"Thank you, Kitazawa."
Kurenai tucked the scroll away safely. "I'll definitely study it carefully when I get back."
"Want a lollipop?"
Kitazawa casually opened one of the snack gift bags and offered.
"Is it appropriate for someone my age to eat lollipops?"
Kurenai couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's a bit childish for kids, but just right for adults."
Kitazawa unwrapped a lollipop and held it up to her lips.
"You're still as funny as ever when you talk."
Kurenai parted her soft lips slightly and took the candy into her mouth.
"What flavor is it?"
Kitazawa took out a second lollipop and popped it into his own mouth.
"It's really sweet."
Kurenai narrowed her eyes in delight, then asked, "Why are you carrying snacks around?"
"Rewards for my students."
Kitazawa explained casually. "It motivates them to be active in class."
Kurenai thought of Yakumo Kurama.
But... it was completely unnecessary for her. As the young miss of the Kurama clan, Yakumo lacked neither money nor snacks.
"What do you want to eat tonight?"
Kurenai licked the lollipop with her pink tongue. "My treat. Don't be shy."
"Let's go for yakiniku then."
Kitazawa suggested after a moment of thought.
"Sounds good."
Kurenai nodded, a nostalgic look crossing her face. "The last time we had barbecue together was during the Chūnin Exams. Back when all of us were there."
By "all of us," she meant Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Asuma Sarutobi, and the rest.
But unfortunately, only a handful remained now.
"Why are you suddenly getting sentimental?"
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "Nostalgia makes people old."
"Are you an idiot?"
Kurenai glared at him playfully. "Aging is a topic women are terrified to touch."
"My apologies."
Kitazawa laughed.
He knew Kurenai wasn't actually angry; it was just banter between old friends.
"Have you seen Kakashi lately? How is he?"
Kurenai asked as they walked.
"I saw him once last month."
Kitazawa answered, "He's the same as always. Looks lifeless."
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that their graduating class was a graveyard of tragedy.
Kakashi Hatake, a genius ninja who became a Jōnin at twelve. But he was tormented by loneliness—his father committed suicide, his teammate died under a rock, his other teammate died by his own hand, and his sensei died protecting the village. He had become completely withdrawn.
Obito Uchiha, whose Kamui couldn't hide his tears, had darkened because of Rin. He wanted to create a dream world just to be with her again. He killed his teacher, helped Itachi destroy his own clan, and later masqueraded as Madara to destroy the world.
Aside from them, there was Might Guy, who would kick his way to the finale, and Asuma Sarutobi, the rebellious son of the Third Hokage.
"I wonder when he'll ever walk out of the shadows," Kurenai said after a few seconds of silence.
"What about Asuma?"
Kitazawa changed the subject. "Is he still in contact with you?"
"I get a letter every few days."
Kurenai pouted slightly.
Kitazawa keenly detected a trace of impatience in her expression.
In the original story, Asuma pursued Kurenai for years, finally winning her heart just before the Fourth Great Ninja War. But that was a decade later. Right now, they weren't together.
"He's very persistent."
Kitazawa smiled. "Even in the Capital of the Fire Country, he hasn't forgotten you."
Due to his rebellious nature, Asuma had left Konoha after the Third War to become one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, serving the Fire Daimyō.
Although the original story didn't specify when he returned to the village, it was likely the year Naruto and his peers graduated. Upon his return, he would become the captain of Team 10—Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino.
"Let's drop it. How many cups are you planning to drink tonight?"
Kurenai stretched her arms, showing off her slender figure.
"I'm willing to risk my life to keep a beautiful woman company."
Kitazawa looked at her graceful form and couldn't help smiling.
He hadn't thought about Kurenai before. Not because he was a pure-hearted saint, but because he had been too weak. His mind had been entirely focused on survival.
But now that he had the System, he no longer had to worry about being powerless.
And he had a kind heart. He couldn't bear to see Kurenai become a widow in the future.
Mm.
Currently, the relationship between Asuma and Kurenai was strictly pursuer and pursued. They weren't intimate.
He was just engaging in fair competition.
"Really?"
Kurenai laughed. "It's not too late to back out now."
"Then please, go easy on me."
Kitazawa said with feigned caution.
"Since you helped me out today, I'll let you off the hook this time."
Kurenai waved her hand generously.
With that, the two walked into the barbecue restaurant.
"You should taste my cooking today."
After sitting down, Kitazawa took the initiative to start grilling the meat.
"I've always had a question for you."
Kurenai picked up the sake bottle, poured two cups, and asked, "Why did you become a teacher?"
In the ninja world, the most respected profession was naturally being a ninja—specifically, a powerful combat ninja.
Being an Academy teacher wasn't considered particularly glorious.
In the ingrained mindset of many, only ninjas with mediocre strength retired to become teachers.
"Out of interest."
Kitazawa answered casually.
"Is that so?"
Kurenai nodded. "But you really are suited to be a teacher."
"Have you been tutoring for years?"
Kitazawa flipped the pork belly, the rich aroma of meat wafting up.
"Yes."
Kurenai paused, then added, "But if there are village missions, I still have to go."
Unlike Academy teachers, active duty Chūnin and Jōnin had to complete missions regularly.
Of course, high-ranking officials had the privilege to choose.
Take Tsunade, for example. After developing hemophobia, she wandered the world gambling and dragging Shizune along. Even though she didn't return to the village or do missions, Konoha couldn't do anything about it. Jiraiya was much the same.
"Come find me when you have free time."
Kitazawa chuckled lightly, thinking of the Yakumo mission. "I can help you tutor that student, too."
In the original plot, it took Kurenai years—and help from Naruto—to finally solve Yakumo's problem.
"That would be troubling you, Kitazawa."
Kurenai didn't refuse.
"Then it's settled. If you run into any problems, come find me."
Kitazawa raised his sake cup.
Whether or not he could complete the mission depended on this moment.
Kurenai looked at his sincere expression and froze for a second. A strange feeling flashed through her heart.
She felt that Kitazawa's attitude toward her today was somewhat... different.
Could it be...
Kurenai quickly dismissed the illusion.
It didn't match her impression of him. In her eyes, Kitazawa was gentle to everyone, but despite being handsome, he had never had a girlfriend. This suggested he simply had no interest in romance.
"Cheers!"
Kurenai raised her glass, clinked it against his, and drained it in one gulp.