“Thanks, Kitazawa.”
Yuhi Kurenai put away the scroll and said, “I’ll go back and study it thoroughly.”
“Want a lollipop?”
Kitazawa casually opened a snack bag and asked.
“Is it appropriate for someone my age to eat lollipops?”
Yuhi Kurenai couldn't help but laugh.
“It’s a bit childish for kids, but just right for adults.”
Kitazawa unwrapped a lollipop and brought it to her lips.
“You’re still as amusing as ever.”
Yuhi Kurenai parted her soft lips and bit the lollipop.
“How does it taste?”
Kitazawa took out a second lollipop and put it in his mouth.
“Very sweet.”
Yuhi Kurenai narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why do you carry snacks with you?”
“Rewards for my students.”
Kitazawa casually explained, “That way, it can motivate them to study.”
Yuhi Kurenai thought of Yakumo Kurama.
But... it was useless, because she was the young lady of the Kurama Clan and didn’t lack money or snacks.
“What do you want for dinner tonight?”
Yuhi Kurenai licked the lollipop with her pink tongue and said, “My treat, don’t be shy.”
“Then let’s go for barbecue.”
Kitazawa pondered for a moment and said.
“Alright.”
Yuhi Kurenai nodded, then showed a look of reminiscence, “The last time we had barbecue was during the Chunin Exams, all of us together.”
“All of us” referred to Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Obito, Rin Nohara, and Asuma Sarutobi.
But unfortunately, only a few of them remained now.
“Why are you suddenly getting nostalgic about the past?”
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow and said, “Being nostalgic about the past can make you old.”
“Are you an idiot?”
Yuhi Kurenai glared at him and said, “Getting old is a topic that women can’t even touch.”
“My apologies.”
Kitazawa said with a smile.
He knew Yuhi Kurenai wasn’t angry; this was just playful banter between friends.
“Have you seen Kakashi lately? How is he?”
Yuhi Kurenai asked as she walked.
“I saw him once last month.”
Kitazawa replied, “He’s still the same, looking lifeless.”
Without exaggeration, the class he was in could be described as having an abundance of extraordinary individuals.
Kakashi Hatake, a genius who became a Jonin at only twelve years old.
But he was cursed with loneliness: his father died, his teammates died, his teacher died, and he eventually became reclusive.
Uchiha Obito, whose Kamui could not hide his tears, turned dark for Rin Nohara and wanted to create a world with Rin.
He killed his teacher, assisted Itachi Uchiha in wiping out his Ninja clan, and later transformed into Uchiha Madara, intending to destroy the Ninja World.
Besides them, there was also Might Guy, who almost kicked the world to its end, and Asuma Sarutobi, the son of the Third Hokage, among others.
“I wonder when he’ll be able to get out of his slump.”
Yuhi Kurenai was silent for a few seconds and said.
“What about Asuma?”
Kitazawa changed the subject and asked, “Is he still in contact with you?”
“I receive a letter every few days.”
Yuhi Kurenai pouted.
Kitazawa keenly detected a hint of impatience.
In the original story, Asuma Sarutobi had been pursuing Yuhi Kurenai, and finally won her over before the Fourth Great Ninja War.
But that was about ten years from now, so they weren’t together yet.
“He’s quite persistent.”
Kitazawa smiled and said, “He hasn’t forgotten you even in the capital of the Land of Fire.”
Asuma Sarutobi, due to his rebellious nature, ran off to become a Guardian Ninja in the Land of Fire after the Third Great Ninja War ended.
A Guardian Ninja is a Ninja guard who protects the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Although the original story didn't specify when he returned to the Village, it was most likely the year Uzumaki Naruto and his peers graduated.
After returning to the Village, he became the squad leader for Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Ino Yamanaka.
“Never mind that, how many drinks are you planning to have tonight?”
Yuhi Kurenai crossed her arms, stretched out her fair arms, and asked.
“I’ll risk my life to accompany a great beauty.”
Kitazawa looked at her graceful figure and couldn't help but smile.
He hadn't had any thoughts about Yuhi Kurenai before, not because he was a pure-love warrior, but because his strength was too low, and he only thought about self-preservation.
But now that he had the system, he no longer had to worry about strength issues.
He was kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see Yuhi Kurenai become a widow.
Cough, cough.
Currently, the relationship between Asuma Sarutobi and Yuhi Kurenai was limited to pursuer and pursued, not particularly intimate.
He was just competing fairly.
“Really?”
Yuhi Kurenai said with a beaming smile, “It’s not too late to back out now.”
“Then please be merciful with your words.”
Kitazawa was very cautious and said.
“Considering you helped me, I’ll let you off this time.”
Yuhi Kurenai waved her hand and said very generously.
Saying that, the two walked into the barbecue restaurant.
“You try my cooking today.”
After Kitazawa sat down, he took the initiative to grill the meat.
“I’ve always had a question for you.”
Yuhi Kurenai picked up the sake flask, poured two cups of sake, and asked, “Why did you become a teacher?”
In the Ninja World, the most respected profession was naturally that of a Ninja, especially strong Ninja.
Being a Ninja Academy teacher was not considered particularly glorious.
In the ingrained perception of many Ninja, only Chunin of average strength would go on to become Ninja Academy teachers.
“Out of interest.”
Kitazawa said casually.
“Is that so?”
Yuhi Kurenai nodded and said, “But you are indeed very suitable to be a teacher.”
“Have you been working as a private tutor all this time?”
Kitazawa flipped the pork belly over, and an aroma of meat wafted out.
“Yes.”
Yuhi Kurenai paused and said, “But I still have to do missions for the Village.”
Except for Ninja Academy teachers, Ninja all had to perform missions regularly.
Of course, the Konoha higher-ups had the right to choose their missions.
For example, Tsunade.
After developing hemophobia, she had been wandering and gambling in the Ninja World, and even ran off with Shizune.
But she wouldn't return to the Village or do missions, and Konoha Village was helpless against her.
Jiraiya was similar to her.
“Come find me when you’re free.”
Kitazawa chuckled, thinking of Yakumo Kurama’s mission, and said, “I can also help you teach that student.”
According to the original plot, Yuhi Kurenai took several years, and with the help of Uzumaki Naruto and others, to solve Yakumo Kurama’s problem.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Kitazawa.”
Yuhi Kurenai did not refuse.
“It’s settled then, come find me if you encounter any problems.”
Kitazawa raised his wine glass and said.
Whether the mission could be completed depended on this.
Yuhi Kurenai was stunned for a moment, looking at his sincere expression, and a strange feeling flashed through her heart.
She always felt that Kitazawa’s attitude towards her today was a little different.
Could it be… Yuhi Kurenai quickly dismissed this illusion.
Because it didn’t fit the Kitazawa in her impression.
In her opinion, Kitazawa was gentle to everyone, but despite his good looks, he had no girlfriend, which showed that he had no such intentions at all.
“Cheers!”
Yuhi Kurenai picked up her wine glass, clinked it, and then drank it all in one gulp.