Red Haired Supremacy

Chapter 182 182: Ch-182 Telepathy.

Benimaru allowed Kurenai and Shinku a few quiet moments to steady themselves and take in their new surroundings. The abrupt transition—from a rain-soaked forest filled with death and fear to this calm, orderly place—was not something the mind could immediately adjust to. He watched silently as their breathing slowly evened out and the tension in their bodies eased, if only slightly.

Once he was sure they had more or less adapted, Benimaru finally spoke.

"Because of me, many misunderstandings arose between you and Konoha," he said calmly, his tone sincere. "In the end, it could be said that I ruined your peaceful, easygoing life." He paused briefly, then inclined his head. "For that, I apologize once again."

He gestured lightly toward the interior of the compound. "As an apology, you may stay here in the guest house of the Uzumaki clan for as long as you wish. Even for a lifetime, if that is what you decide. No one here will force you to leave."

Then his gaze shifted to Kurenai, lingering on her pale complexion and injured shoulder. "I'll go and ask Erza Onee-san to heal Kurenai as soon as possible so she can recover properly. She's lost a considerable amount of blood. It's fortunate that you used an acupoint method to stop the bleeding—that was the right decision under those circumstances. Still, proper treatment is necessary."

He straightened slightly. "If my sister is present, she'll handle it herself. If not, then one of the medical ninjas of Uzushiogakure will take care of her."

Shinku listened quietly, then gave a small nod. "We are grateful," he said, his voice restrained but genuine.

Benimaru was about to continue when, all of a sudden, his expression subtly changed.

A voice echoed directly inside his mind.

Immediately come to the meeting hall.

It was Guy's telepathy.

Onii-San is waiting for you. He ordered me to bring you back to Uzushiogakure as soon as possible, but it seems that won't be necessary now. It's good that you returned on your own—I didn't have to go all the way to the Land of Rain to fetch you.

Benimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.

If he was being summoned to the meeting hall—and Onii-San himself was waiting—then this was no trivial matter. The urgency in Guy's words was unmistakable.

What could be so important? Benimaru wondered silently.

Whatever it was, it clearly couldn't wait.

Benimaru replied telepathically, "Okay, I'm coming." After a brief pause, he added, "But can you send Erza Onee-san to the guest greeting hall first? There's a girl there who needs immediate treatment. She's badly injured."

Guy's voice responded inside his mind, carrying a hint of surprise. "You brought people with you? Who are they?"

"I'll explain everything once I reach the meeting hall," Benimaru answered calmly. "For now, just do as I asked."

There was a short silence before Guy replied, "Alright."

As Benimaru's expression subtly shifted, both Kurenai and Shinku noticed the change. They glanced at each other, confusion evident in their eyes. From their perspective, Benimaru had suddenly gone quiet, as if listening to something only he could hear.

Benimaru turned back toward them and spoke reassuringly. "Don't worry. I was just talking to my brother, Guy, through telepathy. That's why you didn't hear anything." He gestured lightly. "I've asked my sister, Erza, to come here as soon as possible to treat you. Just wait here."

Benimaru said in a firm voice. "Someone!"

The doors to the guest greeting hall opened, and two maids entered. They froze for a split second upon seeing people inside—after all, no one was supposed to be here yet. But the moment their eyes fell on Benimaru, they immediately bowed deeply.

"Greetings, Lord Benimaru."

Benimaru gave a small nod in response. "Take care of them both. They're exhausted. Let them rest properly. Provide them with fresh clothes and anything else they need." His tone was calm but authoritative. "My sister Erza will be arriving shortly. Until then, stay with them and see that they're comfortable."

The two maids answered in unison, "Yes, Lord."

Benimaru then turned toward Kurenai and Shinku. "If you'll excuse me," he said politely, "I have some important matters to attend to."

With that, he left the guest greeting hall.

As he made his way toward the meeting hall, he encountered Erza along the corridor. The two merely nodded to each other in passing—no words were exchanged. This was neither the time nor the place for conversation. Shanks was waiting, and making him wait was not an option.

Soon, Benimaru arrived at the meeting hall.

On the parallel seats lining both sides Makima, Guy, and Todoroki were already seated. At the very front, upon the main seat of authority, sat Shanks himself, his presence alone commanding the entire hall.

Shanks looked at Benimaru and spoke in his usual casual, almost teasing tone.

"So, you've finally decided to show your face," he said lightly. "How was your extended vacation in the Land of Rain?"

Benimaru shook his head. "The Land of Rain isn't exactly a place one would call a vacation spot," he replied honestly. "Not when it's practically turned into a war zone because of the major villages."

Shanks chuckled. "Of course, I know that," he said. "What I meant was—I heard from Todoroki that you've found the love of your life and have been staying with her."

Benimaru stiffened slightly at that. "No—no, it's not like that," he said quickly, then hesitated. "I mean… yes, I do like a girl. That part is true. But things are… complicated. Very messed up, actually. I doubt we can ever be together."

Shanks's brows slowly furrowed as he studied Benimaru more carefully. "You brought that girl with you, didn't you?" he asked. "Or am I wrong?"

Benimaru shook his head once before answering. "No, you're absolutely right. The girl I brought to the Uzumaki clan compound is the one I like—Kurenai Yuhi. And her father, Shinku Yuhi, is with her." He let out a quiet breath. "But the situation is far more twisted than it sounds."

That immediately piqued Shanks's interest. Leaning forward slightly, he said, "Oh? Then tell me. What exactly are these twists and turns you're talking about?"

Benimaru began explaining everything from the beginning—how he first met Kurenai, how he saved her, and how his feelings for her gradually deepened. He spoke of how he would deliberately visit the Konoha camp just to tease her, not caring in the slightest about the scout ninjas watching his every move.

He didn't hide his confidence as he explained, either.

He hadn't feared them. With his strength, he could have wiped out the entire Konoha camp if he truly wanted to. That was why he came and went as he pleased, entering and leaving the camp without restriction.

But that very behaviour had consequences.

Because of his frequent appearances, Kurenai and her father were gradually placed under suspicion. Whispers turned into accusations, and eventually, Root—the shadows of Konoha—moved to eliminate them entirely. Benimaru explained how he discovered this, how he intervened at the last moment, saved both of them, and ultimately brought them here to Uzushiogakure.

By the time he finished speaking, the hall had grown quiet.

"I know," Benimaru said quietly, his voice heavy. "I can tell that her father doubts me—that he thinks I might have done all of this on purpose." He let out a slow breath. "And if that doubt exists, then Kurenai will never truly accept me. Not ever. So… yeah. In the end, it feels kind of pointless."

Shanks listened without interrupting, then slowly nodded. "You're right about one thing," he said calmly. "This is messed up." His gaze sharpened slightly. "From Shinku's perspective, he doesn't know you. To him, it would be natural to think that all of this was some elaborate plan—to corner him and claim Kurenai for yourself."

He leaned back in his seat, a faint, confident smile appearing on his face. "But everyone in this room knows the truth. You—and none of my Uzumaki siblings—would ever stoop so low or use cheap tricks just to get a woman. If an Uzumaki wants someone, they fight for it. They stand openly. They impress with their strength, their resolve, and their actions."

Shanks waved his hand lightly. "Anyway, we'll deal with that later. I'll personally speak with her father and try to ease the tension. The rest—we'll leave it to time and the future."

Then his expression hardened, the casual warmth vanishing. "For now, we have more urgent matters." He turned his gaze toward Guy. "Explain."

Benimaru straightened instinctively. He already knew that the real reason he had been summoned to the meeting hall was about to be revealed.

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