Chapter 169: Leaving
The capital of the Land of Iron.
The night shimmered like an ancient scroll painted with brushstrokes of candlelight and moonshine.
On a lakeside tower adorned with scarlet lanterns, Ryosuke stood by the window, gazing down at the exotic bustle of the night market. Music drifted through the air, soft laughter and footsteps blending into a distant murmur.
Above, the full moon hung like polished silver. For a moment, Ryosuke's mind drifted—toward Konoha, toward home.
It would be nice, he thought, if the whole family could take a trip like this.
But that dream was still out of reach.
The Hyūga clan could live without him—but not without Hiashi. His father, bound to the clan by duty and tradition, could never afford to vanish into a foreign land for months at a time.
That kind of freedom… wasn't meant for someone like them.
Boom boom boom.
A knock echoed at the door.
"Come in," Ryosuke said calmly, not turning around. His eyes remained fixed on the glowing cruise ships and the dancing lights below.
The door creaked open.
"Good evening, guest..."
A sultry voice preceded the woman's arrival, soft as silk and laced with artificial sweetness. Then came the scent—a rich, alluring perfume that filled the room like incense.
When Ryosuke turned, a young maid in a sheer black gauze dress stepped in, a golden pendant resting on her forehead. Her smile was gentle, practiced.
"Your drinks and—"
"Put it down and leave."
Ryosuke's voice was cold, his eyes sharp.
The maid's smile faltered. His glare cut through the perfume like wind through smoke.
"I…"
She hesitated, startled by his frigid tone. But she bowed politely and left, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
Only a trace of her fragrance remained—like she'd never been there at all.
Ryosuke exhaled quietly. He could guess what she wanted.
Another hunter of wealth and security.
A night in this suite cost more than what most people made in a year. She had probably hoped to earn more than just tips.
He shook his head.
Not interested.
Though he wasn't exactly a monk, Ryosuke had no patience for meaningless indulgence.
After clearing his thoughts, he brought the wine and food over to the window and sat down again.
Lately, he found himself reflecting more often on his past life.
He still couldn't remember how he died.
Which was strange.
Ryosuke remembered the moment he was abandoned as a newborn. He remembered the countless transformations he underwent across lifetimes. But not the cause of death in his final one.
It should've been impossible.
And yet… no matter how hard he searched his memory, there was only a void.
Still, he didn't let it trouble him too much. He was the cautious type, yes—but not the kind who obsessed over what couldn't be helped.
Answers will come in time.
He glanced down at the sleeping city below.
"After I deal with the last thing tomorrow… it's time to leave," he murmured.
There was nothing more to gain from Gintoki and the others. Unlike Blueno, they hadn't inspired anything new. Their swordsmanship—though elegant—was rooted in willpower, enhancing their blades by imbuing them with intent.
But in essence, it was no different from coating a weapon with chakra.
Ryosuke had already mastered similar techniques through his training in spiritual pressure and killing intent. He'd learned all he could from watching them.
And their other trick—sacrificing vitality for strength—was crude compared to the structured power of the Eight Gates. The risk far outweighed the gain.
They were impressive… but ultimately irrelevant to his path.
The night grew quiet.
Ryosuke stayed by the window as the city slowly faded from noise to stillness. The lanterns dimmed. The performers disappeared. The laughter was replaced by the quiet rustle of wind through the leaves.
Then, as dawn arrived, the world shifted again.
Out went the dancers and drunks—replaced by vendors, farmers, housewives, and butlers making morning runs for the nobles.
A different kind of life. A different kind of energy.
Everyone moved with purpose. But that purpose changed with the sun.
After rising, showering, and eating a light breakfast, Ryosuke packed his bag and checked out of the tower.
He made his way back to the hospital.
Inside, Gintoki and the others still hadn't risen.
But the moment Ryosuke opened the door, all three stirred—Kagura, Shinpachi, and even Gintoki, who peeked from under his blanket.
Their alertness was immediate.
Even after six years in this world… they still didn't belong.
"Mr. Ryosuke, good morning…"
Shinpachi greeted him politely after slipping on his glasses. His tone was cautious, but sincere.
Gintoki had already rolled back over, pulling the covers up.
Kagura did the same, only halfway.
"Yesterday, we exchanged most of the information," Ryosuke said casually as he pulled up a chair beside their beds. "And I paid the commission I promised. So… I've gotten what I came for."
"I've confirmed you're no threat to me. That means it's time for me to leave the Land of Iron."
He leaned back in the chair.
"But before I go, there's one more thing I'd like to try. I want to see if I can help you extract chakra."
That surprised them.
Shinpachi blinked, taken aback. His expression shifted quickly—from confusion to shock to curiosity.
Kagura sat up straighter in bed, finally ditching the blankets.
They still cared about chakra.
Despite everything, the allure of the shinobi power system hadn't faded.
Only Gintoki remained unmoved. He yawned and turned over again.
