"Grim Reaper?"
The information Kurenai Yuhi had extracted from a few wandering ninja left everyone surprised.Only Uchiha Kage seemed lost in thought.
Death? Could it be the Death Mask left behind by the Whirlpool Country?That was worth investigating.
"Does this world really have a god?"
Unlike ordinary people, ninjas possessed great power and had no need to worship deities.Aburame Shino didn't believe in gods at all.
"Who knows? But those guys did give us some useful information. This time, we're likely facing ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village, so the mission rank should be raised to B, maybe even A."
Normally, only B-rank missions and above involved combat against ninja. But since they'd already clashed with enemy ninja, the next fight could be even harder. Kurenai Yuhi felt it necessary to explain the mission's danger to her students.
"In this situation, my advice is to abandon the mission. But this is your first mission outside the village, so I'll take your opinions into account before deciding."
It had started as a simple trial mission from the village—there was no need to push themselves. But since it was her students' first time, Kurenai still wanted to help them make it a success.
"A-rank?"
Hinata looked nervous but said nothing, only glancing at Uchiha Kage.
Ying's so capable, he probably won't want to give up. I can't hold him back.
"What about the reward?"
As expected, the corpses of the wandering ninja had yielded many ninja fragments. While absorbing them wouldn't boost his strength directly… Uchiha Kage noticed there were far more fragments than in ordinary sparring matches.
From this, he guessed that fighting powerful ninja—perhaps even just observing—might be the fastest way for him to grow stronger.
"As for the reward, it might be difficult, but if we find any treasure, we can take it ourselves."
Kurenai Yuhi had already informed Konoha by carrier pigeon. The Third Hokage's advice was to abandon the mission—naturally, that meant no increase in pay.
"Then let's go back to the village. With our current strength, an A-rank mission is too much."
Uchiha Kage shook his head decisively.
I'll be passing through here on my way to the Land of Water for an Anbu assignment. I can handle it alone then—no need to drag Hinata and the others into danger.
"I thought you'd insist…"
Kurenai Yuhi was a little surprised. She had been ready to go along with him if he'd pushed for it—after all, she was a jōnin, and handling an A-rank wasn't impossible.
"If our teacher were stronger, maybe I'd consider it."
If the jōnin beside him were Kakashi or Might Guy, Uchiha Kage would be willing to try. But Kurenai Yuhi… no. He had to consider the risk of exposing his powers—Byakugan or Hollow. Either one being revealed would be a problem.
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm a jōnin! A mere A-rank mission—"
Kurenai Yuhi reached to pinch his cheek, but Uchiha Kage easily dodged.
Frustrated, she grabbed him by the neck and scrubbed his head with her free hand in revenge.
Even if she was the weakest jōnin in Konoha, she was still a jōnin!
"Teacher…"
Hinata grew flustered seeing Uchiha Kage trapped, his face pressed into their teacher's chest. He can't even breathe!
"Hinatа, Shino—your thoughts?"
"I'll listen to Kage-san."
Hinata agreed with returning—though mostly, she was worried her teammate might suffocate.
"No objections here."
If even Uchiha Kage thought an A-rank was too much, Aburame Shino wouldn't insist.
"Alright, we'll rest tonight and head back tomorrow."
Releasing the boy, Kurenai sighed. Leading three genin through an A-rank would have been a serious test—better safe than sorry in this era of peace.
"Yes."
That woman… doesn't she know I hate having my head touched?Uchiha Kage silently vowed to get back at this "dog-patting" teacher someday.
"Hinatа and I are going to bathe over there. You two boys—don't peek! Got it?"
After giving a pointed warning to Uchiha Kage and Shino, Kurenai Yuhi led a blushing Hinata toward the waterfall behind the mountain, laughing together as they went.
"You even change your face when you talk," Uchiha Kage muttered.
Was she… encouraging them to peek?Not that it mattered—he disdained such boring behavior. He preferred more direct approaches.
"Shino, have your bugs keep watch. I'm going to sleep."
"…"
Shino almost wanted to draw sulking circles in the dirt with his insects. This Uchiha was even more bossy than their teacher. Still, using bugs for night watch was easy enough.
But—
What kind of person is this guy?
Shino remembered the sight of Uchiha Kage mercilessly burning bandits alive, and the cold look in his eyes afterward.
The Uchiha clan truly was terrifying.
"What a cowardly boy—he didn't even come to peek."
Kurenai Yuhi removed her coat and mesh lining, revealing her graceful figure as she stepped into the cool pool beneath the waterfall.
In the quiet valley, only finger-sized fish swam around the two kunoichi.
"Hinatа, when I was your age, I definitely wasn't as… developed."
Her student's fair skin, budding curves, and rare cherry-tinted peaks were already better than the blonde girl's. She'd grow into a real beauty.
"Teacher…"
After hesitating, Hinata quickly undressed and slipped into the water, leaving only her head visible.
"Kage-san isn't the type to peek."
"Don't be so sure."
While washing, Kurenai remembered something her student had said before: 'Bigger is better.'Her eyes flicked between her own chest and Hinata's.
"If that's what he meant, Hinata, you have a good chance of winning—better than that blonde."
"W-winning what?"
In the water, Hinata's thoughts drifted to her "dream" self—more mature, more… noticeable. If I could become like that, maybe Ying would notice me…
"Of course I mean that ungrateful Uchiha Kage. By the way, aren't you scared of him after what he did today?"
"Kage-san only kills bad people, so no. And… he saved me."
I'll have to thank him somehow.
"And what?"
"Kage-san is amazing. I mustn't hold him back."
"You like him too much."
Kurenai smiled and hugged her. "The teacher will always support you—Ino doesn't stand a chance."
"I'm not… Ino's a better match. I just… want to watch him quietly."
"You're no worse than her. Don't surrender before the fight even starts! Or do you not like him?"
"No… I…"
"Then fight for him! I think he actually likes you…"
"Let's… not talk about this."
As the Hyūga clan's heiress, she could never be with an Uchiha. Just supporting him from the sidelines was enough.
"Alright, then tell me how you fell for him."
"I…"
Hinata wasn't sure. Maybe it was because, like her, he disliked attention and kept to himself. She'd felt safe knowing someone like her was in the class—a kindred spirit.
She often peeked at him, but the moment she truly realized her feelings was when, during a spar, Uchiha Kage struck her chest—and that night's dream.(That part, she would never tell her teacher.)
"How sweet… pure desk-mate love."
Kurenai's heart melted. She would protect this innocent affection at all costs.
[The copy world is being updated and cannot be entered temporarily]
Uchiha Kage arrived at the 'dream' space. Since completing the Kaguya mission, the instance had been closed.
"I wonder when it'll finish updating…"
His action points had risen from 3 to 4, but there were only three available scenes: the Hokage's office, the Hyūga residence, and Kaguya's bamboo hut.
Ever since experiencing the real Kaguya, his interest in NPC Tsunade and NPC Hinata had waned. NPCs might feel real, but they weren't like living women.
Now his routine was: spark interest with Hinata, polish with Tsunade, then finish in Kaguya's cabin—often with enough points left to bother Kaguya again.
"W-Why are you back so soon?"
She didn't know where he found the stamina.
"I said I'd come every day. I keep my promises."
Her skin was luminous, glowing faintly in the dim light. He always stared, unable to look away.
"That's impossible… I still have to fetch water and cook…"
Even with her strong desire, twice a day was overwhelming—her legs shook just from walking.
"Alright, to keep you from suffering, this time we'll…"
Uchiha Kage guided the confused goddess to kneel on the cushion, stroking her soft rabbit-like ears as he stood over her.