Kakashi, who had just arrived, looked at Asuma with puzzlement and asked, "Kurenai, what's wrong with her?"
Asuma pointed toward where the blade had disappeared and replied, "Not sure. Seems like she saw something familiar—or maybe someone familiar."
Kakashi didn't press further. Glancing at Asuma's injuries, he asked, "Who were those two? They managed to hurt you in such a short time."
Asuma gave a bitter smile. "It was Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Oh, it's them," Kakashi said casually on the surface while inwardly recalling the intelligence report Jiraiya had shared upon his recent return to the village, his eyes turning heavy with thought.
Kurenai Yuhi chased after the blade but soon lost sight of her target. Unwilling to give up, she looked around frantically—nothing. That familiar figure wasn't here. She leapt onto a rooftop and began searching again.
She scoured the area over and over like a woman possessed, only to face disappointment each time.
Finally, Kurenai Yuhi couldn't take it anymore. She shouted into the air, "Anya, I know you can see me! Fine! If you don't want to come out, then never show yourself again!"
Saying that, she pulled out a kunai and clenched her teeth, plunging it toward her own heart.
"Tsk."
A sigh echoed through the air. A tangible blade struck the kunai with pinpoint accuracy. Then came Anya's familiar voice by Kurenai Yuhi's ear, "You've grown so much. Why are you still acting like a child?"
Tears instantly welled up in Kurenai Yuhi's eyes. In the shifting light of her gaze, the person she had longed for finally appeared before her.
So many words swelled in her mouth, yet all she could do was complain softly, "You finally decided to come out. Since you're already back in Konoha [the Hidden Leaf Village], why pretend to be a ninja from another village? I recognized you clearly."
Anya stepped forward and gently embraced Kurenai Yuhi, whispering repeatedly, "I'm sorry."
Tears slid down Kurenai Yuhi's face as she threw her arms around Anya, sobbing, "I really thought I was wrong… But how could I be? You're the one I've chosen for my whole life. I should have been more certain. How could you act so naturally?"
Feeling his clothes soaked by tears, Anya couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I feared making our reunion real because when I leave again, you would have to endure separation once more."
"Which one cuts deeper," Kurenai Yuhi suddenly snapped, her voice sharp with anger, "separation or yearning? You watched me hide in the shadows, while I knew nothing. You're too selfish this time. If I hadn't pushed you, how long were you planning to leave me waiting again?"
Unable to respond, Anya could only pat her back gently, trying to soothe her grievances.
Years' worth of longing spilled out in this moment. After crying, Kurenai Yuhi glanced at Anya's neck—where the bite mark she remembered had already faded. Determined, she leaned in and bit him again—but couldn't bring herself to sink her teeth in.
Noticing the growing crowd below, Anya pulled her close and whispered, "Let's go — we're drawing attention."
Kurenai Yuhi whispered softly, "Let's go home."
It was still the same house as before, but Red had passed away many years ago, leaving the place cold and desolate. It seemed that Kurenai Yuhi, now a teacher, had returned only a handful of times since then.
Anya gently set down Kurenai and was about to say something when she suddenly embraced him again. Looking at his now-youthful face and closed eyes, she couldn't help asking, "Your eyes?"
"It's fine. Temporary blindness."
"Why do you look younger now?" Kurenai sounded slightly displeased. Anya was supposed to be older than her, yet now that they stood side by side, she seemed more mature.
Anya decided not to hide anything and told her everything that had happened over the years.
Kurenai listened silently the entire time. Only now did she finally understand what he had gone through—constantly teetering between life and death. No wonder the bite mark she had left long ago was gone; his entire body had been reborn.
"Then… what about your current strength?"
"Yes, my chakra is almost gone." Anya admitted. He could forcefully use Sage Arts, but the cost was too high. The recovery period would only be further delayed, which he couldn't afford.
After digesting this information, Kurenai suddenly burst into soft laughter. "Well then, at least now you can't run around everywhere. Let me protect you instead."
"That's right. Almost forgot you've become a Jonin already, Kurenai Sensei. Can I call you that now?" Anya teased.
"No." Kurenai gently caressed his face and whispered, "From now on, you can only call me by my name—Kurenai."
Moved by her words, Anya called out softly, "Kurenai."
"Mm." She whispered back, "Brother Anya."
This was the first time Kurenai had ever called him this. A blush spread across her cheeks as their faces drew closer and closer.
Unable to hold back any longer, Anya leaned in and kissed her passionately. The sudden kiss left her momentarily stunned, her breathing quickened, as if caught in a dream. Soon, she began to respond.
Reunited at last, the two grew wild and reckless in their passion. Their hands roamed each other's backs as they tumbled onto the living room sofa, wrapped in each other.
The room was silent, filled only with the rhythm of their shared breaths. A rush of warmth surged through Anya's body. Feeling the softness of Kurenai's figure, desire slowly overtook his thoughts.
Gradually, a mere kiss was no longer enough.
Sensing Anya's advances deepening, Kurenai's already flushed face took on an even more seductive hue. She looked at him with glistening eyes, as if they were about to overflow with tears. Shyly, she buried her face in his chest, pretending to hide like an ostrich, letting him have his way.
Feeling that Kurenai had completely lowered all her defenses, Anya hesitated at the final moment. He didn't want to hide anything from her now, nor did he want any future rift between them. He whispered softly, "Is it okay?"
"Mm." Kurenai lifted her head slightly upon hearing his voice and said to him, "I've belonged to you since we were little. Ever since that night of fireworks, I've imagined our future together. I have no regrets."
Anya smiled wryly. "But I'm not a faithful person."
Kurenai Yuhi covered Anya's mouth, her eyes filled with love as she passionately said, "I know, and I don't care. Just thinking about us not being together in the future breaks my heart—it even takes my breath away. I like you—I've liked you for a very long time. That's why I decided when I was little that I would marry you when I grew up, and that has never changed."
"Kurenai," Anya whispered, hearing her heartfelt confession and feeling her passionate love. All his doubts and worries faded away in an instant, and he finally understood what Mabui had told him before—he truly didn't understand women, and it had been unfair to her.
"Mm." Kurenai softly responded, gently running her small hands up Anya's clothes, unfastening his garments.
"Anya-niisan, love me."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>