Clan Clinic, the rooftop of the Psychology Clinic.
Black Charcoal sat with her paws tucked under her, basking in the sun and dozing with her eyes half-closed.
But suddenly, as if she'd heard something, she snapped open her amber, slit-pupiled eyes, her expression grave.
Without making a move,
a blank scroll appeared in front of Black Charcoal with a puff of smoke and a loud bang, lying flat on the ground.
Black Charcoal stretched out a paw, grabbed a pen, and started writing:
["Kurenai Yuhi said: 'Making Kazuhiko a medical ninja was a mistake!'"]
["Slandering Lady Eri's wise decision. A crime worthy of death!"]
"Hmph~ Becoming Lady Eri's daughter-in-law won't be that easy."
"Woman, don't blame me for being cruel. This is what you get for petting me without giving me dried fish!"
Black Charcoal smugly tossed the pen onto the scroll, closed her eyes, and swished her tail.
Inside the office, Kazuhiko and Kurenai Yuhi looked at each other and smiled.
The boost to her favorability from [Deep Blue] told him how sincere Kurenai Yuhi was.
You sneaky little green tea!
You actually recognize my talent from the bottom of your heart?
"Kurenai-senpai, you're flattering me. I still have a long way to go compared with you. Thank you for your guidance. I never knew you could extend a genjutsu's duration by adjusting the chakra frequency..."
"I'm the one who should be thanking you."
"Oh? Why?"
"Thank you for introducing me to a genjutsu genius. If you don't mind, I'll call you Kazuhiko from now on~"
Kurenai Yuhi brushed back her hair, her face bright with a smile.
"Of course I don't mind."
On the roof, Black Charcoal opened her eyes again and picked up her pen to write:
["Kurenai Yuhi said: 'Kazuhiko is a medical-ninja dead weight.'"]
["A double negative! Two extra counts!"]
[Deep Blue] hadn't reacted at all. That line wasn't sincere.
But he really knew how to talk. He'd delivered the emotional reassurance perfectly.
Being a green tea wasn't so bad, actually.
"If you put it that way, Kurenai-senpai, I should thank you for introducing me to a great beauty. How about this..."
Kazuhiko dropped the act and got down to the main task of hiring Kurenai Yuhi.
"This is the Genjutsu Seal secret technique of the Uchiha Clan. It can enhance genjutsu through hand seals. Take it as compensation for today."
He took out the secret-technique scroll he'd prepared earlier and slid it toward Kurenai Yuhi.
"Have a look, Kurenai-senpai. If it doesn't measure up to the value of the Tree Binding Death teaching memories, I can offer you another secret technique."
That was just him showing off.
One was a complete enhancement technique; the other was merely the teaching memories for a B-rank genjutsu.
There was no comparison between them.
On the roof, Black Charcoal twitched her ears and opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings.
Only after confirming that nothing suspicious was eavesdropping or watching them did she relax.
"That brat's getting bolder and bolder."
"He even dares to share other secret techniques. How many eyes does he have to spare?"
"No, I don't have enough dried fish this month to keep me from reporting him. I need more fish! Meow~"
Kurenai Yuhi accepted the secret-technique scroll, and her smile was instantly replaced by delight.
"A Genjutsu Seal that enhances genjutsu? This is one of the Uchiha's closely guarded secrets. I've heard it can even strengthen A-rank genjutsu. It's nothing like a mere B-rank technique such as Tree Binding Death..."
She stared intently at Kazuhiko.
"You're really giving it to me?"
"Once I give something away, I don't take it back."
[Kurenai Yuhi's favorability toward you has greatly increased to: Friendly (The way he gives gifts—so handsome!)]
[Jonin trait draw opportunity +1]
Kurenai Yuhi's rose-colored eyes glistened, as if they were about to pull him in.
"If I use this secret technique without permission, won't the Uchiha hunt me down?"
She was confirming who owned the technique.
The Uchiha protected their secret techniques and Sharingan just as fiercely as the Hyuga Clan did.
The Sharingan's hot-swappable nature alone made that clear.
As a powerful kekkei genkai that could simply be plugged in and used, the Sharingan was absurdly easy to obtain.
Yet across the entire Shinobi World, aside from the scheming Danzo and Kakashi, who was practically one of their own, no outsider had ever managed to possess a Sharingan.
Was it because they didn't want one?
Of course not.
Kakashi was a living example, the model for every ninja who wanted a Sharingan transplant.
Even with the drawback of consuming an extreme amount of chakra, the Sharingan had still earned Kakashi the title "Copy Ninja."
The Sharingan's power spoke for itself.
So the truth was simple: no one else dared take one.
No village wanted to provoke a powerful clan that had helped found Konoha.
And the rogue ninja who had crossed the Uchiha had all become stepping stones to the clan's reputation.
Those who offended the Uchiha would be hunted down, no matter how far away they fled.
So even with an "Uchiha secret technique" right there for the taking, Kurenai Yuhi still had to confirm who owned it, to avoid having the entire Uchiha Clan come after her.
"If they do hunt you down, just change your name to Uchiha Kurenai on the spot."
Kazuhiko smiled.
"I doubt any Uchiha could refuse a beauty as lovely as you."
In Konoha, wives took their husbands' surnames.
Kazuhiko was teasing Kurenai Yuhi:
If she married into the Uchiha Clan, she wouldn't need to worry about who owned the secret technique.
Was he expressing interest in me?
Kurenai Yuhi pressed her lips together, unsure whether Kazuhiko was joking or being serious.
She looked at him, trying to find an answer in his eyes.
His eyes seemed sincere.
Did he have feelings for me?
But he was still smiling~
It also seemed like a joke.
This was hard to figure out.
Kurenai Yuhi decided not to guess and gave him a shy smile.
"So I can use this secret technique however I like~ Such a precious gift—how should I thank you, Kazuhiko-kun?"
"Just give me the complete Tree Binding Death genjutsu. That way, I'll have something to report back to my clan."
Kurenai Yuhi hadn't noticed Kazuhiko's true intentions, and was just about to reply—
"Kazuhiko-niisan."
A voice came from outside the window, making them both turn around.
Shisui was crouched on the windowsill, about to climb in from outside.
Only then did he see Kurenai Yuhi, who had been hidden behind the sofa. He looked a little awkward.
"Sorry to interrupt. Kazuhiko-niisan, remember to come to the training ground after work. I'll wait for you there."
With a whoosh, Shisui vanished, too quickly for anyone to stop him.
Kazuhiko's heart tightened—
Shisui wasn't the reckless type. If he'd come looking for him, it had to be important.
"Kurenai-senpai, sorry, but we'll have to stop here for today."
Kazuhiko stood up and pressed the secret-technique scroll into Kurenai Yuhi's hands.
"Keep this. Don't worry about the Uchiha causing you trouble. I'll take care of it."
[Kurenai Yuhi's favorability toward you has greatly increased to: Trust (He has feelings for me!)]
[Jonin trait draw opportunity +1]
Kurenai Yuhi took the scroll and gave him a considerate smile.
"He must have something urgent to discuss with you. Go ahead; don't worry about me."
Kazuhiko nodded, climbed out the window, and quickly chased after Shisui in a few leaps.
On the roof, Black Charcoal stretched, watched Kazuhiko disappear, took out a new notebook, and began to write:
[Kazuhiko gave away a secret-technique scroll without getting the Yuhi Illusion.]
[Reckless spending! Recommend deducting all his dried fish for the month!]
She smugly swished her tail, then put away the scroll and notebook.
She'd decide how much to report to Eri based on how many "dried fish" Kazuhiko topped up.
Before you continue