Naruto, are you all so good at self-seduction

Late at night.

When Anko arrived at the hospital, she found everyone already there.

Kurenai, Yugao, Asuma, Guy, and Ebisu were standing around the ward, making the already small room feel quite cramped.

On the four white hospital beds lay Genma, Raidou, Aoba, and Hayate, all of whom had already regained consciousness.

Seeing that the four of them were awake, Anko asked, "So, how is everyone? It's not serious, is it?"

"It's just some aftereffects of being hit by a genjutsu. The doctor said a bit of rest will do," Guy replied from the side.

Genma glanced at Anko as she entered, his gaze calm as he stared out the window.

"What a big embarrassment," Aoba sighed, a bitter smile on his lips.

Both Raidou and Hayate remained silent on their beds.

"It's my fault for not informing you about the enemy's strength," Ebisu said awkwardly.

"At least you're alright," Anko said, relieved.

"Sorry," she added seriously.

Raidou silently turned his head away, Hayate kept quiet, and Genma continued to gaze out the window.

"Even more embarrassing," Aoba said bitterly.

"Anyway, let's put this behind us," Anko continued. "This matter was originally mine; I shouldn't have let you all rush in recklessly."

"It's not your fault. We chose to act," Genma finally spoke up.

"Now's not the time to be stubborn," Anko replied helplessly, earning a glare from Kurenai, who quickly realized her mistake and fell silent.

"I heard it also caught the attention of the Military Police Force?" Kurenai asked.

"Not just that; when the Military Police arrived, they saw all four of them under a genjutsu and thought there was an enemy intruder. In the end, it even reached the Hokage," Kurenai said, visibly frustrated, "You should have seen the scene outside with the officers and ANBU flying all over the place."

Anko was stunned. "Ah?! So what did the Military Police and the Hokage say about it in the end?"

"I said I was experimenting with genjutsu and didn't control the strength well," Aoba replied with a resigned expression, as he alone had some understanding of genjutsu among them.

Not revealing the truth, the others shared a knowing look.

"Binding Genjutsu and Shiranui's wasn't a high-level genjutsu," Kurenai continued, her eyes sweeping over the four men; it was clear to her that none of them were ordinary, and they were all elite among the chuunin.

But to be so easily taken down by that guy...

"His proficiency in genjutsu..."

Kurenai suddenly recalled Kanzuki Oboro's mocking words from that night: "Genjutsu Master," and her gaze fell, turning cold.

"It looks like you really messed with someone formidable," Asuma remarked, unaware of Kurenai's change in demeanor.

"After all, he is a person who once challenged Shunshin Shisui," Ebisu added.

Talking about geniuses affected each one of them deeply, especially since they had a peer, Hatake Kakashi, who attained jounin rank at just 12 years old and reached a level they had yet to attain even now.

"Speaking of which, I really want to spar with him and see how it goes," Guy's cheerful voice broke the suddenly oppressive atmosphere as he swung his fists around.

"He's a genjutsu type ninja and quite strong; you might get taken down in one encounter, might Guy," Asuma chuckled.

"That Kanzuki Oboro claims he is more adept at taijutsu," Ebisu chimed in.

"…"

"And during a previous mission, his water techniques weren't weak either," he added.

"…"

"Oh! Now I'm really looking forward to experiencing it," Guy eagerly exclaimed.

"Experience what?" Suddenly, an inappropriate voice came from the entrance of the ward. They all turned to find the Third Hokage (Sarutobi Hiruzen) standing there, having arrived without them noticing.

"Hokage-sama!" Everyone was shocked, and except for the four on the beds and Asuma, they all stood straight.

"What brings you here?" Anko asked.

"I came to see the culprit behind tonight's incident," the Third Hokage said slowly.

Aoba's heart tightened upon hearing this, but given the situation, he had no choice but to take the blame.

"Hokage-sama, I truly apologize for disturbing you at such a late hour," Aoba lowered his head. "It's my responsibility that everyone was startled."

"Indeed; had things escalated further, we'd have to arrange for the villagers to evacuate," the Third Hokage spoke calmly, yet the consequences he mentioned were severe.

"It's not just Aoba's problem; we all share responsibility," Genma spoke up, with Raidou and Hayate nodding in agreement.

Anko thought about stepping forward but knowing about Aoba's lie kept her from speaking up. She felt uneasy inside.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath. "You show a lot of courage to take responsibility. Do you understand what consequences this incident could have caused?"

"We're willing to accept punishment," Genma quickly assured.

The Third Hokage's gaze swept over the four of them. Kurenai and Anko wore expressions of worry while Guy and Kurenai didn't dare to speak up further.

"How's your health?" the Third Hokage suddenly asked.

Everyone froze, and Aoba quickly responded, "We're fine; it's just some aftereffects from the genjutsu."

