You can't take it too seriously—what am I supposed to do, go complain to Fugaku when I get back?
That would ruin the relationship I worked so hard to build.
Honestly, with Mikoto's mindset, this is exactly where "Madam, you wouldn't want to…" would fit.
…
The next evening, Kageyama Kogetsu strolled home from the Anbu base and saw two unexpected people at his door.
"Shinku-senpai, Kurenai—looking for me?"
Yūhi Shinku wore a blue fitted combat suit with a Konoha green flak jacket over it, a ninjatō strapped across his back.
Yūhi Kurenai wore a black one-piece with a white cross-collar; her fair, slender arms were wrapped in black mesh sleeves, her long round legs sheathed in breathable black mesh stockings. Graceful, poised—like a blooming pink rose.
"Kogetsu-dono."
"Hey, what's with '-dono'? You're my senior, and Kurenai and I are classmates."
"A life-saving debt can't be forgotten. Besides, with your strength, reputation, and post, '-dono' isn't excessive," Shinku said solemnly.
"If you keep that up, I won't invite you in for tea," Kogetsu said, feigning displeasure.
If you really want to thank me, marry Kurenai to me.
"Dad, just listen to Kogetsu," Kurenai said with a playful grin.
"Mind your manners," Shinku chided.
"Kurenai, you're getting prettier and prettier.
"Got a boyfriend? If not, consider me," Kogetsu joked.
"Flirt. You already have a girlfriend," Kurenai shot him a glare, but didn't really get angry.
"Haha—what shinobi rule says a male shinobi can't have two girlfriends?
"I'm the only seedling of the Kageyama line. If I want a clan and want it to flourish, one wife won't cut it.
"Come, both of you, inside."
How does he say such embarrassing things so naturally…
Kurenai was a heroine among women, but she was still young; just hearing it made her a little shy.
And "heroine" wasn't just her temperament—among jōnin, her strength was solid. She ranked last in Konoha's "Jōnin F4," but that didn't mean any random jōnin could take a shot at her.
She simply played at high tables; her opponents were too strong, so she seemed weaker by comparison.
Shinku, meanwhile, followed Kogetsu in, thoughtful.
With his experience he could see Kogetsu had some interest in his daughter.
To be honest, he wasn't against it.
First, a life saved is a debt no gift can repay; second, the young man before him was exceptional in every sense.
If he became a son-in-law, the Yūhi clan would be marrying up.
But forcing his daughter against her will for gain was out of the question.
If she was willing, he'd be happy to see it.
As for two wives—no big deal.
He's a strong man; that's understandable. And for the sake of expanding the family—that's understandable too.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Anything is fine," Shinku smiled.
"Then watermelon juice. It's hot—iced watermelon juice hits the spot.
"Please sit."
Father and daughter settled onto the white sofa. Kurenai curiously looked around.
Clean, tidy, orderly—not the usual bachelor mess. Stylish, too—he had every appliance.
"Here, something to beat the heat."
Kogetsu came with a tray and handed each of them a big glass of watermelon juice, then took the single armchair.
They thanked him and took a sip; it tasted so good they each downed half at once.
"Ahh… that's nice." Kurenai exhaled, then turned. "Kogetsu, why does this taste better than regular watermelon juice?"
"It's the 'Red Feast' cultivar," Kogetsu said with a smile.
Kurenai blinked. "From Emerald Town in the Land of Wind?"
"Mm."
This was a top-tier melon in the shinobi world—originally supplied to the Wind Daimyō and nobles; very little reached the market.
So the price was steep—one fruit was about the pay for a B-rank mission, before the platform's cut and team split.
"Wow, Kogetsu, that's extravagant," Kurenai said, clicking her tongue.
"Just say if it's good," Kogetsu grinned.
"It is!" Kurenai stuck out her tongue, adorably impish.
"If you like it, marry me and you can drink it every day," Kogetsu said, straight from the heart—even in front of her father.
Shinku's mouth twitched. That was a bit direct…
"You think I'd sell myself for watermelon?" Kurenai rolled her eyes, mock-peeved.
Before, it could be brushed off as a joke. The second time wasn't just teasing.
Konoha's brightest young talent showing interest clearly affirmed her charm; how could she truly be mad?
And honestly, she had a good feeling about the man before her.
Beyond being excellent in every way, he'd saved her father; she wasn't left an orphan to face life alone.
Kogetsu smiled. "Of course watermelon isn't enough. How about this?
"Your Yūhi clan and my Kageyama line are similar—thin in numbers.
"I can promise that among my children with Kurenai, we'll choose one to bear the Yūhi surname, to carry on your family name."
Shinku froze, then his eyes flared bright. He leaned forward, unable to help himself. "Do you mean that?"
Kurenai, blushing, drew out her voice in a whine. "Dad…"
"Ahem—sorry, I lost my composure."
Shinku straightened and hid behind a sip of juice, but he couldn't calm down…
Opportunities like this were too rare.
By tradition, after marriage a daughter takes her husband's surname; their children even more so.
Given how clans value names, getting a child to bear the Yūhi surname wasn't impossible, but extremely difficult—unless the man married in.
But the Yūhi were a very small clan in Konoha, not a noble house. A male shinobi marrying in was basically unheard of.
"I mean it," Kogetsu said cheerfully, then shot Kurenai a quick wink.
Kurenai "fiercely" glared at him, the tips of her ears pink, lowering her face—an alluring shyness that tugged at the heart.
"Dad, hurry and talk business," Kurenai urged.
Any more of that and her father might "sell" her on the spot.
"Right, business." Shinku steadied himself, face turning serious.
"Kogetsu-kun, we came to ask your help transferring Kurenai into Anbu. A small token of thanks." He took out a thick red envelope, set it on the table, and pushed it over.
"No problem. I'll move Kurenai to Third Squad—my old subordinates. They'll look after her."
"Mm… better yet, assign her to Uchiha Shisui's unit."
"Shisui is a well-known powerhouse in the shinobi world. His mastery of genjutsu is likely above even yours, and ranks among the very best."
Not to mention Shisui's Phantom Body Flicker—an unrivaled technique.
It blends genjutsu, shunshin, and clone arts—the origin of the epithet "Shunshin no Shisui."
Shinku beamed. "I know of Shunshin no Shisui—the Uchiha's number-one prodigy!
"Serving under him would be Kurenai's honor. Thank you, Kogetsu-kun."
Kurenai puffed her lips; she didn't believe her father would lose in genjutsu, even to Shisui.
Fathers are often their children's idols. Without seeing Shisui's power firsthand, her reaction was natural.
"As for the envelope—take it back."
"Our two families don't need that between us. Use it to buy Kurenai good food—or better gear."
Kogetsu stood and gently pushed the envelope back…
Shinku glanced over and saw his daughter's head lowered, no reaction.
Understanding, he quietly took the red envelope back.
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