Hongdou, with her naturally bold and straightforward personality, didn't feel the slightest bit intimidated when facing a grown man like Hayato Ren. Instead, she openly studied him with her lively, expressive eyes.
"So you're that heartless teacher Red keeps talking about? The one who treats her like a slave?" Hongdou asked curiously while examining Hayato Ren.
At these words, Yuhi Kurenai, who had been nursing her stubbed toe nearby, suddenly froze. She then began watching Hayato Ren with a guilty expression.
The smile on Hayato Ren's face stiffened before he asked with a forced grin, "Is this how Kurenai usually describes me to you?"
Hearing this, Kurenai's heart sank. Hayato Ren normally addressed her as "hey you" or simply "hey," only using her full name in front of outsiders. The sudden use of her complete name meant he was genuinely angry.
Kurenai immediately reached to cover Hongdou's mouth, fearing she might actually get kicked out of the team if this continued.
But before Kurenai could act, Hongdou continued speaking. "Nothing much, just that you're lazy and gluttonous, bullying her every day, and that you're a playboy. Oh, and she said you weigh over 400 pounds, are ugly, lazy, and greedy. But you look quite handsome to me."
Initially, Hayato Ren hadn't been particularly bothered since Kurenai's descriptions matched his actual behavior toward her - he truly hadn't been treating her properly. However, upon hearing the remarks about his appearance, he completely lost his composure.
Abandoning any further conversation with Hongdou, he announced, "I was planning to have a proper chat with you, but I just remembered Kurenai and I have some urgent matters to attend to. I'll treat you to a meal another time."
Hongdou glanced between Hayato Ren's forced smile and Kurenai's pleading eyes, thought for a moment, then decisively nodded. "No problem, you and Red go handle your business. We're in the same village anyway - we can meet whenever."
Upon hearing this, Kurenai immediately tried to bolt. She dreaded to imagine what horrors an enraged Hayato Ren might inflict upon her.
But she hadn't run more than a few steps before colliding with a solid figure. Hayato Ren had positioned himself directly in her path like a wall, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Slowly rising from the ground, Kurenai forced a smile and asked, "Ren Sensei, is there any chance we can reconcile?"
Hayato Ren didn't respond, instead placing his hand on Kurenai's shoulder.
Suddenly, the scenery before Kurenai's eyes shifted dramatically. Hayato Ren had used the Flying Thunder God technique to instantly transport them back home.
At this hour, Kushina and Mikoto were out shopping, while Konan was spending time with Nohara Rin.
That is to say, only Hayato Ren and Yuhi Kurenai remained in the house now.
Yuhi Kurenai was currently in a completely isolated state—crying out to heaven brought no response, crying out to earth brought no relief.
Without saying much, Hayato Ren took out several pairs of handcuffs and locked Yuhi Kurenai onto a chair.
Yuhi Kurenai swallowed hard, looking at Hayato Ren with fear as she asked:
"You... what exactly do you want to do?"
At this moment, Hayato Ren finally responded to her question.
"Do you know about Leaf's interrogation department? I once considered joining it, so I thought of several torture methods."
Under Yuhi Kurenai's horrified gaze, Hayato Ren continued with a somewhat fanatical expression:
"For example, stuffing someone into an iron barrel, then putting some rats inside before heating the barrel. The heated rats would panic and start burrowing into any place they could dig."
After saying this, Hayato Ren reached out and poked Yuhi Kurenai's smooth cheek, sighing:
"With delicate skin like yours, the rats would probably find it very easy to burrow into your body."
The atmosphere in the room instantly froze.
Before long, Yuhi Kurenai burst into loud sobs.
"┭┮﹏┭┮ Wuwu, (＞人＜;) I'm sorry." I shouldn't have spread rumors about you. Please let me off just this once. I'm really afraid of pain, I'll never dare do it again, I beg you."
Watching the weeping Yuhi Kurenai, Hayato Ren's expression became somewhat strange.
Hayato Ren had originally just wanted to describe several torture methods he'd seen in his previous life to properly scare Yuhi Kurenai and deflate her arrogant attitude.
Who would have thought Yuhi Kurenai's courage would be so small—just the first torture method was enough to scare her to tears.
Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Hayato Ren's performance was too convincing, or that Yuhi Kurenai was genuinely terrified of rats.
"Then will you dare to make up stories about me behind my back in the future?"
"I won't, I'll never dare again..."
"Will you listen to what I say from now on?"
"From now on, whether you tell me to climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of fire, I won't hesitate at all. Please forgive me..."
"Alright, considering this is your first offense, I'll forgive you. But if there's a next time, you know what I'm capable of."
After saying this, Hayato Ren stepped forward and released Yuhi Kurenai from her restraints.
The moment she regained her freedom, Yuhi Kurenai didn't choose to immediately run away, but instead wrapped her arms around Hayato Ren's waist and continued crying.
Feeling the damp sensation spreading across his stomach, Hayato Ren couldn't help but say helplessly:
"Didn't I say I forgive you? Why are you still crying here?"
Then, Yuhi Kurenai's tearful voice sounded again:
"It's because what you said was so terrifying. I'm still really scared. I might even have nightmares tonight."
"Alright, I was just scaring you earlier. I wouldn't actually do such things to you. You're my most adorable student—how could I do that?"
"Really?"
"Of course it's true."
Hearing this, Yuhi Kurenai finally lifted her head from Hayato Ren's embrace.
Hayato Ren's clothes were soaked through with her tears.
After the two silently looked at each other for a while, Yuhi Kurenai suddenly asked with tear-streaked face:
"What if I get captured by enemies in the future and they torture me using those cruel methods you described?"
Hayato Ren rubbed his forehead and patiently replied:
"Don't worry, you won't be captured by enemies."
However, this answer couldn't truly ease Yuhi Kurenai's concerns.
"But what if..."
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