Chapter 47: Sakura
From the outside, Tsubaki's home looked ordinary, but the furnishings inside were quite nice.
They all looked new. As a Jōnin, Kurenai was sharp enough to understand without asking.
She could easily guess these were things Sasuke provided for Tsubaki.
Even Kurenai herself had received financial support from Sasuke.
"Kurenai-senpai, you're here about Sasuke... right?"
Even among the other women in Sasuke's harem, this wasn't something usual.
Kurenai blushed slightly.
But she truly didn't know Sasuke well.
Kurenai shook her head.
"To be precise, I'm not here for Sasuke."
"I'm here for you..."
Kurenai asked with concern, "I only found out yesterday how troublesome Sasuke really is!"
"You had a grudge against him because Mizuki was killed..."
So she came out of concern for Sasuke?
Tsubaki was genuinely surprised.
Kurenai, a Jōnin, had just been taken by Sasuke for the first time, and she was already starting to care for him?
She was clearly already showing the temperament of a queen in the harem.
Could it be that Kurenai didn't care about Sasuke having multiple women?
Kurenai had mixed feelings toward Sasuke—love and hate.
Because Sasuke had conquered her.
The hate was understandable.
No mentally sound woman wouldn't hate him.
...
Tsubaki said, "Before, I did want to kill Sasuke, tear him to pieces."
"Afterwards, I was also humiliated to the point I wanted to take my own life!"
She sighed, "But under Sasuke's threats, and thanks to our strong ninja adaptability..."
"Now, maybe I've already fallen for him!"
"Mizuki's death is becoming less and less important in my heart."
Yes, adaptability.
Even the most humiliating things, under time, under Sasuke's relentless pressure...
Eventually, Tsubaki adapted.
To survive, one must adapt.
Those who can't adapt will perish.
Kurenai looked into Tsubaki's sincere eyes—they weren't fake.
She gave a bitter smile. "Looks like I worried too much."
"Since that's the case, I'll take my leave."
Kurenai had come to check on what she thought was the most pitiful of Sasuke's women.
She was afraid Tsubaki harbored hatred.
If Tsubaki was really imprisoned and tortured by Sasuke...
Kurenai wanted to help her.
As fellow kunoichi, they all understood just how shameless and difficult Sasuke could be. Naturally, Kurenai sympathized with her.
As for Sakura and Ino, they didn't need sympathy. They had willingly submitted.
And Hinata? Sasuke treated her very well.
She probably wouldn't suffer much...
Ayame, the daughter of the Ichiraku Ramen owner, wasn't even a kunoichi. Besides, Kurenai had seen her smiling and cheerful before, so she likely wasn't having a hard time either.
Only Tsubaki!
Just thinking about it was painful.
That was why Kurenai, even while feeling unwell, had come to see her.
If Tsubaki were truly miserable, Kurenai would definitely help.
...
But after the conversation...
Kurenai realized she had overthought it.
Sasuke's methods were simply too clever!
He was already exceptionally handsome, wealthy, gentle yet domineering.
And he had another advantage no other male shinobi possessed.
Whether it was Naruto or the original Sasuke in the series, most of their time before and after marriage was spent working and pursuing their careers.
But this Sasuke was different.
He only enjoyed spending time and energy on beautiful women.
Aside from things not suitable for children, nothing else really interested him.
...
So, Sasuke was bad.
But he was willing to devote time and attention to his women.
No other shinobi could compete with that.
...
"Kurenai-senpai..."
Tsubaki felt her concern and said sincerely, "Thank you."
Kurenai smiled. "It's nothing."
"If Sasuke bullies you or you suffer any injustice, you can come to me."
"Even though I can't beat Sasuke... I'll still find a way to stand up for you."
The two kunoichi who had both been played with and hurt by Sasuke shared a smile.
It was their first meeting, so things were still a bit awkward.
They had a simple chat, then parted ways.
Once they got more familiar...
They'd have plenty more to talk about.
...
Meanwhile, Sasuke yawned lazily.
Not because he didn't sleep well last night—his body was absurdly strong. He could go without sleep just fine.
He was yawning from boredom.
Just like Kurenai had figured.
Lately, Sasuke had put all his energy into naughty activities with his girlfriends.
To him, that was the true meaning of a transmigrator's life.
...
But the moment he had to do something unrelated to picking up girls, he completely lost interest.
Naturally, he yawned.
"Sasuke, focus! You didn't even show up for Team 7 yesterday."
Sakura complained beside him.
So that's why he was yawning today.
But Naruto and Kakashi were also nearby, which was super annoying.
Sasuke wanted to feel up Sakura's soft body, but he couldn't do that with Naruto and Kakashi around.
Unless they were far away, or there was some kind of cover nearby.
Sasuke said, "These little missions like chasing cats and dogs, I don't need to join, right?"
Kakashi replied, "That was my original thought too."
"So I didn't say anything when you skipped the last two days."
Kakashi continued, "But the Third Hokage is very concerned about you, Sasuke."
"He asked me last night how you've been performing in Team 7. I told him the truth."
"The Third Hokage said he plans to give us more important missions soon, but he still wants you to participate in a few of the minor ones."
"The goal is to help you build better teamwork with your comrades."