The next afternoon, after sleeping in all morning, Uchiha Gen left the clan compound and headed toward Yūhi Kurenai's home.
Yesterday, Uzuki Yugao had come to him and suggested they go together to visit Kurenai, who had just lost her father.
As for Anko, she had left the village with Orochimaru, so she wasn't around.
After meeting up with Yugao at the agreed place, the two walked together, chatting lightly as they made their way through a noticeably quieter Konoha.
Kurenai's home wasn't in the very center of the village as the prices there were outrageous but it was still close, just two streets away.
Yugao's family lived further out, on the edge of Konoha's middle district, while Kurenai's home was tucked deeper inside.
If one were to use modern terms, Yugao's was like living on the fourth ring road, Kurenai on the third, the Hokage's residence and center being the first and second rings, and the Konoha Orphanage way out on the sixth.
The Uchiha clan, after relocation in the original timeline, would end up on the fifth, just a step away from the outskirts.
Kurenai's house was a three-story red-brick building in a quiet neighborhood.
Across the street were a vegetable market and several shops, making life convenient.
When they knocked, the door opened quickly not to reveal Kurenai's gentle face, but a man in round sunglasses.
Ebisu.
If he was here… then Sarutobi Asuma had to be inside too.
Had Asuma already found a way into Kurenai's heart while she was vulnerable?
"Gen, Yugao, you're here to see Kurenai?" Ebisu asked, pushing up his glasses.
Gen rolled his eyes and walked straight in without answering. What kind of stupid question is that?
"Yes," Yugao replied politely, following him inside.
Ebisu scratched his head awkwardly, realizing too late how foolish his words had sounded.
In the living room, Gen spotted Asuma. His eyes were red, he had clearly been crying earlier.
"Captain, Yugao, thank you for coming," Kurenai said, standing up. She was in a simple white dress, a strained smile on her face.
Yugao quickened her pace, stepping past Gen to clasp Kurenai's hand warmly. "Are you holding up okay?"
Gen dropped into a seat on the sofa with casual ease, nodding briefly at Asuma.
Families of long tradition still kept to tatami mats and kneeling, but most other ninja preferred modern furniture now.
Asuma frowned at Gen's laid-back posture.
"I'm fine," Kurenai said softly. "You didn't have to come. I can manage."
"I believe it," Gen replied calmly. "In my eyes, you've always been brave, independent, strong… optimistic. Something like this won't break you."
Asuma's tense expression softened, nodding in agreement along with the others.
After some polite thanks, Kurenai sat beside Gen, her curiosity piqued. "Captain… what's it like, living alone?"
Her mother had died when she was three. She had only ever lived with her father.
Gen thought for a moment. "Freedom, mostly. I can do whatever I want, arrange my own time. Sure, there's no family warmth, but once you get used to it, it's not so bad."
"The problem is… too much freedom. Without self-discipline, it's easy to get lazy. Or worse, fall into bad habits."
He gave a small shrug. "If living alone feels unbearable, you could always come find me. I live alone too."
Asuma's eyes widened. Don't you dare agree to that, Kurenai…
Kurenai blushed, suddenly unsure if he was being genuinely considerate or suggesting something improper.
But before she could answer, Gen waved it off. "Ah! forget I said that. It's not really proper for a man and woman to live alone together.
"Anko lives by herself too. When she comes back, you could stay with her. Or better, Yugao as well. The three of you together, as teammates. It'd be lively and supportive."
That was the last straw for Asuma.
"Gen, you're out of your mind! You think you can live with the three prettiest kunoichi of our generation at once?!"
He whirled to Ebisu. "Back me up here!"
Ebisu, quick on the uptake, adjusted his glasses and declared firmly, "I can't agree to that. None of the other guys would either."
"See?" Asuma jabbed a finger at Gen. "And why even include yourself? Kurenai could just live with Anko and Yugao!"
But Gen only smiled faintly. "Oh? You're sounding pretty nervous, Asuma. Don't tell me you're interested in Anko?"
"W-what?! No!" Asuma's face flushed crimson. "Don't spout nonsense. I'm just looking out for my classmates, making sure nobody takes advantage of them!"
Gen laughed outright. This Asuma is too entertaining.
Truthfully, he had no intention of living with them. Not because he didn't want to but because the timing was all wrong. They were too young, and he still carried too many secrets. Sharing a roof would only complicate things.
He'd only teased them to lighten the mood, to snap Kurenai out of her grief.
But Asuma clearly didn't see it that way.
"You're laughing at me, aren't you?!" Asuma barked, face dark with embarrassment.
"Nope. Just remembered something funny," Gen said with an innocent shrug.
"Liar! You're mocking me!"
"If you insist," Gen replied lazily.
"Enough! I challenge you to a duel!"
The words burst out before Asuma could stop them.
Kurenai, Yugao, and Ebisu rushed to calm them down, but Gen only raised a brow. "Are you sure? If you get beaten, don't go crying to your dad."
That hit home. Asuma burned with indignation.
He hated being measured against his father. He wanted to prove himself as his own man not just the Hokage's son.
But deep down, he knew the truth. Gen was already a jōnin. He himself was just a newly minted chūnin. The gap was huge.
Backing down, though? Not in front of Kurenai.
"I'm not a kid anymore," Asuma shot back, jaw tight. "I won't run to my old man. And I want to see if the Uchiha clan's so-called genius lives up to the hype!"
Even as he spoke, regret churned in his gut. He knew the outcome. But pride wouldn't let him retreat.
"Fine," Gen said casually. "I'll play along."
Perfect, he thought. A duel will crush his pride right in front of Kurenai. Once she sees the gap, Asuma's chances with her will plummet.
He hid his satisfaction behind a faint smile.
What a dark heart I have.
Asuma, misreading Gen's relaxed demeanor, thought he was underestimating him. A dangerous grin spread across his face.
So careless… maybe I can win. And when I do, I'll humiliate him right back.
The thought thrilled him, pushing his doubts aside.