Apple puree

—So, you're telling me I brought him back alive for nothing, right? —I repeated what the man who's paying me to deliver Takeda said.

—I'm really sorry, sir, but the bonuses for live deliveries only apply to tokubetsu jonin, jonin, and kage levels, as they're the ones with access to valuable information. Elite chunin and below are essentially cannon fodder who don't know anything important.

—Well, what can you do? —I stabbed my finger into Takeda's forehead and killed him instantly by frying his brain— There you go, now give me my money.

—Right away! —The man was an employee of the underground exchange and couldn't help but sweat as he saw how easily I took Takeda's life.

—I can't believe there are five million ryo in this piece of paper. Ninja seals are so convenient —I thought as I looked at the scroll in my hand when I left the place— It's a hassle too because I can't open it. I guess I'll keep it and ask Pakura to open it for me later. I could have asked them to put it in a suitcase, but I thought getting an extra free storage scroll was better than the suitcase I could buy in a store.

—It's inconvenient not being able to use chakra in this world —I complained as I took out an apple and prepared to take a bite.

But a moment later, the apple was no longer in my hand; it was flying through the air, splitting into two identical halves that were caught by a red-haired kunoichi with shark-like teeth.

—It looks like my intuition wasn't wrong; you really went to collect a bounty —she said as she bit into one half of the apple in her hand— This is great! Where did you get these?

—They're homegrown —I have a feeling I've seen this kunoichi in the series, but I can't quite recall her— How can I assist a lovely lady like you?

—Are you mocking me? —I see her furrow her brow and show her teeth, clearly angry with my comment.

Did she really think my comment was insincere? Perhaps Enel's expression is too blank? No, the surprised expression was quite evident in the series. And I do think she's a striking beauty, though I admit I'm not a fan of her current hairstyle.

—Look into my eyes; do you think I'm mocking you?

She approaches me and stands two meters away while raising her gaze, growing increasingly furious.

—Are you calling me short?! —she shouts at me as she unsheathes the dual swords from her back, and they crackle with electricity along their blades.

I give up; she has her own train of thought.

—You're the one who took Pakura, right? —she asks while pointing her sword at my neck.

Well, she tries to, but she can't reach because she's a bit shorter than Pakura. I'm starting to feel like doing something, but I have to restrain myself.

—Yes.

I see her open her mouth in surprise; maybe she expected me to try to lie or deny it?

—It's good that you admit it. Now I have the perfect excuse to hunt you down —she tells me while smiling and showing her teeth menacingly.

Oh, I remember now. Red hair, dual swords, shark-like teeth. Isn't this Ameyuri Ringo?

I can't take it anymore; I crouch down and start scratching her under the chin as if she were a cat.

She's so stunned that she doesn't know how to react for a few seconds.

—Meow —I joke.

—What are you doing?! —she exclaims when she snaps out of it.

I can see that her cheeks are turning red. Maybe the ruthless Ameyuri of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist doesn't have much experience in matters of love?

The thought crosses my mind, but I find it unlikely. Although she's a bit wild, and her current outfit isn't very attractive, she's a complete beauty in her own way, like Pakura. I don't think she hasn't had guys interested in her.

—Do you want to go on a date? —I ask her with a disappointed tone and expression.

Genuine, I must add. I thought it might be my first romance in this world. Ironically, I think "Ringo" means apple, so it's a bit like destiny.

—...Are you serious? —she looks at me for a minute until she realizes I'm not joking and shakes her head.

Did I just see pain in her gaze? I think I'm missing something, but there's not much information about her in the first place, and it's hard to remember all at once.

—Let's not waste any more time; get ready to die!

With that warning, she lunges at me and starts slashing with Kiba again.

I begin to dodge, not out of fear of getting hurt, but because I don't want her to accidentally destroy the scroll with the five million inside in my backpack. I can see her surprise when she watches me dodge her attacks with as much ease as if I were dancing. Perhaps it's because her own style of attack is also similar to a dance. She seems to be taking it as a challenge to accelerate her own speed enough to cut me, but minutes pass, and she doesn't manage to touch a single hair on me.

Does she think she can be faster than lightning?

What's strange is that she hasn't used any ninjutsu or electric shocks against me, which, if I remember correctly, are the specialty of the swords she carries in her hand. After dodging her last strike, I see her panting and leaning on her knees to catch her breath.

I step forward and give her a small electric shock to paralyze her gently, but instead, I'm surprised to see her spit out a large amount of blood and fall backward.

This is getting stranger by the minute. She shouldn't exhaust herself so quickly, let alone react like this to my attempt to neutralize her gently.

Wait a minute...

—You're dying, aren't you? —I ask her, almost as an affirmation.

—Pathetic, isn't it? —she responds with a slightly hoarse voice as she tries to lift her head to look at me— I trained hard all my life in atrocious conditions, and now, because of an illness out of nowhere, I've lost so much strength that I can't even use my chakra anymore...

Okay, that clarifies what happened earlier.

—Is that why you turned down my date? —I interrupt her in the middle of her dying speech while I sit down beside her and place her head on my thigh.

—It feels comfortable —Ameyuri laughs with a mouth full of blood, too weak to resist.

She can't even hold onto Kiba; she probably can't even feel her hands anymore.

—How much time do you have left? —According to the doctor, I should have died two weeks ago. He must be so embarrassed! —she laughs again while coughing up more blood— Although I'm not any better; I couldn't even die in a real fight. —Do you want to live? —Who wouldn't? —she answers once her breathing calms down a bit— Do you have a way by any chance? Spit it out; everything has a price in this life. —I'll save you, and you'll be mine. —Damn, you're even more straightforward than I am —she loses her humor when she realizes I'm not joking, and her voice trembles— Are you serious? —Why? Do you find me unattractive as a future husband? —Your ears are weird —she responds to my surprise— But... I like tall men, and I don't think I've ever seen anyone taller than you.

—Living also means you won't be part of Kirigakure anymore. —To hell with them! I've never had a single day off in my life! —We're a match, then —I say with a smile, and we both laugh.

She looks me in the eyes; I can see that she's scared of dying, but there's a last glimmer of hope in her gaze after hearing me out.

—Eat this —she takes out a golden apple and offers it to me.

Ameyuri opens her mouth, but it seems she's worse off than I expected because she doesn't even have the strength to bite into the apple. With no other option, I take a bite of the apple myself and chew it enough before bringing it to her lips.

Ameyuri Ringo's first kiss had a sweet taste of apple and blood.