Outside Kurenai's place.
A fierce fight was underway.
Tsunade's voluptuous figure blurred into an afterimage and, in a flash, appeared in front of Kitazawa. A gust roared as she raised her leg and stomped down.
Boom!
The ground split from the impact, gravel exploding outward.
Leaf Body Flicker!
Kitazawa's body scattered into leaves. When he touched down, he clenched his fist and drove it forward.
Sensing the pressure from behind, Tsunade turned without hurry. She spread her fingers and caught his punch. Power surged; her arm trembled and her mature body rippled with the force.
"Your power isn't focused," she said offhandedly, then tugged with her right hand.
Kitazawa stumbled toward her. Her embrace might have looked soft, but her sudden kick stopped him cold.
His heart jolted—he Body Flickered away again. Only after he'd opened some distance did he let out a breath.
But Tsunade's assault came again. A single bounding step erased the space between them. Her fist snapped out, the air itself cracking from the force.
Kitazawa gritted his teeth, set his stance, and met her head-on.
Their fists collided, shockwaves rippling in layers. Kitazawa staggered back several steps, each one sinking deep prints into the earth.
"Continue," Tsunade nodded.
Kitazawa's monstrous strength still had flaws, but he'd mastered most of it—faster than she'd expected. Tsunade's thoughts slid to that emotion-transposition psychotherapy ninjutsu. It should've been finished half a month ago, but her own inner tangle had delayed it. Still, what had to come would come.
Crack—crack—crack!
The two kept trading blows, their bodies flickering like afterimages. In truth, "trading" wasn't quite right—Kitazawa was mostly on the back foot, taking hits and countering when he could. Even as a jōnin-level fighter, he still wasn't enough in front of Tsunade, especially in a pure taijutsu bout. The ninjutsu he knew didn't help here.
The gains were real, though. Beyond the monstrous strength he was gradually mastering, he was stacking valuable combat experience. He'd been teaching at the academy and rarely took outside missions, so he'd had few real fights—and most opponents he'd faced were weaker. Running into someone much stronger, like Tsunade, was rare. Sparring with her was a fast track to improvement… and utterly exhausting.
Nine o'clock that night.
"That's it for today," Tsunade said, stepping back.
"Y-yes, Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa panted, drenched in sweat.
"The Emotion Substitute technique is about done. Once the academy breaks for vacation, notify Yakumo for therapy." She didn't wait for his reply, just turned and headed back into her place.
It took him a few seconds to process it.
She finally agreed?
He'd guessed she was dragging her feet. A technique like that shouldn't have taken her so long—but she wasn't backing out. She'd promised treatment, and now she was making good. He wasn't sure he could cure her hemophobia, but either way, they had to try.
Kitazawa dragged his tired body inside. He flopped onto the couch and shut his eyes, waves of fatigue crashing over him.
Footsteps approached.
"Kitazawa." Kurenai looked at him with a flicker of concern. "Go rest in your room."
"Carry me." He kept his eyes closed and held out a hand.
"Still trying to cop a feel at a time like this?" she said, grabbing his hand anyway.
"I don't have an ounce of strength left. I'm not taking advantage of you," he corrected.
"You think I'll believe that?" She placed his hand around her waist and hoisted him up. She might be a woman, but she was a kunoichi—lifting him was easy. He tilted his head and leaned into her chest, vaguely feeling the soft contours above.
"How's your monster strength training going?" she asked as she carried him to his room.
"Smoothly." He felt himself lowering, then settling onto the bed.
"Good." Kurenai let go. "Rest first. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
She started to leave, but Kitazawa caught her hand.
"You—" Her words cut off in a surprised yelp as he tugged her onto the bed. She blinked, and Kitazawa's face filled her view. They lay on their sides, face to face.
"W-what are you doing?" Her heart skipped.
"No need to rush dinner," he said, gaze dropping to her rosy lips. "Cook after I wake up."
Noticing his eyes, Kurenai swallowed. Her throat bobbed; her breath came warm and shallow. Kitazawa leaned in without hesitation and kissed her. She tensed—and then melted, eyes unfocusing, a hazy look washing over her face.
"You're beautiful, Kurenai," he murmured when he finally pulled back.
She stared dazedly, cheeks flushed—then the realization hit her. The color spread to her ears. "I… I shouldn't bother you while you rest, I…"
"Since we're not cooking anyway, nap with me," he grinned. "It's rare to see you flustered."
