Those who sought him out to inquire about how to cultivate experts also stopped appearing after that public lecture.
As a result, Bai Hao has actually been quite idle recently.
"That..."
Hinata Hyuga, the record holder for first place in the Ichiraku Ramen Eating Contest, who once ate 46 bowls in 30 minutes, only managed half a bowl before feeling too embarrassed to continue.
Instead, she looked at Bai Hao with a heavy heart.
"Something wrong?"
Bai Hao casually took a bite of his noodles, asking indistinctly.
"I... I feel... Teacher Hong is a bit off..."
"Could you... go check on her?"
Chapter 51: Kurenai Wants to Resign [First Update: Seeking Flowers, Seeking Collection]
"Kurenai is off?"
Bai Hao looked at Hinata with some confusion upon hearing this.
Although he often observed others using his Telescope Jutsu,
he only observed people who had some connection to him or were related to the main storyline.
He didn't pay much attention to non-core main characters like Kurenai.
So he didn't know what had happened to Kurenai.
"Could it be some unexpected situation caused by the appearance of Uchiha Izumi?"
With a hint of doubt in his heart,
Bai Hao slowly asked,
"What exactly is off?"
"I... I can't say."
Hinata thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"I've been confined to special training within my clan recently,
so I haven't been in contact with Teacher Hong.
It was Kiba who noticed Teacher Hong was a bit off, so he came to my clan to discuss it with me.
Then I was released by the clan Elders.
After coming out,
I... I came... to the bookstore...
I didn't go to see Teacher Hong.
Nor did I see how Teacher Hong looked..."
"I see~"
Bai Hao nodded.
He knew that the information Hinata had at the moment all came from Kiba.
"Then let's go check tomorrow morning."
"Okay!"
"Why are you eating so slowly..."
"I... I'm full..."
Hinata said softly, blushing, while gently chewing a single noodle.
If Bai Hao didn't know that she was a greater eater than Choji...
he would definitely think Hinata was just a young girl who ate little to maintain her figure.
Seeing that Hinata truly had no intention of continuing to eat,
Bai Hao also stopped eating.
Instead, he took Hinata on a stroll through Konoha Village.
...
Early the next morning,
Bai Hao first set Sasuke's training schedule for the day.
Then he walked towards the agreed-upon meeting place with Hinata.
"Bai Hao-kun~"
As soon as Bai Hao appeared around the corner, Hinata, blushing, waved her arm and greeted him.
Kiba Inuzuka, who was beside her, also followed suit with a greeting.
Shino Aburame was relatively more silent.
He just stood there quietly.
"You all came quite early~"
Bai Hao smiled and nodded to them.
Then he looked at Kiba.
"Kiba~"
"What exactly happened?"
"Teacher Hong, for some reason, suddenly wants to resign."
Kiba looked at Bai Hao with a complicated expression.
He was actually a bit confused.
This person in front of him was a truancy king just like him.
Yet their results were worlds apart...
He originally thought that after graduation, if Bai Hao didn't become a Ninja, he could surpass him.
But he didn't expect that.
He just casually gave Hinata a few pointers, and Hinata became a being that surpassed a Jonin.
As for Bai Hao's own strength...
Although he hadn't fought Bai Hao after graduation,
Akamaru would get terrified whenever he saw Bai Hao.
From this, it could be seen that Bai Hao's true strength was probably truly terrifying.
"This must be what they call a Genius~"
Kiba sighed silently in his heart.
Then he got to the point.
"Two days ago, we gathered as usual, ready to go on a mission with Teacher Hong.
But we felt that Teacher Hong's condition was very off.
She seemed distracted.
We didn't pay much attention at first.
We thought it was because Teacher Hong was feeling unwell.
Unexpectedly,
just yesterday she expressed her intention to resign.
I was immediately shocked.
Then I quickly asked why.
But Teacher Hong wouldn't say anything.
Helplessly, I could only go to Hinata to ask.
To see if she could find any clues.
I didn't expect her to bring you here."
"Maybe she has something on her mind?"
Bai Hao said, frowning.
"Anyway, let's go check it out first."
"Okay~"
As they spoke, the group walked together towards Kurenai's home.
Because they arrived quite early,
Kurenai had just woken up.
"Teacher Hong, good morning~"
The group greeted her and then entered Kurenai's home together.
Bai Hao subtly observed Kurenai.
He found her looking haggard.
It was clear she hadn't slept well.
"Teacher Hong, I heard you want to resign..."
"What's the reason?" Hinata said directly, "Can you please not abandon our Team 8..."
Kiba nodded repeatedly from the side.
"Exactly!"
"Teacher Hong!"
"You can't abandon our Team 8!"
Shino and Bai Hao didn't speak.
They just sat quietly at the side, watching.
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Kurenai was at a loss for words for a moment.
After a slight hesitation, she said with a bitter smile, "I'm not feeling well.
Therefore, I might not be able to continue doing missions.
The Chunin Exams are over.
Hinata has also become a Chunin.
Moreover, she possesses strength greater than mine.
Therefore,
the three of you can completely complete missions independently.
It's precisely because of these two reasons that I'm preparing to resign."
"I... I..."
Hinata immediately stammered upon hearing this.
I'm inexperienced..."
"Hinata."
