NOVEL WEB Chapter 35: Chapter 35
Under Kurenai Yuhi's deliberate protection, Anko Mitarashi still didn't lay a hand on the "kid" Naruto.
This brat doesn't even know what beauty or ugliness means. Whatever, not worth it.
Her ample chest rose and fell as Anko tried to calm herself down. But she couldn't help dwelling on being called an "ugly girl." That grudge was firmly planted. She slightly parted her pink lips and muttered in a low, threatening voice, "You little brat, just wait. Don't let me catch you alone next time!"
Naruto didn't catch her exact words, but he could guess well enough.
Clearly, Red Bean's holding a grudge.
Still, he didn't take it seriously. If it came down to a real fight, it was hard to say who'd win.
Around 9 a.m., Naruto arrived at the Sarutobi clan's estate with Kurenai Yuhi and Anko.
Lush willow trees lined the path, and one-story homes surrounded them. People walked by in formal attire, looking like elites of the village. Naruto recognized some of them—like the patriarchs of the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans, who they just missed crossing paths with.
After walking another few hundred meters, they turned a corner and came upon a massive courtyard. It was the only two-story building in the entire area. Its vermillion gate and tall walls stood out, radiating authority and wealth. Two tall ninja in green flak jackets stood guard at the entrance.
"Tsk, tsk," Naruto clicked his tongue. "They've got jonin acting as doormen? Talk about abusing power."
Even before entering, Naruto could tell this place was classy. It made him wonder how the Hyuga and Uchiha estates compared.
And here I am stuck in some tiny, crappy apartment left behind by the Fourth Hokage. What gives?
As Kurenai approached, the guards bowed slightly and opened the gate for her.
Inside the courtyard, sitting around a tea set, were the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hyuga Hiashi, and Nara Shikaku. All wore kimonos and seemed to be deep in discussion over tea.
When the Third Hokage saw Naruto walking in with the two women, he looked pleasantly surprised and waved. "Naruto, what brings you here?"
"You old perv! Why's your house so huge? Why haven't you invited me over before?" Naruto walked up to him with a sly grin.
Everyone's eyelids twitched the moment Naruto opened his mouth.
Kurenai quickly moved in front of Naruto and whispered a warning not to talk nonsense.
"It's fine, it's fine," the Third Hokage laughed it off warmly. "I'm used to Naruto's jokes."
Kurenai breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
But Naruto wasn't finished. He pointed at the Third Hokage's face and added disdainfully, "Old man's a total perv. I beat him with a Sexy Jutsu once. He should step down and let me be Hokage!"
"Cough, cough—" the Third Hokage nearly choked on his tea.
Terrified Naruto might actually bust out a Sexy Jutsu on the spot, he quickly waved his hand. "Hong, you're here to see Asuma, right? Take Naruto with you. Go on."
"Yes, sir," Kurenai and Anko immediately grabbed Naruto by the arms and dragged him away before he could say anything more outrageous.
Naruto wanted to stay and say more, but the two women reacted too fast. He was just a small fry in comparison, so he let them carry him off—squished in the middle between their curvy figures.
When they reached the backyard, they finally set him down.
"Kid, who were you trying to kill back there?" Anko snapped, grabbing Naruto's cheeks and tugging hard.
"Kill? Who did I kill?" Naruto pushed her hand away, frowning.
"You disrespected the Third Hokage, you little brat!" Anko growled.
"Teacher Kurenai, this ugly girl is so mean!" Naruto fired back, triggering Anko again.
Even Kurenai had to poke Naruto on the forehead. She pouted slightly and said in mock sternness, "Naruto, you shouldn't speak that way about the Hokage. Understand?"
Anko burst out laughing. "No one's saving your butt this time, brat!"
Naruto just shrugged and nodded. "Got it."
He understood most people wouldn't dare mouth off to the Third Hokage. But Naruto, being the Jinchūriki, had a certain freedom to do what others couldn't.
Still, all that would change when Orochimaru showed up.
"I'll be more careful next time," Naruto promised.
Kurenai straightened her skirt, which had gotten wrinkled when she carried Naruto. A faint blush appeared on her pale cheeks, but when she looked at Naruto's youthful face, the embarrassment faded.
He's just a kid. What am I even thinking?
Trying to shake off the awkwardness, Kurenai smiled and said, "Asuma lives just up ahead. A bunch of our friends come here pretty often."
"Why're you explaining so much to this little punk?" Anko folded her arms.
"Just making conversation. Right, Naruto?" Kurenai glanced back and smiled, her black wavy hair fluttering slightly in the breeze.
"Yeah."
Naruto followed casually behind her. Kurenai was taller than Anko, probably about 5'7", and wearing heels today that boosted her to 5'9". Her figure was elegant and her proportions impeccable.
Among the adult women Naruto had seen recently, Kurenai stood out as the most beautiful. Even Anko, who had a more voluptuous build, couldn't match her in sheer elegance.
No wonder Asuma's been hung up on her for over 20 years.
As they approached the stairs, Kurenai reminded him, "Take off your shoes. The floors are cleaned daily by servants here. Don't worry about stepping barefoot."
She squatted gracefully, holding her skirt with one hand and slipping off her high heels with the other. Her soft pink feet touched the polished wood.
Naruto nearly lost it.
"Teacher Kurenai, let's just date already," he said with a big grin, trying once more to shoot his shot.
Kurenai gave a soft laugh. "You're too young. Find someone your own age."
"???"
Naruto frowned. How do you know I'm too young if you haven't even tried? Slander!
Anko, still bitter, cackled. "So you've got a thing for Kurenai? Too bad. She's been sweet on Asuma for over two decades. She's never gonna choose you, brat!"
Kurenai didn't respond to that, which only confirmed it—she and Asuma definitely had a strong emotional history.
Anko kept poking fun. "Hahaha, poor Naruto. Your beloved Kurenai-sensei is going to marry someone else. Your little heart's in pieces, isn't it?"
Naruto didn't actually care. He already knew about Kurenai's feelings for Asuma. But Anko's mouth just kept running.
So he fired back with a snort, "You're such an ugly girl that no one wants. You talk too much, like you're the one trying to get with Asuma."
Anko's smile cracked. "Ugly girl" again!
"Heh, I'm not mad. Say whatever you want. Won't change the fact that Kurenai's marrying Asuma. He's got a great family, he's loyal, and he loves her. You'll be watching from the sidelines for the rest of your life."
"Anko, enough already!" Kurenai snapped, afraid Naruto might take it too hard.
But deep down, she couldn't really deny it. Asuma had waited patiently for her for so long. If nothing unexpected happened… she might finally accept his confession.
Just as she was lost in thought, they arrived at Asuma's room. Kurenai reached for the door.
The moment she opened it, her expression froze.
Her face darkened instantly, lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't say a word.
Something unexpected had happened.