"It's Sarutobi. Is Lord Hokage doing well?"
Shinku Yuhi was sitting in the living room. Through the open doorway, he saw Asuma Sarutobi.
Shinku Yuhi's cheeks were gaunt, and his eyes were red. His high cheekbones lent him an air of authority, along with a stiff, proper demeanor that made him seem meticulous.
"The old man's in great shape. I feel like he'll outlive me. Maybe when he finally kicks the bucket, I won't have many years left either."
Asuma Sarutobi had grown up under Hiruzen Sarutobi's care, and he knew better than anyone how formidable the old man was. He had mastered all five nature transformations and knew almost every jutsu in the Hidden Leaf Village. He was truly a Professor of Ninjutsu.
Though he and his father didn't get along, Asuma Sarutobi believed Hiruzen Sarutobi was far stronger than the First Hokage and Second Hokage, whom he had never met. He was the God of Shinobi.
"You young people will surely go further than we ever did."
Shinku Yuhi was taken aback by Asuma Sarutobi's bluntness, so he changed the subject. Looking at his daughter, he said, "The future belongs to you young people, too. Kurenai, why don't you go out and have some fun?"
Shinku Yuhi wasn't a fool. He could tell that Asuma Sarutobi liked Kurenai Yuhi.
As the Third's son, Asuma Sarutobi could bring great benefits to the Yuhi Clan if he married into it.
But Shinku Yuhi's attitude was to let things take their course. Young people should handle their own affairs; it wasn't his place to meddle.
"Well..."
When Kurenai Yuhi heard that Shimizu was there, she had already felt a little tempted to go.
Over the past two years, she had wanted to seek Shimizu out several times and challenge him to a duel, making a name for the Yuhi Clan's genjutsu.
But Shimizu's requirements were far too strict.
Even someone as bold as Kurenai Yuhi found them hard to accept.
She had never worn such girlish clothes before. Ever since her mother died, she had always thought of herself as a boy.
"Shimizu's about to graduate, isn't he? He's already submitted his application, and with his abilities, he's sure to pass. If I don't go now, the gap between us will only keep growing."
Kurenai Yuhi weighed it over, her thoughts turning rapidly.
In the end, Shimizu's handsome face flashed through her mind, and she clenched her hand without thinking.
She had to restore the Yuhi Clan's genjutsu's lost reputation and make Uchiha Shimizu acknowledge it.
In the end, youthful pride won out. After a moment's silence, Kurenai Yuhi said:
"Wait here a moment."
She ran to her room, leaving Shinku Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi staring at each other.
Ten minutes later.
"Father, I'm heading out."
Kurenai Yuhi came out of her bedroom.
She looked a little awkward. The clothes she had been wearing had been replaced with a little pink skirt, and the smooth skin of her legs looked even fairer in the light.
She was brimming with youthful energy, giving off a lively, girlish air.
For a moment, Shinku Yuhi thought he saw the figure of Kurenai Yuhi's mother.
Back then, she had been just as beautiful.
"Kurenai, I'm sorry I could never give you a mother's love. But I believe the person you love in the future will fill that void."
After a long pause, Shinku Yuhi managed to say a few words.
He stood up from the sofa and looked at the photo on the table, lost in memories.
"Let's go, Sarutobi."
Kurenai Yuhi was relieved that her father hadn't commented on her outfit.
Her father was usually very strict, almost like a robot.
"Oh... all right!"
After a brief daze, Asuma Sarutobi was overjoyed.
His heart pounded, and he felt like he was floating.
He had invited Kurenai out, and she had changed into such a pretty outfit.
The meaning was obvious.
Asuma Sarutobi let his imagination run wild. To him, it was proof that all his efforts had finally paid off.
After using the Byakugan to run several experiments on the white mouse in his hand, Shimizu heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
Shimizu glanced at the sky. It was already seven in the evening, and night was closing in.
Who would come to see him at dinnertime?
Shimizu put away the white mouse and opened the door. Two familiar faces appeared before him.
What caught Shimizu's eye most was the flash of pink.
"Kurenai Yuhi, you..."
Shimizu wore a strange expression.
What had played out in the Simulator had become reality after all.
Their agreement had been made nearly two years ago.
He had thought Kurenai Yuhi had given up, but she had still come to see him dressed like this.
Kurenai Yuhi noticed the amusement in Shimizu's eyes, and her cheeks flushed. She was about to give the explanation she had prepared when Asuma Sarutobi cut in:
"Uchiha Shimizu, I heard you're graduating soon. We've been classmates for years. How about we go out for a meal?"
"Sure."
Shimizu nodded.
The Simulator hadn't said what Asuma Sarutobi had asked him about, but it was clear Hiruzen Sarutobi had put him up to it, so he couldn't refuse.
If he turned him down, who knew what might happen next?
The very next day, he had been summoned to the Hokage Building and told that his Will of Fire had been recognized. There was definitely something suspicious about it.
Shimizu knew perfectly well whether he had the Will of Fire.
"Uh..."
Asuma Sarutobi had planned to keep persuading him, since he and Shimizu weren't close and a refusal would have been understandable.
He hadn't expected Shimizu to be so easygoing and agree right away.
"Great. Let's go to Yakiniku Q."
Asuma Sarutobi named a restaurant and turned to lead the way.
Choza Akimichi often ate there, so after a moment's thought, Asuma Sarutobi had picked the same place.
Shimizu nodded and followed behind Asuma Sarutobi.
Kurenai Yuhi walked at the very front, keeping her distance from both Asuma Sarutobi and Shimizu.
"Kurenai, slow down."
Asuma Sarutobi noticed Kurenai Yuhi walking faster and faster, and hurried to pick up his pace.
The three soon left the Uchiha Settlement and headed for Yakiniku Q.
"What was I thinking? I really changed into this outfit."
Kurenai Yuhi suddenly regretted having changed. Now that she was facing Uchiha Shimizu, wouldn't she be at a natural disadvantage?
She pretended to look at the streets on either side, sneaking glances at Shimizu behind her from the corner of her eye, hoping to see his expression.
As soon as she turned her head, her eyes met Shimizu's. Kurenai Yuhi quickly turned away.
Asuma Sarutobi, walking in the middle, noticed Kurenai Yuhi glance their way before quickly turning her head again.
He adjusted his hairstyle, took the lollipop from his mouth, and put on what he thought was a handsome smile.
"Shimizu, heading out this late?"
Uchiha Inabi came out of Shueisha with a manga in hand and happened to see the three of them.
"Yeah, going out to eat."
Shimizu greeted him and kept walking.
Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi weren't familiar with Uchiha Tekka, so they merely nodded politely.
"Wasn't that Asuma Sarutobi? The Third's son."
A voice came from behind Uchiha Inabi.
Uchiha Tekka also came out holding a manga, his eyes wide with shock.
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