Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

“That’s right.” Asuma nodded. “It’s a gift of thanks, and also a statement. The Daimyo is very satisfied with the old man and the Shadow Guard!”

No wonder the famous one was so generous… Qingwu raised an eyebrow.

It wasn't just because he won, but also because he unintentionally became the "knife" that the daimyo used to punish Danzo, and a sharp, useful knife that didn't require him to get his own blood on it.

Politics is truly everywhere.

“But you still need to be careful,” Asuma said. “Qingwu, Danzo has lost face this time and he will not let it go. You must be vigilant when you go back.”

As Asuma said this, he looked at Kurenai again, as if he was very worried.

Kurenai smoothed her hair and asked casually, "Then why did you stay to be a Guardian Shinobi?"

Asma fell silent.

A moment later, he patted the "fire" character on his belt. "Let's go, or we won't make it back to Konoha before dark."

Chapter 113 Women are Terrifying

The capital city is not far from Konoha.

According to the average ninja's pace, it would take two days to arrive.

The four of them arrived in a relaxed state of mind, and it took them two days to get there.

When they returned, only three people remained.

Moreover, Qingwu was in a hurry to get back, so he summoned the Pegasus.

Kurenai Yuhi experienced the thrill of "high-speed flight" for the first time, and excitedly shouted all the way.

Pegasus landed just before reaching Konoha.

Because he needed to report back to the Third Generation Leader first, Qingwu had to suppress his desire to return directly to his territory.

"Qingwu, you have quite a few good things in your possession."

Kurenai said playfully, "If you use it to woo a girl, it will definitely surprise her endlessly."

Qingwu smiled but did not respond to those words.

Just kidding. Although girls in the ninja world mature earlier, he, with memories of two lifetimes, would find it hard to be interested in a girl in her early teens.

Kurenai Yuhi pouted, "You don't look fourteen at all."

After spending a few days together, the first impression Qingwu gave Xi Ri Hong was... composure.

Sometimes she felt that... Qingwu was more mature than Asma, who always had a cigarette in his mouth and was "pretending to be mature".

"Senior Asuma..." Tenzo couldn't help but ask, "Is he really not coming back?"

Kurenai thought for a moment, "That was his choice."

She didn't really understand either.

However, the two grew up together, although... she doesn't have those feelings for Asuma yet.

But there is still some tacit understanding between them.

Kurenai Yuhi said softly, "Just as Kakashi chose to stay in the shadows, while Asuma chose to stand in the light, everyone... has their own path to walk."

"She's precocious indeed," Qingwu muttered, "Does this sound like something a 17-year-old girl would say?"

Unfortunately, Kurenai noticed Seigo's expression.

"You seem to disdain what I'm saying." Kurenai Yuhi hardened her stance, her fist hardening!

The two had become quite familiar with each other over the past few days, and Qingwu quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I've had a great time this time, let me treat you to a meal, senior?"

"That's more like it." Kurenai lightly punched Seigo's shoulder. "But you wouldn't be so stingy as to take us out for ramen, would you, Tenzo?"

Tianzang said in a low voice, "Ramen is very good."

"I shouldn't have asked you, you brat." Kurenai rolled her eyes and turned to Seigo, saying, "Go ahead!"

"Let's have some barbecue," Qingwu said. "I'd like to invite Iruka and Kakashi-senpai as well."

"No way!" Kurenai Yuhi refused unexpectedly. "You said you'd treat me to dinner, but if you invite so many people, won't I just be a side dish?"

"..." Tenzo looked up at Kurenai and thought to himself: Women are so terrifying...

"Okay, okay, okay," Qingwu said with a helpless smile, "Then I'll invite someone else next time."

"That's more like it," Kurenai said with satisfaction, then chuckled, "But we still have Tenzo here, don't we? If it weren't just the two of us, it wouldn't feel like a date, would it?"

"..." Tianzang looked up again, then hurriedly lowered his head again.

"Ahem," Kurenai realized that what she said seemed a bit ambiguous, and quickly changed the subject: "We should have some drinks this year."

Qingwu said speechlessly, "We're not even adults yet..."

"Enough with the nonsense!"

With the gates of Konoha in sight, Kurenai Yuhi led the way...

……

After reporting to the Third Hokage, it was already dark when I walked out of the Hokage Building.

