Moonlight spilled like liquid silver over the quiet hot spring courtyard, steam rising from the pool like a gauzy veil curling around the soft glow of lanterns. The whole scene was draped in a hazy, intimate vibe.
A night breeze slipped through, carrying the faint rustle of distant bamboo, adding a layer of calm secrecy to the air.
In the hot spring, Uchiha Makoto leaned back against the smooth pebble wall, head tilted, eyes closed, letting the warm water wrap him up.
Condensed steam beaded on his sharp nose and chiseled jaw, dripping into the pool with a soft plink.
Guren nestled in his strong arms like a content kitten, her cheek pressed to his warm chest, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.
Her slender fingers traced lazy circles in the water, round and round, like she was sketching out the quiet satisfaction in her heart.
A moment later, a graceful, mature figure appeared silently at the moon gate entrance of the courtyard wall, blending into the misty moonlight like a phantom.
It was Terumī Mei, the future Fifth Mizukage of the Mist Village. Unlike the dark, tactical gear she wore when Makoto first met her half a year ago, tonight she rocked a sleek, navy-blue dress. The high-slit hem swayed with her silent steps, flowing like dark water over the stone steps.
The dress hugged her curves, showing off every inch of her mature, hourglass figure—full, feminine, and flawless.
Her thick, chestnut hair cascaded in soft waves down to her waist, catching the lantern light with a glossy, intoxicating sheen.
What really stole the show? The slit in her dress revealed long, toned legs wrapped in delicate black fishnet stockings, teasingly visible.
And up top, her impressive chest was barely contained by a sheer black mesh layer, the intricate patterns clinging to her pale skin. In the dim light, it gave off a mysterious, seductive aura, amplifying her mature, sultry charm to eleven.
Her jade-green eyes, shimmering with a mix of complex emotions, cut through the steamy haze, locking onto the tightly entwined figures in the pool.
When she saw them—Makoto and Guren, pressed so close they might as well be one, no space between them—her refined features twitched, brows knitting slightly.
A flicker of something unreadable flashed in her green eyes—shock, maybe, or a hint of subtle irritation and pique she didn't even register herself.
She muttered under her breath, so soft only she could hear, "What a naturally wicked little punk."
Her eyes, against her will, flicked over Makoto's lean, muscular upper body. "Always running his mouth with flirty nonsense when he's with me, no filter. Now look at him, cozying up with some other girl."
A faint, prickly feeling of being slighted started simmering in her chest.
Over the past half-year, she'd never outright admitted it, but deep down, she'd started seeing Makoto as… someone special. Maybe even the guy who could end her "old maid" status.
In the ninja world, if you were over sixteen and still single, you were basically a spinster. And Mei? She was well into her twenties, still holding onto her first kiss, the poster child for "leftover women."
Seeing this scene now, it felt like something that was hers had been snatched by someone else.
After months of frequent run-ins and testing each other, Mei had to admit she was curious about Makoto—maybe even a little fond of him.
But that was all because of his insane talent and the strength that didn't match his age. In the entire Mist Village—hell, the whole ninja world—it was rare to find someone whose gifts matched hers and sparked her interest.
A queen dragon like her wouldn't glance twice at a lowly worm. Only a true dragon, with world-class talent, could catch her eye.
And it had nothing to do with Makoto's stupidly perfect, god-given looks. At least, that's what she kept telling herself, clinging to the belief.
She, Terumī Mei, was not a face-chaser. She cared about inner beauty and strength. Period.
Lately, though, she couldn't stop herself from wanting to see him. She'd find excuses—official business, random pretexts—but always chickened out at the last second, never getting too close.
Because every time they got near enough for physical contact, her battle-honed instincts screamed a warning. There was something dangerous about this kid, unpredictable and extreme.
Over time, that sense of lethal threat softened into something else—a tempting, bottomless abyss that made her heart race and her head spin, leaving her flustered and lost.
This boy was too mysterious, like he was shrouded in thick fog she couldn't pierce. It made her wary but drew her in, itching to unravel him.
Seeing the two in the hot spring, so close they shut out the world, Mei felt a sudden, irrational surge of frustration. She'd come here, risking everything, to deliver urgent, secret intel about him.
She was putting herself on the line—dodging the Mist Village's elder, Genshi, and outside forces sniffing around.
The thought stoked the fire in her chest. Her foot, in its delicate sandal, tapped the ground lightly, betraying her restlessness.
Guren stirred at the faint sound, starting to look up, but Makoto, as if he'd seen it coming, gently pressed her head back down.
He signaled her to chill, acting like he hadn't noticed a thing, still soaking in the warm water's embrace.
Makoto, with his eight hundred layers of cunning, mused to himself, "Mei's not someone you can just play. If I don't knock her down a peg now, she might start thinking she can lock me down. That'd be a problem."
Mei caught his fake-oblivious, almost smug vibe, and her flawless face flushed—maybe from the steam, maybe something else.
