As Kazuya exited the Hokage building, he saw a familiar figure standing on the side of the road, absentmindedly kicking at a stone.
"Kazuya-kun!"
Yūhi Kurenai's face lit up when she spotted him. She eagerly waved her hand, her voice filled with joy.
"Kurenai," Kazuya greeted her with a smile. It was hard not to feel better after seeing her cheerful face.
"What are you doing here?" Kazuya asked, curious.
Kurenai rushed over to him, grabbing his arm with playful determination. "Kazuya-kun, today my father insisted that I invite you to dinner at our house. He was very clear—you're not allowed to refuse this time!"
Kazuya chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. But could you maybe let go of my arm? People are starting to stare."
"Hmph, I'm a girl and I'm not embarrassed. Why are you?" Kurenai teased, her grip firm.
"It's not that I'm embarrassed…"
"Less talking, more walking. Let's go!"
And with that, Kurenai pulled Kazuya along, ignoring his protests.
Embarrassed? Hardly. This was just the last futile struggle of a man destined for defeat.
The Yūhi family wasn't among Konoha's elite clans, but their home was much more comfortable than Kazuya's humble dwelling as a common shinobi.
Before long, Kurenai had dragged him to her family's doorstep.
Waiting at the entrance was Yūhi Shinku, her father, smiling broadly as he spotted them.
"Kazuya!" Shinku greeted warmly. "It's been a while. Every time I see you, you seem more and more handsome. No wonder I've set my sights on you as my future son-in-law!"
Kazuya blinked, taken aback. "Uh… what?"
"Father!" Kurenai's face turned beet red as she stomped her foot. "You can't just say things like that!"
"Nonsense!" Shinku responded with mock sternness. "You're already eighteen, Kurenai. And with the village approaching a time of peace, it's about time you both gave me some grandchildren!"
"Grandchildren?" Kurenai froze, her father's words hitting her like a ton of bricks. Her mind flashed back to the terrifying night of the Nine-Tails' attack.
That night, her father had nearly lost his life, and it was Kazuya who had saved him. If it weren't for Kazuya, Shinku's final words might have been those of a dying man.
Glancing up at Kazuya's handsome, composed face, Kurenai felt warmth spread through her chest.
"And you, Kazuya!" Shinku turned his attention back to him, this time with mock indignation. "As a man, shouldn't you be more proactive? You're good at everything else, but when it comes to relationships, you need to show some passion! Take charge!"
With that, Shinku threw an arm around Kazuya and led him inside the house.
"Uh... sure, whatever you say, sir," Kazuya muttered, clearly resigned to his fate.
Kurenai, meanwhile, was doing her best to suppress her laughter. Seeing Kazuya—normally so composed—looking flustered was a rare and delightful sight.
After a hearty dinner, Kazuya left the Yūhi home, slightly tipsy from the drinks Shinku had insisted they share.
Shinku had spent hours chatting with Kazuya, clearly treating him like family already. It made sense—Kazuya had saved his life, and he was powerful, talented, and, to top it off, ridiculously good-looking. A perfect match for any father's daughter.
Kazuya had always been popular among the women of Konoha. Plenty of clan daughters had set their sights on him.
But in this case, it was clear—Kurenai had genuine feelings for him, and her father was more than happy to support that.
In the shinobi world, when a woman came of age and a man reached twenty, it was time to start thinking about settling down.
The next morning, Kazuya woke up refreshed and ready for the day. After quickly washing up and eating breakfast, he made his way to the training ground where the Hokage's "experience bundles" were waiting for him.
Oh, wait—not experience bundles—the Fourth Hokage's former bodyguards: Shiranui Genma, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami!
Two Special Jonin and one Chunin. In terms of power, they weren't the strongest trio, but they were the only ones who knew the Flying Thunder Formation—the weaker version of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The three of them could work together to perform this jutsu, teleporting objects and people over long distances.
Kazuya wasn't sure if practicing this technique would give him the experience needed to master the full Flying Thunder God Technique, but it was worth the gamble.
When Kazuya arrived at the training ground, Genma greeted him with his signature senbon dangling from his lips.
"Kazuya-taichou, it's an honor."
Raido joined in. "We received the Hokage's orders. We'll be assisting you with your Flying Thunder God training for the next few days."
"Thank you," Kazuya said with a smile.
Genma grinned back. "It's the least we can do. You fought off the Fourth Raikage—what we're doing pales in comparison."
It was clear that the team held Kazuya in high regard after hearing about his battle with the Raikage.
Kazuya chuckled inwardly. He remembered Genma well from the original story.
Genma had a knack for showing up in the most intense situations, almost like a battlefield reporter with a front-row seat to every major event.
And now, these three were about to help Kazuya unlock the secrets of the legendary Flying Thunder God Technique.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shiranui Genma, alongside Terumi Mei, protected the Daimyo and showcased a bit of his Flying Thunder Formation.
The most absurd part? When Might Duy opened all Eight Gates and wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Genma was there too, fighting alongside the legendary taijutsu master! Talk about being in the right place at the right time for a background character.
Soon enough, the training began.
Kazuya's request was simple: he wanted them to demonstrate the Flying Thunder Formation.
While the technique consumed a significant amount of chakra over long distances, it was far less demanding for shorter distances.
The three quickly formed a formation, activating the jutsu.
Whoosh!
In an instant, they disappeared and reappeared ten meters away.
A single step spanning ten meters!
This is the power of the Flying Thunder God!
But that wasn't what Kazuya cared about.
What he was interested in...
Were the two golden lights that shot toward him.