Kurenai Yuhi: I Want You to Help Me Train!

The small half-length mirror in the living room happened to reflect Shinji's upper body.

He stood quietly before the mirror, the method of using Transparent Release surfacing in his mind. It felt like instinct, requiring no extra hand seals.

A faint, nearly imperceptible glow slowly appeared over Shinji's body.

First his wrist, then his arm, neck, and face...

The figure in the mirror gradually thinned and faded until it vanished completely.

"So this is Transparent Release? What a wondrous Kekkei Genkai."

In the empty room, only his voice rang out from nowhere. Anyone unaware of the truth would probably find it chilling.

Transparent Release had originally been Hayate Gekko's ability.

No Hayate in Shippuden!

In Shinji's impression, that man had always looked sickly and pale—the frailest Special Jonin in Konoha.

A slight ripple spread through the air as Shinji's figure slowly re-formed.

He tilted his head slightly, studying his reflection after it returned to normal, then nodded in satisfaction.

"From now on, Transparent Release is mine."

"The effect is far stronger than the Invisibility Cloak, and I can maintain it whenever I want."

He remembered that there was still an Invisibility Cloak in his inventory that could only be used once more.

Compared to that, Transparent Release required no equipment, imposed no burden, and allowed complete freedom of movement. They were simply not on the same level.

Still, the ability was not perfect.

It had fatal flaws. Transparent Release could be seen through by the Sharingan, the Byakugan, and sensory ninjutsu. The moment he attacked, he would immediately become visible. It also could not completely erase his presence, leaving behind a faint scent.

"But as long as I avoid those weaknesses, Transparent Release is practically a divine skill for sneaking around, eavesdropping, ambushing people, and even slipping into houses at night to pick locks."

After all, no one could keep their Sharingan or Byakugan activated every day, scanning everywhere for invisible people.

How insecure would someone have to be to stay in that state at all times?

Not even the Uchiha Clan's abundance of high-spirited young men could manage that.

Most importantly, Shinji looked once more at the Charm attribute on the System Panel.

"Transparent Release unlocked at 40 points. Then what rewards will unlock at 50 or 60 points?"

His gaze gradually grew heated.

This reward alone showed that new Kekkei Genkai might appear in the future.

"Storm Release, Ice Release, Magnetic Release?"

All of them were powerful Kekkei Genkai. As long as he steadily raised his Charm attribute, perhaps he could obtain them.

Shinji sat back down on the sofa, crossing his arms and resting his chin on one hand as he considered how to increase his Charm.

"Get stronger, raise my status in the ninja world, and build better relationships with more people?"

Just as Shinji was lost in thought, a crisp doorbell suddenly rang from outside.

Ding-dong—

He froze for a moment, then quickly came back to himself.

"Who would come looking for me at this hour?"

Curious though he was, Shinji did not hesitate. He hurried to his feet and strode toward the entrance.

The moment he opened the door, he was slightly surprised.

"Kurenai, why are you here?"

Kurenai Yuhi leaned forward slightly, a faint smile on her lips. "What, I'm not allowed to come? We're members of the same squad."

Today, she wore a plain short-sleeved T-shirt paired with a tight black miniskirt. Her whole body radiated a fresh, youthful air, making Shinji unable to resist taking a couple more looks.

"Of course you're welcome." Shinji smiled as well and quickly stepped aside. "Come in."

After the two entered, Shinji crouched down and took out a pair of oversized blue cotton slippers from the shoe rack.

"Sorry, this is the first time I've had a girl over, so you'll have to make do with these."

He placed the slippers by her feet, then got up and headed for the refrigerator, intending to prepare something for her.

Am I the first girl to come here?

Kurenai Yuhi quietly thought to herself, an inexplicable trace of delight rising in her heart.

She bent down, bracing herself against the entrance wall as she took off her shoes and put on the slippers Shinji had prepared.

The slippers were clearly a size too large and hung loosely on her feet as she walked, but she did not mind in the slightest. The corners of her lips quietly curled upward.

"So this is Shinji's home."

Kurenai Yuhi looked around the room.

The living room was not particularly spacious, but it was kept exceptionally tidy. A plain fabric sofa stood against the wall, with a low table in front of it. The tabletop was spotless, holding only a few open notes on ninjutsu theory, without a single unnecessary item.

"It's obvious that Shinji lives a very disciplined life."

Most girls preferred people who were clean and orderly over the sloppy, lazy type.

Shinji clearly belonged to the former, and Kurenai Yuhi quietly added another point of approval for him in her heart.

Before long, Shinji emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of freshly cut fruit.

"Have a seat, Kurenai. Eat some fruit. No need to be polite with me."

Shinji pointed toward the sofa, signaling for her to sit, then gently placed the tray in front of her. He moved a chair over and sat down beside the low table.

"Thank you, Shinji."

Kurenai Yuhi did not refuse. She lightly picked up a piece of apple and put it into her mouth. A crisp crunch sounded softly, and she narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

"It's delicious."

Shinji chuckled. "Of course it is. I specially brought it out to treat you."

The two chatted casually while eating for a while before Shinji suddenly asked, "Kurenai, why did you suddenly come looking for me?"

Kurenai Yuhi's fingers paused slightly, her movements coming to a stop. Rather than answering directly, she said softly, "Shinji, do you remember the training match before we went to the front lines? The request I mentioned to you then."

Shinji was slightly startled, and the memory immediately surfaced in his mind. Kurenai had asked him to help her train.

There had been too many miscellaneous matters lately, and he had actually forgotten about it for a while. Only when Kurenai brought it up now did he suddenly remember that he still owed her that promise.

"You want me to help you train in genjutsu?"

Kurenai Yuhi nodded lightly. "Yes. I want you to help me train!"

She slowly lowered her head, a trace of disappointment passing through her eyes.

"This time at the front lines, when it mattered most, I wasn't able to do anything at all. In the end, I was even seriously injured by Pakura. If it hadn't been for the medicine you gave me, Shinji, I probably would have been dead."

"Kurenai!" Shinji wanted to comfort her.

But Kurenai Yuhi gently raised her hand, stopping him as she continued, "If I had been a little stronger then, maybe Obito wouldn't have had to die either."

"I don't want to become everyone's burden in the future!"

Her voice gradually lowered.

This war had dealt Kurenai Yuhi no small blow.

Asuma had always been stronger than her. Even Shinji, whose strength had originally been close to hers, had grown rapidly after awakening the Sharingan. She could see that Shinji had long since left her far behind.

Over the past two days, she had thought about many things. She wanted to become stronger—stronger still.

Kurenai Yuhi slowly raised her eyes, her earnest gaze settling on Shinji before her. In her heart, she quietly murmured, At the very least, I want to be able to walk by Shinji's side.

She no longer wanted to be the one who was only protected and rescued. She wanted to become someone who could stand with him on the front lines and face danger alongside him.