Chapter 15: More Than Friends, Not Yet LoversThe First Meeting
The three of them followed Yūhi Kurenai away from the Ninja Academy, eventually arriving at a secluded clearing on the village outskirts. Thick woods surrounded the open space, and several weathered wooden stakes stood nearby—evidence that this had once been someone's training ground, now apparently abandoned.
Kurenai turned to face them, her beautiful features carrying a heroic quality that spoke of confidence and capability. A friendly smile graced her lips as she addressed them.
"For our first meeting, let's introduce ourselves. Share things like what you like, what you hate, your dreams for the future, and so on. I'll start with myself."
She paused, letting her gaze sweep across each of them before continuing.
"My name is Yūhi Kurenai. I'll be your guiding jōnin from now on—please call me Kurenai-sensei. I specialize in genjutsu. I like shōchū, vodka, and octopus wasabi. I dislike cake. My dream is to become a great ninja like Tsunade-sama."
Her eyes settled on Ryuzen expectantly.
Feeling her gaze, Ryuzen spoke without hesitation. "My name is Yagyu Ryuzen. I specialize in swordsmanship. I like many things and dislike many things equally. My dream is to become a ninja who can stand on my own."
The perfunctory introduction made Kurenai's smile gradually fade. She had been expecting something more from the top graduate—perhaps enthusiasm, perhaps elaboration. Instead, she received the bare minimum.
Beside him, Hinata covered her lips to hide a smile. Ryuzen-kun really is as indifferent as ever toward everyone except me.
Kurenai shifted her attention. "What about you?"
"Ah, yes!" Hinata straightened immediately, caught off guard. She gathered herself and began. "My name is Hyūga Hinata. I specialize in taijutsu. I like many things, but my main hobby is pressing flowers. I don't dislike anything in particular. My dream is... is... to become... a housewife."
When she reached the final words, Hinata hesitated considerably, struggling to give voice to her true feelings. In the end, courage failed her, and she settled for something close but not quite accurate.
I want to be with Ryuzen-kun forever. That's what I really wanted to say.
"A housewife?" Kurenai didn't grasp what lay behind Hinata's words. Looking at the gentle, soft-spoken girl before her, her expression softened with maternal warmth.
Then she turned to Aburame Shino, whose presence seemed barely more substantial than Hinata's.
"My name is Aburame Shino. I specialize in the secret techniques of my clan. My preferred foods are vegetable salad and winter melon. I dislike things with strong odors. My hobby is observing insects. My dream is to discover new species of insects." His tone remained flat and even throughout.
"Very good!"
Having completed initial introductions, Kurenai nodded approvingly. Then her expression grew slightly more serious.
"Now that we know each other a little, I need to assess your abilities and your awareness as a team. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, we'll gather here again for a survival exercise."
Unlike some of the more intimidating jōnin, Kurenai didn't threaten them with failure or expulsion. The three before her included two children from prominent clans and the Academy's top graduate. As a newly promoted jōnin receiving such an excellent team, Kurenai felt grateful rather than inclined to intimidate them.
In the eyes of more experienced jōnin, her approach might seem too gentle, perhaps even naive.
But all three found themselves appreciating her demeanor.
Ryuzen certainly didn't share the attitude of someone like Inuzuka Kiba, who might look down on a female instructor. He evaluated people by their capabilities, not their gender.
Without someone like Kiba—whose personality resembled Naruto's in its impulsive brashness—Team 8's dynamic would likely prove far smoother than some other teams.
Ryuzen's strength could naturally form the team's core. Hinata trusted him completely. And Aburame Shino was the type who disliked leadership struggles and simply wanted to pursue his own interests.
If Ryuzen demonstrated sufficient capability, he felt confident Team 8 would coalesce around him naturally.
After the Meeting
Once Kurenai dismissed them, Ryuzen and Hinata walked together through the village streets toward home.
"Ryuzen-kun, what do you think Kurenai-sensei's survival exercise is really for? Is it just to understand our abilities and teamwork, or is there another purpose?" Hinata asked, clearly seeking conversation as they walked.
Ryuzen shook his head. "Probably just that. She didn't seem like she was lying."
He knew, of course, exactly what the survival exercise typically entailed. The classic bell test was burned into his memory from his previous life—a method to teach new genin the importance of teamwork over individual glory.
But Kurenai might find herself disappointed if she expected them to play those particular games.
Ryuzen had no intention of participating in such exercises as designed. After six years of training, it was time to test himself against a genuine jōnin and discover exactly what level he had reached.
They reached the street where their paths diverged and parted temporarily.
An Ordinary Evening
Ryuzen returned home, washed rice, and prepared to cook.
Not long after, Hinata arrived carrying vegetables she had brought.
Together they occupied the kitchen, preparing lunch while chatting about small, inconsequential topics. Mostly Ryuzen spoke while Hinata responded softly, occasionally covering her smile when something amused her.
When the time felt right, Ryuzen began Hinata's training session.
He knew this girl's nature intimately—had spent years understanding every subtle reaction.
In the early days of their relationship, even the slightest intimacy would send Hinata's face flaming crimson. Her thoughts would grow muddled, steam practically rising from her ears, and occasionally she would simply faint from overwhelming embarrassment.
It had taken considerable time and patience to help her overcome that extreme reaction. In the process, Ryuzen had developed an almost preternatural ability to sense her body temperature and know precisely when she approached her limit.
Over six years, the intimacy between them had naturally progressed far beyond simple hand-holding.
Especially as Hinata matured—her delicate features, her growing confidence, the way her long hair framed her gentle face—all of it stirred something protective and possessive within him.
During their usual cooking sessions, Ryuzen often launched what Hinata called "surprise attacks."
He would wrap his arms around her waist from behind, pressing his warm palms against her apron, feeling the soft fabric of her white jacket beneath his hands. He would rest his chin on her shoulder, letting his warm breath ghost across her ear while they chatted about nothing in particular.
As her temperature rose and her focus scattered completely, Ryuzen's hands would wander—just slightly, just enough—brushing against the soft curves hidden beneath her clothing. Before she could fully register what had happened, he would retreat, ending the "training" session with perfect timing.
When Hinata finally regained her composure, her face would burn with a mixture of embarrassment and something else entirely. But she no longer fainted. The sight of her—flustered, flustered, and functioning like a human steam engine—was something Ryuzen found endlessly endearing.
It was worth noting that Hinata's first kiss belonged to Ryuzen as well.
That had happened one afternoon a year ago. Hinata had been napping at his house—a rare occurrence—and Ryuzen had stolen it while she slept.
She hadn't actually been asleep at the time.
He'd known she wasn't asleep.
They had both simply allowed the moment to happen, each holding their own thoughts, neither willing to break the fragile beauty of what passed between them.
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