Seeing Kurenai Yuhi's look of keen interest, Shinji couldn't help but gently squeeze her hand and ask curiously:
"Kurenai, do you want to learn the Darkness Genjutsu?"
Kurenai pursed her lips and nodded lightly.
"This is the first time I've heard of such a miraculous Genjutsu."
A powerful Genjutsu that could completely strip away another's vision—it perfectly aligned with her preferences.
Among the Genjutsu she had learned, none were as domineering as the Darkness Genjutsu.
Shinji nodded.
Although this Genjutsu was extremely suitable for Kurenai, obtaining its training method was a difficult problem.
The Scroll of Seals undoubtedly recorded the Darkness Genjutsu, but to obtain the Scroll of Seals, one needed the approval of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, which came with significant thresholds and merit requirements.
Tsunade?
A golden-haired figure suddenly surfaced in Shinji's mind.
Perhaps he could find clues from his teacher, Tsunade?
She was the last remaining descendant of the Senju clan, and since the Darkness Genjutsu was originally created by Senju Hashirama, it was highly likely she possessed its legacy.
Shinji instinctively glanced at Kurenai beside him, secretly deciding that if he could successfully obtain it, he would give her a surprise.
Kurenai turned her head to look at him, a hint of sly amusement in her eyes:
"If I master this Genjutsu, will I have a chance to defeat you?"
Shinji knew all too well that this was impossible.
Although the Darkness Genjutsu countered the ordinary Sharingan, sealing its dynamic vision and ability to see through Genjutsu, it was ineffective against the Dōjutsu of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But he still deliberately played along with her wishes and smiled:
"Very likely. If Kurenai masters it, I might truly not be your match."
He was becoming increasingly skilled at making the person he liked happy.
"Hmph."
The corner of Kurenai's mouth curled up slightly.
"Once I learn it, I'll definitely pin you down so you can't move."
She also secretly resolved to ask her father, Yuhi Shinku, for related clues as soon as she returned.
Pin him down?
Shinji's mouth twitched, and he glanced at Kurenai with an inexplicable sense of guilt.
Seeing her smiling with curved eyes, he knew she probably hadn't misunderstood.
But some ways of "pinning down" didn't require any Genjutsu at all.
He suddenly leaned in close and whispered something in her ear.
Kurenai's cheeks flushed bright red instantly, and she immediately lifted her leg, giving his calf a light but firm kick.
She hurriedly stood up, quickly scanning left and right. Seeing no one around, she relaxed slightly, then scolded him with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance:
"Ugh! You pervert, your head is full of nonsense!"
"Looks like you've rested enough."
"Come and train with me."
"Today, I'm definitely going to exhaust all your stamina."
Shinji sighed inwardly, regretting that his earlier mischievous thoughts hadn't succeeded.
But it didn't matter—there was plenty of time ahead.
He pushed himself up from the tree trunk behind him, brushed off the dirt from his clothes, and bent slightly, giving Kurenai a gentlemanly bow.
"As you command, our Lady Kurenai Yuhi."
Seeing him like this, Kurenai couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly.
…
The glow of the setting sun bathed the entire Third Training Ground.
A full day of Genjutsu sparring and Taijutsu grappling had long since exhausted most of their stamina.
Even Shinji was no exception.
To ensure the effectiveness of his training, he deliberately suppressed his power and strength throughout, maintaining his abilities at a level similar to Kurenai Yuhi's, which was also an immense test of his mental energy.
He wiped the sweat from his temple and spoke:
"Kurenai, let's call it a day here."
Kurenai Yuhi's slender legs trembled slightly as she leaned on her knees, nodding gently.
Seeing this, Shinji stepped forward, steadily supporting her forearm, and walked with her to sit on a nearby bluestone.
"Let me treat your injuries."
He glanced at the obvious bruises on Kurenai's arms and calves, smiling as he suggested.
Bumps and scrapes during training were unavoidable, and now, Shinji's usefulness became apparent.
Kurenai Yuhi obediently extended her arm, smiling. "The training partner I found really isn't bad."
"You even know Medical Ninjutsu? I should have expected no less from Lady Tsunade's disciple!"
A faint green Chakra shimmered on Shinji's right hand as he gently covered the bruises on Kurenai's arm.
"Feels like a great deal, doesn't it?"
Kurenai Yuhi closed her eyes, humming a soft tune at the corner of her mouth, feeling the pain gradually fade away. She replied with a comfortable expression:
"Yeah, it really is a great deal."
The bruises on her arm were quickly treated.
Shinji's gaze unconsciously drifted to Kurenai's legs.
Those legs were slender and straight, with smooth, fair skin that glowed softly under the fading sunset light.
It was a shame that two or three bruises marred the perfection of these Jewel-like legs.
Shinji covered his mouth and coughed lightly, a faint itch stirring in his heart.
While openly watching, he performed the Palm Technique, carefully placing his hand over the bruises on Kurenai's calf.
Feeling the slight warmth on her leg, Kurenai also sensed the somewhat ambiguous atmosphere. She gently pressed her legs together, instinctively pulling back slightly.
"Don't move! Don't move!" Shinji whispered. "I'm treating you right now."
A tingling sensation, like an electric current, shot through her heart, and her cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly.
After a moment of silence, meeting Shinji's undisguised fiery gaze, she bit her lower lip lightly and suddenly spoke:
"Are they nice to look at?"
"They are," Shinji blurted out.
"Then… do you want to touch them?"
Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head and asked softly.
Shinji's head snapped up.
Yes!
Of course he did!
After all, he was an active man who didn't refuse opportunities!
But Shinji never expected Kurenai to say something like this.
Had he already reached this point in her heart?
The progress was faster than he had imagined.
He raised his hand and pressed it against his chest, clearly feeling the intense heartbeat within. With a tone carrying a hint of barely noticeable tension, he softly called her name:
"Kurenai!"
Kurenai Yuhi turned her face away, feigning composure as she spoke:
"You worked hard today, training with me."
"Since you performed well, this is the reward I promised you."
But her heart was far from as calm as her surface demeanor; it felt like her heart was about to leap out of her throat.
Kurenai's voice trembled slightly as she added in a small voice:
"O-only one touch is allowed."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Shinji's mouth—then he wouldn't hold back.
He extended his index finger, gently tapping her calf, then slowly spread his fingers, covering her leg as if cradling a rare treasure.
The moment their skin touched, Shinji clearly felt Kurenai's body instantly stiffen, her breath even catching for half a beat.
He wasn't hasty, his gaze growing even more scorching, his movements slow and gentle, as if tracing a fragile yet precious treasure.
The soft, delicate sensation sent tingles through his heart.
Kurenai subconsciously pursed her lips lightly, her eyes misting over with a hazy Water-like sheen, her originally tense body gradually softening.
After a long while, she finally spoke softly:
"Shinji... isn't it done yet?"
"Of course not."
"I said you could only touch it once."
"That's right, my hand hasn't lifted yet, so this 'once' isn't over."
Slap!