Kurenai’s Troubles

"That's not the case."

Shimizu replied.

As Fugaku nodded and was about to speak, Shimizu shifted the topic and said:

"But they've replaced the leading Jonin."

"Who is it?"

Fugaku frowned. The previous Jonin responsible for guiding Shimizu was quite capable. The Hokage had temporarily assigned another squad to assist him, but Fugaku had thought the original arrangement would soon resume.

Why the sudden change?

"Namikaze Minato."

Shimizu's words startled Fugaku.

Fugaku, who also harbored ambitions of becoming Hokage, naturally paid close attention to potential rivals.

Among them, Namikaze Minato was a key focus.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's admiration for Minato was hardly concealed. Were it not for his three prominent disciples, Fugaku suspected that the Hokage title might have already been handed to Minato.

However, Minato's limited seniority made Fugaku feel that, for now, Minato wasn't a significant threat.

Jiraiya was too carefree, Tsunade was a compulsive gambler, and the one he truly viewed as a competitor was Orochimaru.

"What's the matter, Lord Fugaku?"

Seeing Fugaku's surprised expression, Shimizu feigned ignorance and asked.

"It's nothing. If Jonin Minato is leading you, I can rest easy. He's truly an outstanding young talent."

A faint smile appeared on Fugaku's square face.

The fact that the Hokage had assigned someone he admired to lead Shimizu was clear evidence that Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want Shimizu confined to the Konoha Hospital. Instead, he intended to cultivate another talent on par with Tsunade.

"Don't rush to officially join the hospital staff just yet. Follow Jonin Minato's arrangements."

Even though Fugaku wanted Shimizu to spend 24 hours a day immersed in research at the hospital, he dared not defy Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions.

He couldn't afford to let his dissatisfaction show, either.

Patience was a clan leader's duty.

Fugaku sighed inwardly. While Shimizu taking on missions might delay research progress, it wouldn't halt it entirely. At least Shimizu was still studying ocular cloning techniques.

Fugaku had even commissioned a detailed research plan for ophthalmology, hoping Shimizu would provide monthly progress updates. He didn't want to be disappointed.

What Fugaku didn't know was that Shimizu had outsourced the entire ophthalmology research plan to Nohara Rin.

If he found out, he'd probably be pointing at Shimizu's nose, shouting, "How can you be such an irresponsible scoundrel?"

A few days later.

At Kurenai's house.

Kurenai was lying on her bed, hugging a pillow.

Her eyes stared at the ceiling as if she were pondering something.

"Does my first kiss… even count anymore?"

To this day, Kurenai could still recall that tender warmth.

Subconsciously, she touched her crimson lips.

Quickly, she shook her head vigorously.

"That jerk! Did he cast a genjutsu on me or something?"

Every night, Kurenai would dream about what Shimizu had done. The scenario had shifted from lifting her skirt to kissing her.

"No, it's been so long. My father hasn't noticed anything. Is it just… my inner demons?"

Kurenai's thoughts spiraled into chaos.

Knock, knock.

A knock came from outside the door.

Kurenai got out of bed, walked to the entrance, and opened the door to see Sarutobi Asuma.

"Asuma? What brings you here?"

"We've been assigned to the same team!"

Asuma announced excitedly.

He had applied for early graduation, rubbed his old man's back for days, and even had his doting uncle put in a good word for him.

Finally, he'd managed to get Kurenai assigned to his team.

For the first time, Asuma felt the thrill of pulling strings.

At this stage, Asuma was still a delinquent—not the responsible man he would become. He had no shame in benefiting from favoritism.

"Huh? We're on the same team?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Kurenai's heart as a handsome face flitted through her mind.

Suppressing her discomfort, she asked hesitantly:

"I thought my teammates were different. Am I remembering wrong?"

"You're definitely remembering wrong, Kurenai."

Asuma declared confidently.

"The last list was a draft; this one is official."

"Oh… I see."

Kurenai sighed softly.

Seeing Shimizu still unassigned to a team, she'd harbored a faint hope that she might end up grouped with him.

Then… then she could spar with Shimizu anytime and regain her dignity.

Yeah, that's all it was.

Kurenai told herself she only wanted to get even with him.

Someone who bullied her so often—there's no way she could like him.

"Uh… Kurenai, are you happy?"

Asuma grinned, his face almost splitting from his excitement.

Seeing Kurenai's delicate face lower slightly, her cheeks tinged with red, and her expression conflicted, he concluded she must be thrilled about being on his team.

"Ah… no."

Kurenai suddenly realized her feelings toward Shimizu had softened.

And it was all because of that chunin exam.

"Damn it. Why did that jerk suddenly start being nice to me?"

She cursed inwardly. It was making her restless.

Sometimes, she even considered seeing a therapist, but her clan's image stopped her from taking the step.

"Kurenai, let's go find our Jonin instructor. I heard they're planning some special training for us."

"Alright."

Kurenai hesitated briefly before nodding.

A bit of special training couldn't hurt. Every chance to improve her skills was worth taking.

That way, she could eventually surpass that jerk.

"Let's go."

Asuma popped a lollipop into his mouth and led the way enthusiastically.

His ninja journey was off to a perfect start—teamed up with Kurenai so easily. He couldn't imagine how much happier the future could get.

At Konoha Hospital.

Shimizu walked through the hospital corridors with Nohara Rin.

He had gained some recognition here, thanks to his apprenticeship under Yakushi Nono, which had opened many doors for him.

The influence of a medical squad leader couldn't be underestimated. There were only a handful of such leaders in the hospital, and each one managed multiple teams.

Nono, in particular, was a significant figure in the hospital's hierarchy, backed by none other than Danzo Shimura.

If Nono stayed at Konoha Hospital and achieved more, Danzo might reconsider assigning her to espionage missions, which often led to silencing due to the sensitive information she'd acquire.

"Dr. Shimizu, you're in early today."

"Good morning, Dr. Shimizu."

Many people greeted him along the way, their curious gazes often lingering on Nohara Rin.

Rin, dressed in a white coat, seemed like a new colleague to them.

"Good morning," Shimizu responded with a smile.

For those who could contribute to his work, Shimizu never hesitated to offer a friendly face.

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