"How could Ryoma know about this… I even deliberately used the craftsmanship of the Land of Craftsmen for secondary processing…"
"But no matter what, this matter must never come to light. If it does, that madman will definitely kill me."
Regret flooded Miyamoto's heart.
Why had he sold the weapons allocated by Konoha for such a trivial sum of money?
Now that everything had been exposed, Ryoma chose the most direct way to resolve the matter.
He stepped forward.
In the next instant, Ryoma's figure vanished from everyone's sight.
Less than a second later—
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed through the room.
By the time everyone reacted, Miyamoto was already dead.
No—worse than dead.
Even clad in heavy armor, his body had been utterly unable to withstand the power of Ryoma's punch. He didn't even have time to scream before he was blown apart, reduced to fragments of flesh and blood.
The entire conference hall was instantly drenched in crimson, as if it had been washed by a sea of blood.
"Miyamoto betrayed me," Ryoma said calmly. "You will find evidence of this at the wrought iron factory in the Land of Craftsmen."
His gaze swept over the assembled regional leaders.
Their faces were pale. Fear filled their eyes.
Ryoma continued, his voice cold and absolute.
"Remember this well—there is only one empire in this world. Obey, and your current prosperity and stability will remain. But if anyone harbors hidden schemes or dares to stir trouble in the shadows…"
He paused.
"Miyamoto is your example."
The leaders immediately stood, bowing repeatedly as they swore loyalty and promised to contribute fully to the empire's development.
Ryoma said nothing more.
He already knew his goal had been achieved.
Fear had been carved deep into their bones.
Several days later.
Ryoma gently rested his hand on the bellies of Kushina and Mikoto, listening as the two women spoke excitedly.
"The little one just kicked me," Kushina said, eyes shining.
"Mmm… mine too," Mikoto added softly.
The time of delivery was drawing near.
For safety reasons, both women were staying on the top floor of Konoha Hospital, attended by the best personnel from every field. Outside the room, thirty jōnin stood guard at all times.
Inside, Ryoma had left behind a Wood Clone, stationed there day and night to protect them without pause.
Only after Kushina and Mikoto had fallen asleep did Ryoma step out into the corridor.
He almost immediately ran into Tsunade.
There was still a trace of awkwardness between them—but Ryoma, as always, took the initiative.
"Good evening."
"…Good evening."
Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest, unconsciously accentuating her figure. She glanced toward the ward and asked, "How are they tonight?"
As Kushina's husband, Ryoma had ensured that the doctors in charge were the very best. During the delivery, Tsunade herself—along with Shizune—would be personally overseeing the process.
Among medical ninja, Tsunade's skill was unmatched. She was truly worthy of the title Medical Sannin.
Even Orochimaru, after losing the use of his arms, had sought her treatment first—proof enough of her unparalleled medical expertise.
As they spoke, the lingering stiffness gradually faded.
"Ryoma," Tsunade said after a moment, her brows knitting slightly. "Executing Miyamoto in front of everyone today… that was a bit extreme."
"You were clearly trying to make an example of him, but there were other ways. You didn't have to act so—"
She stopped short.
Ryoma smiled faintly. "Like a tyrant?"
Tsunade didn't deny it.
"It doesn't matter what they think of me," Ryoma said calmly. "What matters is the people around me."
His gaze sharpened.
"If anyone dares to target Kushina or Mikoto, I will not let them live. Fear must be engraved into their marrow so they never even dare to think about it."
He looked directly at Tsunade.
"And if anyone ever tries to hurt you… I'll do the same."
Tsunade's breath hitched.
Under Ryoma's unwavering gaze, her cheeks flushed red, warmth spreading uncontrollably across her face.
Moonlight spilled through the corridor windows, casting a silver glow over the two of them.
Tsunade parted her lips as if to say something—
Then slowly closed them again.
Four days later.
Deep within the forest of the Survival Exam, Terumi formed hand seals at blinding speed.
Several massive Water Dragons surged forth behind her, roaring as they crashed into the forest ahead.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The impact shook the ground.
Trees splintered and collapsed as the forest was violently torn apart under the overwhelming force of the technique.
