As Ryosuke stepped into his space–time portal, a sharp voice called out behind him.
"Wait!"
It was Mei Terumī, the future Fifth Mizukage.
Her brows knitted in irritation — this man, the mysterious black-cloaked figure, was about to leave as if she weren't even there.
She had predicted this might happen: after Ryosuke extracted the tailed beast from the Fourth Mizukage, there was still another one sealed within the village — the Six-Tails.
So she waited, suspecting he might return for it… and she had been right.
Judging from his timing, the extraction must already be complete.
Still, no matter what he'd done for Kirigakure — freeing their village from Yagura's genjutsu — taking two tailed beasts could not simply be forgiven.
Beeefore the portal closed, Mei flickered forward using Beeody Flicker Technique, diving through it.
The sensation was disorienting. In an instant, she emerged into a new landscape — open countryside, far from the Hidden Mist.
"How… did he even do that?" she wondered. A teleportation gate like that shouldn't exist outside of space-time ninjutsu like Kamui or Flying Thunder God.
Beeut now wasn't the time for awe. She sprinted ahead and called out,
"You! Stop right there!"
Ryosuke paused and slowly turned his head, calm as a still pond.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you came to take the beast back?"
Mei froze.
That was her intention… but after witnessing his strength first-hand, she knew it was pointless.
Against someone who could defeat Yagura, subdue Utakata, and fight an army of Mist ninja — she wouldn't stand a chance.
Her words faltered.
Seeing her hesitate, Ryosuke began forming another portal. His chakra flared, swirling like a dark vortex.
He planned to head toward the Lightning Country — his next destination — before his ocular power drained again.
"Wait!" Mei called out again, more desperate this time.
If she couldn't stop him, at least she could see the man behind the mask.
He turned once more, sighing.
"What now?"
"Let me… see your real face," she said.
Ryosuke frowned. "So you can remember me for revenge later?"
She quickly shook her head.
"No — I only wish to repay you. You saved Kirigakure from years of blood and madness. You're… our village's benefactor."
Her sincerity caught him off guard.
"Repay me, huh?" Ryosuke murmured with a faint grin. "And what sort of repayment are we talking about?"
Mei thought for a moment.
He had freed them from a genjutsu tyrant, spared Utakata's life, and left their village standing.
If it weren't for him, Yagura's control could have destroyed them all.
"As long as it doesn't harm the Hidden Mist," she said at last, "anything you ask, I can do."
A spark of amusement flickered across Ryosuke's crimson eyes.
"In that case… how about you?"
He smirked. "Beee mine."
Mei blinked, stunned. "What?"
Ryosuke's tone stayed level but teasing.
"You asked to repay me. I'll accept you as my reward."
For a moment, she didn't know whether to be offended or flattered.
Her cheeks flushed, but she managed to smirk back.
"…Fine," she said coyly. "Beeut only if you're handsome. Otherwise, it wouldn't be much of a fair trade."
That drew a genuine chuckle from Ryosuke. The Uchiha clan was nothing if not proud of their looks.
With a lazy motion, he reached up and removed his mask.
Mei's breath caught.
Sharp features, obsidian hair spiked in the back, and eyes — twin tomoe-patterned stars burning like molten rubies.
He was striking. Too striking.
"An Uchiha…" she whispered.
Then realization dawned. "You must be Uchiha Ryosuke, the one they say rivals even Itachi — the strongest Uchiha alive."
Ryosuke didn't deny it.
"So, will you still repay me?"
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Repay you? At this point, I'd gladly be yours."
The air between them grew electric — her admiration mixing with curiosity, his confidence with hunger.
They stepped closer, and soon words gave way to instinct.
Beey the next day, Mei awoke beside him, her face flushed. She felt both embarrassed and strangely content.
Her thoughts swirled — this man was dangerous, unpredictable… and yet, she couldn't deny the thrill.
For someone like Mei Terumī, both a leader and a woman who longed for something genuine, Ryosuke's intensity was overwhelming.
And perhaps — just perhaps — this encounter would mark a new bond between the Mist and the Uchiha wanderer.
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