Chapter 61: Genjutsu training

Without another word, the two began walking toward Kurenai's home.

As they reached Kurenai's house, Kakashi gave Naruto a small warning.

"She might not be available right now," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Naruto, however, was undeterred. "I still want to try."

Kakashi sighed but didn't argue. Instead, he stood back, letting Naruto take the lead.

Knock. Knock.

Naruto rapped on the door, waiting for a response. Silence greeted them.

Kakashi crossed his arms. "See, Naruto? I told you she probably wasn't—"

Click.

The door creaked open.

A beautiful woman with crimson eyes opened the door. She was dressed in a simple nightgown, her hair slightly tousled, clear evidence that she had just woken up—even though it was already nearing noon.

She blinked at them, rubbing her eyes, still groggy from sleep.

Naruto stared at her for a moment, then—he remembered.

That one moment. That one legendary moment.

The time Kurenai had used her genjutsu on Itachi—Itachi Uchiha, the so-called God of Genjutsu.

It had lasted mere seconds before he reversed it effortlessly, but the sheer audacity of the attempt had been unforgettable. The memes, the jokes, the sheer number of times people had replayed that scene in their minds—it was legendary.

And in that moment, Naruto couldn't help himself.

"Ahahahahahaha!"

His laughter burst out, uncontainable, loud and full of life. He bent over, clutching his stomach, his whole body shaking as the image replayed in his mind.

Kurenai blinked in confusion, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly. She glanced at Kakashi, who just sighed and shook his head as if saying, Don't ask, I have no idea either.

Naruto, however, was too busy cackling to notice their puzzled expressions. "Ahahahaha—sorry, sorry! It's just… I remembered something really funny!" He wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning.

Kurenai crossed her arms. "Oh? Care to share?"

Naruto coughed, suddenly realizing that explaining that particular memory might not be the best idea. "Uh… it's nothing! Just a dumb joke, you wouldn't get it!"

Kurenai raised an eyebrow, but before she could press further, Kakashi clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Right, well, as fun as this is, we actually came here for a reason."

Kurenai sighed, clearly still half-asleep. "And that reason is…?"

Naruto straightened up, his amusement fading into seriousness. "I want you to train me in genjutsu."

Kurenai studied him for a moment, then smirked slightly. "You laugh at me one second and then ask for my help the next? You've got guts, kid."

Naruto grinned. "So, is that a yes?"

She sighed dramatically, rubbing her temples. "I suppose I don't have much of a choice now, do I?"

Naruto pumped his fist in the air. "Yes! Training arc, here we go!"

Kakashi chuckled under his breath. "You'll regret this, Kurenai."

Kurenai smirked. "We'll see about that."

All three stepped inside the house.

"Wait a minute, let me freshen up," Kurenai said before disappearing into the bathroom.

Naruto plopped down on the couch, casually flipping through Kakashi's book with an amused expression.

Kakashi, arms crossed, gave him a pointed look. "Naruto, give me my book."

Naruto smirked, holding it just out of reach. "Kakashi, you've had so many pretty classmates, and yet, you're still hopelessly devoted to this thing. Seriously?"

Kakashi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Naruto."

Naruto chuckled but finally handed the book back. "Unbelievable, man. Priorities."

Kakashi flipped the book open with a satisfied nod. "Exactly."

Naruto smirked as he watched Kakashi clutch his precious Icha Icha book like it was his lifeline.

"This guy values that book more than his own life," Naruto thought, shaking his head.

Kakashi flipped to where he had left off and gave a satisfied nod before turning to Naruto.

"Now, where were we?" Kakashi asked lazily.

"You were ignoring real women in favor of fictional ones," Naruto quipped, crossing his arms.

Kakashi simply eye-smiled. "Real women bring real trouble. Fictional ones are always there when you need them."

Before Naruto could roast him further, Kurenai walked back into the room, now fresh from her bath, drying her hair with a towel.

"So, what are you two gossiping about?" she asked with a smirk.

Naruto grinned. "Just talking about how Kakashi prefers imaginary girlfriends."

Kurenai raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Explains a lot."

Kakashi sighed and snapped his book shut. "I didn't come here to be attacked."

Kakashi stood up, brushing off his clothes. "Well then, I'll take my leave. I don't want to be the third wheel."

