Shizune, standing off to the side, suddenly let out a small gasp.
For a moment, she felt like she'd heard something unbelievable.
When she used to train with Kurenai, Shizune had listened more than once as Kurenai talked about how much she liked Shiki.
Back then, Shizune could hardly believe it. She never thought Kurenai would actually succeed.
But now… it seemed she'd been the foolish one. Kurenai had really done it.
"Amazing…?"
The mocking look on Tsunade's face froze instantly. She slowly turned her head to Shizune, eyes narrowing.
"So," Tsunade said lightly, "you want to try too? Want to experience something that wonderful?"
"…Huh?"
Shizune blinked, stunned. Try what? Then it hit her. Tsunade-sama meant… being like Yūhi Kurenai, with Shiki?
Her gaze drifted toward Shiki. No one knew what crossed her mind, but her pretty face flushed bright red. The next second, she spun around and bolted for the door.
"T-Tsunade-sama, I'll head back first!"
Without giving anyone a chance to stop her, Shizune ran out in a hurry.
"Hahaha! So you've got thoughts like that too, huh? And here I thought you were just a timid little rabbit!" Tsunade laughed.
But there wasn't much humor in it. If anything, she sounded irritated.
Tsunade felt like she was going crazy.
Kurenai was one thing—she'd known for a long time that the girl didn't have innocent thoughts about Shiki. But to think even Shizune, her own student, might be eyeing him too…
When she caught sight of Shiki's amused smile, her irritation flared even higher.
"Go on, keep laughing," Tsunade huffed. "Let's see what you do when Yūhi Shinku comes looking for you."
"Hahaha, as if that'd happen. How would Yūhi Shinku even—"
Shiki waved a hand dismissively with a smile. There was no way Shinku would just show up like that.
Before he could finish his sentence, an angry roar exploded from outside the courtyard.
"Shiki! Open the door! I know you're home—open up!"
"…Ugh."
Not only Shiki, even Tsunade froze for a moment.
"You've got a real crow's mouth," Shiki muttered, turning to glare at her. She'd just mentioned Shinku, and now he was actually here.
Since he'd just gotten home, Shiki hadn't spread out his Observation Haki, so he hadn't sensed Shinku approaching.
"Don't blame me," Tsunade said with a shrug. She'd already recovered from her surprise and was watching with obvious interest. "I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out."
"I'll deal with you tonight, Tsunade. Don't think I'll let you off, even if you beg," Shiki said over his shoulder as he walked to open the door.
"Heh, is that supposed to scare me? I'm not afraid of you!" Tsunade shot back immediately.
What kind of joke was that? Tonight, she thought confidently, we'll see who ends up dealing with whom.
Three minutes later, in Shiki's courtyard, Yūhi Shinku stood glaring at him, eyes blazing with anger.
Tsunade sat off to the side near the veranda, watching the scene unfold with great interest.
Beside Shiki, Yūhi Kurenai stood firm, her small face set with determination as she faced her father.
"Dad, I've already decided," she declared. "Shiki-nii is the one I've chosen. Nothing you say will change that!"
"I… you…"
Shinku was instantly at a loss for words. He hadn't even spoken yet, and his daughter had already stripped away all his momentum.
After the war ended, Shinku had been overjoyed. His family could finally be together again. But not long after they reunited, he noticed Kurenai acting strangely—like she'd made some huge decision.
He wasn't naïve. He'd always known his daughter had feelings for Shiki. He'd assumed she would eventually grow out of it, especially since Shiki already had Tsunade.
But during the war, in places he couldn't see, those feelings had only deepened. When Kurenai returned, her expression was resolute, as if she'd already made up her mind.
So he'd questioned her indirectly, disguising his true intentions—and when she let it slip, his anger exploded.
His daughter wanted to live at Shiki's house from now on. What did that imply? Only a fool wouldn't understand.
Unable to hold back any longer, Shinku had come straight here.
"Shiki! Aren't you going to say something?" he demanded loudly. At this moment, he didn't care in the slightest about Shiki's status as Konoha's hero.
Shiki had never been the type to dodge responsibility. Hearing Shinku's challenge, he smiled faintly and spoke with calm confidence.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one in this world will be allowed to harm Kurenai."
"Mm!"
Kurenai nodded happily, leaning closer to Shiki with a bright smile. It was only a simple promise, but it was enough to fill her with joy.
"I…"
Shinku opened his mouth, then closed it again. He looked from Shiki to his daughter and fell silent.
His daughter had found someone worthy of entrusting her life to—what more was there to say?
With Shiki's strength, protecting Kurenai wouldn't be a problem. And Shinku knew the man wasn't the type to make empty promises.
But…
He was still angry.
This was his precious daughter. How had she suddenly become part of the Shiki household?
The thought was infuriating.
Very infuriating.
"Dad, you should head back," Kurenai added softly. "I'll be living here with Shiki-nii from now on."
"…"
That one sentence pierced straight through Shinku's heart.
Of course he understood what she meant. But she was still his daughter—how could he bring himself to scold her harshly?
In the end, he shot Shiki one last fierce glare.
"…Take good care of her."
Shiki could only smile helplessly.
Eventually, Shinku reluctantly accepted reality. Even if he didn't, there was little he could do.
That night, however, Kurenai didn't stay. The war had just ended, and many families were reuniting. Shinku and Kurenai still needed time together. Shiki understood and didn't object.
"So it's just you and me tonight," Shiki said with a grin, glancing at Tsunade, who was still lounging nearby.
"What, disappointed?" Tsunade snorted, rolling her eyes. "You should be grateful."
"Boom!"
…
It was a day of reunion.
All across the village, families gathered in warm, peaceful atmospheres.
But not everywhere.
At Namikaze Minato's home—a modest two-story house with its own yard, earned through his talent and status as Jiraiya's student—Minato stood by the window, staring outside.
Despite the lively scene in the streets, he couldn't bring himself to feel happy.
"Minato!"
Kushina's voice called out as she hurried over.
"Let's go out together," she said, looking at him expectantly.
"Kushina, I…"
Minato knew she was worried about him. He simply wasn't in the mood to go out. But Kushina didn't argue. She just stood there, gazing at him with bright, stubborn eyes, clearly unwilling to leave without an answer.
"…Okay."
With a helpless smile, Minato relented. He couldn't refuse her.
Soon, the two of them stepped out into Konoha's streets. Many shops were open, and the village was bustling with life.
As they walked side by side, Minato felt the weight in his chest gradually lighten.
However...
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