The sun dipped below the western horizon.
Kitazawa finally stopped his Flying Thunder God training, letting out a slow breath as fatigue seeped into his limbs.
As expected, mastering the Flying Thunder God was brutally difficult—there would be no quick results.
After circulating chakra through his Yin Seal to recover, his body gradually returned to normal.
He headed home, changed his shoes, and stepped into the living room.
Kurenai was lying face-down on the sofa, eyes closed. Her relaxed posture outlined her graceful curves, especially the firm rise of her hips.
"You look exhausted," Kitazawa said softly, reaching out to stroke her hair.
"I've been practicing Yin Release: Rasengan all day," Kurenai replied weakly.
Unlike Kitazawa, her chakra reserves were limited, and Yin Release: Rasengan was an A-rank technique—it took a heavy toll.
"Move over. Make some space for me," Kitazawa said, giving her a light pat.
"I don't want to move," Kurenai replied lazily.
"Then don't," he said calmly. "I'll move you."
He bent down, one hand slipping instinctively against her chest while the other wrapped around her thigh. Kurenai couldn't help but let out a soft sound.
"I'll give you a massage," Kitazawa said, withdrawing his hands and sitting at the edge of the sofa.
"Mhm."
As his hands began kneading her shoulders, Kurenai stretched her arms forward slightly.
"My arms are the most tired."
"It's not ideal to massage your arms while you're lying face-down," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. "I'll start with your back. You can turn over later."
"Mhm."
"How's your progress with Yin Release: Rasengan?" he asked casually.
"Very smooth," Kurenai said, a faint smile forming at the corner of her lips. "I should master it within the month."
Kitazawa nodded, unsurprised.
She already knew the Rasengan—she only needed to integrate Yin Release chakra. And as a genjutsu specialist, Yin Release suited her perfectly.
After a while, his hands slid lower, pressing briefly at her waist before stopping.
"Massaging through clothes really reduces the effect," Kitazawa said seriously.
"Why do you always try to take advantage of me the moment you get back?" Kurenai complained—yet she stretched her arms forward and lifted her clothes, exposing her smooth, pale waist.
Kitazawa placed both hands there, one on each side.
Kurenai bit her lip.
The warmth of his palms sent her heart racing, memories of past intensity surfacing unbidden. Her legs straightened slightly, toes curling.
"Is the pressure okay?" Kitazawa asked quietly.
"Mhm."
She steadied herself, then changed the subject.
"Why did your mission take so long this time?"
"There was… a bit of an incident," Kitazawa said, then added, "How about we make a bet?"
"A bet?" Kurenai asked, curious. "Does it have something to do with your mission?"
"I met someone on this mission," Kitazawa replied, "someone I shouldn't have been able to meet."
"Our bet is whether you can guess who it was."
"A ninja you shouldn't have met…" Kurenai frowned, thinking hard, then shook her head.
"No. That's nowhere near enough information. I'm not betting on something I can't possibly guess."
"I'll give you three clear hints," Kitazawa said, his thumb tracing lightly along her back.
"And what are we betting?" Kurenai asked, interest clearly piqued.
"One request," Kitazawa said after a moment. "The winner gets to make one request."
"…Alright."
Kurenai straightened slightly, suddenly alert.
"First hint," Kitazawa said calmly. "You know him—and you've seen him before."
His right hand settled naturally against her hip; after all, it was a full-body massage—no place was meant to be skipped.
Kurenai fell silent, deep in thought.
She had met countless people over the years, but once Kitazawa and someone she shouldn't have been able to meet were added to the equation, the range narrowed considerably.
Even so, with only two clues, it was still far too vague.
"…Give me the second hint," Kurenai Yūhi said at last, conceding defeat for the moment.
"Second hint," Kitazawa replied, rising to his feet. "One of Konoha's higher-ups."
As he spoke, his hands moved naturally to her hips and thighs, kneading slowly.
A faint tingling sensation spread through her body, nearly breaking her concentration. She steadied herself, a name surfacing in her mind.
"Is it… Hokage-sama?" she asked quickly.
"No," Kitazawa answered, shaking his head.
