"Does Konoha even accept missing-nin?" Yugito's heart trembled.
Uchiha Ryun casually shook his head.
"She's not Konoha's missing-nin. What does Kumo's missing-nin have to do with us?"
"Besides, based on what I know about you, you wouldn't have chosen to defect unless you had no other choice." Ryun's words carried both temptation and warmth.
Yugito couldn't help but freeze. She looked up at Ryun, her face slightly red. Normally as enemies, she hadn't paid much attention to his appearance.
Now that she looked properly, he was actually quite handsome! Yugito felt somewhat shy, though Ryun didn't notice. His mind was solely focused on recruiting the Two-Tails jinchūriki for Konoha's use.
As for Hashirama's policy of evenly distributing tailed beasts among the Five Great Nations? Ryun disapproved, even scorned it.
Why give power to other nations? How naive, Hashirama!
"Do I... have any other choice?" Yugito smiled bitterly. If she didn't join Konoha, she'd be condemned to a life of hiding and constant wandering.
Even for regular people, wouldn't they prefer a stable life?
Ryun looked at the distressed Two-Tails jinchūriki and smiled. "Welcome to Konoha."
"Thank you... for being willing to accept a missing-nin like me." Yugito sighed.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the village. From now on, treat it as your home. Of course, if you commit crimes, I'll personally deal with you." Ryun smiled.
Yugito didn't doubt the truth behind his words. She nodded in understanding.
"Ding. Congratulations host for recruiting the Two-Tails jinchūriki. Reward: 100,000 points. Current points: 880,000."
"Ding. Jinchūriki Collection Achievement unlocked. Current progress: 1/9. Reward: 100,000 points. Current balance: 980,000 points."
Ryun's pupils contracted. In his excitement, a bit of his Susanoo accidentally leaked out. He quickly composed himself.
Just 20,000 points left. Only 20,000 more until he could exchange for the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan! Without siblings or relatives, Ryun only had himself.
Therefore, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan was only possible through the system. Now that he possessed a complete Sage Body, perhaps even the Rinnegan wasn't out of reach!
"Hey, Ryun, what are you spacing out for?" Yugito waved her hand in front of his face, puzzled by his sudden daze.
"Ah, it's nothing. Let's go, I'll take you to Konoha." With that, he placed a hand on Yugito's shoulder, and both vanished.
A passerby rubbed his eyes in confusion. "Am I not awake? Where'd they go?" He scratched his head, baffled.
Konoha Village Gates
Ryun and Yugito reappeared. While Ryun was fine, Yugito felt nauseous.
First-time exposure to the Flying Thunder God Technique often caused vomiting and dizziness.
"Lord Hokage! Welcome back!" The gate guards bowed.
Ryun's status as Vice-Hokage was now common knowledge throughout Konoha.
However, no one objected. The policies he proposed greatly benefited civilians and ordinary villagers.
Clans made up 30% of Konoha's population, while civilian shinobi and regular villagers accounted for 70%. As they say, those who win the people's hearts win the world.
"Mm, you've worked hard." With that, he led Yugito straight into the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen looked up, startled. He rose, confused. "Ryun, this is...?" He pointed at Yugito, perplexed.
Ryun smiled. "This is a new Konoha shinobi, the Two-Tails jinchūriki, Yugito."
"Wait, I didn't ask who she is. Why is she joining Konoha? Did you use genjutsu on her?" Hiruzen stood and examined Yugito's eyes, finding no Mangekyō traces.
He turned back to Ryun. "Could it be..." Hiruzen began, but Ryun glared. "Lord Hokage, must your thoughts always be so vulgar?"
Yugito's mouth twitched. Wasn't Hiruzen called the "Professor"? She'd imagined a solemn, wise leader. This version seemed utterly unreliable!
Her reaction was understandable. Perhaps before, Hiruzen had been that person. But after Ryun's rise, he'd realized he didn't need to be so tense anymore!
If enemies attacked, just send Ryun. Get paid, win battles. As Hokage, he now spent days approving documents, industrial land, and occasionally admiring... well, never mind.
Ryun sighed and gestured to Yugito. "Explain to Lord Hokage."
He then poured himself tea, crossed his legs, and drank leisurely.
Yugito first presented her scratched Kumo headband. Hiruzen's playful expression instantly turned serious.
Taking the headband, he was shocked. Had the Raikage lost his mind? Expelling Yugito?
She was the Two-Tails jinchūriki! As he puzzled over this, Yugito recounted her past and becoming an S-rank missing-nin.
Hiruzen's expression softened. He patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. If the Raikage was unjust to someone of your talent, Konoha won't be. If he causes trouble, we have Ryun!"
Ryun spat out his tea, giving Hiruzen a strange look. "You're truly something else!"
Yugito felt reassured. With such a strong protector, her safety seemed guaranteed!
Ryun nodded at her. "Once you join Konoha, you're one of us. I'll protect you."
Yugito nodded slightly. Hiruzen then sent an Anbu to arrange housing and equipment for her.
After she left, Hiruzen pulled Ryun aside. "How can you be sure she's not a Kumo spy?"
Clearly, Hiruzen didn't fully trust Yugito. One must always maintain some caution.
Ryun paused. He couldn't exactly mention the system.
Smiling, he said, "I secretly read her memories with my Mangekyō when she wasn't paying attention."
Hiruzen nodded skeptically. "Fine, as long as you're sure. Just ensure she won't harm the village."
Ryun agreed and left the office.
Hiruzen lit his pipe, took a deep breath, and exhaled.
"Comfortable~"
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