Your Fish Jerky Balance is Insufficient, Please Recharge Promptly

Clan Clinic, roof of the Psychology Clinic.

Black Charcoal was sunning herself with her paws tucked in, eyes narrowed as she purred.

Suddenly, as if she had heard something, she snapped open her amber vertical pupils, her expression turning grave.

She didn't seem to move at all.

With a "poof," a blank scroll appeared in front of Black Charcoal amidst a puff of smoke, laying flat on the ground.

Black Charcoal extended a cat paw, grabbed a pen, and began to record:

[Kurenai Yuhi said: "Making Kazuhiko a medical ninja is a mistake!"]

[Slandering the wise decision of Lady Eri, the crime deserves death!]

"Hmph~ Thinking of becoming Lady Eri's daughter-in-law? It's not that easy."

"Woman, don't blame me for being heartless; this is the price you pay for petting my head without giving me dried fish!"

Black Charcoal smugly tossed the pen onto the scroll, closed her eyes, and began to wag her tail.

Inside the office, Kazuhiko and Kurenai Yuhi looked at each other and smiled.

The favorability points added by [Deep Blue] let him know Kurenai Yuhi's sincerity.

Damn, Kurenai, you really!

You actually recognize my talent from the bottom of your heart!

"You're joking, Senior Kurenai. I still have a long way to go compared to you. Thank you for your guidance; I never knew genjutsu duration could be extended using chakra frequency..."

"It is I who should be thanking you."

"Oh? Why?"

"Thank you for letting me meet a genjutsu genius. If you don't mind, I'll just call you Kazuhiko from now on~"

Kurenai Yuhi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her face beaming with a smile.

"Of course I don't mind."

On the roof, Black Charcoal opened her eyes again and picked up the pen to record:

[Kurenai Yuhi said: "Kazuhiko is a medical failure."]

[Double negative, the crime is doubled!]

[Deep Blue] didn't react, so that sentence wasn't sincere.

But she certainly knows how to talk; the emotional value was spot on.

Maybe there's nothing wrong with a "green tea" personality after all.

"If you put it that way, Senior Kurenai, I have to thank you for letting me meet such a great beauty. How about this..."

Kazuhiko revealed his true intentions, initiating the main task of hiring Kurenai Yuhi.

"This is the 'Genjutsu Seal' secret technique of our Uchiha clan. It can amplify genjutsu through secret seals. Take it as compensation for today."

He took out the secret technique scroll he had prepared in advance and pushed it toward Kurenai Yuhi.

"Senior Kurenai, feel free to take a look. If it doesn't match the value of the Tree Binding Death teaching memory, I can swap it for another secret technique."

This was a boastful statement.

One was a complete amplification secret technique, and the other was merely a B-rank genjutsu teaching memory.

The two were simply incomparable.

Black Charcoal on the roof flicked her ears and opened her eyes to scan the surroundings.

Only after confirming there were no sneaky things eavesdropping or monitoring did she set her mind at ease.

"That brat is getting bolder and bolder."

"Daring to leak other secret techniques? How many eyes do you have to be gouged out!"

"No, the dried fish I'm getting this month isn't enough to keep me from filing a report. I need more fish! Meow~"

Kurenai Yuhi took the secret technique scroll, her smile instantly replaced by surprise.

"A Genjutsu Seal that amplifies genjutsu? This is an Uchiha secret that is never passed on. It's said it can even amplify A-rank genjutsu; it's not something a B-rank genjutsu like Tree Binding Death can compare to..."

She stared straight at Kazuhiko.

"Are you really giving this to me?"

"I never take back what I've given away."

[Kurenai Yuhi's favorability toward you has increased significantly to: Friendly (The way he gives gifts—so handsome)]

[Jonin-level trait draw chance +1]

Kurenai Yuhi's rose-colored pupils were watery, as if they were spinning silk.

"If I use this secret technique rashly, won't I be hunted down by the Uchiha?"

She was confirming the copyright of the secret technique.