She took a deep breath, raising her voice just enough, her tone carrying a trace of sourness and challenge she didn't even notice.
"Looks like… I showed up at a bad time, huh?"
The words slipped out, and she froze, startled by her own tone. It sounded like she was catching a cheater in the act—totally not her usual cool, collected self.
Makoto chuckled, turning slowly, opening his other arm in a mock-welcoming gesture.
His eyes burned into Mei, standing by the wall, and he shot back with a double-edged quip, "Nah, future Mizukage, you're right on time."
His words made Guren's cheeks flush, and she burrowed deeper into his chest, but she didn't protest or show any displeasure.
Before meeting Makoto, she was just another ninja-world orphan, her life worth less than dirt. He'd given her warmth, a home, a reason to live, and dignity.
Her heart swelled with gratitude. She'd never dared dream of having him all to herself.
She knew she was still young, her body not fully grown. Right now, she couldn't truly satisfy him. All she could do was wait, grow stronger, and keep up.
"As long as there's a corner of Makoto's heart for me, I'm good," she thought, pressing her face into the warm crook of his neck. He was too brilliant, too powerful to belong to one person. Being here, like this, was already a gift from the heavens.
That gratitude washed away the tiny spark of jealousy from moments ago, turning into deeper devotion.
She even secretly wondered if, one day, she could try wearing those sexy black fishnets if that's what Makoto liked… The thought made her ears burn and her heart race.
Mei caught Guren's reaction and Makoto's brazen, slightly provocative stance. Her perfectly groomed brows arched, her tone slipping into an instinctive, almost unconscious challenge.
"Oh? Kid's got a big appetite for someone so young. You sure you can handle all of this?"
"Don't come crying when you can't keep up with big sis!"
Her eyes, though, betrayed her, drifting over Makoto's bare upper body—his chiseled pecs and sharply defined abs, half-hidden in the water.
Water droplets traced his tight muscles, a far cry from the lanky scholar she'd pictured under his clothes. This was raw, masculine power and beauty.
Her heart skipped a beat, unbidden.
"Wanna find out?" Makoto fired back, his voice dripping with unapologetic confidence and heavy innuendo. His gaze roamed boldly over Mei's fishnet-clad legs and lush curves.
His [Naughty Makoto] special physique, years of Cloud Village's secret herbal supplements, and constant Lightning Release chakra tempering had forged a body leagues beyond normal.
His words hung in the air. With a soft splash, he stood up from the hot spring.
Water cascaded down his sculpted, muscular frame, the dim lantern light outlining him in a hazy glow.
Every inch of his young, powerful body was on display, brimming with explosive strength.
Mei's eyes widened, her green gaze flashing with awe and a touch of panic.
She'd never imagined that Makoto—usually dressed in sleek, scholarly clothes—hid this under them: a commanding, primal masculinity that hit like a truck.
The visual punched her right in the gut, leaving her mouth dry.
A flush crept up her cheeks, spreading to her ears and neck. She could feel her face burning.
Makoto wasn't shy. He let her look, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
It took a second for Mei to snap out of her daze. Catching his teasing, almost mocking grin, she hurriedly turned away, wiping her mouth like she'd actually drooled.
Her voice tried for calm but cracked with a hint of fluster. "I-I've got serious business! It's about you, important stuff! Hurry up and get dressed!"
To cover her racing heart, she stomped her foot again, then spun and bolted, her exit practically a full-on retreat.
She was terrified that if she stayed, her cool, composed Mizukage facade would crumble, replaced by some wild, unfamiliar rush of heat and nerves.
That feeling was spreading like wildfire inside her, screaming for her to flee this heart-pounding scene while her brain kept replaying that jaw-dropping image of him.
Even her long legs in those black fishnets seemed to scream allure as she stumbled away in her panic.
Makoto watched her practically trip over herself to escape, a deep, satisfied grin curling his lips.
Guren wasn't ready to be "tasted" yet—she needed time to ripen. But Mei? This gorgeous, fully matured future Mizukage was a ripe fruit, body and soul, ready to be plucked.
She was all talk, though—a queen of spicy banter who folded the second things got real. No wonder she ended up the ninja world's most infamous spinster in the original timeline.
As a stand-up guy from his past life on Earth, Makoto felt it was his duty to step up, be a gentleman, and help this two-faced Mizukage escape the single life. Show her the real joys of living.
He glanced down at Guren, who'd relaxed slightly now that Mei was gone but still clung to him tightly, her eyes full of pure devotion and trust.
Sensing his gaze, Guren knew he had business to handle. Reluctant as she was, she slowly unwrapped her arms, whispering, "Makoto, I…"
"Ahem!"
Makoto cut her off with a gentle but firm cough, a reminder of their earlier moment.
Guren caught on instantly, her brief disappointment at being interrupted and separated flipping to excitement. Her voice perked up.
"Okay, Makoto, go handle your thing. I'll… I'll head back and warm up the bed for you."
Her cheeks bloomed red, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation for what lay ahead.
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