Chapter 173: The Sinking Sunset

"Hu~"

Shishou stood not far behind Kurenai, noisily slurping his ramen, then glanced at Kurenai's back.

Kurenai's figure was slim, her waist slender, her back view wasn't as voluptuous as Pakura's, but it had its own charm.

As for Kurenai's thoughts, he was unaware.

If he knew Kurenai also had thoughts about him, he would undoubtedly give her a lesson in love right then and there, stopping her from thinking such thoughts.

For Shishou, whether it was Tsunade or Kurenai, he wouldn't let either of them go.

"I heard from those two that your Fire Style is very powerful."

"Can you show it to me?"

Adjusting her mood, Kurenai sat on a tree trunk, holding her ramen, back facing Shishou.

Hearing this, Shishou was taken aback but quickly nodded in agreement: "Alright."

He could sense Kurenai's sadness, so he readily agreed.

Summoning Technique!

Calling forth the Three Snake Princesses from Ryuchi Cave, Shishou leaped onto the green giant snake God Princess, flying with Island Princess and Vine Princess to hover before Kurenai, facing the setting sun.

Another mistress!

Island Princess and Vine Princess exchanged glances, thinking the same thing.

"Assist me with the Fire Style."

"Yes, Master."

After Shishou spoke, he swiftly formed hand signs.

Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!

Wind Style: Vortex Hurricane x2!

A vast, world-ending flame erupted from Shishou's mouth, covering a kilometer of the sky, turning the surroundings orange.

"It's truly amazing."

Kurenai gazed at the orange fire sea in the sky, resembling the evening glow, and the sunset gradually sinking within it. She was mesmerized.

"Take me back."

When Shishou canceled the summoning and returned, Kurenai approached him, smiling.

"Alright." Shishou saw Kurenai's red eyes, didn't say much, extended his right hand.

Kurenai hesitated, then nervously placed her hand in his, heart racing.

The next moment, they were back in Konoha.

"Follow me."

Kurenai led the way, Shishou followed her to her house, where she asked him to wait at the door.

"Don't come looking for me again."

Kurenai handed Shishou a scroll with her head down, then turned and closed the door.

Realizing a relationship with Shishou was impossible, Kurenai decided to sever all ties to avoid falling deeper.

"What's with her?"

Looking at the scroll, Shishou was puzzled by Kurenai's behavior.

"Well, she can't escape my grasp."

"I'll deal with her after I get the Tenseigan."

With this thought, Shishou tossed the scroll in the air and vanished. With the scroll in hand, he needed to copy it for Mikoto and Shizune.

Behind the closed door, Kurenai wiped her eyes and headed to her training room, trying to forget the day's events through rigorous training.

Land of Rain

In a massive cavern housing the Gedo Statue, several phantom figures appeared.

"Kakuzu, why did you call an emergency meeting?"

Standing on the Gedo Statue's thumb, Nagato looked at Kakuzu.

Hearing Nagato, the other Akatsuki members turned to Kakuzu.

"Shinno and I encountered the Flying Thunder God user in the Land of Fire."

"He might be from Konoha."

Kakuzu felt the Akatsuki's scrutiny but remained calm.

Although the Akatsuki had agreed to lay low, they never stopped investigating Shishou's identity.

"You think he's from Konoha?"

"Any proof?"

The Akatsuki members were intrigued by any news about the Flying Thunder God user.

"I was leaving the bounty station when I saw Kurenai Yuhi from Konoha…"

Kakuzu recounted his and Shinno's encounter that day.

Hearing how they were scared into self-mutilation and fleeing, the Akatsuki members did not laugh. Anyone facing this man and surviving was incredibly lucky.

Could he really be from Konoha?

Uchiha Obito pondered, recalling his attack on Konoha followed by the man's appearance at the Gedo Statue.

Thinking of the coincidence, Obito became more convinced that the man might indeed be from Konoha.

Looks like I need to find a chance to disrupt Konoha, to test him.

But it must be done secretly, otherwise, if the man finds out it's me, he'll definitely retaliate against the Akatsuki, and my plan to revive the Ten-Tails using the Akatsuki will be ruined.

Obito thought, making up his mind.

Should I tell him that the man's identity has been exposed?

Uchiha Itachi squinted his eyes, pondering.

This man was recently involved with the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, and now he's in Konoha with Kurenai. Wouldn't that make Konan's future two years with him very dangerous?

Hearing Kakuzu say that the Flying Thunder God user had a close relationship with Kurenai, Nagato frowned slightly.

After Kakuzu and Shinno finished speaking, Nagato looked at the Akatsuki members and said:

"Continue to investigate his information."

"But for the next two years, be careful during missions and try not to provoke the Five Great Ninja Villages."

"For now, our focus is on gathering funds and recruiting combatants."

"I have gained new strength. Once I fully master it, he will no longer be my match."

"Then, we will no longer need to hide."

At this moment, Nagato, under Konan's supervision, had received the transplant of Hashirama's cells by Obito.

Not only had Nagato regained his legs, but his chakra reserves had also significantly increased, boosting his strength.

This made Nagato confident that in the next confrontation, he could thoroughly defeat Shishou!

"Yes." The Akatsuki members were shocked, then responded in unison.

Nagato's immense power was evident to them, so they had no objections to his arrangements. Hearing that his strength had greatly increased, they were astonished.

Looks like I need to inform him about this.

Uchiha Itachi decided, lowering his eyes.

Konoha

At Tsunade's house.

"Shishou, is this for me?"

Shizune looked at the Yin Release training scroll in her hand, overjoyed.

Originally, the Kato clan to which Shizune belonged also had a Yin Release training method, but it was lost after the Second Shinobi World War.

Such training methods were usually the unspoken secrets of each clan, their foundation. Even if Tsunade asked for it, it would be impossible to obtain.

"Of course, with this, you can train in Yin Release chakra."

"Once you master it, you should be able to practice the Kato clan's Spiritual Transformation Technique."

Shishou pulled Shizune into his arms, pinching her nose.

"You're so good."

Shizune's eyes sparkled with stars, looking at Shishou with admiration. She stood on tiptoe, bringing her lips to Shishou.

Seeing Shizune actively seeking a kiss, Shishou didn't hesitate, lifting her and heading towards Tsunade's room.

"That bastard!"

Seeing the two running into her room to mess around, a certain Legendary Sannin who came to peep again was gritting her teeth in anger, disappearing with hatred.