On the first day after arranging his duel with Uchiha Daohuo, Ryosuke rose early to begin his One-Punch Man training, steadily building his physical strength.
By noon, he washed away the sweat and dirt, then allowed himself some rest. Balance between work and recovery was crucial.
When evening came, he decided to head toward the bustling heart of Konoha.
The Uchiha compound lay in a secluded corner of the village, but after a simple wash and change, Ryosuke walked briskly toward the main streets.
As he passed by a modest wooden house, a familiar figure was already waiting there—Yūhi Kurenai, clad in a kimono, her crimson eyes catching the lantern light.
Over the past month, Ryosuke had not only trained his body but also made a habit of strolling near Kurenai's home in the evenings. Whenever the chance arose, he invited her out, and in time their relationship had grown closer—close enough to be called friends.
Of course, Ryosuke had a purpose in mind. He hadn't forgotten about his other system—the one that strengthened him through having children.
Kurenai was his first target. A woman agreeing to walk the streets with you at night meant the relationship was already good; what mattered now was moving it forward.
Sometimes, the difference between friendship and romance was just a brush of contact. Friends remained like clear water, but once physical closeness sparked, emotions could flare quickly. From there, the final step would no longer be an obstacle.
Kurenai spotted the tall, handsome figure approaching, and a genuine smile bloomed across her face.
A month ago, Ryosuke's greatest asset had been his looks. Now, his body was stronger, more defined—sharper lines, a physique that naturally drew the eye.
It was likely the result of training with Might Guy, yet unlike Guy's hardened, rugged frame, Ryosuke's body carried a different kind of balance—strength without losing elegance. That subtle aesthetic only made him more attractive.
Kurenai, who had grown up without her father, had always kept her circle of friends small. Though few openly mocked her, the looks from peers often carried a trace of pity or quiet judgment. Perhaps it was because she was fatherless.
But Ryosuke's gaze held none of that.
That was why she agreed to walk with him. After long days of work, her nights were often quiet, even lonely. Sharing an evening stroll eased that weight, helped digestion, and besides—Konoha's nightlife truly was beautiful.
By now, Ryosuke stood at her side, smiling.
"Shall we take a walk together?"
"Of course," Kurenai answered with a soft nod. Truthfully, she had been waiting here for exactly that invitation.
The two strolled side by side through Konoha's lamplit streets.
Kurenai felt an unusual aura around him—something that drew her in, lightened her mood, made her heart oddly at ease.
If not for the passersby around them, she might have allowed herself to walk closer.
They didn't stop for food, nor linger at stalls; instead, they simply talked, wandering wherever their feet carried them.
As they walked, the crowd around them gradually thinned.
Unable to hold back any longer, Kurenai slipped both hands around Ryosuke's arm, clinging tightly.
His overwhelming masculine presence washed over her, making her feel both exhilarated and nervous. She glanced up at his expression, worried he might take offense.
But Ryosuke was the one caught off guard.
He had been considering taking the initiative himself, maybe brushing against her hand to push their relationship forward. He never expected Kurenai to act first. The sudden closeness sent a surge of energy through him.
Seeing no rejection on his face, Kurenai sighed in relief. Her own boldness startled her—yet it was his aura, so irresistibly magnetic, that drove her to act on instinct.
Noticing the lingering passersby, Ryosuke found the street inconvenient. He led her gently toward a nearby grove.
Kurenai followed without hesitation. The grove was dense, the lamps far behind them, and few people ever passed this way.
There, she clung to his arm still, inhaling his scent with a dazed, content expression.
Ryosuke decided it was time to act.
Turning, he drew her into his arms.
Kurenai's eyes widened in shock—her first kiss stolen.
Surprise quickly melted into a rush of sensation, stronger even than the aura she had felt before. It was… intoxicating. If it was with Ryosuke, she realized, she didn't mind at all. Closing her eyes shyly, she gave in and let herself feel.
Compared to him, Asuma's presence seemed unbearable. She had always hated the stench of smoke clinging to Asuma's breath, but Ryosuke's taste was clean, his touch steady.
Her body grew restless beneath the embrace, though instead of resisting, she found herself leaning into it.
Ryosuke, too, felt his pulse quicken. Perhaps she had been drawn to his strength, but he was no less captivated by her fragrance and warmth.
Her body was soft, full, and far more alluring than he had imagined.
He remembered the green vest she wore before—it had hidden her figure. Tonight's loose kimono revealed what his hands now confirmed.
The grove was silent except for their breaths.
And as the kiss deepened, Ryosuke's thoughts sharpened: this was only the beginning. His system's rewards came with children—should he take the final step here, beneath the shelter of the trees?