A burning sensation in the body?
Connecting this to the name “Sandy Desire Flower Poison” and combining it with Kurenai’s description of the symptoms, Shinsuke’s expression immediately turned strange.
Could this “Sandy Desire Flower Poison” be a love poison that stirs human desire?
Suna-nin have always been skilled at extracting all sorts of bizarre toxins from the unique flora and fauna of the Land of Wind.
Many of these poisons have antidotes that are difficult to obtain, while some have no antidote at all, making them a thorny problem even among medical ninja.
His own acquisition from the system was only elementary Medical Ninjutsu mastery, which could only handle common injuries.
Having him use antidote preparation to help Kurenai detoxify was beyond his ability.
If he absolutely had to detoxify her, it wasn’t that he couldn’t—it was just that he would have to use another method.
To confirm further, Shinsuke steadied his mind and asked softly: “That burning sensation you mentioned—what exactly does it feel like?”
“Try to describe it in as much detail as possible; this is very important.”
Kurenai forced herself to stay conscious and described it in fragmented bursts: “My abdomen…
feels like there’s a fire burning, spreading through my whole body…
it’s so hot it’s unbearable…”
“And I…
mmm~…”
Her voice grew softer, carrying an uncontrollable tremor: “Also…
my heart…
feels like it’s being brushed by a feather, a little ticklish…”
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushed crimson like sunset clouds.
Hearing this, Shinsuke was already completely certain—these were the classic signs of love poison taking effect.
His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he forced himself to speak: “Kurenai…
the poison you’ve been hit with might be a love poison.”
“This kind of poison…
stirs up desire within a person and disturbs their mind.”
“Love poison?” Kurenai’s eyes were dazed; the corrosion of the toxin had already slowed her reactions somewhat.
“Shinsuke-kun, can…
can you help me detoxify this love poison?”
“The method of detoxification…
usually requires…
union with the opposite sex, so that the toxin can be expelled from the body through bodily fluids…”
As his words faded, the cave fell into a stagnant silence.
Only the slightly rapid sound of their breathing remained.
To break this suffocating awkwardness, Shinsuke took out his canteen from his ninja tool pouch and handed it over: “Have some water first; it might ease things a little.”
Kurenai tried to reach out and take the water, but suddenly a powerful wave of dizziness hit her.
In her vision, Shinsuke’s figure swayed and doubled, finally seeming to be shrouded in a peach-colored halo.
Just as she tried to focus her mind, that scorching torrent swirling inside her violently breached the final dam.
“Mmm~!”
Kurenai let out a soft moan.
A near-collapsing weakness spread through her body, causing her knees to buckle as she pitched forward.
Fortunately, Shinsuke was quick—he caught her just before she fell.
“Kurenai, how are you?”
Shinsuke’s anxious voice came from beside her ear.
Kurenai wanted to respond, but her consciousness was already growing hazy.
Just before her awareness completely faded, her body followed its instincts and moved closer to Shinsuke.
She leaned up to him of her own accord, raised her face, and pressed her lips to his.
Their kiss seemed to suppress the toxin briefly.
But immediately afterward, an even fiercer counterattack made her crave this feeling and want more.
“Shinsuke-kun~ I…
want…”
Facing Kurenai, whose eyes were filled with desire, Shinsuke’s reason also completely abandoned him.
His hands grew restless as well.
Soon, the two of them, like dry wood meeting a blazing fire, burned up rapidly.
…
At the same time, in Konoha, the Hokage’s office.
Sarutobi Asuma stood before Hiruzen and spoke angrily: “Old man, why did you send Kurenai, a mere Chunin who only knows genjutsu, on such a dangerous mission?”
“Insolent!”
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, cut him off sharply.
His pipe struck heavily against the desktop.
“I called you here to inform you that effective immediately, you are to proceed to the Daimyo’s residence to serve as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja—not to hear you interrogate me!”
“But her team doesn’t even have a full roster!
What if she runs into danger?”
“Konoha is short-handed right now.
Every single ninja must shoulder heavy responsibilities!”
Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, suppressed his anger, and explained in a low voice: “This is wartime; no one gets an exception.”
