"This is Yuuhi Kurenai, a master of Genjutsu," Anko said as she sat down beside Kurenai, introducing her to Kanzuki, who was seated across from them.
"Oh, come on. I'm just a Chuunin," Kurenai modestly replied.
"Kanzuki Oboro," Kanzuki nodded slightly.
"Oboro's Genjutsu is quite impressive too. He can trap a dozen enemies at once," Anko continued.
"Is that so?" Kurenai looked surprised and couldn't help but reassess Kanzuki.
"Just a bit of knowledge," Kanzuki replied, "I specialize in Taijutsu."
"..."
"Let's order," Anko said, retrieving the menu and handing it to Kanzuki.
"You all can order. I'll just go with the flow."
Without hesitation, Anko eagerly began to circle items on the menu.
Kanzuki leaned back in his chair, calmly observing Kurenai.
Kurenai felt a bit awkward, unsure of what to say.
Given their age difference, there wasn't much common ground. Sitting together for a formal meal felt a bit uncomfortable for her.
"Is something on my face?" Kurenai finally couldn't hold back and asked.
"No," Kanzuki replied, "I just think your eyes are beautiful."
"..."
Kurenai's expression turned slightly unusual. Anko seemed to have not heard this, absorbed in ordering.
"Thank you," she managed to say.
This kid has some sharp eyes...
She thought to herself, looking at Kanzuki's eyes, which were just a plain light brown.
Affinity Level: 52.
"I've finished ordering. Kurenai, do you want to add anything?" Anko asked.
Kurenai gave the menu a quick glance and nodded.
It had been a while since she ate here, and although she didn't enjoy greasy food as much as Anko, who had no dietary restrictions, she had always been conscious and disciplined about her figure.
"I haven't been here in ages. I ordered quite a bit," Anko said with anticipation.
"You can take home whatever you can't finish," Kurenai added.
The desserts that Anko ordered arrived first. Without reservation, Anko snatched a piece and stuffed it into her mouth, while Kurenai took a smaller piece and nibbled at it.
Kanzuki sat quietly, watching them. Anko recalled his words from yesterday about not liking sweets.
"Aren't you going to try any?" Anko mumbled through her chewing.
"I told you yesterday that I don't like sweets."
"Why? Sweets are so delicious."
"There's no reason."
Noticing Anko staring at him intensely, Kanzuki asked, "What?"
"I think anyone who hates sweets in this world is an anomaly."
What kind of logic is that?
"A friend of mine used to take me for sweets every day, and I eventually got sick of them," Kanzuki replied.
"You have friends?" Anko exclaimed in surprise.
"..."
"His name is Uchiha Shisui," Kanzuki glanced at her and said.
"You're friends with Shunshin Shisui?!"
"How close are you?"
Both Anko and Kurenai were immediately intrigued, perhaps due to the name recognition, as Uchiha Shisui was captivating to them.
After all, they were both still Chuunin, while Uchiha Shisui was already a Jounin.
"Sort of," Kanzuki replied.
"Right, you came in the same batch as him." Anko suddenly realized, pondering for a moment, "It seems you two were often compared back in the day."
"Not comparable," Kanzuki replied calmly. "Shisui is too exceptional."
The grilled meat was brought to their table in various exquisite portions, making their mouths water.
"Don't worry. You're not bad either," Anko said, eagerly grabbing some grilled meat and placing it on the grill.
"Among all the kids I've met, none are better than you. Maybe you could apply for the Jounin exam."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Kanzuki replied lightly as he picked up chopsticks to stir the meat.
His nonchalant tone made Kurenai look at him with some suspicion.
Is this Kanzuki Oboro really at Jounin level?
The juicy pieces of meat sizzled on the grill, the red color tone fading away in the high heat, while white smoke wafted up between the three.
Kanzuki's quiet demeanor didn't make Kurenai think any worse of him, but she still held some reservations about having contact with someone of his reputation.
"Have you always operated in a solo team?" she casually asked.
"Oh right," Anko suddenly remembered something and turned to Kanzuki.
"We could reassemble a small team!"
"Anko?" Kurenai exclaimed, simultaneously cursing herself for speaking out of turn.
"What's wrong?" Anko turned to her with a laugh.
"You... better think this through."
"What's there to think about?" Anko dismissed, then asked Kanzuki, "Oboro, what do you think?"
Kurenai's reaction was quietly observed by Kanzuki. He had faced far worse cold stares than this, and Kurenai at least showed some consideration for Anko's feelings by avoiding certain subjects.
"No," he said.
"Eh? Why not?" Anko was taken aback.
Kurenai quietly glanced at him, relieved.
"I'm being transferred to ANBU," Kanzuki replied.
"ANBU?" Anko blinked, then sighed.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it."
Kurenai spoke up again, "ANBU is quite good, with elite ninjas inside. It suits you."
Suit me...
"I happen to have a friend in ANBU who can look out for you," Anko added.
"Thanks, but it's unnecessary." Kanzuki wanted to refuse. He was joining not the typical ANBU, but Root, and Anko's so-called help wouldn't be of much assistance.
"It's nothing," Anko waved her hand dismissively.
Yugao was just an ordinary ANBU member; what could she possibly do to help...?
Kurenai felt helpless.
She was reluctant to see herself and her friends becoming too entangled with someone like Kanzuki.
But Anko appeared to think she had seen through Kanzuki Oboro completely and that he had saved her life earlier.
Yet even if Anko's judgment was accurate, Kanzuki wouldn't clear his name in front of others, and being too close to him would lead to being treated differently.
Kurenai felt a stir of irritation as she glanced over at Anko, who was happily indulging in the feast, and felt a wave of frustration wash over her.
This girl is so carefree!
"This grilled meat is really good, you guys should eat up!" Anko reminded them, using her chopsticks to serve a piece to Kurenai.
"Don't you worry about gaining weight with a diet like this?" Kanzuki asked, unsolicited, as he watched Anko devour the food.
Anko raised her arm, showing off her still slim figure. "It's just my natural constitution; there's nothing I can do."
"Hey, by the way, do you know Shunshin Shisui? Can you invite him to eat with us? We're quite eager to meet him," Anko suggested.
"Why would I invite him?" Kanzuki asked indifferently.
"Aren't you friends?" Anko asked.
"Yes."
"Since you're friends, can't you invite him to lunch with us?" Anko asked curiously.
Upon hearing Shisui's name, Kurenai also became interested.
"I'm friends with him, yes, but why would I make an effort to invite him out to lunch with you?" Kanzuki said calmly.
"…What do you mean?" Anko was a little confused and momentarily failed to grasp his point.
"He's a friend, yes, but we are not."
Yuuhi Kurenai retorted at his plight in a half-hearted manner, disbelieving his indifference to Anko's enthusiasm.
How rude!
"Are you saying that you don't consider me a friend?!" Anko immediately shot back angrily.
This foolish woman…
Kurenai covered her face nearby.
"I didn't say that," Kanzuki said flatly, unfazed by Anko's reaction. "It's just your attitude that leads to misunderstandings. We've only met once; is it right to claim such intimacy?"
"Then I guess I misunderstood," Anko huffed, gritting her teeth.
How wicked!
Kurenai watched as Kanzuki calmly let out remarks that left others in awkward positions, and couldn't help but think that he was rather entertaining to watch.
But she didn't mind too much; it seemed better for them to remain as strangers.
I suppose it might be best for me to leave...
Kanzuki thought, standing up, just as he noticed a change in the system notification.
Anko's Affinity Level -10.
Kurenai's Affinity Level +1.
He caught a glimpse of Kurenai, only to see a spark of delight in her eyes.
This woman…