With Anyo's help, Kurenai Yuhi finally agreed to let the two men drink, but there would be no next time.
After several rounds of drinks, Anyo accepted Shinku's warm invitation to stay the night. Of course, he had a room to himself. Although Shinku had tacitly accepted the relationship between Anyo and Kurenai Yuhi, sharing a room was definitely out of the question.
Anyo was no sleazy punk, and besides, Kurenai Yuhi was still too young. Kissing and hugging were fine; anything else would be going too far.
At first light, Anyo returned home. Haku seemed to have known he would be coming back. There was no surprise on her face, and she was wearing her Anbu uniform.
"Were you injured during the Konoha Defense War?"
Ever since Haku had nearly died on the battlefield last time, Anyo had repeatedly insisted that she hide during every major battle. If she could avoid fighting, she should. There was no need to stick her neck out.
Haku shook her head. "No. I helped Yugao from the shadows."
"Good. Keep doing that, especially when I'm not beside you," Anyo praised her. Haku was actually very talented, and her strength was far from weak, but she lacked combat awareness and could not bring out her full strength. That was why Anyo could never quite stop worrying about her.
"Go to the training ground and get Yugao. I'll give you both some special training while we have the time."
"All right."
At the Anbu training grounds, Anyo sparred with Yugao in swordsmanship. Ever since she had completed the intelligence escort mission under tremendous pressure, Yugao's growth had been plain to see. Her Dancing Blade Technique and Hidden Swordsmanship were both taking shape. All that remained was to find inspiration in actual combat.
"Nice thrust." Yugao's