would all end.
Just then, Asaka, who had been busy all night, walked into the baby room, exhausted. Luckily, the situation on surface had been resolved, which lifted a great burden off her shoulders. However, when she looked at the child in front of her—Haruto, who gazed at the world with wide, curious eyes—her heart softened. Despite his new beginnings in life, he had lost his parents. She couldn't help but feel pity for him.