It really would be super cool.
That's all Kurenai could think about.
Walking to school with a war hero… with Shiki…
Just imagining her classmates seeing them together made her heart jump.
Will they misunderstand? Will they think Shiki-nii is… my—
She shook her head, cheeks warm.
Meanwhile at home, Yuhi Shinku was probably crying into a pillow somewhere.
His daughter, disgusted with him?
Too weak to escort her himself?
Unforgivable.
Tragic.
He might even faint again.
Kurenai didn't care.
"If that's the case," Shiki said gently, "I'll go with you."
Before Kurenai could answer, Tsunade jabbed a thumb at herself.
"Hey! Excuse me? I'm Senju Tsunade, one of the Sannin. I clearly give more face."
"Nope! I want Shiki-nii!"
Tsunade froze.
Kurenai immediately cut her a sideways glance like, don't even try it.
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
"Oh, I see how it is. You don't want 'face.' You just want to cling to Shiki."
Kurenai ignored her completely and stared only at Shiki.
"Shiki-nii… okay?"
How could he refuse when this little girl was asking for the first time?
"Alright. I'll walk with you."
"Yay! Shiki-nii is the best!"
She immediately grabbed his arm, hugging it with victory beaming in her eyes.
Tsunade's eyelid twitched again.
This brat… if I wasn't right here, what would she dare to do?
Next Morning
This was supposed to be perfect.
Walk to school.
Hand in hand with Shiki-nii.
All eyes on them.
Except...
"Why are you here!?"
Kurenai snapped at Tsunade walking on Shiki's other side.
"Don't be ungrateful," Tsunade sniffed. "I'm boosting your reputation."
Kurenai glared.
Shiki in the middle, Tsunade on one side, Kurenai on the other—it looked exactly like a young couple walking their child to school.
This was NOT what Kurenai envisioned.
She grabbed Shiki's hand on purpose.
"Let's go, Shiki-nii. Ignore her."
Tsunade smirked. Shiki laughed.
Along the way, villagers bowed and waved.
"Lord Shiki!"
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Good morning!"
Kurenai walked like she was floating.
Look everyone—look.
He's walking with ME.
When they reached the Academy, a friendly-looking Chūnin instructor stood by the gate, welcoming students.
"Good morning!—oh, Kurenai! Back from break already? Practiced hard?"
Kurenai brightened instantly.
"Of course! Shiki-nii always teaches me!"
"Shiki-nii…?"
The instructor blinked, then finally looked up—
...and froze.
"…Lord… Golden Lion?"
"…Tsunade-sama too!?"
He stood stiff as a board.
Shiki just nodded politely.
"Kurenai's in your class. Please look after her."
"Y–YES! Of course!"
The man looked ready to brag about this moment for the rest of his life.
Tsunade crossed her arms at Kurenai.
"What's this 'Shiki teaches me' nonsense? I taught you far more."
Kurenai stuck out her tongue.
"You're scary. I like Shiki-nii better."
"You little brat—!"
Before Tsunade could swing, Kurenai bowed quickly.
"Shiki-nii, I'm going!"
Then she dashed inside.
Shiki smirked.
The way Tsunade and Kurenai bickered didn't surprise him anymore.
He nodded to the teacher once more and walked off with Tsunade.
Inside the Academy
Kurenai immediately rejoined Anko and her other friends.
"It's so unfair," Anko pouted. "You had Shiki-sama AND Tsunade-sama bring you! I want that too!"
"Hehe~"
Of course Kurenai smiled proudly.
The whole school had seen them—mission accomplished.
"That was really Lord Shiki?"
"He's the one who beat a Tailed Beast!"
"He's cooler than the Hokage's ANBU!"
Kids swarmed with gossip.
Some admired Tsunade—one of Konoha's few top female legends.
But most were dazzled by Shiki, the "Golden Lion."
Of course… not everyone understood power.
"Hmph, what's the big deal?"
A boy's voice came from the side.
"Shukaku is the weakest one. I could beat it when I grow up."
Anko's head snapped around.
"Asuma! What the hell do you mean by that!?"
Sarutobi Asuma—seven years old, rebellious, and determined to "not rely on my dad"—folded his arms.
"I'm just saying! Everyone makes a big deal about him. It's only One-Tail."
Kurenai narrowed her eyes.
He was the Hokage's son…
…but even so—
"You talk like that because you've never fought," she said coolly.
"Shiki-nii saved the village."
Asuma puffed up, unwilling to be outdone.
"Tch! I'll surpass him someday!"
Anko slammed her desk.
"You can try when you stop losing to me in spars!"
"As if you're strong!" Asuma snapped.
"You wanna test it right now!?"
"Bring it on, freak!"
The class erupted in chaos.
Kurenai just sighed.
Boys are so stupid.
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