If Ryun were here, he would definitely applaud Sarutobi Hiruzen, because he was also very curious about the answer to this question.
Ryun also acknowledged Danzo's title as Konoha's Scapegoat King, but would he really take the opportunity to retaliate against Ryun just because of a conflict between Ryun and a Chunin from the Shimura family.
It was not impossible, but such a Danzo would be too undignified.
So what was the real reason.
Danzo did not hide it this time, and was even quite straightforward. "Hmph, Hiruzen, don't you think he rose too quickly."
"He never attended the Ninja Academy but can write books. He never extracted chakra but can now tree-walking and water-walking. He had no social connections but now has friends everywhere. He has no special experiences, yet even you suffered a loss in front of him."
"Do you think all this is a coincidence."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply and did not answer.
"I'm not afraid to tell you, one of my followers, Yamanaka Fuu, wanted to find an opportunity to probe his true state."
"Yamanaka Fuu is only a Chunin now, but his strength has long reached the level of a Special Jonin."
"He couldn't find an opportunity for ten whole days. Ryun even managed to get Yuhi Kurenai as a bodyguard during that time. Kurenai was even willing to work for him for a week for only five thousand ryo."
Danzo sneered and said, "Even an average Jonin would find it hard to achieve this, but he did."
"Having no flaws is sometimes the biggest flaw."
"Hiruzen, let me handle it. I'll have Yamanaka Fuu investigate his memories. Afterwards, we can just blame it on some ninja village, like Kumogakure."
The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched. "Just like with the Hyūga clan back then."
"He's just a mere civilian, naturally we don't need such a big operation. He likes making friends, right. We'll say he became friends with a Kumogakure spy and was taken away for intelligence gathering."
Sarutobi Hiruzen still did not answer, but instead picked up his pipe and started smoking.
He really disliked Danzo's behavior of targeting people in the village for unsubstantiated reasons. But he had to admit, Danzo had rooted out many spies from various villages using such methods.
Of course, this approach inevitably led to wrongful harm. But wrongful harm, well, it was all for the village, sometimes unavoidable.
"Hiruzen, what are you still hesitating for, he's just a civilian."
Pushed to the limit, Sarutobi Hiruzen said angrily, "Danzo, I am the Hokage."
Danzo was so angry his eyes rolled back. He stood up and was about to leave.
Only then did Sarutobi Hiruzen say, "His new book signing was just today, his reputation is at its peak. Come back to discuss this with me one month later."
"Hmph."
Danzo did not reply and directly left the Hokage's office.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen, who knew him well, understood that Danzo had agreed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked his pipe, recalling Ryun's words earlier.
For some reason, his thoughts flew back to when he was a child, being taught the Will of Fire by the First Hokage and the Second Hokage.
He had not forgotten the First Hokage's Will of Fire, but that kind of thing. How could it possibly be realized.
This Konoha, he would protect it his way.
Ryun's way of thinking would not work.
Over here, Ryun's signing event continued until evening. His hand was almost numb.
His friends also showed signs of fatigue on their faces. Only a powerful Jonin like Yuhi Kurenai could maintain her usual composure.
"Alright, everyone has worked hard."
"Next, everyone goes to the Yakiniku restaurant for a big meal. Afterwards, you can even go to the hot spring house to soak in the onsen. I'll cover all the expenses."
Ryun's words revitalized everyone.
He was surrounded by everyone into the Yakiniku restaurant. They ate until nine in the evening, then were surrounded into the Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House. He finally returned to his own room at the Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House around ten o'clock.
At this moment, his room was also crowded with people.
Strangely, however, those here were basically all female.
Guy, Lee, Neji, Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, seeing this scene, directly changed clothes and fled the Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House. Only Ryun could be content facing so many females.
Perhaps this was the handsome boy's charm!
A group of girls played Hanafuda, played board games, watched TV, having a great time. It wasn't until near midnight that the group began to leave one by one.
Hanabi was carried back by Hinata on her back. Moegi had long since fallen asleep on Ryun's thigh.
Ino and Sakura had Tenten accompanying them, so they didn't need Ryun's escort either. They also didn't allow Ryun to leave the room, because according to Kurenai, the person who attacked Ryun hadn't been found yet.
