Even without Rin reminding her, Kurenai knew she had lost.
There was no other reason—
She couldn't even stand up anymore, let alone continue fighting.
Seeing her predicament, Rin squatted down and said gently, "Kurenai, wait a moment. I'll help restore your body."
As she spoke, she lightly tapped a few acupuncture points on Kurenai's body with her palms.
Kurenai suddenly realized she had regained control.
"Rin, you… you're amazing now!"
Kurenai exclaimed sincerely.
From their brief exchange earlier, she could clearly feel that Rin was like a completely different person—nothing like before.
In the past, Rin had been overly gentle. She was indeed skilled in medical ninjutsu, but when it came to direct combat, she lagged far behind.
She had no famous teacher, hadn't learned many ninjutsu, and in battle mostly relied on kunai and shuriken.
At best, her overall strength barely reached the level of a chūnin.
But now, she had effortlessly defeated Kurenai, a tokubetsu jōnin…
After helping Kurenai to her feet, Rin smiled and said, "I've been doing special training recently, so I improved a little."
Kurenai pursed her lips and couldn't help asking, "Rin, what was that technique you just used?"
"Why did my body suddenly stop obeying me?"
Rin didn't hide anything and explained, "It's not that your body was out of control—just that the control points became disordered."
"The principle is turning chakra into electrons to generate an electric field, causing a brief disruption in the opponent's nervous system and interfering with their movements."
"It's basically a variant application of medical ninjutsu. It's Lady Tsunade's specialty—an A-rank technique, Disruptive Body Strike."
After hearing this, Kurenai couldn't help but gasp. "An A-rank technique… that's incredible."
In ninja combat, even a moment of hesitation could completely turn the tide—let alone losing control over one's body.
With just a little thought, it was obvious how terrifyingly practical Disruptive Body Strike was in real combat.
Thinking of this, Kurenai said enviously, "An A-rank Chakra Scalpel, an A-rank Disruptive Body Strike…"
"Rin, you're really lucky."
Every A-rank technique was priceless. Even with an elite jōnin father, Kurenai herself had never learned one.
Yet Rin, a fallen clan ninja who had lost her parents in the war long ago, had already mastered two.
Even though Kurenai had always been close to Rin, she couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of disparity.
Seeing Rin smile without replying, Kurenai took the initiative to change the subject.
Women were always sensitive about appearances. After looking at Rin for a while, she asked curiously, "Rin, why is the face paint on your cheeks gone? And why is there a diamond-shaped mark on your forehead?"
According to the Nohara clan's traditions, every clan member painted oil patterns on their cheeks. Rin had followed this custom since childhood.
But now…
Why had she suddenly changed her look?
Hearing this, Rin clasped her hands behind her back and smiled softly. "Because someone said I'd look prettier without the face paint."
"As for this diamond-shaped mark…"
She didn't try to hide it and said calmly, "It's the mark of the S-rank forbidden technique, the Yin Seal."
The smile froze on Kurenai's face.
She covered her mouth in disbelief and muttered, "S—S-rank forbidden technique?!"
"Rin, Lady Tsunade is way too good to you!"
Rin! I wanted you to live well, but not this well!!!
What S-rank forbidden technique nonsense—tell me right now that I was just caught in a genjutsu!
Rin shook her head. "These techniques do come from my teacher, but ultimately, the reason I could learn them is because of Yuzuru… Lord Yuzuru."
Only then did Kurenai remember that Rin had become Tsunade's apprentice because Uchiha Obito had asked Lord Yuzuru for help…
That man's influence was truly terrifying.
For a moment, Kurenai's thoughts raced, countless ideas surging through her mind.
Seeing her fall silent, Rin didn't say anything more.
She had only revealed a little, and Kurenai had already spaced out several times.
Rin was afraid that if she explained everything she had gained recently, her best friend might collapse on the spot from sheer envy.
After all, if word got out about her meteoric rise, the entire ninja world would probably drown in jealousy.
———
———
Night.
Inside a barbecue restaurant.
Uchiha Obito walked into the private room and sat down casually.
Looking at Kurenai sitting across from him, he asked, "Kurenai, why is it just you? Are the others not here yet?"
Kurenai smiled. "Obito, today I only invited you. Of course it's just the two of us."
"Huh?"
Obito scratched his head in confusion. "You only invited me?"
His relationship with Kurenai wasn't particularly close. They only chatted occasionally because they both worked at the Ninja Academy.
When he heard she was treating people to barbecue, he naturally assumed she had invited everyone.
After all, they often ate together.
He hadn't expected that she had invited only him.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Kurenai placed some already-grilled meat onto Obito's plate.
"Obito, try my cooking first."
Seeing her overly attentive expression, Obito straightened up warily.
He spoke in a low voice. "Kurenai, I know that an outstanding man like me inevitably causes trouble for the women around him—making them distracted from work and unconsciously focus their attention on me."
"But I promised Kakashi that I'd work with him to help Lord Yuzuru create a new ninja world order."
"Before that dream is fulfilled, I have no interest—and no time—for romance games."
"So…" Obito stood up and made to leave. "Kurenai, give up on pursuing me. We're not suitable."
Kurenai stared at him blankly, then shouted anxiously, "Obito, you misunderstood! I'm not trying to pursue you!"
Hearing this, Obito stopped in his tracks, his face wearing an expression of complete self-assurance.
"Kurenai, explanations are just excuses. Excuses are proof."
"You don't need to feel ashamed or disappointed—countless women have been rejected by me."
"And don't worry about awkwardness. I know women care about their pride, so I'll keep this rejection a secret for you."
Listening to Obito talk to himself, Kurenai was so anxious she was about to cry.
How did she suddenly become a heartbroken woman who confessed to Uchiha Obito and got rejected?!
Just how confident did this bastard have to be to keep rambling like this on his own?!