The Uchiha clan's protection of their secret techniques and Sharingan is no less intense than that of the Hyuga clan.

One can see the clues from the hot-swappable nature of the Sharingan.

As a powerful bloodline limit that can be plugged and played, the Sharingan is shockingly easy to acquire.

But looking across the entire ninja world, apart from that old schemer Danzo and the half-insider Kakashi, no ninja from another clan possesses a Sharingan.

Is it that they don't want one?

Of course not.

Kakashi, a living example, stands there as a role model for all ninjas who want to transplant a Sharingan.

Even with the side effect of extreme chakra deficiency, the Sharingan still allowed Kakashi to earn the title of "Copy Ninja."

The power of the Sharingan goes without saying.

So the truth is simple: others dare not take it.

No ninja village is willing to provoke a powerful ninja clan that helped found Konoha.

And any rogue ninjas who have provoked the Uchiha have all become stepping stones for the Uchiha's prestige.

Those who offend the Uchiha will be punished, no matter how far away they are.

Therefore, facing a "Uchiha secret technique" that was within her reach, Kurenai Yuhi still had to confirm the copyright to avoid being targeted by a collective Uchiha expedition.

"Don't worry about being hunted; you can just change your name to Uchiha Kurenai on the spot."

Kazuhiko smiled:

"I believe no Uchiha could refuse to have such a beautiful woman join them."

In Konoha, a wife takes her husband's surname.

Kazuhiko was teasing Kurenai Yuhi:

If she married into the Uchiha clan, she wouldn't have to worry about the secret technique's copyright issues.

Is he expressing his affection for me?

Kurenai Yuhi pursed her red lips, unsure whether Kazuhiko was joking or serious.

She looked at Kazuhiko, wanting to find the answer in his eyes.

His eyes look quite sincere.

Does he have feelings for me?

But he's still smiling~

It also seems like he's joking.

It's so hard to guess.

Kurenai Yuhi decided not to guess, revealing a shy smile:

"It seems I can use this secret technique as I please then~ Such a precious gift, how should I thank you, Junior Kazuhiko~"

"Just use the complete Tree Binding Death genjutsu; it will give me something to report back to the clan."

Kurenai Yuhi did not notice Kazuhiko's true purpose and was about to respond—

"Brother Kazuhiko."

A voice came from outside the window, causing both of them to turn around.

They saw Shisui crouching at the window, about to climb in from the outside.

Only then did he see Kurenai Yuhi, who was blocked by the sofa, and felt a bit awkward.

"Sorry, I interrupted. Brother Kazuhiko, remember to come to the training ground after work; I'll be waiting for you there."

Swish, Shisui's figure disappeared immediately, too fast for anyone to ask him to stay.

Kazuhiko's heart tightened—

Shisui is not the type to be reckless; he definitely has something important if he came to find him.

"Senior Kurenai, I'm sorry, but we have to stop here for today."

Kazuhiko stood up and shoved the secret technique scroll into Kurenai Yuhi's hand.

"Keep this safe. Don't worry about the Uchiha coming after you for trouble; rest assured, I will handle it."

[Kurenai Yuhi's favorability toward you has increased significantly to: Trust (He has me in his heart!)]

[Jonin-level trait draw chance +1]

Kurenai Yuhi took the scroll and offered a considerate smile:

"He must have something urgent to discuss with you. Go on, don't worry about me."

Kazuhiko nodded, vaulted out the window, and with a few agile leaps, quickly gave chase to Shisui.

On the rooftop, Black Charcoal stretched her body. Watching Kazuhiko's retreating figure, she pulled out a new notebook and began to write:

[Kazuhiko gave away the secret scroll without even receiving the Yuhi Illusion in return.]

[Prodigal behavior; recommend deducting all dried fish for this month!]

She flicked her tail in triumph and tucked the scroll and notebook away separately.

She would decide whether to report this to Eri depending on how well Kazuhiko "topped up" her supply of dried fish.