Kurenai checked the time and felt she should bid farewell to Ryun.
"I'm leaving now. The one-week employment ends here."
"As for your safety, you probably don't need to worry anymore. The guy probing you hasn't appeared again since yesterday."
Ryun nodded, feeling that Yamanaka Fuu had probably given up.
Even if he hadn't, Yamanaka Fuu posed no threat to Ryun at this point.
The remaining issue was Sarutobi Hiruzen's strange attitude.
Ryun still hadn't figured out the motivation behind his behavior.
It couldn't really be because of Kurenai, could it.
Kurenai felt uncomfortable under Ryun's strange gaze.
She lightly bit her lip, thought for a few seconds, then said, "I understand your feelings for me, but we are not suitable."
"I think Tenten and the others have a good impression of you. You can fully develop feelings with them, and in the future choose the person you like the most to become her husband."
"As for me, I will always be your older sister."
Ryun smiled slightly, his fingers brushing through Moegi's hair. "Sister Kurenai, I will not give up."
"As for Tenten and the others. Let things take their natural course."
Kurenai sighed softly, stood up, went into Ryun's bedroom, and changed into her own kimono.
Afterwards, she originally intended to leave directly, but her heart softened. She came to Ryun's side and gave him a light hug.
"After this, wanting to enjoy your older sister's hug again won't be so easy."
Ryun responded playfully, "It's okay, I will always remember my sister's beautiful embrace."
Kurenai's face turned red, clearly remembering the scene from that day when she saved Ryun, and her nightgown slipped.
She said angrily, "Forget about that."
"Impossible. In a while, I'll paint it, frame it, and keep it forever."
"You dare."
Kurenai poked Ryun's forehead. The two laughed and joked for a while before Kurenai finally stood up and left Ryun's room.
As for whether Ryun would paint her beautiful image. Kurenai couldn't control such things, right.
Kurenai left Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House with a faint, inexplicable smile on her lips, but suddenly saw a flickering light in the darkness.
Her expression changed slightly after smelling a familiar scent.
Sarutobi Asuma walked out from the darkness with a cigarette in his mouth, pretending to be casual. "You came out so late, I thought you might stay over."
"How about it, shall I walk you back."
Kurenai was about to agree, but saw the bloodshot eyes of Sarutobi Asuma.
She sighed lightly. "You just returned to Konoha after completing a mission, right. You should go rest early."
"Don't smoke too much when you're tired, it's not good for your health."
"I originally planned to take a mission tomorrow, but since you're back now, I can wait three more days."
Kurenai thought she had made herself clear, but the corner of Sarutobi Asuma's mouth lifted in a frivolous smile. "Okay. But only three days. What about seven days."
Kurenai's expression changed, a flash of anger in her red eyes.
Sarutobi Asuma panicked, hurriedly threw away his cigarette butt. "I mean, I want to spend more time with you."
"No need. You should spend more time with your family, like the Third Hokage-sama."
Kurenai left without looking back, leaving behind a dejected Sarutobi Asuma.
His gaze slowly turned toward the room where Ryun was staying. Before he could do anything, a figure walked out from the darkness.
"Yo, what a coincidence, Asuma-senpai."
Anko pointed at Kazamatsuri Hot Spring House. "Want to soak in the onsen. My treat."
"No thanks."
Sarutobi Asuma turned to leave, but suddenly thought of something. He turned back and said, "Have you been with Kurenai recently. What exactly is going on with that Nojuro Ryun. How did he become Kurenai's younger brother."
Was this question appropriate to ask her.
How should she formulate an answer.
After much thought, Anko gave the smartest answer.
"Ahaha. I don't know."
"Me and Kurenai. Hng pfht, I mean, me and Nojuro Ryun aren't close."
Anko was playing dumb, but anyone who wasn't a fool could see she was pretending.
But unless you were the person involved, no one could guess the reason Anko was playing dumb.
"Hah, I understand."
Sarutobi Asuma lit another cigarette and walked into the darkness.
Only Anko was left scratching her head, then slowly retreated back into the shadows.
Kurenai had left, so naturally it was her turn to protect Ryun now.
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