Even though she had been seen by the village's younger generation in her money-grubbing state, Tsunade didn't care at all. Just thinking about the hefty gambling funds she would soon receive put her in an excellent mood.
She turned to look at Shinji and the other two. "In that case, meet at the village entrance tomorrow! Don't be late, that's it!"
Humming a tune, Tsunade left the Hokage's office with a smile.
"Sigh..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly, resting his forehead in his hand.
If the Land of Fire's funding to Konohagakure could remain the same as previous years, spending some money to have Tsunade take action would be worthwhile. After all, it wasn't the first time Konoha had paid off Tsunade's debts—there were still a few IOUs from gambling dens lying in his drawer.
"Consider it a special reserve budget prepared just for Tsunade."
He also hoped that through this mission, he could keep Tsunade in the village. With the village currently in need of capable personnel, he truly couldn't bear to lose a combatant like her.
Looking up at Shinji and the other two, the Third Hokage forced a bitter smile. "Sorry for the embarrassment. I'll be counting on you for this mission."
Shinji and the others shook their heads gently.
"Then we'll take our leave."
"Thank you for your hard work, Hokage-sama."
"Old man, I'll definitely make you see me in a new light on this mission!"
After the three left the Hokage Building, Asuma took the initiative to suggest:
"It's a rare opportunity, and our team hasn't gathered in a while. How about we go eat some barbecue together?"
His gaze kept drifting toward Kurenai Yuhi, his little schemes clicking away in his mind.
Kurenai Yuhi frowned slightly and turned to look at Shinji, clearly more concerned with his opinion.
"Sorry," Shinji said apologetically, "we're heading out on a mission tomorrow, so I need to go prepare my ninja tools. Maybe next time."
"Then I won't go either. I also need to restock on some things," Kurenai Yuhi immediately followed up.
If Shinji wasn't going, she didn't see much point in it either.
"Shinji, let's go together."
"Alright."
"Then... fine."
Asuma instantly deflated. He had finally mustered the courage to ask Kurenai out, only for it to fall through again.
Watching Shinji and Kurenai Yuhi walk away side by side, chatting and laughing, he couldn't shake a growing sense of unease.
"Are Shinji and Kurenai hiding something from me?"
He stared gloomily at their retreating figures, a sour feeling welling up in his heart.
"Did I miss something?"
...
Cat Granny's Ninja Tool Shop.
Shinji looked at the familiar signboard, then turned to Kurenai Yuhi beside him.
"Let's go in."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded gently and smiled as she pushed the door open with him.
Half a month had passed since he ordered the custom weapon, and it had long been ready. With the mission starting tomorrow, it was the perfect time to pick it up.
Pushing open the shop door, Cat Granny was still seated behind the counter. Seeing Shinji and the other, she set down her smoking pipe.
"Cat Granny, I'm here to pick up my custom weapon," Shinji greeted with a wave.
"Kid, you finally came. I finished that thing for you ages ago."
She stood up, rummaged under the counter for a moment, and placed a short sword and a cloth bundle on the table.
"It's all here. Took me quite a bit of effort."
Shinji stepped forward, placed his left hand on the scabbard, and slowly drew the short sword with his right.
The short sword felt exceptionally comfortable in his hand. The hilt was wrapped in dark cloth strips, rough and slip-resistant, providing a steady and solid grip when exerting force. The blade was a deep iron color, its cold gleam restrained, yet it exuded a sharp and precise aura with just a slight flick of the wrist.
"A fine blade," Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but murmur in admiration. Though she wasn't skilled in Sword Technique, she could tell at a glance that this was a masterpiece.
Shinji then opened the cloth bundle, revealing two belts, each neatly lined with ten kunai.
Cat Granny took a puff of her pipe and explained leisurely, "The remaining material was also made into kunai as you requested."
Shinji's heart swelled with joy, and he quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you so much, Granny."
Cat Granny waved it off with an indifferent smile.
As the two were replenishing their supplies and preparing to leave, the ninja cat Denka suddenly emerged from the back room.
"Cat Granny, I need to speak with you!"
"It's you!"
Before he could finish, Denka caught sight of Shinji. Remembering the last time he was left in an awkward and uncomfortable state from being petted, his pupils instantly narrowed, his back arched, and he let out a low, threatening growl.
"Hiss—!"
Shinji: "…"
Not long after leaving the shop, the two turned into a quiet, deserted alley. Kurenai's shoulders trembled slightly as she finally couldn't hold back a soft chuckle.
"I didn't expect him to remember. I'd almost forgotten myself."
Shinji shook his head helplessly, brushing off the cat fur clinging to his clothes—a souvenir from his recent "encounter" with Denka.
This guy really holds a grudge.
"It's all your fault," Kurenai shot him a glare, clearly still recalling the last time Shinji had teased Denka.
"Here, this is for you," Shinji said softly. "The gift I promised you."
He took out two kunai and handed them over.
Forged from Chakra Metal, these kunai had sharper blades and allowed for smoother Chakra conduction, perfectly compensating for her shortcomings in close combat.
Kurenai stared blankly at the pair of kunai, warmth flooding her heart.
He really hadn't forgotten.
She reached out and took them, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Thank you. I won't stand on ceremony, then."
"Just that?" Shinji looked into her ruby-clear eyes, a hint of mischief in his tone. "No special reward?"
He emphasized the word "special" with particular clarity.
Kurenai's cheeks flushed, her fingers twitching slightly. "What do you want? How about a pinch?"
Shinji's expression stiffened. Had Kurenai awakened some strange preference? That hardly counted as a reward.
He opened his arms and leaned in gently, lowering his voice. "Just like last time."
Kurenai pursed her lips, her face growing even redder. She glanced around, confirming that no one was nearby.
She'd already given him her first kiss. A hug was nothing in comparison.
"You're impossible," she chided, giving him a reproachful look before slowly opening her arms as well.
As soft jade filled his embrace, Shinji once again felt her tenderness. He was half a head taller than Kurenai, and now, with her slightly on her tiptoes, they fit together perfectly.
He gently stroked her back, burying his face in her hair, a soothing warmth spreading through his heart.
Kurenai reached up and lightly pinched his waist, the touch as gentle as a tickle. "No wandering hands."
Shinji chuckled softly. "How could I resist when Kurenai is so adorable?"
"Adorable?"
Kurenai's heartbeat suddenly quickened, thumping loudly against her chest.
No, he mustn't hear my heartbeat.
Instinctively, she tried to push him away, but her body felt weak, utterly devoid of strength.
Shinji held her slender waist, his gaze falling on her slightly flushed lips, recalling the time on the front lines when he had fed her medicine.
"Kurenai..."
He whispered her name, lowering his head, unable to resist slowly leaning closer.
Kurenai Yuhi's mind went blank, instantly understanding his intention.
Shinji wants to kiss me, what should I do?
She tightly clutched his collar, watching him draw nearer and nearer, when suddenly, from somewhere, a surge of strength welled up, and she pushed him away forcefully.
Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head, panting, covering her chest, her heart in turmoil.
"Will Shinji be disappointed?"
Summoning her courage once more, she walked back to Shinji, gently rose on her tiptoes, and quickly planted a kiss on his cheek.
"For now, let's leave it at this. We'll talk later."
With those words, she left Shinji standing there in a daze, lowered her head, and hurried away.
Shinji raised his hand to touch his cheek, as if the soft warmth and faint fragrance of her kiss still lingered. He couldn't help but chuckle softly:
"I was so close to kissing her, but this is good too!"