Chapter 100: Kurenai: "Would You Like to hear a story?"

After the training session, Kazuya's influence in the ANBU had reached new heights.

Beyond tactical advice, Kazuya occasionally engaged in sparring matches to demonstrate his battle strategies firsthand. This left many ANBU members wide-eyed with newfound insight, their skills progressing rapidly.

By now, everyone's reverence for Kazuya had grown to almost god-like devotion. Some ANBU from civilian backgrounds even looked ready to drop to their knees and pledge their loyalty.

For them, Kazuya was a ray of hope. While they might have the skill to become Jonin, they lacked the connections needed to earn that rank. For that, they needed backing from someone with real influence—a clan leader, elder, or the Hokage himself.

As ANBU Commander, Kazuya was their direct path upward.

With just one training session, Kazuya had the ANBU completely under his sway, leaving certain schemers who had been hoping to see him stumble utterly dumbfounded.

[You have collected 80 Chakra points]

[You have collected 200 Chakra points]

[You have collected 300 Eye Power points]

[You have collected 400 Eye Power points]

[You have collected 300 points in Chidori experience]

[You have collected 40 points in Yin Release Talent]

[You have collected 20 points in Indra's Bloodline]

[You have collected 30 points in Indra's Bloodline]

Golden light continued to pour from the ANBU, their devotion manifesting in constant, generous experience drops.

Kazuya gave extra attention to certain individuals, especially Sharingan users like Kakashi and Shisui. This gave the others a burst of motivation, each resolving to catch Kazuya's eye in the next training session.

Shisui was thrilled. As a prodigy, he'd reached Uchiha Clan's top rank by age 12, wielding the "Shunshin no Shisui" name across the shinobi world. But that rapid rise left his training in an awkward place; few could truly help him improve. Kazuya, though, filled that gap perfectly.

Nightfall

After a long day, Kazuya strolled through the village, walking Kurenai home.

Through recent tests, he'd discovered that with his Lv.5 Genjutsu Talent, he was now completely immune to any Genjutsu Kurenai could throw at him. This was no small feat; the Yuhi clan's Genjutsu was highly regarded throughout the shinobi world, rivaling even the Uchiha and Kurama clans in strength.

Of course, the presence of the Mangekyo Sharingan could tip the scales, but standard Genjutsu posed no threat to Kazuya anymore.

Under the gentle moonlight, their footsteps fell in close rhythm, creating a slightly dreamy atmosphere.

As they walked, Kazuya turned to Kurenai, a hint of mischief in his voice. "Kurenai, would you like to hear a story?"

Kurenai blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at Kazuya with curiosity. "Sure, go ahead, Kazuya~"

Kazuya started speaking slowly, drawing her into the story.

"One night, a man was fishing by the river and caught a carp. The carp looked anxious and pleaded, 'Please, please don't roast me!' The fisherman was shocked that a fish could talk. After thinking for a while, he said, 'Alright, I'll ask you some questions. If you answer them correctly, I'll let you go tonight.'

"The carp was overjoyed, flapping its fins eagerly. 'Ask away! I'll answer anything!'"

Kurenai was listening closely, occasionally glancing at his handsome profile in the moonlight.

"So what happened next?" she asked, noticing Kazuya had paused.

Kazuya smiled and continued, "Well, in the end, the fisherman roasted the carp anyway. This story shows us that if the carp hadn't tried to be so clever, it might not have ended up being roasted that night."

As he finished, they had reached Kurenai's doorstep.

Kurenai looked momentarily stunned.

"If the carp hadn't tried to be clever, it wouldn't have been roasted?"

Then she snorted, her cheeks flushing as she finally caught his meaning, giving him a playful but irritated look. That story wasn't serious at all! The carp wasn't just "roasted"... it was clear what he meant!

She glanced at him, her red eyes lingering on his handsome face under the soft moonlight. Then, quietly, she said, "My father is out on a mission tonight..."

Of course, I know that Kazuya thought, smirking to himself. I planned it that way with Shikaku; he won't be back for at least a week.

"Oh, but I think I forgot my key…" Kazuya replied, patting his pockets with a feigned sigh.

Without saying another word, Kurenai took his arm and pulled him inside, giving a quick glance outside to check if anyone saw them. Her face is red, and she hurriedly closed the door behind them.

Kazuya walked in with easy confidence.

Mission accomplished.

The Next Morning

The room was in complete disarray, white sheets tossed haphazardly across the floor.

Kazuya sat by her vanity, carefully hanging a framed piece of paper with the kanji for "correct" on the wall, leaving the final stroke unfinished.

"Kazuya… what are you doing?" Kurenai asked, struggling to sit up.

"I'm practicing calligraphy," he replied, entirely serious. "It's also to remind myself to be a man of integrity."

Kurenai tilted her head, a little puzzled. "Why didn't you finish the last stroke, though?"

With a smile, Kazuya said, "It's a reminder that nobody's perfect. I still have a lot to work on."

Her expression softened. "You're such a good person, Kazuya."

Every word he said made sense; he was the man she had fallen for, through and through.