Though uncertain what mission Yugao had undertaken, Richard wasn't particularly concerned for her safety.
If anything had happened to Yugao, Tsunade would certainly have mentioned it during his visit to the Hokage's office.
While their cohabitation might remain secret from ordinary Konoha shinobi, for Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, such information would be readily available.
After returning home, Richard proceeded directly to the master bedroom's bathroom.
Following a relaxing twenty-minute hot bath, he emerged wrapped in a towel, reclined on the bed, and contemplated his next moves.
He had obtained the Rinnegan and strengthened it to a silver version unprecedented in the original timeline.
Tsunade had returned to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage, and he had secured her approval for his office.
After brief reflection, Richard realized that beyond establishing his office, no significant matters required his immediate attention.
Regarding his plan to resurrect Kaguya Otsutsuki prematurely, he decided to proceed methodically.
In essence, he wouldn't intervene further until the Akatsuki collected all tailed beasts.
To resurrect Kaguya Otsutsuki, Black Zetsu had schemed for thousands of years.
According to Black Zetsu's original plan, Kaguya's resurrection would still require several more years.
Unless Richard intended to capture the tailed beasts himself, he could only wait patiently for Black Zetsu to advance the resurrection plot.
Having decided to temporarily set aside the Kaguya situation, he employed his enhanced vision to check Sasuke's residence.
Though absent from Konoha for three months, Richard remained absolutely certain that Itachi Uchiha had visited the village.
His purpose required no speculation—to warn Danzo against taking action against Sasuke.
While the Third Hokage lived, Danzo wouldn't move against Sasuke.
But following the Third's death, such restraint became questionable.
Itachi understood precisely what kind of person Danzo was.
After all, the Uchiha massacre occurred under Danzo's threat.
Not home?
Discovering Sasuke's absence, Richard didn't continue searching the village with his enhanced vision but deactivated the ability.
Though Sasuke's current location remained unknown, one certainty persisted—Sasuke remained alive.
Barring unforeseen complications, Sasuke likely performed missions alongside Naruto, who had returned to the village.
After deactivating his enhanced vision, Richard closed his eyes and took a nap.
Time passed.
Night fell.
Richard, who had slept until evening, slowly opened his eyes.
Just as he wondered whether Yugao would return tonight, the superhuman hearing granted by his Superboy-Prime template detected a key entering the front door lock.
Without hesitation, he immediately activated his enhanced vision.
Soon, he observed Yugao entering—wearing her green flak jacket and dark trousers, the vibranium sword strapped to her back, carrying a shopping bag.
Evident fatigue marked her features, and her chakra reserves had depleted to merely one-third their normal capacity.
Clearly, she had just returned from a mission.
Seeing Yugao, Richard rose and dressed.
With the lights off, Yugao remained unaware of Richard's return.
Upon entering, she first proceeded to the kitchen with her shopping bag, placing the ingredients on the dining table.
Then, she moved to the living room, removed the vibranium sword she carried, and placed it beside the cabinet.
After this, she removed her green flak jacket and set it aside.
Just as she prepared to continue removing her tight sleeveless black top and dark trousers, Richard spoke.
"If you're changing clothes, perhaps the bedroom would be more appropriate."
Richard, having just descended the stairs, addressed her.
Hearing his voice, Yugao started, then hastily readjusted her top. With flushed cheeks, she asked, "When did you return?"
"Around noon today," Richard replied with a smile.
"Then why didn't you turn on any lights?" she inquired.
"I just woke up," he explained. "More importantly, I hadn't realized you'd developed the habit of undressing in the living room."
"I... I'll go to my room first," Yugao stammered, retrieving her discarded flak jacket and hurrying toward her bedroom.
Several minutes later, Yugao returned to the living room, now wearing a white dress. "I wasn't expecting you back tonight, so I only purchased ingredients for one person," she explained.
"That's fine. Let's eat out tonight," Richard suggested, observing her tired features. "You've just completed a mission and must be exhausted. No need to cook yourself."
He had to acknowledge that Yugao appeared even more graceful in a white dress, presenting the image of an ideal domestic partner.
"Let's go out then," Yugao nodded quickly. "Whatever you'd like to eat—my treat!"
"Better let me pay," Richard countered seriously. "It's considerably easier for me to earn money than it is for you."
Compared to civilians or Chunin and Genin, Yugao, as a Special Jonin, did possess significant earning capacity.
Yet compared to Richard, her income-generating ability fell woefully short.
With her ninja rank, Yugao could accept A-rank missions at most.
Superficially, A-rank mission rewards seemed substantial—ranging from 150,000 to 1 million ryo.
However, mission payments covered entire assignments, not individual shinobi.
In practical terms, if a four-person team completed an A-rank mission worth 1 million ryo, each member received only 250,000 ryo.
As a Special Jonin rather than a full Jonin, Yugao lacked qualification to undertake A-rank missions solo.
Consequently, even when performing A-rank missions, she shared rewards with teammates.
Additionally, she remained in debt.
The installment payments for her vibranium katana remained outstanding.
Though Richard wouldn't press her for payment, this didn't change her indebted status.
"Alright, then I'll treat you next time," Yugao considered briefly before nodding.
In a barbecue restaurant within Konoha's commercial district, Richard and Yugao conversed while dining.
More precisely, Yugao inquired about Richard's activities during the past three months.
Richard certainly wouldn't reveal that he'd traveled to Amegakure to acquire Nagato's Rinnegan, then to Otogakure where Orochimaru trained Rinnegan recipients. Instead, he fabricated an excuse about training outside the village.
Evidently, Yugao doubted his explanation.
Had they not lived together, she might not have recognized his habits so thoroughly.
