Konoha, Training Ground No. 8.
Kurenai stared at the orders in her hand, frozen in place.
Facing the masked ANBU before her, she desperately wanted to demand: ’Is it because of my close relationship with Asuma that you’re targeting ? Fine, but why drag my genin into this? Why make them et those three monsters from Sunagakure?!’
"Kurenai-sensei, what’s wrong?"
Inuzuka Kiba, noticing her dazed expression, couldn’t help but ask.
"Nothing!"
Tucking the orders away, Kurenai turned to the ANBU. "Understood. I’ll carry out the mission."
With her acknowledgnt, the ANBU vanished instantly.
"Kurenai-sensei, why was an ANBU here?" Kiba trotted up to her, concern evident. "If the mission’s too dangerous, you can refuse, right?"
"The truth might not be so dire. I sensed no hostility from that ANBU. It’s probably a routine assignnt." Abura Shino interjected calmly.
Kiba jumped slightly, shooting Shino an annoyed glare but saying nothing.
He was slowly—very slowly—getting used to Shino’s near-invisible presence. But no matter how much he adapted, Shino’s sudden remarks still startled him, and Kiba refused to accept it.
The worst part? His trusty canine radar, Akamaru, was utterly useless against Shino. That was what frustrated Kiba the most.
"This mission involves the three of you directly. I’ll explain it now. If you feel it’s unsuitable—"
"Woof!"
Before Kurenai could finish, Akamaru barked sharply.
At the sa ti, a small cluster of insects sward around Shino’s arm. His expression tensed. "Kurenai-sensei, my insects sense a strong malicious presence nearby. The threat level is high."
"Akamaru agrees. The target is... here!"
Kiba’s gaze locked onto the red-haired Gaara among the four figures approaching in the distance.
If he rembered correctly, this guy had transford into a monster during the Chūnin Exams. His clan later inford him that it was one of the legendary Tailed Beasts—an entity no ordinary person could hope to defeat.
"I was going to brief you first, but it seems we have no choice but to accept this mission now."
Generally, ANBU-delivered missions couldn’t be refused.
Of course, that depended on who was receiving the order.
For genin like Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Abura Shino—each from prominent clans—even if Hinata wasn’t the clan’s favorite, the Hyūga would never allow her to co to harm.
Especially not against Sunagakure, the weakest of the Five Great Villages. The Hyūga had no reason to fear them.
"Kurenai-sensei, what exactly is our mission?" Hinata, ever the obedient student, asked timidly in her soft voice.
Kiba and Shino also turned to Kurenai, curiosity written on their faces.
"Your mission is to accompany Suna’s envoys—these three here—for the afternoon. If—"
"Kurenai, no need to be so tense! Sure, I showed up unannounced, but you staring at so nervously might make think you’ve got a crush on !" Kamizuki Hikari teased with a grin.
As a man, Hikari couldn’t deny having so interest in Kurenai. But he’d never act as a howrecker or interfere in others relationships.
"Shut it!"
His playful jab dissolved most of Kurenai’s worries for her students.
"Aren’t you supposed to be training Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji? Why are you here with ?" Her question carried a double aning: one, genuinely asking why he wasn’t with Team 10, and two, questioning why he’d brought Suna’s trio to her.
Did he think Kurenai was an easy target just because she was a woman?
If that was his assumption, Kurenai was ready to correct it.
She hadn’t beco a jōnin just because of her ties to Asuma. Her exceptional genjutsu skills had earned her the promotion from the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Ah, Asuma-senpai’s back. He imdiately went to pick up Shikamaru and the others. He hasn’t co to see you yet?"
Hikari scrutinized Kurenai, his gaze lingering on her head for an uncomfortably long ti.
He could almost see an imaginary green hat forming above her.
"Your stare is creeping out. Stop it!"
Though she didn’t know what he was thinking, Kurenai’s instincts scread that it wasn’t anything good.
"Just because Asuma is back doesn’t an he has to see first!"
"If he went to get his team first, it just ans he takes his duties seriously. Unlike so people who slack off. Ino even complained to about you!"
She defended Asuma verbally, but a sour feeling lingered in her chest.
No matter how strong or beautiful a woman was, if her significant other didn’t seek her out imdiately upon returning, it would sting.
"Oh, I see."
"If I were still in charge of them, I’d punish her properly. But now that I’m free, I’ve got nothing to worry about. Feels great!"
Kurenai studied Hikari’s expression but found no trace of regret.
"You really don’t feel even a little reluctant?"
"Why should I? Babysitting kids isn’t exactly thrilling. I’m only in my twenties, unmarried, and stuck supervising teenagers barely younger than . It’s been a hassle!"
Hikari’s tone was matter-of-fact.
His attitude toward leading Team 10 had always been indifferent.
People only clung to things when they’d invested too much emotion or effort, expecting returns—whether emotional or material. When those returns fell short, negativity festered.
But for Hikari, Team 10 was simply: "If I have it, great. If not, no loss."
Without attachnt, there was no disappointnt.
"Fine. If that’s how you see it, I won’t argue."
Kurenai neither agreed nor disagreed with his outlook.
They were both adults. Even if she didn’t share his perspective, she wouldn’t dismiss it.
Everyone was entitled to their own beliefs.
Trying to force your views onto others? Not only was success unlikely, but it was also exhausting.
"Enough about us. Let introduce our guests from Suna: Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara. Team 8’s mission is to guide them around Konoha, showcasing our culture and landmarks. Any questions?"
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Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
/KakuzuTL
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