The Evil Old Ghost Sarutobi

"Unbelievable. I never imagined the Third Hokage, who constantly preaches about the Will of Fire, would be this kind of person. It's truly disgusting!" Kurenai Yuhi frowned, her expression filled with disdain. Thinking back on the Third Hokage's conduct over the years, she felt that the more she had admired him in the past, the more revolted she felt now.

"If that's the case, the plan to go to the hot springs has to be canceled. I have to tell all the women in Konoha about this! We can't let a pervert like the Third Hokage continue to run wild. I'm sure the Fourth Hokage wouldn't want Lady Kushina to be spied on by such an old pervert while she's bathing! That's it, I must report this to the Fourth Hokage!" As a woman, Kurenai had zero tolerance for such perverted behavior.

"You should just be more careful yourself from now on. After all, this isn't the first or second time the Third Hokage has acted like this. Namikaze Minato is somewhat aware of the situation, but it's difficult for him to intervene. Have you seen him try to discipline his master, Jiraiya, for similar behavior? Blood is thicker than water, after all. At most, he'd just remind Kushina to be cautious. Besides, Kushina possesses the bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan and has incredible sensory abilities, so the chances of her being spied on are virtually non-existent. Namikaze Minato probably adopts a 'not my business' attitude precisely because of that," Uchiha Gen speculated.

After all, one was his master and the other was his master's master. Furthermore, as Hokage, he still had to answer to his master's master. If Kurenai really went to report the Third, Namikaze Minato would likely just offer a few verbal warnings and let the matter drop. Behind closed doors, the Third would continue exactly as he always had.

"Don't end up offending everyone without actually achieving your goal! Although I'm not afraid of those people, you are a registered ninja, Kurenai. They have plenty of ways to make your life difficult."

"Ah~ how could it be like this..." Kurenai said, feeling dejected after hearing his words.

"There's no helping it; this is the truest face of Konoha! Even Namikaze Minato can't change it. At the end of the day, he is just a puppet Hokage propped up by the Third. You expect him to stand up to the Third? That would be failing to recognize who really holds the power," Uchiha Gen explained comfortingly.

"Damn it!"

"Forget it, let's not dwell on these frustrating things. Once you're ready, we'll head out. It's getting late, and I need to get back early; I have things to take care of tomorrow!" Besides, he still had to make a trip to Root later. After all, courtesy demands reciprocity. With someone like Danzo, the more you tolerate him, the more he bullies the weak and fears the strong, thinking you're a pushover. This time, he had to deal with him properly so that for the rest of his life, Danzo would take a detour whenever he saw him.

"Mm, nothing left to pack! Let's go, I'm hungry anyway!" Kurenai's mood shifted as quickly as it had arrived. Since she couldn't change things, she would just have to be more careful in the future. Yes, she also had to remind her friends to be more vigilant! Especially Anko, with her careless personality.

Konoha ~ Commercial District

Kurenai affectionately linked her arm with Gen's, enjoying their time together.

"Huh???!!! Kurenai, what is this?"

A shocked male voice suddenly came from behind them.

Uchiha Gen looked back and saw that it was none other than the cold and reserved Hatake Kakashi.

"Oh~ it's Kakashi. What a coincidence. I was just planning to go to an izakaya with Gen. The sake and appetizers there are quite good, so I thought I'd take him to try them!" She had originally wanted to politely ask if Kakashi wanted to join, but she realized that if Kakashi didn't know how to be tactful and actually came along, it would ruin her time alone with Gen. For a first date, it was better to play it safe.

"Eh? It's not about the izakaya, Kurenai. What's going on between you and Gen? Wasn't Asuma..." Kakashi was very confused. Had Asuma given up? That didn't seem right; looking at his persistent, sycophantic behavior, he seemed like he wanted to be by Kurenai's side every second of the day.

"Don't mention Asuma. He and I are just ordinary friends. If his previous actions caused any misunderstandings, I'll clarify it now: I have a boyfriend." As she finished speaking, she hugged Uchiha Gen's arm tightly, looking blissful.

Watching Kurenai's behavior, Kakashi didn't know whether to be happy or feel sorry for Asuma. After all, a sycophant never ends well, and everyone loves to hate a sycophant. He hoped Asuma could handle the blow.

"I see~ so that's how it is? My mistake, sorry Kurenai. Are you two heading to the izakaya? Why don't we go together?" Kakashi, completely oblivious to the need for discretion, tried to tag along.

"Uh, no need. Gen and I have some private matters to attend to, so it's not convenient!" Kurenai quickly refused. Thank goodness she hadn't been too polite earlier! How could this guy be so lacking in social awareness? She hated people who didn't understand boundaries.

Without waiting for Kakashi to respond, she quickly pulled Uchiha Gen away!

He deserved to be single, trying to interrupt her good time with Gen. Hmph, she would remember this!

How could Kurenai fall for Uchiha Gen? It's baffling! Kakashi rubbed his white hair in frustration.

It wasn't that Gen was a bad person, but rather that he was from the Uchiha Clan, and Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku, happened to be the head of the Anbu! With those two combined, his master would likely be in a bind. The Third Hokage's refusal to hand over the power of the Anbu was already a headache.

Now, an Uchiha had entered the mix...

He hoped the Uchiha Clan's goal wasn't the Anbu. After all, Kurenai was one of the people he was closest to from his academy days, and he didn't want her to become a sacrifice for political power.

He had wanted to use the opportunity to probe Uchiha Gen, but it seemed he had been misunderstood by Kurenai. He had accidentally become the villain... Sigh, it's tough!

He should just leave these matters for Master Minato to worry about. He was just a mere Anbu squad leader; why was he drawing a fixed salary while worrying about the Hokage's problems? It only added to his troubles.

"Gen, don't misunderstand. Kakashi is just talking nonsense. Although Asuma has been pursuing me, I have never agreed to it." A girl in love is always sensitive. Kurenai now had a persistent, unreal feeling of anxiety about losing him.

"Rest assured, Konoha isn't that big. I've heard about Asuma's behavior. Besides, you are my woman now, and no one can take you away!" Uchiha Gen pinched Kurenai's cheek affectionately and laughed.

"Hmph~ it's all Asuma's fault, sticking to me like gum. Hmph, he's probably not a good person either. After all, his father, the Third Hokage, is that kind of person; what good could he possibly teach? Ha! Now that I think about it, could Jiraiya have been corrupted by that old pervert, the Third Hokage? It seems we've all been blaming Jiraiya unfairly all these years! Hmph! Evil Hiruzen Sarutobi!" Kurenai said indignantly.

"Alright, let's not think about these disappointing things anymore!"