Chapter 103: This Beautiful Scenery Should Be Painted
If Akiyama Makoto had been there, he would have definitely applauded Hiruzen Sarutobi, because he was also very curious about the answer to that question.
Although he agreed with Danzō's title as the "Scapegoat King" of Konoha, would he really seek revenge on him just because of a conflict with a single Shimura Chūnin? It wasn't impossible, but such a Danzō would be a bit too petty.
So, what was the real reason?
This time, Danzō did not hide it. He was even quite blunt. "Hmph. Sarutobi, don't you think he's risen a little too quickly?"
"He never went to the Academy but can write books. He never refined chakra but can now climb trees and walk on water. He had no network to build on but now has friends everywhere. He has no special experience, yet even you were outmaneuvered by him."
"Do you think all of this is a coincidence?"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed tightly. He did not answer.
"I'm not afraid to tell you," Danzō continued, "one of my followers, Yamanaka Fū, has been looking for an opportunity to probe his true abilities."
"Fū is only a Chūnin now, but his strength has long since reached the level of a Special Jōnin."
"For a full ten days, he could not find an opening. Makoto even found Kurenai Yūhi to act as his bodyguard, and she was willing to work for him for a week for only five thousand Ryō."
Danzō sneered. "Even an average Jōnin would find it difficult to achieve this, but he did it."
"Having no flaws is sometimes the biggest flaw of all."
"Sarutobi, let me handle this. I will have Fū investigate his memories. Afterward, we can just blame it on some other village. The Cloud, for example."
The corner of Hiruzen's mouth twitched. "Again? Just like with the Hyūga clan back then?"
"He's just a commoner. There's no need for such a big fuss. Doesn't he like making friends? We'll just say he befriended a Cloud Village spy and was abducted for intelligence gathering."
Hiruzen still didn't answer. He picked up his pipe and began to smoke. He greatly disliked Danzō's method of targeting people in the village for baseless reasons, but he had to admit that Danzō had rooted out many spies from other villages using such means. Of course, it was inevitable that there would be collateral damage—but collateral damage, it was all for the village. Sometimes, it was unavoidable.
"Sarutobi, what are you still hesitating for? He's just a commoner."
Pushed into a corner, Hiruzen said angrily, "Danzō, I AM the Hokage!"
Danzō's eyes rolled back in frustration. He stood up to leave.
Only then did Hiruzen say, "He just had his book signing today. His reputation is at its peak. Come back and discuss this with me in a month."
"Hmph!" Danzō left the Hokage's Office without another word.
But Hiruzen, who knew him well, understood that he had agreed.
Hiruzen smoked his pipe, recalling Makoto's words from earlier. For some reason, his thoughts flew back to when he was a child, to the age when he was taught the Will of Fire by the First and Second Hokage. He had never forgotten the First's Will of Fire, but that kind of thing... how could it possibly be realized?
This Konoha... it was better to leave it to him to protect. Akiyama Makoto's ideas just wouldn't work.
On Makoto's end, the book signing continued until evening. His hand was almost numb. His friends also had looks of exhaustion on their faces. Only a powerful Jōnin like Kurenai could maintain her composure as usual.
"Alright, thank you for your hard work, everyone."
"Next, everyone is heading to the barbecue restaurant for a big meal, and after that, you can all go to the bathhouse for a soak in the hot spring. All expenses are on me."
His words revitalized everyone.
He was surrounded by the crowd and ushered into the restaurant. They ate until nine o'clock, and were then ushered into the Kazematsuri Bathhouse. It wasn't until ten o'clock that he finally returned to his own suite.
At this time, his room was also packed with people. The strange thing was, they were basically all women. Guy, Lee, Neji, Shikamaru, Chōji, and Sasuke, upon seeing this scene, immediately changed their clothes and fled the bathhouse. Only he could be so at ease in the face of so many women. Perhaps this was the trouble with being a handsome boy.
