"Do you think Tenten will like this gift?"
Looking at the chibi-style figurine of Tenten, Kiyoshi let out a soft chuckle.
He had always felt a certain fondness toward her. She had shown him constant concern, quietly watching over him.
He wasn't oblivious to her innocent, budding feelings. This gift was a small token of appreciation.
"And then there's that girl, Ino..."
Indeed, besides the Tenten figurine, he'd also crafted a second puppet.
This one was modeled after the well-known member of the "Ino–Shika–Cho" trio, the Yamanaka clan's successor—Yamanaka Ino.
Kiyoshi's late father had been a renowned medical Jonin.
Known for his straightforward and friendly nature, he'd formed many bonds over the years, particularly with the Ino–Shika–Cho trio.
Over the years, the three clans had frequently come by to visit Kiyoshi's mother, who had health issues and limited mobility.
As a young child with no one to guide him, Kiyoshi would often run into difficulties in his training.
The trio never hesitated to help, offering their teachings with patience.
As a result, Kiyoshi gradually grew close to them, even viewing Shikaku Nara and the others as family.
Naturally, he also became acquainted with Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, all heirs to their respective clans.
Unlike the heirs of other noble clans, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji didn't carry any arrogance.
They were close in age to Kiyoshi, so they all got along fairly well.
Ino even became a bit of a fan of Kiyoshi. They were like childhood friends.
Over the past two years, thanks to him, Ino and Tenten had grown to be close friends. The three of them often trained together, with Shikamaru, Choji, and Lee occasionally joining in.
Thus, determined to master the art of being a player, Kiyoshi had thoughtfully prepared gifts for both girls.
"Grandma, I'm heading out now!"
"Remember what I told you! Be careful!"
"I know, I know!"
Early the next morning, after sharing breakfast with his grandmother, Kiyoshi chatted with her for a while.
Using his Wood Release, imbued with life-giving energy, he revitalized her body once more.
After packing the two puppets into a gift box he had prepared, he headed for the door, heeding his grandmother's gentle advice.
"Right, almost forgot..." He paused, lightly tapping his head. "I need to water Kurenai-neechan's flowers!"
With a click, he took out the spare key Kurenai had given him, locked his own door, and walked into her apartment.
It was a cozy three-room setup with a small balcony. The place was neat and organized, filled with a pleasant fragrance. Kiyoshi wasn't surprised—Kurenai was always a meticulous person.
The living room had a couple of sofas, and a slightly worn photo sat on the nearby table.
It showed a stern man with red eyes standing next to a delicate girl with ruby-like eyes, her features as perfect as a porcelain doll.
This was Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku, a Konoha Jonin who had also perished during the Nine-Tails' attack. This photo, a memory of her late father, was one of Kurenai's most treasured possessions.
"Kurenai was really adorable as a child..." Kiyoshi picked up the photo, smiling at the girl in the picture.
"No matter how many times I look, she's still so likable!"
He gently wiped the photo. No wonder Asuma, the Third Hokage's son, had once tried to pursue her. Unfortunately, his feelings were unreciprocated.
Over the years, Kiyoshi had managed to piece together Kurenai's preferences.
She didn't mind if her future partner wasn't particularly handsome, but he had to be stronger than her and relatively close in age.
She didn't mind a man who enjoyed the occasional drink—as she, too, sometimes indulged—as long as he didn't overdo it.
However, she had no tolerance for heavy smokers, finding the smell unpleasant and unclean.
Thus, Asuma was effectively out of the picture.
"Ah, Asuma, you should just continue protecting the village,'" Kiyoshi muttered with a slight smirk.
"As for my beautiful and gentle Kurenai-neechan, I'll be the one to look after her in the future."
After spending so much time with her, he could hardly remain unaffected by the presence of such a kind, intelligent, and stunning woman.
Occasionally, she even showed him gentle gestures of closeness.
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