Considering the potential security risks these fanatical groups could bring, Ryoma had already sent people to disband them. Yet, what he did not expect was that even after being dispersed, their worship and fanaticism toward him did not diminish—if anything, it continued to rise.
Because of this, Ryoma rarely walked outside nowadays without some kind of mask or disguise, just to avoid unnecessary disturbances.
Of course, if Ryoma truly wanted to put an end to the situation, he could do so at any time. But he believed that as long as these groups did not organize themselves again, things would eventually calm down on their own. Trends that burn hot without reason will fade just as quickly—they always do. There was no need to waste excessive manpower on such things.
"I'm sorry…"
Uchiha Mikoto suddenly realized her earlier actions might have caused trouble and lowered her voice slightly. "Why are you here, Ryoma-sama?"
Even the Hokage had to deal with countless complicated affairs every day, with documents piling up in the office nonstop. And Ryoma—who had unified the entire continent? The workload on his shoulders was undoubtedly even heavier.
In Mikoto's mind, Ryoma was the type of person whose days were consumed entirely by governance. If not for Konoha's senior leadership and the backbone of the village helping shoulder responsibilities, meeting him at all would be difficult.
"I just finished some business and wanted to take a walk."
Ryoma responded gently. "Would you like to come along?"
Coincidentally, his path back was the same direction as Uchiha Mikoto's home. Escorting a familiar woman home while having someone to talk with on the road—there was nothing unusual about that.
"O-Okay!"
Stepping to his side, Mikoto's cheeks flushed crimson. Moments ago she had carried herself like a dignified lady; now she lowered her head, following behind him like a shy bride-to-be.
Dusk had settled in. The sky darkened, street lamps flickered to life, stretching the silhouettes of the two travelers long across the road.
They spoke about many things along the way. Ryoma's experiences and knowledge were vast—effortlessly, with just a few words, he could make Mikoto smile and laugh softly.
At last, they arrived at the Uchiha compound. Mikoto hesitated before saying gently:
"Then… I'll go first?"
Her voice carried a whisper of reluctance as she stared at Ryoma's handsome profile.
Ryoma didn't seem to notice her subtle emotions. "Alright, call for me if you ever need anything. I should be heading off as well."
With a wave of his hand, he turned and walked away without looking back.
Mikoto stood there, cheeks still warm, eyes following his receding figure. A flicker of conflict flashed in her gaze.
Watching him grow farther and farther away—as if he would disappear from sight forever—she suddenly took a deep breath, gathering all her courage.
"Ryoma—wait!"
Ryoma halted and looked back, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Something about Mikoto's behavior tonight felt different—distracted, nervous, as though something weighed heavily on her mind.
"You…"
"You…"
They spoke at the same time. As Mikoto looked into Ryoma's deep and captivating eyes, her breath quickened. The words she had prepared just moments ago vanished completely. Her mind went blank, leaving her unable to form a coherent sentence.
Ryoma only found her behavior increasingly strange. He stepped closer, gently placing his hand on Mikoto's forehead as he asked with concern,
"Mikoto, why is your face so red? You're not coming down with something, are you?"
Even as he spoke, Ryoma found himself doubting the idea. With a shinobi's strong physique, catching a simple cold seemed unlikely.
But the moment his hand touched her skin, Mikoto's face flushed even deeper. Her breathing faltered—like she might faint at any second—and in a dazed, trembling voice, she finally let her true thoughts slip out:
"Tomorrow… Tomorrow at two in the afternoon… there's a shinobi exhibition at the hall… C-can you… accompany me?"
Only after withdrawing his hand did her words fully register in Ryoma's ears.
Is Mikoto… asking me out?
He might not be an expert in romantic matters, but he certainly wasn't so dense as to miss the obvious now. Her feelings toward him were crystal clear.
And as he looked at her—her beautiful face tinged with nervous redness—Ryoma couldn't help recalling another person: Saruko.
Saruko… the daughter who would one day be born from him and Uchiha Mikoto in the future.
Even though he and Saruko always avoided discussing anything about the future, Ryoma could still feel the warmth in her—her trust and happiness when around him. And the way she easily bonded with Kushina…
It all pointed toward one truth:
Even if his future self had relationships with both Kushina and Mikoto, their family remained harmonious and close.
His memories with Mikoto began to surface one after another.
"Perhaps… some things are destined," he murmured.
A soft warmth flickered in his eyes. Gently, he reached out and tapped Mikoto's forehead with a tender, affectionate motion.
"I'll be there tomorrow. Now hurry home—it's getting cold."
With that, Ryoma turned and walked away.
Mikoto remained rooted in place, her head still spinning. By the time she finally regained her senses, Ryoma's figure had already disappeared into the night—leaving her alone at the doorway, heart pounding uncontrollably.
...
TN:
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