'A Reverse Summoning Jutsu? As expected of one of the Sannin...'
Ren observed the spot where Jiraiya had vanished. To avoid a public scandal, the man had resorted to such a high-level escape technique. The Legendary Sannin truly operated on a different level. Ren couldn't help but murmur a quiet, impressed, "Damn."
But it was undoubtedly Jiraiya; that distinctive, painted face was unmistakable. He hadn't punched the wrong pervert.
Kurenai Yuhi, finally processing the scene, was filled with righteous indignation. "He was a shinobi?! How could he do such a thing? Adults these days are becoming less and less reliable!"
The fact that a trained ninja would stoop to such despicable acts felt like a profound betrayal of their profession. It seemed maturity didn't guarantee integrity.
She turned to Ren, her expression unusually grave. "Ren, you absolutely must not grow up to be an adult like that. Peeping is wrong. Using a Transformation Jutsu to disguise yourself for peeping is even worse!"
While she didn't genuinely believe Ren would ever do such a thing—he was far too popular to need to—she felt a sisterly duty to reinforce the moral boundary. The thought of her older brother becoming a notorious peeping tom was mortifying.
Ren: "..."
Lately, Kurenai's verbal barbs had grown sharper, often leaving him momentarily speechless. In retaliation, he reached out and began vigorously rubbing the top of her head with his knuckles, subjecting her to what he called a "Spiral Ascension."
"What exactly is your mental image of me?" he asked, a strained smile on his face.
"Ow, ow, ow! Stop it!" Kurenai yelped, swatting his hand away. He'd found a new way to torment her besides the usual head-taps. Where did he learn these things?
She rubbed her now-messy hair, shooting him a glare full of grinding-teeth anger. "You horrible Ren! I was giving you a serious, kind reminder, and you bully me again!"
Ren pouted. "I don't need the reminder. I would never do something so low."
"That's now," Kurenai declared, placing her hands on her hips with an air of haughty responsibility. "But the future is uncertain. As your younger sister, it is my obligation to supervise your conduct and prevent you from straying down a wrong path!"
Ren narrowed his eyes playfully. "Sisters don't have that obligation. Only wives do."
"W-wife…?" Kurenai repeated the word softly. For reasons she couldn't quite articulate, a sudden, fierce blush spread across her cheeks, as if the word had triggered a cascade of half-understood thoughts and overheard, embarrassing classroom whispers.
Only a wife can? Then she… She quickly shook her head, the internal dialogue flustering her. That was… far too distant a concept!
"Yes, only a wife," Ren confirmed, his attention already diverted from Kurenai's blush. A woman who appeared to be in her early thirties was approaching them.
She was the proprietress of the hot spring inn. Having witnessed the entire debacle, she was profoundly grateful to Ren for intervening. "Thank you so much, young hero, for your assistance…"
Upon getting a closer look at Ren, she couldn't hide her surprise. This 'young hero' was exceptionally good-looking.
Ren waved a dismissive hand. "It was nothing. A minor effort, and he still got away in the end."
"I must still thank you for driving that vile creature off," the charming proprietress insisted, her favorability towards Ren skyrocketing. Handsome, righteous, and proactive—a model young man. It was a pity she didn't have a daughter of the right age; she might have tried to play matchmaker. Brushing the whimsical thought aside, she asked politely, "Are you here to enjoy the springs?"
As for the peeping tom… she could only let it go. He was a shinobi, and the attempt had been thwarted. Pursuing it further was impractical.
Ren nodded. "It's a day off from the academy. Thought we'd come to relax."
Understanding dawned on the proprietress's face, followed by a warm, gentle smile. "To express my gratitude, your visit today is entirely complimentary. Please, no arguments…"
"That doesn't seem right…"
"There's nothing wrong with it. It's settled! Let this older sister properly thank you."
"Uh…"
In the end, the proprietress's enthusiasm was too formidable to refuse. Their trip to the hot spring inn became a free experience. It was further proof that being aesthetically pleasing came with tangible benefits, even for a young boy.
Moreover, after word spread that Ren was the "little hero" who had chased off the peeper—and likely also owing to his appealing looks—the female attendants at the inn, clad lightly in nothing but bath towels, became extraordinarily… attentive.
Some playfully tried to coax Ren to join their bathing area; others offered, with excessive enthusiasm, to scrub his back…
Ren found himself in an awkward predicament. This was not the kind of attention a child his age should be navigating! Is this establishment even legitimate?!
He was having slight difficulty breathing, and not from the steam. The sheer… scale of the situation was overwhelming. It was terrifying. They weren't even sparing a child!
Ren gained a profound new understanding: boys needed to protect themselves when out in the world too, especially young, defenseless ones like him.
It was only Kurenai Yuhi's staunch, unwavering presence in front of him, her crimson eyes shooting vigilant daggers at every approaching "older sister," that prevented any truly "enthusiastic" actions…
Otherwise, Ren felt certain that with his small arms and legs, he would have been powerless against those long, pale… strategic assets.
Stare…
In their assigned private changing room, Kurenai Yuhi's unblinking crimson gaze remained fixed on Ren. She didn't speak, just watched him intently.
Why was Ren so popular everywhere he went? And those women… they were utterly shameless! How dare they act so brazenly!?
Ren: "..."
What's with that look? He hadn't done anything! It was those attendants who were too enthusiastic, too numerous, and who employed surprise tactics. How could he have been prepared?
He felt deeply wronged. "It's all because I'm just too good-looking. I don't want to be like this…"
With his looks, from six-year-olds to eighteen-year-olds, and even up to women in their thirties, members of the opposite sex couldn't help but take a second glance. Being aesthetically superior was simply a fact of life!
"Hmph!" Kurenai pouted, a clear cloud of displeasure over her. "How could those people act like that? It's too disgraceful. We're not coming back here anymore!"
They absolutely could not return. A few more visits, and she was convinced Ren would be corrupted. She wouldn't allow it.
Ren wasn't entirely convinced by the proposal, but seeing her genuine annoyance, he could only nod in placating agreement. "Mhm."
Kurenai, however, sensed his lack of sincerity. The intense staring resumed.
Stare…
Ren felt his scalp begin to prickle under the scrutiny. Deciding to seize the narrative, he asked, "Why are you staring at me like that? Do you want to take a bath with me too?"
Kurenai Yuhi's face flushed a brilliant crimson. She couldn't help but whip her head to the side, letting out a soft, flustered "hmph!" "Who would want to?! I'm not like them! I don't want to bathe with you!"
Even at six, she was acutely aware of the differences between boys and girls. Children in this world matured quickly. Bathing with Ren… that wasn't something a sister did. That was… that was for a wife.