Naruto: Mastered Your Strategy?

"What's going on? Why did you suddenly ask me out?" Anko asked, frowning.

"Nothing, can't I just go shopping with you?" Kurenai replied.

Anko, holding a half-eaten dango, made a face. "You're never this proactive. It's always me dragging you out."

Kurenai sighed as they walked toward a bridge, leaning on the railing.

"It's Asuma again, isn't it?" Anko asked.

"He asked me to go see a play. Apparently, a theater troupe is performing in the village," Kurenai sighed deeply.

"This is what, the third time this month? You can't keep using me as your excuse," Anko said, exasperated.

"And besides, you and Asuma get along well, don't you? You've known each other since childhood, like a classic childhood romance. Everyone knows he's into you, and no one else dares to pursue you because of him."

"Yeah, we used to get along," Kurenai muttered, pursing her lips.

"But ever since he came back to the village, something's changed."

"What changed?" Anko asked curiously.

Kurenai stayed silent for a moment as Anko quietly ate her dango.

"Ever since he became one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja protecting the daimyo, he's been trying to prove something to me," Kurenai said slowly. "Before he left the village, our relationship was just fine."

"But now, he's always in a rush to take things further. I can't stand how pushy he's become."

Kurenai ran her hand through her hair in frustration, then straightened it out, leaning back on the railing as she gazed off into the distance.

Anko watched her, twirling the empty dango stick between her fingers before speaking. "You're overcomplicating things. If a guy liked me for as long as he's liked you, I'd have said yes ages ago."

Kurenai replied, "Feelings aren't something you owe someone just because they like you. It's his business if he has feelings for me."

"Wow, you've got some high standards," Anko snorted.

"But you're just avoiding the issue without giving him a straight answer. What do you think Asuma's supposed to do? You're planning to dodge him forever?" she asked.

"..."

"Forget it, let's go shopping," Kurenai exhaled, changing the topic and smiling at Anko.

Anko rolled her eyes, but as they descended the bridge, they spotted two familiar figures walking together on the opposite side of the street. One of them was unmistakable.

"Ugh, why him?" Anko grumbled under her breath.

"What's the matter? Pretending you don't know him?" Kurenai teased.

"Pretend? Why would I? Am I supposed to be scared of him?" Anko raised an eyebrow, marching over confidently toward the two figures. Kurenai smirked and followed behind.

"Well, well, what a coincidence, kid," Anko greeted bluntly.

Ren looked at her with a slight frown. "It's Ren."

"Is this your friend, Ren?" Shisui asked, smiling.

Ren glanced at both women, noticing the slight hostility in Anko's gaze.

"No, just an acquaintance," Ren replied.

Anko's face stiffened, and her expression soured.

"Hello, I'm Ren's friend, Uchiha Shisui," Shisui introduced himself with a friendly smile.

"Uchiha Shisui?" Both Anko and Kurenai froze, immediately recognizing the name.

"You're the famous Shisui of the Body Flicker?"

"Ren's probably been a bit of a pain. His personality can be... difficult. I hope you don't take it to heart," Shisui said, still smiling politely.

Ren's face darkened as he heard Shisui describe his personality as "difficult."

"We've only heard stories about you. It's great to finally meet you in person," Anko remarked, her attitude shifting. Unlike Ren's deadpan expression, Shisui seemed approachable and easygoing.

"Ren, aren't you going to introduce me?" Shisui teased.

Before Ren could speak, Anko chimed in, "I'm Anko Mitarashi."

"Kurenai Yuhi," Kurenai added.

"So it's Anko and Kurenai. I've heard of both of you. It's a pleasure to meet you," Shisui said with a respectful nod.

"Don't call us 'senpai.' You're a Jōnin, way higher ranked than us, and way more famous," Anko waved dismissively.

"That's just a title," Shisui said humbly.

Ren stood there quietly, watching the polite exchange. He had seen situations like this many times before—Anko clearly had the look of someone meeting a celebrity. Shisui's fame in the village was rivaled only by Kakashi.

"I didn't expect someone at your level to be so down-to-earth. I thought geniuses like you would have some quirks," Anko laughed, thinking of Kakashi as an example.

"I'm just a ninja like everyone else," Shisui said.

"At least you're better than some people," Anko said, glancing at Ren.

"Ren is actually a kind-hearted person, once you get to know him. He might seem harsh, but he's got a soft spot inside," Shisui said, defending Ren.

"Why is everyone 'kind-hearted'? What makes him a sharp-tongued, soft-hearted one?" Anko scoffed.

Kurenai tugged gently on her sleeve, trying to ease the tension.

Shisui smiled awkwardly, realizing things weren't going as he'd hoped. He had thought Anko and Kurenai were Ren's friends and wanted to make a good impression.

"You're mistaken," Ren spoke up calmly. "I'm not 'soft-hearted.' I mean everything I say."

"I saved you during that mission because it was required, but I didn't expect you to act so familiar afterward."

"You!" Anko was furious and took a step forward to hit him, but Kurenai quickly held her back.

"Uh, we have somewhere to be. It was nice meeting you!" Shisui said hurriedly, grabbing Ren and pulling him away before things got worse.

"Why'd you stop me? Did you see the look on his face? I wanted to smash it!" Anko growled at Kurenai, still fuming.

"Did you really want to fight him right there?" Kurenai asked, finally letting go of her friend.

"I'll fight him anytime. Who's afraid of who?" Anko huffed.

"Alright, if you don't like him, just avoid him from now on," Kurenai suggested. That's what she wanted anyway—she couldn't stand Ren's attitude.

It was a shame Shisui was so close to Ren. She couldn't understand how two completely different people like them were even friends.

"I'm so mad!" Anko fumed and smacked the nearby railing in frustration, only to hurt her hand on the hard metal.

Her resentment toward Ren grew even stronger.

Meanwhile, on the other side…

"You really have a knack for saying things that make people uncomfortable," Shisui complained. "Were you planning to fight her in the middle of the street?"

"Relax, she wouldn't win."

"..."

"She just throws out the word 'friends' like it's nothing, and suddenly I'm supposed to act like one? That's not fair. What has she ever done for me?" Ren said. "And did you see how over-the-top she was? It was pretty annoying."

Shisui sighed. "You're so extreme. Are you a child or something?"

"It's precisely because I've experienced more that I resist doing things I don't want to do," Ren replied calmly.

"Friendship isn't always about what you get in return," Shisui tried to reason.

"Well, you must be very noble then," Ren glanced at him.

"What I mean is, friendship isn't just about material things or actions. There's also the emotional satisfaction and joy that comes from it," Shisui explained, trying hard to get his point across.

"I'm not at that level yet."

"Then what about me? What have you gotten from me?" Shisui asked, feeling exasperated.

Ren paused for a moment, seeming to reflect, and then fell silent.

"You've already given it."

With that, Ren walked away.

"Huh?" Shisui was stunned, a puzzled expression on his face.

"What have I given you?"

"Wait for me, Ren!" he called out, hurrying after him.

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