"Who's flustered?" She steadied fast and shot back, "If you're out of strength, you should rest properly!"
"Out of strength?" His eyes narrowed; the smile faded. "Sounds like I need to show you."
Kurenai blinked, not following—then he pressed her plush thigh, kneaded twice, and slid a hand to the hem of her top. She looked down as her left shoulder slipped free on its own, pale skin, a fine collarbone, and the black mesh underlayer all bared to the steamy air.
"Ki… Kitazawa," she said, voice trembling.
"Kurenai." He met her eyes and stopped. If she didn't want this, he wouldn't continue.
"B—bath first," she said, face blazing.
"Together?" His brow lifted, smiling.
"Mm." She averted her gaze, unable to look at him.
He lifted her from the bed and carried her into the bathroom. He set her down and turned on the hot water. Steam slowly filled the room as the tub brimmed.
"I'll… help you wash," Kurenai said, fighting her shyness. "You just trained—you're tired."
"Sure," he said. He had other places to spend his energy soon enough.
He stripped and stepped into the tub, then glanced back—Kurenai still stood where she was, eyes shut tight, nervous as could be.
"How are you going to wash me like that?" he teased.
She hesitated two seconds and opened her eyes. Seeing him submerged, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief, bit her lip, and came forward.
"Aren't you undressing?" he blinked.
"Huh?" She froze.
"Do you not take your clothes off to shower?" he joked.
Her mind went blank, her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
"If you're shy, you can wait till I'm done," he needled.
"It's just a bath!" Kurenai glared, then unfastened her clothes. Kitazawa's breath hitched as snow-white skin came into view—sleek legs, a round, springy curve, a narrow waist, and that beautiful face flushed scarlet.
"I—I'll scrub your back first," she said, crossing her arms on instinct.
"Okay." He turned around, fully satisfied already. After a few steadying breaths, Kurenai lifted her bare right leg and slipped into the tub. She picked up the loofah and began to scrub his back.
If he turned his head just a little, he could see the line of her kneeling thigh. Pity the angle was too low to look higher. No matter—the chance would come.
"C-could you… turn around?" she said at last, after a long inner struggle.
He pivoted to face her—and took in everything. Kurenai kept her head bowed, cheeks crimson, and worked the loofah with serious care despite her shyness.
"Rinse off with hot water," she said five minutes later, task complete.
He opened the tap; the shower poured over both of them, steam billowing.
"My turn to help you. Turn around," Kitazawa smiled, taking the loofah.
"I… I can do it myself," she blurted.
"No," he shook his head, suddenly solemn. "I'm a stickler for fairness."
"You just want to take advantage of me!" she snapped—and then, instead of turning, raised her arms. "Fine—then wash me!"
Well, since it had come to this, there was no point in dithering. Kitazawa felt the world go bright.
Who turned on the fog lights? Too dazzling!
"There's the Kurenai I know," he said into the steam, lifting a hand.
"Pervert," she muttered.
"I'm bathing you and you're calling me names? That hurts," he said, hand gliding over soft, porcelain skin.
"Just—wash," Kurenai said through a stab in her chest, flustered and angry.
"As you command." He eased off the, ah, pressure and picked up the loofah. Kurenai shut her eyes. A tingling spread over her body; she pressed her lips together, whole frame taut, even her toes curling.
"Okay, hot water," he said, opening the tap again. Steam rose; hot water caressed her skin until she was clean.
"Done. Time to go back to the room, Kurenai." She still seemed dazed, so he lifted his hand and gave a light smack. A second later, her soft, pale rear quivered.
"Y-you jerk!" she yelped, swearing on reflex.
"Am I?" He stood, scooped her up, and said, "The jerk part's yet to come."
Her face burned—not with anger, but with shamefaced heat. She buried her head in his chest, overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling. Only when she realized they were back in the bedroom did she clear a bit.
"Kurenai." He laid her on the bed. She glanced at him, then closed her eyes—but lifted her chin. Kitazawa understood, leaned down, and sealed her lips. The lights went out; in the moonlight, her skin gleamed invitingly. He slipped an arm around her waist and kissed down along her neck, finally stopping at her chest.
"You okay?" he asked, breathing in her scent.
"Mm," Kurenai answered after a few seconds.
