Konoha Village, Southwestern Residential Area.
In an unremarkable house.
Yūhi Kurenai, who was the same age and in the same class as Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy, was dressed in a pure black kimono for mourning, having just returned from the Konoha Cemetery.
The object of her mourning was her father, Yūhi Shinku, who died in the recent Nine-Tails Rampage.
Returning home, just as Yūhi Kurenai was about to change her shoes, her expression froze.
Because she saw a photograph in a frame placed on the shoe cabinet.
In the photo, she stood below her father, Yūhi Shinku, with a cheerful expression, making a V-sign with both hands.
Yūhi Shinku also had a doting look on his face, his left and right hands resting on the shoulders of two other students—
Uchiha Mingyue and Shizune.
That's right, she, Mingyue, and Shizune, who was now traveling various countries with one of the Sannin, Tsunade, were once in the same Genin squad.
After the three of them were promoted to Chūnin one after another, they began to go their separate ways.
She chose to stay by her father's side, carrying out some B-rank or C-rank missions, no different from most ordinary Konoha ninjas.
Shizune showed outstanding talent in medical ninjutsu and was appreciated by Tsunade, who took her as a disciple.
Mingyue, like most Uchiha ninjas, joined the Police Force.
The unspoken but mutually understood affection between the two was forged during that time.
Yūhi Kurenai never knew why Mingyue had never brought it up.
Now, she seemed to understand a little.
Perhaps for a long time, maybe even before he met her, he had such plans.
Looking at the handsome face with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes in the photo, which bore a seventy percent resemblance to the future Sasuke and Itachi.
And recalling the domineering kiss from the night of their parting.
For a moment, Yūhi Kurenai was somewhat entranced.
Slowly, Yūhi Kurenai raised the photo with both hands, bringing her red lips closer to Mingyue's face on the left side of the photo.
Knock, knock!
Just as Yūhi Kurenai's red lips touched the photo, creating the slightest sensation.
A knock on the door startled Yūhi Kurenai from her reverie. She quickly put the photo back in its original place and slapped her cheeks hard twice.
After her emotions had calmed down a bit, Yūhi Kurenai opened the door.
Entering her view was Sarutobi Asuma, who had not yet grown a beard.
"A-Asuma, is... is something the matter?"
Yūhi Kurenai's face still held a blush. Thinking of her actions just now, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
She should have pretended not to be home.
However, in Sarutobi Asuma's eyes, the blush on Yūhi Kurenai's face was interpreted for another reason.
A mistake most virgins make when chasing girls—
Thinking too much.
Instantly, Sarutobi Asuma felt he had a great advantage and invited her:
"Um... Kurenai, I know you're not feeling well since Uncle Shinku passed away. If you're free, would you like to go for a walk together?"
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood."
Yūhi Kurenai shook her head and slammed the door shut with a "bang!".
Staring at the closed iron door, Sarutobi Asuma was in a state of bewilderment.
What's going on?
Doesn't a girl blushing in front of a boy mean she likes him?
However, Sarutobi Asuma was not in the mood for this now.
Because at the moment Yūhi Kurenai closed the door just now, he saw the photo on the shoe cabinet behind her.
On the face of his brother's killer, there was a lipstick mark.
Obviously just left.
Under such circumstances, even a fool would know the reason.
At this point, Sarutobi Asuma was about to grind his teeth to pieces.
He wanted to knock on the door and question her, but for a moment, he didn't have the courage.
Growing angrier and angrier, Sarutobi Asuma turned around resentfully and ran towards the Ninja Department Building.
...
...
The Hokage Building, which had been destroyed by Mingyue's Fire Fist, was still under reconstruction. Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had taken over Namikaze Minato's position, was currently working in the Ninja Department Building.
Just a short while ago, Sarutobi Hiruzen had just finished a discussion with the other three members of the Elder Council: Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
The four unanimously agreed that Konoha was too weak now, and its only ally was the weak Land of Wind.
It would be best if they could form an alliance with a strong country like the Land of Earth or the Land of Lightning.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought it made sense and was also considering this issue.
Bang!
However, at this moment, the door to Sarutobi Hiruzen's office was kicked open fiercely.
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned and looked up, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes.
When he saw his youngest son, the anger in his eyes turned into surprise.
"Asuma, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing Sarutobi Asuma's face flushed and pale, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but ask.
Although this brat was in his rebellious phase, it was the first time Sarutobi Hiruzen had seen him this angry.
"Old man! Why haven't you dispatched a team to pursue the missing-nin who killed my big brother and sister-in-law!?"
Sarutobi Asuma slammed his hands on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk and shouted sternly.
If it were anyone else, the ANBU members hidden in the shadows would have rushed out to subdue him long ago.
But everyone in the ANBU knew that Sarutobi Asuma was Sarutobi Hiruzen's youngest son, so even though they saw it, they remained at their posts without making any move.
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally did not know that his youngest son had just been rebuffed at Yūhi Kurenai's place. He only thought he was angry because of the deaths of Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Sarutobi Rie, so he comforted him:
"Konoha doesn't have any extra combat power to send out right now. After the Nine-Tails incident, you can't possibly not know Konoha's situation, right?"
Did he not want to capture Mingyue and behead him?
It wasn't just about revenge; the Scroll of Seals was in Mingyue's hands now!
But Konoha's current situation simply did not allow Sarutobi Hiruzen to put his personal feud first.
Sarutobi Asuma gritted his teeth and shouted: "Then let me go! I'll go with Aoba and Raidō!"
Sarutobi Asuma wasn't an idiot; of course, he knew that Konoha couldn't send anyone out now.
But thinking of the lipstick mark on Mingyue's face in the photo at Yūhi Kurenai's house just now, he couldn't remain calm at all.
Hearing his youngest son's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him faintly, took a deep breath, and said slowly:
"You would be instantly killed."