"Here you go."
Kiyohara peeled off the shiny wrapper of the candy and extended his hand into the air.
"If it doesn't taste good… hmph."
Kurenai Yuhi's ruby eyes glanced at Kiyohara a few times. Then she lifted a strand of her black, wavy hair and tucked it neatly behind her ear.
Afterward, she lowered her head slightly, parted her bright, full lips, and gently wrapped them around the lollipop.
"Limited edition. You get what you pay for," Kiyohara said.
Sugar, during wartime could practically be considered a strategic resource. Shinobi carried enormous mental pressure during missions. They had to remain intensely alert at all times to avoid falling into enemy traps or ambushes.
And sugar could stimulate dopamine secretion, helping relieve fatigue and stress.
"I didn't expect you to buy something like this," Kurenai murmured.
The sweet flavor tingled across her taste buds, causing her to bite lightly onto the candy.
Once Kiyohara let go, the lollipop dangled from Kurenai's mouth, puffing her cheek slightly.
"This kind is way more expensive than normal candy. Not your usual style."
Kurenai felt that this lollipop was far sweeter than anything she usually ate.
"It'll be useful at critical moments," Kiyohara replied with a shake of his head.
An old veteran once told him: if a shinobi runs out of food, they can survive seven to ten days on only water without eating anything.
But if you add sugar to the water, that survival time could be extended by more than double.
This specific lollipop was also specially made, with many necessary nutrients added in.
"I'll leave the supplies here. I'm heading out first."
Kurenai waved her hand and walked out of Kiyohara's tent.
"Wait, I'm heading out too."
Kiyohara rose from the bed and followed.
He planned to take care of the batch of loot they'd acquired. Since there were no missions at the moment, they had some free time. Otherwise, staying under tension for too long could easily cause mental issues for a shinobi.
Although Kiyohara knew that the first psychological clinic in the shinobi world wouldn't be founded until two years after the Fourth Great Ninja War…
"Then let's go," Kurenai said.
Walking side by side, they soon encountered a shinobi with a rebellious air, looking every bit the delinquent.
"Asuma, you were transferred here too?"
Kurenai's tone held a bit of surprise. She hadn't expected Sarutobi Asuma to be stationed here as well.
"Ah, Kurenai."
Asuma's eyes lit up. Before coming, he had deliberately asked around and knew that Kurenai would be here.
After searching for a while, he had finally run into her.
He approached with a wide grin and held out an exquisitely packaged little box.
"Kurenai, I found this while on a mission outside. I thought it would really suit you. They say it has a calming effect."
Kurenai glanced at the box, then at Asuma's eager, hopeful smile, and replied politely,
"No need, Asuma. Kiyohara just gave me a lollipop."
She pointed to the candy in her mouth that slightly puffed her cheek.
To be honest, Kurenai always felt a bit awkward around Sarutobi Asuma. He was always overly attentive on purpose, and as the Hokage's son, she had to constantly worry about saying the wrong thing. She felt pressure—afraid that she might affect her father, Yūhi Shinku.
Compared to that, she felt far more relaxed when she was with Kiyohara.
"Kiyohara?"
Asuma shifted his gaze to him. The three of them had once been classmates in the same academy class.
His impression of Kiyohara was still that of a quiet, introverted civilian shinobi. Later he heard that Kiyohara had become a Chūnin and even completed an important mission.
Did this guy's relationship with Kurenai improve after they were placed on the same team?
Thinking about that, Asuma felt a hint of jealousy rising.
He clearly came first!
Damn that old man—why did he assign such a crappy team?!
"Asuma."
Kiyohara gave him a small greeting.
The current Asuma was a perfect delinquent, completely rebellious, and frequently at odds with his Hokage father, Sarutobi Hiruzen. He even left the village for several years because of it before returning as a mature man.
Asuma nodded in response to Kiyohara's greeting.
"Right, Asuma, why were you transferred here?"
Kurenai asked with curiosity.
"I'm only passing through. You two should be receiving the news soon too—the Mist's attacks have been getting more frequent. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen seem to be on the move."
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Kurenai gasped softly.
Their name was well-known. It was said each member wielded a powerful, unique shinobi sword.
Listening to Asuma and Kurenai's conversation, Kiyohara felt his heart stir.
Might Duy was still alive at this point, which meant the clash with the Seven Swordsmen hadn't happened yet.
So, it should be happening soon.
In the original timeline, Guy, Genma, and Ebisu were surrounded by the Seven Swordsmen. Duy, desperate to protect his son, went alone to cover their retreat.
That battle shocked every great village and made them reevaluate the importance of taijutsu users.
A genin who had been overlooked for decades unleashed unprecedented strength—slaying four swordsmen and crippling three.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen became the Three Ninja Swordsmen overnight. Terrifying would be an understatement.
"Yeah, so be careful for the next while, Kurenai," Asuma said warmly, continuing with endless concern.
Kurenai listened as Asuma chattered like a machine gun, finding it somewhat dull. But seeing how animated he was, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt him.
Kiyohara stood there and listened for a while. Other than the important information he had already shared, everything Asuma was saying now was just him fussing over Kurenai.
Kiyohara had no interest in listening to his lovestruck babbling.
"I'm leaving first. I have things to do."
After saying that, Kiyohara started walking away.
Because of his butterfly effect, when the teams were assigned earlier, Genma had been placed on his team.
Whether Might Duy would still face the Seven Swordsmen like in the original timeline—he didn't know.
The only thing he knew was that the intensity of the war would only grow from here.
Soon would come the Battle of Kikyo Pass, fought at Konoha's doorstep, where Sunagakure's hero Pakura would shine with her Scorch Release.
"I'll go with you," Kurenai said.
She finally had an excuse to leave Asuma behind.
"Do whatever you want."
Kiyohara didn't even look back.
"Kurenai, you…"
Asuma tried to say something, but Kurenai waved her hand dismissively.
"We'll talk next time, Asuma."
And she walked away, leaving Asuma standing alone in place.
"Kurenai must be feeling shy since we haven't seen each other in so long…"
Asuma scratched his head.
Still, seeing Kiyohara and Kurenai together definitely set off some alarms in his heart.
Affection grows with time—he had to find a way to spend more time caring for Kurenai.
…
After parting from Asuma, Kiyohara and Kurenai arrived at the small rear-supply town.
Calling it a "town" wasn't entirely accurate—there were very few ordinary civilians living here.
Most people here were shinobi.
The merchants who set up shop mainly came to earn money off shinobi.
"For the next while, avoid dangerous missions whenever possible," Kiyohara said.
He planned to stay low-key for some time.
When the Last Will System activates, then he would act.
(End of Chapter)