A rich, delicate fragrance flooded Ruichi's senses just as her crimson lips were about to touch his—
Damn it! I'm not about to get kissed and sucked dry by some ghoul!
Bang!
The Ruichi who had looked "completely out of it" struck without warning, driving a punch straight into her chest. The gray pupils that met her were utterly clear—no desire, only cold mockery.
…What?
He hadn't held back at all. The strike was meant to shatter what he thought was a mud clone—but the instant his fist connected, he realized something was wrong.
This isn't a puppet. She's alive.
Ruichi immediately pulled back his strength, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.
"Guh—!"
Even so, the woman was sent crashing onto the bed, saliva spilling from her lips as she lost the strength to rise again.
Ruichi pulled a steel wire from his ninja tool pouch and bound her tightly, movements efficient and merciless.
"Drug me first, then sneak in at night," he said coolly. "What—planning to harvest my organs? Or drain me dry?"
"N-no…!"
The woman barely managed to force out the words. All trace of seduction was gone, replaced by naked terror.
"Then talk," Ruichi said, drawing a kunai and casually waving it in front of her face. He flicked his wrist and neatly cut off a lock of her hair, letting it fall to the floor.
"Who are you? Who sent you? And why?"
No reaction to losing her hair, he noted calmly. So it's not some curse tied to appearance. More like her body was just… built this way.
The display erased her last hope of resistance. She spoke in a trembling voice.
"My name is Taketori Kaede… The Clan Head said… the clan's bloodline is dying out… You have pure Shikotsumyaku… We have to keep you here…"
"Keep me here for what?"
Kaede bit her lip. A blush crept from her cheeks down her neck.
"…To preserve your seed. I need to bear your child. I would be the first."
What kind of eroge plot is this?! Some 'everyone wants my ○○' nonsense?!
Even though he'd already guessed the truth, hearing it said out loud still left Ruichi stunned.
He knew one thing for sure: if this failed tonight, there would be a tomorrow. And if tomorrow failed, then the next step would probably be the entire clan activating a massive Barrier Ninjutsu, locking him in a dark room, and turning him into a full-time breeding tool.
"So even after moving, I still run into people willing to pay any price just to have a kid…"
Ruichi muttered as he began packing his things.
"I was planning to get married and have children someday anyway. If you'd come to me properly, I might not have refused."
He formed a hand seal and released a probing gust of wind, confirming there were no ambushes nearby.
"But drugging me first? Was it impatience—or did you only feel safe if I was completely under your control?"
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Forget it. No need to explain. You're not worth listening to, and I'm not interested. Tell the old man thanks for the hospitality—but I have zero interest in being a stud."
Kaede panicked and struggled despite her bindings.
"You're leaving?! No—you can't! For the sake of the family, I must—"
Thud.
Ruichi chopped the back of her neck cleanly. Her eyes rolled back as she slumped unconscious.
"If I don't leave, you'll drain me dry, won't you?" he muttered.
"I'm only thirteen. I haven't even enjoyed life yet."
He gently laid her flat on the bed and pulled a blanket over her.
"Sorry," Ruichi said softly, shaking his head.
"I may have seen your character art in my previous life, but I hate trouble. Let someone else carry the fate of your entire clan. Hm… Kimimaro would be a perfect fit."
After confirming once more that there were no enemies nearby, Ruichi pushed open the window and slipped out.
Landing soundlessly, he used Body Flicker to race away from the village.
He had to leave before the Clan Head found out—otherwise, given that old man's obsession, he might actually mobilize the entire village to hunt him down.
Ruichi wasn't afraid of fighting.
He just preferred avoiding unnecessary trouble.
Without looking back, he disappeared into the night.
Behind him, the lights of Taketori Village slowly faded.
Kaguya Clan…
Now that I know where you are, I'll come back someday—after I'm strong enough to stop that old man from having ideas about me.
And if he won't let go… I don't mind solving the problem permanently.
The Land of Fire Taketori Clan was officially crossed off his list of escape routes.
"Heh. Family, huh?"
"Just like the Kirigakure Taketori Clan."
Back then, he'd fled because they wanted to turn him into a weapon.
This time, they wanted to turn him into breeding stock.
---
Ruichi didn't return to Konoha.
Instead, he headed straight for the Land of Hot Springs.
First, the excuse he'd used to leave Konoha was "a vacation to the Land of Hot Springs." Going back too soon would look suspicious—so he might as well make it real.
Second, if Sanuki sent people after him, returning to Konoha would expose his identity. Heading elsewhere would muddy the waters.
Third…
I'm already here. Might as well enjoy it.
"Let's treat this as an actual vacation."
He picked up his pace, running toward the distant lights ahead.
---
Land of Hot Springs
There were no great powers plotting against one another here.
No twisted bloodline obsessions.
Only steam rising everywhere, hot spring buns, and the sharp scent of sulfur in the air.
After traveling through the night, Ruichi arrived at dawn and immediately checked into a hot spring inn.
"Haaah—"
Fully submerged in the open-air bath, he let out a long, soul-deep sigh.
Kaede's probably awake by now. And that old man is probably furious.
But what does that have to do with me?
Even though he still didn't have a perfect "way out," and things with the Land of Fire Taketori Clan had become even more complicated, Ruichi decided to stop thinking.
Right now, he just wanted to rest.
"The hot springs here really are nice," he murmured.
"I should bring Dad and the others here someday."
After soaking, exhaustion hit him all at once. He climbed into bed and fell asleep immediately.
He slept straight through until dusk.
When he opened his eyes again, it was already dinner time.
"Sir, your marbled beef."
A waiter knelt outside the sliding door, carefully setting the dish down.
Ruichi picked up a piece of beautifully marbled raw meat, dipped it into the special citrus vinegar, and placed it into his mouth.
The fat melted instantly, rich but not greasy, flooding his senses.
This… this is living.
Ruichi narrowed his eyes as the fatigue from the long night finally vanished.
Peace in the ninja world.
Bloodline secrets.
None of it mattered right now.
After eating his fill, he changed into a loose bathrobe and wooden clogs, strolling lazily through the streets to digest.
Compared to Konoha's disciplined, militarized atmosphere, this place felt far more commercial and lively.
Street vendors lined the road, selling all kinds of strange trinkets.
"Excuse me, young man—please wait."
A kind-faced middle-aged man in a dark red robe suddenly blocked his path.
He held a flyer marked with an inverted triangle symbol, wearing a familiar, too-polished salesman's smile.
"Do you feel empty? Do you feel lonelier after the laughter fades? God says pain is not punishment, but purification—"
Ruichi raised an eyebrow.
"Not at all," he said calmly.
"I'm very happy."
(A/N)
Guys author here.
This novel Naruto: The Lazy Sage or Ichiraku ramen is officially on my patreon with 40+ advanced chapters.
You can go and read the advance chapters right now on: patreon.com/TheLazy_sage.