Chapter 95: Frankness

Many people think they are rational, but the reality may surprise everyone.
With suprasensory perception of scent, Gu Shunbu's sensitivity did not extend to the level of mind-reading. However, he was able to roughly discern emotional tendencies based on changes in smells.
At least the joys and sorrows in terms of physical condition can still be understood.
The sudden curiosity and anticipation of Yuhi Kurenai surprised Gashin Belphegor somewhat.
For adolescents, it is normal to have a fondness for attractive and talented opposite sex, but it is somewhat strange that Yūhi Kurenai has been ambiguously showing interest in Sarutobi Asuma for several years without giving up.
Facing the curious and hopeful gaze of the other party, Gu Shancun carefully considered his words and replied somewhat formally:
"Well... it's not a matter of whether our relationship is good or not. Between me and my child's mother, perhaps there is not a passionate love that moves people, but we get along fairly well. After long-term companionship, it has become difficult to separate like family. The birth of our daughter is a turning point, as well as a beginning, but it doesn't mean that our relationship is bad."
So-called love at first sight or the passionate dedication that can move mountains are mostly results of being attracted by appearances or being fixated on emotions. It is not a problem to admire their beauty, but to consider them as guiding principles or to pursue them with unwavering determination is somewhat abnormal.
At least in terms of this aspect, Sugimoto and Maple have a great connection. Between the older sister maid and the intellectually mature noble young master, there is no poignant and sorrowful story like those found in romantic novels. They just gradually get along with each other, finding mutual recognition and living together, facing the future together.
"I don't quite understand, it's a bit difficult..."
"Yukishiro Azuki tilted her head, pondered for a while but still couldn't grasp the true meaning of Gusanbushui's words."
"Yes or no, a simple answer, yet expressed in such a complicated way."
The ancient cypress swayed slightly and smiled in response:
"Passionate in heart, yet knows how to restrain. In short, we get along very well and understand the importance of moderation in matters between men and women. Honestly, although we grew closer due to an unexpected circumstance, I feel very fortunate. Even though our statuses and strengths may differ, we have similar personalities and can get along very well as partners. It's quite rare to find such a compatible companion..."
"Is it?"
With the response of Gu Shan Bu Shui, the excitement of Yuhi Kurenai quickly turned into depression, and her drunken red face became more prominent, exuding a sense of decadence.
Alcohol, truly a catalyst of emotions, makes the usually gentle female ninja more easily excited. Yuhi Kurenai is like this, and the already unrestrained Mitarashi Anko is even more so.
said and done, alcohol is just not a good thing. All those claims about alcohol promoting health, softening blood vessels, and improving circulation are all nonsense.
Alcohol is alcohol, no matter how much "high-tech" stuff they add to it, no matter how expensive and luxurious the wine is. Its essence remains unchanged. Alcohol is a harmful carcinogen, and every time you drink alcohol, you are damaging your body.
People enjoy the dizziness after getting drunk, which is actually a symptom of poisoning. Some enthusiasts continue to idolize it and even become addicted to it, just like the addiction to spicy food, smoking, and extreme sports. The only difference is the way it is manifested and the level of harm it poses. It is a form of addiction.
Of course, ninjas have excellent physical fitness and have chakra to protect themselves, but this does not exempt them from the harm of alcohol.
The "ancestral secret technique" obtained from his father, Masachika Kusaka, makes it easier for Kusaka to discern Yuhong's emotional changes. Normally, he would not be so sensitive and would not be affected by a few words.
Feeling that the atmosphere was a little off, Gushan Boshui was preparing to say a few more pleasantries and then take his leave. As he was pondering how to speak without seeming awkward, he saw Xirihong lift his head and look at Gushan Boshui with bloodshot eyes.
"You should know my thoughts. Every time I want to have a private conversation with you, I always get brushed off. It made me feel like I wasn't charming enough, couldn't catch your eye, and was being rejected. Later I realized, it seems not to be the case..."
Wine does not intoxicate people, people intoxicate themselves!
Drinking too much can definitely make you say things that you will be extremely embarrassed about later.
"Huh?"
Speaking of this, Gu Shuibosui cannot pretend to be ignorant, how should we explain it?
Let's just say we're only suitable for "parallel jogging" sports, don't talk about any gimmicks of love and affection, want to try firing some friendship shots?
