Chapter 77: Wind Style! (Seeking subscriptions, monthly passes, recommendation tickets)
After saying goodbye to Kakashi and the others, Sarutobi Asuma headed to Tsunade's home.
It was already past four in the afternoon.
Arriving at the Senju Ancestral Home, Sarutobi Asuma saw Shizune there as well, being sternly lectured by Tsunade in the courtyard.
Tsunade looked up at Sarutobi Asuma as he entered and said, "I heard you made quite a splash on the battlefield!"
"You took down the One-Tails Jinchuriki by yourself!"
"And you gravely injured the Kazekage by yourself!"
"Very impressive!"
Asuma heard the praise, but the tone felt off, a little too sharp.
Sarutobi Asuma gave an awkward smile.
Tsunade didn't let him off the hook, huffing, "Is there no one else strong in all of Konoha besides you?"
"Facing the One-Tails Jinchuriki alone!"
"Intercepting the Kazekage alone?"
"Do you think you're stronger than Senior Sakumo, stronger than Minato?"
...
Tsunade rattled off a long string of accusations. Beside her, Shizune didn't dare to breathe heavily, keeping her gaze straight ahead.
Sarutobi Asuma obediently listened to the lecture, mainly fearing he'd get hit.
After a while, Tsunade finally stopped. Seeing Sarutobi Asuma looking like a good boy, she waved her hand, "Go inside. The materials for Creation Rebirth have been prepared. Get a move on and master it."
"Thank you, Sister Tsunade!"
Sarutobi Asuma felt like he'd been granted a great pardon and quickly darted away.
Unknowingly, the entire afternoon had passed.
Shizune had already left.
Tsunade leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, observing Sarutobi Asuma, who was still immersed in the Creation Rebirth ninjutsu.
His focused expression made her feel a bit dazed, reminding her of when she was young and saw her great-uncle, Senju Tobirama, researching ninjutsu.
Then, she thought of her younger brother, Nawaki.
Nawaki had been too reckless, which led him into a trap.
Orochimaru also started changing after that...
Tsunade's thoughts were in a mess.
Suddenly, she was startled and looked back, seeing Yūhi Kurenai. A smile immediately bloomed on her face, "You're here to find that guy Asuma, aren't you!"
"Lady Tsunade!"
Yūhi Kurenai bowed.
In the room, Sarutobi Asuma was jolted awake. He looked up and said, "It's dark already!"
Yūhi Kurenai and Tsunade walked in side-by-side. The former spoke, "Asuma, I met with Elder Shinya earlier."
Sarutobi Asuma stretched lazily and got up reluctantly, "Sister Tsunade, I'll be heading back now."
"Go on, go on!"
Tsunade waved him off casually.
Sarutobi Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai said their goodbyes and left. Tsunade looked at the empty room, a sudden sense of loneliness washing over her.
After a while, she sat in Sarutobi Asuma's spot and examined the Creation Rebirth ninjutsu.
She had been researching it deeply during this period, but unfortunately, there had been almost no progress.
"Eh, where did Asuma go?"
Shizune's voice suddenly startled Tsunade.
Tsunade looked up to see Shizune bringing in food and drinks.
Putting the documents aside, Tsunade helped Shizune arrange the food and then asked, "Don't you have any sake?"
Shizune was taken aback, "Huh?"
"Didn't you say you were going to quit drinking?"
Tsunade immediately looked displeased, a hint of grievance in her mumbled complaint, "So bossy!"
Meanwhile.
Sarutobi Asuma was having dinner with his family.
The meal was sumptuous, and the atmosphere was lively and harmonious.
After eating their fill and helping his mother clear away the dishes, the family gathered together again.
"Asuma, what are your plans now?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Sarutobi Asuma and asked gently.
To be honest, Sarutobi Asuma's performance in this great war had completely exceeded his expectations.
He had initially thought his younger son was already excellent, not inferior to his elder son.
He never expected him to be so incredibly outstanding.
At this age, he had never seen a ninja more exceptional than Sarutobi Asuma.
Sarutobi Asuma, however, was taken aback. Plans?
What plans could he have?
Sarutobi Shinya added, "Asuma, Father wants you to join the Anbu."
Join the Anbu?
Sarutobi Asuma raised an eyebrow slightly and pondered, "If it's the Anbu, let's wait until after the war ends!"
