"Asuma!"
Shizune's startled cry woke Sarutobi Asuma.
"This guy, he was eavesdropping on us!"
Tsunade snorted.
Sarutobi Asuma stepped forward with a smile, spreading his arms, only to have his ear grabbed by Tsunade.
And so, a harmonious family routine began.
An hour and a half later, the family of four had worked together, filling the table with a lavish feast, complete with the sake that both Tsunade and Yūhi Kurenai enjoyed.
Yes.
Ever since Yūhi Kurenai became her drinking companion, Tsunade no longer needed to abstain from alcohol.
"Cheers!"
The four sat down, raised their glasses, and cheered, celebrating the upcoming New Year.
"Asuma, will you need to go into seclusion for a long time again?"
Tsunade asked as they ate and drank.
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune also looked at Sarutobi Asuma.
Although Sarutobi Asuma hadn't been in constant seclusion for the past year, his time spent with them had indeed decreased.
"No need."
Sarutobi Asuma announced with a smile, "My Sage Transformation is now complete, and I won't need to go into long periods of seclusion for other training like before."
"Really?"
"That's great!"
"Amazing!"
The three women exclaimed one after another, filled with joy.
It wasn't just because Sarutobi Asuma no longer needed seclusion, but because his Sage Transformation was complete.
As the people closest to Sarutobi Asuma, and also undergoing their own Sage Transformation, they understood the significance of this.
"We must have another drink!"
Tsunade declared loudly.
So, the four drank another full cup.
Sarutobi Asuma put down his cup and said, "My focus from now on will be… on you all."
He pointed at Tsunade and the others, smiling, "Your Kekkei Genkai, your Chakra Nature Transformation."
"And your Chakra Control."
Yūhi Kurenai, who had just poured Sarutobi Asuma a drink, said with a hint of frustration, "My Kekkei Genkai is always just a little bit short."
"My Yang Style Chakra Nature Transformation is still a bit lacking,"
Shizune added, "As for our Chakra Control, we feel the progress has become almost negligible. And as for walking on wind, I don't think that can be achieved overnight."
They could already manage to flow against the waterfall.
Sarutobi Asuma smiled and reassured them, "Don't worry, I'll be with you, teaching you bit by bit."
His smile brought peace of mind to Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune.
Tsunade said, "It took me two years to barely achieve Kekkei Tōta, but Wood Style Kekkei Mora, I fear it will be incredibly difficult. Controlling seven types of Chakra Nature Transformation simultaneously and fusing them in a specific way… the difficulty is probably dozens of times that of Kekkei Tōta!"
She was almost completely following the path Sarutobi Asuma had taken.
But even so, even with her astonishing mastery over Yang Release and inheriting much of her grandfather Senju Hashirama's power, achieving Wood Style through Kekkei Tōta had still taken two years.
And even then, she felt it had exhausted her spirit.
Sarutobi Asuma's smile was gentle and confident, "Don't worry, I'm here!"
Such a smile swept away the pressure from Tsunade and the other two, and the atmosphere once again became warm and cheerful.
The meal lasted for an hour before they stopped.
After tidying up the dishes together, the four of them went out to stroll through the night market.
Konoha was exceptionally lively tonight, with laughter and joy filling every inch of space.
Wherever Sarutobi Asuma went, he drew envious glances from countless men.
"Teacher Asuma!"
A clear voice rang out, and Sarutobi Asuma looked to see Uzumaki Karin running towards him.
Stopping when she reached them, Karin quickly greeted Tsunade and the other two.
After chatting for a bit, Sarutobi Asuma asked, "Where's your mother?"
"Over there!"
Karin pointed.
Sarutobi Asuma and the other three looked over. Uzumaki Miri was with Uzumaki Kushina, who was holding her daughter, and Namikaze Minato was beside them.
Then, they waved to each other from a distance.
"Asuma, we're heading off!"
Tsunade said, leaving with Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune.
Sarutobi Asuma withdrew his gaze and asked, "Why don't I see that guy Naruto?"
Karin pouted and let out a soft hum, "That idiot went to find his spicy chakra sauce."
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled upon hearing this, then said loyally, "He's really a guy who forgets loyalty for beauty. I'll have to teach him a lesson next time!"
Karin nodded repeatedly, raising her fist, "When school starts, I'll definitely teach him a harsh lesson in sparring class!"
At this moment, a shout calling Karin's name came from a distance. Sarutobi Asuma smiled, "Go ahead!"
"Goodbye, teacher!"
Karin waved her hand and sprinted away.
Sarutobi Asuma walked a few steps and met up with Namikaze Minato, then followed behind Tsunade and the others as they strolled.
"It seems like you had a great harvest this time!"
Namikaze Minato noticed the change in Sarutobi Asuma.
"Indeed."
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, not hiding anything. "Sage Transformation is finally complete. I've become a being like the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku."
Even though he had anticipated it, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but be shaken.
He knew about the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, who had lived for over a thousand years.
"Congratulations, Asuma. You've accomplished something even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't do!"
Namikaze Minato congratulated him sincerely with a smile.
"Thank you."
Sarutobi Asuma was very calm and smiled, "Even though I've reached this point, I still feel very small compared to this world."
Namikaze Minato also felt a sense of emotion.
He felt this even more deeply.
These past two years, he had spent more time cultivating. The knowledge Sarutobi Asuma had passed down about Chakra Nature Transformation and Chakra Control was so vast and profound that it felt like a deep sea.
He had already come a long way on the ninja path.
For example, with the Flying Thunder God Technique, coupled with the development of large-scale Space-Time Teleportation Arrays and sealing scrolls with vast spatial capacity, as well as some space-time knowledge obtained from Sarutobi Asuma, his progress had been immense.
It could be said that he had completely surpassed the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, who had created this technique.
According to Sarutobi Asuma's evaluation, his application of space-time could be considered to have reached the Six Paths level.
But even so.
When faced with the vast ocean of knowledge regarding Chakra Nature Transformation and Chakra Control, he still felt like he was back in the Ninja Academy.
It seemed he had only just begun his journey on the ninja path.
An hour later.
Sarutobi Asuma left with Tsunade and the others, returning to the Sage Domain.
As it approached 12 o'clock.
Sarutobi Asuma and the three women were enjoying a warm moment on the treetop of the Sage Tree.
Suddenly.
Screams and explosions echoed.
Above Konoha, the sky was filled with brilliant fireworks.
The new year had arrived!
From this moment on, it was Konoha Year 56!
"Let's go, a new year, a new beginning!"
Sarutobi Asuma suddenly smiled, then teleported Tsunade and the other two to the bedroom.
"Don't even think about it!"
Tsunade threw a punch.
But she was immediately suppressed by Sarutobi Asuma. Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune could only tremble.
That night, he planted a seed!
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Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
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