Kitazawa finished cooking and brought the dishes back to the living room. He sat at the dining table and waited.
Considering Kurenai would take a while to shower, he extended his hands and used Fire Release Chakra to warm the food.
A moment later, the sound of a door opening echoed. Kitazawa looked toward the bathroom and immediately felt his eyes light up.
Kurenai had changed into a white cheongsam. The cheongsam was form-fitting, perfectly outlining her figure, especially her voluptuous hips.
With every step Kurenai took, her hips, encased in the cheongsam, became tauter, their curve growing rounder.
Her long black hair was coiled at the back of her head, tied with a red ribbon, giving her an air of elegance she didn't usually possess.
The white cheongsam had a slit up to her thigh, revealing two long legs clad in white stockings. Kurenai, not wearing shoes, walked directly to Kitazawa.
She lifted her leg and gently stepped on his foot with her white-stockinged foot. "Does it look good?"
Kitazawa subconsciously nodded. "Beautiful and charming, sexy and elegant."
"You're quite good at flattery." Kurenai's lips curved into a smile as she sat opposite him.
"Here." Kitazawa handed her a pair of chopsticks.
"Thank you." Kurenai smiled and tugged at the collar of her cheongsam. "This is my first time eating in a cheongsam; I'm a bit unaccustomed to it."
"There's a problem with this cheongsam's design." Kitazawa glanced at her and said.
"What's the problem?" Kurenai picked up her chopsticks and took a fried shrimp.
"The collar is too high, covering half of your neck," Kitazawa replied.
"What's wrong with that?" Kurenai was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding.
"This design blocks my view, preventing me from appreciating your beautiful neck and collarbones." Kitazawa blinked and said.
"You're always trying to take advantage of me!" Kurenai glared at him, annoyed.
"I'm speaking the truth," Kitazawa said seriously.
Kurenai kicked him under the table. She hesitated for two seconds, put down her chopsticks, and unbuttoned the collar. Freed from the button's restraint, the collar opened to both sides, revealing her fair skin.
"Alright, no more demands!" Kurenai picked up her chopsticks again. "And don't interrupt my meal anymore!"
"Kurenai, you truly are beautiful and kind-hearted." Kitazawa couldn't help but smile.
He crossed his hands, propped his chin, and simply admired her. As she ate, her body leaned forward, and the tight cheongsam immediately revealed its elasticity and curves.
"I forgot to tell you something." Kurenai suddenly remembered, looked up, and met his gaze. "Your three students came by this morning."
Kitazawa had many students.
But since it was a practical exam this morning, the only students available were Yakushi Kabuto, Aburame Torune, and Uchiha Izumi.
Why didn't they just come directly to the Ninja Academy? Were they worried about disrupting the practical exam?
"They said they would come to visit tonight." Kurenai continued, "They want to report on the missions their Ninja squad has completed recently."
"I see." Kitazawa's face showed understanding.
It had been half a month since he sent Kabuto and the others on missions, and it was indeed time to check their current situation.
"It seems I'll have to go out and buy some groceries tonight." Kitazawa pondered for a moment.
With three more people, the groceries in the fridge wouldn't be enough. Besides, this was Kabuto and their first visit, so he couldn't entertain them shabbily; he had to prepare a grand meal.
"Mm." Kurenai nodded. "I can go buy them."
"I'll go," Kitazawa refused. "I don't want others to see you in a cheongsam."
"I definitely won't be wearing a cheongsam to buy groceries." Kurenai rolled her eyes.
"It's fine, I'll send a Shadow Clone to buy them." Kitazawa chuckled. "The time saved can allow us to train a bit longer."
"Alright then." Kurenai didn't say anything more.
"This afternoon, I'll practice Ninja Art: Hundred Flowers Chaos and Ninja Art: Moonlight Beauty with you." Kitazawa thought for a moment.
Because these techniques involve genjutsu, solo practice is definitely not as effective as practicing with a partner.
