Just as Uchiha Ran's pupils were still shaking in shock, Ōmaeda began enthusiastically explaining that the Yoshiwara District's "scenic entertainment houses" were a uniquely popular institution in the Land of Fire—places designed to provide high-quality services to weary travelers.
Moreover, the Yoshiwara District offered a wide variety of such establishments. Each shop had its own distinct style and specialized services.
The Senhime Scenic House standing before Ran was exquisitely decorated, with a distinctive architectural style. The exterior followed a traditional Japanese aesthetic—red lanterns hung beneath the eaves, bamboo ornaments and ropes swaying gently in the night breeze.
"Ah… th-this…" Ran hesitated. "Is this really a place for proper dining? It feels… kind of embarrassing."
Even as he spoke, he was effortlessly dragged inside by Ōmaeda.
The interior décor was steeped in classical Japanese elegance—folding screens, sliding doors, and tatami mats created a refined, tranquil atmosphere.
Seeing Ran's stiff, expressionless face, Ōmaeda burst out laughing.
"Ran-kun, don't worry! This place can be very proper. I'm a big client here, you know. At your age, staying in Konoha all the time, you probably haven't been to places like this before, right?"
"…Is this the kind of 'scenic house' I'm thinking of?" Ran muttered. "I'm only thirteen. This really isn't appropriate."
"Relax, Ran-san. I know you're underage—you can't drink, and you certainly won't be doing anything too adult," Ōmaeda said reassuringly. "Let me show you around instead—the hot spring baths, tea rooms, fine dining, and the kabuki theater."
As he spoke, he led Ran deeper inside.
The first rooms they passed were tea chambers, offering matcha and traditional tea ceremony experiences. Guests could enjoy flower arrangements, sample wagashi sweets, and sip tea with a tea master. However, since it was already evening, the two didn't stop there.
Beyond the tea rooms was the high-end restaurant where Ōmaeda planned to host Ran. The cuisine here was exquisite, and once they were seated, Ōmaeda had the establishment assign four attendants to serve them.
Massage.Foot kneading.
Directly across from the restaurant was the kabuki theater. Onstage, a dramatic and energetic performance unfolded—actors in flamboyant makeup and lavish costumes commanded everyone's attention with powerful movements and song.
Watching Ran calmly enjoy the services, Ōmaeda laughed heartily.
"So, Ran-san? How does it feel? It's a shame you're not an adult yet—otherwise I could've shown you the real adult world. Hahahaha!"
"Ōmaeda-san."
"Hm? What is it, Ran-san?" Ōmaeda replied, even as his hands were being far too enthusiastic with the attendants beside him.
"Ōmaeda-san, please stop touching and eat properly," one of the attendants protested softly.
"To think you'd use this to test a Leaf ninja," Ran said solemnly, face full of righteousness. "What kind of Leaf ninja could possibly fail such a test?"
Ōmaeda, chewing food fed to him by an attendant, blinked."Eh? Ran-san, what are you talking about? Is the service not good enough?"
"No," Ran replied seriously. "What I mean is—this is really good."
"…."
"Hahahaha!" Ōmaeda roared with laughter. "I knew you'd like it! Honestly, Konoha's entertainment houses are far too crude. They don't even compare to Yoshiwara."
Glancing at Ran—who was maintaining a perfectly serious expression while enjoying a massage and eating without restraint—Ōmaeda added,
"After we finish eating, let's head to the hot springs. Senhime has its own private baths—perfect for relaxing body and mind."
Despite the establishment's questionable name, Ran and Ōmaeda enjoyed an entirely proper, delicious meal—followed by a thoroughly relaxing hot spring bath.
The next morning, 9:00 a.m.
Team Eight assembled once more.
Kurenai Yuhi, Inuzuka Tsubaki, and Dōmu Shin'ya all asked Ran how the meal Ōmaeda treated him to the night before had been.
Ran calmly described fresh sashimi dipped in rich sauce over sticky sushi rice; springy noodles in a deep, pork-bone broth ramen; tempura, grilled meat, assorted sashimi, and fried tofu.
As he spoke, he noticed the longing in Tsubaki's eyes.
Moved by the moment, Ran said, "To celebrate my first completed mission—sensei, Tsubaki, Shin'ya—how about we organize a team dinner once we're back in Konoha?"
"Agreed."
"Ran. Saikō."
Seeing her students so enthusiastic, Kurenai nodded in approval.
Ninja missions, in truth, were mostly dull. B-rank missions and above were especially exhausting, time-consuming, and often involved encounters with ninja from other villages. Because of that, extra activities were necessary to deal with the psychological aftereffects.
Watching Team Eight so united, Kurenai recalled the task Hiruzen Sarutobi had given her: to objectively observe and evaluate Uchiha Ran—to determine what kind of person he truly was.
Based on Ran's performance during this mission and his conduct toward others, Kurenai had already formed her judgment.
On the return journey, late at night, after all three students had fallen asleep, Kurenai took out her notebook by the campfire and began writing her evaluation.
Evaluation: Uchiha Ran
Unlike typical members of the Uchiha clan, he lacks arrogance. He shows genuine love for the village, and through conversation, it is clear he hopes to improve relations between his clan and Konoha.
His strength already surpasses the vast majority of genin. His self-created techniques blend swordsmanship and genjutsu—making it hard to imagine just how poor his theoretical scores must be to have held him back academically. His techniques excel at first-contact kills; even an average chūnin could fall victim if unprepared, though with foreknowledge, even genin could potentially evade them.
His personality is… peculiar. He gets along with everyone, always smiling, and maintains excellent relationships with his teammates. At times, his tongue can be sharp, and he possesses a certain dark humor—however, overall, his nature is not bad. He also interacts well with civilians and shows strong adaptability. He is worth further cultivation.
Closing her notebook beneath the firelight, Kurenai felt confident that submitting this to the Hokage would suffice.
Perhaps the Hokage had already seen these traits in Ran—that was why he wanted him nurtured.
Suddenly, Kurenai felt as though something was watching her.
A faint sense of disharmony brushed against her perception.
She turned and glanced at the three sleeping students—no movement, no abnormalities.
Rising to her feet, she began to patrol the surrounding area.
"Strange… the sense of disharmony is gone," she murmured. "No one nearby. I'm not under genjutsu either. Where did that feeling come from…?"
After circling the camp without finding anything, she could only suppress her doubts.
Yet if one were to look closely at Uchiha Ran, sleeping peacefully by the fire—
They would notice the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.