Everyone training on the field noticed Namikaze Kirito's arrival almost immediately.
The adults reacted with caution and restraint but the children were different.
When the younger shinobi looked at Namikaze Kirito, their eyes were filled with open admiration.
In their understanding of the world, the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage represented the peak of strength… yet neither of them had been able to stand against Namikaze Kirito.
Wasn't this exactly the kind of person they dreamed of becoming?
As Namikaze Kirito stepped into the center of the training ground, Kurenai Yuhi walked over to his side.
"You came."
Even after everything that had happened over the past three days, Kurenai was still Kurenai—gentle, composed, and calm on the surface.
Namikaze Kirito didn't answer.
He simply reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Kurenai's body stiffened for a brief moment before she relaxed against him.
After what they had already gone through together, there was no longer any need to hide anything.
Nearby, the three members of Team Eight stared at Namikaze Kirito with undisguised curiosity.
Kiba Inuzuka clenched his fists, eyes blazing.
"So this is what real strength looks like… Akamaru's already shaking! I swear, I'll become someone like him one day!"
Akamaru let out a small whine, fur bristling.
Shino Aburame adjusted his glasses silently, observing without comment.
Meanwhile, Hinata Hyūga was on the verge of completely shutting down.
"K-Kurenai… Kurenai-sensei… h-he's N-Naruto's… Naruto's big brother, and they—!"
Steam practically rose from her head as her face turned crimson.
Unfortunately, there were always people who failed to read the atmosphere.
Not far away stood Sarutobi Asuma.
He didn't know the full truth behind what his father had done. And with Namikaze Minato back in power, Asuma had been allowed to remain a jōnin and continue leading Team Ten.
But his father's death had left a knot of resentment in his heart.
Now, seeing the woman he loved held openly in Namikaze Kirito's arms, that resentment surged violently.
Just as Asuma took a step forward, a hand caught his wrist.
"Don't go over there, Asuma-sensei."
Nara Shikamaru spoke calmly, but his grip was firm.
With his sharp mind, Shikamaru understood something Asuma didn't.
If Namikaze Kirito had wanted to settle things in the past, none of this would have been delayed.
The reason the Sarutobi and Shimura families hadn't been wiped out was only because of the Fourth Hokage.
But if Asuma chose to provoke him now…
There would be no second chance.
From a distance, Namikaze Kirito noticed Shikamaru's action. A faint glimmer of interest flickered in his eyes.
He had always appreciated intelligent people—especially someone whose mind clearly operated at Shikamaru's level.
As for why Asuma hadn't been dealt with?
It wasn't mercy.
It was indifference.
Namikaze Kirito released Kurenai and walked toward Ino–Shika–Chō.
"Kirito-sama."
The three greeted him politely. Kirito gave a small nod in return, quietly taking in their expressions.
Shikamaru looked thoughtful and wary.
Chōji was openly curious.
But Yamanaka Ino was completely different.
The light in her eyes nearly overflowed.
"He came to see me…!"
Ino's heart was racing wildly. She wasn't as blatant as Sakura, but she was far from ordinary either. Faced with Namikaze Kirito's calm, handsome presence, she was barely holding herself together.
"Ino, are you okay?" Chōji asked, chewing on a chip. "Your face is really red."
"Sh-Shut up! Die, Chōji! Don't talk to me!"
"…!"
Realizing he'd stepped on a landmine, Chōji immediately stuffed more chips into his mouth and wisely chose silence.
At that moment, Asuma finally spoke, his gaze sharp.
"Namikaze Kirito. What are you doing here?"
Kirito looked at him calmly.
"Asuma, do you know why I let you live?"
Asuma's heart sank.
Kirito's voice remained gentle, almost casual.
"It's hard to distinguish a single speck of dust among countless others. I don't waste time brushing dust off my clothes."
The words sent a chill straight through Team Ten.
Asuma clenched his jaw. Fear crept in despite himself—but his pride wouldn't allow him to retreat.
"I didn't do anything," he said stiffly. "You had no reason to 'let me go' in the first place."
Kirito stepped closer, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear.
"Don't misunderstand, Asuma."
"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't need a reason. And I certainly wouldn't need your permission."
"…!"
Asuma froze.
The seriousness in Kirito's eyes—and the unmistakable killing intent beneath it—made his blood run cold.
He really would kill me.
By the time Asuma regained his senses, Namikaze Kirito was already gone, leaving the training ground with Kurenai Yuhi.
They soon arrived at Kurenai's home.
After preparing tea, the two sat across from each other, the air between them quiet and tender.
This—being together like this—was what Kurenai had always wanted.
"Kirito," she said softly, "there's something I want to ask you."
Kirito paused mid-sip, a bad feeling rising in his chest.
Sure enough—
"What is your relationship with Tsunade-sama?"
"Cough—!"
He nearly choked on the tea.
Kurenai watched him calmly, her expression unchanged.
"I thought so," she said gently.
But there was no anger. No resentment.
"Kurenai, I—"
"It's okay," Kurenai interrupted. "I just wanted to know."
"When everything happened with your family back then, I wasn't by your side. Tsunade-sama has always taken care of you… so I don't really have the right to compete with her."
She paused—then lifted her head, eyes shining with resolve.
"But I won't give you up to her either."
"My father once told me that happiness is something you have to fight for yourself."
Hearing those words, warmth flooded Kirito's chest.
This situation was his fault—yet Kurenai didn't blame him at all.
If anything, it only made him cherish her more.
"Kurenai," he said softly, "there's one more thing I need to tell you."
"As I promised before… I have a surprise for you."
"Not just my parents."
"But your father as well."
Kurenai's eyes widened.
The return of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina had already raised suspicions in her mind. Now, hearing Kirito mention her father—
Her voice trembled.
"Kirito… what do you mean?"
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