Tsunade actually fit all the conditions perfectly—no wonder Kurenai had gone there first.
"Not Hokage-sama?" Kurenai turned her head to look at him, suspicion in her eyes. "Are you denying it on purpose?"
"Don't accuse me," Kitazawa said calmly, giving her hip a firm squeeze. "I'm always fair."
"Turn over. I'll massage your arms."
Kurenai tensed instinctively, her cheeks warming. She shot him a glare, then flipped over and stretched her arms out obediently.
"Third hint," Kitazawa said, gently taking her wrist and flicking it.
Her arm trembled slightly, the sensation rippling through her body. He glanced briefly before beginning to knead her arm.
"He's a man."
She opened her mouth to speak, but Kitazawa cut in smoothly.
"You have two guesses left. Think carefully."
"…The Hokage advisor?" Kurenai said, blinking.
There were three advisors—carefully vague on purpose.
"No."
Kitazawa saw through her immediately but didn't bother calling her out.
"…None of them?" Kurenai froze, brows knitting together.
There were very few male higher-ups to begin with. Homura Mitokado and Nara Shikaku were out. That left—
"I know!" Her eyes lit up. "The Third Hokage!"
"No," Kitazawa replied, smiling.
"Then who is it already?" she demanded.
"The Fourth Hokage."
"…?"
Kurenai was instantly drowned in question marks.
"It's a long story," Kitazawa said, recounting the mission while continuing to massage her arm.
"You're not lying to me, are you?" she asked, stunned.
"You can ask Kakashi and the others," he replied lightly.
"…That's unbelievable." Kurenai let out a slow sigh. "Compared to that, our missions feel painfully ordinary."
This month's exams had been advanced; not only Kitazawa and Kakashi, but even Hiruzen and Kurenai herself had led teams out on missions.
"A bet is a bet," Kitazawa said, pulling out a pair of black stockings. "I'll help you put these on."
"That's your request?" Kurenai rolled her eyes, speechless.
Still, she sat up, lifting her legs and arching her feet.
Kitazawa slid the stockings on carefully, starting from her toes and stopping at her thighs. The elastic snapped softly against her skin.
Since she was home, there were no bandages wrapped around her legs.
Moments later, she leaned back onto the sofa, resting her stocking-clad feet on his lap.
"Are the others finished with their missions?" Kitazawa asked casually, kneading her feet through the fabric.
"They're all done," Kurenai replied, eyes closing. "You and Kakashi were the last."
As a top-tier ninja—and a medical specialist—Kitazawa's technique was impeccable. The pressure was precise, the rhythm unhurried, easing her into a hazy comfort.
"Then we'll hold the written exam tomorrow," Kitazawa mused. "Let's wrap up this month's exam early."
Kurenai didn't respond—she was already drifting, half-conscious.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
When he finished massaging her legs, Kitazawa stood and helped her up, letting her rest halfway against him.
Suddenly, Kurenai stiffened.
She looked down—and saw that his hand had somehow slipped beneath her clothes.
Her face flushed instantly, breath quickening.
"Is this supposed to be a massage?" she demanded.
Kitazawa answered with a perfectly serious expression. "Why wouldn't it be?"
She had no retort.
"I don't see you refusing," he murmured, leaning down to brush her ear.
Her body shuddered, pale skin tinged pink as she bit her lip, stubbornly silent.
Kitazawa watched her reaction with satisfaction, his fingers applying just enough pressure to make her tremble.
After who knew how long, Kurenai finally couldn't take it anymore.
She straightened abruptly, slipping free of his arms.
But she didn't get far.
Instead, Kurenai spun around and shot Kitazawa a fierce glare.
Before he could say a word, she marched straight back to him and sat down hard on his lap, putting her full weight behind it.
Kitazawa's expression changed instantly, a sharp gasp escaping him.
She hadn't just sat down—she'd retaliated, subtly reinforcing the move with her monstrous strength technique. The impact was so sudden and overwhelming that even he felt it for a split second.
Kitazawa's mouth twitched.
If this had happened before he gained the system, his legs might very well have shattered.
