"Thanks, Kitazawa."Yuhi Kurenai tucked away the scroll and said, "I'll study it carefully when I get back."
"Want a lollipop?"Kitazawa casually opened a snack pack and asked.
"At my age, is it really appropriate to eat a lollipop?"Kurenai couldn't help but laugh.
"It's a bit childish for kids," Kitazawa said, "but just right for adults."He peeled the wrapper and brought the lollipop to her lips.
"You're still just as amusing with your words,"Kurenai said, parting her soft lips to take the candy.
"How does it taste?"Kitazawa took out a second lollipop and popped it into his own mouth.
"Very sweet."Kurenai narrowed her eyes slightly and asked, "Why do you carry snacks around with you?"
"Rewards for the students,"Kitazawa replied casually. "It motivates them to study harder."
Kurenai thought of Kurama Yakumo.
But… it wouldn't really work. Yakumo was the Kurama clan's young lady—she lacked neither money nor snacks.
"What do you want to eat tonight?"Kurenai licked the lollipop with the tip of her tongue and said, "My treat. Don't hold back."
"Then let's have barbecue,"Kitazawa said after a moment's thought.
"Sounds good."Kurenai nodded, then her expression turned nostalgic. "The last time we had barbecue together was during the Chunin Exams, with everyone."
By "everyone," she meant Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, Nohara Rin, and Sarutobi Asuma.
Unfortunately, only a handful of them were still around now.
"Why suddenly start reminiscing?"Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "Dwelling on the past is how people get old."
"Are you an idiot?"Kurenai shot him a look. "Getting old is a topic women aren't even allowed to touch."
"My apologies,"Kitazawa said with a smile.
He knew she wasn't angry—this was just friendly banter.
"Have you seen Kakashi recently?"Kurenai asked as they walked. "How's he doing?"
"I saw him once last month,"Kitazawa replied. "Same as always—looking lifeless."
That wasn't an exaggeration.Their generation could practically be described as a gathering of tragic legends.
Hatake Kakashi—promoted to Jonin at the age of twelve, a true prodigy.Yet cursed by fate: his father died, his teammates died, his teacher died—leaving him withdrawn and numb.
Uchiha Obito—unable to hide his tears behind Kamui. He fell into darkness for Nohara Rin's sake, seeking to create a world where Rin still lived.He killed his own teacher, assisted Uchiha Itachi in annihilating the Uchiha clan, and later took on the identity of Uchiha Madara, attempting to destroy the entire ninja world.
Besides them, there was also Might Guy—one kick away from ending the story—and Sarutobi Asuma, the Third Hokage's son.
"I wonder when he'll finally step out of that shadow,"Kurenai said quietly after a few seconds of silence.
"What about Asuma?"Kitazawa smoothly changed the subject. "Is he still writing to you?"
"I get a letter every few days,"Kurenai said, pursing her lips slightly.
Kitazawa caught the faint hint of impatience.
In the original story, Sarutobi Asuma pursued Yuhi Kurenai for years, and the two finally became a couple before the Fourth Shinobi World War.But that was still nearly ten years away. For now, they weren't together yet.
"He's certainly persistent,"Kitazawa said with a smile. "Even while stationed in the Fire Capital, he hasn't forgotten about you."
After the Third Shinobi World War, Asuma—out of rebellion—left the village and became one of the Fire Daimyo's Guardian Ninja.Guardian Ninja were elite shinobi tasked with protecting the Fire Daimyo.
The original story never specified exactly when he returned to the village, but it was most likely the year Naruto and the others graduated.
After returning, he became the team leader for Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino.
"Forget it, let's not talk about him."Kurenai crossed her arms and stretched her slender, fair limbs. "How many drinks are you planning to have tonight?"
"I'll risk my life drinking with a beautiful lady,"Kitazawa said, smiling as he looked at her graceful figure.
In the past, he hadn't harbored any thoughts toward Kurenai—not because he was some paragon of pure love, but because he was too weak and focused solely on survival.
Now that he had the system, strength was no longer a concern.
And Kitazawa considered himself a kind person—he couldn't stand the thought of Kurenai remaining alone.
Ahem.
At present, the relationship between Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai was limited to pursuer and pursued. They weren't particularly close.
This was simply fair competition.
"Really?"Kurenai smiled sweetly. "You can still back out now if you want."
"Then please go easy on me,"Kitazawa said immediately, choosing survival without hesitation.
"Since you helped me out, I'll spare you this time,"Kurenai waved her hand magnanimously.
As she spoke, the two of them walked into the barbecue restaurant.
"Try my grilling tonight,"Kitazawa said as he sat down and took the initiative to start cooking the meat.
"There's something I've always wanted to ask you,"Kurenai said, pouring two cups of sake. "Why did you decide to become a teacher?"
In the ninja world, the most respected profession was naturally being a ninja—especially a powerful one.
Being a Ninja Academy instructor wasn't considered particularly honorable.
In many ninjas' minds, only average Chunin who lacked strength ended up teaching at the Academy.
"Personal interest,"Kitazawa answered casually.
"Is that so?"Kurenai nodded. "But you really are well-suited to being a teacher."
"Have you been working as a private tutor this whole time?"Kitazawa flipped the pork belly, rich aromas filling the air.
"Mm."Kurenai paused briefly. "But I still have to take village missions when they come up."
Aside from Ninja Academy instructors, all ninjas were required to carry out missions regularly.
Of course, Konoha's top brass had a lot of discretion.
For example—Tsunade.
After developing hemophobia, she wandered the ninja world gambling endlessly and even dragged Shizune along with her.She didn't return to the village, nor did she complete missions, and Konoha could do nothing about it.
Jiraiya was much the same.
"When you have time, come find me,"Kitazawa said lightly, thinking of the mission involving Kurama Yakumo. "I can help you teach that student as well."
According to the original timeline, Kurenai wouldn't resolve Yakumo's issue until years later, with Naruto and the others' help.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Kitazawa,"Kurenai said, not refusing.
"It's settled, then. If you run into trouble, come to me,"Kitazawa said, raising his cup.
Whether the mission succeeded or not would depend on this.
Kurenai froze for a moment, looking at his sincere expression, a strange feeling flickering through her heart.
She felt that Kitazawa's attitude toward her today was… a little different.
Could it be—
Kurenai quickly dismissed the thought.
It didn't fit her impression of Kitazawa.
In her eyes, Kitazawa was gentle with everyone—and despite his looks, he had no girlfriend, which meant romance simply wasn't on his mind.
"Cheers!"Kurenai lifted her cup, clinked it against his, and drank it down in one go.