The annoying person was finally gone. Anko was too happy for words.
Sitting across from Kurenai Yuhi, her small eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell me—what kind of person is Lord Liu Yun really?"
Their last meeting hadn't involved much interaction; Yuhi had practically shooed her away. Remembering that, Anko's gaze toward Kurenai carried a hint of resentment.
"Hehe…"
Kurenai chuckled awkwardly under Anko's scrutiny, then softened her tone. "Lord Liu Yun is… a very gentle person."
Although he often appeared arrogant and uninhibited, Kurenai—who truly understood Aoyama Ryuyun—knew that his gentleness was reserved only for those he considered his own.
When facing outsiders, Aoyama Ryuyun would not hesitate to draw his blade.
"Tell me more specifically!" Anko leaned in eagerly.
"Alright, alright."
Kurenai smiled faintly, recalling the many moments she had shared with Aoyama Ryuyun. Her voice grew distant and warm as she began recounting them—small details, quiet gestures, fleeting smiles.
But Kurenai didn't notice the change in Anko's expression. As the stories unfolded, Anko's eyes were shining with growing fascination.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi—having finally returned to a period of peace—sat before his crystal orb with a contented expression.
"Indeed," he muttered with a smile, "when one grows old, one should still maintain a youthful heart."
Just then, the door burst open with a kick.
Startled, Hiruzen swiftly covered the crystal orb, only to frown when he saw who it was.
"Asuma?"
The Hokage's brows knitted.
He was proud of his eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke—an elite jōnin at a young age. But his younger son, Asuma Sarutobi, was another story entirely. Rebellious, impulsive, and impossible to manage.
Still, he was his son. What could he do?
"Old man!"
In all of Konoha, few dared to speak to Hiruzen Sarutobi in such a tone—and Asuma was one of them. His brash demeanor made the Third Hokage's temples throb.
"At this hour, why aren't you in class at the Academy? What do you want?"
"What's there to learn at the Academy?" Asuma scoffed. "My big brother can teach me everything they do!"
"Presumptuous!"
Hiruzen slammed the desk, the sharp sound echoing through the office. Asuma flinched but didn't back down.
Sending Asuma to the Academy had never been just about lessons—it was about connections. The heirs of nearly every major clan studied there. But Asuma's defiant attitude made that impossible.
Hiruzen's glare only seemed to ignite his son's temper.
"In any case, if you don't help me this time, I'm not going back to the Academy!"
The Hokage sighed heavily. If you weren't my son, I'd have you scrubbing floors for a week.
But there was no helping it.
"Fine," Hiruzen said, rubbing his temples. "What is it you want from me?"
He assumed it was some petty classroom dispute.
Then Asuma spoke.
"I want you to send someone to teach Aoyama Ryuyun a lesson!"
"…Who?"
Hiruzen blinked, thinking he'd misheard.
"The Golden Lion! Aoyama Ryuyun!"
This time, Hiruzen could only stare in silence.
After a long pause, he asked evenly, "Do you even know who Aoyama Ryuyun is?"
"Of course! He's that Golden Lion guy who beat the One-Tail Shukaku!"
You know that… and you still want me to pick a fight with him? Are you trying to kill me with stress?
"Old man, if you can't find anyone else, you can just handle it yourself! You could beat him, right?"
"Uh…"
What was he supposed to say? Admit to his son that even the Hokage might not win against Aoyama Ryuyun? There went the family's authority.
"First tell me," Hiruzen said, voice tight, "why you want to 'teach him a lesson' in the first place."
If Aoyama Ryuyun had actually done something wrong, he'd at least consider intervening.
Asuma didn't hesitate and launched into an explanation of what had happened at the Academy.
"It's like this—"
When he finished, silence filled the room.
Hiruzen simply stared at him, the corners of his mouth twitching.
"W-what?" Asuma asked nervously.
"Get out."
"What?"
"I said—get. Out."
You picked a fight over a girl? Kami above, I must've done something terrible in a past life.
"Old man! You—"
"OUT!"
Hiruzen's voice boomed through the office.
Asuma glared, fists clenched. "I hate you!"
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Hiruzen let out a long, weary sigh.
Not only did he have zero intention of provoking Aoyama Ryuyun right now, but the reason his son had given would make even Danzo choke with laughter.
"Forget it," he muttered, leaning back in his chair. "I'll have Shinnosuke knock some sense into him later."
He rubbed his temples again, exhaling heavily.
How did one son turn out so well, and the other so… impossible?
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