"Thank you," he said, lifting his head to look at her. Since arriving in the shinobi world he'd been on his own—but now, at last, he'd found a harbor.
"I should be the one thanking you," Kurenai murmured, fingers pressing into his back hard enough to leave faint nail marks. She wasn't that different from him—since her father's death, she'd lived alone. Only after meeting Kitazawa had life felt interesting again.
"K-Kitazawa…" Her legs straightened, then wrapped around him like an octopus; fine sweat beaded on her skin. Her beautiful face was all entrancement. In that moment, she felt a solid happiness filling her heart.
Outside, the moon rose and fell.
A new day—Tuesday.
Kitazawa woke on time and quickly noticed Kurenai in his arms, her petite, soft body curled up, head on his arm, right hand draped over his waist. He stroked her hair; she shifted closer. Even after a night's sleep, fatigue lingered on her face.
He had twenty percent Senju blood in him; his physique far outstripped hers. In any kind of "fight," she lost miserably.
He checked the time and slipped out of bed on quiet feet, then headed to the kitchen. After a moment's thought, he started breakfast.
He didn't know how long had passed when Kurenai opened her eyes. She reached out automatically and didn't feel him. Looking around, she realized he'd already gotten up. She sat and frowned slightly—then flushed red. Last night, she'd certainly overdid it; she'd always been competitive, and one poke from Kitazawa was enough to make her charge. The result had been… devastating.
A hazy look flickered in her eyes. It had been rough—but she didn't exactly mind.
"Kurenai, what kind of person are you?" she muttered, shaking her head. She took a breath, stripped the bed, dressed, and stepped out.
The smell of food greeted her in the living room.
"Awake?" Kitazawa smiled from the table. "Wash up and come eat."
"Okay." She stared at his smile for two seconds, then headed to the bathroom. She reappeared soon after.
"It's almost nine. Aren't you going to be late for class?" she asked, sitting across from him.
"It's fine," he said, shaking his head. "You're more important."
He hadn't put in for leave, but he was the academy's director of academic affairs—no one would say a word. If he was late or absent, Iruka Umino would cover. Neji, Shikamaru, and Sakura all had their own training. Yakushi Kabuto, Aburame Torune, and Uchiha Izumi were busy on missions. Uchiha Sasuke had finished live-combat training and he'd sent him to study genjutsu. The only one getting stood up was Naruto—today should've been live-combat intensive, but no matter; in Kitazawa's absence he could keep practicing Rasengan.
"Silver tongue," Kurenai huffed, picking up her chopsticks. "Eat."
"I'm being honest," he said, placing a piece of fried fish in her bowl.
"Eat and then get to school," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"I can take the day and stay with you," he offered.
"No need." She rolled her eyes. "Do I look fragile to you?"
"Alright," he said, dropping it—push her and he'd only annoy her.
They finished and moved to the door.
"I'm off. If you miss me, come by the academy," he said, pinching her cheek.
"When did you get so clingy?" Kurenai said, surprised.
"I didn't," he said, giving her a light swat on the butt as he passed.
"Pervert!" she yelped, stepping back with a hand over her butt. After he left, she couldn't help following him out. Only when he vanished from sight did she close the door and head back in.
Academy training field.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto, who'd been waiting a while, jogged up.
"Sorry—I got held up," Kitazawa said, taking the initiative to apologize.
"It's fine," Naruto said, shaking his head.
"Come with me." Kitazawa led him to a clearing to the north—the spot he'd used for Sasuke's live-combat training.
"To make this as targeted as possible, I'll take Sasuke's form and only use Fire Style, taijutsu, and genjutsu," he said after a moment's thought.
He formed the seals and transformed into Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto scratched his head—seeing "Sasuke" in front of him felt odd—but he shoved it aside and launched Multi-Shadow Clone.
Kitazawa didn't use the Sharingan. The Third Hokage peeped on Naruto often with his crystal ball; getting caught would be trouble. It didn't matter—he knew plenty of genjutsu and they were more than enough.
They clashed. Naruto quickly realized how different Kitazawa was from Sasuke. His taijutsu, Fire Style, and genjutsu were all stronger—Kitazawa felt like a buffed-up Sasuke.
The difference in combat experience was stark too. He poured everything he'd gained from sparring with Tsunade into this session, and Naruto had a miserable time of it.
~~~
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