CHAPTER 5

The streets were bustling with activity.

Let's call it prosperous.

After all, for a traveler like Renn, he had seen too many places that blended the old and the new. But Konoha's unique mix of tradition and technology always fascinated him.

Ninjutsu existed alongside modern conveniences. There were radios, movie theaters, and even refrigerators, yet during a full-scale ninja war, they still relied on messenger hawks and runners to deliver critical intelligence.

It was paradoxical. But Renn didn't dwell on it.

"Renn san, over here!"

A sweet voice called out, drawing his attention. Renn smiled gently and walked toward the entrance of a dango shop.

After waiting so long, Kurenai Yuhi was a little shy, but when she saw him, she stepped forward and took his arm naturally.

Beside her, Mitarashi Anko pouted. She had just reminded Kurenai to be more reserved around men, but it seemed her best friend couldn't help herself.

Well, they were all adults.

In the ninja world, relationships developed quickly. Life was unpredictable, and emotions were straightforward. Many bonds were forged in childhood—Hinata's unwavering love for Naruto was a prime example.

Now, Kurenai Yuhi was Renn's girlfriend.

For someone as self-disciplined as Renn, maintaining a stable relationship was second nature.

"Today, we have company."

Renn didn't mind Anko's presence as a third wheel. Instead, he extended an invitation with a warm smile. He had a good impression of her, and in some ways, he even admired her.

After Orochimaru's defection, Anko—his former student—had become collateral damage. She had endured scrutiny from the village, even going through ANBU interrogation. From that day forward, people whispered about her wherever she went.

But she never let it show.

That wasn't just having a thick skin—it was sheer strength. She had buried the past deep inside, her heart steeled with the determination to one day confront Orochimaru and ask the one question that haunted her:

Why had he left her behind?

"Red!"

The sudden voice shattered the harmonious moment.

Sarutobi Asuma had appeared.

"I've told you before, we're not that close. Calling me that will only make my boyfriend misunderstand."

Kurenai tightened her grip on Renn's arm. As his girlfriend, she cared deeply about his feelings. Without sparing Asuma another glance, she pulled Renn and Anko into the dango shop.

Renn merely smiled, not bothering to respond.

He held no real ill will toward Asuma.

In many ways, Asuma was simply an immature man. As the son of the Third Hokage, he had spent his youth as a rebellious playboy. He left Konoha to join the Twelve Guardian Ninja in search of some grand purpose, only to return later, realizing that his father's teachings had always been right.

From then on, he fully embraced the Sarutobi tradition—settling down, starting a family, and ensuring his lineage continued.

But now, Kurenai was Renn's.

He wasn't in a hurry to change her completely—he preferred to savor the process of falling in love, letting it unfold naturally. Tonight, for example, seemed like a perfect moment.

"Kurenai, I'm leaving the village tomorrow."

Asuma finally spoke, as if hoping to stir some emotion in her before his departure.

A younger Kurenai might have hesitated. But now? She didn't even spare him a glance.

Instead, she silently expressed her thoughts through action—picking up a skewer of dango and holding it up to Renn, intent on feeding him herself.

"In terms of dango, I prefer imported ones."

Renn's voice was gentle but teasing.

Imported?

Kurenai blinked, momentarily confused. But when she saw the mischievous glint in his eyes, realization dawned.

Her cheeks flushed pink.

She bit her lip lightly, hesitated for a moment, then finally gathered her courage and leaned in.

"Oh~"

Click!

Anko's exaggerated reaction mixed with the sound of Asuma's heart shattering.

"Boom~"

Very sweet.

Renn felt it and was satisfied.

"Red!"

Fed up.

The young playboy, Sarutobi Asuma, was furious and let out a roar. His frustration was evident—his pride wounded, his heart aching. It was as if yelling was the only way he could express his dissatisfaction.

Nothing had changed.

Could he not stand it at all?

Renn raised his head, meeting Asuma's glare with a calm gaze. Beside him, Kurenai Yuhi spoke up.

"Captain Renn, can I report something?"

Kurenai, who had just been feeding her boyfriend some imported sweets, was quite the sight. She leaned closer to Renn and gave him a playful wink.

"Sarutobi Asuma has been pestering me lately. It's seriously affecting my daily life."

"I wonder if the Konoha Military Police Force handles cases of men harassing women."

What do you say?

Renn rolled his eyes. Did she just treat the imported sweets as protection money?

Clack.

He snapped his fingers, then pointed directly at Sarutobi Asuma.

Two Uchiha clan members—Night Guards patrolling tonight—immediately rushed over.

"Arrest him!"

"I suspect he has ties to Mito Ido."

"Mito Ido betrayed the village and endangered Konoha's interests. As the captain of the Konoha Police Force, I cannot allow such things to happen again!"

So cool.

He spoke as if it was just a trivial matter, yet his words carried the weight of authority. With a mere gesture, he determined someone's fate.

Was this how Renn protected the village during the day?

When men get serious, they naturally attract women.

And with Renn's monstrous charisma, it was no surprise that Kurenai completely ignored her boyfriend's abuse of power. She didn't care that Asuma was slapped with a charge as serious as betraying the village.

It was great being Renn's girlfriend.

Kurenai's eyes shimmered with admiration, lost in a daze for a moment.

"Yes, Captain!"

The two guards immediately restrained Asuma.

In the Police Force, Renn's word was law.

Hokage's son?

That didn't matter. If he resisted, he'd just get beaten down.

The farce came to an end.

Renn leisurely enjoyed Kurenai's adoring gaze while finishing his dango.

But news of the incident spread unnaturally fast.

He hadn't even finished his snack when he arrived.

A certain "unit of measurement."

In other words, he had been watching from the shadows for quite some time. Now was simply the best moment to step in.

"He's the Hokage's son, after all."

Kakashi Hatake—the so-called "unit of measurement"—muttered.

No response.

Kakashi shook his head, unconcerned.

Anbu had its own duties. The Police Force had theirs. He had no authority to interfere with their affairs.

This time, he had only come to relay a message from the Hokage.

"The report you sent to me—Lord Third Hokage has already reviewed it."

"He says this matter is a misunderstanding."

Interesting.

Renn smirked slightly.

Smart people spoke in a language only they understood.

A misunderstanding?

In other words, a lot of unspoken things were being swept under the rug.

A veiled threat.

A subtle compromise.

An implicit test.

But…

What did any of that have to do with him?

The old schemers were the worst.

Wouldn't it be simpler to be direct?

With an innocent smile, Renn looked at Kakashi and spoke slowly.

"I'll need a higher payment."