Jiraiya really did look miserable.
He wasn't the type to hold grudges or brood, but liking Tsunade for so many years and losing before he even had a chance…
yeah, that hurt.
When he suggested going out for a drink, Tsunade's first reaction was to glance toward Shiki.
"Well, or you can come too," Jiraiya added quickly, pointing at Shiki. "You're Tsunade's boyfriend now anyway."
Tsunade looked at Shiki again.
Shiki shrugged casually.
"I'm not going. You three Sannin can have your reunion."
"Then I'll—"
Tsunade was about to refuse, but Shiki cut her off with a wave.
"Go. I need to head home and check on things anyway. A gathering between the three of you sounds better."
"…Alright."
Tsunade couldn't argue with that.
But as she turned, Shiki added:
"Don't drink too much. If you get drunk, you're not coming home tonight."
"Got it, got it!"
If anyone else said that, Tsunade would have punched them.
But coming from Shiki, she couldn't help the tiny smile tugging at her lips.
Being bossed around like this… why does it feel so nice?
"Then I'll go first," Shiki said, nodding.
He walked off.
Tsunade and Jiraiya didn't think much of it—
But Orochimaru did.
Quietly, his slit pupils followed Shiki's back with an unreadable intensity.
That aura… that presence… he really did terrify me for a moment.
He was more curious than ever.
Jiraiya noticed the stare and elbowed him.
"I'm telling you, Orochimaru… you didn't actually fall for Shiki at first sight, right?"
"Get. Out."
Orochimaru's face twitched as he glared at him.
No wonder Tsunade punched him earlier—
he deserved it.
"Whatever. Let's just drink," Jiraiya sighed.
The three Sannin headed off.
--
When Shiki returned home, he found two small figures sweeping the courtyard.
One was Kurenai.
The other, of course, was the loudmouth she'd dragged along...
Mitarashi Anko.
"Kurenai—you can't come clean his house every day."
If it weren't for them being friends, she would've chased her off already.
Kurenai put away the rag, smiling brightly, not tired at all.
"Shiki-nii is busy fighting outside. Obviously I have to take care of the house!"
"Hey, you two aren't even dating," Anko said bluntly, hands on hips. "You act like his wife already. Simp."
Kurenai's face went red instantly.
"A-Anko! I'm ignoring you!"
Anko just smirked, completely unbothered.
It was a mystery how these two—
one quiet and elegant, the other loud and chaotic...ended up being best friends.
Shiki couldn't help smiling.
He'd heard everything.
"I'm back!"
"Welcome ba—!"
Kurenai answered out of habit…
then froze.
Slowly, she turned toward the gate.
Shiki was standing there, smiling as he walked in.
"Shiki-nii!"
Before he could even blink, Kurenai dropped the rag and sprinted straight at him.
Shiki caught her easily as she jumped into him.
"I missed you so much!"
She buried her face into him, breathing in that familiar Shiki scent she'd memorized.
Shiki chuckled and placed a hand on her head.
"These few days I was gone… you must've worked hard, Kurenai."
The courtyard was spotless.
The eaves were spotless.
Everything looked like someone had been maintaining it every single day.
Kurenai shook her head while leaning against him.
"It's nothing… I wanted to."
Across the yard, Anko stood there awkwardly, arms crossed, eyes wide.
He's… REALLY handsome.
Even at her age, she could recognize a pretty face.
And she'd heard the rumors—everyone had.
Konoha's Golden Lion.
The boy who cut a Tailed Beast Bomb and defeated Shukaku head-on.
The one who supposedly ended the Second Shinobi War.
Seeing him in person felt unreal.
"Uh—s-sorry to interrupt," Anko finally blurted out, "Are you really that Golden Lion Shiki everyone's talking about?"
Shiki finally looked at her properly.
A delicate face, sharp eyes, same age as Kurenai…
Hard to imagine this kid becoming the overly loud, overly thicc Anko in Boruto.
(Akimichi blood somewhere in the family tree? Who knows.)
Shiki gently put Kurenai down and smiled at Anko.
"Who knows? Maybe."
"Hey!" Kurenai puffed her cheeks. "He's not 'maybe' anything, he is! Everyone says he's even stronger than White Fang!"
Shiki didn't bother pretending.
"Mm. That part's true."
"Woah…"
Anko's eyes sparkled with straight-up admiration.
Kurenai lifted her chin proudly.
See?
My Shiki-nii is amazing.
"That's right, Kurenai," Shiki said, turning back to her. "You come here every day… Shinku doesn't complain?"
"Father? No," she replied without hesitation. "He doesn't mind."
Shiki blinked.
Shinku… letting his daughter run to a teenage boy's house every day?
That man must have nerves of steel.
Or maybe he simply trusted Kurenai too much.
Either way, Shiki shrugged and smiled again as Kurenai beamed.
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