Konoha: The Honored One

Kurenai Yuhi walked into the barbecue restaurant, holding Hinata's hand, when she heard Gojo's smug voice trailing behind them. She turned around with an exasperated look.

"The scumbag speaks again," she muttered, shaking her head.

Leave it to Gojo to turn shamelessness into an art form. The way he flirted so casually with women, like it was his birthright, made her want to roll her eyes—and yet, it was maddeningly charming.

But what could she do? She had it bad for him.

If polygamy ever became legal, she might even consider it—maybe.

Hinata Hyuga, face as red as the barbecue coals, stammered, "Mr. Gojo, I... I'm so sorry about earlier."

Kurenai gave her an encouraging pat on the back and whispered, "Don't let the scumbag get under your skin."

Hinata was easy to coax. A few kind words, and she was right as rain.

Gojo waved off the apology with his trademark carefree grin. "No worries. You'll get used to it after a few more times."

The table fell silent.

Every. Single. Person. Stared.

Kiba, mid-bite, choked on his skewer. Shino adjusted his sunglasses as if he hadn't heard properly. Even Akamaru tilted his head in confusion.

Hinata fidgeted nervously, utterly earnest. "I... I'll do my best!"

Kurenai sighed, rubbing her temple. How does she take this man seriously?

"Don't mind him, Hinata," she said, steering her toward the table. "Let's eat before the scumbag's nonsense takes away your appetite."

Everyone settled down to enjoy the barbecue, the sizzling sounds of meat filling the air. Kurenai took a deep breath, steeling herself before finally asking the question that had been bothering her.

"So, Gojo," she said, biting her lip lightly, "how do I get stronger? No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to break through."

Gojo glanced at her between bites, talking with his mouth half-full. "Humans have limits. You've hit yours."

His words were so blunt that Kurenai froze mid-chew.

"The limit?"

"Yup." He gestured lazily with a piece of grilled wagyu. "You're a special jōnin at best. Your chakra pool is small, and you're too reliant on genjutsu. At this point, trying to overhaul your combat style would be like teaching a fish to climb trees."

Kurenai's eye twitched.

"But don't worry," he added cheerfully. "You're still great at what you do—just not, you know, great-great."

The nerve.

"I came to you because you're supposed to be the strongest ninja alive," she snapped. "If anyone could help, it'd be you!"

Gojo smirked and shrugged. "Look, if you don't have a crazy bloodline or tailed beast chakra, your options are pretty limited. Want my professional advice?"

Kurenai's eyebrow arched. "What?"

"Go to sleep," he said with a perfectly straight face.

She nearly snapped her chopsticks in half.

Hinata gasped, horrified. "M-Mr. Gojo! That's so mean!"

"Relax, relax!" He chuckled, leaning back. "I'm just saying, if you want to break through human limits, you'll need something special—like a pair of Sharingan."

"Are you suggesting I steal eyes?" Kurenai deadpanned, appalled.

"Just kidding." Gojo winked. "Normal ninjas like you wouldn't last a day with Sharingan anyway. The chakra drain alone would leave you in a coma. You'd need Hashirama cells just to survive."

"Unbelievable," Kurenai muttered.

"Cheer up, though," Gojo said, taking another bite. "You could always try learning the Strength of a Hundred technique from Tsunade."

Kurenai blinked. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. You've got good chakra control, and it's perfect for someone like you who's hit their natural ceiling."

He ruffled Hinata's hair, making her blush furiously. "Hinata could learn it too. Imagine her Gentle Fist combined with monster strength—unstoppable!"

Hinata squeaked, her face glowing brighter than the grill. She leaned into his touch like a content kitten, clearly enjoying the attention.

"You're just pawning me off on Tsunade, aren't you?" Kurenai accused.

"Absolutely," Gojo said, pulling out a sealed letter and waving it triumphantly. "But good luck getting her to teach you without this recommendation from me."

"Why you—!" Kurenai gritted her teeth.

Just then, a loud siren blared across the village.

Everyone froze.

"A Level 1 alert?" Kurenai frowned, her playful mood evaporating. "That hasn't happened since..."

"The Nine-Tails attack," Shino finished, his voice calm but tense.

Kiba, meanwhile, was busy choking on his meat again. Akamaru barked at him in what sounded like exasperation.

"What's a Level 1 alert?" Shino asked, turning to Kurenai.

"It means a super Kage-level threat has entered the village, or something equally catastrophic is happening," she explained, her tone grave.

"L-let's hope it's not the Nine-Tails again," Hinata whispered.

Kurenai glanced toward Gojo. "We should—"

But he was gone.

High above the rooftops, Gojo sat cross-legged, watching the commotion below with a bemused expression. A squad of elite jōnin had already gathered, led by none other than Tsunade herself.

"Where is Gojo?" Tsunade demanded, her sharp eyes scanning the assembled group.

"Up here!" Gojo called out, waving casually.

She looked up, her expression darkening.

"Be serious," she snapped.

"Sure thing, Princess," he said with a cheeky grin, refusing to move from his perch.

The ninjas below exchanged knowing glances. Same old Gojo—always infuriating, always brilliant.