Yuhi Kurenai's Wallet

Chapter 11: Yuhi Kurenai's Wallet

"Director, are you heading out?"

Hikawa had just arrived at the orphanage when he saw Yakushi Nonō hurrying out the door.

"Hikawa?"

Yakushi Nonō paused slightly, asking with some surprise, "What brings you here? Is something the matter?"

"Nothing, it's Sunday today, so I thought I'd come back to the orphanage."

Hikawa shook the picture book in his hand and said, "I figured I'd bring them a little gift."

"You're quite thoughtful."

Yakushi Nonō showed a gentle smile.

"This little gift is nothing."

Hikawa shook his head and said, "It's because everyone has been so kind to me."

"Then go see them."

Yakushi Nonō patted his head and said, "The director needs to go to Konoha Hospital."

"For surgery?"

Hikawa asked casually.

Yakushi Nonō held three roles: she was the director of the orphanage, a Root ninja, and a doctor at Konoha Hospital.

Given her skill, anyone requiring her to perform surgery was probably no ordinary ninja.

"For a meeting."

Yakushi Nonō paused, then said, "Tsunade-sama has returned to the hospital. She's the hospital director."

"Tsunade-sama?"

Hikawa's eyes lit up. "Can I come? I'm a fan of Tsunade-sama. I've always wanted to meet her."

Tsunade, as one of the Konoha Three Ninjas, was an idol to many ninjas.

Claiming to be her fan wouldn't raise the slightest suspicion.

"Today is a meeting. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to come."

Yakushi Nonō thought for a moment, then said, "Next Saturday, I'll bring you to meet her."

"Alright."

Hikawa could only temporarily suppress his curiosity.

"I'll be off now. See you next time."

Yakushi Nonō withdrew her hand and headed toward Konoha Hospital.

Hikawa watched her figure thoughtfully.

So Tsunade was indeed in Konoha during this period.

But unfortunately, he only had Yin Style talent, not Yang Style talent.

Yin Style talent came from the enhancement of his mental strength after awakening his past-life memories.

What about Yang Style talent? Physical strength?

Hikawa suddenly thought of the E-Rank Entry 'Strong Physique' he hadn't yet obtained—one of its synthesis paths might be Yang Style talent.

Whether it was true or not, it was worth a try. After all, training his body had no downsides.

After a week of training, the progress bar for 'Strong Physique' had reached 60%.

Another week, and he should be able to obtain it.

Maybe he wouldn't even need a week.

Because his training sessions were getting longer and longer.

Hikawa walked into the orphanage, handed out the picture books to the children, played for a while, then said his goodbyes and left.

He walked down the street, pondering when Kabuto Yakushi would arrive at the orphanage.

Although the original work didn't specify an exact time, it was certain to be after the Third Shinobi World War.

A sense of urgency washed over him.

The Shinobi World War was no ordinary danger—even Kage could fall.

"Hikawa!"

Yuhi Kurenai's voice came from above.

Hikawa looked up and saw her little feet dangling.

Bathed in warm sunlight, they gleamed a brilliant white.

Without realizing it, he had already returned to Yuhi Kurenai's home.

There were two trees in front of her house—one was a locust tree, and the other was also a locust tree.

"What are you doing up there?" Hikawa asked.

Yuhi Kurenai put on her shoes and jumped down from the tree.

After landing steadily in front of him, she held out her hand.

Hikawa raised an eyebrow, staring back at her with wide eyes.

"Didn't you bring me anything from your trip?" Yuhi Kurenai said, hands on her hips. "You fail!"

"I'm broke," Hikawa said with a light cough.

But really, he'd just forgotten.

Yuhi Kurenai was stunned for a moment.

Only then did she remember that Hikawa was an orphan with no source of income.

"Here... take this!" Yuhi Kurenai shoved a wallet into his hands, then turned her face away, leaving him with a glimpse of her slightly reddened profile.

The wallet was pink, decorated with rabbit-shaped patterns.

Hikawa froze for a second, instinctively opening it to find a stack of bills inside.

He suddenly felt a knot in his stomach.

But eating the soft rice of a pretty little girl was still hard on his pride.

Most importantly, Yuhi Kurenai wasn't well-off herself.

If it were the Hyuga or Uchiha, he might consider it.

But the Hyuga's little girl hadn't been born yet.

If the Uchiha had a little girl, there wouldn't be so much trouble—probably even cut the Hokage's runtime in half with the flashbacks.

Still, he really should think of a way to earn some money.

"No need." Hikawa grabbed Yuhi Kurenai's wrist and handed the wallet back to her.

"Huh?" Yuhi Kurenai tilted her head, blinking her eyes in a dazed, adorable way.

Hikawa's heart stirred, and he reached out to pat her head.

Yuhi Kurenai instinctively leaned back, but she couldn't dodge, so she just glared at him.

"You still haven't told me what you were doing up there," Hikawa said, casually changing the subject.

He rubbed her hair twice before pulling his hand back.

Mm, smooth hair, nice texture.

"My dad's looking for you," Yuhi Kurenai said, snapping back to reality.

"Where is he?" Hikawa stepped inside and started changing his shoes at the entrance.

"I'll go get him." Yuhi Kurenai tucked the wallet away and skipped off to Yuhi Shinko's room.

Before long, the two of them reappeared in the living room.

"Hikawa," Yuhi Shinko cut straight to the chase. "How's your Chakra refinement technique coming along lately?"

Hikawa stood up and demonstrated it.

"Not bad." Yuhi Shinko's face broke into a smile. "Your proficiency is almost catching up to Kurenai's."

Hikawa had only been learning for a week, but Yuhi Kurenai had been at it for nearly half a year.

It was terrifying, to say the least.

Yuhi Kurenai let out a light snort at that.

A bit annoyed, but she couldn't find any reason to argue.

Yuhi Shinko saw this and could only find his daughter adorable.

He reached out, intending to pat her head, but Yuhi Kurenai backflipped, perfectly evading him.

"Your chakra has barely reached the standard. You can start trying to learn genjutsu."

Yuhi Shinko felt a hint of awkwardness. He coughed twice, then said.

Speak of the devil, and he appears—he had just been thinking about getting stronger.

Hikawa immediately perked up.

Although genjutsu was awkward in the later stages, it was still quite useful against ordinary ninja.

Yuhi Kurenai also grew serious.

This concerned the outcome of her future battles with Hikawa.

She could not lose!

"Genjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu are the three basic skills of a ninja, but those who specialize in genjutsu are few."

Yuhi Shinko lifted his chin slightly, speaking with some pride. "Because genjutsu is the hardest to learn, it requires enough talent."

In front of his daughter, he wanted to put on a good show.

And he wasn't lying—no one in the entire village of Konoha understood genjutsu better than him.

The Uchiha Clan aside.

"Uncle Shinko, are you a ninja who specializes in genjutsu?"

Hikawa guessed his intention and asked knowingly.

"I am indeed."

Yuhi Shinko said with a beaming smile.

"Hurry up and teach us."

Yuhi Kurenai urged.

She just wanted to learn genjutsu as quickly as possible, then defeat Hikawa and become the big sister.

Yuhi Shinko's expression stiffened.

Was this still his sweet little girl?