Chapter 192: Kurenai Yūhi's Mark, the Sand Village Has Arrived
Akiyama Makoto also fell down, facing Kurenai, their fingers intertwined, their cheeks slowly approaching.
Kurenai panicked, seeming to regain a bit of her senses.
But he just said, "Big Sister Kurenai, aren't you worried about getting old?"
"Right now, I'm transferring my life force to you. You can become young again."
"—What did you say? Life force? No, absolutely not!"
Kurenai's eyes went wide with shock. She wanted to push him away, but was pinned down by him.
"Big Sister Kurenai, you dislike me for being too young, don't you? And at the same time, you're worried about yourself being too old."
"If I give you my life force, we can just average it out between us, can't we?"
"Makoto-kun, that's not what this is about! Stop!"
"I said stop!"
Seeing that she was really about to get angry, he finally let her go. "Ahem, Big Sister Kurenai, I was just joking with you."
"I have such strong life force that I can even perform 'Unconscious Healing.' So this little bit is nothing."
"And just this method alone can't make you younger. It can only make you feel refreshed!"
Kurenai stared at him. Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, she said, "Even so, you can't always be doing this. You need to grow and train yourself, too!"
"I'm not a ninja; it doesn't matter if I'm a little weaker. On the other hand, it's you I'm worried about, Big Sister Kurenai. Don't torture yourself anymore."
Kurenai's lips quivered, and she felt a warmth in the corners of her eyes. She had been in a daze for months, and at the time when she needed care and comfort the most, it was he who had provided it. Although it was her own fault for refusing Asuma's invitations several times, couldn't he have been a little more forceful, like Makoto?
And now... I'm lying in his arms, being infused with his chakra... What am I supposed to do now!
"Mm," she responded with a soft hum. But in her heart, she had already pulled herself together. At the very least, she couldn't let him see her dejected side anymore. Otherwise, what if he really did use his own life force to protect her?
"Good. Then you have to keep your word, Big Sister Kurenai. As for now, just relax and enjoy it. I'll make you glow with radiance."
"Are you... sure your body is okay?"
"Big Sister Anko must have told you about me, right? Even she can't handle me alone now. So, of course I'm fine!"
Kurenai's face flushed red, and she looked at him with annoyance. Why would you bring that up at a time like this?
But then she felt it—That bastard... he really has grown up!
"Or maybe... we should just stop here?" Kurenai began to back down.
But he said, "Don't worry, Big Sister Kurenai. I said I wouldn't do anything today, and I'll keep my word."
"But... Big Sister, can I just enjoy that feeling from last time again?"
"That feeling... You little brat! That was to comfort you! People aren't... sigh. Fine."
Looking at his expectant eyes and feeling the life force he was sending her, her heart softened. If it's just this much, it should be fine...
She pulled down the collar of her shirt slightly, then pulled him into her embrace.
Watching him enjoy her scent with a look of bliss on his face, she suddenly felt a pang of regret. I should have taken a bath before coming. For now, she could only hope he wouldn't smell the sweat on her.
Fortunately, he really didn't seem to smell it. This intimate embrace lasted for a full half hour before he finally stopped the transfer.
At this time, Kurenai felt sweat on her forehead, and her body was filled with endless strength. It was as if she could fight him for thirty rounds without any problem.
"It's... truly magical," she muttered to herself.
Now she believed what Anko had said. It was true that she couldn't handle him alone. Then... herself... You idiot, what are you thinking!
Kurenai stroked his face, and was just about to urge him to get up, when she saw him lean down and kiss her.
She felt as if her heart had been ripped out. She let out a cry and sat up, her face bright red as she looked at him.
But he also blushed, as if he was shy too. "I'm sorry, Big Sister Kurenai," he said. "I couldn't help it. You can punish me."
Just as he finished speaking, his body swayed slightly.
This made her quickly move forward to support him, asking with concern, "Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine!" he said with a calm expression, but there seemed to be a trace of fatigue in his eyes.
