After Neji officially became a disciple, the village of Konoha settled into a rare calm. The two great clans—Uchiha and Hyūga—made no trouble, nor did the village's high council press against them. Everyone lived according to their own rhythms, savoring the peace that had come.
The war with Kumogakure had ended completely, and genuine tranquility returned. The villagers felt joy in their daily lives once more.
It was also the season when spring warmed the earth and blossoms flourished. Many people, civilians and shinobi alike, took the chance to go on outings.
Uchiha Gen shared the same idea. On a rest day, he invited Kurenai, Anko, and Yūgao on a spring excursion. The three women agreed happily.
That morning, the four gathered at the village gate. Because Gen had made all the preparations, the three came empty-handed.
They chatted along the main road, entered the forest, leapt from branch to branch, and finally arrived at a secluded lake deep within the woods.
Ordinary villagers on an outing would never dare wander this far, wild beasts made the outer forests too dangerous for them. But for shinobi, such beasts were nothing more than potential ingredients for a meal.
The lake stretched in an oval, its waters a pale blue, gleaming in the clear spring sunlight. A breeze skimmed its surface, scattering ripples; tender shoots of green swayed at the shore, and now and then animals came to drink, completing a scene of vibrant life.
Gen formed hand seals. A plume of smoke erupted, and a giant white python appeared, its aura scattering the wildlife at once. The serpent spat out a massive square wooden chest before vanishing again.
They rinsed away the slime with lake water, opened the box, and revealed all the supplies prepared for a grand outing. Soon, a tent stood ready, a picnic blanket was spread, and platters of ready-made food, fruits, drinks, and sake were laid out.
By the shore, Gen set up a grill and iron pot, intent on preparing lunch and dinner himself.
With all the tasks divided, the four sat together on the blanket, chatting and nibbling as they rested. Their laughter and conversation echoed over the lake—a rare moment of carefree peace.
Time slipped away unnoticed. At last Gen checked his pocket watch, smiling. "It's almost noon. Time to catch lunch. Change into these."
He tossed them each a bag. Inside were swimsuits.
The three women blinked in surprise, cheeks flushing faintly. Gen said nothing further, stepping into the tent and returning shortly in swim trunks.
Years of training had carved his frame into perfection; bronze skin, smooth muscle lines like a sculptor's work, tall stature, and a striking face. Kurenai and Yūgao felt their hearts pound; their gazes lingered, unbidden.
Men admire beauty, but women too admire strength and form.
"Wow, Senpai, your body is amazing," Anko blurted, leaping up to touch his chest and abs with unabashed curiosity. "Come on, hurry and change so we can compare!"
Laughing, she darted into the tent with her own swimsuit, while Kurenai and Yūgao were hesitant and blushing but eventually followed.
The swimsuits Gen had chosen were bikinis—two-piece, minimal cloth, designed to showcase rather than conceal.
When the three emerged, they made a picture worth remembering:
Anko in light green, playful and bold.
Kurenai in fiery red, elegant and radiant.
Yūgao in pale lavender, modest yet graceful.
Fair skin gleamed in the sun. Kurenai's complexion was the lightest, Yūgao's slightly less so, Anko's the warmest. Anko, however, possessed the most generous curves; Kurenai followed, while Yūgao's were more modest but her long, flawless legs more than made up for it.
Taken together, Kurenai's balance of beauty and proportion made her the most striking.
Gen's gaze lingered. Kurenai and Yūgao instinctively crossed their arms, shy. Anko stood boldly, hands on her hips, chest out, daring comparison.
"Excellent," Gen said warmly. "All of you are beautiful. Let's go fishing."
With a grin, he dashed into the lake, skimming its surface before vaulting high, spinning gracefully, and diving with hardly a splash. Anko laughed and copied him. Kurenai and Yūgao followed more timidly, but even their dives had shinobi precision.
The four swam, splashed, and dove beneath the water. Catching fish barehanded would stump civilians, but not ninja. They refused to use jutsu—it would ruin the fun.
Half an hour later, they had ten fish. Dripping wet, the women started back toward the tent to change, but Gen called out, "No need. It's warm today. Stay as you are until we leave."
