After rushing nonstop for two days with Tayuya in tow, Ruichi finally saw the gates of Konoha.
"So this is Konoha?"
Tayuya trailed behind him, craning her neck and staring around like a country kid seeing a big city for the first time.
"We're here. This is it."
The noren of Ichiraku Ramen swayed gently in the breeze.
Ruichi pointed toward the small shop ahead, his steps unconsciously quickening.
Tayuya looked up at the plain little ramen stand, dumbfounded.
This is the home of the man she thought of as a god of slaughter? Just a roadside shop?
Ignoring her reaction, Ruichi lifted the curtain.
"Dad! Ayame! I'm back!"
It was afternoon downtime—no customers—and Ayame was wiping down the tables.
"Oh? Brother Ruichi! You're back!"
Seeing Ayame standing there safe and sound, the tight knot in Ruichi's chest finally loosened.
"Where's Dad?"
"He's in the kitchen. Dad! Brother Ruichi is back!"
"Oh! Ruichi!"
Teuchi poked his head out, wearing his usual gentle smile. "How was it? Everything go smoothly on your trip?"
That familiar face erased the last trace of worry in Ruichi's heart.
"Mm… some things happened."
He gave a vague answer, then gestured to Tayuya behind him. "Let me introduce her. This is Tayuya. She's my—cough—someone I brought back to help out at the shop."
Tayuya hid behind Ruichi, nervous, secretly taking in the surroundings.
This warm, family-like atmosphere was something she'd never experienced before—both unfamiliar and irresistibly comforting.
"Tayuya? What a cute kid," Ayame said with a smile, crouching slightly. "Hi, I'm Ayame."
"H-hello, Sister Ayame."
For once, Tayuya answered in a way that actually matched her age.
Teuchi came out, wiping his hands. "Tayuya, right? Welcome, welcome!"
He gave her a careful look. She looked tired, but her clothes were new and she was clean enough—far better off than when Kin Tsuchi had first arrived. It seemed Ruichi had taken his earlier advice seriously.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll make you a bowl of ramen."
Just as Ruichi was about to sit down and finally relax—
"Boss, the side dishes are ready. Should I serve them now?"
The voice was soft and alluring, carrying a natural, practiced charm.
To Ruichi, it sounded like a thunderclap.
The woman who stepped out of the kitchen wore an Ichiraku apron. Her long black hair was neatly tied back, and her stunningly beautiful face held a polite, professional smile.
Taketori Kaede.
The woman who had once tried to forcibly secure his "contribution" back at the Taketori Clan grounds.
In the next instant, Ruichi moved like an arrow loosed from a bow, appearing in front of Teuchi and Ayame.
"Dad—get away. Now."
A kunai flashed into Ruichi's hand, wrapped in sharp currents of Wind Release. His stance dropped, ready to strike at any moment.
Killing intent surged out like a tidal wave. Natural Energy flooded his body, and the temperature inside the shop seemed to plunge.
He didn't care what this woman wanted. He didn't care what schemes the Kaguya Clan had in mind.
But she should never—never—have shown up here, right beside Teuchi and Ayame.
"Brother Ruichi?!"
Ayame recoiled in shock. Even though the killing intent wasn't aimed at her, it still made her shiver.
As for Kaede, who bore the full brunt of it—she was frozen in place.
Back then, she'd thought getting knocked out had just been carelessness.
Now she understood: he'd shown mercy. This suffocating pressure made it feel like moving even a finger would mean death.
Just as violence was about to erupt—
Clang!
A crisp sound rang out as a large soup ladle struck Ruichi squarely on the head, instantly shattering the tension.
"Ruichi! What do you think you're doing? You come home and start yelling about killing? Look how scared you've made Ayame!"
Teuchi stood there, ladle raised, brow so deeply furrowed a fly could get stuck in it.
Ruichi froze, then glanced sideways at Ayame curled up in fear.
Only then did he rein in his killing intent—though his eyes never left Kaede.
Freed from the pressure, Kaede raised her hands and slowly backed away.
"I came… to apologize."
"…Go wait for me in the alley across the street."
Ruichi didn't relax until Kaede had left the shop.
Turning around, he saw Teuchi gently calming Ayame. Kaede clearly hadn't hurt them.
"Dad. Why is she here? Do you know who she is?"
"She came two days ago, said she wanted to apologize to you. Since you weren't back yet, she stayed on to help. She didn't explain much, and I didn't press her—figured we'd talk once you returned."
Ruichi nodded, preparing to go deal with the situation—or at least bring it under control.
Reason told him that if Kaede had intended harm, she'd have acted already.
But he wasn't willing to gamble. Not with this.
As if sensing his thoughts, Teuchi reached out and stopped him.
"Ruichi. Don't rush to burn bridges. I know you're worried about our safety, but at least hear her out first."
Ruichi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"…Alright. I'll try to resolve this peacefully."
---
"Give me one reason not to kill you."
In the dim alley, Ruichi wore a terrifyingly friendly smile. Kaede, meanwhile, was trembling, tears welling in her eyes.
"I—I came to apologize."
She pulled out a letter, hands shaking, and offered it to him.
"The Clan Leader has reflected deeply. Our actions were driven by panic and went too far. We offended you."
She swallowed, head bowed.
"Shikotsumyaku… You are now the Kaguya Clan's only hope. Your white-haired Shikotsumyaku represents the purest form of bloodline atavism."
"But an overly powerful Kekkei Genkai can become a burden. According to clan records, those with white-haired Shikotsumyaku usually die from the bloodline disease between ages twelve and sixteen. Very few live past eighteen."
"The Clan Leader feared that you would… before leaving behind an heir. That's why he acted so rashly back then."
Ruichi tore open the envelope and skimmed it.
Apology. Explanation. Request. Clarification.
So they haven't given up—but at least they're done using force. Offering resources, huh? At what cost… Better not touch that unless absolutely necessary.
Kaede took a deep breath and looked up, eyes complicated.
"By order of the Clan Leader, I am to remain here—to protect your safety, handle your daily needs, and… when you are willing, assist in continuing the bloodline."
"If you show signs of the bloodline disease, I will use the clan's secret techniques to help suppress it. Above all, please avoid developing or using Shikotsumyaku further."
Ruichi remembered the original timeline—Kimimaro dying of the bloodline disease at fifteen.
She wasn't lying.
But—
He felt the Natural Energy within him continuously nourishing every cell of his body.
—there was no way that old man could ever imagine that not only would Ruichi not suffer from the bloodline disease…
He would only grow stronger with time.
------
Enjoying the story?
Get ahead of everyone else!
Read up to 60 advance chapters right now on my Patreon, with early access, daily updates on all novels, and more perks for supporters.
👉 patreon.com/TheLazy_sage