He didn't see himself as a savior, but he wanted to end the war as soon as possible.
At the same time, he needed to gain experience points on the main battlefield.
The operational style of the Anbu didn't fit his current needs.
Sarutobi Shinya seemed to want to say something but stopped.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, nodded gently, "Then we'll discuss it after the great war. Indeed, we need a strong individual like you, Asuma, to deter the enemy on the front lines."
After chatting for a while longer, Sarutobi Hiruzen left for the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Asuma and his elder brother, Sarutobi Shinya, strolled in the backyard.
"Asuma, after the war ends, Father might step down from the position of Hokage."
Sarutobi Shinya said.
Sarutobi Asuma frowned slightly. Were the signs already appearing now?
He thought for a moment and asked, "Is it because of the peace talks with the Sand Ninja?"
"Is Danzō, that old man, causing trouble?"
Sarutobi Shinya nodded, "Because we achieved a great victory, some people, led by Danzō, feel that making peace with the Sand Ninja now means our comrades' sacrifices were in vain."
"We should go for broke, invade the Land of Wind, force the Sand Ninja to surrender completely, and demand reparations."
"After all, you even severely injured the Fourth Kazekage."
Sarutobi Asuma nodded upon hearing this, "That is indeed one way to do it!"
"But how many more people will we have to sacrifice to invade the Land of Wind and force the Sand Ninja to surrender?"
"The Stone Ninja, Cloud Ninja, and Mist Ninja will surely applaud and then launch even fiercer attacks."
"Fighting all four of them then, even if we win all battles, how many Jonin, Chunin, and newly graduated genin will we lose?"
Fighting all four and still wanting to fight the Sand Ninja to the death, it's unbelievable Danzō would even think of it!
Does he really think Konoha is invincible in the ninja world!
Negotiating peace and forming an alliance with the Sand Ninja now to deal with the Stone Ninja is the best strategic choice.
The thousands of troops from the Sand Ninja front could be redeployed to the other three fronts, immediately easing the situation.
Sarutobi Shinya nodded.
"Even if Father steps down, it won't be that old man Danzō's turn!"
Sarutobi Asuma scoffed lightly.
Sarutobi Shinya said, "Currently, Lord Orochimaru has joined Root. Danzō will probably choose to support Lord Orochimaru."
"Currently, the most powerful contenders for the Fourth Hokage are the Sannin, but you know Jiraiya's personality, he won't become Hokage."
"As for Lady Tsunade..."
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled, "Brother, do you think Lord Orochimaru will be controlled by Danzō if he becomes the Fourth Hokage?"
Sarutobi Shinya was taken aback.
After talking with his brother, Sarutobi Asuma returned to his room to organize documents.
In the blink of an eye, it was 11 PM.
He couldn't sleep.
After thinking about it, Sarutobi Asuma left a Shadow Clone and went to Tsunade's house.
Tsunade was also awake, frowning as she studied a document. Seeing Sarutobi Asuma arrive so late, she was a little surprised, "Why are you here?"
"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd come and continue studying the Creation Rebirth jutsu."
Sarutobi Asuma said with a smile, sitting down directly opposite Tsunade.
"You just returned from the front lines; you should be resting well."
Tsunade lectured, "When you're still growing, you need to ensure you get enough sleep."
Sarutobi Asuma immediately raised his hands in surrender and promised, "One hour. I'll go to sleep at 12 o'clock."
Only then did Tsunade nod.
Silence quickly settled in the room, with only the occasional sound of pages turning.
In the blink of an eye, it was midnight.
Sarutobi Asuma was told by Tsunade to go to sleep, but he didn't feel like going back.
After creating a Shadow Clone to continue his research and studies, he simply fell asleep in the room.
In the blink of an eye, morning arrived.
Sarutobi Asuma opened his eyes and was greeted by a different scent.
It turned out to be Tsunade's blanket.
He lifted the blanket, sat up, and then saw Tsunade drooling over her desk.
Tsunade, in her thirties, was in her prime. The cute yet alluring and sexy charm she exuded made Sarutobi Asuma freeze for a moment.
He glanced down, and Sarutobi Asuma quickly dodged away.
At another desk, the Shadow Clone looked up and then pouted, "He's got the desire, but not the guts!"
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