Chapter:73

"Madam, I have something for you," Kirito said, pulling out a magic bean from his system storage.

He planned to give one to both Mikoto and Izumi, just in case of emergencies.

"What's this? A bean?" Mikoto asked, puzzled.

"These aren't ordinary beans, but magic beans. Eating one will keep you from feeling hungry for ten days. They have immense recovery power. As long as a person isn't dead, it can restore strength and energy, even from extreme exhaustion, and return the body to its best condition," Kirito explained.

"Is that true?" Mikoto asked, doubtful.

"Want to try it?" Kirito held the magic bean up to Mikoto's mouth.

She opened her lips as if to take it, but before Kirito could place the bean in her mouth, she hesitated and pushed his hand away. "No, it's just a minor injury. I'll recover in a few days. You're a rogue ninja now, often away from home. You need it more than I do," Mikoto said, shaking her head.

"Madam, you always care about others," Kirito smiled warmly. "But don't worry, I have more than one of these. Keep it for emergencies. It could save your life. I'll give one to Izumi as well when she returns."

Mikoto, seeing how serious he was, reluctantly took the magic bean. She didn't want to seem ungrateful by refusing again.

"I'll ask Konan to treat your knee later. She knows some medical ninjutsu. That's my second gift to you."

As Mikoto tucked away the magic bean, Kirito took out a piece of pure gold from the pirate world.

Under Mikoto's astonished gaze, Kirito cut a small piece from it, using his fire-style chakra to form a flame in his palm and melted the gold into a brand-new ring.

"Isn't this too fast?" Mikoto asked, her cheeks flushed, thinking he was proposing. Her neck turned pink from embarrassment.

"Think of it as preparation," Kirito said with a soft smile, using his water-style chakra to cool the ring before gently placing it on Mikoto's left ring finger.

Then he kissed her hand gently. "From today on, you're my wife-to-be."

Mikoto froze for a moment, stunned by his words. Then, seeing the intense look in his eyes, she panicked. "What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I think you know," Kirito grinned mischievously. Just as he was about to fulfill Fugaku's last wish, there was a knock at the door.

"Aunt Mikoto, the food is ready! I heard from Konan that Kirito is back. Have you seen him?" Izumi called from outside.

Mikoto's heart jumped to her throat. It felt like she'd been caught red-handed, and she nearly screamed.

Kirito quickly covered her mouth, calming her down with a soft hush. When Mikoto nodded in understanding, he let her go and whispered, "Tell her I came back last night and left again this morning. I'll be back soon."

Mikoto repeated the lie nervously. "Oh, Kirito left this morning, but he'll be back soon."

"Really? That guy came back without even saying hi!" Izumi said with a pout. "We won't wait for him then. Aunt Mikoto, come eat. I've already made breakfast."

"Izumi, go ahead without me. I didn't sleep well last night, so I need a nap. Don't wait for me." But it wasn't Mikoto speaking—it was Kirito, perfectly mimicking her voice.

"Kirito, you…" Mikoto stared at him in shock.

Kirito smiled and released the illusion. "It's just a small trick. No one can hear us now. Let's continue."

Half an hour later, Mikoto limped out of the room.

"Aunt Mikoto, are you okay? What happened to your knee?" Izumi hurried over to help her.

"It's nothing. I slipped while taking a shower last night. I've already applied some medicine. I just need a few days of rest," Mikoto replied, her voice guilty.

She couldn't bring herself to tell the truth about what had just happened.

"Really? Kirito saw you fall but didn't even tell me!" Izumi puffed up her cheeks angrily.

"You can't blame him. He has a lot on his plate," Mikoto said defensively.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Kirito walked in, followed by Konan, who was carrying a medical kit.

"I heard from Kirito that you were hurt, so I came to check on you," Konan said in her usual cold tone. She didn't say anything else and immediately began the treatment.

As Konan tended to Mikoto, Kirito pulled Izumi aside. "Is Konan always this cold toward you too?"

Izumi tilted her head. "No, not at all! Konan is usually very nice. We often cook together."

"Then why does she always have such a stern expression around me, like I owe her money?" Kirito asked, puzzled.

What Kirito didn't know was that Nagato had specifically warned Konan about him, saying Kirito was just like Jiraiya—unpredictable and reckless. As a result, Konan's once-good impression of Kirito had plummeted.

Izumi thought for a moment before answering, "Maybe you're just not around enough. You're always away for so long."

While they talked, Konan finished treating Mikoto's injury.

"You're fine now. Just rest for a day, and you'll be back to normal tomorrow," Konan said expressionlessly.

"Thank you, Konan," Mikoto nodded in gratitude.

"Make sure you get some rest," Konan added. She had a soft spot for Mikoto, finding her gentle and kind. After offering this bit of advice, Konan left the room without sparing Kirito a glance.

"What a strange woman," Kirito muttered, watching her leave.

For a while after that, Kirito didn't take on any missions.

He found a moment to give Izumi the magic bean and then settled into a routine.

Every morning, he completed his training. In the afternoons, he spent time with Izumi. And in the evenings, he was with Mikoto.

In his spare time, he worked on combining chakra natures to develop new variations of the Rasengan and simply enjoyed the peaceful life.

Until two months later.

Pain called for him.

The location: a temple near the Land of Earth's border. It was also where, in the original story, Itachi, Sasori, and Kisame had subdued Deidara.

"Kirito, you're late," were Pain's first words upon seeing him.

"Sorry, Leader. I accidentally lost track of time," Kirito replied sheepishly, rubbing his head as he glanced at the two new members of the Akatsuki beside him.

(End of chapter).

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