Chapter 85: Kurenai Yūhi and Anko Mitarashi
Under Akiyama Makoto's guidance, it didn't take long for chakra threads to sprout from the fingertips of the three girls, and they memorized the feeling. He was able to do this because he had spent two simulations in the Sand Village and had a thorough understanding of the Puppet Technique. Although he couldn't become a master puppet maker, in terms of puppet manipulation, his skill was likely in the top five of the entire Sand Village. Now, simply teaching three people how to use chakra threads was a piece of cake.
"Alright. What you need to do next is to make the chakra threads longer and tougher, and then try to use them to control things or attack directly."
"This part is up to you. I can't teach you any more."
The three girls' faces were full of joy. For them, who had not yet graduated from the Academy, this was already a remarkable ability.
Afterward, they sat side-by-side in his room, practicing their chakra threads. It wasn't until late at night that he got up to walk them home.
On the way back to the bathhouse, he once again sensed the gaze of someone following him. This time, there was no doubt. By sensing the other person's chakra, he determined that it was Yamanaka Fū. It seemed the small commotion he had caused today had made the guy change his plans again.
Makoto yawned and pretended that nothing had happened, but then he suddenly turned and walked into an izakaya by the side of the road.
"Yo, young man, this isn't the place for you," the owner said, waving him away. "Come back in a few years."
In the ninja world, there were no laws against underage drinking; after all, there were barely any laws at all. But shop owners would still use their experience to stop those who looked like children from entering. As for young ninja using the Transformation Jutsu to sneak in, that was beyond his control.
Makoto didn't use the Transformation Jutsu. Instead, he said calmly, "I'm looking for Jōnin Kurenai Yūhi."
"Oh, looking for Jōnin Kurenai. She's in that private room over there. But remember to knock before you go in. A drunk Jōnin isn't in a very good mood." The owner didn't doubt his words. In Konoha, who would dare to cause trouble for a Jōnin?
Makoto thanked him and walked up to the private room, knocking on the door.
The voice that came from inside was not Kurenai's, but another woman's.
"Who is it? Our food and drinks have all been served. Don't tell me it's someone trying to hit on us?"
"Let me see what kind of bold person it is, and if he's manly enough..."
With a whoosh, the door slid open.
The reeking-of-alcohol Anko Mitarashi tilted her head and looked at him. Originally angry at being disturbed, she now looked at him with surprise, and a smile curved her lips.
"Kurenai, is your little brother here to find you?"
Only then did Kurenai part the curtain and show her face. "I'm the only one left in my family. Where would I get a little brother...? And you are?"
"Akiyama Makoto. Good evening, Lady Kurenai, and this is..."
"The little guy is quite polite. I'm Anko Mitarashi, a Special Jōnin. Come on, come on, sit down and have a drink with us."
"Two women drinking alone at night without a man, we're so lonely!"
Anko pulled him into the private room, closed and locked the door, and then unceremoniously slung an arm around his shoulder and snuggled up to him. As someone with a naturally boisterous personality who loved to drink, the alcohol had now gone to her head, and she began to hit on him.
Kurenai was clearly still sober. She shook her head helplessly. "I remember you, Akiyama Makoto. The boy who's on good terms with the Ino-Shika-Chō trio. You came looking for me specifically. What is it?"
"Don't worry, I won't let her do anything too out of line. I'll pull her off you in a bit."
Makoto glanced at Anko's fingers dancing on the back of his hand, then returned his gaze to Kurenai. During his days as her disciple, he had seen her drunk more than once. He had even once had to drag all four of them—Kurenai, Anko, Shizune, and Tsunade—back to their respective homes. The current situation was a minor scene in comparison.
"I was passing by and heard the owner praising your drinking prowess, so I came to see if I might meet you. I'm very lucky to have this opportunity." He didn't let his guard down just because she seemed to have been drinking. He had to make his motives sound more reasonable. Otherwise, as a genjutsu user with a mind as fine as dust, she might become suspicious of his actions.
"As for my purpose in coming, I would like to make a private request to hire you. I hope you will protect me for a week."
Kurenai was taken aback. "Protect you?" she asked, puzzled. "Does someone in Konoha want to harm you?"
"Actually, I'm holding a book signing in a few days. I'll need someone to maintain order. I think you are the most suitable person for the job, Lady Kurenai."
"Pfft, hahaha!" Anko laughed heartily. "Kurenai! In the eyes of this little man, the most suitable job for you is to maintain order! I think you should just find a man, get married, and be a housewife!"
Kurenai flicked a dango into Anko's mouth, then said with a half-smile, "Makoto-kun, in your eyes, is a Jōnin someone who is responsible for this kind of work?"
"You misunderstand, madam. I requested you not only for your strength, but also considering your influence and your looks, which are among the best of all the kunoichi in Konoha."
He said calmly but sincerely, "In short, I hope you will help me add some prestige to the event. After all, I know very few Jōnin."
This time, Anko couldn't laugh. She pulled him to face her. "Hey, boy, look at me. Am I not good enough?"
"If you are willing to come, Lady Anko, I would be more than happy."
Anko was very tempted, but in the end, she shook her head. "Forget it. For a kid like you, hiring one Jōnin will probably cost you all your savings. If I go too, you'll go bankrupt."
"Unless you don't want to take this mission, Kurenai. Then let me be the number one beauty of Konoha!"
Kurenai also laughed, not a polite laugh, but a happy one. She had never lacked suitors and had heard plenty of compliments, but this was the first time she had heard one so direct and yet so sincere. After all, there were few ninja who understood romance, let alone one whose words were so honeyed that they could mesmerize any woman.
"If it's just that level of work, I can agree. But I won't accept a C-rank mission."
"You must first provide 200,000 Ryō, then go to the Hokage's Office to post a B-rank mission specifically requesting me. Then, I can work for you for 2 hours a day for a week."
"Of course, you can also choose to have me work for 14 hours in one day. As a ninja, I will follow your schedule."
Beside them, Anko chimed in, "What an enviable job."
But his next words made Kurenai narrow her eyes slightly.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation. However, I think it would be better to set the mission rank to A-rank, with a provisional payment of 300,000 Ryō. What do you think?"
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