"I want to add one condition to this.If you ever run into financial trouble in the future, or decide you want it back, I'll return everything to you in full. But when the time comes, you'll have to give me some time to prepare the funds… If you agree, I'll sign right now."
Ryosuke was a little surprised—he hadn't expected Nono to be so headstrong.
If he didn't agree, she clearly wouldn't sign.
"Alright, Miss Director, I agree!"
Time flew, and ten days passed quietly.
Ryosuke's daily routine remained the same as ever—shuttling between the ninja academy, the orphanage, and Konoha Hospital.
Every day, he stayed out until late before heading home.
Today, the moment he reached the Uchiha compound, he spotted a familiar figure pacing anxiously.
It was none other than his lunch partner and strategic ally—Kurenai.
"Kurenai? What are you doing here?"
Hearing his voice, Kurenai quickly turned and ran over to him.
"Ryosuke, I just heard something from Anko, and you really need to take it seriously."
"What is it? You even came here just to tell me?"
Seeing the worry written all over her face, Ryosuke asked curiously.
"Tomorrow is the pre-graduation combat simulation ranking exam. You know that, right?"
Ryosuke nodded with a slight smile.
"Didn't you already tell me about this three days ago? Did they change the date or something? That's not worth looking so worried about."
Kurenai shook her head hard.
"What I mean is… maybe you should call in sick tomorrow."
"?"
Ryosuke blinked at the unexpected suggestion.
"Three days ago you told me to do my best. Now you want me to skip it? What's going on?"
"You know that guy from your clan—Uchiha En?"
Kurenai leaned closer and whispered the name into his ear, her face deadly serious.
"Uchiha En? Which one is that?"
Ryosuke thought for a while but couldn't recall anyone by that name.
"He's the one you accidentally kicked into the trash can at the classroom door a while back!"
With that reminder, Ryosuke finally remembered.
"Oh, you mean the not-so-bright one. Right, I remember now. What about him?"
Kurenai glanced around, then leaned in even closer, lowering her voice.
"He came back to school this afternoon. They say he's awakened the Sharingan—and he's been telling people he's going to teach you a lesson in the ranking exam tomorrow."
"So… maybe you should just skip tomorrow! Ryosuke, I don't want you getting hurt…"
Her eyes began to glisten as she spoke.
In her mind, the Sharingan was one of the Uchiha clan's most powerful bloodline abilities.
Anyone who had awakened it was considered elite, and fighting someone without it was like being in completely different leagues.
Ryosuke understood now—it was just Uchiha En wanting revenge.
He reached out and ruffled her hair reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I'm not the same as I used to be."
Suddenly, Kurenai felt a tap on her shoulder.
She turned in confusion—only to find another Uchiha Ryosuke standing there.
"Ryosuke?"
"Yup."
She turned her head again—and saw seven or eight more Ryosukes looking back at her.
Her crimson eyes widened in shock.
"No way… when did you make the hand seals? And how did you make so many clones? This is insane!"
"Kurenai, I've mastered the Clone Technique and Transformation Technique these past days…
With my taijutsu on top of that, a freshly awakened Sharingan won't be a problem. Trust me."
"Besides, during the ranking matches there will be chūnin and jōnin instructors supervising. Nothing bad will happen."
Hearing his reassurance, Kurenai finally relaxed a little.
"Ryosuke… promise me you'll be careful! Don't try to show off!"
Seeing her pout and worry, Ryosuke smiled and gently patted her hair.
"Alright, I promise."
Noticing that the sky was getting dark, Ryosuke spoke up.
"Come on, I'll walk you home."
"No need, I can go back on my own."
Ryosuke shook his head.
"It's really dark in Konoha right now—I'm afraid you'll trip and fall on the way."
Kurenai puffed her cheeks and let out a small huff, turning away.
"Ryosuke, you're the worst! Always making fun of me!
Father says I'm already strong enough to graduate early. How could I trip while walking?!"
But despite her words, she didn't actually refuse his company.
"I'm not teasing you. I just heard a few kids have gone missing lately…"
They walked side by side toward the village streets.
It wasn't just civilians— even the orphanage had lost one or two children recently.
Ryosuke didn't even need to think about it—it had to be the work of Danzō and Orochimaru.
"I think I've heard about that. Father mentioned it at home once…
He said Lord Hokage is taking it seriously and has already handed the matter over to that elder from Root."
That elder from Root?
So much for the investigation—there'd probably be no results at all.
"Oh, by the way, Ryosuke—remember the braised pork ribs recipe you taught me? I've just about mastered it. I'll make it for you tomorrow!"
"Really?"
Ryosuke looked at her suspiciously.
The last few times she'd "experimented" with other dishes, the results… were not easy to forget.
"Really! I'm serious this time!"
Offended by his doubt, Kurenai puffed out her cheeks again and looked him in the eye.
"Alright, alright—serious this time. I'll definitely taste it tomorrow. But if it's not good, I'm eating my own cooking instead."
"…."
About fifteen minutes later, they arrived outside her house.
"Ryosuke, I'm home. See you tomorrow."
Ryosuke nodded, waved, and turned to leave—hands in his pockets like Kakashi.
At some point, Kurenai's father had stepped outside, watching Ryosuke's figure disappear into the night.
"Father!"
Kurenai turned and quickly bowed.
"Why are you back so late?"
Seeing her still smiling, and remembering the boy who had just walked away, his gaze turned a little complicated.
Could it be that his daughter and that boy…?
"Oh, just some school matters. But everything went well!"
Kurenai thought about her trip to the Uchiha compound to warn Ryosuke about Uchiha En.
He had told her about his strength without hiding anything, which made her even happier.
In her mind, Ryosuke had probably been keeping his training hidden all this time to make a splash at graduation—and just because she asked, he had told her everything without reservation.
Her heart felt warm and sweet.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]