Yuhi Kurenai was left speechless. She indeed could not say she liked Nojuro Ryun.
She appreciated Ryun's talent, sympathized with Ryun's circumstances, and, due to her own gentle nature, offered him comfort and protection. That was all she had done.
As for anything more... she was not Mitarashi Anko.
Ryun naturally understood this point. Many things could not be changed by just one or two sentences from him.
But he could take advantage of this opportunity to be by Kurenai's side to plant a seed in her heart.
"Nojuro..."
Kurenai wanted to say something to comfort Ryun, but Ryun interrupted her.
"Sister Kurenai, rest assured, I have not given up on myself, nor have I entered a dead end."
"I just want to thank you for everything you have done for me, and I want to earn your approval."
The gloomy expression on Ryun's face slowly disappeared. He seemed to muster all his energy and spirit, revealing a sunny smile. He pulled Kurenai to sit on the sofa and said, "Sister Kurenai, how about this. Could you first tell me what kind of person you like."
"The kind of liking I mean is the romantic kind between a man and a woman."
Kurenai's heart skipped a beat, her expression became somewhat unnatural, and she wanted to change the subject.
But Ryun did not give her this chance, urging, "Is it not okay even if we are just chatting?"
"Alright."
Kurenai pondered for a moment. She realized Ryun had developed romantic feelings for her. Considering Ryun's circumstances, it was understandable that he saw her as a harbor for his soul, but she absolutely could not accept it.
It would be better to set an extremely high standard now, to make Ryun back off knowing the difficulty, without hurting his newly positive mindset.
"Do you know Namikaze Minato?"
Kurenai brushed her hair, composed her emotions, and revealed a gentle smile.
Ryun nodded. He was not Naruto, so of course he knew the story of Namikaze Minato.
"During the Nine-Tails attack, I personally witnessed how he sacrificed himself to protect the entire village. He, like my father, is someone I admire the most."
"So, the person I fancy in the future must also be a great hero who protects the village. He should be sunny and cheerful, powerful, gentle and considerate, mature and steady."
Kurenai almost listed off a whole menu, saying a long list of adjectives until she herself felt somewhat embarrassed and blushed.
"In short, Nojuro, if you become such a person in the future, perhaps I might be moved by you."
Ryun naturally understood that these words were Kurenai's polite dismissal of him. However, this had already given him the opportunity to plant a seed in Kurenai's heart.
"I understand. Then let's make a promise, Sister Kurenai."
Seeing Ryun was not angry or humiliated, Kurenai breathed a sigh of relief and said in a relaxed tone, "What promise?"
"It's very simple. If I become such a person in the future, please say to me in private: 'You are very handsome, I am moved by you.'"
"This condition won't put Sister Kurenai in a difficult position, will it?"
Kurenai initially wanted to refuse, but she saw Ryun's expectant eyes.
Thinking it over carefully, if Ryun really could one day become a hero of Konoha, saying such a complimentary word to him would be harmless.
After all, by then Ryun would no longer need her comfort.
"Alright."
Kurenai extended her hand and shook Ryun's hand. "Then I'll wait for you to grow up and make my heart flutter... my little brother."
Ryun seemed to be infused with vitality. He jumped up on the spot, excitedly waving his fist and letting out a cheer.
Seeing Ryun so happy, Kurenai found it both funny and exasperating, while feeling a hint of sweetness in her heart.
She could not accept Ryun's feelings, but that did not mean she would be unhappy being liked.
Moreover, the one confessing to her, Ryun, was such an outstanding and handsome little boy. Did this not further prove her charm?
"Sister Kurenai, can you teach me ninjutsu?"
Ryun thought of something else.
Previously, he planned to attribute the source of his ninjutsu to the Sasuke family's collection, but now he had a better choice.
Although Ryun was no longer afraid of conflict with Konoha, being able to develop steadily for a few more months was still better than leaving the village to wander now.
With Kurenai's influence, it would be enough to support Ryun until the Chunin Exams.
"You want to learn ninjutsu? Alright, let me see your level."
Half an hour later, watching Ryun proficient in water-walking, tree-climbing, and even knowing a bit of Water Release and Earth Release, Kurenai could not help but marvel.
