"This is Kurenai Yuhi, a genjutsu specialist," Anko said cheerfully, sliding over to sit beside Kurenai and motioning to Oboro across the table.
"I'm nothing special, just a Chūnin," Kurenai said modestly.
"Oboro Mitsuki," Oboro offered a slight nod.
"Oboro's genjutsu is impressive too, he once caught over a dozen enemies in a single cast," Anko added with enthusiasm.
"Really?" Kurenai's eyes lit up with surprise as she gave Oboro another assessing look.
"I know a little," Oboro said, downplaying it. "But I specialize in taijutsu."
"..."
"Let's order," Anko said, requesting another menu and handing it to Oboro.
"You decide. I'll eat whatever."
Anko didn't stand on ceremony, she immediately dove into circling items on the menu with gusto.
Oboro leaned back in his chair, calmly watching Kurenai.
She felt a little awkward, unsure what to say.
They weren't close in age and likely had little in common. Sitting down for such a formal meal made her feel out of place.
"Is there something on my face?" Kurenai finally asked, unable to hold back.
"No." Oboro shook his head. "I just think... your eyes are very pretty."
"..."
Kurenai's expression became subtly strange. Anko, fully absorbed in ordering, acted like she hadn't heard anything.
"…Thanks," Kurenai replied, a little uncertain.
This brat's got an eye for beauty…
She snuck a glance at Oboro's eyes, just an ordinary light brown.
[Affection +1 | Kurenai Yuhi: 52]
"I'm done ordering. Kurenai, anything you want to add?" Anko asked.
Kurenai scanned the menu briefly and nodded.
Barbecue wasn't her favorite, it was a bit greasy. Unlike Anko, who could devour anything without a second thought, Kurenai was always careful about maintaining her figure.
"It's been a while since I came here, so I ordered a lot," Anko said excitedly.
"We can pack up whatever we can't finish," Kurenai replied.
The desserts came out first. Anko wasted no time grabbing a slice and stuffing it into her mouth. Kurenai took a small piece and nibbled politely.
Oboro didn't touch a thing. Anko noticed and remembered what he said the day before.
"You're not gonna try some?" she mumbled mid-chew.
"I told you yesterday, I don't like sweets."
"How come? They're delicious!"
"No reason."
Anko narrowed her eyes at him. "What's with the look?"
"I just think anyone who dislikes sweets is weird."
What kind of logic is that?
"A friend of mine used to drag me to eat sweets every day. I got sick of it," Oboro explained.
"You have friends?" Anko asked in mock shock.
"..."
"His name's Uchiha Shisui," Oboro replied flatly.
"You're friends with Shunshin Shisui?!"
"You two are close?" Kurenai added with sudden interest. The name clearly carried weight.
After all, the three of them were still Chūnin, while Shisui had already been a Jōnin for some time.
"Something like that," Oboro said nonchalantly.
"Oh right, you're from the same generation," Anko recalled. "Weren't people always comparing the two of you back then?"
"There's no comparison," Oboro said plainly. "Shisui is on a different level."
The barbecue dishes started arriving, each one more mouthwatering than the last.
"Don't sell yourself short, kid," Anko grinned, tossing meat onto the grill.
"Of all the brats I've seen, you're the most impressive. You could probably qualify for the Jōnin exam already."
"We'll see," Oboro said as he picked up his chopsticks and began tending the grill.
But that lack of denial made Kurenai glance at him with mild surprise.
This kid really has Jōnin-level strength?
The meat sizzled and popped as it cooked. Fat dripped into the fire, sending wisps of fragrant smoke curling into the air.
Oboro's quiet demeanor didn't leave a bad impression, but Kurenai still felt a subtle resistance toward him, likely due to his reputation.
"Have you always worked solo?" she asked casually.
"Oh, that's right," Anko suddenly remembered something. She turned to Oboro.
"Why don't the three of us form a new squad?"
"Anko?" Kurenai exclaimed, internally cursing herself for asking earlier.
"What?" Anko glanced at her and chuckled.
"You… should think this through."
"What's there to think about?" Anko waved her off and turned back to Oboro. "What do you think?"
Oboro caught Kurenai's subtle reaction. She hadn't said anything outright, but she clearly didn't want to associate with him. Compared to the crueler stares he'd faced in the past, this was practically polite.
"No," he replied.
"Huh? Why not?" Anko blinked in surprise.
Kurenai cast Oboro a sidelong glance, faintly relieved.
"I'm being transferred to the ANBU."
"ANBU?" Anko stopped, then sighed.
"Well… I guess that can't be helped."
Kurenai spoke again, "ANBU's a good place. It's full of elite shinobi, you'll fit in."
Fit in, huh…
"I've got a friend in ANBU too. Maybe she can look out for you," Anko added.
"No need," Oboro replied immediately. He wasn't going to the regular ANBU, but to Root. Whoever Anko's contact was, they couldn't help him.
"It's no trouble," Anko waved it off.
Kazahana Yūgao(TL/N: Maybe an OC or Uzuki Yūgao) is just a regular ANBU member, Kurenai thought, sighing internally.
She really didn't want her or her friends to get too involved with someone like Oboro.
But Anko seemed convinced she saw through him, after all, he had saved her life.
Still, even if Anko's instincts were right, if Oboro never cleared his name, getting too close to him would only invite trouble.
Kurenai grew irritated. She glanced at Anko, only to see her stuffing her face gleefully. That only made her more annoyed.
This girl is seriously too carefree!
"This barbecue's amazing! You guys eat too!" Anko grinned, using her chopsticks to serve Kurenai a slice.
"You're not afraid of gaining weight eating like that?" Oboro asked offhandedly, watching her demolish food.
Anko proudly flexed her slim, toned arm. "Can't help it, just born this way."
"Oh yeah," she added suddenly. "Since you're friends with Shunshin Shisui, could you invite him out for a meal sometime? We'd love to meet him."
"Why would I do that?" Oboro replied calmly.
"Aren't you two friends?" Anko asked, confused.
"We are."
"Then why not invite him out with us?"
Oboro's tone didn't change. "Just because I'm friends with him doesn't mean I'd invite him to eat with you."
"…What's that supposed to mean?" Anko blinked.
"He means," Kurenai said coldly, "he's friends with Shisui, not us."
She thought this kid had no sense of gratitude. Anko had ignored all the rumors and treated him with kindness, yet he wouldn't even call her a friend.
"You don't consider me a friend?!" Anko cried, visibly upset.
This woman… Kurenai rubbed her temples.
"Did I say that?" Oboro replied, unmoved. "But the way you act might make people assume otherwise. We've only met once, are we really that close?"
"So I was just imagining things, huh?" Anko growled through clenched teeth.
This guy's mouth is vicious… Kurenai thought. But oddly, she didn't find it off-putting.
On the contrary, it was probably for the best if things ended here.
No point in staying any longer.
Oboro stood up to leave, just as he noticed a change in the system panel.
[Anko Mitarashi – Affection -10]
[Kurenai Yuhi – Affection +1]
He glanced at Kurenai out of the corner of his eye, only to see a faint smile of satisfaction hiding in her expression.
This woman…
<><>---------------------------------------
200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed