Kurenai Yuhi wiped away her tears and looked at Anya with a tearful gaze, asking, "What are you thinking? Why aren't you speaking?"
Anya removed her mask and lifted the hand Kurenai had been holding. "Let me heal you first," she said.
As green chakra glowed, the wounds on Kurenai Yuhi's hand quickly healed as if they'd never existed.
For the first time, Anya really looked at Kurenai Yuhi's face. She was a young girl whose beauty awakened an instinct to hold her close and protect her forever—pink lips, red eyes shimmering like cut crystal, and a small, delicate nose formed a face so innocent and adorable it stirred something deep inside.
Being stared at made Kurenai blush, turning her cheeks a soft pink—she looked even more charming than before.
A faint smile appeared on Anya's face as she gently pulled Kurenai into her arms. "Red, I'm sorry."
"Why should you apologize?" Kurenai asked in confusion while tightly hugging Anya.
"Perhaps Asuma Sarutobi was right. Maybe I really don't deserve you..."
"Don't say that," interrupted Kurenai. "I know what our relationship means. We don't need outsiders commenting on it. No one can change this—I've chosen you."
Anya sighed softly, as someone who had experienced deep love might. "Then what will you do if you find out I'm actually a terrible person?"
Kurenai pondered for a moment. "That depends on how bad you are."
"I mean really, really bad."
"Just how bad is that?"
"You're such a silly girl."
"Do you like silly girls?"
"What guy doesn't like silly girls?" Anya realized she'd been led off track but couldn't help responding instinctively before sucking in a breath in surprise. "Hmph, you actually bit me!"
Kurenai smiled smugly. "That's my mark. If you ever turn bad, I'll bite you to death."
With slight retaliation in mind, Anya used her fingertip to lift up Kurenai's chin. Looking into her blushing face with slightly narrowed eyes, she grinned mischievously. "Then I guess I'll bite back."
Though she said 'bite,' Anya instead leaned in and gently kissed those soft red lips, savoring every second of the tender moment. Everything around them became quiet, as if time froze—her fragrance, her softness.
At this very moment, Anya made her absolute decision. Let go? Are you kidding me? She is my woman; alive or dead, hers is a soul forever bound to mine.
After learning from Kurenai Yuhi where Shinku Yuhi was, Anya left the sweet comfort behind and went straight to the Hokage's office. It turned out the post-war reconstruction required far too much manpower, and since Shinku Yuhi had relevant experience, the Third Hokage had recruited him as an assistant.
Knocking and entering the office, she saw several people busily working inside. The atmosphere was calm yet tense; both veteran elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, were helping out. Seeing those mountainous stacks of documents, she immediately understood why Shinku hadn't come for treatment.
The Third Hokage took a break to glance at Anya, took a puff from his pipe, refreshed himself, and greeted her. "Night, you've arrived."
"Yes." Anya answered directly. "Shinku Yuhi sustained serious injuries during the battle days ago but hasn't gone to the hospital for healing. So I came to check on him."
When Shinku heard this, he hesitated slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of emotion.
When the Third heard this, he looked at Red with surprise. After carefully observing, he realized that Anya wasn't lying. He angrily scolded, "Red, why haven't you gone for treatment despite being injured? You're still working here day and night. What if something happens?"
"It's not that serious—"
The Third didn't let him finish and commanded firmly, "Don't try to be tough. Rest for a week first. You're not allowed to come here these days."
Sighing helplessly, Red glanced at Anya. Knowing it was only out of concern for him, he couldn't bring himself to argue any further.
Just then, the office door slammed open as a reckless figure barged in.
"Father."
The visitor was Asuma, clearly furious and full of pain.
Noticing Asuma's expression, the Third didn't pay much attention. His face turned serious instead. "No manners. This is the Hokage's office. Knock before entering."
Asuma was lost deep in his heart, completely ignoring the Third's words. He stared blankly ahead and said directly, "I've been graduated for years already and have successfully become a Chunin. Why won't you allow me onto the battlefield? I want to take on combat missions."
"Nonsense," the Third immediately refused Asuma's request, speaking sternly. "Ninja missions are assigned based on proven ability. Since you haven't been given any battlefield tasks, that means you aren't qualified yet. Don't you know what it takes to go into battle? You understand absolutely nothing…"
Clearly provoked by those words, Asuma roared, interrupting the Third, "Unqualified? Understand absolutely nothing? Even you say that about me. Then tell me, what should I do to become qualified? To finally understand? Aren't you the Hokage? You're supposed to know everything, right?"
"Slap!"
Staring numbly at the Third's right hand, Asuma couldn't quite believe what just happened—he'd actually been hit by his own father.
After striking him, the Third also appeared stunned. Regret flickered across his face briefly, but he offered no explanation. Some things couldn't be understood without experience. Words wouldn't help anyway.
Hate surged in Asuma's voice. "I don't need a father like you. I hate this place. I'm leaving Konoha."
After saying this, Asuma turned and walked away.
Red grew anxious. "Lord Hokage, let me chase after him and bring him back."
"No, forget it." The Third sighed deeply, suddenly seeming ten years older. Shaking his head slowly, he added, "As he said, he's now a Chunin, which indeed means it's time for him to grow independently. Perhaps leaving Konoha and gaining some trials elsewhere will benefit his growth."
Observing the kind of family drama where a father slaps his son across the face, Anya's expression turned peculiar. Admittedly, he might've played a small part in it, but mostly it was just Asuma's temper. Yelling like an idiot in front of others—even his own father, who was also the Hokage—getting slapped really wasn't unfair.
After watching for a while, Anya motioned for Red to follow him out.
Helplessly, Red followed. Just stepping to the doorway, he encountered an unexpected sight—Danzo.
The moment Danzo saw Anya, he recognized him immediately. A cold glint flashed through his single eye. Without uttering a word, he remained silent.
Anya wasn't so easily convinced. Remembering that Danzo had sent the Serpent Master to kill her filled her with rage. Old grudges mixed with new offenses—although she'd promised the Serpent Master she wouldn't kill him, there was nothing wrong with giving him a hard time.
Thus, Anya abruptly halted her steps, blocking his path and saying, "Danzo, from what I know, your Root organization has numerous members, each possessing exceptional skills. Yet during the Konoha Defense War, not a single Root member showed up. And where are they now? Don't tell me they're all on missions."
Danzo's already gloomy eyes flickered with icy light as he coldly retorted, "Are you interrogating me?"
Anya didn't flinch. "Yes," she answered flatly.
Danzo sneered, "You're still not qualified enough. I have no obligation to report anything to you. Step aside."
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, Red reached out and gently grabbed Anya's sleeve, shaking her head slightly at him.
For Red's sake, Anya snorted in disdain and walked off.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>