Fortunately, he was no longer who he used to be. He endured the surprise attack—and once he did, the balance shifted.
His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within.
He reached out and placed both hands firmly on Kurenai's waist.
"W–wait!" she blurted, her heart skipping a beat.
Too late.
Her resistance collapsed almost instantly, words dissolving into incoherent murmurs.
Night deepened.
By the time it settled fully, Kurenai lay limp in Kitazawa's arms, utterly spent.
Her cheeks were flushed, a fine sheen of sweat dotted her forehead, and her lips were parted as she struggled to catch her breath. Though her eyes were open, they were unfocused, hazy, as if she'd momentarily forgotten where she was.
"Let's take a bath," Kitazawa said calmly.
He lifted her with ease and carried her toward the bathroom.
Steam soon filled the air.
Warm water cascaded down, and Kurenai finally felt as though she'd come back to life.
Leaning weakly against the edge of the tub, she complained, "I should've known better than to let you give me a massage."
She felt more exhausted now than she had before.
"I clearly saw you enjoying it," Kitazawa replied with a smile as he gently washed her arm.
She kicked at him in irritation—but there was no strength behind it.
Kitazawa merely chuckled and ignored it.
Soon, she was thoroughly cleaned, the fatigue gradually melting away.
He lifted her again and carried her back to the bedroom.
True to his word, he behaved himself during the bath—no teasing, no mischief. And Kurenai lacked the energy to stir up trouble anyway.
Her cheek pressed against his chest as she glanced up at him briefly.
Earlier, in her helpless haze, she'd even fleetingly considered calling for outside help.
Now, her eyes closed.
Sleep claimed her almost instantly.
Kitazawa reached out, turned off the light, and slid under the covers beside her.
The night passed in quiet stillness.
Morning came, but Kurenai still hadn't woken.
Under normal circumstances, Kitazawa would've let her sleep in and recover properly.
But now, she was a teacher of the Genius Class—rest was a luxury.
He placed a hand gently against her forehead, light green chakra flowing out.
The tension on her face eased immediately.
Fatigue vanished, and her eyes fluttered open.
"…Thanks," she said, sitting up and stretching, feeling refreshed.
"I'll make breakfast," Kitazawa said, already moving.
He changed, washed up, and headed to the kitchen.
Kurenai followed soon after, and the moment she entered, an appetizing aroma greeted her.
"Pork rib ramen," she said, sniffing.
"That's right." Kitazawa glanced at her. "Come here—I've got a reward for you."
"A reward?" she asked, intrigued as she stepped closer.
He turned and kissed her softly on the lips.
"…That's your idea of a reward?" she asked, lifting a hand to lightly smack his waist.
Kitazawa placed a steaming bowl of pork rib ramen in front of her.
"How about now?"
She swallowed reflexively.
After everything she'd been through the night before, she was starving.
They carried the bowls into the living room and sat across from each other.
After finishing, Kurenai leaned back, rubbing her stomach with a satisfied sigh.
"I feel alive again."
"That dramatic?" Kitazawa laughed.
She shot him a glare. "Have you forgotten what you put me through?"
He blinked. Fair point.
"You're washing the dishes," she declared, arms crossed.
Kitazawa nodded without complaint and headed for the kitchen.
Afterward, the two arrived at the Ninja Academy.
Even though it wasn't nine yet, many students from the Genius Class were already training.
"Iruka," Kitazawa called.
Iruka immediately approached. "Kitazawa-senpai."
"Are the written exam papers ready?"
"They've been ready for a while. We can hold the exam anytime."
"Then let's do it today."
"So soon?" Iruka blinked.
"Sooner or later makes no real difference."
Iruka nodded. "I'll notify everyone once they've arrived."
"Hold it in the afternoon," Kitazawa added after a moment's thought.
The morning was already in full swing, and some students had come early to train. Canceling now would only waste their effort.
Besides, as vice principal, he had full authority to adjust the schedule.
"Understood," Iruka replied.
By nine o'clock, all members of the Genius Class had gathered.
When Iruka announced the afternoon exam, no one reacted strongly.
After all, they'd known it was coming—it was only a matter of time.
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