Asuma froze.
Hearing the commotion, the Little Genin also stopped in their tracks.
They looked back.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
Kurenai suddenly realized she'd accidentally blurted out what was on her mind…
Still, cutting the knot quickly would spare her future headaches.
Only now the Third's scheme had failed—would she end up getting sabotaged?
The thought wiped every trace of beauty from Kurenai's mood.
She shot a resentful glare at Naruto, who was still enjoying the show.
Naruto: "Huh?"
"Haha… I see, you're busy. I won't disturb you."
"Next time—"
Asuma's face flushed scarlet with embarrassment.
Yet he still tried to give himself an exit.
He never expected Kurenai had already decided.
Since the pot was shattered anyway…
There was no need to keep up pretenses.
"No need. There won't be a next time."
Face is mutual.
The cards were on the table; if he still tried to pester her, Kurenai would never stand for it.
This time she left him zero dignity.
Asuma's shoulders trembled slightly.
He couldn't find a way down from this.
Then he felt the stares from behind.
In that instant Asuma wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.
"If there's nothing else, don't look for me again."
Kurenai drew a deep breath—she felt refreshed.
Without another glance she walked toward Naruto's group.
The kids blinked.
Ino gave Kurenai a big thumbs-up.
So cool~!
Kiba, scratching Akamaru on his head, muttered,
"This… is what they call a 'Lick-Spittle Dog', right?"
"Pfft!"
"That insults dogs; call him a 'Lick-Spittle Cat' instead."
"Woof!" Akamaru barked, seeming to approve Kiba's words.
Neither boy nor dog lowered their voices.
Sure enough, Asuma's shoulders started shaking violently.
When he lifted his head, his eyes were bloodshot.
"I'll change… I'll change everything!"
They'd thought he'd explode in rage,
yet he sounded so utterly humble.
He even crushed every cigarette in his pocket underfoot.
Of course, anyone can put on a show and make promises.
Let's just hope he doesn't secretly pick them up again later.
Mei Terumī: "How undignified."
Ino Yamanaka: "What did you expect?"
Ino Yamanaka: "Someone as amazing as Kurenai-sensei is bound to have suitors."
Temari: "True. With the Sarutobi name, willing or not, he's enjoyed every privilege."
Tenten: "It feels like anyone who falls for Kurenai-sensei gets sent off on missions before they can speak up—just like Gekkō Hayate."
Pure Land World, Gekkō Hayate: Thanks… thought everyone had forgotten me… Yūgao… no~!!!
Anko Mitarashi: "What did you expect?"
Anko Mitarashi: "That guy's never behaved. Back then Kurenai had plenty of admirers, but he acted like a hoodlum—anyone who dared compete was his enemy!"
Yūgao Uzuki: "I suppose in the end Kurenai had no choice but to accept, so the Fifth Hokage slot naturally landed in his lap."
Orochimaru: "Heh, no matter—it's all just wedding clothes for someone else."
Orochimaru: "Am I wrong, Advisor Mitokado?"
Homura Mitokado: "What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Senju Tobirama: "Hmph!"
Senju Tobirama: "Every one of you—rotten to the core!"
Senju Tobirama: "We can't enter the black frame world, so Black-Framed Naruto will handle himself."
Senju Tobirama: "But in our world, we dead can still return and set things right."
Senju Tobirama: "Though this goes against my nature—the Ninja World should renew itself…"
The black-framed large screen continued:
Kurenai didn't even look back.
With a half-smile she came to Naruto's side.
That little expression seemed to ask, How was my performance?
Still dare not trust me?
Inside the Sealing Space,
the Great Fox sensed Naruto's emotional fluctuation.
It blinked, its nine tails swishing non-stop.
It pondered quietly,
'This actually works?'
'The brat's clearly interested now.'
'Different personalities, different feelings… status? Looks? Or… temperament?'
The fox nodded repeatedly, then shook its head just as hard.
It was about to do something big.
Combine the best of every style!
When the jutsu was complete, Naruto would be knocked out in one blow!
No other being could match it.
Thinking this, Nine-Tails grinned smugly.
"Foolish brat, trying to seduce This Fox?"
"Just wait till the backlash hits!"
…
Not long after,
Kurenai left with the others.
Asuma remained rooted in place, stunned.
Far away on the practice ground, a figure stepped out.
His face was deathly pale, sickly.
The hand gripping his ninja sword kept trembling.
Sweat poured off him like rain.
Yet he still looked as if he might drop dead the next second.
"Cough-cough-cough…"
"After surviving this ordeal… I'll definitely develop a new Swordsmanship."
"Yūgao… wait for me… almost there…"
As the words fell,
Asuma, hearing the noise, looked up.
Their eyes met.
In that instant,
an indescribable feeling surged in both their hearts.
Inexplicably,
Asuma found Gekkō Hayate surprisingly agreeable to the eye.
Likewise, Hayate felt the same.
It was like recognizing a kindred spirit.
Everyone: "…"
Dinner's served—you two share a table.
No.
Squat together in the corner and eat.
Midway, Kurenai said goodbye to Naruto.
Naruto watched her, somewhat helpless.
This woman seems addicted to head-pats.
Kurenai's lips curved slightly.
"All right, I'm off to find Anko. I'll be back soon."
"Yūgao should be home… don't call her; the three of us will come find you together."
"Mm." Naruto gave a small nod.
Excellent.
Three defections in one go.
Well, Yūgao doesn't need converting—she's long been on his side.
Naruto may be inexperienced, not stupid; how could he miss Yūgao Uzuki's intentions?
Things were getting interesting.
Team Eight no longer needed to tread cautiously.
Their Jōnin Instructor is one of them.
They can focus entirely on training and self-improvement.
Naruto had already begun easing up on training intensity.
Once he let off, the other genin could ramp theirs up.
Train in peace—the future looks bright.