That feeling… it was strangely intoxicating.
Ethan had never experienced anything quite like it before.
He didn't pull Karura's finger away. Instead, he gave a small wave of his hand.
"Things have just been a little hectic lately, I..."
Before he could finish, Karura withdrew her hand.
She stepped back lightly, hands clasped behind her, tilting her head as she looked at him.
For someone known for her gentle, composed demeanor, the playful gesture fit her surprisingly well.
As if she hadn't even heard what he said, she blinked those bright, expressive eyes and smiled.
"So, Rasa… you will come visit tomorrow, right?"
Looking at her like that, something stirred in his chest...something unfamiliar.
He paused, stiffly nodding.
All the excuses he'd prepared died in his throat before they could even form.
On the way to the Kazekage's office, Ethan felt oddly dazed.
The moment he agreed, he quickly excused himself from the sisters...almost like he was escaping.
Didn't expect Karura to be this bold… he thought.
He had assumed she was the quiet, traditional type...like Hinata.
The kind who would blush and struggle to speak in front of someone they liked.
Clearly, he'd been wrong.
She was gentle… but she also knew how to take initiative.
Compared to someone who only gathers courage at the last second, Karura was far more proactive...even in everyday moments.
And that… was exactly the kind of person Ethan didn't know how to handle.
After all, he'd spent over twenty years in modern life dealing with people who said one thing and meant another...surface-level friendships, polite distance.
This kind of straightforward warmth? It threw him off completely.
.
.
.
Near the Village Wall
Yashalei finally snapped out of her stunned silence.
She looked at her sister, who was still gazing in the direction Ethan had disappeared.
After hesitating, she stepped closer and asked carefully,
"Big sis… what was that just now?"
Karura didn't turn around.
"What? Did I seem strange to you?"
"…Yeah," Yashalei admitted cautiously.
Suddenly, Karura shifted and turned with a graceful motion.
Yashalei's eyes widened.
She stared...completely stunned.
Karura touched her own cheek, a look of confusion crossing her face.
"What is it? Did I get something on my face?"
"No… it's just…"
Yashalei blinked.
"I've never seen you smile like that before. That… happy. That… sweet."
Karura couldn't help but laugh softly.
She stepped forward and gently cupped her sister's cheek.
Then she turned back again, looking in the direction Ethan had gone.
"That's because… I've found someone worth trusting my whole life to."
Her smile lingered, warm and unguarded.
"How could I not be happy?"
She tilted her head slightly, gazing up at the sky.
"Even if… There are other women watching him closely."
"Luckily, that one doesn't seem to understand her own feelings yet. She probably still thinks of him as just a friend."
"In a situation like this… if I don't take the initiative...if I cling to pointless pride…"
"Then by the time she realizes how she really feels… it'll be too late for me."
Yashalei stood behind her, silent.
Her expression… complicated.
.
.
Three Hours Later
Ethan walked along the village streets, watching the lively scene around him.
He let out a slow breath.
Three hours earlier, he had entered the Kazekage's office and spoken with Chiyo and Ebizo.
He explained his abilities...carefully omitting anything about the system.
His control over metal, he framed as the result of relentless training and a sudden breakthrough.
After that came the usual discussion.
Thinking back, Ethan shook his head slightly.
So that's why so many shinobi already knew about the Third Kazekage's disappearance.
Aoki.
That reckless move of his had spread the information.
To draw a crowd...and to make sure everyone witnessed the outcome...he had revealed the news to all Jonin and veteran chunin.
Chiyo had asked for Ethan's opinion.
His answer had been straightforward.
Strictly monitor those who know the information. Limit unnecessary missions outside the village.
As for border defense, logistics, and resource management...assign only the most trustworthy shinobi.
Beyond that… there wasn't much else he could do.
He wasn't omniscient.
The original story never clearly identified most spies anyway.
As for the ones controlled by Sasori, he'd subtly warned Chiyo to stay alert.
Then suddenly...
A thought struck him.
Wait… there might actually be a way to identify spies.
His eyes lit up slightly.
The affinity system.
If someone had a negative affinity toward him…
They might not necessarily be a spy...
But a spy would definitely have negative affinity.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at his destination.
A three-story house.
Nothing fancy from the outside...plain, almost unremarkable.
He decided to leave the "spy detection" idea for later that night.
For now...
He stepped forward and knocked.
"Hold on, I'm coming!"
A voice called out from inside.
A moment later...
Click.
The door opened.
And Pakura stood there.
Ethan froze for a second.
Any lingering frustration vanished instantly.
She hadn't changed much...still wearing the usual outfit that exposed her back and shoulders.
But she'd swapped her shinobi sandals for wooden geta.
Her legs were long, her skin flawless.
Her feet...elegant, well-kept, almost sculpted.
Under the sunlight, they seemed to glow faintly.
Smooth, pale, perfectly proportioned.
Her toes were neatly trimmed...clearly cared for with attention.
Ethan's brain produced only two thoughts.
Perfect.
Exactly how I imagined.
Inside the House
Ethan sat in the living room, quietly observing the space.
He had expected Pakura's home to be minimal...cold, efficient.
Instead…
It felt warm.
Lived-in.
Comforting.
From the outside, it looked no different than any other house.
But inside...
It felt like home.
The faint sounds of cooking from the kitchen only added to that feeling.
Ethan leaned back slightly, letting that warmth settle in.
Then he realized something.
Somewhere along the way…
He had grown attached to Pakura.
Was it love?
He wasn't sure.
But one thing was certain...
He was definitely attracted to her.
That much, he couldn't deny.
Then another thought surfaced.
What about her?
How did Pakura see him?
He wanted to say it was love.
After all, her affinity was nearing fifty.
But after interacting with several people with high affinity…
Ethan had realized something important.
High affinity didn't always mean romantic love.
People interpreted their feelings differently...based on their personality, their past, their experiences.
Take Masami and Tsuyu, for example.
Their feelings weren't love.
It was devotion.
Almost fanatic loyalty...like he was their savior.
And then there was Yashalei.
To her, he probably felt more like an older brother.
Someone dependable.
Someone she could rely on.
And Pakura?
…He still wasn't sure.
Not yet.
But he intended to find out.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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