c111: So Sinister
The next afternoon, Uchiha Gen, who had slept the whole morning to recover from a week of exhausting missions, left the Uchiha compound and headed for Yuhi Kurenai's home.
The previous day, Uzuki Yugao had approached him and proposed a visit to Kurenai, who was still mourning the loss of her father, Yuhi Shinku, a former member of the Konoha Barrier Team and a skilled Genjutsu specialist killed during the Nine-Tails' assault.
As for Mitarashi Anko, she had left the village temporarily to accompany Orochimaru on a research mission, as she was still his apprentice at this time and often worked under his direct guidance. Therefore, she was not in Konoha during this visit.
Gen met up with Yugao at the agreed meeting point. The two chatted as they walked together. Along the way, they couldn't help but notice how quiet Konoha had become since the Nine-Tails' attack. The festive liveliness that once marked the village was replaced by a subdued and solemn atmosphere. Rebuilding was underway, but the emotional scars were far from healed.
Kurenai's residence wasn't in the heart of the village. Due to the high housing costs near the Hokage Tower and the administrative sectors, her home was located a bit further out, just two streets away from the central ring.
Yugao's residence was on the outer edge of Konoha's middle district, while Kurenai's was closer in, situated in what could be considered the innermost part of the middle zone closer to the Konoha Hospital and the Academy.
In contemporary urban terms, Yugao's home would be like living on the "Fourth Ring Road," Kurenai's on the "Third Ring," with the Hokage Tower and the core residential elite on the "First and Second Rings." The Uchiha district, relocated post-Nine-Tails under political pressure, was situated on the "Fifth Ring," near the outskirts bordering the village walls a placement intended to isolate the clan.
Kurenai's house was a modest, three-story red building. The neighborhood was calm, lined with well-kept trees, and across the street was a local market and various shops, providing a convenient daily life. This residential pocket was home to several mid-level ninja families.
When they knocked, the door opened quickly but the person who appeared wasn't the grieving Kurenai, but Ebisu, wearing his signature round sunglasses and an ever-present sense of self-importance.
Ebisu?
If this guy was here, then Sarutobi Asuma must also be inside.
Could it be that during Kurenai's emotional vulnerability, Asuma had found a way into her heart?
"Gen, Yugao, did you come to visit Kurenai?" Ebisu asked in his usual stiff tone as he adjusted his glasses.
Uchiha Gen rolled his eyes and walked in without answering. The question was redundant obviously, that was why they were here.
"Yes," Yugao replied politely, then followed Gen into the house.
Ebisu scratched his head, slightly embarrassed, realizing he had stated the obvious.
In the living room, Sarutobi Asuma was indeed present. He seemed to have been saying something emotional, as his eyes were slightly red.
"Captain, Yugao, thank you for coming," Kurenai said as she stood up to greet them. She was dressed in a plain white home yukata, and although her voice was composed, there was a visible sadness behind her smile.
Yugao walked ahead of Gen, offered a gentle smile, and squeezed Kurenai's hand in silent support.
"Are you okay?" Gen asked, walking in more casually with his hands behind his head. He found a spot on the sofa and plopped down, nodding briefly at Asuma.
Large clans like the Hyūga or the Aburame still practiced the tradition of kneeling on tatami mats, but most modern ninja families used chairs and sofas for guests Kurenai's family was no exception.
Gen's relaxed posture irked Asuma, who frowned at the display of nonchalance.
"I'm fine," Kurenai said quietly. "Actually, you didn't have to come. I can manage."
"I believe that," Gen said sincerely. "In my heart, you've always been brave, strong, and optimistic. You've endured so much this won't break you."
Asuma nodded quietly in agreement, though his eyes occasionally flicked toward Kurenai with concern.
After thanking Gen, Kurenai sat down beside him and looked at him curiously.
"Captain... what's life like living alone?"
Her mother had died when she was very young, and she'd been raised by her father ever since she was three. Now, she was truly alone.
"How to put it…" Gen considered. "You have complete freedom. You can arrange your days however you want. It's peaceful once you get used to it."
"But it's also easy to fall into bad habits. Without someone to keep you grounded, laziness creeps in. You need strong discipline to live alone without slipping."
"If it gets too much, you can always come to my place. I live alone too."
Asuma's expression immediately darkened, alarm bells blaring in his head. No, no, no... don't say yes…
Kurenai's cheeks turned red, caught off guard.
Was Gen saying this out of kindness? Or was there an ulterior motive?
"Ah, sorry," Gen quickly added, scratching his head. "That sounded a bit wrong. It's obviously not appropriate for a man and woman to live alone together."
"Anyway, Anko lives alone too. When she returns from her mission, maybe you could stay with her. Or better yet, Yugao could join too."
"A team of close friends living together might be more comfortable. Livelier, and easier to support each other."
Asuma couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Gen, what a great plan," he said sarcastically. "You want to live with the three most beautiful kunoichi in our class?"
"Ebisu, are you okay with this?"
Ebisu, catching Asuma's cue, quickly shook his head. "Absolutely not. The other boys in our class definitely wouldn't approve!"
"Gen, there's no reason Kurenai needs to live with you," Asuma added. "She could just stay with Yugao or Anko."
Gen just smiled. "Why so worked up, Asuma? Someone seems awfully nervous."
Then he casually added, "By the way… do you like Anko?"
Asuma turned beet red. "What?! No! Don't talk nonsense."
"Just looking out for my teammates," he added lamely. "Don't want anyone taking advantage."
Gen chuckled. Asuma was really something during his rebellious phase.
Of course, he didn't actually intend to cohabitate with the girls. Not now. The timing wasn't right too many of his secrets were still hidden, and inviting them into his private space would be inconvenient. But a little teasing helped break the heavy atmosphere and lifted Kurenai's spirits.
"What's so funny?" Asuma demanded.
"Nothing. Just remembered something amusing," Gen replied with a smirk.
"What amusing thing?"
"No comment."
"You're laughing at me!"
"I'm not. But if you want to think that, I can't stop you," Gen shrugged.
"Grr… I want to duel you!"
Asuma was fuming.
Seeing things heat up, Kurenai, Ebisu, and Yugao tried to calm them down.
"You sure?" Gen raised an eyebrow. "If you lose, don't go crying to your dad."
Asuma's pride took over. He was the son of the Third Hokage, but he hated living in his father's shadow. He wanted to prove he was strong on his own, not because of his family name.
Many envied him for being the Hokage's son, but Asuma had always tried to distance himself from that reputation though he still benefited from it, like having Ebisu as a loyal follower.
Rejecting his background while still enjoying its perks Gen found that ironic.
"I'm already a Chūnin. I've grown up. I won't go running to my old man."
"And I want to see if the Uchiha genius name is all it's cracked up to be."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Asuma regretted it. He knew how wide the gap was between a Chūnin and a seasoned Jōnin who had fought in real wars even helped repel the Nine-Tails.
But with everyone watching especially Kurenai, he couldn't back down.
"Alright," Gen said, smiling faintly. "I'll play along."
If Asuma lost miserably in front of Kurenai, the damage to his pride might stall any budding romance.
Gen didn't have time to monitor Asuma's love life, but nudging events in one direction with a little psychological warfare? That was fair game.
Seeing Asuma's face flush with rising fury, Gen knew his bait had been taken.
Looking down on him?
Asuma clenched his fists. I'm a Sarutobi too… I'm not weak!
Maybe just maybe he could take advantage of Gen's overconfidence and land a surprise blow.
And if he did, he'd have all the leverage.
Just imagining it made Asuma grin like a man with a master plan.
Hehe… so sinister.
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