Watching from the side, Ryoma nodded slightly.
Terumi turned back toward him, a bright, satisfied smile spreading across her face.
Though only a few days had passed, under Ryoma's targeted guidance, she could clearly feel her strength rising at an astonishing pace.
If she had once been a narrow stream, then now she was a lake.
Previously, Terumi had only barely stepped into the upper jōnin tier by relying on her two Kekkei Genkai—Boil Release and Lava Release. But now, even without depending on her bloodline, her pure ninjutsu foundation alone had firmly carried her into this realm.
Her strength had risen sharply. Her genjutsu had broken through bottlenecks. She no longer needed to lean solely on her bloodline to fight.
Seeing her growth, Ryoma reached out and gently rubbed her hair in satisfaction.
"Well done."
Terumi's heart skipped violently. Her face flushed red almost instantly.
Before she could say anything, Ryoma's calm voice sounded again.
"Your training ends here. I should be leaving soon."
He withdrew his hand.
"There's still about an hour before the second exam ends. Hurry to the space gate."
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Terumi staring at him, grievance written all over her face, her eyes shimmering as if she were about to cry.
She took a deep breath, then spoke with firm resolve.
"One last sparring match. Come with me."
Her turquoise eyes burned with an intensity she had never shown before.
Ryoma said nothing.
He merely lifted his hand and beckoned.
"Water Tooth Bomb!"
Terumi thrust her palm forward. Two compressed water drills spun violently as they shot toward Ryoma.
Ryoma casually released a Fire Release, colliding directly with her attack.
Fire and water clashed, producing a massive cloud of steam that instantly swallowed the surrounding area.
White mist blanketed everything.
Within the vapor, Ryoma stood unmoving.
Suddenly—chakra fluctuations surged behind him.
High above, Terumi had already completed her seals.
"Water Formation!"
A massive concentration of chakra gathered in her throat before she expelled it.
A meteor-like water sphere hurtled toward Ryoma.
Ryoma flickered aside using a teleportation technique, dodging the impact—but the moment the water sphere struck the ground, it burst apart in all directions.
The previous attack had only been a feint.
Waves surged outward like a tsunami, roaring toward Ryoma.
Ryoma punched forward.
The sheer force shattered the water mass instantly, and the residual shockwave tore straight toward Terumi.
Yet just as it struck—
Her body collapsed into a puddle of water.
"A Water Clone?"
Ryoma's brows lifted slightly.
Sensing danger behind him, he turned sharply.
The brown-haired girl was already there.
"Water Dragon Bomb!"
Several ferocious water dragons erupted forth, ruby-red eyes gleaming as they lunged at him.
Ryoma's expression remained calm.
In the next instant, lightning surged across his body as he leapt away, clearing the soaked ground.
A Lightning Spear formed in his hand and was hurled forward.
Boom!
Blue lightning tore through the air, obliterating the Water Dragon Bomb without resistance.
The scattered water splashed over Terumi—and with it came residual lightning chakra, instantly flooding her body and paralyzing her movements.
She struggled, teeth clenched, forcing herself upright.
But before she could recover—
A shadow loomed before her.
"You lost," Ryoma said calmly.
Terumi fell silent.
Her gaze slowly traveled over his body.
Then, after a moment, she smiled faintly.
"No… I succeeded."
She pointed to the corner of Ryoma's clothes.
Several tiny, nail-sized holes had appeared there. Wisps of white smoke still drifted upward.
"Oh?" Ryoma's interest was piqued.
His mind replayed the battle instantly.
Just before being struck down, Terumi had subtly infused Lava Release into the dispersed Water Release, then quietly guided the corrosive chakra forward while he was momentarily distracted by speaking to her.
Ryoma looked at her with mild surprise.
This was merely a Wood Clone, with its strength deliberately limited—yet the power it possessed was still far beyond what Terumi should have been able to breach.
And yet…
She had torn his clothes.
"Interesting."
"Remember what I taught you."
As his words faded, Ryoma's figure vanished.
Left behind in the forest was only a girl standing still, her expression filled with loss—then quiet determination.
(End of Chapter)
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