(T/N: Guys.... unfortunately the author revisited chapter 99 and under the pressure of his readers changed Naruto's decision to give the Rinnegan away. He left a note in this chapter for readers to reread that chapter. However, I have no access to that edited chapter all I have is the old version that I've already translated. However, just by reading this chapter, you can guess the ability he gained after consuming the Rinnegan.)
Even so, Asuma's anger and frustration clouded his mind. He bit down on another cigarette and strode toward the courtyard.
Just as he was about to kick the door open, it slid open on its own.
Naruto stood inside, calmly watching Asuma—whose right leg was still raised mid‑kick.
Their eyes met.
When Asuma finally saw the other's face clearly, the cigarette fell from his lips.
He blinked, unwilling to believe it, and took another hard look.
"You…!"
Yes—there was no mistake.
The young man before him was Uzumaki Naruto, the very person who had thrown Konoha into chaos…
and whose actions were indirectly tied to his father's death.
And now, that same Naruto was somehow entangled with the woman Asuma had loved for years.
His teeth clenched so hard they nearly cracked.
He was furious—yet he couldn't do anything.
He knew full well that, as a jōnin, he stood no chance against Naruto.
Reason eventually prevailed, and Asuma slowly lowered his foot.
But if he just turned and left now—then it was truly over between him and Kurenai.
After all these years of pursuit, he looked at her again—so beautiful, so composed—and his heart filled with unwillingness.
If he couldn't win by strength, then he'd try something else.
He turned to Naruto, his tone deadly serious.
"A true man doesn't steal another's woman.
Kurenai Yūhi is the woman I fell for first.
Someone of your strength shouldn't stoop to taking another man's love, should he?"
A neat little moral trap, thrown straight at Naruto's head.
Naruto couldn't help but chuckle.
What kind of logic is that supposed to be?
But before he could respond, Kurenai jumped in—visibly flustered.
"Asuma! What nonsense are you talking about?! Since when am I your woman? You think liking someone first means they belong to you? Don't you think that's ridiculous?"
Any remaining fondness she'd had for him completely vanished.
Asuma's eyes flashed with anger; his fists tightened.
"I've been chasing you for years, treating you well all this time—and now, for someone you barely even know, you talk to me like this?!"
He was the Third Hokage's son, raised and praised as the "Prince" of Konoha.
Even if he had matured, his pride had never truly gone away.
To him, Kurenai had long since been his.
She scoffed.
"I've told you time and again—I never asked you to treat me well. You did that on your own. Don't act like I owe you anything!"
Asuma's lips trembled with rage. For the first time, he found Kurenai's face… unbearable.
"Fine! Fine! Yūhi Kurenai, you'll regret this!"
He shot her and Naruto one last venomous glare—like looking at a pair of traitors—then turned and stormed off.
Naruto exhaled softly, a little helpless.
What a mess.
That's when a deep voice echoed inside his mind—Kurama's.
"Heh… Naruto, that guy's hatred toward you is thick enough to take form.
I'd bet anything he'll spend the rest of his life thinking about how to get revenge on you."
Naruto sighed inwardly.
Why bother? Wouldn't living just be easier?
A faint pulse of ocular power flashed from his eyes—
and struck Asuma, who had already walked a street away.
The energy bored into his mind.
Asuma froze mid‑stride.
Then his body went limp, collapsing to the ground.
Thirty‑five million ryō worth of jōnin… gone, just like that.
Seeing him leave, Kurenai turned back with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry… I dragged you into this."
"Don't worry about it," Naruto shrugged. "He's already… gone."
He didn't think Asuma could cause any real trouble,
but it was a good habit to leave no loose ends.
Over the next ten days, Kurenai continued coming punctually for training each evening.
Their time together became less stiff—more natural.
During that period, Naruto mastered every Genjutsu technique from both the Yūhi and Uchiha lineages, pushing them all to max level.
Progress bars were dangerous things—Naruto's mild OCD refused to leave one unfinished.
With his current ocular power, those Genjutsu could achieve terrifying effects.
He also grew increasingly familiar with his new ocular technique, Myōson (Naruzon).
With it, he gained a creator‑like ability—
one that seemed unremarkable in battle but held limitless potential and incredible utility in daily life.
Bit by bit, as his power grew, as his abilities multiplied,
Naruto was beginning to drift further from being "human,"
and closer to something divine.
That evening, Kurenai came again for her scheduled training.
After half a month of effort, her spiritual power and Genjutsu had evolved dramatically.
She had truly entered the Kage tier.
Against a fragile‑souled opponent like Orochimaru, she could probably one‑shot him with illusions alone.
Even in large‑scale battles, her support potential was overwhelming.
After their session ended, Kurenai opened the door to leave—
but this time, she froze.
Outside, rain poured down in sheets, lightning flashing across the sky.
She hesitated by the doorway, unsure whether to brave the storm or wait it out.
Naruto stepped up beside her and lifted his hand.
A faint glow rippled from his eyes—Myōson activating.
From nothing, the shape of an umbrella began to form—
emerging from the handle upward, blossoming into a crimson canopy.
A red umbrella, perfectly matching Kurenai's aesthetic.
Etched on its surface was a lifelike carving of her face.
The chakra cost was negligible.
Watching him conjure it effortlessly—clearly made just for her—Kurenai's heart skipped a beat.
Her chest tightened. She was genuinely moved.
The sheer miracle of that ability also left her awestruck.
Naruto handed her the umbrella casually.
"The rain's heavy. You can use this on your way back."
"Or… you could stay here tonight."
Two choices—laid out before her.
Her pulse quickened.
She hesitated for a few seconds, then spoke softly, almost guilty.
"But… Hinata… I can't do that."
Naruto shrugged. "Alright, then head back."
The words left her lips—and she immediately regretted them.
'Idiot! Why pretend to be reserved now of all times?!'
Clutching the umbrella, she stepped out.
A damp wind swept against her curls.
But just as Naruto was about to close the door—
Kurenai spun around and came back inside, head down, face flushed red.
Her whole body felt hot, her fair cheeks tinted pink.
She couldn't explain it herself.
She knew this was wrong.
Yet for some reason—
she couldn't stop herself from walking back in.