Anko smirked. "Senpai, your intentions are written all over your face."
Gen rolled his eyes. "And you don't know the saying 'see through but don't speak of it'? Besides, I'm only looking at my girlfriends." He grinned. "Careful, or I'll revoke your lunch."
Anko immediately relented. "No, no! Fine, look all you want. Here—" she struck a pose, puffing her chest as if in apology.
Gen chuckled. "I already have two girlfriends here. No need to push them."
"Kurenai and Yūgao won't mind," Anko declared. "We're sisters for life."
"For life? Hardly." Gen's tone grew teasingly serious. "Once they live with me, their time will go to me. Once children come, even more of their time will be mine. You'll see them less and less."
Anko froze, then frowned in thought. It… made sense. But then her eyes lit up.
"Then I'll be your girlfriend too!" she announced.
Gen blinked, momentarily thrown. He had indeed thought of Anko, but hadn't expected her to leap into it so directly. He coughed. "Ahem… I wouldn't object. But the others, can they accept you?"
Anko turned at once. "Kurenai, Yūgao... what do you say?"
Both women shot Gen exasperated looks. Of course this scoundrel had planned it. They recalled how he had grouped them together from the start—likely with this in mind.
Jealousy stirred, but it was tempered by reality. Gen had always been honest: a man like him would never belong to just one woman. Better to unite, to maintain their position together, than to resist and lose ground later.
And so, with unspoken understanding, Kurenai and Yūgao accepted. The three women's bond deepened further.
Gen was delighted. No more "light bulbs" to dim his fun. The afternoon promised to be lively indeed.
Together, they cleaned the fish and cooked an extravagant lunch, Gen taking the lead while the others assisted. They feasted, rested, then returned to the lake—not to fish, but to swim and play.
By now, Gen felt no need to restrain himself. He teased them in the water, chased, caught, and embraced, laughter spilling across the lake.
This was true living, unlike the grim survival most shinobi endured.
Later, they drifted together on the water, lying side by side, bodies buoyed by the gentle waves, chatting softly. When rested, they explored the forest.
Anko suggested hide-and-seek. Gen would normally scoff at such childishness but with three women in bikinis, the game had its charms. He added a rule: the winners could demand a forfeit of the losers.
Anko was "it" first. The others scattered. Gen slipped instead to where Kurenai hid.
She started at his sudden arrival, then relaxed. "You scared me! What are you doing here?"
Leaning close, Gen whispered, "I'm coming to your place tonight."
Her face turned crimson. "For… what?"
"To drink with you," Gen said slyly. "And then… whatever follows."
Kurenai loved her spirits—savoring, never overindulging. The thought flustered her, but she nodded shyly.
"Alright… just drinks," she whispered.
Gen smiled, drawing her close. "Do you know what it means, that I go to you first?"
She swallowed. "What?"
"It means you're the one I love most," he murmured. "Later I'll go to Yūgao and Anko… but tonight, it's you."
Kurenai's heart soared. Though she could accept sharing, she still longed to be special. Overjoyed, she closed her eyes, lips parting slightly. Gen leaned down, and their kiss sealed the promise.
But the sound of Anko nearby forced them apart. Kurenai pushed him away, flustered. Gen only chuckled and slipped off, giving her cover.
In turn, he found Yūgao and then Anko, each time teasing, embracing, and whispering promises—but not pressing too far. It was enough, for now.
They played until dusk, then returned to the lakeside, summoned the python to stand guard, and cooked a lavish dinner together.
Afterwards, they changed back into their clothes, packed up, and headed home.
But Gen was not done. He led them through Konoha's evening streets—shopping, laughing, even watching a film. Yes, there were theaters in this world, and under the lanterns of Konoha's night, it felt almost ordinary.
At half past ten, he escorted them each home. Then, quietly, he slipped into Kurenai's.
Mikoto had already been told in the morning, so no one was left waiting.
Drinks were poured. Conversation flowed. Then, as the night deepened, everything unfolded as naturally as water running downstream.
If one word could describe it—
"Superb."
And for the sake of propriety, the details need not be said.