Chapter 53: Konoha's Mature Beauty, Kurenai Yuhi, Appears!
After smoothing over the misunderstanding between Naruto and Kakashi, Ren left Konoha Hospital, stepping into the vibrant flow of village life. The market street hummed with energy—vendors calling out their wares, children chasing each other past stalls, the scent of grilled fish cakes and fresh bread mingling in the warm air. In a world where life was often cheap as roadside weeds, Konoha truly felt like an oasis, at least for those who never had to see the blood soaking its foundations.
"Ren! Where are you headed?"
The voice came from ahead. Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame approached, recently graduated and already carrying themselves with that particular genin mix of arrogance and uncertainty.
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[VIP Highlight: Hyuga Hizashi (VIP1) - "Keep your distance from my daughter!"]
People respected strength. This was universal, but especially true in the shinobi world. Before his sudden rise, Ren had been practically invisible at the academy—known only to Naruto, Hinata, and perhaps Ino Yamanaka on a good day. Most classmates would have passed him on the street without acknowledgment.
But power changed everything.
Now Kiba and Shino were initiating contact. Ren barely registered them. His gaze slid past them entirely, landing on the girl walking a few steps behind them.
White eyes. Pale lavender hair. A posture that spoke of both aristocratic training and profound shyness.
"Well, well! Hinata! What a coincidence!"
Ren shouldered past Kiba and Shino—not rudely, just with the unthinking confidence of someone who knew he could—and appeared at Hinata's side.
Then, under the stunned stares of both boys, he casually rested his hand on her shoulder.
He felt the delicate tremble that ran through her small frame. But she didn't pull away. Didn't protest. Her face simply flushed that perfect shade of rose-pink, eyes dropping to her sandals.
"R-Ren-kun... hello."
Her voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried all the weight of her complicated feelings.
What followed was what could charitably be called "conversation," though it was mostly Ren talking and Hinata blushing. He asked about everything from last night's dinner to morning routines, plumbing the depths of mundane small talk with the intensity of an interrogator. Hinata mostly listened, occasionally offering a soft "Mm-hm" or a nervous nod.
Kiba, watching from the sidelines, ground his teeth. "Damn it! Flirting with Hinata right in front of us? Just because he's top of the class, he thinks he can do whatever he wants?"
Shino adjusted his sunglasses. "This appears to be standard social interaction between acquainted peers. Your reaction seems disproportionate, Kiba."
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): Ren, the moment you see this Hyuga girl, you're all over her. Are you truly that... captivated by her physical development?
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): Second Hokage, you cut right to the heart of the matter!
Hyuga Hizashi (VIP1): YOU ANIMAL!
Yuhi Kurenai (Regular Viewer): Brother Hizashi, calm down. A real man shouldn't be so controlling about his daughter's—
Hyuga Hizashi: Shut up! Or next time it'll be your daughter he sets his sights on!
Yuhi Kurenai: ...
Tobirama Senju: Young man, perhaps you should focus on training. You've acquired many techniques, but your chakra reserves remain limited, and your physical conditioning is lacking. These require actual effort, not just... social pursuits.
Ren Arakawa: Oh? Suddenly concerned about my strength development?
Tobirama Senju: Clears throat. You are, technically, a Konoha shinobi. Your increased capabilities benefit the village as a whole.
Hashirama Senju (Regular Viewer): Well said, Tobirama! I'm rather disappointed with Konoha's current state. You could be the one to restore its glory!
Ren Arakawa: No problem. Just hand over the Senju bloodline and Wood Release, and Konoha will be under my protection.
Hashirama Senju: ...
Tobirama Senju: You've already mastered numerous complex techniques. Perhaps you should focus on integrating them properly. Overconsumption leads to indigestion.
Ren Arakawa: Don't worry, the system handles integration. Smooth digestion guaranteed.
Tobirama Senju: System? What system?
Ren Arakawa: You wouldn't understand even if I explained it.
Tobirama Senju: ???
Ren Arakawa: So? Giving me the Senju techniques or not? If not, once I'm powerful enough, I might just... reconsider my village loyalty.
Hashirama Senju: ...
Tobirama Senju: ...
Uchiha Madara (VIP1): Laughs darkly. Good! Betray the village! I'll give you something truly worthwhile if you do!
Ren Arakawa: I operate on payment-first terms. Show me the goods, or how do I know your "worthwhile" isn't just junk?
Uchiha Madara: Arrogant brat! I'm not falling for your tricks!
Ren Arakawa: Then stop wasting my time.
