Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat silently, awaiting the arrival of Uzuki Yuugao.
It wasn't long before she entered—her long hair still damp and clinging to her neck and shoulders.
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Why is your hair wet?"
Yuugao answered matter-of-factly, "I just finished training with Uchiha Ryosuke. I wanted to stay close to him, so I joined his training sessions. I came here straight after."
Hiruzen's expression shifted—there was some satisfaction in his eyes. She had managed to get close to Ryosuke far faster than expected.
"Did you discover anything useful?"
His tone betrayed anticipation. But Yuugao could only shake her head with a weary sigh.
"I've trained with him for three days now. I've shadowed him carefully, but I haven't found anything… strange."
"If anything, the only thing that stands out is how incredibly hard he trains. But I doubt that's a clue."
She paused, hesitant. "Maybe… maybe there is no secret. Maybe he really is just that talented."
It was clear she wanted to believe that. If there was no secret, then she wouldn't have to keep this up—it was dangerous.
But Hiruzen's hopeful look had already faded into a cold, unreadable mask.
No secret? That was impossible.
A boy not even twenty, displaying combat ability on par with—or beyond—Jonin veterans? It didn't make sense. No one would believe such natural growth without cause. Unless… Ryosuke wasn't even human.
But that, too, was absurd. He was human. Just impossibly strong.
Even Hashirama Senju hadn't reached such power at that age. If Hashirama was the pinnacle of ninjutsu, then Ryosuke was climbing toward the summit of taijutsu and close-quarters power.
And unlike ninjutsu, taijutsu required time. Endurance. Experience.
How could Ryosuke be this good this young?
No. He had a secret. He had to.
Hiruzen turned his eyes toward Yuugao again.
"That can't be right. He must have something he's hiding. No one gets that strong without a secret."
"Think about it," he continued. "He's only a little older than you. Can you really believe he's achieved all this by sheer talent alone?"
Yuugao didn't answer, but her clenched fists spoke for her.
She was already considered a genius. And yet, when sparring with Ryosuke, she couldn't even land a hit. Not in taijutsu—something that shouldn't be that reliant on innate talent.
It didn't make sense. She'd been outclassed in something where pure training and reflex should count more than anything else.
Hiruzen saw her doubt and softened slightly.
"We're in a critical situation now. The Uchiha are consolidating power—and fast."
"They've pulled in the Hyūga, the Ino-Shika-Chō clans, and even the Inuzuka… into the Police Force. If this continues, I fear I'll be their next target. Maybe even permanently."
"My death wouldn't matter—but if the Uchiha seize control of the village, it'll throw Konoha into chaos."
His expression turned grim.
"That's why I'm asking you to find the truth—quickly. If we don't expose Ryosuke's secret, we won't have any way to turn this around."
It wasn't just about preserving his power—it was about the future of the village. The Second Hokage himself had once said that the Uchiha were dangerous if given too much authority.
Hiruzen trusted that judgment.
Yuugao looked shaken.
"But… that's impossible. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio have always supported the Hokage. Why would they suddenly back the Uchiha?"
She didn't want to believe it. If it were true, then the Uchiha's influence was now terrifyingly vast. And Ryosuke himself was already dangerously powerful.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"The Uchiha offered them three separate patrol sectors with full police authority. That was enough."
Yuugao clenched her jaw. How easily they were bought.
They had betrayed the Hokage for a taste of power.
"Then there's no time to waste," Hiruzen said, eyes piercing.
"You must uncover Ryosuke's secret. No matter the cost."
Yuugao swallowed hard. The weight of that command settled on her shoulders.
She owed her position, her ANBU status, everything—to the Third Hokage.
Maybe it was time to… sacrifice something for him in return.
Ryosuke desired her. That was obvious. He had shown it more than once. Perhaps the only way to get close enough—really close—was to use herself as bait.
She remembered a line from an old infiltration manual:
"A woman whispering by a man's pillow can extract any secret."
It wouldn't be easy. It would hurt. But the book also said it was a "mild pain"—only a short time of discomfort.
Just half an hour, she told herself.
If it could save the village, she could endure that.
Hiruzen didn't say anything else. He knew what he was asking of her. He didn't have any other option. Maybe someday he'd find a way to repay her.
The next day, Yuugao stood in a familiar grove of trees, waiting.
She hadn't slept much. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm.
Soon enough, Ryosuke arrived.
His expression lit up the moment he saw her, eyes glinting with hunger.
He hadn't expected her to come—especially not after what nearly happened the last time. He had almost gone too far.
The only reason he hadn't was because they were both from the same village, and he suspected she'd been manipulated by Hiruzen.
But now… she was here again?
He stepped forward.
To his shock, she walked up to him. And then, without warning—leaned in and kissed him.
Ryosuke was stunned.
Wasn't he supposed to be the one initiating this?
Why was she the one throwing herself at him?
He didn't resist, of course. Why would he?
Yuugao, for her part, was surprised too.
It didn't feel as terrible as she expected. In fact… it felt oddly comforting.
His breath, his scent—it unsettled her in a strangely pleasant way.
Why had she dreaded this so much?
Emboldened by her own reaction, she leaned into the kiss even more, heart racing.
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