"No need." Kurenai paused slightly. "I can practice by myself."
"You have a foundation in genjutsu. If I practice with you and guide you, I can help you learn these two Ninjutsu the fastest." Kitazawa said mysteriously. "Once you learn them, I'll teach you a very special Ninjutsu."
"Sealing Technique?" Kurenai's interest was piqued.
"It's not a Sealing Technique." Kitazawa smiled. "It's a Ninjutsu that can immediately boost your strength."
"There's such a Ninjutsu?" Kurenai rubbed her leg twice with her white-stockinged foot. "Tell me quickly!"
"It's Chakra Enhanced Strength." Kitazawa stopped being enigmatic and stated it directly.
"Lady Tsunade's Chakra Enhanced Strength?" Kurenai's eyes suddenly widened.
"Mm." Kitazawa nodded.
Chakra Enhanced Strength, in essence, is a powerful exertion technique. Its power depends on the user's Chakra and physical fitness.
Kurenai's version would certainly be far inferior to Tsunade's, but even so, it would still be a considerable increase.
"Can I learn it?" A look of hesitation appeared on Kurenai's face.
"Don't be afraid." Kitazawa knew her concerns and said with a smile, "Your boyfriend is a Konoha high-ranking official now!"
"Thank you." Kurenai was deeply moved by his words.
"Let's eat." Kitazawa reached out, pinched her cheek, and said, "Once you get stronger, you'll have to accompany me on high-difficulty missions."
"Mm." Kurenai nodded and smiled. "No matter where we go, I'll be with you."
[As the future Hokage, powerful and loyal subordinates are essential.]
[Current Mission: Help Yuhi Kurenai learn Chakra Enhanced Strength and have her offer her heart to you.]
[Mission Reward: Self-Cursing Seal.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa was startled by the sudden appearance of four lines of text before his eyes.
This could also trigger a mission? In the system's perception, had Kurenai become his subordinate?
Kitazawa twitched his lips.
If it was put that way, it wasn't impossible. If he became Hokage, Kurenai would definitely be the Hokage's secretary, which would indeed make her his subordinate.
Although this system's mission came as a surprise, the reward was unexpectedly good.
Most Sealing Techniques served an auxiliary function; only a few could be used in combat. The Self-Cursing Seal was one of them.
Targets afflicted by this Sealing Technique would continuously manifest black curse marks on their bodies, eventually losing their ability to move and becoming paralyzed.
In the original work, Danzo once used the Self-Cursing Seal to restrain Uchiha Sasuke, who had activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. Undoubtedly, this was a very powerful Sealing Technique.
Most importantly, it could also be used in combat. In battle, if an enemy was hit by the Self-Cursing Seal, they were basically doomed.
Kitazawa chose to accept. It seemed Kurenai was his lucky goddess.
After lunch, Kitazawa cleared the table and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Kurenai, wearing a white cheongsam, was not suitable for such chores.
But by the time he returned to the living room, she had changed back into her usual white top with red sleeves.
"Wearing a cheongsam isn't convenient for practicing Ninjutsu." Kurenai walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and said, "I'll wear it for you again tonight."
After speaking, she stood on tiptoe and offered her soft lips. Kitazawa embraced her soft body and engaged in a passionate kiss. After a long while, their lips parted.
The two went outside to practice Ninjutsu.
Time slowly passed.
Six in the evening.
Kitazawa created a Shadow Clone and sent it to buy groceries.
Not long after, Yakushi Kabuto, Aburame Torune, and Uchiha Izumi appeared from a distance.
"Kitazawa, training for today is over." Kurenai wiped the sweat from her forehead. "You entertain them; I'll go cook."
"Once the Shadow Clone comes back with the groceries, I'll take them to the kitchen." Kitazawa turned to look at Kabuto and the other two.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto, seeing that they had finished talking, stepped forward to greet him. Izumi and Torune followed closely behind.
