Ryosuke woke naturally not long after dawn.
Mei Terumī lay beside him, her long red hair falling across the pillow, her expression calm and faintly flushed.
He exhaled softly, smirking to himself — compared to Shizune, Mei's presence was more intense, her body stronger, her chakra deeper.
It wasn't a matter of who was "better" — both women had their own charm — but Mei's physical and chakra resilience was extraordinary.
No wonder she would one day become the Fifth Mizukage. Even now, her stamina and latent power were that of someone destined to reach Kage level.
He mused half-jokingly that maybe all that passion had been "productive." He didn't know if it would result in a child — but the thought didn't bother him.
"Another few times, and it'll be certain," he thought with a grin.
So, he decided to linger here a few more days.
As for Zabuza and Haku, they'd agreed to meet later in the Land of Lightning, so there was no rush.
Turning to Mei, who was already awake and watching him fondly, Ryosuke asked,
"Mei, want to stay with me a few more days?"
She smiled and nodded immediately.
"Of course."
She was happy — happier than she'd admit.
Everything had happened quickly; their relationship had leapt from tension to intimacy in a heartbeat.
Beeut now that it had, she didn't want to question it.
They had become deeply connected — body and soul — and she wasn't one to dwell on what was already done.
Ryosuke's calm smile in response only deepened her feelings.
Over the next several days, the two wandered together through Tanzaku Port, enjoying a rare peace.
Eventually, they found a merchant ship bound for the Land of Lightning.
The captain had hesitated at first, wary of Ryosuke's dark cloak and mask — but that hesitation vanished the moment Ryosuke released a mere fraction of his chakra.
The gust of force nearly blew the entire crew overboard.
The captain's fear turned instantly into respect.
"Welcome aboard, sir!"
During the voyage preparations, Ryosuke again shared his energy with Mei — his chakra potent enough that even someone of her strength had to focus just to withstand it.
It was an odd, poetic moment — her body adapting to the energy of a man who might reshape the world.
Now, standing at the harbor's edge, Mei watched him prepare to depart.
"Mei… until next time," Ryosuke said, his voice calm.
He turned and boarded the vessel, which slowly pulled away from the pier.
Mei stood silently, her eyes following the shrinking silhouette of the ship.
She hadn't expected their time together to feel so fulfilling.
The suddenness of his departure stung — but as she gently rested a hand on her stomach, the sorrow faded.
Her eyes softened.
It was too soon to be certain… but she felt it.
Something had changed inside her.
"So soon… and yet, it feels right," she whispered.
The idea that she might be carrying Ryosuke's child filled her with an odd peace — as if fate itself had tied them together.
He might be gone, but their bond was already beyond separation.
She resolved not to tell anyone in the village — not yet.
Kirigakure still harbored deep resentment toward the Uchiha, and she didn't want that anger directed at an innocent child.
Ryosuke, now aboard the ship, sat quietly as the vessel headed north toward the Land of Lightning.
He didn't use his teleportation portals this time — sometimes, patience was its own meditation.
The voyage passed uneventfully.
In a few days, the ship reached the northern port where Zabuza and Haku were waiting.
Ryosuke immediately noticed that Haku looked different — stronger, more confident.
Her chakra flow was stable, her cheeks fuller.
"Haku," Ryosuke said with a small grin, "has Zabuza been training you?"
She nodded eagerly.
"Yes, Lord Ryosuke — Master Zabuza's been teaching me chakra extraction and basic taijutsu!"
She was excited; she'd learned how to refine chakra and use it to create larger, denser ice mirrors.
"Chakra really is a miraculous power," she said, almost in awe — though she added sheepishly,
"Beeut taijutsu is… a little exhausting."
Zabuza snorted.
"Ninjutsu's fine, but don't forget — a ninja who can't fight up close won't last long.
If a strong opponent gets within striking range, all the jutsu in the world won't save you."
Haku nodded obediently.
"You're right. Even Lord Ryosuke's taijutsu is amazing! You couldn't even touch him during training, Master Zabuza!"
Zabuza froze. His eyebrow twitched.
He'd meant to motivate her — not get compared to a demi-god.
Still, he silently agreed: Ryosuke's physical power rivaled even the strongest of Kage.
Ryosuke only chuckled.
"Keep training hard, Haku. Make your taijutsu just as sharp as your ice."
She bowed.
"Yes, Lord Ryosuke!"
Then Ryosuke turned to Zabuza.
"You know why we're here — to locate the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki.
I'll need you to gather intelligence first."
Zabuza nodded.
"Of course, my lord. Beeut I'll need time — the Land of Lightning is unfamiliar territory, and the Eight-Tails' location is tightly guarded."
Ryosuke thought quietly for a moment.
Two possible locations came to mind — both drawn from knowledge of the future:
The Valley of Clouds and Lightning — a sacred mountain ravine where Killer Beeee often trained.
Turtle Island— the moving island used by the Raikage to hide Beeee's training grounds.
Finding either would take time, even for him.
Beeut there was another lead — Samui, a kunoichi of high standing in Kumogakure. She would likely know about the island's existence.
"Start with the Valley of Clouds and Lightning," Ryosuke ordered.
"If you don't find him there… I'll go myself."
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