Chapter 191: Kurenai Yūhi Arrives, and Once She's Here, She Can't Leave
In the past, Anko Mitarashi might have had some doubts about this question. But now, she was completely at ease with it.
Akiyama Makoto liked those girls, but he maintained a respectful distance with them. With her, however, he already had the attitude of an old married couple. This might have taken some of the fun out of their relationship, but it had added a lot of happiness.
In the past, immersed in the pain of being abandoned and alone, Anko's only expectation from life was eating sweets. But now, she was looking forward to a beautiful future, to having his children, and to watching them grow up healthy and happy. A life so full of hope and motivation was something she had never dared to imagine.
So, Anko said, "It's fine. Because right now, he only lives a married life with me. As for the other girls, they'll probably have to wait a few years, right?"
"He said that if they started now, it would be bad for their bodies. So, in a few years, I might even have a child. I'll just let them pester him then."
As Anko spoke, her words were light. It was as if she were joking, but Kurenai Yūhi could see that she was serious. She was actually planning her future life, not just drifting through as she had in the past.
For Kurenai, who knew her so well, this was a huge shock. It seemed that in just a short time, Anko had become much more mature and reliable. She, on the other hand, had let her own life fall into a mess and even needed Anko to help her.
Could all of this be because of him?
"Alright, Kurenai, stop worrying about me. You should think more about yourself."
"How about you help me share the burden? I really can't handle that guy all by myself."
"That's impossible, right?" Kurenai looked at her in disbelief. Just a few months ago, Anko had been the one to force herself on him, and now he was turning the tables and "exhausting" her? How could he have grown so fast?
"If you don't believe me, then come and try it with me. Didn't he awaken the First Hokage's 'Unconscious Healing'? I think his physical constitution is also starting to resemble that of the God of Shinobi."
"And, and! I suspect he might know the Yin Seal! The Yin Seal, you know? It's the ability that Lady Mito Uzumaki had. After Lady Tsunade modified it, I heard it can grant eternal youth!"
Although it had been twenty years since Kurenai and Anko had last seen Tsunade, they still had memories of her. Not to mention, Anko had been Orochimaru's disciple. Over the years, they had heard bits and pieces of intelligence about Tsunade. After all, she had only left the village to travel; she hadn't defected or gone into hiding. So, the fact that she hadn't aged was an easy piece of information to come by.
Kurenai's eyes lit up.
Just this morning, when she had looked in the mirror, she had felt as if there was a new wrinkle at the corner of her eye. After a closer look, she realized it was just her imagination. But even if it wasn't there now, in a few more years, she might not be able to hide it. This was one of her greatest anxieties.
"That's not possible, is it? If he knew such a jutsu, why wouldn't he have used it on you first?"
Anko looked at her sideways, her tone sour. "Of course he wants to give it to his little girlfriends!"
"First Sakura, then Ino, yesterday was Tenten, and in a little while, it will probably be Hinata."
"I probably won't get my turn until after the Chūnin Exams... But, Kurenai, if you come over, I can let you go first!"
Kurenai angrily pushed the approaching Anko away, but her heart was already wavering.
Right. This isn't for him. It's for the possibility of eternal youth.
At this thought, she said, "It's not that I won't go... Wait, where are you dragging me?"
"To his place, of course!"
"Let me change my clothes first!"
"Ah, right. And you have to put on makeup. A woman must look her best for the one she adores."
"It's just... standard etiquette!"
An hour later, Kurenai had finished tidying up her clothes and appearance. Her reflection in the mirror was still a bit pale, but her spirits already showed signs of improving.
This made her smile bitterly. It seemed she had very few options left.
Afterward, the two women walked and browsed, finally arriving at Akiyama Makoto's main gate.
He was sitting in the courtyard, meditating. Although he wasn't moving, there was a natural, transcendent aura about him. This was because he now had extremely strong spiritual power, coupled with his pulsating life force and his adaptation to natural energy. All of this made him feel that he might have a great talent for adapting to natural energy.
But in Kurenai's eyes, it just looked as if, in the span of a few short months, he had aged several years, his face becoming more and more manly.
"Big Sister Kurenai?"
He opened his eyes, surprised to see her. He then happily rushed over to hug her.
She instinctively wanted to resist, but under his strength, how could she possibly stop him?
Forcibly pulled into his embrace, her desire to resist died. It's just a hug, after all...
"It's been a while, Makoto-kun."
Kurenai patted his head. He looked at Anko, who was giving him a peace sign.
He was also surprised that Anko had actually managed to drag her here. In the previous simulation, although Anko had also brought her, it had been by half-dragging, half-carrying her by force. But looking at her now, although she was a bit awkward, her expression was one of willingness.
Had Anko grown up in these past few days as well?
"You seem to have grown. Boys really do grow up fast!" Kurenai sighed.
But he said, "Big Sister Kurenai is still as beautiful and moving as ever. Your scent is still as charming as always."
A blush appeared on her face. She reached out and pinched his ear. "Is that any way to talk to your big sister? Besides, I'm almost an old woman now. How can I still be called 'beautiful and moving'?"
"You won't be, Big Sister Kurenai. You will have eternal youth. I promise."
He spoke with great conviction, which confirmed Anko's guess.
Kurenai pursed her lips, really wanting to ask about the Yin Seal right now, but he had already pulled her into the living room to sit down and chat.
He could see that she was very interested in eternal youth. He would naturally have to hold onto this reason and get a little closer to her before he let up. Otherwise, what if she just gave him a "good person" card afterward?
The Chūnin Exams were approaching. It was time for her to become a guest in his inner chambers.
"Big Sister Kurenai, why don't you just stay here for these next few days? My house is very big. You won't have to run back and forth, and you can save on expenses."
"How can I do that—"
She wanted to refuse, but Anko unceremoniously sold her out. "Your house is practically a dog's nest! It's fine if you don't stay, but Makoto and I will have to help you clean it... Ouch! Just because I exposed you, you're getting angry and hitting me?"
"I..."
Kurenai trembled with shame. She had really wanted to maintain her image as a dignified big sister in front of him, but Anko had given her no chance.
He just laughed. "Big Sister Kurenai, no need to be embarrassed. We're family. Can't family accept each other's truest sides?"
"Actually, my room is usually messy too."
"That's different! You're a boy! And how old are you—"
Kurenai covered her face, feeling as if she had died of social embarrassment.
But he pulled her to a room on the third floor. He opened the door, and the interior was decorated almost identically to her own bedroom.
She looked at this scene in shock.
He just smiled and said, "I can't forget my big sister's home. You were the one who cared for me when I needed comfort the most. So please, stay for this period."
"Just think of it as spending a little more time with me, how about it?"
Kurenai's lips parted, but in the end, she couldn't say no. Having been lonely for so long, she suddenly felt this level of care, and her heart naturally softened.
"Alright. Just for this period!"
"That's great!"
He pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed. She quickly said, "Wait, Makoto-kun, what are you doing? I only agreed to stay—... Mmph!"
Kurenai wanted to say more, but a surge of thick, powerful life force was injected into her body.
Her body, which had been pale and somewhat depleted, immediately felt warm, and she instinctively began to enjoy the feeling.
Her body slowly went limp, and she lay back on the bed, her face flushed, her gaze towards him becoming hazy.
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 200 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you