Drunk Kurenai

The Uchiha Clan compound.

"I'm home, Mom!"

Sasuke Uchiha called out as he kicked off his shoes.

"Welcome home, Sasuke."

Mikoto Uchiha's gentle voice quickly answered.

"Where's Brother?"

Sasuke Uchiha walked into the living room, asking impatiently.

"Why do you always look for your brother the moment you get home?"

Mikoto Uchiha reached out and ruffled his hair, asking with a smile.

"I have real business with him!"

Sasuke Uchiha pouted, emphasizing with some displeasure.

"Your brother isn't back yet."

Mikoto Uchiha saw how adorable he looked and her smile grew even warmer.

"Then I'll wait for him."

Sasuke Uchiha sat down on the sofa.

"I'll go make dinner."

Mikoto Uchiha took two steps, then suddenly remembered something and turned back. "Weren't you at school today? How did it feel?"

"Ninja daycare, nothing exciting."

Sasuke Uchiha said proudly, "I'll be just like my brother and take first place at the Ninja Academy!"

"Good luck!"

Mikoto Uchiha clenched her fist and gave a little wave.

After a moment, the sound of the door opening came.

"Brother!"

Sasuke Uchiha immediately got up and went to the entrance.

"Sasuke."

Itachi Uchiha's face showed a gentle smile.

"Is our Uchiha Clan not as strong as it used to be?"

Sasuke Uchiha asked directly.

"..."

Itachi Uchiha opened his mouth, then fell silent.

Even Sasuke had already noticed?

The Uchiha Clan truly was at a critical point of life and death.

"I had Konoha history class today, and the teacher told the story of the village's founding."

Sasuke Uchiha said with great amazement, "Back then, the Uchiha Clan had just as much prestige as the Senju Clan."

So that was it.

Itachi Uchiha's face showed understanding, and he breathed a sigh of relief inside.

He didn't want Sasuke Uchiha to get caught up in the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha.

"That teacher of yours is pretty good, still covering Uchiha history."

Itachi Uchiha smiled and said.

"Why do you say that?"

Sasuke Uchiha asked, confused.

He didn't know the Uchiha Clan was already close to being hated by everyone.

These Ninja Academy teachers avoided the topic like the plague; normally, they glossed over that history in a single sentence.

"Nothing."

Itachi Uchiha shook his head, not explaining.

"Then will the Uchiha Clan ever return to how it was?"

Sasuke Uchiha asked, full of hope.

"It will."

Itachi Uchiha said firmly.

"Yeah, I guess so."

Sasuke Uchiha grinned and said, "With Brother around, the Uchiha Clan's future is sure to be even stronger."

"Mm."

Itachi Uchiha paused for a moment, then nodded. "I'll bring the Uchiha Clan back on the right track."

The night deepened.

On the empty streets of Konoha, two figures appeared.

"You... you're drunk... drunk again, you're such a lightweight!"

Kurenai Yuhi looked at Beizawa, her pretty face flushed like a peach blossom.

"You're the one who's drunk. I'm not drunk."

Beizawa corrected her.

He'd had one bottle, but Kurenai had downed three.

"Th-then why is your face red?"

Kurenai swayed, laughing loudly.

"Careful."

Beizawa quickly stepped forward and steadied her by the waist.

"I'm... I'm fine."

Kurenai leaned into his embrace.

The scent of alcohol mixed with her fragrance washed over him, and Beizawa instinctively looked down at her.

They were standing very close. He could clearly see the pale curve of her neck and the black mesh lining at her collar.

"We're... we're home. Next time... next time I'll treat you."

Kurenai patted his chest, then suddenly laughed. "Pretty solid, huh."

"Looks like you really are drunk. Need me to walk you in?"

Beizawa twitched the corner of his mouth and asked.

"I'm not drunk!"

Kurenai, as if triggered by a parry reflex, immediately shot back, "If you don't believe me, come inside and we'll keep drinking!"

"Alright, alright, you're not drunk."

Beizawa said in a tone like he was humoring a child.

"Hmph!"

Kurenai took out her key and unlocked the door.

In the dim light, the perfect silhouette of her figure was outlined.

"Beizawa."

Kurenai looked at him, her face pressed against the door, and smiled. "See you tomorrow."

"Mm."

Beizawa nodded.

Once the door was closed, he turned and left.

Soon, he reached his own doorstep.

Not far away, the Ichiraku Ramen Shop was still bustling, steam rising as people came and went.

Beizawa glanced at it, then looked away.

His home was a two-story wooden house.

The first floor was a general store.

It sold all sorts of odds and ends—oil, rice, firewood, salt, as well as snacks and soda.

The second floor was where he lived.

There was a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen—small but complete.

Since he'd been drinking, Beizawa couldn't be bothered to open the shop.

He took a shower, went to his room, and drifted off to sleep.

A new day. A knock at the door.

Beizawa sat up, shaking his slightly dizzy head.

He changed clothes and walked to the door, puzzled.

Who would come looking for him this early?

Beizawa opened the door. Standing outside, looking lovely, was Kurenai Yuhi.

He was just about to speak when a breakfast was placed in front of him.

"I bought you this breakfast despite my hangover headache."

Kurenai Yuhi said with a full smile, "Be grateful to your merciful old classmate!"

In truth, she was thanking him for seeing her home last night.

"Thanks."

Beizawa took the breakfast and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"

"Yeah, I'm heading to the Kurama Clan now."

Kurenai paused, then said, "That student of mine is Yakumo Kurama, the young lady of the Kurama Clan."

"I've heard of that clan. At their peak, they rivaled the Uchiha Clan in genjutsu."

Beizawa glanced at the breakfast—simple bread and milk.

"Mm, that's the clan."

Kurenai turned around, her long black hair swinging, and said, "I'm off. Perfect timing to try out that teaching advice you gave me."

"She really is a good woman."

Beizawa watched her fade into the distance and remarked with feeling.

He suddenly recalled a phrase often seen in urban novels from his past life: don't let good women slip away, don't let bad women off easy.

After breakfast, Beizawa headed to the classroom.

Same as yesterday, since he arrived early, there were only a few people in the room, but Hinata Hyuga was still there.

Born into the Hyuga Clan, she was very disciplined and punctual.

But not entirely the same as before.

At least today, Hinata Hyuga took the initiative to greet him.

"Be... Beizawa-sensei."

Hinata Hyuga stood up, mustering her courage to call out.

Beizawa's gaze landed on her face.

Hinata Hyuga, stared at for a few seconds, immediately grew flustered.

She brushed her hair aside, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Good morning, Hinata."

Beizawa witnessed the shift in her expression and couldn't help but smile.

This little girl really was amusing.