After dinner, those with duties to attend rose one after another to take their leave.
"I still have some military matters to discuss with Mikoto, so I won't be seeing you off."
Ren stood calmly, and as he spoke, his hand naturally closed around her wrist.
Mikoto paused.
She didn't blush like an ordinary woman.
Instead, after a brief attempt to pull free failed, she shot him a helpless glare.
So it still came to this.
She had thought tonight would be different.
Everyone present understood perfectly well what he meant.
Excuses came flying.
People dispersed quickly.
Even Shisui Uchiha, who had wanted to stay a little longer, was dragged away by Fugaku Uchiha.
At the kitchen entrance, Daiju sat watching their joined hands, tail swaying with envy.
Then he glanced at the silver tabby beside him, looking pleased with himself.
"Hurry up and clean the place. Once we're done, we're heading back, meow."
At Kasumi's command, Daiju immediately got to work.
Soon—
The house fell quiet.
Ren led Mikoto toward the stairs.
As they entered the second-floor bedroom, while he reached to turn on the light—
Her hand slipped free.
Mikoto turned gracefully.
A faint fragrance followed her movement.
She sat at the edge of the bed, posture straight, hands folded neatly over her knees.
"Don't even think about anything weird."
She crossed her arms defensively, chin slightly raised.
Trying to maintain her dignity.
But that composure—
Only made her more inviting.
Ren's eyes softened with amusement.
He stepped closer.
"Relax."
His tone was casual.
"We still have serious matters to discuss."
He pulled a chair and sat opposite her instead, the earlier teasing fading into focus.
"Let's talk."
Mikoto blinked slightly.
Relief.
And something else.
She relaxed a little.
"…You're actually serious this time?"
"For once."
He smiled faintly.
"Report."
She gathered herself.
"Kakuzu has already changed course."
"He's heading toward Kusagakure. He intends to locate remnants of the Uzumaki bloodline."
Her brows knit slightly.
"And you… you're taking bigger risks."
"Using missing-nin. Manipulating nobles."
Her voice softened.
"That path… it's dangerous."
Ren watched her quietly.
Then reached out—
Not to pull her in.
But to gently cup her cheek.
"Look at me."
His voice lowered.
Steady.
"There's nothing to fear."
Mikoto hesitated.
Her fingers lightly covered his hand.
"…I want to trust you."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I do."
Her eyes met his again.
Clear.
Resolute.
"I always have."
Ren leaned closer.
Forehead to forehead.
"Our future… will stand at the top of the shinobi world."
"This glory—will never fall."
Mikoto froze—
Then flushed.
"…You really know how to ruin a moment."
Her voice trembled between embarrassment and laughter.
Ren chuckled softly.
The tension broke.
...
Far away—
In the shadows of Kusagakure.
A dim, hidden room.
The air reeked of dampness and blood.
A red-haired woman curled in the corner, clutching a baby tightly.
Her body trembled.
Two shinobi loomed before her.
Predatory.
Cruel.
Their intentions unmistakable.
"Didn't expect this one to be worth something…"
"Uzumaki blood too… we'll make a fortune—"
They stepped closer.
The woman shook.
"Please… don't…"
Laughter.
Then—
BOOM.
The door exploded inward.
Wood shattered.
Blood scent flooded the room.
A presence—
Cold.
Overwhelming.
The two men collapsed to their knees instantly.
Trembling.
Terrified.
A figure stood in the doorway.
Tall.
Cloaked.
Eyes glowing faint green.
Behind him—
Bodies.
Dozens.
Dead.
Kakuzu stepped inside.
He didn't spare the two a glance.
Black tendrils shot out.
In an instant—
Silence.
Blood painted the walls.
He turned.
Looked at the unconscious woman.
Then at the child.
"…Two million."
A pause.
"…Another two million."
Efficient.
Clean.
He gathered them both.
Then vanished into the night.
...
At the eastern coast—
Dawn had not yet fully broken.
Mist clung to the shoreline.
The battlefield remained.
Silent.
A hundred Konoha shinobi—
Gone.
Their bodies scattered across blackened earth.
Defenses shattered.
Traps destroyed.
The remains told the story.
They had fought.
Hard.
But it wasn't enough.
From the fog—
Figures emerged.
Groups of Kirigakure shinobi, moving in formation.
Spreading out.
Scouting.
Preparing.
The tide had arrived.
And the war—
Had truly begun.
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