Kurenai Yuhi didn't know what was wrong with her today. From the moment she saw him step into the arena to face Kiba, her heart had been unable to calm, and she even acted recklessly after the match ended.
Now that I've gone this far, show me who you really are. Tell me—what's your name?
Kurenai looked at Anya, trapped in her genjutsu, and walked toward him step by step.
Anya sighed softly, saying, "Ah, Master Kurenai, don't you know I'm blind? Your vision-based illusion technique has no effect on me."
"That's impossible—you clearly fell for it," Kurenai retorted disbelievingly. "And how did you recognize it was me?"
Anya smiled faintly and said, "Only someone capable of altering their surroundings with genjutsu and immersing enemies in realistic scenarios could possess such genjutsu mastery. There's only one person I can think of in Konoha—Master Kurenai."
Kurenai declared firmly, "We know each other, don't we?"
"Of course, we've met befo—"
"No," Kurenai interrupted. "If you won't say it, then I'll remove your mask myself to find out."
She took slow steps closer. As they neared each other, both could catch the scent from the other's body—one carried a delicate feminine fragrance, while the other smelled faintly like a baby. At this moment, Kurenai's hand, already reaching out, suddenly trembled slightly. A suspicion arose in her heart, yet it made her hesitate.
Anya... is it really you? No, if it were you, how could you not recognize me?
But this familiar feeling—the quickened pulse, the flutter in my chest—it was something only you ever gave me.
"Is this how Konoha treats its guests?" Mabui's voice sounded from behind Kurenai.
"Who?" With eyes sharpened like blades, Kurenai turned around sharply.
"You may call me Mabui. I am the supervising teacher for Takigakure's three genin students."
The newcomer was none other than Mabui. After detecting through [Soul Perception] (a technique to sense others' presence) that the approaching figure was Kurenai, Anya had urgently notified Mabui—who had been wandering around the village—to come immediately.
Kurenai ignored Mabui completely, her gaze locked tightly on Anya as she asked, "Is that true? Are you really Takigakure's genin?"
Anya replied calmly, "Yes."
Kurenai's eyes filled with disappointment. Clenching her teeth, she said, "Fine. I'm sorry. Let me apologize properly."
So saying, she bowed slightly to show contrition.
Anya reached out and gently stopped her, shaking his head slightly. "There's no need, Master Kurenai. It was a pleasure meeting you again."
After these words, he silently passed by Kurenai and followed Mabui away without looking back, leaving Kurenai standing there watching their retreating figures blankly.
Mabui asked doubtfully, "Hey, that woman—is she your lover? She kept staring at you the entire time. Are you sure you really don't plan to reveal yourself to her?"
Anya spoke with deep melancholy: "Do you know? Ever since we were kids, she's been waiting for me—and still is today."
"And yet you stay away from her like that?" There was a hint of disappointment in Mabui's voice.
"It isn't heartlessness—it's how I cherish."
Anya quickly calmed herself: "My current physical condition hasn't recovered yet, and this situation will last for quite some time. I can't possibly stay in Konoha for long. Once we reunite, we'll have to part ways again in the future. This pain... I won't let her bear it anymore."
"So what? What are you planning to do?"
"I think... after everything is settled, I'll give her a peaceful home."
Hearing Anya's heartfelt words, Mabui remained silent for a while before saying, "I think you don't really understand women. This way of doing things is really unfair to her."
Anya muttered emptily, "Who knows?"
In the Konoha Hospital, Kakashi was introducing a new teacher to Naruto for a one-month special training program.
Naruto, upon hearing this news, became visibly displeased: "I get it now. You're going to go train Sasuke, aren't you?"
Kakashi replied somewhat awkwardly: "Ah, don't put it that way. The teacher I found for you is much stronger than me. Naruto, your foundation is the weakest in Team 7. No matter what you do, basics are always the most important."
When Naruto saw that the teacher Kakashi had arranged for him was Ebisu, his dissatisfaction only deepened further.
At this moment, a voice interjected: "Naruto, your teacher isn't wrong. A ninja needs strong basics before learning advanced techniques. If you'd like, I could also help with your training."
"It's you."
"Ah, the mask guy."
Several pairs of eyes turned toward him as Minato, wearing a mask, stepped forward and nodded at the three of them.
"No way. I can't accept this. Although building a foundation is important for a ninja, training under someone weaker than me won't make me stronger."
In Naruto's mind, both Minato and Ebisu were people he had defeated before. Only Kakashi was qualified to teach him.
Kakashi had been watching Minato since he appeared. Upon hearing his offer to teach Naruto, suspicions he previously had resurfaced in his mind. Who exactly are you?
Before Minato could speak, Ebisu expressed his dissatisfaction first: "So you're saying I'm weak?"
"Precisely."
"While I admit your technique startled me, making such a hasty judgment about my strength is unwise. Plus," Ebisu pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose and fixed a sharp gaze on Minato, "in Konoha, no one's ever had the guts to challenge me like this for a student—right under my nose!"
Minato hurriedly waved his hands, chuckling nervously: "That's not what I meant."
"Perfect timing. Let's settle this." Ebisu said confidently. "Naruto, watch carefully. I'll defeat this student-stealing opponent here to prove my strength and show you the gap between us."
Upon hearing these words, Kakashi's eye lit up immediately as he egged him on: "Ebisu-sensei, I'm rooting for you. Go for it."
Naruto still didn't get what was going on: "Huh? You two are going to fight."
Ebisu formed a single-handed [hand seal], full of fighting spirit as he challenged Minato: "Come on. Let me see your true abilities."
Minato sighed slightly as he responded: "Must we do this?"
"Here goes!" Unable to contain himself any longer, Ebisu launched his attack first.
One minute later, Ebisu collapsed to the ground in disbelief. He couldn't even figure out how he had lost—it was all so confusing and unexpected. I'm a Tokubetsu Jonin, after all! How could I be defeated so easily?
Naruto, however, said without surprise, "I knew it. You saw it too, Master Kakashi. They can't teach me. I only have one month to get stronger. You can't play favorites like this."
"Naruto," Kakashi replied, "then let him teach you." A flash passed through Kakashi's eyes as he made a decision internally. "Don't forget—you didn't win because of your strength. It was because you grabbed the bell. By then, you were already unconscious. He didn't hold back."
"Huh, that seems right," Naruto nodded unconsciously.
Kakashi whispered into Naruto's ear, "My gut tells me this man is strong—stronger than me."
"Really?" Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "Great! Mysterious masked man, for this period of time, I'll follow you and learn. Let me see what skills you've got."
Minato smiled gently and said, "Alright."
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