"Oh?"
Sanuki's face lit up with delight, though a trace of suspicion still flickered in his eyes. "So you're a survivor of the Kirigakure Taketori Clan?"
"I don't know," Ruichi replied calmly.
"…Hm?"
Despite the other party's welcoming attitude toward the Kirigakure Taketori Clan, Ruichi wasn't completely at ease.
Given both the villagers' reactions and Konoha's stance toward Kirigakure, revealing a direct connection to the Hidden Mist was still far too risky. So Ruichi used the background story he had prepared long ago.
"My father was from the Taketori Clan. My mother wasn't. They only met once. After that night, he left without even giving his name. My mother only told me about his identity when she was dying. I've been searching for news about the Taketori Clan ever since, and this is the first place I've found."
Sanuki immediately caught the loophole.
"If he didn't even leave a name, how did she know he was from the Taketori Clan?"
"My mother said…" Ruichi coughed lightly, "…that my father once demonstrated the clan's bone-based kekkei genkai for her. That's how she knew."
"Shikotsumyaku!"
Sanuki leaned forward abruptly and grabbed Ruichi's wrist. "Then what about you? You can use it too, can't you?!"
The intensity of his reaction made Ruichi hesitate.
Revealing Shikotsumyaku would instantly raise his value—but it would also bring unavoidable trouble.
He made his decision in an instant.
If it were only for himself, he would have played it safe and denied everything. But if he wanted to leave a future escape route for Teuchi and the others, he needed enough status for this clan to take him seriously and offer protection.
Ruichi slowly raised his index finger.
A pale bone spur pushed through the skin, emerging smoothly and cleanly, without a trace of blood—as if it had always been part of his body.
Shikotsumyaku.
Sanuki shot to his feet so suddenly that the low table in front of him was knocked crooked.
His eyes were wide, fixed on the bone spur at Ruichi's fingertip, burning with an intensity that made Ruichi feel like a rare treasure had just been placed in front of a desperate collector.
"Shikotsumyaku… It really is Shikotsumyaku! And this purity—"
His gaze shifted to Ruichi's white hair. Sanuki froze for a heartbeat, then his old face split into a deeply wrinkled smile.
"Child! You are without question a true member of my Kaguya Clan! Such pure Shikotsumyaku—back in the days of the Main House, even they may not have possessed something like this! You must have suffered greatly out there."
The speed at which his expressions changed was nothing short of theatrical.
"Clan Head, please calm down," Ruichi said, subtly pulling his hand back as the bone spur silently retracted. The skin healed instantly, leaving no trace behind.
"Ruichi, from this day onward, you will be a direct descendant of the Kaguya Clan's Main House!"
Sanuki grew more excited the more he spoke. "No—better yet, you will be my adopted son! The position of Clan Head will be yours in the future, and all clan resources will be at your disposal!"
Unfortunately for him, Ruichi had long since developed immunity to grand promises back in his previous life.
"I appreciate your kindness, Clan Head," Ruichi said quickly, waving his hands, "but I'm used to living freely. I can't shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
He paused, then added seriously, "Besides, I've just arrived and haven't contributed anything yet. If I were elevated purely because of my bloodline, it would be hard to convince the others."
After several rounds of back-and-forth, Ruichi firmly insisted on remaining an ordinary member of the Main House.
Sanuki looked disappointed, but he didn't dare push further. The idea of adoption was reluctantly shelved.
Instead, he ordered that the highest-standard guest quarters be prepared for Ruichi—an independent courtyard located in the Clan Head's own residence.
"Ruichi, rest well for now," Sanuki said warmly. "If you need anything, just ask. Don't hold back."
He personally escorted Ruichi to the door, his gaze so fervent that Ruichi felt like Tang Sanzang walking into the Spider Demon's lair.
I knew they were anxious about bloodline dilution, Ruichi thought, but this is a bit much…
---
Once the door closed, Ruichi finally let out a long breath.
Whatever. I'll observe first. Worst case, I pack up and leave.
The room was indeed far better than the inn—spacious, bright, with freshly prepared bedding.
Ruichi washed up briefly and lay down on the bed, his ninja tool pouch still fastened at his waist.
"High-end bedding really is something else," he muttered. "Soft, clean… shame I can't actually relax."
Not long after, something felt wrong.
Heat began to rise from his lower abdomen, spreading steadily through his limbs. His breathing grew slightly uneven, his body temperature climbing.
Ruichi's eyes sharpened instantly.
Poison?
He sat up at once and checked his condition.
No dizziness. Chakra flow was smooth. But the heat kept building, and an intrusive, primal urge began to stir.
…An aphrodisiac? From the bedding?
He quickly took out a detoxification pill and swallowed it, while simultaneously using Medical Ninjutsu to accelerate his metabolism. The heat faded rapidly.
With his physique, Medical Ninjutsu, and an antidote combined, something like this could be neutralized in minutes.
But Ruichi didn't get up.
Instead, he lay back down, deliberately tossing and turning as if overwhelmed.
Because faint footsteps could already be heard outside the door.
Since you want to play, he thought coolly, I'll play along. An informant delivered right to my doorstep—perfect. I've got questions anyway.
After a moment, the door creaked open slightly.
A shadow peered inside, then slipped in soundlessly, closing the door behind her.
By the moonlight streaming through the window, Ruichi squinted and saw her clearly.
She wore a thin night robe, moonlight gliding over exposed skin. Her long black hair spilled over her shoulders, her features strikingly beautiful, with a small beauty mark at the corner of her mouth lending her an extra touch of charm.
Her figure was full and graceful, every step subtly captivating.
Wait… that face—
Ruichi's heart skipped a beat.
She looked exactly like Fūka from the original Shippuden—except much younger, perhaps around twenty.
And unlike the hardened, ruthless aura he remembered, this woman's eyes carried hesitation and unease beneath the surface allure.
She approached the bed, looking down at Ruichi's flushed face as if he had lost his senses. Gently biting her lip, she whispered,
"I'm sorry… I'm doing this for the sake of the clan."
She reached out and lightly touched his chest.
"Ruichi… are you in pain?"
"Let me… help you."
------
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