𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝒀𝑶𝑼 | 𝑲.𝑰𝑵𝒁𝑼𝑲𝑨

|I{•------» [47] «------•}I|

It was the day of the race, and the harbor was buzzing with anticipation. Villagers and members of both the Wasabi and Wagarashi families had gathered before sunrise, eager to witness the highly anticipated event. Naruto couldn't help but be amazed by the sheer size of the crowd surrounding them.

As the sun began to peek over the horizon, Sakura pulled out a map and started explaining the race's details to the team. She pointed out that the race would start from the bridge at the first sight of the sun, with the runners traveling by boat in the first leg. They would then proceed to pick up jewels from the Modoroki shrine before heading to the Todoroki shrine, where the first to arrive would claim victory. Sakura also mentioned that the Wagarashi family had hired a ninja who was keeping a low profile.

The announcer's voice boomed over the crowd, signaling the imminent start of the race. Ruka's attention was immediately drawn to Idate Morino, the candidate running for the Wasabi family. She couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about his presence. "If they're related, then why is he here?" Ruka wondered to herself. She wanted to know more about the story behind his involvement but realized that it wasn't the right time to ask.

With the runners at their marks, the gates of the bridge swung open, and the race began. Fukusuke, representing the Wasabi family, charged straight for the bridge, while Idate swiftly changed his path, veering to the left at the last moment.

"Let's go," Ruka said, quickly giving instructions to her team. They jumped from branch to branch, following Idate through the forest. However, they soon found themselves moving in circles, trapped in a genjutsu. Idate eventually broke free, running straight ahead, oblivious to the cliff that lay ahead. But Ruka was one step ahead, quickly grabbing him with a rope and pulling him up.

Idate glared at Ruka, clearly annoyed by her help. "Look, I don't need your help, okay?!" he snapped.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, growing irritated with Idate's disrespectful attitude toward their team leader. "You don't need it?! Hey, listen, you fat head! How about a little thanks to Ruka for saving your life?!" Naruto retorted.

"She's the reason why we're doing this for you," Sakura added, her voice filled with a hint of frustration.

Ruka closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before letting out a long sigh. "Naruto," she called out, hoping to diffuse the tension.

Idate scoffed, retorting, "She only saved me because she's bound to by duty, as always."

Confusion flashed across Ruka's face as she stared at Idate. "What do you mean, as always?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. But she quickly shook off her questions, realizing they didn't have time to delve into it at the moment. "Look, if you don't want to wind up dead, then I suggest you stay close to us," she advised firmly.

Idate rolled his eyes and turned around to leave. Naruto, baffled, asked, "Where are you going? What about the port?"

"What about it?" Idate stopped and looked over his shoulder at them. "Forget about it. I'm heading North from here."

"It's the faster way, isn't it?" Ruka commented, her gaze fixed on him.

Idate met her gaze with a smirk. "This is why I like you," he said, a note of admiration in his voice.

The team, now joined by Idate, continued their race

, running across the grassy terrain. Ruka couldn't help but notice Idate's resilience and resourcefulness, traits that reminded her of Ibiki, his older brother.

As they ran, Naruto's keen sense of smell picked up the scent of salt in the wind. Sakura quickly identified it as the ocean. Ruka's eyes focused ahead as the clear blue water came into view. They borrowed a boat from an old man living by the ocean and embarked on the next leg of their journey.

Ruka noticed Idate standing at the corner of the boat, his gaze fixed ahead. Curiosity sparked within her as she walked over and stood beside him. They stared ahead in silence until Idate broke it, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. "I've always wondered how he would be if he were still here... my brother."

"He's still alive," Ruka assured him gently, causing Idate to look at her in surprise. "The reason why I feel like I know you is because Ibiki told me stories about you."

"Let me guess... he mentioned me being a coward, didn't he?" Idate looked away and scoffed. "I can never be enough for him."

Ruka gazed at him with eyes softened by understanding. "I don't think you're a coward," she said sincerely.

"If you were a coward, you would have run away from this challenge from the start," she whispered, her words filled with conviction. "But right now, I can see how determined you are to finish this challenge, and I think that's the least cowardly thing about you."

Idate turned to her, his eyes locked with hers. It took him a while to process her words fully, finally comprehending why the villagers referred to her as the beacon light of Konoha. "It's not too late, you know," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of hope and sadness.

"What?" Ruka's voice trembled as his words struck deep within her.

"To drop everything and have a normal life," Idate continued, his voice filled with sincerity. "I've heard everything about you, the princess of Konoha who is always trying to prove her worth to her grandfather."

"I know that you are more than worthy, but you don't deserve this life," he said, his voice filled with an earnest plea. "You deserve someone who takes care of you, someone who would constantly come to pull you back every time you feel like drowning. You deserve a life where you don't have to worry about anyone's death or the pressure that is on your shoulders to protect your home."

Ruka's lips trembled as she realized how deeply his words resonated with her. Before she could say anything in response, her instincts kicked in. She quickly lunged forward and pushed Idate down to the floor, shielding him from danger. A small stroke of red appeared on her green flak jacket as a projectile lodged itself behind her shoulder.

"Ruka!" Naruto shouted in alarm, rushing to her side.

Sasuke, Sakura, and Idate scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of the attack. Ruka gritted her teeth, trying to assess the situation despite the pain coursing through her.