Morning,
Threads of golden sunlight slanted in through the window—
But on the bed—
A pair lay embraced—
Still fast asleep.
"Mmm…"
After an unknown amount of time—
Kurenai slowly woke up.
She realized—
She was lying in someone's arms.
Startled—
Her expression changed slightly.
But as memories of yesterday flooded back—
She quickly relaxed.
That unusual warmth—
Made her cheeks flush faintly.
Looking at the boy beside her—
Still asleep, impossibly handsome—
She couldn't help but stare, a little entranced.
That warm, broad embrace—
Was so comforting—
She was reluctant to leave.
She unconsciously nestled closer into Akira's arms.
A sweet smile appeared on her jade-like face—
As she gently caressed his cheek:
"You little troublemaker…"
Thinking back to yesterday's absurd yet wonderful experience—
Her face flushed crimson.
It felt almost like a dream.
This was her man—
Twelve years younger than her.
Though they hadn't crossed that final boundary—
Within the spiritual world—
They had already experienced everything.
Kurenai smiled softly—
Sweet beyond words.
The movement in his arms—
Woke Akira.
"Kurenai-sis…"
As her beautiful face came into view—
He smiled—
Pulling her tightly into his embrace.
Her radiant figure—
Seemed even more beautiful than usual.
"Akira… shouldn't we get up?"
Kurenai's cheeks reddened slightly.
But after everything—
There was nothing left to hide.
"Mm, today I still need to guide Kurenai-sis in training…"
Akira said with a smile.
As for Ino and Tenten—
With their current strength—
Even a Wood Clone of his—
Was more than enough to guide them.
"Sure enough… this kind of pattern suits Kurenai-sis better…"
He gently caressed her face.
On her once flawless forehead—
There was now a delicate, flame-like floral mark—
Faintly crimson.
It added an indescribable charm to her already stunning beauty—
Making it hard to look away.
Akira smiled:
"Kurenai-sis, you should already know how to release the Yin Seal…"
"Remember, if you encounter danger, just release the chakra stored inside—it'll be enough to sustain a long battle."
Just yesterday—
Using the Soul Transformation Technique—
He had directly helped Kurenai form the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
However—
He felt that if every mark looked identical—
It would be rather dull.
So—
He made a bold attempt—
And modified the technique slightly.
Instead of Tsunade's purple diamond—
Kurenai's seal appeared as a delicate flame-like pattern.
"Mm…"
Kurenai nodded with a smile.
She had indeed been deeply shocked yesterday—
When Akira used that technique on her.
That massive amount of chakra—
Was beyond imagination.
It could rival even the Tailed Beasts.
Though she couldn't—
Like Tsunade or Akira—
Freely control or accumulate chakra into the seal—
If she encountered danger—
She could simply follow Akira's method—
And release the chakra he had stored within.
That alone—
Was more than enough.
After lingering in warmth for a while—
Kurenai finally pushed him to get up.
Akira stretched lazily—
Then, seeing her stunning appearance—
Couldn't resist pulling her in for another kiss.
"Still not satisfied?"
Kurenai rolled her eyes at him.
Yesterday—
Someone had sworn not to go too far—
Yet aside from the final step—
He had done everything.
"Never enough…"
Akira smiled—
Gently holding her soft waist—
And kissing her cheek again.
"Hmph, smooth talker…"
Kurenai narrowed her eyes with a faint smile.
Though pleased—
She still pinched his cheek lightly:
"Tell me honestly—did you have bad intentions toward your big sister from the very beginning?"
"Now that I think about it—not just Asuma, but any man who tried to get close to me—you never gave them a good look!"
"That's only natural…"
Akira held her close—
Pressing his face against hers as he smiled:
"From the very beginning, Kurenai-sis was destined to be my woman. No one else can take you away."
"You little rascal… I really fell right into your trap…"
Kurenai felt both sweet and helpless.
This handsome, powerful young man—
Now belonged to her.
Yet—
She still felt a little embarrassed to show him off to others.
"Ah—stop it…"
"I'm getting mad—mm…"
...
After playing around for a while—
Akira brought Kurenai back to his home.
Though it was just next door—
And she had been there many times—
Kurenai felt strangely nervous—
Like a shy bride meeting her in-laws.
Because after being fully refined by the Strength of a Hundred Seal—
Her entire body seemed to have returned to when she was eighteen—
Radiant and flawless.
She looked even more beautiful than yesterday—
No less than her youthful peak—
Yet carried a mature charm.
It was utterly captivating.
Even Karin—
That nine-year-old girl—
Was stunned.
Even her mother—
Who saw Kurenai often—
Was no exception.
Kurenai felt completely different—
As if she had become years younger.
"Karin, this is the Kurenai-sis I told you about…"
Akira smiled—
Introducing them:
"Kurenai-sis, this is Karin—Aunt Natsuko's daughter."
Even though Akira held Kurenai's hand—
Their meeting—
Didn't carry the same tension as when Anko appeared.
Still—
Seeing how close Akira was to this "Kurenai-sis"—
Karin couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.
But comparing herself—
In appearance, figure, and temperament—
She was completely outmatched.
Like an ugly duckling—
She couldn't even feel hostility.
"Hm?"
After chatting for a while—
Kurenai went to help Natsuko in the kitchen.
Only then did Karin notice something—
And exclaimed in surprise:
"Akira, where did the Strength of a Hundred Seal on your forehead go?"
The diamond mark—
That used to be on his forehead—
Had suddenly disappeared.
"I modified the technique a bit and hid it."
Akira shrugged.
As a grown man—
Having that mark on his forehead all day—
Felt a bit odd.
So—
He spent some time adjusting the technique—
And concealed it.
Of course—
The Strength of a Hundred Seal hadn't disappeared.
It was simply hidden—
Through a special method.
When used—
It would appear again.
...
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