If anyone else had made such a claim, Tsunade would have dismissed it as mere boasting. But this was Richard speaking.
Mei Terumi was the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure. Though already thirty, she remained an absolute beauty. Beyond her stunning appearance and curvaceous figure, her strength and status were equally formidable. If Mei were seeking a marriage partner, the shinobi of Kirigakure and citizens of the Land of Water who desired her hand could form a line stretching from the Mizukage Building at the village center all the way to Kirigakure's gates. And if she placed no geographical restrictions on potential suitors, that line would multiply several times over.
But here was Richard making this claim. Though he didn't maintain a harem in Konoha—not even his three female assistants had crossed that line—Tsunade knew his desires rivaled Jiraiya's. The reason he hadn't collected multiple lovers in Konoha was simply that few women truly captured his interest.
Tsunade frowned at Richard, momentarily at a loss for words. After years of interaction, she couldn't deny having some feelings for him. The problem was the vast age gap between them. If Richard had been her age, or if she were twenty or thirty years younger, she wouldn't hesitate to develop their relationship further, transforming their friendship into something more intimate.
"I don't know how you convinced Mei Terumi to become your secret lover," Tsunade finally said after nearly a minute of silence, "but I will never be yours. Abandon this idea."
"If that's your final decision, then I respect it," Richard replied.
He didn't deny his considerable interest in Tsunade, but he had no intention of forcing her into anything. A relationship was only enjoyable when both parties were willing participants. Otherwise, it wasn't a relationship but a despicable criminal act. Richard never claimed to be virtuous, but he maintained certain principles—never pursuing minors or coercing women, among others.
Hearing his response, Tsunade simply nodded without further comment.
Ten minutes later, they finished their meal, paid the bill, and left the restaurant.
"I'm heading back now. You should get some rest," Tsunade said.
"Alright," Richard replied.
Despite his words, Richard didn't use his flight ability or Flying Thunder God technique to return home. Instead, he turned and walked toward Konoha's Kabukicho district.
Seeing Richard heading straight for the entertainment district, Tsunade's expression immediately soured. After taking several deep breaths, she channeled her chakra, performed the Body Flicker Technique, and appeared beside Richard, blocking his path.
"This isn't the way to your house," she said sharply.
"I know. I planned to visit a nightclub in Kabukicho to soothe my wounded heart," Richard replied casually.
Soothe a wounded heart?
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Your heart isn't that fragile."
"No, you're mistaken," Richard countered. "My heart can be quite delicate at certain times—like tonight."
Though his words suggested dejection, he wasn't truly sad—just somewhat disappointed. While Tsunade wasn't his only reason for staying in Konoha, she was certainly a significant factor in his willingness to remain.
Tsunade studied him, frowning in silence. After more than ten seconds, she said, "Come with me."
"Where to?" Richard asked.
"Don't ask questions. Just follow me." Without waiting for his response, Tsunade leapt onto a nearby rooftop and began moving swiftly across the village skyline.
Once Tsunade had gained some distance, Richard activated his flight ability and followed at a leisurely pace.
After traveling for about twenty minutes, Tsunade came to a stop. Richard landed beside her. Though Tsunade hadn't revealed their destination, he'd already guessed where they were heading.
Not far ahead stood "Honma Onsen," Konoha's most famous hot spring resort.
"Have you changed your mind?" Richard asked before Tsunade could speak.
Instead of answering, Tsunade performed a transformation jutsu right in front of him, assuming an appearance Richard had never seen before.
"Since you wanted to visit the hot springs, I'll accompany you this once," she said after completing her transformation. "You should transform as well to avoid drawing attention."
Though puzzled by Tsunade's sudden change of heart, Richard wisely refrained from questioning it. Under her watchful gaze, he transformed into an ordinary-looking man in his early twenties with black hair.
Tsunade jumped from the rooftop first, with Richard following without hesitation. Together, they walked toward Honma Onsen.
