Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Kitazawa wasn’t sure if Kakashi was struggling right now—but personally, he was in quite a good mood.

From his vantage point, he watched as Kurenai leaned forward over the coffee table. Her pale arms rested on the surface, and the crimson fabric of her dress stretched taut across her figure, outlining her curves.

At this close distance, he caught a subtle, pleasant fragrance lingering in the air. He couldn’t tell whether it was her natural scent or simply her shampoo—but either way, it was distracting.

Just then, Kurenai lifted her head sharply.

Kitazawa met her ruby-like eyes on instinct.

“You weren’t like this before,” she remarked, sitting upright and narrowing her gaze at him.

The Kitazawa she remembered had never been so openly bold. He’d always been polite and gentle with everyone but kept a careful distance, never letting anyone get too close.

But now… he didn’t hesitate to look.

“People change,” Kitazawa said, a faint smile curving his lips.

Kurenai studied him quietly, momentarily taken aback.

That was when she realized the biggest difference in him: Kitazawa was brimming with confidence now. She wasn’t sure why—but she had to admit, confidence looked good on him.

And that was probably why she wasn’t angry about being stared at.

“I like the new you better,” she said, smiling back at him.

Then, she steered the conversation back on track. “So—what are your ideas for Yakumo’s second genjutsu?”

“The Therapeutic Words Jutsu helps lower a target’s guard and ease mental strain,” Kitazawa said, tapping his fingers lightly against the table. “But for the second genjutsu… I want to take it further. I want it to compel the target to speak their true thoughts—whether they want to or not.”

He was basing the concept on the idea of a truth serum from his previous life—a genjutsu he mentally dubbed the Truth Extraction Jutsu.

“That’s going to be a lot harder to pull off,” Kurenai Yuhi said thoughtfully. “At minimum, it’d be a C-rank Jutsu… maybe even B-rank.”

“It won’t be easy, that’s true.” Kitazawa gave a small laugh. “But we’re not in a rush. We’ve got time to research and develop it properly.”

“Fair enough,” Kurenai agreed, nodding. Then she asked, “Are you still thinking of making it a sound-based genjutsu?”

“To make it a bit simpler, I’m considering a visual approach instead,” Kitazawa said after a brief pause. “We could start by modifying the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Jutsu.”

“Good idea!” Kurenai said, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

The Hell Viewing Jutsu worked by manipulating a person’s vision, creating vivid hallucinations that made them mistake one place—or one person—for another. In the original story, Kotetsu Hagane had used it to trick genin during the Chunin Exams into entering the wrong classroom.

“We could absolutely have Yakumo appear as the person the patient trusts most,” Kurenai said, practically vibrating with excitement. “It’d be the perfect way to make them open up!”

“Exactly,” Kitazawa said with a grin. “You catch on quick.”

“I’m just building on your ideas,” Kurenai said, giving him a sly look. “When did you get so clever, anyway?”

“People change,” Kitazawa repeated, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

Kurenai rolled her eyes lightly. “Do you even know how the Hell Viewing Jutsu works?”

“Nope,” Kitazawa admitted with a small shrug. “Never learned it.”

“It seems I’m still good for something, then,” Kurenai said with a light laugh. She pulled out a ninjutsu scroll and held it up. “Want me to teach it to you?”

“There’s no need to waste time on me,” Kitazawa said, shaking his head. “It’s enough if you learn it.”

“Alright,” Kurenai said, accepting his decision. She knew Kitazawa’s specialty was Wind Release Jutsus, and there was no point in forcing the issue.

Time slipped by unnoticed as they continued to talk and plan.

Outside the window, the sunlight slowly faded, leaving only the last traces of crimson lingering across the sky.

“Come on—drink with me!”

Kurenai raised her glass, eyes shining with excitement.

After a long day spent researching genjutsu, the two of them finally sat down together for dinner.

“Cheers!”

Kitazawa grinned and clinked glasses with her before downing his drink in one smooth gulp.

“Ahhh!”

Kurenai let out a satisfied sigh. She swayed slightly in her seat, her red dress rippling around her curves.

“Fill it up!” she demanded, thrusting her glass toward him.

Kitazawa reached for the sake bottle, but paused when he realized how light it felt in his hand. He gave it a quick shake—no sound at all.

“It’s empty. You’ve had enough for today,” he said, setting the bottle down.

“What… what did you just say?”

Kurenai suddenly stood, leaning forward until her face was just inches from his. The scent of perfume and sake drifted over him, teasing his senses.

Kitazawa’s eyes flicked downward, catching sight of her soft, pink lips. He quickly reached out, pressing his hands to her shoulders and gently guiding her back into her chair.

“All the sake you brought is gone!” he said, raising his voice over hers.

“Then go buy more!”

Kurenai fired back without missing a beat.

“No way.”

Kitazawa crossed his arms. “Drinking too much isn’t good for you.”

“Huh?”

Kurenai glared at him, eyes narrowing as she demanded, “Are you going to buy it or not?”

“Nope.”

Kitazawa stood his ground, utterly unfazed.

“You… you jerk! I’m not going to forget this!”

Kurenai huffed, pouting as she bit her finger in frustration.

Kitazawa couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, alright. Why don’t you rest for a bit? Once I wash the dishes, I’ll take you home.”

“Humph.”

Kurenai let out a dismissive snort. She pushed herself up, staggered over to the sofa, and flopped onto it dramatically. The soft bounce of her full hips didn’t escape Kitazawa’s notice.

Kitazawa gathered up the plates and chopsticks, carrying them into the kitchen.

About ten minutes later, he peeled off his apron and stepped back into the living room.

“Okay, time to go home, Yuhi,” he said.

“No… I’m not leaving.”

Kurenai waved him off without lifting her head, rolling over on the sofa until her crimson dress fell half off her shoulder.

“What’s this? Planning to sleep over?” Kitazawa teased, grinning.

“Why not?”

Kurenai sat up, hair falling around her face as she declared, “I have to come back tomorrow anyway. It’s too much trouble going back and forth.”

“You’re serious?”

Kitazawa blinked in surprise.

“Yep. Now, I’m going to take a bath. Where’s your bathroom?”

Kurenai pushed herself to her feet, swaying as she stood.

“Over there,” Kitazawa said, pointing. He wasn’t about to argue—his place was spacious enough for a few overnight guests.

“Be careful,” he added, stepping closer to steady her.

“I’m fine!”

Kurenai elbowed him lightly and staggered toward the bathroom.

“Did you bring clothes to change into?” Kitazawa called after her.

“Of course I did,” she shot back, leaning against the bathroom door.

Ninja always carried essentials for emergencies—at least the chunin and jonin did. Most genin simply couldn’t afford fancy storage scrolls.

“Alright then. Let me know if you need anything.”

Kitazawa turned to go but paused when Kurenai suddenly twisted around to look at him.

She remembered how firmly he’d refused to buy more sake earlier—and a playful glint entered her eyes.

“Hey… want to bathe together?” she asked, a mischievous smile curling her lips.

The look on her face practically said: ’I dare you.’

“Sure.”

Kitazawa started walking toward her without missing a beat.

Kurenai’s teasing grin froze. Panic flickered across her features.

In a flash, she stumbled backward and slammed the bathroom door shut.

“Forget it! I changed my mind! I’m bathing alone—and you’re not allowed in!”

Leaning against the door, Kurenai felt her heart pounding, her cheeks flushing hot.

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