Gushinbukchui cannot give up the inheritance rights of the Young Master to marry a female ninja whose status is not high enough to make the family compromise, and Yurika cannot accept being a concubine hidden in a golden house. Don't waste each other's energy.
Comparatively, the realistic and accepting type of women like Hongye who are just one step away from falling into the mud are more suitable for Gushengbu's future. They are even more satisfying than unknown noble ladies or small country princesses. They are not obsessed with and do not demand more. They are willing to work hard for themselves, for their daughters, and for their families. They can have a long-lasting companionship, which is much stronger than ninjas who don't know if they will die in which S-level mission.
Unless one has the strength to reach the level of Tsunade, mastering excellent strategic ninjutsu, or has a high position to assist in the integration of the secular and ninja worlds like the Senju and Uchiha clans, it is difficult to develop in both areas at the same time and gain prestige and recognition.
At least it should be the Hyuga main family or the Uchiha legitimate lineage, the other clans like Inuzuka, Sarutobi, Aburame, etc. are far behind.
The Yamanaka clan, to which Yurinojou belongs, can't even be considered a minor clan, let alone compared to the now-decimated Anzai clan.
Indeed, the sunset red was able to walk the path of the Genjutsu ninja and will surely be promoted to Chunin in the future by relying on his own ability and talent, even after losing the protection and backing of his parents' early death. It is really quite a capability.
But, what Kusunoki Mizu lacks is a high-level ninja skilled in illusion techniques?
Listening to Yuhi talking drunkenly, Kusunoki Mizu seemed to calm down before replying seriously:
"Maybe I'm being a little straightforward, but to avoid wasting each other's time, it's better to be clear. The personal feelings of the Gushin clan are destined not to be so pure, and my marriage is also unable to escape some considerations that you may find very vulgar. You saw how I behaved in Konoha, but that's not everything. Both you and I are students of the Konoha ninja school, receiving the same enlightenment education, and our values and outlook on life are not too different."
Slowly and deliberately, the sunset red, dulled by alcohol, took a moment to react. Gu Shan Bo Shui stated the complex problem succinctly.
"Matching social status and background is not important to me personally, but it is very important to the people around me, such as my relatives and friends. Love is important, but it is only a part of life, I will not abandon other things because of it. Kurenai is a strong woman who has endured a lot of criticism, even though she sacrificed a lot for me without any official commitment and gave birth to the lovely daughter, Hinata. She is still willing to believe in me and wants to give her and her daughter a bright future. I am also willing to respond to their expectations and continue to face the challenges of the future with them. Although it is a bit awkward, I can balance family, friendship, and love. Can the traditional ninjas of Konoha accept our old-fashioned and outdated way of life as the Kusakage family nurtured in the Leaf Village?"
Nowadays, the Xiaorihong is only in her early twenties, a few months younger than the Gushanbushui. It will be another seven or eight years before she becomes a mature woman with a more robust figure and a more stunning appearance.
At the moment, she still exudes the delicacy of the tail end of adolescence, and Xiaorihong has not delved too deeply into the world of adults, far from the charm I had in mind.
Even a little impulsive.
"How do you know you can't accept it if you haven't tried?"
Whispering hoarsely, Gushan Boshui did not know how to match these two words, but Xi Ri Hong was slightly losing control but still maintaining a decent attitude, letting Shao Jia Du understand what is called suppressed impulse.
Gu Shitun chuckled and did not answer, taking out a stack of banknotes and placing them on the table.
"You've had a bit too much to drink, go back and rest early."
Jianghuer and Nü, indeed, do not worry about trivial matters, but Xiri Hong is not the kind of person who would say such things, even though she usually jokes around with Gu Shitun, it does not mean she's actually loose with her purse strings.
In the future, Mitegura Azuki seems to have always been single, while Yuruhika Beni, who was pregnant before marriage, actually has a confirmed future of marrying Sarutobi Asuma, and it is because of this that she made the decision to settle down early.
Overall, the atmosphere in the ninja world tends to be conservative, but to varying degrees. There may be some who can't control their lower urges, but when it comes to marriage and family, it is highly valued.
For example, as for Ma, Gushang Boshui will never trust him because he is a person who abandoned his wife and children and has no credibility.
