Slowly, the women stirred, emerging from a black void of unconsciousness into a dim, cavernous gloom.
"It's so dark… where… where are we?"
Their last memories were of the Daimyo's mansion, where they were enjoying fine food provided by their employers, preparing to nurse the lord's newborn son. But in the middle of their meal, their vision had gone black. Now, they had woken up here.
As their eyes adjusted, they took in their surroundings. The sight of the bizarre, plant-like White Zetsu clones sent a wave of terror through them. They scrambled to their knees, begging for their lives.
"Please, masters, don't kill us! We're just simple wet nurses from the Daimyo's estate. If you have a quarrel with him, please take it up with him! We know nothing, we have no value beyond… beyond feeding and caring a child!"
Uchiha Madara nodded, his expression unreadable. "Indeed. That is precisely the talent I require. Come, all of you. Approach me and prepare to feed him."
"Ah?"
The women froze, instinctively crossing their arms over their chests and clutching their collars. A single, horrified thought flashed through their minds simultaneously:
This withered old man… could he be one of those depraved monsters from the stories?
Seeing the women hesitate, a White Zetsu clone barked angrily at them.
"What are you standing around for? Move! Listen to me now: if you serve him well, I can guarantee your safety and provide for your every need. But if you dare show the slightest bit of negligence, do you really believe I won't eat you on the spot? It's been three days since my last meal!"
To emphasize its point, the Zetsu roared, opening its flytrap-like maw in a grotesque, exaggerated display.
"Do you see this?! This is the face of a creature that eats people! I could devour three of you in a single meal and still be hungry!"
Faced with such a terrifying threat, the women dared not hesitate a moment longer. They scrambled to their feet and rushed toward Uchiha Madara, fumbling with their clothes as they ran. They surrounded him, shut their eyes tight, and whispered in trembling voices.
"S-Sir… please, begin. Which… which one of us will it be? You… you may choose."
Finding himself encircled by a wall of pale flesh, mere centimeters from his face, Uchiha Madara recoiled with utter disgust.
"Did I tell you to get this close to me? The one who will be eating is not me! It is him!"
Madara held up little Shiro for them to see.
Only then did the wet nurses notice the infant cradled in the old man's arms. The light in the cavern was dim, and in their panic, none of them had registered the child's presence.
"Phew…"
A collective, shaky sigh of relief escaped the women. Feeding a child was a task they could accept.
Uchiha Madara spoke with a look of disdain. "First, cover yourselves! Then form a single line!"
Under the menacing glare of the White Zetsu, the wet nurses quickly and obediently arranged themselves as commanded.
Uchiha Madara carried Shiro and walked to the front of the line, his voice softening to a gentle murmur.
"Little Shiro, which one would you like first? I will introduce you to each of them. When you see one that interests you, just point her out to your father."
Although Shiro was a reincarnator, he had never, in his previous life, experienced a situation quite like this. He had only seen similar scenarios in films depicting a much wilder side of life. He never imagined he would find himself in the starring role here, in the world of shinobi.
A silent curse echoed in Shiro's mind. Of all the times to be a helpless infant!
His body was undeniably that of a baby, but his mind and consciousness were those of a full-grown adult. No man in his position could possibly remain calm and simply focus on eating. But what else could he do in his current state? It was a maddening predicament, a form of torment for both his mind and body.
Uchiha Madara paraded his son past the women, one by one. They truly were the Daimyo's elite; their figures alone were a testament to their… qualifications.
Before they had even passed the third woman, Shiro felt a sudden, inexplicable warmth trickle from his nose.
Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic! he berated himself internally, feeling the drip of liquid over his lips. This feeding arrangement was likely to last for at least a year. How could he lose his composure before the very first meal?
Only Shiro knew the true reason for the nosebleed, but the sight of it sent his new godfather into a blind panic.
"Eh? Why is my son's nose bleeding?"
"What? Let me see!"
Obito rushed to Shiro's side, his eyes wide with worry. "Could it be some congenital disease? No, we must find a doctor!"
As Obito was about to spring into action, White Zetsu intercepted him. "Let me go, I'm faster! And I'm already familiar with the route to the neighboring Daimyo's mansion. Their medical team should be competent. You two stay here and take care of Shiro! Wait for my return!"
With that, the lead White Zetsu and its clones vanished into the earth.
Uchiha Madara and Obito were sweating with anxiety, the sight of Shiro's nosebleed causing them more distress than any physical injury to themselves.
Fortunately, the bleeding was minor and stopped after a moment.
Finally, Uchiha Madara personally selected the wet nurse who appeared the most… bountiful, allowing Shiro to finally enjoy his long-awaited meal. During the process, the overwhelmed infant suffered three more nosebleeds. Though Madara and Obito were beside themselves with worry, Shiro clung stubbornly to his food source, nursing with a desperate intensity. The two powerful Uchiha could only watch helplessly, waiting for him to finish.
The blissful experience was, as always, too short. An hour passed in what felt like minutes. If Shiro hadn't been so full that he started burping, he likely would have continued indefinitely.
Obito watched, his heart aching. "Sigh… the poor child was truly starving."
Uchiha Madara's eyes flashed with a terrifying light. "If I ever discover the identities of Shiro's birth parents," he seethed, "I will hunt them down and erase them from existence myself! Anyone who would abandon their own child is a blight upon this world and does not deserve to live in the perfect one I will create!"
Black Zetsu, who had been lingering hesitantly in the shadows, now slithered closer, sneaking glances at Shiro. It was intensely curious about this child, but Madara had forbidden it from getting too close, fearing its grotesque appearance would frighten his son.
When Black Zetsu finally emerged from the darkness, the group of wet nurses was once again scared witless. They had thought White Zetsu was the most terrifying creature imaginable, but this new being was something else entirely.
The women retreated in fear, but one of them remained completely still.
It was the wet nurse who was feeding Shiro.
She seemed oblivious to Black Zetsu's presence, her entire world having shrunk to the infant in her arms.
"The way this child moves his eyes to look atound… it's simply endearing," she murmured, her eyes filled with adoration. "Sir, I wish to continue feeding him. May I…?"