“Then I won’t go either!” Asuma clenched his fists.
“Let me hide in a safe place protecting those pampered daimyo while watching my comrades sacrifice themselves on the front lines—I, Asuma, cannot do that!”
Hiruzen gazed at his son for a moment, finally softening his tone as he exhaled a plume of smoke: “Asuma…
after this war ends, I will be stepping down from the position of Hokage.”
Asuma’s pupils contracted at those words: “What?
Why?”
“Since the start of the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha has been struck repeatedly by other nations, yet we have not achieved a single victory that would intimidate outside enemies.”
“The Daimyo has seen no return on his investment in the village and is already dissatisfied with me.”
Hiruzen’s voice was low, laced with exhaustion: “Politics has never been confined to the battlefield.
People have already filed impeachment complaints against me with the Daimyo.
Once the war is over, I will have to step down from the Hokage’s seat.”
Asuma froze, staring blankly at his father’s graying temples, momentarily at a loss for words.
“Jiraiya and Tsunade are traveling far away, and Orochimaru’s performance on the battlefield has also been lackluster…”
“The nomination of the next Hokage requires the approval of Konoha’s high-ranking officials and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Hearing this, Asuma fell silent, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.
He realized that he had never once considered things from his father’s perspective.
Now that he did, he found the old man didn’t seem to have it easy either.
Hiruzen stepped closer and lowered his voice even further: “I need you to gain the Daimyo’s recognition.”
“After your term as a Guardian Ninja ends, I will use my connections to arrange for you to teach at the Ninja Academy.”
“The heirs of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans will be placed in your class.”
His gaze was sharp as a torch: “When that time comes, after the Fourth Hokage steps down, with the support of the ninja clans and the trust of the Daimyo, your bid for the Fifth Hokage position will be assured.”
Asuma suddenly showed an angry expression upon hearing this: “The position of Hokage should be won through strength—not through these kinds of schemes!”
“A Hokage obtained through such means—I, Asuma, would rather not have it!”
“Naive!” Hiruzen rebuked sharply.
“Every generation of Hokage has been born through succession!
The Will of Fire must continue, and Konoha’s future must be entrusted to someone who truly understands it!”
Seeing his son still stubbornly stiff-necked, Hiruzen suddenly remembered his son’s weak spot and spoke: “After the war ends, Kurenai Yūhi will be promoted to Special Jonin.”
“She will also enter the Academy, responsible for teaching the heirs of the Hyūga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans.”
Asuma’s head shot up at this.
Seeing his strategy work, Hiruzen continued: “She will be kept away from dangerous missions, teaching safely in the village—until you two marry.”
“Then, when you run for Fifth Hokage, you will gain the support of nearly every ninja clan in Konoha and successfully become Hokage!”
Hiruzen enunciated each word: “This is my promise to you.”
“And what you need to do is become a Hokage worthy of her and worthy of Konoha’s future—and pass on the Will of Fire!”
Asuma’s lips trembled at these words, but all his retorts were stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
“Sarutobi Asuma!”
Hiruzen stepped back, his voice regaining the authority of the Hokage: “I, as the Third Hokage, order you to depart today for the Daimyo’s residence to fulfill your duty as a Guardian Ninja—without delay!”
After a long silence, Asuma finally lowered his head and knelt on one knee: “…Understood.”
He rose, pushed open the door, and left without looking back.
In his heart, he silently vowed: Kurenai, please wait for me.
Wait for me to come back…
I’ll tell you my feelings in person.
The corridor lights stretched his shadow long.
Silence returned to the Hokage’s office.
Seated in the Hokage’s chair, Hiruzen gazed at the direction his son had left, took a deep drag from his pipe, then slowly exhaled.
“Asuma, one day, when you too sit in this chair, you will naturally understand…”
His gaze turned to the statue of the Second Hokage, filled with an inexpressible complexity: “The position of Hokage must be entrusted to someone who has truly inherited the Will of Fire—and who is willing to burn themselves for Konoha.”
“Asuma, I will pave every road for you…
because you cannot lose!”
━━━━━━━━━━━━
❤️ Enjoying the Story?