58. A Farewell

So that’s how it was.

Kurenai Yuhi had quarreled with her childhood sweetheart, Asuma.

That day, after she received the recording from Kisame, she hurried to the infirmary to visit Asuma. However, her actions wounded his pride; he believed Kurenai and Kisame had struck some sort of shady deal and began to suspect his lover.

What began as an explanation quickly escalated into an argument.

Afterward, the two fell into a cold war that lasted several days.

"Quarrels between young couples are perfectly normal, aren’t they? Don’t worry, you and Asuma will end up together in the end," Kisame tried to comfort her after hearing the story.

Yet Kurenai only shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "Asuma just came to see me. He said he’s leaving the Leaf Village, and won’t be back for a long time. He wants... to break up with me."

Oh?

Hearing this, Kisame remembered that, in the original story, Asuma had indeed left the village as a young man to wander for several years.

It seemed, then, that this quarrel had brought forward the time of his departure.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, could you help me talk to Asuma?" Kurenai gazed at Kisame pleadingly, her hands nervously clasped at her chest, fingers fidgeting.

Truthfully, she had come to find Kisame because only he could clear her name and explain the truth.

"Talk to him?" Kisame raised his fist, as big as a casserole, and grinned. "Are you sure? If I persuade him, this is the only method I know."

Before Kurenai could react, Kisame glanced past her shoulder and muttered, "I’ll leave you two alone," then vanished around the corner.

Huh?

Kurenai was still confused when a familiar voice sounded behind her.

"Kurenai."

Asuma, carrying a large travel backpack, approached from a short distance away. He stopped three meters from her and stood still.

"I’m leaving. I figured I should at least say goodbye one last time."

He feigned a casual, carefree demeanor, one hand holding his backpack strap, the other stuffed in his pocket, looking every bit the free spirit.

"Why do you have to leave the village? Do you really hate seeing me that much?" Kurenai’s expression was full of grievance, her teeth clenched.

"Don’t misunderstand—this isn’t because of you. Actually... I had another argument with the old man at home. That so-called Will of Fire he’s always preaching—I think it’s utter nonsense. I can’t accept the Third Hokage’s ideals. That’s why I decided to leave home, to leave this village. From now on, I’ll live according to my own will, not some so-called Will of Fire."

Asuma shook his head, explaining slowly.

Kurenai listened intently, but she didn’t fully believe him. She pressed on, "But you clearly argued with me about the recorder that day. Do you still think there’s something improper between Kisame and me?"

"I... I apologize. I was in the wrong that day," Asuma’s bravado crumbled, guilt clouding his face.

After apologizing, he paused for a moment, then continued, "I have to admit, it was only after losing to Kisame Hoshigaki that I realized there are always those stronger than oneself.

I used to think being a delinquent was cool. But that guy, Kisame... you can’t even call him a delinquent. Even the real mafia would be nothing but playthings before him.

I’ve realized how green I am. I need to go out and toughen myself.

I don’t know when I’ll return, so... don’t wait for me."

Having finished, Asuma gave Kurenai a long look, then turned and walked away.

Kurenai stood there, dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

In the corner, Kisame had watched the entire melodrama unfold, his brow furrowed.

Would this pair really break up just like that? That didn’t seem right.

Ah well, Kisame Hoshigaki was simply too soft-hearted.

He stretched out his needle-like finger, and with a swish, sent a line of chakra flying toward Kurenai.

He intended to help the girl out, and at the same time test a new use for his chakra threads.

The threads shot from Kisame’s hand, splitting and winding around Kurenai’s legs, arms, and torso.

With a twitch of his finger, Kurenai spun in place, arms and legs flailing—like a marionette.

What’s happening?

Kurenai, panicked, looked back and saw Kisame. He nodded to her, signaling her not to be alarmed.

The next instant—

"Ah!"

Kurenai let out a cry as her body, beyond her control, rushed forward. She quickly caught up to Asuma, wrapped her arms around him from behind, and held him tightly.

This was as far as Kisame could help.

"Kurenai..." Asuma’s body stiffened.

"Don’t go..."

She spoke in a trembling whisper, eyes red with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Faced with his lover’s desperate plea,

"I’m sorry, but I have to go." Asuma clenched his fists, steeled himself, and broke free of her embrace, walking onward without looking back.

Kurenai’s hands hung in the air, her whole being left hollow and lost.

Ah, melodramatic youths are truly incorrigible.

Watching Asuma’s retreating figure, Kisame shook his head and stepped out from the corner.

"Sorry I couldn’t help you," he said, retracting the chakra threads from Kurenai’s body and preparing to leave.

But just then,

Kurenai suddenly burst into tears, her emotions finally overflowing as she flung herself into Kisame’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her tears quickly soaked a large patch of his shirt.

Kisame said nothing. He simply stood there, silently, knowing that what the heartbroken girl needed most—and all she needed—was a shoulder to lean on.

After a long while,

Kurenai’s tears ebbed, her sobs fading to soft whimpers.

"S-Sorry..." Realizing her loss of composure, she lifted her head and apologized timidly.

"It’s alright. When you’re done crying, just look forward," Kisame replied, handing her a handkerchief. Inwardly, he thought, at least you won’t have to be a widow in the future.

"Thank you." Kurenai took the handkerchief, gazing up at the tall, sharply defined man before her, and suddenly felt a strange flutter in her heart.

She’d always been the good girl of her clan, the top student at the academy, living a routine and uneventful life—so she’d been easily drawn to a rebellious delinquent like Asuma.

But now she realized, the air of rebellion around Kisame was even stronger—a kind of untamed, primal wildness.

His magnetism came not from his looks, but from his presence.

A man need not be handsome, but he must have style.

"Is there something on my face?" Kisame’s voice interrupted Kurenai’s wandering thoughts.

"N-no..." she stammered, lowering her head and blushing as she returned the handkerchief.

"Keep it," Kisame said with a smile, then turned and walked away.

Watching his tall figure recede,

"Will you... come to the Leaf again someday?" Kurenai called out, summoning her courage.

Kisame paused, half-turned, and replied meaningfully, "Next time we meet, it might well be on the battlefield."

Kurenai trembled, watching him disappear into the crowd, lost in thought.