The room instantly fell into silence.
"Kurenai, come a little closer." Shinji beckoned to her, his tone serious. "I have something to tell you."
Kurenai Yuhi blinked, though somewhat puzzled, she softly responded.
"What is it?"
Trusting Shinji, she stood up and took a few steps toward him.
As soon as she finished speaking, Shinji suddenly raised his hand quickly and lightly flicked her smooth forehead.
The force wasn't heavy, but it was enough to startle her.
"Ouch!"
Kurenai Yuhi covered her forehead, glaring at him harmlessly. "Shinji! What are you doing?"
But in her heart, she couldn't help but wonder: Does he agree to help me train or not?
"Kurenai, when have we ever considered you a burden?"
Shinji crossed his arms, pretending to be angry. "Even if you don't trust others, how can you not trust me?"
He paused, softening his tone:
"I already promised to help you train. How could I go back on my word?"
In fact, he was fully in favor of Kurenai's request.
Kurenai Yuhi had a Side Quest attached to her, and completing it would earn him eighty thousand Points.
Moreover, Kurenai was one of his Conquest targets.
He was an active and unrefusing man. Kurenai Yuhi was exceptionally beautiful, and if possible, he would love to invite her to stay tonight to watch cats do backflips.
If he could even trigger a new quest, then Points would be even less of a concern.
Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi felt a warmth in her heart. She clasped her hands together, playfully pleading:
"I was wrong, Lord Shinji. I should have trusted you more."
She quickly picked up the fruit plate from the low table, speared a piece of apple, and offered it to his lips like a treasure:
"Lord Shinji, have an apple to calm your anger!"
Shinji kept a straight face, looking at the fruit offered before him, and unceremoniously opened his mouth to eat it.
Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks flushed slightly as she added softly:
"This is the first time I've ever fed a boy. Lord Shinji should be appeased now, right?"
Only then did Shinji wave his hand magnanimously:
"You're forgiven, Miss Kurenai Yuhi."
Their eyes met, and they could no longer hold back, bursting into laughter together.
"Thank you, Shinji." Kurenai Yuhi sat back down on the sofa, looking up at him earnestly. "I don't know what I can do for you, but whatever it is, as long as I can do it, I'll agree to it!"
Finally, she emphasized again: "Whatever it is!"
Shinji muttered these words under his breath, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over her before finally settling on her moist red lips.
Today, Kurenai seemed to be wearing light lipstick, which looked quite alluring.
Shinji's gaze was too direct, and Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks instantly burned. She hurriedly turned her head away, pouting, "Don't let your thoughts wander!"
But in her heart, she couldn't help but complain: This Shinji is definitely doing it on purpose!
She gently bit her lower lip, her mind involuntarily recalling the time she was severely injured and Shinji fed her medicine. Her cheeks grew even hotter.
Shinji coughed lightly twice, awkwardly scratching his head.
Was Kurenai's reaction a bit too intense? He hadn't said anything out loud, only thought it in his mind—could she really have sensed that?
He pondered to himself. Given his current relationship with Kurenai, making a not-too-excessive request should be fine, right?
Besides, he still had that Side Quest on Kurenai in mind.
Shinji raised his hand to rub his nose, testing the waters as he said, "Kurenai, can I give you a hug?"
Kurenai Yuhi shot him a reproachful glare. "Is that all you can think of?"
Yet, a faint ripple stirred in her heart: Shinji was getting bolder and bolder. Strangely, she didn't feel the slightest reluctance—instead, there was even a hint of anticipation.
This was promising!
Shinji's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately nodded decisively, his eyes full of hope. "Is that okay?"
Kurenai Yuhi suddenly froze, falling silent.
Just as Shinji thought she would refuse, she abruptly stood up, turning her back to him as if mustering all her strength. "Go ahead."
Her voice was so soft that Shinji was taken aback, almost wondering if he'd misheard.
So he stood up as well, slowly moving to Kurenai's side.
Kurenai Yuhi, ever straightforward, turned around and gently opened her arms.
Without hesitation, Shinji slowly pulled her into his embrace. Her soft, delicate body nestled against him, and once again, he caught the familiar scent of orchids—for a moment, he didn't want to let go.
"Shinji, keep your hands to yourself."
"I am, don't worry."
"Haven't you had enough? Let go already!"
"It's only been a moment. Just a little longer—this hug isn't finished yet."
"Shinji, you—"
It was a full ten minutes before Shinji reluctantly released her.
Kurenai Yuhi, flushed with embarrassment and annoyance, gave his waist a light pinch. "You rascal, satisfied now?"
"Next, I'm going to work you hard—you're going to train with me!"
Shinji merely chuckled softly, unfazed.
A System notification flashed before his eyes—Kurenai's Side Quest was complete.
He closed the panel and turned to Kurenai Yuhi. "Kurenai, come with me. I'll take you somewhere—I've prepared a gift for you."
Feeling the mood was just right, Shinji decided to give Kurenai another small gift.
Hearing there was a gift, Kurenai Yuhi's eyes immediately lit up with anticipation.
...
Shinji led Kurenai Yuhi out of the Uchiha Clan grounds, turning from Konohagakure's main street into a secluded alley.
At the end stood a small shop without a formal signboard, only a wooden plaque carved with a black cat's head—utterly unassuming.
"What is this place?" Kurenai Yuhi asked curiously.
"Cat Granny's shop," Shinji explained casually. "She has deep ties with our Uchiha Clan. You can find all sorts of rare things here."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded slightly, vaguely recalling the old woman's name.
"Let's go in." Shinji naturally took her arm and pushed the door open.
The doorbell jingled, startling Cat Granny, who was tapping away at an abacus behind the counter.
The old woman looked up and smiled. "Oh? Shinji, it's been a while."
Shinji had always received much care from this old woman and held her in high regard.
"I'm here to support your business, Granny," Shinji said with a smile.
Cat Granny chuckled to herself, thinking: Recently, the village has been buzzing about how this kid made great contributions on the front lines—he must have earned a fortune.
"A big customer this time!"
"Tell me what you want."
Shinji untied a cloth pouch from his waist, spreading it open on the counter:
"Granny, please use this to custom-make a Ninja Sword for me."
Inside was the Chakra Metal he had obtained from the B-Rank Gift Box.
"This is Chakra Metal?!"
Cat Granny recognized it at a glance, standing up in surprise. "You little rascal, have you struck it rich? Such a large piece!"
Kurenai Yuhi also covered her mouth, her face full of astonishment as she asked, "Shinji, where did you get this?"
A piece this large was worth at least twenty million ryo.
"Spoils of war." Shinji smiled faintly, intentionally letting them think he had obtained it from the battlefield.
He turned to Kurenai Yuhi and said:
"Kurenai, is there any weapon you want? We can have it custom-made together."
Kurenai Yuhi understood instantly.
So this was the gift he had mentioned.
She had to admit that Shinji was particularly dazzling at this moment, and her heart couldn't help but beat a little faster.
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