Chapter 56: Clothes

"Let go of my mother!"

Itachi, both angry and alarmed, swiftly dashed into the room, ready to attack Ren.

Ren released Mikoto's wrist at the right moment.

"Itachi!" Mikoto hurried to restrain her son.

"Mom! Did this guy hurt you?" Itachi demanded angrily, his gaze full of resentment as he looked at Ren.

"No, you misunderstood," Mikoto replied, although her wrist still ached a bit.

Ren remained seated, completely unconcerned about Itachi's hostility.

"What are you doing in my house?" Itachi questioned Ren.

Ren merely looked at him indifferently, without answering.

"I invited Kazumi-san here," Mikoto explained.

"Since he saved Sasuke and me previously, I wanted to formally thank him."

Itachi frowned deeply. "Mom, don't you know that this guy..."

But he couldn't continue. Words caught in his throat, and he couldn't find a way to articulate his feelings.

Itachi's gaze was filled with hatred, as if he wished to tear Ren to pieces.

"In short, he's no good!"

Hearing this, Mikoto replied helplessly, "I've heard about some of Kazumi-san's past actions, but everyone makes mistakes. He was very young at the time, and his mistakes are forgivable."

She referred to Ren's infamous reputation as a troubled ninja.

"Mom, he..." Itachi struggled, unsure of how to put it into words.

Could he reveal that Ren was the mastermind behind the Hidden Mist attack? But how could he explain that, given he himself was also complicit?

It was Ren who forced Shisui to leave and caused Izumi's death.

But Itachi was painfully aware that Shisui's departure was also due to his own foolishness.

"It appears your family truly doesn't welcome me," Ren remarked.

Mikoto felt a bit awkward. "I apologize; Itachi was just being impulsive."

"No need, I'll just take my leave," Ren said as he stood up.

Mikoto was taken aback. "Huh?"

Ren cast a glance at the two of them and headed towards the door.

He genuinely felt no need to stay any longer. He had gone to great lengths to speak with Mikoto, only for her to dismiss it all over his past mistakes—a thankless woman.

"Lady Mikoto, you may pass along what I've said to Chief Fugaku," Ren stated as he passed them.

Mikoto wanted to stop him, but Itachi held her arm firmly, preventing her.

As Ren left the Uchiha compound, he couldn't help but feel somewhat affected.

He could control Konoha from the shadows, but there were still many inconveniences.

Some situations might end up beyond his control, as happened last time.

In the future, he might encounter things that the Hokage couldn't openly handle, yet he currently lacked influence in his current identity.

Kotoamatsukami was already used, and without the First Hokage's cells, Ren couldn't use it again for at least another decade.

He needed a way to step into the spotlight and build his own power.

...

Anko groggily opened her eyes, realizing she wasn't in her own room.

She sat up slowly, feeling a terrible headache.

Outside the window, the sky was dark, and the room was dimly lit.

A woman in a red nightgown sat in a chair by the window, quietly reading a book.

"So thirsty," Anko muttered.

The woman looked up and pointed to the table in front of her.

Anko pursed her lips, got out of bed, and poured herself a glass of water, downing it in one gulp.

"Ahh~"

The water eased the soreness in her throat.

"Why am I here?" Anko asked.

"What, should I have left you on the street after you drank too much?" Kurenai replied, flipping a page.

"With your tolerance, you shouldn't drink so much—you always make me carry you back."

"Got it, Mom Kurenai." Anko waved her hand dismissively.

Kurenai shot her a glare.

"I want to take a shower here," Anko said, noticing the heavy smell of alcohol on her and heading directly for the wardrobe.

"But I don't have your underwear here."

"I'll just go without."

Kurenai sighed, resigning herself to it. But as she glanced at her book again, something dawned on her. She shot up from her seat, accidentally knocking the chair over.

Anko turned, puzzled. "What's up?"

"You…should just go home to shower," Kurenai stammered, slightly uncomfortable.

"If you shower here and wear my clothes, it'll be a hassle to return them."

"What's the hassle?" Anko laughed. "Besides, I've taken showers here before, haven't I?"

"Well, yes, but…since you live close by, wouldn't it be easier to just go home?" Kurenai averted her gaze.

"What, you don't want me wearing your clothes?" Anko raised an eyebrow. "It's just a nightgown. I'll wash it afterward."

"What nonsense are you saying?" Kurenai sighed.

"Then stop beating around the bush," Anko retorted, moving to open the wardrobe again.

"Wait!" Kurenai's voice almost sounded desperate.

Anko's hand froze in mid-air. She turned back to look at Kurenai.

"My… my clothes are at the laundromat, remember? I just got back today," Kurenai explained.

Anko studied Kurenai for a moment. "You're acting strange."

"Am I?"

Anko squinted slightly, then quickly opened the wardrobe.

Kurenai's breath caught.

Bang!

The wardrobe door closed, and without a word, Anko turned, returning to the bed to dress.

"Forget it; I'll go home to shower."

"…"

After dressing, Anko noticed Kurenai still standing there, watching her with a blank expression.

"I'm leaving now."

"Ah… yeah," Kurenai murmured.

Anko walked to the door.

"By the way, still haven't fixed that door, huh?"

She opened the door, turned, and gave Kurenai a smile, waving. "See you tomorrow."

Bang!

The room fell silent, save for the faint sound of footsteps descending the stairs.

Kurenai quickly approached the wardrobe, opening it.

Inside were clothes, neatly arranged.

In the corner, however, was a black men's shirt, starkly out of place among the more colorful women's clothing.

Kurenai let her hands drop helplessly.

Damn it, what was she doing, bringing that in here?

Why didn't Anko ask her about it?

Her mind was a jumble of conflicting thoughts.

Kurenai grabbed the shirt, placed it in a bag, then changed and left her home.

The street was quiet, with few people around, as most were likely already in bed.

With the bag in hand, Kurenai walked through the streets, her mind drifting aimlessly.

Unconsciously, she found herself outside a house, darkened, without a light in sight.

She felt her heart beating faster.

Reaching out, she knocked on the door.

Was he home?

Or was he not?

Was he asleep?

She half-hoped he wouldn't be.

Creak~

The door opened.

Her racing heart abruptly calmed.

Ren, dressed in thin sleepwear, seemed to have been in bed already.

The chilly night breeze lifted her long dress slightly, carrying a faint scent of his shampoo—pleasant.

"Is there something you need?"

"Remember you left a shirt at my place? I came to return it," Kurenai said, taking a deep breath and holding out the bag.

Ren just looked at her silently, not reaching out.

After a long pause, he spoke, "Would you like to come in for a bit?"

Kurenai could feel her voice trembling.

"…Okay."

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