Kurenai Yuhi's Farewell

After leaving the Hokage Building, Kurenai Yuhi said goodbye to Might Guy and Kakashi, then hurried toward the Hyuga Clan.

This was not an emergency mission. Even as a jonin, she could only hurry along the streets on foot.

Of the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame Clans, the one Kurenai least wanted to visit was the Hyuga Clan. There were too many rules here. Coming from an ordinary family, Kurenai truly disliked such rules.

Besides, it was already getting late. The other two were mid-sized clans with fewer rules, so arriving later would be fine. But the Hyuga Clan... heh. Better to get there early and get it over with.

Upon arriving at the Hyuga Clan, Kurenai followed the proper etiquette under the watchful gazes of a group of Byakugan users and finally met Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata.

"Teacher?"

The well-behaved Hinata stood up timidly and bowed to Kurenai beneath Hyuga Hiashi's stern, imposing gaze.

Kurenai nodded and gestured for Hinata to sit.

Of her three students, Hinata was still her favorite. She was worry-free, unlike the troublesome Inuzuka Kiba, and unlike Aburame Shino, who had so little presence.

Kurenai liked obedient little girls best.

"Clan Head Hyuga, please forgive me for this presumptuous late-night visit."

Hyuga Hiashi merely followed the rules; he was not some stubborn old fossil. Though he did not particularly favor Hinata, she was still his daughter. At most, he simply hated that she had failed to live up to expectations.

He knew Kurenai well enough. She was fairly steady and reliable in her work.

For her to visit so late, there had to be something important.

"We are about the same age. Teacher Kurenai, you may simply call me Hinata's father."

Kurenai had not expected Hiashi to be so courteous. Still, she had no intention of taking advantage of it. There was no need for that.

"I won't waste time with pleasantries. Tomorrow, I have an urgent mission outside the village, so I won't be able to lead Hinata for a while."

"That is understandable." Hyuga Hiashi narrowed his eyes slightly, as though he had thought of something, but he did not probe further. "We are all ninjas. Going out to carry out missions is perfectly normal."

"Thank you for your understanding, Clan Head Hiashi." Having received Hyuga Hiashi's answer, Kurenai finally breathed a sigh of relief. Of the three clans, this was the one she least wanted to visit. Now that the Hyuga Clan was settled, she could visit the remaining two.

"Though I will be away on a mission, Hinata's training cannot be neglected. I will have to trouble Clan Head Hiashi with that. Also, they are still young. I hope Hinata can take on more D-rank missions over the next few days. What do you think, Clan Head Hyuga?"

"No problem. We parents will certainly carry out Teacher Kurenai's instructions. We all went through that age ourselves, and Hinata needs to grow as well."

"Good, then it's settled. It is getting late, and I still need to visit the Inuzuka and Aburame Clans, so I will take my leave first."

"Hinata, see Teacher Kurenai out."

The obedient Hinata timidly followed Kurenai to the entrance.

"Teacher Kurenai, where are you going for your mission?" Hinata asked curiously, then remembered the ninja confidentiality rules. "If it's inconvenient to say, then never mind."

Kurenai smiled and reached out to ruffle Hinata's hair. "I'll tell you when I return. Hinata, your talent is not lacking. While I'm away these next few days, you must train properly too, understand?"

"Mhm!" Hinata replied softly.

Hinata liked Kurenai very much as well.

It was not only because she was beautiful. Being by her side also made Hinata feel far more relaxed than she did at home.

"Be good and wait for me to return. I'll buy you a souvenir then."

"Thank you, Teacher Kurenai!"

"Go back, Hinata. Remember, after training, go to the Hokage Building to pick up missions."

"Okay, Teacher Kurenai!"

After saying goodbye to Hinata, Kurenai hurried away.

The Aburame and Inuzuka Clans were clans after all. It would not be very appropriate to arrive too late.

This time, Kurenai decided to follow the route and visit Inuzuka Kiba first before going to see Aburame Shino.

As for why the Aburame Clan was located farthest from the Hyuga Clan, that was easy to understand. The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan could observe the inside of a person's body. Although it was generally not used casually in the village, lest it cause trouble.

Still, better safe than sorry.

The Aburame Clan had bodies full of insects. Naturally, more than any other clan, they did not want to be exposed to the Hyuga Clan's sight.

When Inuzuka Kiba saw Kurenai arrive, he received her enthusiastically. Upon learning that Kurenai was leaving on a mission, everyone expressed their support. Only when Inuzuka Kiba kept questioning her did he receive a severe beating from Hana Inuzuka.

After exchanging a few courtesies, Kurenai headed to Aburame Shino's home.

There, Kurenai saw a large group of mysterious people wearing hoods and sunglasses.

Their presence was so faint that they could practically be assassins, making Kurenai shudder.

Of course, although the Aburame Clan looked mysterious, they were quite amiable when they spoke. They all expressed understanding about Kurenai's mission. Aburame Shino was also much more sensible than Inuzuka Kiba and did not say much.

On her way home, Kurenai felt that even her steps had become lighter.

Right now, all she wanted was to soak in a hot bath, then sleep soundly and restore her energy so that she could carry out her mission in peak condition the next day.

She wanted to show everyone that Kurenai Yuhi was not just a pretty face.

When she returned to the small building where she lived, Kurenai saw the bearded Asuma waiting at the entrance.

"Kurenai!"

Asuma was very enthusiastic when he saw Kurenai approach.

"Asuma, why are you here?" Kurenai had been too exhausted today to pay much attention to her words.

The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.

Hearing that, Asuma felt slightly displeased.

"Kurenai, tomorrow I'm going to undergo Enma's summoning trial. I'll definitely be gone for quite a while. I came here because I wanted to talk with you."

As he spoke, Asuma glanced at the house. His meaning was obvious.

It was so late. The two of them should go inside to talk.

It was cold outside, and the bed was much warmer.

"What a coincidence!" Kurenai did not think much of it. "I happen to be leaving on a mission tomorrow, so I won't be able to see you off. Since you're going to undergo a summoning trial, you should head back early and rest."

Asuma opened his mouth and looked at Kurenai. He truly wanted to drag her into the room and tell her about a man's needs.

But if he did that, the image he had maintained all this time would immediately collapse.

"Kurenai, starting tomorrow, we won't see each other for a long time. Don't you feel even a little reluctant to part with me?"

Kurenai looked at Asuma with some confusion. "I'm going on a mission too. Isn't it normal for us ninjas to leave the village for missions? On the other hand, you seem a little strange today. Are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a cold?"

My damn little brother is overheated. I came to you to put out the fire, and you're playing dumb?

Asuma took a deep breath and maintained his composure.

"I haven't heard of any missions recently. Are you leading a team out tomorrow? Where are you going?"

"Asuma, you know the ninja confidentiality rules, right? Forget colleagues—even married couples cannot ask about such things. I really do have a mission tomorrow. It's getting late, so you should head back first."

Asuma looked up at the sky, feeling as if all his affection had been fed to a dog.

Woman, when I return successfully, I'll show you the price of rejecting me!

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