In the Pure Land, Uchiha Madara nearly shattered his spectral armor. "That insolent child! When I escape this place, I'll make him pay!"
Back on the street, Kiba had finally reached his limit. "Alright, Hinata! Enough chatting! We need to meet up—don't keep Kurenai-sensei waiting!"
"Teacher Kurenai? Yuhi Kurenai?" Ren's eyes lit up with genuine interest.
In his previous life, among the figurines displayed on his shelves and desktop wallpapers, two Konoha kunoichi had featured prominently: Hyuga Hinata and Yuhi Kurenai. The latter represented a certain... mature elegance that was distinctly appealing.
He turned back to Hinata with shameless enthusiasm. "Hinata, I don't have anything scheduled today. Mind if I tag along?"
"Eh? But... that's our Team 8 meeting..." Hinata's voice trailed off, conflict written plainly on her face. She wanted him to come—that much was obvious from her glowing cheeks—but protocol mattered.
Ren understood immediately. He shifted his gaze to Kiba and Shino, his expression turning serious. "Well? What do you two think?"
As he spoke, he deliberately released a fraction of his chakra—not the full force, but enough that the pressure became palpable, focused specifically on the two boys.
For a moment, the air thickened.
Shino Aburame managed to withstand it, his body buzzing faintly as his kikaichū beetles absorbed some of the pressure. But Kiba Inuzuka paled, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Even Akamaru, the nin-dog perched on his head, whimpered and tucked his tail, looking like a puppy facing a butcher's block.
"F-fine! You can come!" Kiba forced out through gritted teeth, pride warring with survival instinct.
Shino simply adjusted his sunglasses again, saying nothing. But behind those opaque lenses, his mind raced: Chakra pressure exceeding typical genin parameters by approximately 300%. Comparable to some chūnin. Source: Ren Arakawa. Threat assessment: High. Also: That sudden killing intent earlier—was that real or projected? Psychological warfare component uncertain. Conclusion: This classmate is an anomaly requiring further study.
Hinata looked between them, then nodded shyly. "If... if it's alright with everyone..."
"Perfect!" Ren's smile returned instantly, the oppressive atmosphere vanishing as if it had never been. "Lead the way!"
As Team 8 (plus one) made their way toward their designated training ground, the live stream commentary continued.
Minato Namikaze: He's quite... assertive with his affections, isn't he?
Kushina Uzumaki: He knows what he wants! I respect that! Better than wishy-washy boys who can't make up their minds!
Uchiha Mikoto: He does remind me of a young Fugaku in some ways. Direct. Confident.
Uchiha Fugaku: I was never this... blatant.
Uchiha Izuna: You weren't? I seem to recall you following Mikoto around for weeks like a lost puppy before—
Uchiha Fugaku: That's enough, Izuna!
They arrived at Training Ground 9, a peaceful clearing bordered by bamboo groves. And there, waiting under the dappled light, stood Yuhi Kurenai.
She was every bit the image Ren remembered—tall, elegant, with dark hair framing a face that balanced beauty with sharp intelligence. Her crimson eyes tracked their approach, lingering on Ren with obvious curiosity.
"Kurenai-sensei," Shino greeted formally. "We've arrived. And we have... an additional attendee."
Kurenai's lips quirked in a slight smile. "So I see. Ren Arakawa, correct? The talk of the academy. To what do we owe the honor?"
Ren offered a respectful bow, perfectly balanced between politeness and confidence. "Yuhi-san. I was accompanying Hinata and found myself curious about Team 8's dynamics. I hope my presence isn't an intrusion."
His tone was smooth, but his eyes held that same unnerving awareness that had unsettled Kakashi. Kurenai, a skilled genjutsu specialist, felt it immediately—this boy saw more than he should.
Hyuga Hizashi: He's doing it again! That look! He's assessing her!
Yuhi Kurenai (in the stream): Brother Hizashi, please. I'm a jōnin. I can handle a child's appraisal.
Minato Namikaze: I'm not sure "child" is the right word for what he is.
Kurenai studied Ren for another moment, then smiled fully. "Not at all. Since you're here, perhaps you'd like to observe our first team exercise? It might be... educational."
Her crimson eyes gleamed with something that might have been challenge, or genuine interest, or both. Ren returned the smile.
"I'd be delighted."
Somewhere in the Pure Land, Tobirama Senju sighed. "He collects complications like other children collect trading cards."
Hashirama, for once, said nothing, just watched with growing concern as the boy who wielded his brother's techniques, his rival's eyes, and his own student's legacy inserted himself into yet another facet of Konoha's next generation.
The game, it seemed, kept adding players.