The day after Ryosuke accepted Uchiha Inaho's challenge, he rose early and began his One-Punch-Man training routine once again.
Sweat soaked his back. Muscles burned.
Each repetition sharpened his physical edge for the duel a week later.
At noon, he washed off the sweat, changed into clean clothes, and rested.
Recovery was also part of training.
By evening, he left the Uchiha district and headed toward central Konoha.
The clan compound sat far from the village center, tucked into a quiet corner no one visited unless they had business there.
Which made the lively, lamplit streets of Konoha feel pleasantly bright whenever Ryosuke strolled out.
And as he passed a familiar wooden house…
A figure was already waiting outside.
Dressed in a soft kimono, crimson eyes catching the glow of lantern light—
Yūhi Kurenai.
Over the past month, Ryosuke had trained his body relentlessly… but he also made sure to wander near Kurenai's home at night.
Whenever the opportunity came, he invited her out for a walk.
Little by little, their relationship had warmed.
Now they were close enough that "friends" wasn't a stretch.
Of course, Ryosuke had his own motivations.
He hadn't forgotten the other system—
the one that granted power through fathering children.
And Kurenai…
was his first long-term target.
A girl willing to walk alone with a man at night—it spoke volumes.
All relationships needed that gentle push forward.
Sometimes the distance between friend and lover was just one step—
a bit of warmth, a bit of closeness.
Take that step, and things would unfold naturally.
Kurenai saw him and smiled—not a polite smile, but a bright one.
A month ago, Ryosuke's charm was mostly his good looks.
Now his training with Might Guy had given him definition, a solid masculine build that made him even more striking.
Thankfully, she thought, he hadn't become rugged like Guy.
Instead, he'd gained a refined, athletic grace.
Kurenai had lost her father at a young age.
Most people treated her kindly, but she could still feel the subtle pity, the condescension behind their kindness.
Ryosuke had never looked at her that way.
That made a difference.
After long training days, evenings at home were quiet and lonely.
Walking with Ryosuke filled that loneliness just enough.
Ryosuke reached her side and smiled gently.
"Want to take a walk together?"
"Mm." She nodded immediately.
Of course she agreed—she had been waiting for him.
They walked through Konoha's bustling streets side by side.
Kurenai felt something about him—calm, steady, reassuring.
Just being near him eased her heart.
But with so many people around, she kept a respectful distance, cheeks warm.
They didn't buy snacks; they simply wandered and talked.
As they walked farther, the crowd thinned.
The street became quiet.
And then—
Kurenai slowly reached out and held Ryosuke's arm with both hands.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away.
A warm masculine scent washed over her, making her heart flutter.
She stole a glance at Ryosuke's face—checking for displeasure, embarrassment, anything.
Ryosuke was momentarily stunned.
He had planned to make the first move himself…
but she stepped forward before he did.
Bold girl.
Seeing no rejection in his expression, Kurenai relaxed.
Even she was taken aback by her own daring—
but something about Ryosuke drew her in before she could think.
Though the street had grown quiet, Ryosuke still sensed occasional passersby.
Not ideal.
So he gently led her toward a nearby forest path.
Kurenai followed silently, her grip firm on his arm.
The grove was quiet.
Dimly lit.
Almost empty.
In the soft shadows, Kurenai leaned against his arm, entranced by his warmth and scent.
Ryosuke took a breath.
This was the moment.
He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer.
Kurenai gasped softly—
Ryosuke kissed her.
Her eyes widened in surprise—
but the shock melted almost instantly into something warm and dizzying.
She closed her eyes, shy but accepting.
With Ryosuke, she didn't feel fear or resistance.
She felt… safe.
Wanted.
Far more pleasant than Asuma's smoky scent and brash manner ever had been.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Her fingers curled tighter at his chest.
A warmth spread through her body—unexpected, but not unwelcome.
Ryosuke felt his pulse quicken as well.
Her body was softer than he imagined—
and the loose kimono only heightened that softness.
The scent of her hair, the warmth of her breath…
He understood now why so many shinobi lost their composure around beautiful kunoichi.
His thoughts drifted toward the next step.
They were alone…
The grove was quiet…
Maybe—
Just then—
the scene fades.
(Per safety guidelines, explicit content is omitted.
The story continues without graphic detail.)
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