"Mm, let's go inside and talk." Kitazawa walked into the living room and asked, "What would you like to drink?"
"Anything is fine," Kabuto replied.
"Then let's have plain water." Kitazawa thought for a moment and said.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei." Yakushi Kabuto, Aburame Torune, and Uchiha Izumi sat side by side on the sofa.
Kitazawa poured each of them a glass of plain water and then sat down opposite them.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto took out a scroll. "This is the list of missions we've completed over the past half-month."
"So many?" Kitazawa opened the scroll, and a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face.
The scroll recorded ten C-rank missions and three B-rank missions.
Half a month was only fifteen days, which meant they had been doing missions non-stop, apart from eating and sleeping.
Kitazawa read through it carefully, and his surprise lessened.
The missions they chose were relatively simple and concentrated around Konoha Village; the furthest they went was not beyond the Land of Fire. It was clear Kabuto had taken his words to heart, focusing on accumulating a large number of missions.
After all, their Ninja squad's strength was already sufficient; there was no need to choose difficult missions to prove themselves.
The most urgent task was to increase the number of missions so that they could participate in the Jonin exam.
"You've all worked hard, and you've done well." Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction.
Kabuto breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had guessed Kitazawa's thoughts correctly.
"What about your training progress?" Kitazawa closed the scroll and asked.
"I'm still training in Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere," Kabuto said, a little embarrassed. "It will still take some time to master it."
"I've already learned Konoha-Style Body Flicker Technique," Aburame Torune replied.
"I've almost learned Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Crimson Claw, which Kitazawa-sensei taught." Uchiha Izumi followed closely.
"Logically, you have the Aburame Clan's Secret Technique you can learn, so I don't need to teach you," Kitazawa said to Torune. "But considering your role within the squad, I will teach you the Imitation Technique."
The perfect configuration for a Ninja squad is a Medical Ninja, a combat Ninja, and a support Ninja. Kabuto, Izumi, and Torune perfectly corresponded to these three roles.
Torune was the support Ninja, responsible for sensing and reconnaissance.
Kitazawa considered this when deciding to teach him the Imitation Technique. With it, Torune could perform another type of mission: infiltration. Combined with his insect control technique, he would be virtually invincible.
"What effect does the Imitation Technique have?" Kabuto asked after a moment of thought.
As the captain, he needed to understand his teammates' strengths to better assign missions.
Kitazawa casually explained the effects of the Imitation Technique.
"Such a powerful Ninjutsu!" Kabuto's eyes lit up. With the Imitation Technique, their Ninja squad could complete infiltration missions much faster.
Uchiha Izumi nodded in agreement. This disguise Ninjutsu, Imitation Technique, was so formidable that even a Sharingan would find it difficult to discern flaws.
Izumi couldn't imagine how they would cope if an enemy mastered it.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei," Torune said immediately.
"As for Izumi, she should still learn B-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu." Kitazawa pondered for a moment. "I'll teach you Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation."
"Okay." Uchiha Izumi agreed without hesitation.
"You two, look at the Ninjutsu scrolls first." Kitazawa handed each of them a scroll.
Because he noticed the Shadow Clone returning from grocery shopping, Kitazawa said, "I'll go to the kitchen."
He dispelled the Shadow Clone and carried the groceries inside. Kurenai had already cooked the rice and was preparing the seasonings for stir-frying.
"Leave the rest to me." Kitazawa put down the vegetables and hugged her from behind.
"What are you doing?" Kurenai's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively glanced toward the kitchen door.
"You've been training all afternoon. You must be so tired. I couldn't bear to let you keep cooking." Kitazawa patted her buttocks twice.
"I'd be even more touched if you weren't touching me." Kurenai put down the knife. "We have guests, so I can't rest. I'll go chat with your students."
Strictly speaking, she was the true owner here; even Kitazawa was technically a guest. After all, this residence was her home.