As one of Konoha's premier hot springs, Honma Onsen remained bustling regardless of the hour. Richard and Tsunade, now disguised, entered the lobby posing as a couple and requested a private suite.
These "couple's suites" offered a hot spring bath with separate changing rooms and a relaxation area. When securing their suite, neither Richard nor Tsunade bothered using the voucher. Though it would have saved them money, neither was short on funds.
A kimono-clad attendant escorted them to their suite before departing, gently closing the door behind them.
"Would you prefer to drop the transformation?" Richard asked once they were alone.
"Whatever you prefer," Tsunade replied.
"I'm not comfortable using a transformation while soaking in hot springs," Richard said, immediately canceling his disguise.
Tsunade hesitated briefly before canceling her own transformation, reverting to her true appearance. Having seemingly reached a decision, she walked directly to the changing room.
Richard didn't follow her. When Tsunade emerged wrapped in a bath towel, he entered the changing room himself.
By the time he changed and approached the outdoor bath, Tsunade was already immersed in the steaming water, her towel set aside.
Richard entered the hot spring without hesitation and sat beside her. An awkward silence descended.
Despite his considerable experience with women, Richard found himself uncertain how to break the tension. Superficially, it seemed Tsunade wouldn't object to whatever came next. Yet his intuition warned that any inappropriate advances in the hot spring would likely result in Tsunade demonstrating the legendary power of the Senju clan—on him.
After reflection, he banished those unsuitable thoughts and focused solely on enjoying the hot spring.
Time passed slowly.
Over an hour later, they performed transformation jutsu again and departed from Honma Onsen. After leaving, Richard didn't return to his residence near the Uchiha district, nor did he venture to Kabukicho. Instead, he accompanied Tsunade to her home.
The atmosphere had indeed been awkward initially, but as time passed, the tension dissipated. Not only that, but his relationship with Tsunade had improved markedly during that hour. Nevertheless, they'd refrained from anything inappropriate in the hot spring—partly because Tsunade felt somewhat self-conscious, but also because she'd agreed to let Richard stay at her home tonight.
Shortly after returning to Tsunade's residence, they began an intimate encounter that left them both flushed and breathless.
At nine the next morning, Tsunade departed punctually for the Hokage's office. As for Richard, he used the Flying Thunder God technique to return to his own residence.
Two days later.
In the hall of the Uchiha clan's secret base, Itachi Uchiha sat on the lone stone chair while Sasuke stood at the entrance. Both remained motionless with closed eyes, resembling statues.
They were engaged in a genjutsu battle that would continue until a clear winner emerged.
Despite possessing the Rinnegan, Richard had no way of perceiving what kind of illusory contest Itachi and Sasuke were conducting.
Besides Richard, two other spectators observed from the hall: Kisame, Itachi's partner in the Akatsuki, and "Zetsu," the fusion of Black Zetsu and White Zetsu.
Like Richard, they couldn't discern the nature of the genjutsu battle. However, neither believed Itachi would lose to Sasuke in the realm of illusions.
Their confidence was understandable. Itachi was the foremost genjutsu master in the shinobi world, wielding both the Mangekyō Sharingan and Tsukuyomi. If he couldn't defeat Sasuke, who possessed only the three-tomoe Sharingan, it could only mean he deliberately allowed it.
And indeed, Itachi was letting him win.
In the original timeline, Sasuke had supposedly broken Itachi's Tsukuyomi through his own power. But in reality, this had been meticulously arranged by Itachi himself.
Though Itachi's eyesight had deteriorated to near-blindness and his physical condition was poor, if he were truly serious, he could have defeated Sasuke the moment Tsukuyomi took effect. Everything within the Tsukuyomi world bent to Itachi's will. Had he desired, he could have subjected Sasuke to the same torment Kakashi once endured.
In truth, Itachi wasn't competing with Sasuke in genjutsu at all—he was evaluating how far Sasuke's illusory techniques had progressed.
