"Mmm!" A soft hand entered his palm, and the gentle voice of the owner rang out again, "It's me, Kurenai Yuhi. I came."
"Didn't you say you didn't want to see me?" Itsuki's voice choked up, as if he had been greatly wronged.
Kurenai froze.
When did she ever say she didn't want to see him? She clearly wanted to beat him to death!
Itsuki was the first person in the entire shinobi world to openly declare that he wanted to have three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines.
At the time, Kurenai didn't understand what this meant. What palaces, what courtyards, what seventy-two...?
After understanding it clearly, Kurenai's family never opened their door to Itsuki again.
The once fiery love abruptly ended.
"Go as far away as you can!" she thought.
"Why aren't you speaking?" Itsuki sniffled and said, "Do you know you were wrong?"
Kurenai's eye twitched.
Goodness! My fault? What did I do wrong? Should I not have stopped you from achieving your grand dream?
Do you believe I won't beat you to death with a stick right now!
But!
Looking at Itsuki's intentionally raised hands and covered eyes, occasionally letting out slight sobs, Kurenai felt genuinely helpless.
This guy had his eyes gouged out, yet it felt like it had become his weapon.
She was caught off guard and powerless against him!
"Alright, alright!" Kurenai said weakly, "I was wrong, okay?"
Itsuki's voice quivered with a sob, "Are you admitting mistake?"
Kurenai: "..."
That's enough!
If you push me any further, I'll hang you up and beat you!
"No!" Kurenai grasped Itsuki's hand firmly, her elegant voice mixed with determination, "Itsuki, I genuinely know I was wrong. Please forgive me."
I shouldn't have met you!
No, I should have knocked you out with a stick when you pursued me!
Itsuki nodded in satisfaction.
During their conversation, people had gradually entered the hospital room, watching the two in silent dismay.
What should they say?
Back then, Itsuki's pursuit of Kurenai Yuhi was so intense that almost the entire Konoha knew about it.
However!
No one believed they would last. Kurenai was six years older than Itsuki.
Their personalities didn't seem compatible at all.
Or rather, who could endure Itsuki's crazy antics?
Especially not Kurenai, who was admired by countless young shinobi.
Moreover, many knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi intended Kurenai to marry his younger son, Asuma, making her his daughter-in-law.
Was this an interception?
At this moment, Kurenai was not even twenty-two, just an ordinary special Jonin specializing in genjutsu.
Apart from being beautiful and having a good figure, there was nothing particularly outstanding about her.
However!
Her father was Yuhi Shinku, known as the Red Sunset of Konoha, one of the best genjutsu users at the time, who died during the Nine-Tails' attack.
His genjutsu was said to be so advanced that even the Sharingan couldn't copy it.
If that was all, it wouldn't be a big deal, as even the greatest shinobi die someday.
But he had another significant identity: Konoha's shinobi instructor.
He was responsible for teaching Konoha's Chunin and Genin.
Who knows how many people benefited from his guidance?
Many of those shinobi had already become Jonin.
That's potential!
If they were asked to die for Kurenai, it wouldn't happen, but in many situations, they wouldn't mind helping her.
If she were to compete for the Hokage position, this help would be considerable, stronger than many shinobi clans.
So, with Asuma, guided by hints from the Hokage, constantly approaching Kurenai, and numerous ordinary shinobi pursuing her...
Yet, Kurenai ended up with Itsuki, a seemingly unserious kid in many people's eyes.
Who knows how many jaws dropped at the time?
At this moment, many people unintentionally glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Seeing his face darken.
What are you looking at?
As if there's something between me and Kurenai!
Inside the hospital room, a brief silence fell.
"Itsuki, what really happened?" Kurenai couldn't help but ask.
This question brought everyone's attention back.
If possible, they absolutely didn't want to see Itsuki.
He was a troublesome little demon!
He made you feel helpless and frustrated from the inside out.
Everyone present had felt that pain, the pain from Itsuki!
But!
This incident was too significant.
From Konoha's top four, Uchiha clan leader, and two elders, to ordinary clan representatives, almost everyone came.
Itsuki asked in return, "Where's my brother?"
Fugaku Uchiha replied in a deep voice, "Shisui has woken up, but he hasn't said anything. He's been silent."
Oh, my foolish oniisan... no, my dear brother!
He hasn't said a word!
Even though he drank my tea and fell unconscious!
My efforts in gouging out your eyes to save your life weren't in vain!
"Sigh!" Itsuki sighed.
Where could you find such a brother who cared for his sibling so much!
"No need to sigh!" Danzo's sinister voice sounded, "Say what you need to. Don't think about lying. Let me tell you..."
The moment Danzo spoke, Itsuki's body trembled violently.
His expression turned fearful.
Danzo's words were abruptly cut off.
"Hmm?"
This scene drew many eyes to Danzo.
The Uchiha high-ups' gazes were especially sharp.
Goodness!
It really was you!
Danzo Shimura!
You have some nerve to dare break into our Uchiha territory and harm our geniuses!
We won't let this go!
Danzo: "..."
Judging by your reaction, could it really be me?
But why do I have no recollection of it?
Hiruzen, what exactly did you do?
"Ahem!" Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed dryly, glaring at Danzo.
I didn't want you to come in the first place.
You insisted on coming!
Happy now?
You did something, didn't you? Don't you have any idea?
Do you think everyone else is a fool?
Hiruzen turned his head, about to speak with a smile, but suddenly froze.
Many people's eyes were on him.
Because!
Itsuki trembled even more violently upon hearing his voice.
"Heh!" Uchiha Itachi let out a cold laugh.
That laugh spoke volumes.
It was just short of directly pointing at Hiruzen and saying: it was you two who did it.
Itsuki might not have said anything, but his expression said it all.
Hiruzen's face turned green.
Danzo, on the other hand, had a few more traces of disdain in his eyes.
Hiruzen, do you have no idea what you've done?
"What is going on here?" Mitokado Homura couldn't stand it anymore and shouted, "Uchiha Itsuki, speak up. Stop trembling and tell us everything you know. I'm warning you, stop acting mysterious!"
And so, Itsuki's trembling intensified.
As Kurenai held his hand, she couldn't hear murmur, "Scared..."
Mitokado Homura: "..."
The Uchiha's gazes turned even sharper.
Goodness, you were involved too.
There are four of you; we're still missing one!
Koharu Utatane, sensing the subtle stares, couldn't take it anymore.
She stepped forward and said angrily, "What do you mean? Uchiha Itsuki, are you implying that Hiruzen, Danzo, and Homura did this?"
Itsuki's response was to grab the blanket, cover his head, and hide under it.
Konoha's top four: "..."
He didn't say anything, but the blame pointed straight at them.
Goodness gracious!
It can be done this way!
(End of Chapter)