Shinigami?
The intel Yuhi Kurenai extracted from the rogue ninjas unsettled the group. Only Uchiha Ying remained contemplative. Shinigami… Could this be connected to the Death God masks from the Land of Whirlpools? The mystery warranted investigation.
"Do gods truly exist in this world?"
Unlike civilians, ninjas wielded immense power and rarely felt the need for divine reverence. Aburame Shino scoffed at the idea.
"It's unclear," Kurenai admitted. "But the rogues provided us with some valuable leads. This mission may now involve confronting Cloud Village shinobi. It's likely to be reclassified as B-rank… potentially even A-rank."
B-rank missions typically entailed ninja combat. Having already engaged the rogues, Kurenai wanted to be upfront. "Given the increased risk, I advise withdrawal. However, as this is your first official mission, I'll take your opinions into account."
This was intended as a training exercise—there was no need for unnecessary risks. Still, as their sensei, she naturally hoped for their success.
"A-rank…?" Hinata blanched, then stole a glance at Ying. He's so strong… He wouldn't retreat. I can't hold him back.
"Does the reward increase with the mission rank?" Ying inquired.
The slain rogues had yielded a considerable number of ninja fragments. While absorbing them provided only marginal gains, Ying realized that actual combat yielded exponentially more fragments than sparring. Fighting—or even observing—elite ninjas might accelerate my development.
"Compensation is a complex matter," Kurenai sighed. "But any treasure we find belongs to us." She had already dispatched a messenger to Konoha. The Third Hokage had ordered their withdrawal, precluding any additional payment for escalating the mission.
"We'll return. An A-rank mission is beyond our current capabilities," Ying declared. I'll handle this alone later, as ANBU, when I'm passing through the Land of Water. No need to put Hinata and Shino in danger.
"I'm surprised you're not insisting we press on," Kurenai remarked. Had he insisted, she would have relented. As a Konoha jōnin, she was capable of handling A-rank threats.
"If our sensei were a bit more competent, I might actually consider it."
Ying glanced at Kurenai. If they'd been assigned someone like Kakashi or Might Guy as their jonin, he might've entertained the idea of tackling an A-rank mission. But with Kurenai…? The risk of exposing his Byakugan or Intangibility during the mission was too high. Either ability leaking would bring catastrophic consequences.
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm a jonin! A mere A-rank mission is—"
Kurenai lunged to pinch his cheek, but Ying casually swayed out of reach. Undeterred, she locked him in a headlock instead, roughly mussing his hair with her free hand. "Let's get one thing straight—I might be the least exceptional jonin in the village, but I'm still a jonin. Understood?"
"K-Kurenai-sensei…" Hinata's voice trembled as she watched Ying's face disappear into their teacher's suffocating embrace. He can't even breathe…
"Hinata. Shino. Thoughts?"
"I… I agree with Ying-kun," Hinata whispered.
"No objections." Shino adjusted his glasses.
"Fine," Kurenai sighed, releasing her student. "We'll rest here tonight and return to the village tomorrow." Secretly, she shared their relief—shearing three rookies through an A-rank mission was a gamble she'd rather avoid.
Ying scowled, straightening his collar. Insufferable woman. She knows I hate head pats. He'd make her regret this humiliation.
——
"Hinata and I are washing up at the waterfall. Not a single peeking thought, understand?" Kurenai leveled a glare at the boys before leading a blushing Hinata away.
"Hypocrite," Ying muttered. "Warns us not to look, then practically dares us with that act." Not that he cared—peeking was for amateurs. Real men took what they wanted. Eventually.
"Shino, you're on bug watch. I'm napping."
"..."
Shino's glasses fogged with existential despair. Third night in a row. The Uchiha treated his insects like a glorified alarm system. As Ying's snores filled the camp, a lone beetle traced a dejected spiral in the dirt.
Night Watch
Shino's insects had guarded them nightly. Uchiha Ying's orders to him were clipped and impatient, a stark contrast to Kurenai's gentler approach. It doesn't matter. Insect surveillance consumes minimal chakra. Still—
"Just who is he?" Shino murmured, the memory of Ying's ruthlessness vivid in his mind. At the academy, Ying had never displayed such a vicious streak. Flames consuming bandits, icy stares silencing rogues mid-plea—The Uchiha clan truly are a monstrous breed.
Secluded Spring
"Timid girl. He actually stayed away."
Shedding her bandages, mesh armor, and sandals, Kurenai stepped into the moonlit pool. Her silhouette shimmered in the water. Tiny fish darted around the two kunoichi bathing in the heart of the secluded valley.
"Hinata, I wasn't nearly as… developed at your age," Kurenai teased, eyeing her flustered student. Blushing crimson, Hinata sank deeper into the water, leaving only her head visible.
"Y-Ying-kun wouldn't peek!"
"Wouldn't he?" Kurenai let the water cascade down her body. That boy's 'preference for larger things'… Could he have possibly meant—?
Comparing her own full figure to Hinata's budding curves, Kurenai smirked. "You have potential. More than that Yamanaka girl."
"P-potential for what?" Hinata's mind wandered to the fantasy of her 'ideal' self—confident and curvaceous. If I became like that… Would he ever notice me?
"For capturing Ying's heart," Kurenai prodded gently. "He was merciless today. Doesn't that frighten you?"
Hinata shook her head. "He protects… even someone insignificant like me."
Kurenai felt a pang of sympathy. This pure, fragile affection… I must protect it.
The Simulation
[Instance Currently Updating: Temporarily Locked]
Uchiha Ying quickly arrived in the Dream space. Ever since completing the mission to save Kaguya, the instance had been closed.
"I wonder when the update will be finished," he mused. But for now, all he could do was…
After completing the Kaguya instance, Uchiha Ying's action points had increased from 3 to 4. Unfortunately, he still only had access to three scenes: the Hokage Building, the Hyuga Estate, and Kaguya's bamboo hut.
Moreover, after experiencing the "real" Kaguya, Uchiha Ying's interest in the NPC Tsunade and NPC Hinata had waned. While the NPCs exhibited realistic physical responses, they lacked the agency of a real person. They wouldn't, for example, "take the initiative."
So, Uchiha Ying's routine had become this: he would visit Hinata to work up an appetite, then Tsunade to further fuel his desire, and finally, Kaguya's hut for the main event. And since this still left him with an action point, he'd choose to "trouble" Kaguya a second time.
"Y-You… You're back again… already?" she stammered. This boy—she truly didn't understand where he got all his energy. Kaguya silently endured the young man's affections, a mixture of exasperation and pleasure churning within her.
"I said I'd be here every day, and I'm a man of my word," Uchiha Ying replied.
Compared to ordinary people, the Rabbit Goddess's skin possessed an ethereal, almost luminescent quality. Uchiha Ying was perpetually captivated by it, his hands drawn to its smoothness whenever he felt playful.
"Even so… I still have to fetch water for my bath and cook meals every day," Kaguya protested weakly. Though her desire was undeniably strong, twice a day at this intensity was leaving her lightheaded. Her legs trembled with every step. She couldn't fathom how he always seemed to possess such a voracious appetite whenever he saw her. He didn't even require any encouragement from her; he just…
"Alright," Uchiha Ying said, sensing her fatigue. "So you don't overexert yourself, this time we'll…" He guided a slightly dazed Kaguya to a soft cushion and gently eased her down onto it. Then, stroking the small, adorable rabbit ears atop her head, he stood up straight.