Chapter 233: The Woman with Eight-Pack Abs
As soon as he arrived in the Land of Rain, Ryosuke was eager to see how an ordinary person could convince the Hidden Rain Village's ninjas. But Kusanagi always claimed to be away and never approached the capital, making it impossible to meet him.
Still, he was a native of this country and didn't seem to have any intention of relocating. After Ryosuke's repeated requests, the former monarch finally agreed to meet him.
And he wasn't alone.
Standing beside him was a striking woman with short black hair, a tall figure, and a short red scarf around her neck. Her imposing presence wasn't just from her sharp facial features—it radiated from her entire being.
She was like a blade—cold, dangerous, and honed to perfection. Her murderous aura and icy expression could make even seasoned shinobi hesitate.
"Ninja?"
Ryosuke's Tenseigan was already active, and everything about the two people in front of him—inside and out—was laid bare in his vision. Naturally, he noticed the chakra flowing through the woman's body.
Perhaps she was a jonin, or at the very least, a chunin. Her strength was clearly not lacking. Her body was well-trained, every muscle honed and balanced—undeniably someone skilled in taijutsu.
The chakra flow within her was smooth, her control exceptional. Still, without seeing her in action, Ryosuke couldn't definitively gauge her true strength. But the fact she was a ninja meant she warranted some attention.
For someone like Kusanagi—an ordinary civilian—it made sense to have a bodyguard at his side. After all, despite having served as king for less than half a year, he had enough charisma and power to command loyalty, even after losing his throne.
But this kind of ability...
"You... aren't from this world, are you? Your name's fake too."
Ryosuke smiled as he looked at Kusanagi, his tone firm and certain.
Kusanagi visibly froze, then turned back with a puzzled expression. "I don't understand... What do you mean, Ryosuke-sama?"
He looked genuinely confused. His body language, facial expressions, and tone were all perfectly aligned—without the slightest flaw.
But Ryosuke's Tenseigan had them locked in his field of vision. Every movement they made—even the subconscious ones—were captured in extreme detail.
Yet... there was nothing suspicious.
They behaved like two ordinary people, genuinely unaware of what he was implying.
"Nothing," Ryosuke chuckled, withdrawing his sharp tone. "I just think… with your ability, Mr. Kusanagi, it's hard to believe you were merely a village chief."
"Thank you for the compliment, Ryosuke-sama," Kusanagi replied humbly. "But honestly, there's nothing wrong with being a village chief."
"Isn't it a blessing to live a safe, peaceful life?"
"Mr. Kusanagi has a commendable attitude. Please, have a seat."
Ryosuke sat first, gesturing for the two to join him. They complied without hesitation, taking their places directly across from him.
"But…"
As soon as they were seated, Ryosuke spoke again. "From what you said earlier, it seems your past wasn't exactly smooth?"
He asked the question offhandedly, focusing on boiling water for tea. Though his eyes weren't on them, his Tenseigan tracked them effortlessly.
The intense gaze from earlier had been for show—to throw them off. Everyone in the ninja world knew the name Hyuga, and Ryosuke's performance was meant to make them believe he wasn't using his Byakugan.
But his Tenseigan—was unlike ordinary dojutsu. If he intentionally hid the posture of activation, others would struggle to notice it.
After a pause, Kusanagi responded.
"I'm just an ordinary man, Ryosuke-sama."
"My hometown… it's a small village near the border. While officially registered, it was mostly neglected by the government."
"When I was young, the border was plagued by war. Invading forces came often. Rogue ninjas and wandering samurai took advantage of the chaos. Every month, at least once or twice, outsiders would arrive—stealing, bullying, sometimes even killing."
"When the war finally calmed down, our former village chief—who had some foresight—managed to save up resources. We relocated to a more stable region. Still mountainous and remote, but at least peaceful."
His voice was filled with quiet bitterness.
"I'm not a ninja, and I never had the ability to become one. Without strength, no one respects you in this country."
"But even so, I wanted to help my people—to make life better for the villagers. Because of that resolve, the former chief recognized me, and I succeeded him."
Ryosuke nodded and handed them cups of hot tea.
The Land of Rain had long been shaped by conflict. It was true that both the Hidden Rain Village and organizations like the Akatsuki cared little for those without chakra or strength.
Whether it was the way Kusanagi behaved while speaking…
Or the fact that when Ryosuke looked away, his actions remained completely natural…
Everything seemed consistent.
His answers were clear. His expressions matched his story. He even possessed genuine memories of growing up in the Rain Country—memories filled with fear, war, and a desire for peace.
He didn't seem like someone from another world. Just a survivor—an ordinary villager hardened by his circumstances.
And yet…
Why did something feel off?
Ryosuke kept a pleasant smile on his face as he chatted about the Land of Rain customs and quirks.
They talked about how Hyuga struggled to adapt here. About how much better life was in Konoha.
Kusanagi remained respectful throughout the conversation, speaking to Ryosuke as a subordinate would to a superior. He answered every question and offered insightful suggestions for governance.
But the deeper the discussion went, the stronger Ryosuke's unease grew.
He couldn't shake the feeling...
That Kusanagi was leading the conversation.
That he was carefully managing the flow, subtly guiding Ryosuke's thoughts, even predicting the next questions.
Ryosuke had learned long ago never to lower his guard—especially with outsiders.
Even among his own clan, even with trusted individuals like Hyuga Hoshicai and Hyuga Souji who had served him faithfully for years—he only ever believed 80% of their words.
The remaining 20%?
That was reserved for doubt.
Only in this way would he be more likely to take it for granted when others betray him in the future.
"I always feel like Mr. Kamagra is like a worm in my stomach."
Ryosuke looked at Kusanagi with great emotion.