Without missing a beat, both Naruto and Kurenai responded at the same time—"Yeah, take your leave."

Silence.

Then, as if on cue, they turned to each other, eyes wide in realization.

And then—high five.

Kakashi gave them a deadpan stare.

"Seriously? Out of sheer curiosity, shouldn't you at least try to convince me to stay?"

Naruto leaned back, smirking. "You're still here?"

Kurenai crossed her arms, raising a brow. "You're still here?"

Both of them had said it at the exact same time, same tone, and same energy.

Now it was their turn to be confused.

Naruto blinked. "Hey... how is this happening?"

Kurenai tilted her head. "Yeah, how?"

All three of them stood there, completely bewildered.

Kakashi narrowed his visible eye. "You two... are you secretly connected by some weird telepathy or something?"

Naruto and Kurenai exchanged glances again.

"Maybe we're just that in sync," Naruto said, smirking.

"Or maybe Kakashi is just that predictable," Kurenai added, shrugging.

Kakashi sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. I know when I'm not wanted. I'll just take my lonely, unloved self elsewhere and read my book in peace."

"Good choice," Naruto and Kurenai said at the same time again.

Kakashi threw his hands up. "Okay, now this is creepy." He gave them both one last suspicious look before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

The moment he was gone, Naruto turned to Kurenai, his grin widening. "You think he's really gonna read that book or just sulk?"

"Definitely sulk," Kurenai said confidently.

Both of them burst into laughter, enjoying their strange, unexpected synchronization.

"Then, kid tell me what do you want to learn", Kurenei asked.

Naruto thought for a moment,"I don't know let's start with basics".

"Okay, but you'll have to wait—I still need to eat lunch," Kurenai said, stretching her arms with a tired sigh.

"Then we can eat together. I haven't had lunch either," Naruto replied casually.

Kurenai nodded, rolling her shoulders. "Alright then, let's grab something good. I'm starving."

Naruto smirked. "Why go out when I can cook?"

Kurenai raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Oh? You can cook? How old are you again, kid?".

Naruto crossed his arms, his smirk widening. "Age doesn't matter, nee-chan. Skill does."

She chuckled, still skeptical. "Big words. Alright then, impress me."

"Hmph, get ready to have your taste buds blown away," Naruto said, confidently striding toward the kitchen.

Kurenai followed, her curiosity piqued. "Fine, but if it's bad, you're treating me to dango."

"Deal." Naruto grinned as he started gathering ingredients, his movements precise, and practiced.

"Alright, what do you feel like eating?" he asked.

"Maybe fish and rice," she replied.

"Do you have any fish here?"

"No."

Naruto dusted off his hands. "Then wait here, I'll go get some fresh fish and the other ingredients."

Kurenai folded her arms. "Wait—I'll come with you."

Naruto shrugged. "Okay."

On the other side of the village—

Karin stood firmly in Kakashi's path, her gaze sharp. "Where is Naruto?" she demanded.

"Kurenai's house," Kakashi answered plainly.

Her brow furrowed. "Why?"

Kakashi tilted his head. "I thought Naruto told you."

Karin thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay." Without another word, she turned and left.

Back at Kurenai's house, Naruto and Kurenai sat down to eat.

The aroma of freshly cooked fish and rice filled the room as Naruto served the food he had prepared.

The first bite—Kurenai paused, savoring the flavors.

It was good. Not just decent, but really good.

It wasn't on the level of Akimichi Clan's legendary barbecue or the soul-warming perfection of Ichiraku Ramen, but it could easily compete with the best food stalls in Konoha.

She took another bite. Damn.

She was satisfied.

After finishing her meal, Kurenai leaned back, smirking. "Naruto, what do you say—you become my personal chef, and in return, I'll teach you Genjutsu?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Are you bribing me?"

Kurenai shrugged. "Call it… an exchange of services."

Naruto thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. "Hmm… tempting offer. But does that mean I have to cook for you every day?"

Kurenai smirked. "That depends on how good your Genjutsu skills become."

Naruto chuckled. "Alright, deal. But I expect top-tier Genjutsu training."

Kurenai extended a hand. "And I expect top-tier meals."

Naruto shook her hand, sealing the agreement.

"Looks like I just got myself a Genjutsu sensei."

And Kurenai?

She just got herself a damn good personal chef.