As the formalities for Team 8's participation in the Chunin Exams concluded, the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and red.
Yuhi Kurenai returned to her home as she always did after a long day. After a relaxing bath, she sat at her low table, pouring herself a glass of her favorite sake. Accompanying her drink was her usual side dish—spicy wasabi octopus.
But before the glass could reach her lips, a hand appeared out of nowhere and snatched it away.
"You shouldn't drink so much at night. A hangover isn't good for anyone," a familiar voice said, tinged with both warmth and mischief.
Kurenai froze, her kunai instantly in hand. When she turned to see who it was, her breath hitched. The man standing before her, dressed in a simple gray outfit, was unmistakable. His black hair, sharp dark eyes, and chiseled features were no longer those of a young boy. Standing at nearly 1.8 meters tall, his slender yet powerful frame exuded maturity and confidence.
"K-Kirito?" she stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and joy.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Kurenai-sensei?" Kirito gave her a small smile, swirling the glass of sake casually in his hand.
The joy in her heart quickly shifted to guarded suspicion. She pointed her kunai at his throat, her eyes narrowing. "You've become a missing-nin, haven't you?"
Kirito didn't flinch. His expression shifted to one of playful mockery. "Is that how you greet someone you haven't seen in five years? Ready to cut me down as soon as I arrive?"
Her grip tightened on the kunai, but her shoulders quivered slightly. "Answer me," she demanded, though her voice was softer now. "Why did you leave? Why become a traitor?"
Kirito sighed, his tone turning serious. "You've changed, haven't you, Kurenai?"
"Changed? What do you mean?" she asked, startled by his words.
For a moment, her mind raced. Over the years, her feelings for Kirito had grown beyond that of a master and student. She'd thought of him often, missing his charm, his laughter, and the way he made her feel alive. She'd even considered accepting the existence of others in his life, like Pakura, just to be part of his world.
When she'd learned from Kakashi that Kirito had been labeled a rogue ninja, suspected of annihilating the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, her world had crumbled. She'd withdrawn from the life of a ninja, joining the medical corps to escape the constant reminders of her loss. But when the Third Hokage summoned her to mentor Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, she reluctantly returned to the frontlines.
"Changed how?" she asked again, this time more hesitantly.
Kirito leaned forward, his dark eyes holding hers. "You've become even more beautiful," he said simply.
Her cheeks flushed red, and her hand faltered. "You're as shameless as ever," she muttered, though a smile tugged at her lips.
"I'm serious," Kirito insisted. "You don't notice it because you see yourself every day. But for me, seeing you after all this time… it's impossible not to notice."
Her blush deepened. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "You still haven't answered my question," she said sternly, though her voice wavered.
Kirito's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. "I'm sure Kakashi told you everything. So, what will you do, Kurenai? Will you fulfill your duty as a Konoha jonin and cut me down? Or will you act as my former teacher and listen?"
Kurenai lowered her gaze, her kunai trembling in her hand. She didn't know how to respond.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in Kirito's mind.
[System prompt: Congratulations to the host for triggering a system option.]
[1. Take the kunai, forcefully disarm her, and receive 10 Senzu Beans.]
[2. Convince Yuhi Kurenai, reward: Armament Haki.]
[3. Do nothing, turn around and run away, reward: 999,999 Viagra.]
Kirito's dark eyes gleamed with determination. He knew what he had to do.
He stepped forward, gently pressing his neck against the kunai. "If you want to kill me, do it now," he whispered, his voice laced with sorrow. A single tear slid down his cheek.
Kurenai's grip on the kunai faltered as her heart clenched. She'd never seen him cry before.
"Kirito," she said softly, her voice trembling.
Kirito closed his eyes, his voice breaking as he spoke. "Once, I had something precious. Someone I loved. But I let them slip away. I didn't cherish them, and now… it's too late. That's the worst kind of pain."
Her kunai clattered to the floor, embedding itself into the wood. Tears welled in her crimson eyes as her shoulders shook. "Kirito," she whispered again.
Kirito opened his eyes, his gaze tender. "If I could go back, I'd tell that person I love them. And if I had to put a time limit on that love, I'd want it to last ten thousand years."
Kurenai's tears fell freely now. She didn't try to stop them. Her breathing was ragged as she stepped closer to him.
"Why, Kirito?" she asked, her voice filled with anguish. "Why did you leave? Why become a rogue ninja?"
(End of Chapter)
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