Chapter 69: An Anxious Kazuya! Kurenai, You Look Amazing Today!
In her hands, she held a small lunch box, her beautiful red eyes gently gazing at him.
"Kazuya, how are you!"
Kurenai greeted him with a smile.
"What brings you here?" he asked, a bit surprised.
"Isn't it obvious? You didn't think I'd get a warm welcome, did you?"
Kurenai pretended to be upset.
"No, no, come in! It's just me here anyway."
Kazuya smiled softly, letting her into the room.
"You…"
Kurenai placed the lunch box on the table, glancing around at the messy room, and said helplessly, "You're home now, and you don't even bother tidying up? It looks like a doghouse!"
Kazuya waved it off nonchalantly. "It's just me, so a little mess doesn't matter. By the way, what did you bring..."
"Grilled eel rice! Your favorite grilled eel rice!"
"Haha, then I won't hold back!"
Kazuya laughed and took a clean spoon from the kitchen, sitting down to enjoy his meal.
After getting a promotion and raise, plus having a beautiful little chef delivering food, life was pretty good.
As he ate, Kurenai began cleaning the room.
She expertly gathered the dirty clothes and socks, throwing them into the bathroom to soak in a basin.
Since he was hospitalized a year ago, Kurenai has taken on the cleaning duties at his place.
Over time, she got used to this role.
She loved the warm feeling it brought her.
Just knowing she could do something for him made her happy.
While cleaning, Kurenai suddenly picked up a string of white pearl necklaces from the sofa.
She held them up, examined them curiously, and asked, "Hey, is this pearl necklace you bought? It looks kind of strange. The pearls are as big as walnuts, and…"
She draped the necklace around her neck to check, saying, "It seems a bit too long. Did you get scammed by the seller?"
This isn't meant to be worn like this…
Kazuya internally rolled his eyes but maintained a calm demeanor. "Kurenai, this was supposed to be a New Year gift for you, but I didn't expect you to find out early, uh…"
"I'm not too familiar with girls' accessories, so maybe I got cheated."
"That's normal," Kurenai said sympathetically. "You work so hard at training, and you have so little time. It's fine not to be familiar with girls' things. But I can't believe you prepared a New Year gift for me in advance. That's so touching…"
Indeed!
Kazuya was so powerful, even able to crush a Jinchuriki!
With his usual time, he probably dedicated himself to intense training!
Not understanding some things related to girls was perfectly normal!
As she continued to examine the pearl necklace, she thought to herself, This is the first gift he's ever given me… how touching! What do I do?!
Oh no!
Why is she examining it so closely?
This thing can't withstand scrutiny!
If she looks too closely, she'll realize it's not meant to be worn around the neck!
Kazuya quickly got up, walked over, and pinched Kurenai's cheek with a pampering smile, saying, "Kurenai, I just feel like you're acting a bit strange today…"
"Ah? What do you mean strange?"
As the sun set, Kurenai's small face puffed up with a hint of worry.
"That's pretty."
Kazuya said it with a serious expression while taking the "pearl necklace" from Kurenai's hands.
"You…"
"You're so annoying, Kazuya-kun~"
Kurenai shot him a playful glare, her beautiful face slightly flushed.
What a bad guy!
Suddenly teasing her like that—who knows what wicked thoughts he had hidden!
She didn't mind that Kazuya took the pearl necklace. Since it was said to be a New Year's gift for her, it was hers.
After all, it was only a month away. There was no rush, as long as it wasn't for some other bad woman!
"By the way, I have to congratulate you too!"
Kurenai suddenly smiled and said, "I heard from my father that Kazuya-kun has been promoted. You're the head of the Anbu now, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Kazuya nodded.
"So, you're a big shot now! You won't look down on someone like me, a small character, will you?"
Kurenai teased, half-jokingly.
"Of course not!"
Kazuya replied seriously, "You're my best little secretary; wherever I go, I'll take you with me."
Of course!
Who else would handle all those tedious daily tasks?
"Tch, lazybones!"
Kurenai retorted, walking into the bathroom, "I'm not a little secretary! I'm also an honorable Jonin of Konoha!"
With that, she began to tackle the pile of dirty clothes and socks in the bathroom.
…
After being promoted to the head of the Anbu, Kazuya became quite the figure in Konoha.
Leaders from major clans came personally to pay him visits.
Hyuga, Akimichi, Nara, Inuzuka, and even the Uchiha clan leader all showed him warmth in their visits.
As the head of the Anbu, he was now a person of real authority.
Even these clan leaders didn't dare to underestimate him.
Of course, the most important factor was Kazuya's overwhelming strength.
Since his rise to fame, he hadn't faced any weak opponents.
The Fourth Raikage, Orochimaru, the Two-Tails Jinchuuriiki, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuuriiki Killer Bee…
Just hearing those names was enough to instill fear.
Yet, Kazuya had swept through them effortlessly!
Especially his battle that crushed two Jinchuuriki, which made him renowned throughout the ninja world!
Some clever folks even began to send their heirs to him!
You see, Kazuya still didn't have any direct disciples.
Many clans had their eyes on this point!
If a clan's younger generation could become Kazuya's disciple, it would be a leap to the top!
It was simply too enticing!
A few days later, in a spacious office within the Anbu headquarters,
Kazuya sat at his desk, reviewing the documents laid out before him.
They were profiles of promising new talents sent by the leaders of various clans.
There were graduates from the ninja academy at age seven, Chunin at eleven, and a nine-year-old who awakened the Byakugan—each resume overflowing with potential.
"Some dull options…"
Kazuya shook his head with a sigh.
This generation of Konoha's young ninjas was rather awkward.
Looking back, there was a burst of geniuses, like Kakashi, Obito, Kurenai, Genma, Ibiki, and Shizune, all prominent Jonin.
In a few years, the next wave of standout characters would emerge, led by Naruto and Sasuke.
But this generation seemed rather unremarkable.
Aside from Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, there were only a few names worth noting, like Uzuki Yugao and Mizuki Kaze.
As he pondered, Kazuya suddenly stumbled upon two intriguing profiles.
"Itachi Uchiha graduated from the ninja school at seven, awakened the Sharingan at eight, and skilled in Fire Release and ninja tools!"
"Uzumaki Izumi, nine years old, activated her double tomoe Sharingan upon awakening, proficient in Taijutsu!"
"…"
Kazuya's expression shifted subtly.
Itachi Uchiha, Izumi Uchiha…
These two names held some significance!
In the original plot, they were somewhat of a tragic couple.
Izumi, who was quite cute, had a tragic fate; she was killed by Obito on the night of the Uchiha massacre.
What a shame!
Such a waste!
Now, seeing their profiles, Kazuya couldn't help but entertain some special thoughts.
Should he consider training Itachi in the direction of Mizuki Kaze?
That would be perfect!
He could pair Izumi with Uzuki Yugao, a win-win situation, wouldn't it?
…