The Gourmet Tournament was still some time away, so Kurenai Yuhi and Hyuga Mirai strolled around the Land of Hot Springs. Seeing how much Mirai cared about the competition, Kurenai couldn't help feeling curious.
She remembered how, back in their three-man squad, Mirai was always the one who ate the most. Even Kiyo Hyuga, the proud heiress back then, would frown for days after paying for a single team dinner out of her own pocket. Thinking of that made Kurenai laugh softly.
Kiyo had been so determined, using only her mission earnings to cover their meals.
"Red, come to my side. Konoha is an important piece in my plan to unify the shinobi world. Tsunade didn't join me because of threats—she saw the hope of peace. She knows exactly what I'm doing. You could say she joined after seeing the future."
Mirai lifted a mask and placed it gently on Kurenai's face. The vendor had called it the Rabbit Goddess mask, said to represent a deity of peace from long ago. More likely it was just a story—this world had no gods, only aliens—but the meaning was good. Mirai paid the man two hundred ryō without asking for change.
"If you could see a world where civilians no longer live in fear of bandits, where shinobi don't have to slaughter each other, where children don't learn to kill and get sent to battle the moment they graduate—I believe you'd long for it too. Red, I want you with me not only because of our past, but because I hope you'll live in this new world."
Kurenai's height barely reached Mirai's mouth. When he placed the mask on her, her breath hitched and she turned her head slightly.
Even in battle she had never felt short of breath being this close. It must be the Chakra seal—without Chakra, her body felt weak.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then I'll just have to take you back. But refusing me wouldn't be like the Red I remember."
"Don't think those shameless words will work on me." Kurenai straightened the mask and glared at him with crimson eyes. "So what then, lock me up forever?"
"Of course not. In a few years I'll unify the shinobi world. When that time comes, I'll visit Jonin Kurenai's father. Some things still need his approval."
Her heart pounded like the Fifth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates—no, the Sixth, the Gate of View—bursting open. The strength of it left her breathless. She couldn't imagine Mirai meant anything else.
If it truly was for peace, she could accept it. After all, even Lady Tsunade was on his side. What could a mere jonin like her do?
She was half Tsunade's disciple anyway—she had to stand with her. That was inevitable.
Her face flushed, her breathing quickened. She blurted out, "Fine. As if I even have the power to resist."
Mirai grinned. He knew that despite her stubborn tone, she had agreed. "Good. Then let's treat this as a little break. Once you're back, there'll be plenty of excuses to explain your absence."
With Tsunade controlling Konoha's administration, Root, medical, and logistics, excuses were easy to arrange—and she could always take the blame.
After relaxing, Mirai would slip her some information. Kurenai could return and claim a great accomplishment.
Her resistance didn't last long. The Will of Fire in her heart wasn't as strong as it once was. She had spent almost five years after graduation as Mirai's teammate, slowly absorbing his strange ideas. Whatever remained of her will was easily swept away.
Once the scale in her heart tipped, the burden vanished.
After touring the fair, they used Kado Shipping connections to gain two judge seats and sampled fine cuisine. Kurenai thought it was the best food she had ever tasted, perhaps helped by her mood.
To Mirai, though, this year's chefs weren't as outstanding as the first champion. Still, they were qualified to settle in the Sand Federation. Every champion was offered that right; most accepted.
Once the Gourmet Tournament ended, Kurenai prepared to return. She already had her excuse, but a jonin couldn't just vanish too long.
Back in Konoha, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki—the gatekeepers feared even by the Rinnegan—were stunned to see her. After confirming her identity, they hurried her to the Hokage.
It was Anko who had first reported her missing. Nearly a day had passed without any mission or reason. In her search, she found Kurenai's senbon in the Forest of Death. Alarmed, she went straight to Tsunade.
Unaware Kurenai had discovered her secret, Tsunade immediately ordered a full search. Hours later, Mirai's message arrived.
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade leaned on her hands, voice grave as she told Izumo, "You've done well. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Izumo withdrew, knowing what followed was confidential.
Alone with Kurenai, Tsunade's eyes turned sharp, studying her until Kurenai shifted uncomfortably.
"I didn't expect to be discovered. Red, how did you learn my identity?"
Rubbing her temples, Tsunade spoke with irritation. Her supply of funds had been cut off for half a year, even gambling banned. She was serious about work now, but having all her small pleasures stripped away gave her headaches.
"It was actually Kiyo who first noticed. I only saw something strange about her and pressed her until I got your secret, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade coughed hard, eyes widening. "You mean Kiyo Hyuga knows too? How? Byakugan?"
But the Senju compound was always sealed. Whenever Mirai left, everything was checked.
"Yes. On the battlefield in the Land of Rain."
Pressed by Tsunade, Kurenai slowly described the incident. When she finished, she sighed inwardly: Kiyo, it was me who exposed you, but it's for your own good.
"Damn it, that wasn't even me... forget it, no point arguing now."
At first Tsunade had wanted to confront Mirai, but she remembered he had been treating her wounds at the time. She let it go—though she still hated giving up her pastimes.
"Red, we'll have to deal with Kiyo. Do you have a plan?"
Tsunade sounded weary. Perhaps if this matter were resolved, she could go "negotiate" with Mirai—though negotiation would probably take many tries before he agreed to restore her privileges.
"Kiyo probably thinks like me, but she's more decisive." Kurenai considered. Her persuasion might not work. "Leave it to me, Tsunade-sama. I'll find out what she's thinking."
In less than two days, the balance among them had shifted—only Kiyo remained unaware.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Red."
Tsunade scratched her blonde hair, then continued, "I'll give you partial command of ANBU. Also, the distribution of academy graduates will be adjusted. I found one with strong talent in Genjutsu, but now I think you should lead the new Ino–Shika–Cho instead."
"If the student really has talent, I can still spare some time to guide them," Kurenai offered.
Tsunade shook her head. "Focus on Ino–Shika–Cho. Through them, bring their clans closer. As for that student, I'll assign them to the medical division under Shizune."
Kurenai nodded. If Tsunade had plans, she wouldn't object.
Now that Kurenai knew her true identity, Tsunade gave her heavier tasks, strengthening her status in the village to feel almost like the Sixth Hokage.
Besides drawing in clans and civilian shinobi, Tsunade's next target was the Sarutobi clan.
With his son in the Twelve Guardian Ninja and himself nearly living in the daimyo's palace, Tsunade suspected the Sarutobi had pledged to the daimyo. If she didn't move them out, they'd become a huge obstacle to her future plans.
Land of Fire, Daimyo's Palace.
Hiruzen Sarutobi visited again, reporting and discussing matters with the daimyo. After receiving a reply, he prepared to return to Konoha.
But before he left, a masked shinobi appeared behind him.
Sensing the presence, Hiruzen frowned deeply. "I told you—don't seek me out."
"Danzo-sama has urgent business with the Third Hokage."
With that, the masked ninja vanished. To move so freely inside the daimyo's palace, the daimyo must have known or even approved.
Hiruzen sighed softly, then turned in another direction.
(End of Chapter)