A student who had not even entered the Ninja Academy had grown to this level relying on his relationships with a few Academy students.
Such talent indeed deserved her cultivation.
Perhaps in the future he really could... Kurenai felt her face grow hot and quickly discarded the unrealistic thoughts in her mind.
"I am not skilled in elemental techniques. In the next few days, I will practice taijutsu with you and teach you one genjutsu."
"I believe this will be enough for you to learn for a while."
Ryun did not refuse any of Kurenai's teachings. For him, physical training was the greatest means of improvement.
Having a jonin as a training partner, what more could Ryun ask for?
The two trained until ten o'clock at night before Kurenai sent Ryun to take a bath.
After Ryun came out, Kurenai led him to the guest room, pointing to the "seal" characters on the window and door and said, "I set up a sealing technique. Not even Anko can get in, even I myself cannot enter. You can rest assured."
"Okay, thank you, Sister Kurenai."
Ryun and Kurenai bid each other goodnight. Ryun lay on the bed and closed his eyes.
Then he could not help but laugh, because he sensed the presence of Mitarashi Anko.
She was poking her head, trying to get in, but looked afraid of provoking Kurenai. Anyone seeing it would find it amusing.
At this point, Ryun was not that angry with her anymore.
After all, she was his first woman and had borne him his first Kage-level offspring.
Fine, during the Chunin Exams, Ryun would save her from Orochimaru's hands in the Forest of Death.
Since Ryun was going to the Forest of Death to bring Karin home, helping Anko along the way was a simple matter.
As for whether this would expose Ryun's strength... Ryun now felt that by the time of the Chunin Exams, it would be time for him to demand some explanations from certain people in Konoha.
Afterwards, Ryun gradually fell asleep.
Today he had no intention of continuing simulations. He even did not want to simulate again for a short while.
Right now, the ninjutsu systems that Ryun considered worthwhile were Sage Mode and Wood Release.
Both undoubtedly required a large amount of chakra as a foundation. Even the highest-level uses of Wood Release required combining with Sage Mode. The two techniques complemented each other. The problem Ryun faced now was that he already had sufficient talent, but his physical fitness could not keep up, after all, his training time was too short.
So, training would be the main theme of his life from now on.
Of course, just in case, Ryun would use simulations to gather information if he felt something was wrong.
With the simulation chances given to Ryun by Ino and the others, Ryun was not short of simulation opportunities for a short while. Even launching a Bronze simulation would be without pressure.
He had never fought such a well-resourced battle before!
In the following days, Ryun stayed at Kurenai's house, hardly stepping outside, training with Kurenai every day.
Kurenai gradually discovered that Ryun's talent seemed truly astonishing. In the future, he might really become a heroic figure.
Whenever Kurenai saw Ryun drenched in sweat but with what seemed like flames burning in his eyes, she would feel a trace of guilt, worried that Ryun would really succeed in the future.
Fortunately, she was only responsible for protecting Ryun for one week. After the week, she would let Ryun return home. The reason could simply be going on a mission as normal.
As for the future, if Ryun succeeded... she could just brazenly say she liked him. Consider it a youthful encounter!
During these days, Ino, Sakura, and Hinata also came to visit every day, training with Ryun and even Kurenai.
They did not show their chakra thread ability in front of Kurenai. Although Ryun had not specifically told them to keep it secret, the three girls tacitly treated it as a trump card not to be easily revealed.
In the blink of an eye, a week passed. The New Year was approaching, and the book signing event Ryun was looking forward to was about to begin.
It was a weekend. Ino and the other two arrived at Kurenai's house early.
The three bought many pieces of clothing and wanted Ryun to try them on for them. Ryun did not refuse. Each time he changed clothes, it drew admiring looks from the three girls.
As for them, they were naturally dressed up for the occasion, all wearing kimono usually worn for New Year's, clearly planning to attend as Ryun's support group.
Even Kurenai was the same. After all, Ryun's initial request was for her to back him up.
But as the group walked out of Kurenai's house, heading towards the book signing venue.
They realized they might have underestimated Ryun's influence.
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