"It's done, Black Lily."
Looking at the Black Lily statue he created using the Immortality Rebirth technique, Shishou nodded in satisfaction.
Next to the Black Lily statue stood over a dozen giant female statues he had sculpted as practice for controlling Sage energy.
"Let's call it a day."
With a wave of his hand, Shishou reverted the statues back into the ground.
Afterward, he exited Sage Mode and disappeared from the spot.
...
Late at night.
Konoha, Kurenai Yuhi's residence.
"Who's there?!"
In the midst of her training in the courtyard, Kurenai sensed something, interrupting her practice. She warily stared at the corridor nearby.
After abandoning ordinary genjutsu training, Kurenai had focused on Yin Release perception techniques to ensure her Yin Release chakra wouldn't go to waste. Nothing in the courtyard could escape her notice.
Just now, she sensed someone entering her courtyard.
"Kurenai, it's been a while."
Shishou emerged from the shadows of the corridor, smiling at Kurenai.
He had resumed his usual appearance of a six-foot-tall man with a beard, recognized as the Flying Thunder God user who was renowned in the ninja world.
"You..."
Seeing the familiar figure she had longed for, Kurenai froze as if struck by lightning.
Although she had imagined countless scenarios of meeting this man again, she found herself at a loss for how to react now that he was here.
Quickly recovering from her shock, Kurenai's face turned cold, and she said icily, "Tsunade-sama has left Konoha."
She assumed he was there for Tsunade. According to her information, Tsunade had left the village the previous day to train in Shikkotsu Forest.
Since Shishou was known as the Flying Thunder God user and Karinjia, Kurenai had always thought he was an outsider to Konoha.
Ignoring her statement, Shishou walked into the courtyard, glancing at the training equipment scattered around.
"It looks like you've been training hard these past few years, Kurenai."
Reflecting on this, Shishou smiled at the cold-faced Kurenai.
"I'm not here to see Tsunade. I came to see you."
Hearing that Shishou was there for her, Kurenai's heart trembled, and her feigned indifference shattered.
She quickly turned her back to him, struggling to control her emotions, and said coldly, "I have nothing left to offer a great man like you, the Flying Thunder God user."
"You should leave."
Last time, to repay Shishou for saving her life, she had already given him her family's Yin Release training methods. What remained were just ordinary genjutsu techniques.
These techniques were of little use to her now, let alone to Shishou.
Seeing Kurenai's stubborn demeanor, Shishou frowned slightly.
He had never understood why she was so resistant to him.
If she truly disliked his flirtatious nature and didn't want to see him, why had she cried so bitterly after driving him away three years ago?
With these questions in mind, Shishou decided to find answers tonight.
He swiftly appeared behind Kurenai, grabbing her right hand.
Kurenai gasped as Shishou seized her hand.
She tried to punch him with her left hand, but he caught it with his other hand.
Shishou pinned her arms behind her back, holding her in his embrace.
"Let go of me!"
Her hands bound and her body pressed against his, Kurenai felt a mix of shame and anger. Her face turned crimson, though whether from embarrassment or fury, she didn't know.
Looking at the woman in his arms, Shishou asked seriously, "Kurenai, why do you hate me so much?"
His words made Kurenai's heart ache with a sudden pang of sadness.
If she truly hated Shishou, why did she often dream of him and the fiery sunset where he performed his jutsu?
Why did she secretly visit the bridge outside Konoha every month, hoping he would appear again?
But these were things she couldn't say to Shishou.
She didn't want to lose all her dignity in front of him, nor appear as a pathetic, lovelorn fool.
Especially considering his relationship with Tsunade, she couldn't express her feelings.
So, Kurenai could only turn her head away and remain silent.
Silence was her only option, torn between her true feelings and the inability to reveal them.
Seeing her silent, Shishou spoke again, "Kurenai, just say the word."
"And I will never bother you again."
He stared at her, unblinking.
He had no intention of truly leaving her alone, as they were now teacher and student, seeing each other daily. His words were merely a strategic retreat.
Hearing Shishou say he would never seek her out again, Kurenai's pent-up longing over the past three years turned into overwhelming grief and sorrow.
Her lips quivered, and tears flowed from her eyes, soaking Shishou's clothes.
Seeing her sudden tears, Shishou was stunned. He quickly released her.
Why was she crying all of a sudden?
He was even more perplexed by her now.
Thinking it over, Shishou took out two scrolls and said, "These scrolls contain the Senjutsu training methods of Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest. You can choose one to practice."
"The other scroll contains the summoning contracts for my three snake princesses. When practicing Senjutsu, you must summon them to watch over you, or it could be dangerous."
He handed the scrolls to her.
Kurenai, seeing the scrolls, bit her lip and stared blankly at Shishou.
Seeing her reaction, Shishou sighed.
"Sorry."
With that, he placed the scrolls on the ground and prepared to leave.
Hearing his apology, Kurenai assumed he really intended never to see her again, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.
Seeing him set the scrolls down and turn to leave, she instinctively reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
Seeing this, Shishou turned to face her, raising an eyebrow.
Kurenai, startled by her own action, looked up at him with a blush spreading across her face.
The atmosphere suddenly became very intimate.
**********
This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek. change @ to a