Ryosuke blinked in slight surprise at the bold declaration from Yugito Nii. But the moment passed, and a playful smirk curled at the edge of his lips.
"I thought you were going to say something profound," he said casually. "You calling yourself evil? That's hilarious."
Yugito's brows furrowed in anger. Her pride as a jinchūriki, a living prison for one of the most feared creatures in the world, bristled at his dismissive tone.
"What's so funny?" she snapped. "You think I'm lying? There's a tailed beast sealed inside me—one that terrifies everyone who even hears about it! And you… you really think you can lay a hand on me?"
But Ryosuke wasn't fazed in the slightest. If anything, her warning only deepened his smile.
"Why wouldn't I?" he said with unshakable calm as he suddenly tackled her onto the bed, pinning her beneath him.
Yugito gasped, the sudden motion catching her off guard. She felt the chill of the air brush across her upper body—he really had touched her without hesitation.
"You're not scared of me?" she asked, voice shaky but layered with confusion more than fear.
Ryosuke gave a half-laugh, half-sigh of amusement.
"Scared? Of what? A stunning woman with curves like yours?" he teased. "I should be running away from you? Please. You're beautiful, powerful… and now, you're my prisoner. I'm more interested in savoring this moment than cowering from it."
His words struck a chord. Not because of the flirtation, but because of the way he said it—with sincerity and conviction, without the hint of mockery or manipulation she was used to.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Let me enjoy this… for both of us."
That night blurred into an intense whirlwind of emotion and sensation. And by the time morning light filtered through the wooden windows, Yugito's hardened exterior had softened. Her awareness lingered on the edge of wakefulness, her body heavy with fatigue, yet her mind was alert enough to reflect on what had transpired.
Did… did he really mean what he said?
Lying there, she could still feel traces of the night's passion on her skin. More than physical exhaustion, what lingered was a sensation she hadn't known in a long time—warmth. Ryosuke hadn't looked at her like a monster. Not like the others. Not like a vessel for the Two-Tails, but like… a woman. A human being. His gaze had been filled not with fear, but with a strange, quiet affection.
For someone from another village to treat her like this—it was surreal. It was… comforting.
She didn't know when, but at some point, she drifted into peaceful sleep, the kind she hadn't experienced in years.
By noon, Ryosuke finally stirred. Despite an entire night of… effort, his body had recovered surprisingly well after only a few hours of rest. That wasn't normal, even for a shinobi. He flexed his chakra slightly and smiled—his reserves had grown again. Another 0.5 cards of chakra added. A subtle but satisfying gain.
To his surprise, Yugito had curled up against him at some point, leaning gently on his chest. He hadn't expected that—not from someone who called herself a monster. Perhaps he had underestimated the emotional impact of his words and actions. But it brought a strange sense of fulfillment.
So this is what conquest feels like, he thought, not with cruelty, but a curious sense of wonder. Not the domination of the body… but of the heart.
Just then, a voice called from outside his home, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Lord Ryosuke! Clan Head Fugaku requests your presence!"
It was a member of the Uchiha clan, respectfully standing outside Ryosuke's home. No one dared enter his residence without permission—not anymore. The man's voice was filled with admiration, even reverence.
And how could he not admire him?
Just two days ago, Ryosuke had done the unthinkable—he had utterly defeated Danzo Shimura, killing the scheming elder in full view of the clan leaders. Not only that, he had literally kicked the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, through a wall during the same confrontation. The strongest shinobi of the village, the so-called "God of Shinobi," had been helpless before him.
That single act of defiance had changed everything.
To the rest of the Uchiha, Ryosuke had become a legend overnight. Many now believed he was the strongest in the shinobi world—perhaps even greater than the infamous Madara Uchiha himself. Sure, Madara once rivaled the First Hokage, but that era was long gone. And Madara was dead. Ryosuke was here—alive, powerful, and leading them toward a new future.
In the recent clan meeting, when Ryosuke had revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and asserted dominance over the elders, none of the other clan leaders even dared to speak. That was the power he held now. And under his guidance, the Uchiha were beginning to rise again.
The voice outside called again, snapping him out of reflection.
"I'll be right there," Ryosuke replied clearly.
No doubt, Fugaku wanted to discuss something important. Ryosuke quickly dressed, gently laying Yugito back down to rest. She stirred slightly but didn't wake.
A short walk through the Uchiha compound brought him to the home of the clan leader. It wasn't far—just a few rooftops away.
Fugaku was waiting, a rare lightness in his usually stern expression. The burdens that once plagued the clan head seemed lighter now.
Seeing Ryosuke enter, he turned to his wife.
"Mikoto," he said softly, "please prepare some of that special tea I've been saving."
Mikoto, always composed and warm, nodded with a smile. She moved gracefully to fetch the tea and, not long after, returned with a steaming cup, offering it to Ryosuke herself.
Ryosuke bowed politely. "Thank you, Lady Mikoto."
She laughed gently. "I should be thanking you. Fugaku's finally been able to sleep soundly these past few nights. Before… he'd toss and turn, worrying endlessly. Now, thanks to you, he's been at peace."
Fugaku coughed lightly, slightly embarrassed.
"Mikoto, give us the room," he said, trying to maintain some of his usual formality. "There are matters I must discuss with Ryosuke."
"Of course," she replied, bowing slightly before exiting the meeting chamber.
After she was gone, the air between them shifted. The warm politeness gave way to the seriousness of clan affairs. Fugaku's eyes sharpened.
"Ryosuke," he said, "what you did at the last clan meeting—no, what you've done these past few days—has changed the course of our history. But we need to ensure this momentum doesn't go to waste. The Hokage will not forget what happened. The elders are regrouping. Konoha isn't done with us yet."
Ryosuke nodded. "I know. And I'm ready."
He sipped the tea. Bitter, but strong—just like the days to come.
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