Since moving in with Richard, she'd discovered his complete lack of training discipline.
Without her persistent encouragement to practice together, Richard would have remained perpetually idle.
"Did your training yield any results?" Though skeptical of his story, Yugao still inquired.
"Certainly," Richard answered calmly. "Have you heard of the Rinnegan?"
Rinnegan?
Hearing this, Yugao immediately rolled her eyes at him.
Though she'd never personally witnessed the Rinnegan, she understood that like the Byakugan and Sharingan, it represented a kekkei genkai.
Moreover, compared to the Byakugan and Sharingan, the Rinnegan's rarity far exceeded both.
If nothing else, both the Byakugan and Sharingan belonged to entire clans.
"What about Rinnegan?" Yugao raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"If you'd like to see it, I'll show you," Richard offered, setting down his chopsticks. He channeled chakra through his body, activating his silver Rinnegan.
Under Yugao's watchful gaze, his eyes transformed into silver Rinnegan with concentric rings.
Though his Rinnegan transplant recipients possessed only one such eye, after multiple enhancements, what originally affected only his right eye now manifested in his left as well.
This...
Witnessing Richard's silver Rinnegan, Yugao couldn't suppress a sharp intake of breath.
Though she'd never personally observed the Rinnegan, her instincts confirmed that Richard's distinctive eyes matched the legendary dōjutsu.
After several deep breaths, she urged, "Deactivate the Rinnegan quickly—don't let others discover it."
Hearing Yugao's concern, Richard responded casually, "Discovery wouldn't concern me. If someone harbors thoughts of stealing it, I'll demonstrate the mistake of such an idea."
From the outset, he hadn't intended to conceal his Rinnegan.
Naturally, he wouldn't actively publicize it either.
Observing Richard's composure, Yugao sighed. "With your strength, theft probably isn't a genuine concern."
"Still, I think your original eyes were more aesthetically pleasing than the Rinnegan."
Her reaction wasn't surprising.
Though immensely powerful, the Rinnegan's appearance lacked conventional appeal.
Even setting aside the various Mangekyō Sharingan patterns, the three-tomoe Sharingan presented a more attractive appearance than the Rinnegan.
Nevertheless, among the three great dōjutsu, the Rinnegan wasn't the least visually appealing.
At minimum, it surpassed the Byakugan in aesthetic terms.
"I agree," Richard conceded, deactivating the Rinnegan and restoring his natural blue eyes.
After reverting to his original appearance, he inquired about Yugao's recent missions.
As he'd anticipated, following Tsunade's appointment as Fifth Hokage, the village's shinobi faced increased workloads.
The mission quantity hadn't substantially increased.
The heightened activity stemmed purely from numerous assignments shelved after the Third Hokage's death.
Only after Tsunade's return and installation as Fifth Hokage were appropriate ninja assigned to these pending missions.
Over the past three months, Yugao had completed eleven A-rank missions with her team.
Quantitatively, eleven A-rank missions in three months didn't seem excessive.
However, compared to previous norms, this number proved remarkable.
The current era wasn't wartime.
For a Special Jonin, encountering a single A-rank mission monthly represented good fortune.
Yugao detailed all her missions from the previous three months.
After listening to her accounts, Richard's immediate response was that she should apply for promotion to full Jonin.
Despite certain limitations, with her vibranium sword and Tiger Hunt technique, her current abilities matched or exceeded those of ordinary Jonin.
"Have you considered applying for Jonin promotion?" Richard asked Yugao.
"Of course I've considered it," she admitted. "But Tsunade-sama might not approve."
Unlike Genin advancement to Chunin, promotion from Chunin to Jonin required no examination.
In Konoha, two paths led to Jonin rank.
The first involved recommendations from existing Jonin, followed by Hokage approval.
The second occurred through direct Hokage recognition and promotion.
Though representing different methods, both ultimately required the Hokage's consent.
"If you desire Jonin rank, I could speak with Tsunade," Richard offered. "I met her today regarding my office establishment, and she agreed to that request."
Though not a Konoha Jonin himself and thus unqualified to formally recommend others, arranging Tsunade's approval for Yugao's promotion presented little difficulty.
In truth, Tsunade would likely welcome the opportunity to grant him this favor.
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Yugao frowned slightly.
"Your abilities suffice, and your mission record is adequate," Richard explained. "You merely lack formal recommendation."
"Besides, if Tsunade genuinely deemed you unsuitable, she wouldn't approve regardless of my endorsement."
That's what he claimed, but Richard understood perfectly that Tsunade would likely consent to his request.
No village ever considered its high-level combat assets excessive.
Even though he wasn't a Konoha shinobi, trading a Jonin position for a favor from him represented no loss for Tsunade.
After several seconds of silence, Yugao replied, "Very well, I'll accept your assistance then."
"It's no trouble—just a matter of speaking with Tsunade," Richard assured her. "Now, let's set this aside and continue our meal."
"Mm-hmm," Yugao nodded.
After finishing dinner at the barbecue restaurant, they didn't immediately return home but instead explored the night market like any couple.
Whether by coincidence or design, they encountered Asuma and Kurenai while browsing the market stalls.
Asuma and Kurenai's relationship wasn't secret in Konoha.
Though they maintained minimal public displays, everyone acquainted with them recognized their couple status.
Lacking established friendship, Richard and Yugao hadn't planned to initiate greetings.
However, Asuma and Kurenai approached them directly.
"Hey. Name's Sarutobi Asuma," he said with a polite nod. "You must be Richard."
"Hello" Richard responded courteously.
Though uncertain why Asuma had initiated contact, common courtesy dictated reciprocal politeness when approached with such civility.