As usual, Ryosuke and Kurenai strolled together through the streets of Konoha.
The two walked side by side, and Ryosuke inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from Kurenai, feeling completely content.
Kurenai, unlike the night before, didn't reach out to hold his arm. With so many pedestrians around, she felt too shy for that kind of intimacy.
Ryosuke also refrained from any overly affectionate moves. He didn't want to show off or attract attention. Public displays of affection often brought unnecessary trouble—and sometimes even doomed relationships.
They kept walking, drifting toward the quieter outskirts of town. Only once they reached a more secluded street did Kurenai finally take the initiative—gently pulling Ryosuke's left arm and placing it between her soft chest.
The instant contact with her softness sent a ripple of excitement through Ryosuke. The pain and mental strain from his Eight Gates training seemed to dissolve like a fading memory.
He hadn't expected her "soft rabbits" to have such healing properties.
Kurenai's cheeks turned red again. Despite what had already happened the night before, this was still her most private spot. Last night's intimate touch had felt wonderful, but now she wondered—did he think she was too forward?
Nervously, she glanced up at Ryosuke's expression. But when she saw nothing but warmth and joy on his face, she beamed, holding his arm even tighter.
As usual, Ryosuke guided their walk, eventually leading them to that dim yet softly lit little grove again.
Since Kurenai had taken the initiative, Ryosuke leaned in for a kiss—naturally.
Kurenai didn't resist. She had been expecting it.
This time, Ryosuke was content just to share a warm moment with her. He didn't rush into anything further.
Partly, he was still recovering from the intense training earlier. But more importantly, he wanted their relationship to progress naturally.
With how affectionate Kurenai had been lately, it was clear she wasn't going anywhere.
As he embraced her soft body, a system notification rang in his mind:
『Your spirit is highly exhilarated. Chakra increased by 0.1 units.』
That was 0.1 of Kakashi's total chakra amount.
This boost was impressive. If he and Kurenai shared this kind of intimacy a thousand times, he'd gain 100 units of chakra—equivalent to the combined reserves of Naruto and the Nine-Tails.
At that level, he'd never have to worry about chakra again. He could spam jutsu freely.
But a thousand times… even once a day would take nearly three years.
After a few hours together, Ryosuke walked Kurenai home. Then he returned to rest himself.
On the third day of his scheduled duel with Uchiha Raihō, Ryosuke woke up early—his mind astonishingly clear, with not even a trace of the pain from his Eight Gates training. No lingering side effects, nothing.
If not for the vivid memory of the pain, he might have thought it had all been a dream.
This level of recovery was likely thanks to his growing physical attributes.
The stronger his body became, the faster he could recover.
Having experienced firsthand how brutal Eight Gates training was, Ryosuke now understood why it remained in the hands of someone like Might Guy—a Chuunin no one bothered to rob.
The technique wasn't just dangerous; it was agonizing.
He was genuinely grateful to the system for boosting his constitution and recovery rate. That was the only reason he had a real chance at mastering the Eight Gates quickly.
While others might need decades, Ryosuke could rely on his physical advantage to break through the First Gate again and again without fearing the aftermath.
That morning, he went to Ichiraku Ramen and ordered a massive bowl with all the toppings.
Even Teuchi, the shop owner, was stunned. He had never seen a customer come in so early and order such a massive portion.
Still, he was secretly delighted. Customers like this brought income and recognition—proof his ramen was loved.
Perhaps it was the energy burned from yesterday's intense Eight Gates training, but Ryosuke devoured the entire bowl without feeling even slightly stuffed.
Later, he headed to a secluded grove near the Uchiha compound and began his One Punch Man training routine.
Unbeknownst to him, his actions had been observed by members of the ANBU.
For over a month, this boy had been training nonstop in this area. They decided it was time to report it to the Hokage.
After the Nine-Tails' attack on the village, the Third Hokage had ordered continuous surveillance around the Uchiha district. Any "wind or grass moving"—any oddity—had to be reported.
And Ryosuke's intensity certainly qualified.
Back in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe as he listened to the ANBU's report. His brows furrowed.
"Uchiha Ryosuke? Isn't he the one who had that clash with my son?"
Now he was training in taijutsu with Might Guy?
He was still an Uchiha. What was his angle in getting close to Guy?
Hiruzen searched his memory, trying to figure out what Ryosuke could gain from this association.
But there wasn't much to gain from Guy. He had no clan, no wealth, no position. He was just a strong-willed commoner ninja. Even his taijutsu was decent at best.
Then Hiruzen remembered something: Might Duy.
His face darkened slightly.
Four years ago, Duy—though a mere Genin—had opened all Eight Gates and killed four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
That news had shocked even Hiruzen himself.
Even he, as Hokage, would have to be extremely cautious if facing all seven swordsmen. At best, he could take out one or two—maybe. If they coordinated well, he'd be lucky just to escape unscathed.
Yet Duy had done the impossible using the forbidden technique—the Eight Gates Formation.
At full release, its power exceeded even his own.
Was the Uchiha boy trying to master this technique?
But that wasn't likely.
The Eight Gates took at least twenty years of training to master to an advanced level. Opening just the first few gates barely improved strength. It was the later gates that brought overwhelming power.
And training the technique was torture. Hiruzen himself had once tried—only to be overwhelmed by the pain. Even now, he remembered the needle-like agony.
He was already strong. There was no need to suffer like that. So he gave up.
Ryosuke was just a kid. Even if he trained day and night with iron will, it would take him twenty years to see real results.
The technique was powerful, yes—but its side effects were just as terrifying.
Opening all Eight Gates meant certain death. Even lower gate usage left one in a severely weakened state.
With that thought, Hiruzen relaxed and continued puffing on his pipe.
Maybe he had misjudged the boy. No one in their right mind would pursue such a painful path.
Almost no one had succeeded. Duy was a rare exception.
Even Hiruzen, a so-called genius, had failed.
There was no need to worry about Ryosuke.
Let him train taijutsu. It wasn't a threat.
What mattered more now was the situation with Kumogakure. Tensions between the villages had finally started to cool. Hostilities were waning.
It looked like the war was nearing its end. And with that, the Third Great Ninja War would be officially over.
Konoha couldn't afford to drag this out.
Once peace returned, they'd have time—and energy—to deal with internal threats. If the Uchiha acted up again, Hiruzen would handle them personally.
A glint of cold light flashed through his eyes.
The Uchiha had always been a rebellious clan.
In recent years, that has only become more obvious.
They were always scheming, trying to seize his Hokage seat.