Chapter 19: I'm a Kind-Hearted Person

"Thanks, Kitazawa."

Kurenai Yuhi put away the scroll and said, "I'll definitely study this carefully when I get back."

"Want a lollipop?"

Kitazawa casually opened a snack gift bag and asked.

"Is it appropriate for someone my age to eat a lollipop?"

Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but laugh.

"It's a bit childish for kids, but just right for adults."

Kitazawa unwrapped a lollipop and held it out to her lips.

"You're still as interesting as ever when you talk."

Kurenai Yuhi opened her soft lips and bit onto the lollipop.

"How does it taste?"

Kitazawa took out a second lollipop and popped it into his own mouth.

"Very sweet."

Kurenai Yuhi squinted her eyes and asked, "Why do you carry snacks around with you?"

"As rewards for the students."

Kitazawa explained casually, "That way, I can stimulate their enthusiasm for learning."

Kurenai Yuhi thought of Yakumo Kurama.

But... it wouldn't be needed, because she was the young lady of the Kurama clan; she didn't lack money, nor did she lack snacks.

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

Kurenai Yuhi licked the lollipop with her pink tongue and said, "My treat, don't be shy."

"Let's go have barbecue then."

Kitazawa thought for a moment and said.

"Sure."

Kurenai Yuhi nodded, a look of reminiscence appearing on her face, "The last time we had barbecue was during the Chunin Exams, when everyone was together."

By "everyone," she meant Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Asuma Sarutobi.

But unfortunately, only a few remained now.

"Why are you suddenly feeling nostalgic?"

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow and said, "Getting nostalgic will make you old."

"Are you an idiot?"

Kurenai Yuhi rolled her eyes at him and said, "Getting old is a topic women shouldn't even touch."

"My apologies."

Kitazawa said with a smile.

He knew Kurenai Yuhi wasn't actually angry; this was just playful banter between friends.

"Have you seen Kakashi lately? How is he?"

Kurenai Yuhi asked as they walked.

"I saw him once last month."

Kitazawa replied, "He's the same as always—looking lifeless."

Without exaggeration, the class he was in could be described as being filled with geniuses.

Kakashi Hatake, a genius who became a Jonin at only twelve years old.

But he was cursed with loneliness; his father died, his teammates died, his teacher died, and eventually, he shut himself off.

Obito Uchiha, whose sorrow was hidden behind his Kamui, turned to darkness for the sake of Rin Nohara, wanting to create a world where she existed.

He killed his own teacher, assisted Itachi Uchiha in wiping out his own clan, and later transformed into Madara Uchiha, intending to destroy the ninja world.

Besides them, there was Might Guy, who nearly kicked the series to its finale, and Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Third Hokage.

"I wonder when he'll be able to step out of the shadows."

Kurenai Yuhi was silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"What about Asuma?"

Kitazawa changed the subject and asked, "Is he still in contact with you?"

"I get a letter every few days."

Kurenai Yuhi pouted.

Kitazawa keenly sensed a hint of impatience.

In the original story, Asuma Sarutobi had been pursuing Kurenai Yuhi, finally winning her heart before the Fourth Great Ninja War.

But that was about ten years away from now, so they weren't together yet.

"He's certainly persistent."

Kitazawa smiled and said, "He hasn't forgotten you even while in the Land of Fire's capital."

Because of his rebellious nature, Asuma Sarutobi had gone to the Land of Fire to serve as a Guardian Ninja after the Third Great Ninja War ended.

Guardian Ninja were the ninja bodyguards who protected the Land of Fire's Daimyo.

Although the original story didn't specify exactly when he returned to the village, it was likely the same year Naruto Uzumaki and the others graduated.

After returning to the village, he became the team leader for Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. How many drinks are you planning on having tonight?"

Kurenai Yuhi crossed her arms, stretched out her fair arms, and asked.

"I'll risk my life to accompany a great beauty."

Kitazawa looked at her graceful figure and couldn't help but smile.

He hadn't had any thoughts about Kurenai Yuhi before, not because he was a "pure love" warrior, but because his strength was too poor, and he was only thinking about survival.

But now that he had the system, he didn't need to worry about strength.

He was a kind-hearted person; he couldn't bear to see Kurenai Yuhi remain a widow.

*Cough, cough.*

Currently, the relationship between Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi was limited to pursuer and pursued; it wasn't particularly intimate.

He was just competing fairly.

"Really?"

Kurenai Yuhi said with a smile, "It's not too late for you to take that back."

"Then please, have mercy on me."

Kitazawa said, very much following his heart.

"For the sake of you helping me, I'll let you off this time."

Kurenai Yuhi waved her hand, acting very generous.

As they spoke, the two walked into the barbecue restaurant.

"You should try my cooking today."

After sitting down, Kitazawa took the initiative to start grilling the meat.

"I've always had a question I wanted to ask you." ===== CHAPTER 21 =====