Yekura.
In Rasa's inherited memories, she was a former classmate.
A capable and beautiful woman, skilled in Scorch Release, with considerable strength.
Among the younger generation in the village, only Rasa and Yekura were closest to being considered for the position of Kazekage. However, Yekura seemed to have no interest in becoming Kazekage. She preferred teaching children at the academy, a gentle and caring teacher. Even when exhausted from missions, she would drag her tired body to train with her students.
She was also fiercely loyal to the Hidden Sand Village—a highly capable and devoted ninja.
In the original timeline, during this war, she would earn the title of "Hero" of the Hidden Sand Village, a testament to her top-tier strength.
But Rasa knew… if not for an accident, she would later be sent as a sacrificial pawn to the Hidden Mist Village to secure peace as part of the defeated nation's terms, only to be ambushed and killed.
The Fourth Kazekage—what could be said about him?
A tragic figure who yearned to make the ninja village stronger but lacked the power to do so.
He toiled tirelessly, panning gold to sustain the village, and sacrificed a loyal hero for the sake of peace. Unlike the Third Hokage, he didn't have the luck or a scapegoat friend to take the blame. In the end, he not only doomed his son but also brought ruin to his village.
Of course, all that had changed now that he was here.
After all, he had a cheat system!
The only problem? He was broke.
Frowning slightly, he lowered his head and muttered helplessly, "I need to find a way to make some money fast."
To get stronger, he had to pay!
But just as the words left his mouth…
"You're short on cash?" Yekura, walking beside him, suddenly tossed her head with a spirited flair, speaking in a calm tone. "Makes sense. You haven't taken a mission in a month, and the village is struggling. It's no surprise you're out of money."
She turned to Rasa, who was staring at her, and rolled her eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing~ Just… I think you've gotten a lot prettier lately," Rasa quickly pivoted, but all he got in return was another eye-roll from Yekura. Recalling his memories, he realized this was just how she was—bold and seemingly careless, but a reliable partner.
She loved the Hidden Sand Village, so if anyone in the village needed help, she was always eager to lend a hand.
But borrowing money…
[It's a bit embarrassing, isn't it?]
After all, to fund his system, he'd need a lot of money—and he doubted he could repay her anytime soon.
Before he could say anything else, Yekura spoke again. "Your tongue's gotten sweeter, and your face isn't as sour as before."
Her words made Rasa want to retort, but he held back.
"It seems the village rumors about you being mentally shattered by the Third Kazekage's disappearance are true," she said, furrowing her brow as she sized him up. "You're like a completely different person."
With that, she shook her head, sighed, and continued, "Whatever. Why do I even care about you?" She pulled out a slightly worn money pouch and tossed it to Rasa. "I just got back from a mission today. Most of it went to the village, but this is what's left."
"…"
Rasa glanced at the pouch, still warm from where it had been tucked… ahem. Clearing his throat, he thanked her and was about to toss it back, insisting he didn't need it, when—
"No need to say thanks. Just pay me back!" Yekura turned and walked away, waving nonchalantly. "And… make sure you come back alive."
"Hey…" Rasa called out, but seeing her vanish into the night, he could only shake his head helplessly and mutter, "Fine, I'll consider it a loan~"
As for when he'd repay it? With him here, he'd essentially saved Yekura's life by altering her doomed fate.
As her lifesaver, was it too much to delay repayment a bit?
"Not at all. Repaying it at all is already too generous," Rasa mused, shaking his head with a sigh.
But just as he spoke—
"What's too generous?"
A familiar, soft, and gentle voice came from behind.
"Karura?"
Seeing the smiling figure standing not far away, Rasa instinctively flinched. But a moment later, he wondered why he felt so guilty. Borrowing money from a village comrade in his own village—what was wrong with that?
Perfectly normal, right?
So, he quickly put on a smile and walked toward Karura. "What are you doing here?"
"You were out so late, and I was worried something happened, so I came to check on you," Karura said, her eyes gentle as she looked at Rasa. "And then I saw…"
"No, no, there's nothing going on between me and Yekura, I swear!" Rasa hurriedly clarified, practically swearing on his life. Having been steeped in melodramatic tropes, he knew he had to make his stance clear.
But…
"Mm~" Karura giggled, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Of course, I know there's nothing between you and Sister Yekura~"
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"You've… really changed a lot, Rasa!"
"Heh… haha, have I?" Rasa's heart skipped a beat, realizing his reaction was a bit off. He quickly looked up with a melancholic air, mumbling, "People change…"
Before he could finish—
A sudden embrace enveloped him.
"Are you still grieving over the Third Kazekage?" Karura hugged him tightly, her voice soft and comforting. "I'm sure the Third wouldn't want you to stay lost in sorrow, Rasa… I'll always be by your side."
"…"
You've got it all wrong, Rasa thought, but how could he explain now? Smiling, he returned the embrace, saying nothing. [Hugging my own fiancée isn't a crime, right?]
"If you're ever short on money, you can tell me. I've saved up a bit—don't refuse~" Karura cut off Rasa before he could protest, her gentle face turning serious. "Listen to me, Rasa. And…"
She paused for a moment.
"Is war coming?"
"Yeah," Rasa replied quietly, nodding without elaborating.
"You're going too?"
"Yeah."
"Can I go with you?"
"No way!!!" This time, Rasa didn't hesitate, shaking his head firmly. "Your body isn't fit to be a ninja anymore."
Karura had once been a ninja, but an injury from a mission had left her frail, forcing her to retire.
"Wait for me in the village."
"I…" Karura started to say something but stopped when she saw Rasa's serious expression. She smiled and nodded. "Alright, I'll wait for you in the village, Rasa…" Her eyes shone as she looked at him.
"Promise me you'll come back alive." Her cheeks flushed slightly, visible even in the dark night. "When you do, we'll get mar—"
But before she could finish—
"Don't speak… kiss me!" Rasa quickly leaned in, cutting her off. You can't just say things like that!
[Are you trying to get me killed?!]
(End of Chapter)
Translator's Note: MC, don't disappoint me—stay loyal to your beautiful fiancée. If you don't, I might give you a traumatic ending~ (Just a Joke)