But the Third Hokage's expression darkened. "Is that really just fine? How could you use your comrades to experiment with genjutsu!"

"…"

"Fortunately, nothing serious occurred this time. But if irreversible damage had resulted, could you bear that responsibility?"

Aoba remained silent, listening intently to the Hokage's reprimand, feeling moved that the Hokage was focused solely on the matter of experimenting with genjutsu on his teammates.

The Third Hokage scolded the four of them, his words sharp, and they all silently accepted the reprimand, not daring to speak.

"Hokage-sama, I'm willing to accept any punishment," Aoba said.

"Rest well; your punishment will certainly follow," the Third Hokage said calmly.

"Yes, sir."

"Take care, Hokage-sama."

Once the Third Hokage left, everyone finally exhaled.

"Fortunately, Hokage-sama is relatively lenient," Guy chuckled.

"Yeah, otherwise we'd be facing the prospect of being jailed for a while," Ebisu replied.

"Alright, let's wrap this up for today. We're all fine; we can head back now," Genma finally suggested.

Kurenai shrugged and turned to leave the ward first.

"Well, we're leaving; we'll come visit you again tomorrow," Guy said with a smile.

Anko hesitated, guilt weighing on her, debating whether to stay back and help.

"We aren't bedridden; cough cough, we're fine. Cough cough," Hayate said to Yugao, who didn't want to leave.

Asuma and Ebisu shared brief words of care before exiting the ward.

"I'll come back tomorrow," Anko finally said.

At the hospital entrance, everyone waved goodbye to each other.

Asuma watched Kurenai, wanting to say something but hesitating.

"Is something wrong?" Kurenai didn't leave immediately, turning to Asuma.

"Well… do you want to take a walk?" Asuma asked, his spirits lifting as he wondered how to phrase it.

"Now?" Kurenai didn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the distant night sky.

It was late at night, and the village was already eerily quiet, with only the hospital still lit.

"Is it appropriate?"

Kurenai turned her head to look at him, her red eyes calm.

Asuma's expression tensed, and he awkwardly chuckled.

"It's only right that friends would care when something happens, isn't it?"

After Kurenai finished speaking, she turned and walked away.

Standing in place, Asuma watched her walk away alone, his mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

He didn't know what he had done to make her angry.

As Kurenai turned the corner of the hospital road, she found a figure waiting for her.

It was Anko.

"Did Asuma say anything to you?" Anko asked.

"He said he wanted to take a walk with me," Kurenai paused for a moment, then continued walking.

Anko walked beside her, the cold street only hosting the two of them.

"Why did you turn him down?" Anko asked.

"It's late, and I just want to go home and sleep," Kurenai replied.

Anko chuckled lightly.

"From childhood to now, we've walked countless steps together. I know his thoughts clearly; I didn't resist much…"

"Perhaps it's been too long, and I need some time to adjust."

Kurenai sighed as she said this, giving herself an excuse.

Anko glanced at Kurenai's complex expression and let out a sigh.

Kurenai asked curiously, "What are you sighing about?"

"Asuma, he's really pitiful." Anko said slowly.

"What are you talking about?" Kurenai rolled her eyes.

"There's nothing I can do; no matter what decision you make, I have to stand by your side, right?" Anko replied, with a hint of helplessness.

"So, I can only feel sorry for Asuma."

"What a bunch of nonsense." Kurenai said dismissively.

"Yeah, a bunch of nonsense." Anko shrugged, her gaze shifting ahead, falling silent.

Kurenai looked at her with curiosity, brushing some hair away from her ear. "What are you planning to do about this?"

"As for this matter…" Anko murmured, her eyes darting around.

"I guess we'll let it lie. Although in the end, we ended up suffering the loss, it seems we were indeed at fault first."

"It's just that I feel sorry for Genma and the others."

Kurenai replied, "It's good that you think this way, but Kanzuki Oboro may not think like that."

"What else could he want? He fought with us, and nothing happened to him." Anko pouted.

"If you were in that situation, would you be able to let it go so easily?" Kurenai countered.

"He doesn't seem like the type who would hold a grudge, right?" Anko hesitated.

"What? Do you think he's a good person or something?" Kurenai laughed coldly.

Anko grew somewhat irritated. "Then what should we do? We can't win a fight, and we can't report to the village. If he spills what happened with Genma, it'll cause bigger trouble."

Kurenai stretched her hands out. "That's why I'm asking you what you plan to do."

"Ugh, this is so annoying!" Anko raked her fingers through her hair, feeling frustrated.

"Why didn't I think to stop Genma back then?"

"Genma was way too impulsive," Anko complained.

Listening to her vent, Kurenai couldn't help but roll her eyes.

What an ungrateful brat.