While Itachi ostensibly engaged Sasuke in a final brotherly duel—actually sacrificing his life to ensure Sasuke's advancement—Richard found himself recalling the exquisite nights he'd spent at Tsunade's home.
Though Tsunade never verbally agreed to become his secret lover, she had effectively become just that. Richard had spent each night at her residence. If there was any issue, it was merely that Tsunade had little prior experience and began as a complete novice. However, her aptitude for learning proved remarkable. After just a few days, she had transformed from an absolute beginner to a skilled practitioner.
Several minutes later, the genjutsu "duel" between Itachi and Sasuke concluded, with blood streaming from Itachi's left eye.
As the illusion contest ended, Itachi immediately "tested" Sasuke's physical abilities and ninjutsu. Unlike their genjutsu battle, which remained private to everyone else, their physical and ninjutsu confrontation unfolded clearly for all to witness.
Their combat proceeded much as Richard remembered: direct physical confrontation, shuriken skill demonstrations, and exchanges of various ninjutsu techniques.
Sasuke deployed numerous jutsu in rapid succession—Chidori, Chidori Sharp Spear, Chidori Stream, Fireball Jutsu, Great Dragon Fire Jutsu, Shuriken Jutsu, Great Snake Substitution Technique, and more.
By comparison, Itachi utilized far fewer techniques. Beyond the Uchiha clan's fire techniques, he employed only Amaterasu and Crow Clone Jutsu, withholding other ninjutsu—including his ultimate technique, Susanoo.
After fighting for over ten minutes, Sasuke finally completed preparations for his S-rank technique: Lightning Style: Kirin.
Unlike the Chidori series, Kirin consumed minimal chakra despite its S-rank classification, primarily harnessing natural lightning. Beyond its chakra efficiency, Kirin boasted devastating attack power, wide coverage, and speed that rendered evasion nearly impossible.
Having completed all preparations, Sasuke unleashed Kirin without hesitation. Lightning that resembled an apocalyptic natural disaster descended from the heavens, striking Itachi with tremendous velocity.
BOOM!
Sasuke's Kirin not only hit Itachi directly but also reduced the Uchiha clan's secret base to rubble. Richard, Kisame, and Zetsu, observing from the sidelines, were caught in the aftermath, though none suffered serious injury.
Richard's physical attributes had reached such incredible levels that even a direct hit from Kirin would leave him unscathed, let alone peripheral damage. As for Kisame and Zetsu—Zetsu simply melted into the ground to avoid the lightning, while Kisame used Samehada as a lightning rod, shielding himself.
In the original timeline, Sasuke had successfully injured Itachi with Kirin. Here, however, Itachi emerged largely unharmed.
Simultaneously with Sasuke's Kirin, Itachi had activated Susanoo. Though Kirin's speed prevented him from manifesting Susanoo's third form, even its skeletal first stage provided substantial protection. While it hadn't completely negated Sasuke's Kirin, it had absorbed most of the technique's power.
Seeing Itachi manifest Susanoo, Sasuke's expression turned grim. Kirin represented his ultimate trump card. If it couldn't defeat Itachi, he couldn't conceive of any other means to overcome him.
Under Sasuke's gaze, Itachi continued developing Susanoo, allowing it to progress to its third form with the Tengu warrior armor.
Just as Sasuke feared Itachi would use Susanoo to end his life and claim his Sharingan, Itachi gave him a familiar smile. Then, he turned and walked toward Richard.
It's true!
Seeing Itachi approaching with Susanoo activated, Richard inwardly cursed. He then drew the authentic Masamune, over two meters long, from his system space.
Unlike the original timeline, Sasuke in this world had never received Orochimaru's curse mark. This alteration caused Itachi's ultimate goal to shift from destroying Orochimaru to eliminating Richard.
From Itachi's perspective, Richard was the villain who had "led" Sasuke astray. Though he likely wouldn't survive, Itachi intended to remove Richard before dying, preventing him from further influencing Sasuke.