Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: First Meeting

Konoha, Training Ground No. 8.

Kurenai stared at the orders in her hand, frozen in place.

Facing the masked ANBU before her, she desperately wanted to demand: ’Is it because of my close relationship with Asuma that you’re targeting me? Fine, but why drag my genin into this? Why make them meet those three monsters from Sunagakure?!’

"Kurenai-sensei, what’s wrong?"

Inuzuka Kiba, noticing her dazed expression, couldn’t help but ask.

"Nothing!"

Tucking the orders away, Kurenai turned to the ANBU. "Understood. I’ll carry out the mission."

With her acknowledgment, the ANBU vanished instantly.

"Kurenai-sensei, why was an ANBU here?" Kiba trotted up to her, concern evident. "If the mission’s too dangerous, you can refuse, right?"

"The truth might not be so dire. I sensed no hostility from that ANBU. It’s probably a routine assignment." Aburame Shino interjected calmly.

Kiba jumped slightly, shooting Shino an annoyed glare but saying nothing.

He was slowly—very slowly—getting used to Shino’s near-invisible presence. But no matter how much he adapted, Shino’s sudden remarks still startled him, and Kiba refused to accept it.

The worst part? His trusty canine radar, Akamaru, was utterly useless against Shino. That was what frustrated Kiba the most.

"This mission involves the three of you directly. I’ll explain it now. If you feel it’s unsuitable—"

"Woof!"

Before Kurenai could finish, Akamaru barked sharply.

At the same time, a small cluster of insects swarmed around Shino’s arm. His expression tensed. "Kurenai-sensei, my insects sense a strong malicious presence nearby. The threat level is high."

"Akamaru agrees. The target is... here!"

Kiba’s gaze locked onto the red-haired Gaara among the four figures approaching in the distance.

If he remembered correctly, this guy had transformed into a monster during the Chūnin Exams. His clan later informed him that it was one of the legendary Tailed Beasts—an entity no ordinary person could hope to defeat.

"I was going to brief you first, but it seems we have no choice but to accept this mission now." noveldrama

Generally, ANBU-delivered missions couldn’t be refused.

Of course, that depended on who was receiving the order.

For genin like Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino—each from prominent clans—even if Hinata wasn’t the clan’s favorite, the Hyūga would never allow her to come to harm.

Especially not against Sunagakure, the weakest of the Five Great Villages. The Hyūga had no reason to fear them.

"Kurenai-sensei, what exactly is our mission?" Hinata, ever the obedient student, asked timidly in her soft voice.

Kiba and Shino also turned to Kurenai, curiosity written on their faces.

"Your mission is to accompany Suna’s envoys—these three here—for the afternoon. If—"

"Kurenai, no need to be so tense! Sure, I showed up unannounced, but you staring at me so nervously might make me think you’ve got a crush on me!" Kamizuki Hikari teased with a grin.

As a man, Hikari couldn’t deny having some interest in Kurenai. But he’d never act as a homewrecker or interfere in others relationships.

"Shut it!"

His playful jab dissolved most of Kurenai’s worries for her students.

"Aren’t you supposed to be training Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji? Why are you here with me?" Her question carried a double meaning: one, genuinely asking why he wasn’t with Team 10, and two, questioning why he’d brought Suna’s trio to her.

Did he think Kurenai was an easy target just because she was a woman?

If that was his assumption, Kurenai was ready to correct it.

She hadn’t become a jōnin just because of her ties to Asuma. Her exceptional genjutsu skills had earned her the promotion from the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Ah, Asuma-senpai’s back. He immediately went to pick up Shikamaru and the others. He hasn’t come to see you yet?"

Hikari scrutinized Kurenai, his gaze lingering on her head for an uncomfortably long time.

He could almost see an imaginary green hat forming above her.

"Your stare is creeping me out. Stop it!"

Though she didn’t know what he was thinking, Kurenai’s instincts screamed that it wasn’t anything good.

"Just because Asuma is back doesn’t mean he has to see me first!"

"If he went to get his team first, it just means he takes his duties seriously. Unlike some people who slack off. Ino even complained to me about you!"

She defended Asuma verbally, but a sour feeling lingered in her chest.

No matter how strong or beautiful a woman was, if her significant other didn’t seek her out immediately upon returning, it would sting.

"Oh, I see."

"If I were still in charge of them, I’d punish her properly. But now that I’m free, I’ve got nothing to worry about. Feels great!"

Kurenai studied Hikari’s expression but found no trace of regret.

"You really don’t feel even a little reluctant?"

"Why should I? Babysitting kids isn’t exactly thrilling. I’m only in my twenties, unmarried, and stuck supervising teenagers barely younger than me. It’s been a hassle!"

Hikari’s tone was matter-of-fact.

His attitude toward leading Team 10 had always been indifferent.

People only clung to things when they’d invested too much emotion or effort, expecting returns—whether emotional or material. When those returns fell short, negativity festered.

But for Hikari, Team 10 was simply: "If I have it, great. If not, no loss."

Without attachment, there was no disappointment.

"Fine. If that’s how you see it, I won’t argue."

Kurenai neither agreed nor disagreed with his outlook.

They were both adults. Even if she didn’t share his perspective, she wouldn’t dismiss it.

Everyone was entitled to their own beliefs.

Trying to force your views onto others? Not only was success unlikely, but it was also exhausting.

"Enough about us. Let me introduce our guests from Suna: Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara. Team 8’s mission is to guide them around Konoha, showcasing our culture and landmarks. Any questions?"

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