When Akira heard the news, he merely smiled.
To be honest…
He had expected this outcome from the very beginning.
“Aren’t you angry?” Uchiha Mikoto looked at him in surprise.
“You almost got killed.” “What’s there to be angry about?” Akira casually placed a blade of grass between his lips.
“Considering Konoha’s current situation, it makes perfect sense for the Third Hokage to handle things this way.” “Compared to that…” “Shouldn’t you be the angry one?” “Heh.” “You mean because of Kushina Uzumaki?” Mikoto looked at him with an amused smile.
“Yeah.” “Don’t you think I should be?” “Shouldn’t you?” “…Alright.” “I suppose I should.” Mikoto nodded.
Then she suddenly lunged forward and pinched Akira hard in the side.
“I ought to give you a proper punishment!” “But…” She slowly released her grip.
“You did the right thing.” “If you’d abandoned that girl…” “I would’ve looked down on you instead.” The Uchiha Clan respected strength above all else.
She was no exception.
A boy who could kill Chunin at such a young age…
His future achievements would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Hadn’t her parents already eased up on opposing the two of them recently?
“Rather than worrying about me…” “You should be thinking about how you’re going to explain everything to little Sister Kushina.” Mikoto spoke calmly.
“I’ve heard she has quite the temper.” “When she beats you up…” “Don’t expect me to help.” “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” Akira rubbed his nose helplessly.
He honestly had no idea how to handle that situation.
At first…
He’d expected Mikoto to be furious.
Instead…
This was her reaction.
He genuinely didn’t know what to say.
Women really were mysterious creatures.
“You don’t have to look at me like that.” Mikoto lay back on the grass beside him.
“Women are emotional creatures.” “I also hope…” “That one day…” “You’ll rush to save me without hesitation, just like you did for her.” “Of course…” “That doesn’t change the fact that you’re a hopeless flirt.” “Hmph.” “I’m angry.” “And let me tell you…” “It’ll take at least three barbecue meals before I forgive you.” Akira smiled.
He knew…
Mikoto was giving him an easy way out.
“Alright, my princess.” “Please wait here.” “I’ll prepare today’s feast and make sure you’re well fed.” “Hmph.” “That won’t do.” “I still have to maintain my figure.” Although she said that…
She couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
After Akira left to hunt for food, Mikoto stood up and began setting up the barbecue grill.
She let out a quiet sigh.
“I’ve really fallen for such a hopeless flirt…” “I wonder if that’s a blessing…” “…or a curse.” She couldn’t help it.
This little man had already occupied an irreplaceable place in her heart.
As for how he planned to deal with Kushina…
That wasn’t her concern.
As a woman…
She already considered herself incredibly generous.
A few minutes later…
Akira returned carrying a wild rabbit, two pheasants, and four fish.
He casually summoned a String Clone.
“Go prepare the ingredients.” The clone rolled its eyes.
“Seriously?” “Sending us to die in dangerous situations is one thing.” “But now we’re stuck doing kitchen chores too?” “Quit complaining.” Akira kicked him lightly.
“Get moving.” “Tch.” The clone raised his middle finger before grabbing the ingredients and walking toward the river.
“Your clone is so interesting.” Watching the clone squatting by the river and cleaning the food, Mikoto couldn’t help smiling.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen a clone with so much personality.” “…Uh…” Akira rubbed his nose awkwardly.
“I don’t know why they’re like that either.” Sometimes…
The clones he created simply behaved this way.
“Hmm…” Mikoto thought for a moment before asking cautiously, “Could it be…” “…that this is your true personality?” Akira froze.
Then he laughed awkwardly.
“I don’t think so…” Am I really that cheeky?
“Hmph.” “What do you think?” Mikoto rolled her eyes.
“Enough joking.” “My clan assigned me another mission recently.” “I’ll probably be away again for a while.” “Is it dangerous?” “Not really.” “It’s just troublesome.” Mikoto waved her hand dismissively.
“I’m used to it.” Akira fell silent.
Then he quietly opened the system panel.
“System.” “Can I give some of the items I’ve obtained to other people?” “Yes.” Akira secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Good.
That was enough.
“What are you thinking about?” Mikoto looked at him curiously.
“You suddenly seem relieved.” Then she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Don’t tell me…” “You’re actually happy I’ll be gone for a while?” As she spoke, she slowly looked him up and down.
It was obvious that if he dared answer “yes,” she’d punch a hole straight through him.
“You’ve got it all wrong.” Akira rolled his eyes.
“I have something for you.” He took out a storage scroll.
Using the system, he stored the Portable Single-Soldier Rocket Launcher inside it.
“…What’s this?” Mikoto blinked in confusion.
She stared at the long object Akira had taken out.
It looked…
Very long.
Very thick.
“What you’re looking at…” Akira gestured for her to come closer.
“…is a Portable Single-Soldier Rocket Launcher.” He then carefully explained how to use it according to the system’s instructions.
He also told her about its destructive power and effective blast radius.
“I just don’t know…” “…whether it’ll actually be useful for you.” “It’ll definitely be useful!” Mikoto’s eyes sparkled.
“Did you make this?” “If I’m not mistaken…” “It doesn’t even require chakra to operate, does it?” “If that’s true…” “Then even ordinary people would have the power to kill ninja.” “…You could say I made it.” Akira’s mouth twitched.
He shamelessly claimed the credit.
“When you’re in danger…” “Just fire it.” “Don’t worry about wasting it.” “Your life comes first.” “Don’t worry.” “I know.” “Survival comes before everything else.” Mikoto happily sealed the launcher back into the scroll and tucked it inside her clothes.
“Then why don’t you open a weapons shop?” She looked at him expectantly.
“With technology like this…” “Wouldn’t you become incredibly rich?” “You might even become the richest person in Konoha.” “Then you wouldn’t have to keep risking your life by going on missions anymore.”