(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"Is it really necessary to come to my house just for a drink?"
In the living room, Colt understood why Kurenai had come to his home.
It was simply to have a drink, which made him feel rather a bit uneasy.
Kurenai boldly downed a large glass and sighed helplessly.
"That Anko has been so busy lately, she has no time to spend with me. As for my place... well, let's just say there's something off about it. Can't you just let me drink in peace?"
She didn't want to elaborate, but Asuma had been pursuing her more persistently recently.
And as she was Feeling bored, she decided to come here instead.
"I see," Colt didn't pry further.
Everyone had their secrets, and digging too deep would only make him appear nosy.
"Let me have some too then," Colt said, eyeing the several bottles of sake Kurenai had brought.
"You're not of age yet," Kurenai refused naturally.
Colt retorted, "Tsk old enough to kill, but can't drink, huh? Besides, my development is quite earlier than others!"
Remembering the well-defined muscles, she had seen that certain morning and the fact that his age didn't suit how his body looked, Kurenai's pretty face flushed a very hidden red.
'It does make sense…'
In the end, she relented and gave Colt two bottles.
There was no point in drinking alone at any rate.
The two exchanged cups in the small living room.
It didn't take long for Kurenai to enter her drunken state. Colt wasn't faring much better either.
In his previous life, he was considered a heavyweight drinker, but in this life, his body was only 13 years old and had never been exposed to alcohol. He felt a little dizzy after just one bottle.
But for the sake of his masculine pride, he couldn't let himself fall before Kurenai.
'Hiccup'
Finally, Kurenai fell asleep at the table, and Colt had also reached his limit.
He staggered as he helped Kurenai to the guest room, then returned to his own room and promptly fell asleep.
**********
Early the next morning, Colt found himself deep in thought as he looked at Kurenai sleeping soundly on his arm.
'Again'
He could have sworn he had sent her to the guest room last night. Had he remembered wrong?
As if feeling his gaze, Kurenai woke up shortly after and also fell into silence.
But as the saying goes, what's done was already done, no need to overthink it.
This time she accepted the situation much faster than before, already knowing that it was just a misunderstanding.
She dressed neatly without a word and left Colt's house.
That night... Kurenai came again.
'Is this going to become routine from now on?'
Colt was helpless and had to sacrifice himself to accompany the kunoichi.
In the days leading up to the final round of the Chunin exam, Kurenai would come to Colt's house every night with a few bottles of sake. And every morning, she would wake up in his bed.
The relationship between the two was rather peculiar. Colt searched for a long time before he came up with a name for this arrangement: sleeping partners. Because that was all that happened.
On the last night before the exam, Kurenai remained sober this time.
She naturally came to Colt's bedroom. She climbed to the bed and took to his side.
Even she didn't know why she was like this, but as she felt content for a change, she didn't want to question anything at this moment.
The two maintained their unspoken understanding, neither saying anything more.
"The exam tomorrow is important. You need to do your best," Kurenai encouraged.
Hearing this, Colt nodded and after a moment's thought, he cautioned.
"Be careful tomorrow. I have a feeling the Sand Village might be up to something."
Although puzzled, Kurenai hummed softly in acknowledgment and skillfully rested her head on Colt's arm.
Colt was too tired by now to say anything…
They spent the night in silence.
The next day, the Konoha Village was bustling with activity.
Countless wealthy businessmen, nobles, and dignitaries from all over the world had gathered here.
In the massive arena, the seats were already packed, filled with excited chatter.
On the high platform, the Third Hokage looked at the figure of the Kazekage opposite him and expressed his welcome.
"Fourth Kazekage, this is our first meeting, as such I welcome you to Konoha," The Third Hokage said with a smile, stroking his beard.
The Fourth Kazekage, actually Orochimaru in disguise, replied with a hint of disdain.
"Thank you. However, why do you still serve as a Hokage at such an advanced age? Is there really no one capable in Konoha?"
It was a thinly veiled accusation that the Third was clinging to power.
The Third Hokage wasn't fazed at all and instead laughed heartily, "There are so many outstanding juniors, it's difficult for me to choose. Unlike Sunagakure, I suppose the next Kazekage will be one of your children, right?"
Orochimaru snorted coldly, not deigning to respond.
Meanwhile, in the contestants' waiting room, almost all the participants had already arrived, except for Sasuke, who was fashionably late.
In the waiting area, apart from Colt who was holding Hinata and Ino's hands to help them relax, everyone else was very quiet.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourselves," Colt advised.
"Once you're out there, just do your best to show what you're capable of. The Third Hokage made it clear that this test isn't just about who wins to advance to Chunin. It's to assess your overall qualities."
Temari looked at the three who were so close to each other. For some reason, she felt a little uncomfortable and snorted coldly.
Gaara noticed Temari's change but didn't understand. He followed her line of sight and said seriously, "I'll kill him for you."
Normally, he wouldn't be a match for Colt, but today was different.
"Don't!" Temari said hurriedly, before realizing her slip. She quickly added, "The overall mission is the priority. Everything should follow the plan."
At that moment, Genma, chewing on his ever-present senbon, walked in.
Colt raised his eyebrows. Was Hayate gone? Although he knew about this in advance, the specific details had long been forgotten. Colt only remembered that Hayate had been killed by Baki and Gaara.
Genma announced the rules of the competition and then said, "The first match: Kamiyo Colt vs. Temari!"
Hearing this, Colt and Temari stood up simultaneously and walked out of the area.
"Colt, you can do it!"
"We believe in you!"
The Konoha ninjas cheered for Colt, and even Shino, who wasn't one for words, offered encouragement.
Colt smiled and nodded at them as he entered the arena, facing the anticipating gazes of the crowd.
In the audience, Hanabi excitedly shouted, "Go, elder brother!"
Hiashi Hyuga frowned, "Hanabi, mind your manners!"
Hanabi stuck out her tongue and then sat back down, suddenly becoming obedient.
On the high platform, Orochimaru asked, feigning casualness, "Is this Konoha's genius, Kamiyo Colt?"
He emphasized the word "genius" with his accent.
The Third Hokage continued to smile, as if not noticing the underlying intent, "Colt is a ninja who has inherited the Will of Fire and will help Konoha to spread its branches wide."
Now it was Orochimaru's turn to be caught off guard. Wasn't it Konoha's tradition to suppress geniuses? Why did this change when it came to Kamiyo Colt?
In fact, Orochimaru didn't understand enough about human nature.
When the Third was at the peak of his prime, too many talents would have threatened his position, so he naturally had some reservations. But now that he was nearing the end of his life, the more geniuses Konoha had, the happier he was. That's just how people are; their mentality can change.
In the arena, Colt and Temari stood facing each other.
Genma raised his arms high and then brought them down.
"Begin!"