At the home of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Asuma doesn't want to come out?"
Wearing the Hokage robe, completely different from the old man seen at the start of the storyline, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was currently in his prime, took a puff of his pipe and asked indifferently.
"I don't know what's wrong with that child. As soon as he came home today, he locked himself in his room. He won't eat and refuses to come out."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's wife, Sarutobi Biwako, spoke with some helplessness.
"Is that so? I'll go take a look."
There was some fatigue on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. He had just finished dealing with the government affairs in his hands and returned home from the Hokage Building.
He was the Third Hokage, and also Asuma's father.
Regarding what happened at the Ninja Academy today, as soon as the class ended, the Chunin teacher in charge had hurriedly gone to the Hokage's office to report to him.
Inside Asuma's room.
"D-Damn it, why am I..."
Asuma buried his entire head under the quilt, his body trembling uncontrollably, his eyes filled with thick fear.
In his mind, the events in the classroom kept replaying.
When Yuyu stared at him, it was as if he were locked onto by an evil spirit. He felt utter despair, with nowhere to run.
Afterward, although he didn't know what exactly happened, that feeling of death made Asuma shudder all over just recalling it now.
"Knock—knock—"
The sound of knocking rang out. Asuma's whole body jolted violently, and cold sweat broke out.
"Who is it?!"
Asuma sounded like a frightened rabbit, his voice turning shrill.
"Asuma, it's me."
The Third Hokage's voice rang out, causing Asuma's emotions to gradually calm down.
"Click—"
"Fa... Father."
Asuma looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. First, he felt a wave of relief, followed immediately by shame as he lowered his head.
Always rebellious, at this moment he felt ashamed to face his father.
As the son of the Third Hokage, although Asuma disliked others viewing him solely through that identity, it had to be said that this identity gave the young Asuma a certain arrogance deep in his heart.
But facing Yuyu, who came from a common background, he didn't even have the courage to face him.
Yuyu hadn't even drawn his blade, yet Asuma was scared limp.
In front of everyone, his dignity was swept away.
This was unacceptable for Asuma, who was born into a prestigious clan.
"Asuma, aren't you coming out to eat?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was usually somewhat strict with Asuma, saw the panic in his son's eyes. His expression softened.
He asked with concern.
"Fa... Father, I..."
Asuma stammered, unable to articulate the specific details. Just recalling it made the fear in his eyes intensify.
"Come, sit down and tell me slowly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gently placed his hand on Asuma's shoulder, patted it lightly, and spoke softly.
"Mmm..."
The usually rebellious Asuma was incredibly obedient at this moment. After responding, he slowly sat down.
Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's comfort, Asuma gradually returned to normal and slowly recounted the events of today's class.
"Phew... Yuyu, is it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes filled with memories and nostalgia.
After a pause, Sarutobi Hiruzen put away the look of reminiscence in his eyes.
He began to counsel Asuma.
Who was Sarutobi Hiruzen?
He was the Third Hokage. Although his combat strength might differ greatly compared to other Hokage, in terms of political ability, he was arguably the best among all generations of Hokage.
His set of "Will of Fire" theories had bamboozled the younger generation of Konoha so much they couldn't tell north from south.
With just a few sentences, Asuma's spirit gradually lifted.
However, the fear hidden deep in Asuma's heart could not be erased.
"Alright, go eat quickly. Don't make your mother worry."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Asuma, who appeared normal on the surface, but seeing the fear hidden deep in his eyes, he sighed inwardly.
"Okay."
Thinking of his mother, Asuma nodded and slowly walked out of the room.
"Yuuto, you gave birth to a good son."
After Asuma left the room, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly walked to the window, looked up at the pitch-black starry sky, his expression complicated.
It seemed like nostalgia, joy, and sadness all at once.
Saiki Yuuto was originally a capable subordinate of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
With the strength of an Elite Jonin, he was an outstanding figure even in today's Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had greatly appreciated this subordinate.
Even the name Yuyu was given personally by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Unfortunately, during a secret mission, a judgment error by Sarutobi Hiruzen led to Saiki Yuuto's tragic death.
At that time, Yuyu's mother was pregnant.
Upon hearing the news, her grief caused a massive hemorrhage during childbirth.
After Yuyu was born, she passed away.
Yuyu thus went from being the son of an Elite Jonin to an orphan.
This made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel extremely guilty toward Yuyu.
Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen had always paid close attention to Yuyu's growth.
After discovering that Yuyu was drinking, he had even used the Transformation Technique to go and admonish him.
But regrettably, it had no effect.
However, later on, Sarutobi Hiruzen discovered that Yuyu's constitution was very special.
Alcohol not only caused no harm to Yuyu's body but actually helped improve his Chakra.
So, Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped questioning Yuyu about his drinking.
It was also because of this relationship that Yuyu was able to successfully enter the Ninja Academy.
Otherwise, just the drinking alone would have prevented Yuyu from enrolling.
The incident where he cut the teacher into severe injury was also suppressed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
That was the only reason Yuyu was safe and sound.
"Yuuto, I wonder if you would be happy seeing Yuyu as he is now, or..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked silently, speechless for a long time.
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