I Just Care About You

At the gate of Konohagakure, Nairu exchanged greetings with the two ninjas on guard. The three had known each other since Nairu was five, so they were practically old friends—five years had already passed.

After a few playful jabs, Nairu and Yūhi Akane headed toward the Riken Hill Villa outside the village.

Along the way, Yūhi and Nairu chatted off and on.

Suddenly, Yūhi turned to Nairu and asked, "By the way, Nairu‑kun, I've always thought you're the type who avoids trouble. Why are you so eager to help Yakumo this time?"

When Yūhi posed the question, Nairu waved his hand and replied, "It's nothing special. I saw Miss Yakumo yesterday and thought she seemed nice. Since I have the ability to help with her physical issues, I might as well lend a hand so she doesn't suffer any more."

Yūhi: "Oh, is that really all? Yakumo's looks are great, she's the eldest daughter of a prominent clan, and she has an incredibly strong genjutsu talent. At our age, most of us are just starting to feel those first sparks of romance—don't you have any other thoughts about her?"

Yūhi's curiosity was through the roof, and she gave Nairu a mischievous grin.

Hearing Yūhi's question, Nairu's mouth twitched slightly.

"I'm just a ten‑year‑old kid, not even an adult yet. You asking me this feels like you're trying to push me toward a crush," he said.

"Besides, don't you think it's a bit nosy of you to ask?"

Yūhi turned her head and smiled faintly. "Oh, really? I don't see it as gossip at all—I'm just looking out for you two, that's all."

It was clear Yūhi felt no embarrassment at all.

Nairu pursed his lips, then suddenly asked, "Speaking of you, Miss Yūhi, I heard you grew up with the Third Hokage's younger son, Sarutobi Asuma. You two were childhood sweethearts, right? How close are you—just friends, or have you liked each other since you were kids?"

"What… what? Who told you that? Asuma and I… we're just friends…" Yūhi stammered, caught off guard by the sudden question.

"Oh… so it's just a friendship," Nairu said, his tone carrying a hint of implication.

"You're just a kid, why bring this up?" Yūhi snapped, suddenly angry and embarrassed.

"Ah, borrowing from what you just said, I'm only looking out for you," Nairu replied.

"From what I know, Asuma is often away from Konohagakure. Men can get into all sorts of trouble when they're out there. I don't want you waiting here in Konohagakure only to have him return with a whole family. I'd hate to see you left in the dust."

Nairu crossed his arms and spoke lightly, but his words deeply unsettled Yūhi.

"No way—Asuma isn't that kind of person. I'm sure he'd never do something like that!" Yūhi said firmly.

"Hmm, didn't you just say you and Asuma are only friends? If that's true, why worry about whether he comes back with a wife and kids? Or are you admitting there's something more between you two?" Nairu pressed, a smirk at the corner of his mouth.

"I… uh, it's getting late. We should hurry to the Riken Hill Villa to see Yakumo," he added.

Yūhi's face flushed with a shy embarrassment, and she changed the subject.

Seeing Yūhi dodge the topic and try to act serious, Nairu felt a flicker of contempt.

"Come on, it's still morning. You're already saying it's getting late? Your topic‑changing skills are terrible!" he teased.

"In my previous life I was just a single loser, but living in an era of information overload, I've seen everything. Dealing with a girl like you is a piece of cake. Want to mock me? I'll show you what I'm capable of!"

Yūhi, still under twenty, was still relatively innocent compared to the world‑savvy version of herself from that past life—back then she'd probably have been a skilled driver. In the shinobi world, however, she'd never even had a proper romance, making her a bit naïve.

Stung by Nairu's teasing, Yūhi stayed silent for the rest of the walk, and the two proceeded in quiet toward the villa.

After about half an hour, they arrived near the spot where they had barbecued the day before. Climbing over the hill, they reached their destination.

A massive manor sat at the foot of the mountain, with two ANBU guards posted at the entrance.

Nairu and Yūhi approached calmly. The ANBU guards froze for a moment when they saw the two newcomers.

They recognized Yūhi—she visited Yakumo here often enough to be a familiar face—but they had never seen Nairu before, and this was the first time Yūhi had brought a stranger with her.

"Thanks for your constant patrols, you two," Yūhi greeted them first.

"Ah… it's nothing, just part of the job. And who might this be?" the ANBU asked, eyeing Nairu with suspicion.

"You've been guarding this place for years, so it's normal you don't know him. Still, you must have heard his name," Yūhi continued.

"Hyuga Nairu. A few days ago, during the Jonin exam, he defeated both Kakashi and Kae in a joint battle. He's now the youngest elite Jonin in Konohagakure!" she explained.

"What? So that's Hyuga Nairu? I've heard he's really young. Seeing him now, he looks about ten—just when I was still at the ninja academy. I feel so embarrassed!" the ANBU exclaimed, surprised.

"We're here on the Third Hokage's orders to meet Anma Yakumo," Yūhi said, pulling the Third's seal from her pouch and handing it to the two guards.

One of them took the seal, used a special ANBU technique to verify its authenticity, then returned it to Yūhi.

"Then you may go inside," he said.

Yūhi nodded at the guards and slipped the seal back into her pouch.

"By the way, no matter what sounds you hear later, don't panic. Just keep watch outside," she added.

Yūhi Kurenai, who had just entered the gate, seemed to have thought of something, turned around and said to the two of them.

Nairaku followed behind Yūhi Kurenai into the manor. He looked up; even though it was broad daylight, the interior still felt dim.

This gloomy tone made Nairaku feel quite uncomfortable.

He shook his head and said, "Riken Hill Manor may look beautiful from the outside, a sight that pleases the eye, but inside it's aged, the facilities are outdated, and the lighting is dim."

"Anma Yakumo herself has already suffered emotional trauma, and she's been living in a house like this for a long time. It's not just her—any normal person would become mentally suppressed after staying here for so long. I really don't know what you're thinking!" he added.

Yūhi Kurenai froze for a moment, "You're right, we didn't think that through."

At that moment, someone wearing a Konoha medical corps uniform walked toward the two of them.

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