"R-Ryosuke-san wants to teach us chakra refinement?" Shinpachi asked cautiously. "But… we…"
His voice faltered. He wasn't sure what he was allowed to accept.
Were they even supposed to be here?
"Relax," Ryosuke said, tone flat. "Even if I teach you, none of you will ever be stronger than me."
Ryosuke's words sounded arrogant, but his calm tone made it feel as if he were simply stating a fact.
Shimura Shinpachi said nothing, but the ever-energetic Kagura wouldn't stay silent. She clenched her fists and shouted, "You white-haired jerk! Don't get so full of yourself!"
In the next instant, Ryosuke vanished.
Before Kagura could react, he appeared before her, bent down slightly, and tapped her forehead with one finger.
Bang!
Kagura shot backward like a cannonball, crashing into the wall with a resounding thud. The impact shook the entire room, leaving a crack in the plaster.
"Hey..." Gintoki, who had been pretending to be asleep, sat up with a disgruntled frown. "Was that really necessary?"
Ryosuke stood calmly on the hospital bed, looking down at him.
"I just wanted her to understand her own limits."
Despite the loud crash and the dramatic impact, he hadn't used any real force. Kagura, being physically gifted, wasn't hurt.
Footsteps pounded down the hall outside.
Moments later, the door burst open, and a group of doctors and nurses stormed in—only to freeze in place as Ryosuke turned his gaze toward them.
In an instant, their expressions went blank. They turned around without a word and closed the door behind them.
That subtle display of chakra control made Gintoki and the others reassess Ryosuke's capabilities. He was more than just strength and speed.
Ryosuke stepped off the bed and addressed the trio. His voice was soft, but carried weight.
"Enough pointless talk. The choice is yours. Will you cooperate or not?"
A moment of silence passed.
"I'll go first," Shinpachi said, sitting cross-legged on the bed. After their time together, he'd come to understand a bit of Ryosuke's character.
Ryosuke stood before him, his eyes glowing faintly with chakra as he watched every shift inside Shinpachi's body.
The process was correct. Shinpachi followed the method precisely. But when his physical and spiritual energies attempted to merge, something was missing—a critical link.
So it's true, Ryosuke thought. Without the influence of the Sacred Tree's fruit... it's nearly impossible.
Even in the ninja world, not everyone could refine chakra. Plenty of civilians in Konoha never awakened it.
Yet, saying that the Sacred Tree's genes were the only key would be wrong. Everyone possessed physical and spiritual energy. They just lacked the final spark to fuse them.
"Don't resist. Let me guide you."
Ryosuke placed a hand on Shinpachi's back. A precise thread of chakra flowed into the young man's body.
"Keep focusing. Do what you did before. Just ignore me."
With Ryosuke guiding the process, Shinpachi refocused.
Then—it happened.
A light-blue current began to shimmer inside his chakra network.
"I... I did it?" he whispered, eyes wide.
Ryosuke nodded. "Now try it on your own."
He pulled back, letting his chakra recede.
Gintoki and Kagura had moved closer, watching closely.
To their surprise, Shinpachi was able to refine chakra again, albeit slowly. His joy was childlike. He ignored them completely, absorbed in the sensation.
Ryosuke smiled faintly at the scene, then turned to the other two.
"Your turn."
With Shinpachi as proof, Gintoki and Kagura didn't hesitate. Even Gintoki's usual laziness faded. He looked serious.
One by one, under Ryosuke's guidance, they too succeeded.
Soon, the room filled with the quiet hum of chakra. All three sat cross-legged, eyes closed, refining and circulating their newfound energy.
Ryosuke didn't speak. He let them enjoy it.
So that's the answer, he thought.
The genes tied to the Sacred Tree weren't a requirement—just an amplifier. They made it easier, but chakra was possible even without them. It only took precision, guidance, and a little patience.
Families like the Hyūga or Uchiha held bloodlines that simplified chakra control, enhanced reserves, and improved vitality. But anyone—with enough will and opportunity—could walk the ninja path.
By noon, the trio finally opened their eyes, exhausted but content.
Ryosuke sat watching, his gaze distant.
"Looks like it went well," he said with a gentle smile. For a brief moment, he felt something unfamiliar: pride.
A teacher's pride.
"Thank you," Gintoki said quietly.
Kagura nodded.
Shinpachi beamed. "Seriously, thank you."
The man who had once irritated them now seemed... different. The bruises he left behind didn't sting as much anymore.
"Don't thank me. I just needed to prove a theory. You were my test subjects."
He stood, brushing off his cloak.
"It's time for me to leave."
"Wait—we should see you off," Shinpachi offered.
"No need," Ryosuke waved a hand.
"If you ever find yourselves in trouble, come to Konoha. Mention my name—the Hyūga clan will know. I can help... for a price."
He turned to the door.
"But remember this. If your presence in this world ever disrupts my life... next time, I won't be as merciful."
With that, Ryosuke left, his chakra vanishing like mist in the morning sun.
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