Looking at Asahi who had a relaxed expression, Shikaku suddenly felt a little heavy in his heart for some reason.
If Shikaku had said these words to comfort Asahi, Shikaku might not have felt anything, but these words were said by Asahi himself, which made Shikaku not know what to say for a while.
Shikaku was not good at words and didn't know how to comfort people. He just felt that Asahi was young and had many thoughts, and was afraid that after experiencing such unfairness, he would think randomly and have thoughts that were not good for Konoha.
After getting along with each other for more than a year, Asahi gave Shikaku the impression that he was a talented youth who was willing to work hard, and thoughtful. In particular, Asahi was now Tsunade's disciple. As long as Asahi was given a little more time, he could definitely grow to a very high level.
Before assigning Asahi to Shikaku, Hiruzen had mentioned it to him and asked him to pay more attention to Asahi.
For more than a year, Asahi had been very good to his teammates, and Shikaku had not found any flaws. However, Asahi was now at this age where children were about to enter their rebellious period, it was when their personality was at its most fickle-state. Shikaku was very worried that Asahi would have hostile feelings towards Konoha because of some unfair treatment.
"It's good that you think so. Not only one's life can be changed, but the environment and others' lives can also be changed." Shikaku said, "Maybe some of Konoha's practices are wrong, but it is precisely because of these bad things that it's more that someone needs to change it."
"I understand, Shikaku-sensei." Asahi nodded.
"Although there are many conflicts in the village, everyone feels the same about Konoha. You are very talented and have the same thoughts as an adult, you should understand what I mean." Shikaku said in an unprecedented serious tone.
"I understand that only when the village is strong can I live well. If there is no village, where will I be?" Asahi said.
Shikaku nodded, with a trace of relief on his face, "It would be best if everyone can understand this truth."
Then Shikaku pointed to the century-old tree standing not far away and said slowly, "The village is actually like that big tree. It has always protected us from wind and rain, and we naturally have to protect it. For its growth, we must water it and likewise, stop insects from harming it."
"I understand Shikaku-sensei." Asahi nodded in agreement.
…
After parting ways with Shikaku, Asahi kept thinking about the conversation he had just now. Why did Shikaku tell him this? Did he discover some of his little thoughts, or did he notice something else?
During this year, Asahi had been helping Orochimaru experiment with forbidden techniques, but everything was done in secret, and no one should have noticed it. Every time he went to Orochimaru's laboratory, Asahi was very cautious. He would only enter Orochimaru's laboratory after making sure that no one was around. Logically speaking, he should not be discovered.
In addition to his secret contact with Orochimaru, Asahi behaved like an ordinary Konoha ninja during this year. He loves Konoha, was friendly to his companions, and was very active in doing tasks. Moreover, Asahi's background was very clean too.
If people were still suspicious of this, Asahi really wouldn't know the reason.
But it was undeniable that Shikaku must have been ordered by Hiruzen to secretly observe Asahi. Shikaku's evaluation of Asahi was likely to be directly related to his future.
The worried Asahi no longer thought about going to Konoha Hospital. After restocking some ninja tools, he went to the back mountain of Konoha to practice alone.
…
Hokage Office.
"What do you think? What is Asahi's attitude towards this matter?" After listening to Shikaku's report, Hiruzen asked in a deep voice.
"Looking at his attitude, it doesn't look like he holds any kind of grudge. After all, he has lived in Konoha since he was a child and has great feelings for Konoha." Shikaku answered calmly.
"This kid works too hard." Hiruzen said in a confused tone.
Shikaku looked at Hiruzen calmly and did not answer.
Shikaku knew what Hiruzen meant. Asahi usually practiced too hard, it might even be called a little desperately. It would be okay if Asahi was as stubborn as Guy, but he's obviously a smart person. If he had any unspeakable thoughts, it would definitely be a disaster for Konoha.
Although Hiruzen was not involved in the death of Konoha's White Fang, after hearing the news of White Fang's death, Hiruzen felt both sad and relieved.
Although the position of Hokage was not passed down from generation to generation in the family-style, it was still passed down from generation to generation in the name of master and apprentice. The First and Second Hokages were brothers, the Third Hokage was Second Hokage's apprentice, and the future Fourth and Fifth Hokages would all inherit the position of Hokage in the name of masters and apprentices.
Hatake Sakumo's fame as 'White Fang' was so loud that it even overshadowed the Sannin for a time. The village's call for White Fang to succeed the Fourth Hokage was getting louder day by day, so whether it was Hiruzen or Danzo, they would not allow such a thing to happen.
Konoha's White Fang gave up his mission in order to save his companions. Such a crime was not something that would have led to apology by committing suicide. At first, Hiruzen and Danzo just wanted to damage Sakumo's reputation and make him lose the qualification to inherit the position of Hokage, but they did not expect that he would choose to commit suicide.
Maybe Sakumo chose to commit suicide because he was able to figure out the thoughts of Konoha's higher-ups and was disappointed in the village.
But Asahi was different from Sakumo. He was a disciple of Tsunade. In Hiruzen's eyes, he was also qualified to succeed the position of Hokage. Therefore, for Asahi's attitude and character, Hiruzen would obviously care more or less.
And what happened this time was Hiruzen's test for Asahi. If Asahi had bad thoughts about Konoha because of this unfair treatment, then Hiruzen would have probably give up training Asahi directly.
Although Asahi was now valued by the village, when he just graduated, he was still used as cannon fodder. As long as Asahi doesn't mind this matter, Hiruzen would be completely at ease with Asahi.
In the original work, Hiruzen also tested Kakashi once.
He let Danzo win over Kakashi and let him make arrangements for Yamato to assassinate Hiruzen to see if Kakashi would remain indifferent or choose to protect Hiruzen.
Fortunately, Kakashi did not fall into the trap, or rather in other words, he woke up in time and chose to protect Hiruzen and gained Hiruzen's trust.
When Asahi saw this scene in his previous life, he almost laughed. A Yamato who is only a few years old, plus a few Root ninjas, wanted to assassinate Hiruzen. Is Shimura Danzo senile?
But if all this was a test, it would be logical. After all, Kakashi's father died in the village's conspiracy. If Kakashi was resentful towards the village, it would definitely be a disaster for Konoha given Kakashi's talent.
"This time when you go to the front line, Asahi will follow you." Hiruzen said softly.
"Do you want me to continue testing him?" Shikaku asked.
"There is no need for the moment." said Hiruzen.
*****
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