When Mizuki Ryosuke returned home after settling everything, Mizuki Rokka and Mizuki Lian were waiting anxiously.
"Ryosuke!"
The moment she saw him, Mizuki Lian couldn't hold back any longer. Overwhelmed with emotion, she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
"Sister Lian, it's alright."
Mizuki Ryosuke gently placed his hand on Lian's back, his voice carrying an unusual warmth as he soothed her emotions.
Mizuki Rokka met Ryosuke's gaze briefly, her sharp eyes scanning him for any trace of hesitation or doubt. Seeing the steady confidence in his expression, she understood that everything had been taken care of. A weight lifted from her heart, and she smiled lightly before stepping back, leaving space for the two young people.
Ryosuke felt Lian's body trembling slightly in his arms.
"Ryosuke…" Lian's voice was still somewhat shaky.
"The elders from before… is everything really settled?"
Her eyes, filled with worry, searched his face. Even though the immediate danger had passed, she still feared what might come next.
Ryosuke understood. The events of the day had deeply shaken her.
There was only one way he could think of to truly reassure her.
Without a word, he lowered his head and captured Mizuki Lian's lips.
"Mmm—!"
Lian's eyes widened in shock. Her mind blanked as she felt the unfamiliar yet intoxicating sensation of Ryosuke's touch.
For a moment, time itself seemed to stop.
By the time their lips finally parted, Lian was blushing furiously, burying her face into Ryosuke's chest to hide her embarrassment.
The night sky stretched endlessly above Kirigakure. Tonight, the stars were exceptionally bright.
On the rooftop of Ryosuke's house, beneath the boundless galaxy, a man and a woman sat side by side. Their shoulders touched, their bodies leaning gently into one another.
Neither spoke.
There was no need for words—they simply felt each other's presence.
At this moment, their hearts had never been closer.
After a long silence, Mizuki Lian suddenly spoke.
"Ryosuke…"
She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice soft and full of childlike wonder.
"Do you think one of those stars in the sky was created by my father?"
Mizuki Ryosuke followed her gaze, looking up at the endless sea of stars above.
"Of course," he answered without hesitation.
"I believe Uncle Taki is watching over us right now."
"Really?"
Lian's voice carried a hint of surprise, as if she hadn't expected such a direct answer.
Ryosuke simply smiled.
"Really. I have no doubt about it."
Hearing his certainty, Lian suddenly felt at ease.
But then, her expression turned slightly melancholic.
"I just wonder… the village that my father gave his life for… what kind of future it will have."
She murmured, half to herself.
"Don't worry, Sister Lian."
Ryosuke's voice was firm, carrying an unshakable resolve.
"Uncle Taki's sacrifice will not be in vain.
The village will change. It will become better.
And I will make sure of it."
Lian turned to look at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"How can you be so sure?"
Ryosuke met her gaze, his expression unwavering.
"Because I've already decided."
A fierce light flashed in his deep, dark eyes—brighter than the stars above.
"This seat of Mizukage—
I will take it."
"What?!"
Mizuki Lian was momentarily stunned. She thought he was joking. But as she looked at him, she saw no trace of humor in his expression.
Then, after a long silence, a barely audible voice reached Ryosuke's ears.
If his sensory abilities weren't so refined, he might not have even heard it.
"Ryosuke…"
"Do you… like me?"
It wasn't clear if her words were a question, a statement, or a whisper carried away by the wind.
Ryosuke turned slightly, then suddenly wrapped his arms around her delicate frame. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered two words.
"I do."
Lian instantly lifted her head. Her joy was so overwhelming that tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
"Really?"
She still couldn't believe it.
Ryosuke chuckled at her reaction, his gaze filled with amusement.
"Of course.
How could I not like you?"
"But… but I'm three years older than you," Lian mumbled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
This year, Mizuki Ryosuke was seventeen, while Mizuki Lian was twenty.
"Silly girl," Ryosuke said, shaking his head with a soft chuckle.
"Even if you were thirty years older than me, I'd still like you."
"Wha—?!"
Lian's entire face turned bright red. The heat from her blushing seemed enough to melt ice. Letting out a small, adorable whimper, she buried her face in Ryosuke's shoulder again, unable to endure her embarrassment.
Suddenly, something cold touched her finger.
Lian lifted her head slightly and looked down—a transparent ice ring had formed around her middle finger.
"Sister Lian," Ryosuke said softly.
"Once everything is over… let's get married."
His words were calm, yet they shook Lian's heart like an explosion.
She raised her head again, her gaze locking onto Ryosuke's.
For a moment, she couldn't tell whether the stars were in the sky or shining in his eyes.
In her heart, she felt as though the young man before her burned even brighter than the heavens.
"Mm…"
With a voice as soft as a whisper, she gave her answer.
And so, beneath the starry sky, the young man and the girl embraced each other.
Their bond deepened.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of Kirigakure, a hooded figure moved silently through the streets.
His movements were swift and precise, avoiding detection with the practiced ease of an elite shinobi. Soon, he arrived at a secluded, heavily guarded building.
The Kirigakure Anbu Headquarters.
Since Yagura's coup had ended in failure, the entire Anbu division had been purged.
This building had become a prison, holding those Anbu who had participated in the rebellion.
The mysterious figure pulled back his hood, revealing a handsome, youthful face.
It was Mizuki Ryosuke.
He raised one hand and made a single-hand seal.
"Mirroring Ice Illusion."
His form shimmered and vanished.
Twenty minutes later, Ryosuke stood in the depths of the Anbu prison—100 meters underground.
As he stepped into the dimly lit chamber, an old man seated in the farthest corner of the room suddenly smiled.
"You're back, Ryosuke."
Hearing the voice, Mizuki Ryosuke smiled in return.
"Of course."
He gave a slight bow to the legendary figure before him.
"Good evening, Lord Madara."
"So?" Uchiha Madara's piercing eyes studied him.
"How was it?"
At this moment, he could clearly sense the lingering chakra of the Three-Tails on Ryosuke.
Ryosuke smirked.
"It was… entertaining."
His eyes gleamed in the dim light.
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