Tasting Beautiful Things

Tasting "Beautiful Things"

There might not even be any gain, and whether Samui would give it to him was another question.

This was to... pry open a crack.

That was right, just pry open a crack.

Kiyoshi knew very well that, given his current identity and strength, he was not yet capable of directly obtaining anything of greater value from Kumogakure.

Rather than that, he might as well lower his stance and ask for a trivial little benefit.

Using a D-rank ninjutsu as bait would neither make Samui feel threatened nor arouse her suspicions.

This was to test Samui's limits.

Kiyoshi stood there, the dim light behind him stretching his shadow long.

"Until next time, Miss Samui."

Kiyoshi tucked the entire scroll into his Ninja Tools Pouch and left, taking care not to let anyone notice it.

This was far from over.

This time, it was D-rank. Next time, he would have to show even greater sincerity.

He would make his Sharingan experience emotional... fluctuations.

Before leaving, Kiyoshi also stopped by the sushi shop and packed up an order of sushi to take back.

Halfway there, someone suddenly bumped into Kiyoshi.

The sushi he was carrying fell to the ground with a slap.

"Sorry, sorry."

The girl, with curled hair and slightly chubby cheeks, hurriedly apologized.

"I... I'll pay you back for the sushi."

Kurenai Yuhi looked at the rice balls and fillings scattered across the ground and apologized to the person she had bumped into.

When she raised her head and saw who it was, she realized he was actually a classmate from the same class.

"Y-you're Kiyoshi? I'm really sorry."

"It's fine, Kurenai Yuhi."

Kiyoshi shook his head.

The sushi was merely a cover.

He needed a legitimate reason for going to the sushi shop. Was he supposed to go in and leave without doing anything?

He had stayed inside for quite a while last time, but this time, he had only been there for a few minutes.

Buying a serving of sushi would keep people from becoming suspicious.

"No, I have to compensate you with the same sushi."

Kurenai Yuhi insisted on taking Kiyoshi back to compensate him with another serving.

"It's late. They've already closed."

"Did you buy it from the sushi shop on the street behind to the left?"

"Yeah."

"No wonder. They close at night."

Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head, unsure what to do.

Back at the Ninja Academy, she had been thinking that Kiyoshi possessed the Sharingan and had vaguely wanted to discuss genjutsu with him.

But today, she had ruined the sushi he bought. Didn't that mean she had offended him?

"You can compensate me with something else."

Kiyoshi said.

Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up, and she immediately agreed to Kiyoshi's suggestion.

Ten minutes later.

The two arrived at a restaurant.

She expertly ordered a pile of dishes, then handed the menu to Kiyoshi.

When Kiyoshi opened it, he found that it was filled with all kinds of fish.

The most common item was octopus prepared in various ways.

Kiyoshi casually ordered one dish and set the menu aside.

Before long, the dishes they had ordered filled the table.

The largest portion was wasabi octopus.

The guidebook recorded Kurenai Yuhi's preferences. Her favorite foods were shochu, vodka, and wasabi octopus.

Her least favorite food was cake.

"Kiyoshi, after an Uchiha awakens their Sharingan, their genjutsu ability gets stronger, right?"

Kurenai Yuhi asked after taking a bite of wasabi octopus.

"It does provide a boost, but the exact extent depends on the individual's skill."

Kiyoshi looked at Kurenai Yuhi across from him.

The Sharingan did indeed provide a boost, but it was limited.

If its wielder was already a ninja skilled in genjutsu, then their Sharingan genjutsu would become even stronger.

For example, Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi during the era of the Book of Confrontation.

Kurenai Yuhi's "Gen" stat was 10, while Kakashi, who possessed the Three Tomoe Sharingan, had a "Gen" stat of only 8.

Kakashi's ability to copy techniques with the Sharingan far surpassed his ability in genjutsu.

"Then... Kiyoshi, do you have time to practice genjutsu with me?"

Kurenai Yuhi's red eyes looked toward Kiyoshi.

Based on what Kiyoshi had said, her theory was completely correct.

As long as she worked hard enough, she could catch up to the Uchiha who possessed the Sharingan and prove her father's prowess in genjutsu!

"I can, but it'll have to be later. Tomorrow, I still have a sparring match with Obito. After school, I need to practice controlling my Chakra for learning ninjutsu."

Kiyoshi swept his gaze over Kurenai Yuhi a few times.

Very cute.

That was Kiyoshi's assessment.

But he preferred the future Kurenai Yuhi, with her mature woman's charm.

Such "beautiful things" would have a unique flavor when savored.

Kiyoshi could feel a warm current swirling in his left eye.

Of course, it was still too early for that.

Practicing genjutsu with the current Kurenai Yuhi was not bad either.

Most of the Uchiha Clan's genjutsu revolved around the Sharingan. They used other methods to cast genjutsu far less often.

For the Yuhi Clan to remain a clan specializing in genjutsu despite the Uchiha's reputation in that field, they had to have some real skill.

"That's wonderful!"

Kurenai Yuhi squeezed her eyes shut, the curves of them like crescent moons.

She sighed inwardly that Kiyoshi was such an approachable, kind person.

She even thought that perhaps everyone in the Land of Lightning was this easygoing.

She had no idea why Kiyoshi had agreed to her request in the first place.

Deep within the sushi shop's secret chamber.

"Lord Samodo."

Samui said respectfully.

"Yotsuki Kiyoshi came?"

Samodo asked.

"...He asked for a D-rank scroll."

Samui hesitated before briefly recounting how Kiyoshi had obtained Lightning Release: Iron Skin.

However, she did not tell the whole story as it had happened. Instead, she downplayed the important parts and said that Yotsuki Kiyoshi had been dissatisfied with the scroll he was given.

She omitted the fact that Yotsuki Kiyoshi had said it was because of what she had told him.

Her calm disposition kept her expression unchanged, as though she were discussing something entirely ordinary.

"Very good. From now on, you will continue communicating with Yotsuki Kiyoshi. Make sure to recruit him into Kumogakure."

Samodo nodded in satisfaction, focusing on Kiyoshi's request for a scroll.

It was best if Yotsuki Kiyoshi had desires.

Moreover, ninjas usually determined their combat style when they first set foot on the path of a ninja.

Once Kiyoshi became accustomed to using Lightning Release ninjutsu, he would have to keep coming to them for more.

The Uchiha's Lightning Release ninjutsu was decent, but it could not compare to Kumogakure, which was renowned for Lightning Release ninjutsu.

What the Uchiha were best at was Fire Release. Their clan emblem was a Flame War Fan.

It symbolized those who wielded flames.

"The Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai will certainly strengthen the village's foundation."

Samodo picked up a piece of sushi from the table in the secret chamber and swallowed it.

Once he earned this achievement, would he still need to run around acting as a spy and doing such miserable work?

If not for wanting to rise further in the village and build up a good record here before returning, why would anyone risk their life infiltrating Konoha? One careless mistake, and he would become a disposable pawn.

"Yes, and Lord Samodo... I..."

After a while, Samui bit her lip, feeling that it would be better to explain everything clearly.