"Mm." Kitazawa released her.
Kurenai bit her lip, then left with a smile.
Time slowly passed.
The sun set, and night fell. It was February, so darkness came early.
"What are you all talking about?" Kitazawa walked out of the kitchen, carrying bowls and chopsticks.
"Do you know the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Hidden Mist Village?" Kurenai asked in return.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are so famous, of course, I know them." Kitazawa paused slightly, then smiled.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were an elite Ninja team from Hidden Mist Village, specializing in high-difficulty missions for the Mizukage.
Their status in Hidden Mist Village was somewhat similar to Konoha's Sannin—considered high-ranking officials. Moreover, the title of Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was hereditary.
Many famous Hidden Mist Jonin had joined the group. The first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was crippled by Might Duy.
During the Third Ninja World War, Might Duy, having opened the Eight Gates Formation, encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and subdued them.
Simply put, four died, and three escaped.
"Biwa Jūzō and Kurosuki Raiga of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have become Hidden Mist Village rogue Ninja," Kurenai said with a smile. "This matter has already caused a sensation in the Ninja World. Because we weren't on missions, we found out a bit late."
Konoha Village would notify every Ninja on an outdoor mission about such major news.
The reason was simple: to avoid encountering them. But if they did, escape was paramount; otherwise, death was highly probable.
Kitazawa raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. Defecting at this time?
Thinking carefully, it was indeed around this period. In the original work, Uchiha Obito controlled the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, who plunged Hidden Mist Village into a bloody reign.
Of the three surviving members of the first-generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, besides Suikazan Fuguki, Biwa Jūzō, and Kurosuki Raiga, both defected due to dissatisfaction.
After defecting, Biwa Jūzō joined the Akatsuki Organization and became teammates with Uchiha Itachi. In other words, he defected before the Uchiha Clan Massacre, which was around this time period.
However, due to Kitazawa's butterfly effect, the Uchiha Clan Massacre would likely not occur. Biwa Jūzō probably wouldn't become teammates with Uchiha Itachi, as in the original work, nor would he die protecting him.
Kitazawa didn't know if he would still join the Akatsuki Organization, but considering the Akatsuki's constant recruitment, it was highly probable.
Kurosuki Raiga, by comparison, was less dramatic. He picked up a little boy named Ranmaru on the road, then occupied a gold mine in the Land of Rivers, hiding there to act tyrannically.
He ultimately died at the hands of Naruto, Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten on a mission.
It's worth noting that Ranmaru possessed the Byakugan's nemesis, the Red Eye. The Red Eye had powerful X-ray vision, observation, and sensing abilities, and could create Chakra images to interfere with the Byakugan.
"Hidden Mist Village has also issued related missions," Kurenai continued. "If they can be captured or killed, generous rewards can be obtained."
"All of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have Elite Jonin-level strength," Kabuto shook his head. "Such a mission is difficult for most Ninjas to complete."
"Mm." Kurenai agreed. "I don't think anyone will take it."
Kitazawa's heart stirred as he fell into thought. He didn't know where Biwa Jūzō was, but Raiga's exact location was clearly stated in the original work: at the Katabami Gold Mine in the Land of Rivers.
In terms of fame, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist far surpassed the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Killing Kurosuki Raiga, without exaggeration, would make their Ninja squad known throughout the Ninja World.
In addition, Kurosuki Raiga's Lightning Blade: Kiba and Lightning Release Ninjutsu were also quite valuable.
[You have discovered a high-level mission that can increase your Ninja squad's fame.]
[Current Mission: Eliminate Kurosuki Raiga, one of the Former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.]
[Mission Reward: Hurricane Vortex Jutsu.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa couldn't help but smile as he looked at the four lines of text before him. As expected, it had triggered a system mission.
After all, Kurosuki Raiga was a named and strong character in the original work.
The mission reward, like the previous Guardian Ninja mission, was another Compound Ninja Art, but even more powerful.