The group of girls played Hanafuda, board games, and watched TV, having a great time. It wasn't until close to midnight that they began to leave one by one. Hanabi was carried back by Hinata. Moegi had long since fallen fast asleep on his lap. Ino and Sakura had Tenten with them, so they didn't need his escort—and they wouldn't have allowed him to leave the room anyway. According to Kurenai, his attacker had not yet been found.
Kurenai looked at the time and felt it was about time to say goodbye to him as well.
"I'm leaving. The one-week employment ends now."
"As for your safety, you shouldn't need to worry anymore. That guy who was probing you hasn't appeared since yesterday."
Makoto nodded. He felt that Yamanaka Fū had probably given up. And even if he hadn't, he was no threat to him now. The remaining problem, rather, was Hiruzen's strange attitude. He still hadn't figured out the motive for his behavior. It couldn't really be because of Kurenai, could it?
Kurenai felt very uncomfortable under his strange gaze. She bit her lip and thought for a few seconds. "I understand your feelings for me, but we're not suitable for each other."
"I think Tenten and the others have very favorable impressions of you. You can definitely cultivate a relationship with them and choose the one you like best to be her husband in the future."
"As for me, I will always be your big sister."
Makoto smiled faintly and stroked Moegi's hair. "I won't give up, Big Sister Kurenai."
"As for Tenten and the others... let's just let nature take its course."
Kurenai let out a soft sigh, stood up, and went into his bedroom to change into her own kimono. She had originally intended to leave directly, but her heart softened. She came to his side and gave him a light hug.
"It won't be so easy to enjoy your big sister's hug again in the future."
He replied playfully, "It's alright. I will always remember my sister's beautiful embrace."
Kurenai blushed, clearly remembering the scene from that day when she was rescuing him and her pajamas had slipped.
"Forget it!" she said with a pout.
"Impossible. I'm going to paint it later, frame it, and keep it forever."
"You dare!"
Kurenai poked his forehead. The two of them laughed and joked for a while before she finally stood up and left his room. As for whether he would actually paint her beautiful form... she couldn't control that sort of thing, could she?
An inexplicable smile played on her lips as she walked out of the bathhouse, only to suddenly see the glowing and extinguishing light of a fire in the darkness. She recognized the familiar smell, and her expression changed slightly.
Sarutobi Asuma emerged from the darkness, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He said with feigned casualness, "You're coming out this late? I thought you were going to stay the night."
"Well? Should I walk you back?"
Kurenai had originally intended to agree, but then she saw his bloodshot eyes. She sighed softly. "You just got back to Konoha from a mission, right? You should rest early."
"Don't smoke so much when you're tired. It's not good for your body."
"I was originally going to take a mission tomorrow, but since you're back now, I can wait three more days."
She thought she had made herself clear, but a frivolous smile appeared on Asuma's lips. "Alright—but only three days? Can't you make it seven?"
Her expression changed, and a flash of annoyance appeared in her red eyes.
Asuma grew flustered. He quickly threw away his cigarette. "What I mean is, I want to spend more time with you."
"That won't be necessary. You should spend more time with your family. For example, Lord Third Hokage."
Without looking back, Kurenai walked away, leaving a crestfallen Asuma behind.
His gaze slowly shifted to the room where Makoto was staying. Before he could do anything, a figure walked out from the darkness.
"Yo, what a coincidence, Asuma-senpai." Anko pointed at the bathhouse. "Want to go for a soak? My treat!"
"No need."
Asuma turned to leave, but then seemed to think of something and turned back. "Have you been with Kurenai recently? What's the deal with that Akiyama Makoto? How did he become her little brother?"
The corner of Anko's mouth twitched. Was this really an appropriate question to ask her? How should she organize her answer?
After thinking it over, Anko gave the smartest possible answer.
"Ahaha—I have no idea!"
"Me and Kurenai—I mean, me and Makoto aren't close at all."
Anko was playing dumb, but anyone who wasn't a fool could see it. It was just that unless you were one of the people involved, you would never be able to figure out the reason for her pretense.
"Heh. I see."
Asuma lit another cigarette and walked into the darkness, leaving Anko alone and baffled. She then slowly retreated back into the shadows.
Kurenai was gone. It was naturally her turn to protect him now.
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