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"Yes, Teacher."
Ryūsei introduced Karin to Kurenai. "Her name is Karin. She's been taking care of you these past few days."
"Thank you for looking after me, Karin." Kurenai smiled and greeted Karin, then tried to sit up.
"Teacher, wait—"
Karin's face filled with urgency as she tried to warn her, but it was too late.
Kurenai, who had been covered by the blanket showing only her head and hands, sat up, causing the blanket to slip away. Her completely bare body was instantly revealed.
Ryūsei's eyes widened like saucers, contributing a classic "dog-eyed stare" meme expression.
"Ah!!" Kurenai looked down and let out a glass-shattering scream.
She immediately crossed her arms over her chest, her face flushed crimson as she glared at Ryūsei in humiliated fury. "Get out—now?!"
"Oh, oh…" Ryūsei snapped back to reality and hurried out of the room.
"Teacher, I'm so sorry, truly sorry—it was all my fault…"
As he closed the door, Ryūsei heard Karin's repeated apologies, likely bowing profusely.
Ryūsei rubbed his nose, which was heating up.
A vigorous young man, having witnessed such a scene up close, nearly spurted blood on the spot.
Due to propriety between genders, Ryūsei had let Karin handle Kurenai's care these days, never entering her room himself.
So he never imagined that when Karin wiped Kurenai down, she hadn't dressed her afterward.
Oh, wait—Teacher Kurenai's clothes were indeed ruined and unwearable!
The Red Eye's ability was similar to the Byakugan; when active, it only showed chakra pathways and flow. Ryūsei hadn't noticed Kurenai was nude under the blanket.
Kurenai, just awakened with her mind not fully clear, hadn't noticed either.
Thus, two unaware parties: one delivered the fan service, and the other received it.
'And damn... as expected of a mature beauty—her figure was stunning!' Ryūsei thought inwardly, then shook his head vigorously to banish the impure thoughts.
Boom!
At that moment, Ryūsei faintly heard a sound like a balloon popping from the room.
It resembled the activation of the Body Replacement Technique or Shadow Clone Technique, or perhaps unrolling a storage scroll.
Creak!
Soon, the door opened.
Kurenai, now in proper attire, emerged with Karin, head bowed low.
"Teacher…"
Before Ryūsei could speak, an arm wrapped around his neck in a chokehold.
Kurenai growled menacingly, "Brat, forget everything you just saw, got it?"
"Teacher... Kurenai, if like this, I can't forget!"
Ryūsei, who had intended to agree, found half his face pressed against the very "assets" he'd just feasted his eyes on, his words muffled.
Kurenai's face turned even redder. She shifted from chokehold to grabbing his neck with both hands, shaking him vigorously. "Forget it all, hear me?!"
"I... heard you."
Though Kurenai wasn't using force, Ryūsei pretended discomfort, nodding frantically as if speechless.
"Hmph!"
Kurenai released him, turning her head with a coquettish huff.
Due to the incident, she likely couldn't face Ryūsei straight for a while.
Her teacherly image was utterly shattered.
Seeing this, Ryūsei comforted her. "Teacher, it's fine. Like you said a few days ago, I'm just a kid still drinking milk."
"You—!" Kurenai's eyes blazed like fire, glaring at him.
Can't you tell I'm teasing on purpose? Which kid almost 1.7 meters tall drinks milk?!
Knowing she was still fuming, Ryūsei raised his hands in surrender, staying silent.
"Let's go eat. I'm hungry."
Sensing the awkwardness, Kurenai headed out.
Ryūsei and Karin followed.
Beside Ryūsei, Karin said guiltily, "Ryūsei-kun, sorry—it's my fault."
Ryūsei glanced ahead at Kurenai, flattering deliberately. "It's okay. Teacher is the gentlest and kindest beauty in the ninja world. She won't blame you."
"Pfft…" Kurenai, who hadn't truly been angry but unsure how to face Ryūsei, burst into laughter.
She turned, rolling her eyes at them. "Why lag behind? Hurry up. I haven't eaten properly in days—I'm starving. You know the area; lead the way."
"Yes, coming right up!"
Ryūsei responded eagerly, positioning himself and Karin on either side of Kurenai, guiding her to Tanzaku Town's best restaurant.
In truth, this was Kurenai's way of diffusing tension; she wasn't actually that hungry.
Though unconscious for days, Ryūsei had Karin feed her three soldier pills daily.
Each pill equaled a meal; three sustained a day's energy.
With Ryūsei and Kurenai's tacit coordination, they quickly reverted to normalcy.
But the now-tainted mentor-student bond couldn't be fixed by acting alone.
Once purity is lost, it never returns to its original state.
While the trio dined, Tsunade, rampaging through the casino, was in a foul mood.
Staring at the piled-up bills and the tearful gamblers, she felt no joy in victory.
She'd won!
It had been ages since her last win.
And every win heralded misfortune.
With that thought, Tsunade lost all interest in gambling and prepared to leave with Shizune.
"Tsunade, long time no see."
Rounding a corner, a familiar figure blocked her path.
Gazing at the acquaintance, Tsunade called out complexly, "Orochimaru."
