"Nagi, why won't you join a squad?!"
Naruto looked at Nagi with frustration. After all, Nagi had just helped him learn several jutsu and pass the exam the day before.
"It's nothing. I just can't be bothered."
Nagi had made this decision a long time ago.
He had no interest in playing make-believe team games with children.
Other people might not know what these squad missions were like, but he did.
Weeding gardens, delivering mail, chasing cats and dogs?
With max-level Wood Release and multiple special entries, he'd rather spend that time practicing his jutsu.
Especially since he had learned so many forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals—and hadn't even tried a single one yet. Being in a solo squad would give him the freedom to train however he liked.
"Besides, I don't need teammates."
That single line once again caused a wave of swooning from the girls.
"So cool! So badass!"
…
But Naruto was panicking. He'd been hoping to be on the same team as Nagi.
"Nagi, that's just being arrogant!"
Naruto struggled to come up with a phrase and finally blurted that out.
But as soon as he said it, Sasuke let out a scoff.
"People without strength are the ones who get called arrogant. What Nagi's doing—that's called confidence."
Even Sasuke had to admit Nagi was right.
If he were as strong as Nagi, he'd go solo too without hesitation.
"You idiot, Sasuke! What do you know?!"
Naruto wasn't about to take that lying down. The two of them immediately started arguing again.
Really, Naruto was just upset about not being on Nagi's team—and he never got along with Sasuke anyway.
So the two of them just stood there yelling at each other before turning away in opposite directions, neither willing to back down.
"All right, kids, settle down. Your squad leaders will be here soon."
Iruka had a headache. Clearly, not everyone could be as easy to manage as Nagi.
Finally, after his words, the students began filing into the classroom in an orderly manner.
Once everyone had gone inside, Nagi stepped forward.
"In that case, Iruka-sensei, I'll be leaving now."
Since they were about to start team assignments, there was nothing left for him to do.
Perfect timing to go back and start studying those forbidden jutsu.
"Nagi, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Iruka looked at his student, still trying to persuade him.
He wasn't a genius himself, so he didn't quite understand Nagi's solo team decision.
"I already got the Third Hokage's approval."
Nagi sighed as he spoke.
Sure enough, once he mentioned that Hiruzen had personally agreed, Iruka gave up.
"Well… alright then."
What else could he do? Nagi was a genius—already stronger than most jōnin at his age.
Iruka shook his head and went back to the classroom.
Just as Nagi turned to leave, thinking everything was settled—
Thud!
He suddenly bumped into something unbelievably soft.
He'd been focused on talking to Iruka and hadn't noticed someone approaching from behind.
"Hey there, little one. You okay?"
Two soft hands steadied him, followed by a warm, gentle voice.
After spending so much time around Academy students, Nagi had almost forgotten what a mature woman's voice sounded like.
He looked up.
Long, flowing hair… striking red eyes… and a very full, curvy figure.
"She's definitely not the type whose kid will go hungry," Nagi thought to himself.
"What's wrong? Spacing out?"
Kurenai looked at the handsome kid she'd seen around the village recently and thought she might've knocked him silly.
She'd been rushing to check on her new students and had walked a bit too fast—accidentally running into the boy.
"No, I'm fine. Are you a kunoichi too, Onee-san?"
Of course, Nagi recognized her right away—Kurenai Yuhi.
He hadn't reacted to Ino or Sakura's attention before because they were just too young for him.
With memories from a past life, he couldn't take those girls seriously. They were just kids to him.
But Kurenai? Now that was his type. Same with Tsunade, honestly.
"Say, if you're a student, why are you walking away from the classroom when everyone else is going in?"
Kurenai asked curiously.
As she spoke, her teasing fingers kept reaching out to poke and pinch Nagi's cheek.
Ahem.
"Excuse me, Onee-san, isn't this a bit much? This is our first meeting and you're already getting handsy…"
Though… Nagi had to admit, he wasn't exactly complaining.
"By the way, what's your name, little one?"
After getting a good feel of his face, Kurenai finally asked for his name.
"I'm not little!"
Nagi had to make that clear. He was absolutely not small!
"My name's Nagi."
"Nagi… that's a lovely name. I'm Kurenai Yuhi."
She smiled as she introduced herself.
For some reason, the more she looked at Nagi, the more pleasing he seemed to her.
It was like this handsome kid had been crafted exactly to match her tastes.
She even found her thoughts drifting a little…
"Kurenai, what are you even thinking?!"
She quickly shook those thoughts out of her head. She didn't even have a boyfriend yet!
"I requested to be placed in a solo squad by the Hokage," Nagi explained. "So I don't need to wait for the class assignment."
"Is that so? What a shame…"
Kurenai had been thinking of trying to recruit him for her squad.
But now it was too late.
"Aren't you supposed to be at the squad assignment too, Onee-san? Looks like you're going to be late."
Nagi gave a sly grin.
"Crap, I got so caught up talking to you I forgot!"
Kurenai smacked her forehead, suddenly remembering her mission.
"Well then, later, you little rascal!"
"Bye-bye, Onee-san!"
Just as Kurenai turned to leave, Nagi leaned in while she wasn't paying attention—smooch!—and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
Only then did he leave, satisfied.
After all, Nagi wasn't someone who gave away things for free.
Kurenai had been teasing him for a while. If he didn't get a little something in return, that would've been unfair.
"This little brat!"
Kurenai hadn't expected her first kiss to be stolen just like that.
But she didn't really mind.
Nagi was just a student—and so much younger than her. It wasn't like he'd actually fall for someone her age.
He was probably still at the stage where he liked little girls from the Academy.
[End of Chapter]