Author Note:
Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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A year and a half had passed.
Before anyone realized it, the 41st autumn had come to Konoha.
Although Guts had become a Genin slightly earlier than Kakashi, the two were promoted to Chūnin in the same year.
Despite originally being classmates, their early graduation meant they rarely crossed paths afterward.
They ended up forming a temporary two-man squad for the exam, and since the Chūnin selection didn't emphasize teamwork, both managed to pass without issue.
Even without the burden of his father's death, Kakashi still had that same cold look on his face—like the whole world owed him 8 million ryo.
Guts didn't particularly want to deal with that kind of attitude, so the two kept their distance.
On another note, Yuhi Kurenai had come to know that Guts was now living under the same roof as Tsunade.
Yet, to Guts's mild surprise, she didn't react like a flustered anime heroine.
Perhaps the age difference between him and Tsunade was enough to keep her imagination in check.
During this time, Guts continued to help Kurenai with her training when he had free time.
In between those sessions, he'd enter a virtual space where he could simulate battles against opponents Garp had once fought.
Of course, the system adjusted their strength to match his current level—after all, facing monsters like Roger or Golden Lion now would be suicide.
As for Kurenai's actual training, Guts mostly observed. He wasn't well-versed in genjutsu, so her father, Yuhi Shinku, usually took the lead.
Guts would watch from the side—sometimes giving tips on taijutsu form—but mostly he teased Kurenai when she took breaks, earning occasional glares from her father that said,
"One more word and I'll deck you."
By the end of the second school term, a wave of familiar names had registered for early graduation:
Kurenai, Might Guy, Rin Nohara, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Obito... It was clear now—this generation was something special.
Guts didn't remember Kurenai graduating with Might Guy in the anime timeline.
Then again, his presence here might've altered her growth just enough to push her ahead of schedule.
Today, with her father out on a mission, Kurenai had invited Guts to the lakeside training ground.
After an intense session of taijutsu drills, she splashed her face with water from the lake, wiped her forehead with a damp cloth, and jogged over to where Guts was lounging under the shade of a tree.
"Tomorrow's the Genin exam," she said with a mix of determination and excitement.
"I'm going to pass for sure."
Guts glanced up at her, smirking faintly.
"Mm, go for it."
He wasn't exactly Luffy-level clueless, but he still sucked at sweet talk. Fortunately, charm didn't always come down to flowery words.
If a girl liked you, even your awkward encouragements could seem endearing.
If she didn't? Even poetry wouldn't save you.
Kurenai clearly belonged to the former.
She beamed at his words, cheeks slightly red, and sat down next to him with a content smile.
Still catching her breath, she accepted the water bottle Guts handed her. The moment she opened it, her nose wrinkled.
"Papaya juice again?"
Guts shrugged. "Better than drinking nothing."
It was something he remembered from his past life—papaya juice was supposedly good after workouts. And plain water? Boring.
Kurenai gave him a knowing side-eye, suspicious of any hidden motives. But she didn't argue.
She took a sip… then another… and ended up draining most of it.
Later, as the sky turned orange, Guts walked her back to her house.
Compared to how she looked two years ago, her features had matured. Her aura had shifted too—less fiery, more composed.
And maybe he got a little carried away, because he leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek more than once.
Each time, Kurenai turned crimson and dashed inside without looking back.
Back at Tsunade's house, Guts stopped in his tracks the moment he saw what was waiting for him at the gate.
A group of shady-looking men stood huddled around a pile of IOUs posted on the door like some kind of twisted bulletin board.
As soon as they spotted him, they swarmed.
"You're Lady Tsunade's student, right?! She owes our casino 9 million ryo!"
"Wrong! It's 15 million with us!"
"Don't listen to them! Our casino's been waiting two years. The debt is long overdue!"
Guts rubbed his temple and exhaled. He didn't even need to ask—he'd seen this scene play out too many times already.
"She left on an S-rank mission," he lied casually.
"Try the Land of Tea. Maybe she's there."
The collectors blinked in unison.
"What? When will she be back?"
"Who knows? S-rank missions can take weeks, months... even a year. Come back later,"
Guts said, waving them off like flies.
They didn't take it well.
One man stepped forward.
"You expect us to just—"
"What? You want me to stop by your casino and play a few rounds instead?"
Guts asked, grinning with just the right amount of menace.
Silence.
They paled instantly.
Because if Tsunade was the Queen of Losing Bets, Guts was the Demon King of Winning Them.
Lady Luck loved him.
Every time he stepped into a casino, the house bled money.
The debt collectors exchanged glances, muttered curses under their breath, and dispersed quickly.
Guts cracked his neck, sighed, and finally walked inside.
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