"See you tomorrow..."
As the slightly lazy words slipped from the girl's mildly intoxicated lips, Kakashi waved back at her.
With the girl a bit tipsy, Kakashi thoughtfully escorted his benefactor home.
Arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, the girl tilted her head, watching the young man's departing figure. Her eyes sparkled, showing no sign of intoxication.
She had to admit she was starting to like Kakashi.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so forward.
If she had to pinpoint when she started liking him...
It might have been his helpless smile when facing Might Guy during her previous hospital stay.
Combined with Kakashi's resolute back as he fearlessly blocked the Tailed Beast Ball earlier, and his consistent aura of genius.
And... Kakashi was genuinely handsome.
Like sake, Kurenai Yuhi appeared harmless on the outside but was fiery and proactive within, as stubborn as the spirit itself.
No matter how much time passed, she would never give up on something she believed in, and her conviction would only grow stronger over time.
Similarly, like sake, she would become more mellow with the passage of time.
"Kurenai Yuhi's emotional fluctuation +1"
"Chakra +1%"
Kakashi felt no emotional ripple from the fluctuations in his heart.
After the meal, he realized that Yuhi's feelings toward him might not be so simple.
But such matters weren't important to Kakashi.
Right now, the most crucial thing was to quickly boost his strength.
Kakashi wouldn't naively assume that everything would be fine as long as he followed the so-called plot, and he could live a peaceful life afterward.
The loss of his Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan destined a future full of uncertainties.
In the future Fourth Great Ninja War, when he and Might Guy fought Uchiha Obito, who controlled six Tailed Beasts, Kamui played a crucial role. Furthermore, Kamui would also be vital in the future battle against Kaguya Otsutsuki.
It could be said that the eye pierced by the steel bar earlier wasn't just a simple piercing of the Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan.
It was a piercing of the future of this world!
Regardless, Kakashi currently had no interest in dwelling on such matters.
It might seem a bit cold, but for Kakashi right now, Kurenai Yuhi was just a temporary "punch-in" cafeteria.
Although it sounded a bit lofty, Kakashi now needed to work hard to save the world!
"Kakashi!"
"You scoundrel!"
As Kakashi walked home, a figure stood under a streetlamp ahead, hurrying toward him.
"Asuma Sarutobi's emotional fluctuation +1"
"Chakra +1%"
"You just came back from Yuhi's, didn't you?"
The person was none other than Kurenai Yuhi's future husband, Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma approached Kakashi, looking at him with an envious expression.
"Yeah, I ran into Yuhi on the way back from the Uchiha clan's compound, so I had dinner with her."
Kakashi felt a bit overwhelmed looking at the young man in front of him, but he quickly and concisely explained the innocent nature of his encounter with Yuhi.
This guy had been pursuing Kurenai Yuhi since their Ninja Academy days.
It was practically common knowledge.
"Is that really all?"
Asuma wanted to ask more questions, but Kakashi's words cut him off directly.
"Yes, that's it."
"I ran out of money for forging my sword, and Yuhi took pity on me and treated me to a meal."
Kakashi looked earnestly at Asuma.
Although he could tease Asuma a bit more to cause emotional fluctuations and gain some chakra, Kakashi hated trouble.
Kakashi believed he couldn't intentionally toy with someone's genuine feelings for his own benefit.
Moreover, the "Old Horse" in front of him wasn't someone Kakashi disliked.
Kakashi preferred to let things happen naturally.
"Really?"
Asuma looked at Kakashi with suspicion, but he subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
"Really, I'm broke because of forging my sword."
Kakashi honestly stated that he was penniless.
So, for the sake of your love, please treat me to meals from now on.
"You're quite frank. I'll treat you to meals for a while."
"Don't bother Yuhi."
"After all, she's a girl."
Asuma's reply made Kakashi's eyes curve into crescents. He immediately patted the guy's shoulder and said:
"In that case, I won't be polite."
Who treated him didn't matter.
Anyway, one of this couple would have to treat him to meals.
And Asuma was the Third Hokage's son, so money was no problem for him.
"Hey, Kakashi..."
Asuma had no objection to treating Kakashi to meals, but now he adopted a hesitant, awkward posture, which made Kakashi feel a chill.
"What is it?"
Kakashi subtly took a step back.
"Well, well, do you know how to win a girl's heart?"
"After all, you've always been quite popular with girls..."
Asuma stammered.
From childhood, Kakashi had always been popular with girls. Even during his short time at the Ninja Academy, the girls there were infatuated with Kakashi.
What's more, Kakashi now found his mask cumbersome and simply showed his true face.
This made Asuma, who secretly loved Kurenai Yuhi, quite envious.
"Uh..."
"This..."
Kakashi scratched his head, then hesitantly sized up Asuma, and asked uncertainly:
"Could it be... because Asuma..."
"Isn't as handsome as I am?"
Kakashi's hesitant words left Asuma frozen in place.
With just this face, if he abandoned his scruples, Kakashi could thrive.
But the truth of Kakashi's words truly broke Asuma's heart.
If it were other aspects, he could still work hard, but when it came to looks, he was truly powerless!
Yet, even so... "Damn it, do you think Yuhi is that shallow?!"
He, Asuma, would never give up!
"Yuhi is certainly not like that."
Kakashi felt it necessary to speak up for his previous meal ticket.
"Asuma still needs to work hard."
Patting Asuma's shoulder, Kakashi was already planning to leave.
There was simply too much to do today.
Discharge from the hospital, visiting graves, encountering Uchiha Obito, the Hokage's questioning, asking the Ninja Cat to forge a sword.
Kakashi felt a bit exhausted and had no interest in advising Asuma on his romantic life.
"Old Horse, remember to bring breakfast to my house at eight tomorrow morning."
Kakashi waved his hand, completely unconcerned about Asuma, who was still racking his brain on how to win Kurenai Yuhi's affection.
Old, Old Horse?
When did he get such a nickname?
"Don't just give people nicknames, you bastard!"
Asuma stomped his feet in anger, watching Kakashi's retreating back.