Meanwhile, Ryūsei, dining with Kurenai and Karin, raised an eyebrow.
In his senses, two immense chakras had met.
Looks like Orochimaru found Tsunade.
Jiraiya and Naruto should be arriving soon too.
After eating, Ryūsei and Karin continued accompanying Kurenai shopping.
Compared to recent Konoha towns, Tanzaku was one of Konoha's bustling commercial hubs—vibrant and full of unique, affordable goods unavailable in the village.
Thus, Kurenai dragged them clothes shopping, nearly exhausting the two with their special constitutions.
No help for it—Kurenai mostly browsed without buying, rarely trying anything on.
Only for favorites did she try, then hesitate, seeking Ryūsei and Karin's opinions, only to abandon due to price.
Physically fine, but mentally drained.
Ryūsei didn't know Tsukuyomi's intensity, but he'd take one from Itachi over this shopping hell.
Thus, Kurenai shopped for hours, from noon to dusk, buying just five items.
Two were for Ryūsei and Karin, touching Karin deeply.
Not only her recommender, forgiving her mistake, but buying clothes too—worthy of Ryūsei-kun's teacher, a true saint!
Post-shopping, it was dinnertime.
Kurenai took them for another meal.
Exiting the restaurant, night had fallen.
After half a day out, Kurenai headed back to rest.
En route, they passed a tavern.
Seeing the new sake promotion sign, Kurenai—abstinent since Kurosuki's defeat—felt tempted.
Recalling her instant loss to Itachi, and Ryūsei's rescue from two S-rank rogues, his strength likely far surpassing hers.
Plus the daytime mishap, devoid of teacherly dignity, Kurenai gritted her teeth. "Wait here. I'll grab something inside."
She entered the tavern.
Yes, she'd given up.
If her student's power eclipsed hers, with no authority left, why train hard or abstain?
Right... all Ryūsei's fault!
With her excuse, Kurenai's eyes sparkled.
Watching her near-skip in, Ryūsei smirked at Karin. "Let's go in too."
"Okay."
Karin nodded obediently, unquestioning.
"Lord Tsunade! Lord Jiraiya!"
Inside, Kurenai's startled voice rang out.
Following it, at the bar sat a man and woman drinking.
Beside them: a yellow-haired boy eating, and a pure-looking black-haired woman with a piglet.
The four: Jiraiya and Naruto, Tsunade and Shizune.
"You're…"
Tsunade, flushed from drink, squinted at Kurenai. "Shinku daughter?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Kurenai nodded excitedly, fangirl mode activated.
"Long time no see. You've grown."
Tsunade swirled her cup. "Drink? Join me?"
"Sure!" Kurenai agreed instantly—rare chance to booze with her idol.
"Huh? Ryūsei, why're you here?" Naruto's voice drew eyes, making Kurenai palm-face.
Starstruck, she'd forgotten her student.
"This hair color…"
Spotting Karin beside Ryūsei, the tipsy Tsunade and Jiraiya's eyes sharpened.
Sensing scrutiny, Karin shrank, edging behind Ryūsei.
Glancing covertly, her mind reeled.
Their chakra... so strong!
"Naruto?"
Ryūsei feigned surprise at Naruto. "What're you doing here?"
"I'm with the Pervy Sage looking for this granny," Naruto pointed at Tsunade with chopsticks, honest as ever.
Crack!
Tsunade's cup shattered, shadows veiling her eyes, cold glint flashing.
Naruto shivered instinctively.
"Kid's clueless, Tsunade—don't be mad. Drink up…"
Jiraiya defused, grinning obsequiously, fetching a new cup and filling it with sake.
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted, not exploding.
Knowing Naruto's heritage, she saw Kushina Uzumaki in him—same temperament, just dim-witted.
Downing the sake, Tsunade eyed Karin hiding behind Ryūsei, eyes brightening.
Such vital life force, red hair—like... too similar!
Decades later, could descendants of "that" clan still exist?
As Tsunade fixated on Karin, Jiraiya, about to pivot topics, brightened. "Right, Tsunade—meet someone."
He beckoned Ryūsei. "Kid, come here."
"Lady Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade."
Ryūsei approached, greeting politely.
His manners contrasted Naruto's rudeness, earning instant favor from Tsunade and Shizune for the tall, handsome youth.
Naruto asked curiously, "Ryūsei, you know Pervy Sage too?"
"Seriously, Naruto?"
Ryūsei deadpanned. "Second-year history: Third Hokage's disciples, Second Shinobi War legends, the Legendary Sannin—Toads?"
"Oh!" Naruto smacked his palm, enlightened.
"Hahaha... Kid, you've got knowledge. Top student, eh?" Jiraiya laughed heartily, basking in praise.
Tsunade and Shizune eyed Ryūsei appreciatively.
Especially with Naruto's dead-last foil, Ryūsei shone.
As Tsunade sipped, preparing to chat with Ryūsei—
Jiraiya interjected, "Tsunade, this kid's Ryūsei. He's your clan member!"
"Pfft... cough cough…"
Tsunade spat sake, choking.
Her flushed face turned beet red.
Ignoring discomfort, she crushed the cup, eyes cold on Jiraiya. "Jiraiya... serious?"
*****
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