After calling a waiter and instructing him to take good care, Gushang Boshui politely took his leave.
After only two female drinkers were left in the private room, Yujihando finally sighed and said,
"Stop pretending, he's gone."
Amidst her drunken slumber at the table, Akashi Red Bean struggled to get up.
"Really boring, I thought you would just go along with it like before, but I didn't expect you would actually dare to break the window paper..."
"I have a feeling, today is the last chance. Whether it succeeds or not, at least there will be a clear answer."
"Satisfied?"
"Yes!"
"Give up?"
"No way."
The sunset blushed with a crimson face, and with a dazed look in its eyes, it said,
"He kept saying, over and over again, that he actually understood. It wasn't that he thought I wasn't good enough, but rather that I wasn't good enough to make him overcome all difficulties and be in love with me. You see, if I had the ability to help him pass the graduation exam of the ninja school and become a ninja, would we have flown off into the sunset together?"
"Stupid, at that time you weren't even acquainted with him. We only became drinking buddies later on..."
“Yes!”
Recalling the terrifying days of the Nine-Tails attack on the village is unforgettable.
The main beam at home was torn to pieces in front of the nine-tailed fox, like a piece of paper, which seemed as if the sky collapsed for the thirteen or fourteen-year-old little girl.
There are quite a few children who have similar experiences, and Xiajihong doesn't feel lonely. It's just the faint gurgling and pitying eyes around her that make Xiajihong, who looks weak on the outside but is actually strong-willed, feel like a needle piercing her heart, and the pent-up emotions cannot be eased.
At that time, the monkey ninja Asma, who had been pretending to attract attention and wanting to get closer, took the opportunity to be even more diligent in caring and asking about the well-being.
However, what Yuruhong needed was not these.
Family tragedy is a sorrowful event, but it should not be regarded with pity or sympathy, or even seen as a charitable act.
Due to a twist of fate, the ancient cedar tree, the Nine-Tailed Fox's water attack on the village, was narrowly avoided by Kushina Uzumaki, Yugito Nii, and Karin Uzumaki. They formed a friendship based on their shared interests in rebelliously sneaking alcohol.
Three people with hidden concerns in their hearts, tacitly did not reveal each other's scars, but instead spent the most emotionally turbulent teenage years together.
We have passed through the window together, carried the gun together, divided the spoils together, and solicited prostitutes together. The four iron-clad relationships in life correspond to classmates and comrades for the first two, and for the latter two, in general, they are accomplices. There is no sharing of spoils and soliciting of prostitutes, but violating the law, stealing and drinking alcohol also meet the conditions.
Generally speaking, except for the comradeship which is quite questionable, the other two factors are dominant.
Therefore, it is normal that the three of them have a deeper personal relationship than others.
However, is there really pure friendship between young boys and girls?
There should be some, but it is common for relationships to become tense due to emotions.
To say that there is no good feeling would definitely be impossible, but there are still many objective conditions lacking for a real romantic relationship to develop.
"Judging by the timeline, by the time we truly got to know each other, Bushui probably already knew he had a child. During that time, he often took leave to go home, probably to deal with these private matters. But we always avoided the topic, never asked clearly, thinking that time would solve all problems..."
The time did not allow the seeds of hazy emotions to germinate, it just made the child grow up.
By the time Kaorin was born, it was already too late.
As for Momoko's explanation, Yuhi Aka naturally understood it.
"Thank you for listening to me and giving me advice several times over the years. You have really gone out of your way for me..."
"Don't say such silly things. Isn't that what friends are for? To tease each other, criticize each other, and help each other in times of need, and stay together through thick and thin?"
"Understood."
With a slightly refreshed Kaikou Shiraki, he rubbed his forehead, and finished the remaining wine in his cup in one gulp,
"As for the future, it's hard to say, but right now, I'm not good enough. In fact, my situation has worsened. A few years ago, I only had to consider if Kusunoki would accept me, but now, if I want to win her over, the difficulty level has increased..."
Having a daughter and an opposite-sex person in his heart who is equal to his wife, it becomes even harder to make him have a change of heart.
"What's wrong with Asma? Why do you insist on pursuing that rich young master who clearly has ulterior motives? With our way of thinking, we might not be able to handle him well. You should learn from your mistake and not continue to invest your emotions in him. It's not worth it."
“我有分寸……”