"Every time I just think of a question and ask it, you give me a very satisfactory answer."
"It is my great honor to meet you, sir. I hope that you can govern this country well alongside the Saki family in the future."
After realizing that the other party might have been subtly steering the rhythm of the conversation, Ryosuke temporarily gave up the idea of probing further.
Perhaps... when Kusanagi let slip a few words at the beginning, expressing his desire for peace, he was already waiting for me to ask.
Then, he took that opportunity to explain why he desired peace—mentioning his childhood in the Land of Rain —and made it seem as though he truly grew up here.
But these are just speculations, based on the assumption that the man is from another world.
Even if he's not, it still makes sense.
Ryosuke's Tenseigan couldn't see into people's hearts. All he could do was speculate in circles—an endless nesting doll of possibilities.
There was no need to keep testing.
"It's my pleasure."
Kusanagi didn't seem to catch the deeper meaning behind those words and continued modestly,
"I love this land deeply and am willing to do something for it."
"Likewise, I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to Lord Ryosuke and Lady Hinata for choosing our Land of Rain —for giving us protection and the chance to live in peace."
"Here, I make a promise. For the sake of peace and national stability, I am willing to give everything I have—including this red heart!"
These were solemn words—sincere and unwavering.
It didn't feel like an act at all. If anything, it felt like the man was truly willing to give everything for peace and stability.
Peace and stability…
Is it really something an ordinary man would long for so deeply?
Ryosuke restrained his smile and replied seriously,
"Let's encourage each other for peace and stability."
He stood up, raised his teacup, and drank it in place of wine.
"Mutual encouragement."
Kusanagi and the female ninja beside him also stood and raised their cups.
None of them looked particularly excited.
After the three of them drank their tea, Kusanagi bid farewell.
"I want to meet with the Saki family elders so we can begin working together."
He clasped his fists and politely expressed his apology.
"It's fine. There'll be plenty of chances to meet in the future."
Ryosuke waved his hand casually.
After leaving the mansion, he personally escorted them to the gates of Hyuga Inner Castle.
"But if you plan to visit the Saki family, I should remind you…"
At the newly built city gate, Hyuga Souji—who had been overseeing construction—noticed Ryosuke personally seeing the guests off. When he overheard their plans, he came over.
"People from noble families in the major nations place a lot of importance on etiquette."
"When I worked under the nobles of the Land of Fire, I saw two sides nearly come to blows over a visiting card. They took it as a deliberate insult."
The Hyuga clan was a large and prestigious family. They didn't need to send visiting cards when making calls.
The Saki family wouldn't fault them over such minor formalities.
But Kusanagi and the others were different.
They were born in a small country. Even if they had once been kings or jonin, in the Saki family's eyes, they came from humble origins.
If they didn't observe the proper etiquette, they could be made to suffer for it—either directly or through more subtle means.
Even if Saki Yu chose not to act immediately out of consideration for current political conditions, he might still settle accounts later.
That would inevitably lead to complications.
Seeing that Lord Ryosuke personally escorted these two guests, Hyuga Souji didn't want them to make enemies over something so trivial.
"Thank you for the reminder, Master Souji."
Kusanagi nodded respectfully. He had met Hyuga Souji before, during diplomatic meetings between nations.
Then he turned to the female ninja beside him.
"Mikasa, hurry. I'll write a visiting card later, and I need you to deliver it to the Saki residence in the outer city."
The woman called Mikasa nodded without speaking.
From the moment they met until now, she had spoken no more than three sentences—cold and stoic to the extreme.
Ryosuke's expression remained unchanged as he bid them farewell.
He watched the pair leave until they disappeared from sight, then turned around to return home.
"Master Ryosuke, about that man…."
Hyuga Souji followed at his side, clearly hesitant.
"You mean Kusanagi?"
Ryosuke understood what he meant and didn't hide it.
"I'm not sure. But that female ninja? She definitely is."
When he heard that name, he hadn't been as calm as he seemed on the surface.
Mikasa…
Her full name should be Mikasa Ackerman.
Though she looked a bit older—probably in her twenties—her appearance and demeanor matched the woman in his memories exactly.
Perhaps she had come into this world while still young and lived a peaceful life for over a decade.
Back when that incident happened in Saki Castle in the Land of Fire, the moment Ryosuke heard her name, his first thought was that she and the Pure Titan were from the same world—the world of Attack on Titan.
"Souji, don't focus too much on Kusanagi. Investigate the people around him—including the female ninja named Mikasa."
Ryosuke issued the order without hesitation.
Souji didn't ask any questions. He simply nodded, turned into a shadow, and vanished.
Walking alone on the road back home, Ryosuke's thoughts churned.
With the help of Sakata Gintoki, people from other worlds could refine chakra and become ninjas.
Then people from other worlds—so long as their bodies weren't structurally too different—could do the same.
But if that woman was really Mikasa…
Then who was Kusanagi?
First of all, the name had to be fake. Probably fabricated to give him a legitimate identity tied to some obscure village.
Could he be Eren?
No… that didn't fit. Kusanagi didn't resemble Eren at all. If anything, he looked more like the leader of the Survey Corps—Erwin Smith.
But Erwin would be far older. That possibility could be ruled out.
And if Mikasa was here, then the protagonist of Attack on Titan—Eren—was most likely in this world too.
Had he already awakened the power of the Titans?
If they arrived in this world while still young, then maybe Eren hadn't obtained his powers yet.
Because of one name, countless thoughts spiraled in Ryosuke's mind.
But he wasn't in a rush to expose anyone.
For now, what mattered was learning how many people from that world had entered the ninja world.
And truthfully, the abilities from that world weren't all that impressive compared to the Hyuga clan's standards.
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