The Shinobi World.
The hill behind the Konoha Orphanage.
Beneath that familiar tree, Lin Ze leaned against the trunk, gazing up at the stars filling the sky. Kurenai Yuhi sat beside him, looking up at the starry sky as well.
The night breeze blew past, and a few leaves drifted down between them.
Not far away, Tagitsuhime wore a purple cheongsam, her voluptuous figure faintly visible in the moonlight. Starlight reflected in her serpentine eyes, and a faint smile rested on her lips.
She said nothing, simply standing there quietly like an exquisite sculpture.
Kurenai Yuhi leaned against Lin Ze's shoulder, the starlight reflected in her wine-red eyes, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Lin Ze, do you remember how you said you'd take me to see the real stars, right here all those years ago?"
"I remember."
Lin Ze nodded and slipped an arm around her shoulders. "You even made a pinky promise with me back then."
"I did not!"
Kurenai Yuhi blushed and gave him a light punch. "You were the one who insisted on making a pinky promise!"
Lin Ze smiled without calling her out.
They fell silent for a moment before Kurenai Yuhi suddenly spoke softly. "Lin Ze, what do you think... if you hadn't met me beneath that tree back then, what would we be like now?"
Lin Ze thought for a moment, then answered seriously, "Then I might have one less person who was always worrying about me."
"Who worries about you?"
Kurenai Yuhi blushed as she protested, but she nestled closer into Lin Ze's arms.
Lin Ze raised his head, gazing at the brilliant river of stars, and said softly, "Kurenai."
"Hmm?"
"I said I'd take you to see the real stars once I'd settled everything in the Shinobi World."
Lin Ze looked