Kurenai smiled, "You underestimate yourself.
The three of you have strong sensory abilities.
With these, you basically won't fall into enemy traps.
Plus your strength.
Therefore.
You can completely handle missions independently.
My separation from you is fated.
It's just a matter of a day earlier or later.
So, there's no need to be too sad.
You can still come to me for discussions later~
Moreover.
I'll continue to lead you for a while longer.
I'll only resign after the Fifth Hokage takes office."
"Is... is that so?"
Hinata and the other two looked disheartened upon hearing this.
But at this moment.
Bai Hao suddenly spoke.
"Teacher, you're lying~"
Bai Hao smiled as he looked at Kurenai.
"Actually, you're also very reluctant to part with them.
Aren't you?"
Chapter 52: Kurenai's Dilemma [Second Update for Fresh Flowers and Collections]
After Kurenai heard Bai Hao's words, she couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
This was a subconscious reaction after her lie was exposed.
Although she quickly reined in that expression.
Bai Hao still saw it clearly.
"This..."
Kurenai shook her head with a smile, "Of course I'm reluctant to part with them.
However.
I really am not feeling well..."
"Since you're reluctant, why not tell the truth?
That way, we can also help you~
After all.
There's no problem in this world that can't be solved."
After Bai Hao injected the Dream Card into Uchiha Izumi's body, he gained the corresponding copy ability.
After copying Karin's Kagura Mind's Eye.
He could also determine if someone was lying by sensing changes in their Chakra.
It must be said.
This was a very practical ability.
Therefore, he saw at a glance that Kurenai was lying.
"This..."
Kurenai hesitated upon hearing this.
She turned to look at the expectant gazes of Hinata and the other two.
Then she looked at Bai Hao's calm smile.
An inexplicable sense of security rose in her heart.
"Alright~"
Kurenai pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.
"Actually.
This matter is about one of my students.
Her name is Kurama Yakumo."
Kurenai paused slightly.
Then she explained the details about Kurama Yakumo.
Kurama Yakumo.
Is the daughter of the former head of the Kurama clan.
The Kurama clan.
Is a prestigious family within Konoha Village.
They specialize in genjutsu.
They possess a special Physique, allowing them to instantly dominate the five senses of others with their genjutsu.
Unless all five senses are simultaneously sealed, as long as one enters their attack range, they will definitely fall under the jutsu!
At the same time, they can also turn everything that happens in the genjutsu world into reality!
At their Peak, they consistently surpassed the Uchiha Clan, who at the time did not possess the Mangekyo.
They were Konoha's foremost genjutsu clan!
However, they later declined.
And Kurama Yakumo is the hope for the Kurama clan's revival!
She possesses a special Physique that has not appeared in the Kurama clan for a very long time.
She can cast that genjutsu that instantly dominates others' five senses.
Therefore, the Kurama clan placed high hopes on Kurama Yakumo.
However.
Due to Kurama Yakumo's extreme physical weakness, she was unable to attend the Ninja Academy for long-term training.
Therefore.
The Kurama clan invited Kurenai to be Kurama Yakumo's private tutor.
However, after Kurenai taught her for a while, she no longer wanted to continue.
Because Kurama Yakumo's body was simply too weak.
She was not suitable to be a Ninja at all.
So, she discussed this matter with Kurama Yakumo's parents.
And Kurama Yakumo's parents naturally agreed.
Afterward, Kurama Yakumo's training plan was canceled.
Kurama Yakumo held a deep grudge about this.
She wanted to be a Ninja, to revitalize her clan.
The seed of hatred was planted and sprouted at this moment.
She wanted to retaliate against her parents who prevented her from continuing to be a Ninja.
And then.
Her physical weakness, coupled with mental anguish.
Led to her dissociative identity disorder.
The evil personality directly used that special genjutsu to kill her parents.
Because it was something done by another personality, her main personality was unaware.
Panicked and frightened, she relied on her former teacher, Kurenai.
However.
Not long after, she coincidentally overheard a conversation between Kurenai and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Thereby misunderstanding Kurenai and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
She believed her parents were killed by someone sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Thus, she instantly grew to hate Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kurenai.
The hatred grew even stronger.
That evil personality also grew more powerful.
If not controlled, one day, the evil personality would devour the main personality.
Therefore.
Konoha imprisoned Kurama Yakumo in Satomi Hill Villa.
The main personality did not know the reasons for these events.
So she became increasingly cold towards Kurenai.
But Kurenai, in order to protect Yakumo, could not reveal that Yakumo had killed her own parents.
She could only silently bear the blame.
Feeling utterly stifled.
Originally.
The matter would have ended there.
Kurama Yakumo would have remained imprisoned until her death.
Kurenai would have just endured it.
But the sudden confrontation between Izumi and Itachi made Kurenai realize that times had changed.
They had become more chaotic.
And the genjutsu she had always relied on was nothing more than child's play in the eyes of true powerhouses.
It could be broken with a casual flick of the wrist.
Therefore, she also yearned to become stronger.
Only by becoming stronger could she protect herself and those she wished to protect.
And in her opinion.
The first thing she needed to do to become stronger.
Was to resolve the knot in her heart.
Thus.
With a resolve to die, she resigned from her position as the Jonin leader of Team 8.
Preparing to face Kurama Yakumo alone.