"You little brat! You definitely didn't tell me the truth... hmph."
She was both angry and annoyed. In the end, she gave him a light chop on the head. "Go and rest for a while. I'm not leaving."
"Since I'm here, I won't be a freeloader. I'll take care of your meals from now on."
"Alright!" This didn't come from him, but from Anko outside the door.
Only then did Kurenai realize Anko had been eavesdropping. She was so angry she roared, "You can pay for your own! Who told you to eat so much!"
"Ah, Kurenai, you're so cruel! You've forgotten your best friend now that you have a new lover!"
Anko's passive-aggressive teasing made Kurenai unable to bear it any longer. She opened the door and chased after her.
As for Makoto, he leaned back and lay down on Kurenai's bed, which still held the faint fragrance of her hair.
As expected, you have to be forceful with Kurenai.
A hug, a kiss... what's next? He wasn't in a hurry. He could take it slow. After all, there were still a few days until the Chūnin Exams. He could even let her observe the process of him giving Hinata the True Spirit Seal. He was sure Kurenai would be moved, right? No, she definitely would be.
Ever since she had moved into his house, the result was already set in stone. The rest was just a matter of time.
He rested for a while, then got out of bed. He was surprised to see Kurenai standing in front of the mirror, excitedly admiring her own face and skin condition. It was clear that the infusion of life force had a miraculous effect on her. The only problem was that, under normal circumstances, infusing life force into someone else required an exchange of one's own life. No one would do such a thing, and very few even had the ability to.
This just showed how ingenious and powerful the True Spirit Seal was.
Kurenai also saw him come downstairs and revealed a gentle smile. "What do you want to eat today?"
"Hmm... dango?"
He looked at her chest. There was still a hickey there.
She subconsciously covered it, then boldly let go and said fiercely, "Eat! I'll feed you 'til you two explode! I'll prepare three pounds of dango for each of you. Whoever has leftovers will be punished!"
Watching her stomp into the kitchen, fuming, Anko laughed until she was doubled over.
She waved him over, and then whispered in his ear, "Don't be fooled by her. She's extremely happy. She feels like she's at least a year younger."
"But is your technique really that magical? It can make people younger just like that?"
He shook his head. "Right now, it's just an effect similar to a 'radiant glow.' The life force won't stay in her body for long. It will probably lose its effect in a few days."
"Sigh..." Anko looked at him thoughtfully. "Next time, don't just leave a plum blossom mark. Just take her down."
He pushed her forehead away. "I don't need you to be my strategist. I know what I'm doing."
He was about to say something, but his brow suddenly furrowed.
"What's wrong?"
"A small matter has come up. I'll be right back."
His figure quickly disappeared from the living room and appeared on the street, where a man in black was holding a little girl by the collar.
"Hm? Who are you?"
His appearance immediately made Kankurō suspicious.
Then he said, "Well, whoever you are, from the looks of you, you should have the strength of a Chūnin. Let me test your quality."
He reached for the puppet on his back, but then with a boom, he and his puppet were sent flying, crashing into a distant wall.
And Moegi, who he had been holding, fell into Makoto's arms.
He didn't even look at Kankurō, but wiped away the tears from the corners of Moegi's eyes, and said with a gentle smile, "Are you okay?"
"Waaah!"
Moegi burst into tears.
Just now, she, Konohamaru, and Udon had been running and playing, and had bumped into this guy in black, who had then attacked them. She had been wondering how to call for help when he had appeared. On top of that, she hadn't seen him in a while. A mix of emotion and longing made her hug his neck tightly, as if she would never let go.
"Who are you?!"
Temari was both shocked and angry. She had just been advising Kankurō to keep a low profile, and her brother had been sent flying. Although he was in the wrong for attacking a child, how could her brother be abused like this?
She took the giant fan off her back, preparing to strike.
But then she found that her fan was tightly bound by steel wires, and she couldn't move it at all.
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