Led by Kurenai Yuhi, the three arrived at an inconspicuous but very popular barbecue restaurant deep in the alleys of Konoha.

The sizzling sound of the iron plate filled the small shop with the aroma of meat mixed with the scent of scallions and garlic.

The warm yellow light kept the chill of early spring outside the door.

Kurenai Yuhi propped her cheek on one hand and said with a smile, "I have to drink today. I've been on edge for days, and I can't relax without a drink."

Tianzang glanced at Qingwu and whispered, "Senior Hong, we have training tomorrow..."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Kurenai blinked gently. "It's rare for the 'rich tycoon' Qingwu to treat us, wouldn't it be a waste not to drink some good wine?"

Qingwu chuckled, "As you would, senior, boss, bring me a pot of sake first!"

Sake and side dishes were served, and the grilled meat on the teppanyaki grill began to sizzle and glisten with oil. In this atmosphere, Qingwu completely relaxed.

Kurenai poured herself a full glass, took a light sniff, and looked as content as if she had shed all her burdens.

"Cheers to the successful completion of the mission!" she raised her glass.

Tianzang glanced at Qingwu before raising his cup to clink with Xiri Hong's, but he didn't drink the wine in the cup; he simply set it aside.

Kurenai didn't seem to care, looking at Aoko with a half-smile.

Qingwu was pondering the meaning behind Kurenai Yuhi's words. A mission? What was her and Asuma Sarutobi's mission? Besides thwarting Danzo's plan, was it to leave Asuma behind as a Guardian Shinobi?

However, this involves personal privacy, so Qingwu couldn't ask directly.

"For a safe return!"

Qingwu clinked glasses with Xiri Hong and drank it all in one gulp.

Although Konoha has a rule that minors are not allowed to drink alcohol, ninjas, who live a life of constant danger, need to relax, so the restrictions are relatively less strict.

After downing the sake, Qingwu smacked his lips. "That's it? This stuff can get you drunk?"

Kurenai also downed her drink, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, her eyes softening slightly.

"For a safe return... Qingwu boy, well said."

Tianzang buried his head in eating meat, honest and earnest.

Kurenai poured herself another glass of wine and said with a smile, "Don't always be so serious, Tenzo. Even ninjas need to learn to enjoy themselves sometimes."

Tianzang forced a smile and nodded, but still didn't drink.

Qingwu also filled his own cup, saying, "Tianzang is still young, I'll drink with you, senior."

Kurenai Yuhi swirled her wine glass. "Among the younger generation of Konoha, you're definitely the one I like the most."

Qingwu smiled and raised her glass, "Come on, let's celebrate the fact that we're destined to sit together and eat barbecue."

Ding!

Tianzang quickly picked up his cup, clinked it together, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Cough cough cough-"

Perhaps he wasn't used to the taste of alcohol, or maybe he drank it too quickly, but Tianzang started coughing violently.

Kurenai Yuhi paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Haha, Tenzo, you little brat, you dared to disrespect me!"

A bottle of sake was quickly finished amidst the eating and drinking.

Kurenai raised her hand and asked the shopkeeper for another bottle, her face flushed, and said, "Sometimes I wonder, why do we become ninjas, risking our lives every day? What is it all for?"

Qingwu's heart stirred. Could a seventeen-year-old girl have such insights?

"To protect the village!" Tenzo answered meticulously.

He drank one glass, then pushed the glass away, clearly disgusted.

“Yes,” Kurenai nodded, a gentle light appearing in her eyes:

"But the word 'protect' is sometimes too heavy."

"Being able to enjoy a hot barbecue, a good drink, and have reliable companions by my side, safe and sound—that's the most real form of 'protection'."

After drinking, Kurenai seems to become particularly prone to reminiscing...

Chapter 114 The First Direct Encounter with Danzo

guard……

Qingwu guessed that Kurenai Yuhi probably thought of Asuma, who had become a Guardian Ninja.

With the atmosphere set, he also shared some of his own insights.

“I used to think that I needed to become stronger and have enough power to better protect what I wanted to protect.”

Qingwu said softly, "Now I understand that being able to sit here peacefully and eat barbecue is a victory in itself."

Tianzang nodded vigorously upon hearing this. Coming from the Root, he understood even more how hard-won "stability" was.

Kurenai raised her eyes, gave Qingwu a deep look, and smiled, "You see things more clearly than many Jonin."