[The atmosphere between Kurenai Yuhi and Sarutobi Asuma grows increasingly tense.]
[Although Sarutobi Asuma insists on denying it,]
[Yuhihong's current mindset makes her suspect that every tiny movement Asuma makes is an attempt to deceive her!]
[Gradually,]
[Only the voices of these two remain at the table.]
[Kakashi lifts his head in a daze, watching the two with confusion.]
[He hadn't been paying attention, simply eating to recover his strength.]
[The day's training with Sasuke had been exhausting enough, and now all he wanted was to rest.]
[Seeing the expressions on Kurenai and Asuma's faces, Kakashi speaks up:]
["Asuma, what did you do to make Kurenai so upset this time? If it's nothing major, just apologize, admit your mistake, and it'll be over."]
[He had seen situations like this countless times.]
[Obito and Rin used to get into similar arguments.]
[Hearing this, Sasuke silently mutters: No wonder Mr. Kakashi is so handsome yet still single...]
[Admitting to the mistake would only make things worse!]
---
Hatake Kakashi: "...Did I say something wrong?"
He scratches his head.
That's how he'd always handled things in the past.
Uzumaki Kushina: "Kakashi, you're destined to be single forever..."
Iruka: "Why? I think Kakashi-senpai's advice was solid."
Tsunade: "Idiot! If Kurenai's emotions are a ticking bomb, apologizing won't defuse it — it'll set it off!"
Ebisu: "Then what's the right approach? Denying it will only delay the explosion!"
Uzumaki Kushina: "The best approach is not getting into trouble in the first place! Who asked you to cause drama?"
Terumi Mei: "You think you're helping her, but have you ever considered whether it aligns with her feelings?"
A collective realization dawns on the male ninjas.
Hatake Kakashi: "...No wonder my attempts to mediate between Obito and Rin never worked."
Uchiha Obito: "Kakashi, you—!"
Obito grits his teeth in frustration.
The culprit behind their unresolved conflicts was found!
It had been Kakashi all along!
---
Gold frame on screen.
[Predictably, Asuma admits to his mistake under Kakashi's suggestion, only for Kurenai's anger to explode.]
[She scolds Asuma harshly, leaving him even more confused.]
[Why did apologizing make things worse?]
[After some time, as Kurenai calms down slightly, Sasuke steps in and says:]
["Teacher Kurenai, calm down. Teacher Asuma meant well."]
["I also believe in you, Kurenai-sensei. You're fully capable of handling things on your own."]
["You're the guiding Jonin of Team 8 now, and I see this as an opportunity. You'll excel in this role."]
[Kurenai shoots a final glare at Asuma:]
["Who asked for your so-called kindness?"]
[However, Sasuke's words seem to ease Kurenai's mood, and she smiles at him:]
["Sasuke, take good care of Hinata. Don't let her end up like me — single at this age."]
[Sasuke, with a grin, replies:]
["How old is Kurenai-sensei? If you were my girlfriend, I think the entire village would be jealous."]
["Heh, you wouldn't dare say that in front of Hinata."]
[As the tension dissolves, the argument fades.]
[Asuma breathes a sigh of relief.]
[He shoots a grateful look at Sasuke.]
[Without Sasuke's intervention, Kurenai would have left in a fit of anger.]
---
Sarutobi Asuma: "I'm so frustrated! I owe him thanks for this?!"
Hatake Kakashi: "Women are more complicated than the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Ebisu: "Can anyone master it? Teach me!"
Jiraiya: "I could turn this situation into an excellent chapter for Icha Icha Paradise..."
Tsunade: "Ha! A group of Jonin being led by a kid. Impressive."
Uzumaki Kushina: "Looks like these male Jonin are doomed to remain single forever."
---
[At the end of the night, Kurenai declines Asuma's offer to walk her home, leaving on her own.]
[Asuma sighs, unsure of what to do.]
[He still doesn't understand why Kurenai was so upset.]
[Sasuke steps forward to offer some advice:]
["Asuma-sensei, give Kurenai a few days to cool down, then explain everything clearly."]
["You meant well, and I'm sure she'll understand once she's had time to think."]
[Asuma nods, grateful:]
["Thank you, Sasuke. Without you, I'd be completely lost tonight."]
[Sasuke simply smiles.]
[He knows Kurenai will forget this incident soon enough. Once Asuma apologizes and explains again, things will smooth over.]
[No need to worry about these two.]
---
Jiraiya: "This is manipulation..."
Iruka: "If this continues, the two might not reconcile — they might even cut ties."
Onoki: "Sasuke's thirst for revenge runs deep."
Fourth Raikage: "And he never forgets. Once it's done, he makes sure you remember him."
Sarutobi Asuma: "Uchiha Sasuke, I—"
Shiranui Genma: "Wow, that level of spite is intense!"
---
[Asuma goes to pay the bill, only to frown at the amount:]
["Choji, did you eat two or three times the usual amount tonight?"]
[Choji looks confused, replying:]
["I only ate my usual portion."]
[Hinata, blushing, says nothing.]
[Sasuke ruffles her hair gently, but offers no explanation, leaving Asuma to puzzle over the receipt.]
[Sasuke feels no guilt over tricking Asuma into covering the bill.]
[The Uchiha clan had been wiped out, and their assets had vanished.]
[Even their homes were taken.]
[This was just the beginning of his revenge.]