The night at the Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Fire shed the day's hustle and bustle, revealing a sense of tranquility.
Kurenai had finished her accompanying paperwork and was about to return to her temporary chambers. But as she passed through the west corridor, a familiar but repulsive figure suddenly emerged from the shadows, blocking her path.
"Kurenai." Asuma's voice was very low, with a hint of urgency and an almost imperceptible tremor.
The stray hairs on his forehead obscured his eyebrows, and he clutched a red rose in his hand.
When the corruption scandal of Hiruzen and the Sarutobi clan was exposed, the evidence of the entire clan embezzling Konoha's public funds and exploiting common people was laid bare, one by one, ultimately leading to the Sarutobi clan being expelled from Konoha and their reputation ruined.
Asuma, as a young master of the Sarutobi clan, though not directly involved in the corruption, had enjoyed the privileged life brought by the clan's ill-gotten gains, which made Kurenai despise him from the bottom of her heart.
Kurenai did not retreat. Instead, she looked up and met his gaze, her tone icy, her eyes filled with disgust. "Asuma, aren't you afraid of adding new charges to the already notorious Sarutobi clan by trespassing into the palace? I advise you to leave immediately, or I will call for help."
Asuma hadn't expected Kurenai to react with such an attitude, the urgency on his face turned into bewilderment. Then, a trace of unwillingness ignited in him.
"Kurenai, how can you say that? The clan's affairs have nothing to do with me. You clearly know I like you, so why did you go to the Land of Water to be Shun's secretary? He has six consorts, and Shizune too, what can you gain by being with him? Come with me, I will find a way to revitalize the Sarutobi clan and make you my wife."
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Kurenai's wrist, attempting to move her with their past affection. But Kurenai had already completely given up on him.
Seeing him make a move, she unhesitatingly took a step back and raised her voice, shouting, "Help! An assassin has trespassed into the palace!"
Her voice was exceptionally loud in the silent night, quickly alarming the guards hidden in the shadows.
From the surrounding shadows, several dark figures instantly darted out, holding swords, and immediately surrounded Asuma.
Leading them was Raiga, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Kiba gleamed with a cold light under the moonlight, pointing directly at Asuma's throat.
"Bold madman, how dare you trespass into the palace and harass His Excellency's secretary?"
Raiga's voice carried killing intent, and the surrounding Anbu members also drew their weapons, completely subduing Asuma.
Asuma struggled to explain himself but was firmly pressed to the ground by the Anbu, unable to move.
This commotion quickly alerted the Land of Fire Daimyo.
Everyone gathered in the side hall. Asuma was tied to a pillar, his face full of unwillingness and a hint of hope.
He thought that since he was Hiruzen's son, the Land of Fire Daimyo would surely protect him out of past friendship, and at most, he would only be reprimanded a few times, certainly not facing a heavy punishment.
"Asuma, do you know your crime?" The Land of Fire Daimyo's voice was filled with anger, yet also with a touch of helplessness.
He did indeed want to protect Asuma, as Hiruzen was currently his capable subordinate. But now that this matter involved Shun, he dared not show too much favoritism.
Asuma stiffened his neck, his gaze still fixed on Kurenai , his tone carrying a hint of grievance. "I am not guilty. I only came to talk to Kurenai, to have a good conversation with her. She made a mountain out of a molehill and deliberately called people to arrest me."
Just then, Shun, holding Shiryu's hand, slowly walked into the side hall, with Tsunade following behind him. He glanced at the bound Asuma, his eyes showing no ripples, yet the temperature of the entire hall seemed to drop by a few degrees.
Seeing this, the Land of Fire Daimyo quickly stepped forward, his tone pleading. "My dear nephew Shun, Asuma is young and impetuous, and only made a mistake in a moment of confusion. His father, Hiruzen, and I have a good relationship. For my sake, I ask you to punish him lightly and give him a chance to reform."
Shun ignored the Land of Fire Daimyo's plea and walked directly to Kurenai.
To everyone's surprise, he gently pulled her into his embrace, his actions tender yet possessing an undeniable possessiveness.
He looked down into Kurenai's eyes, then looked up at everyone, his voice as cold as frost. "Although Kurenai is my secretary, she is also my designated consort. Anyone who dares to touch her is an enemy of me, Shun."
These words exploded in the hall like a thunderclap, everyone was stunned. No one had expected him to publicly declare Kurenai's special status.
Asuma's eyes widened even further. The hope on his Face was instantly replaced by disbelief, and then by despair.
The Land of Fire Daimyo wanted to plead again but was stopped by an icy gaze.
Shun's gaze fell on Asuma, his tone devoid of any emotion. "Asuma, you dared to trespass into the palace's backyard and harass my designated consort. You may be spared death, but you will not escape punishment."
He turned to Raiga and commanded, "Castrate him, and let him remember that some people and things are not for him to covet."
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Raiga's eyes, and he responded, "Yes."
He brandished Kiba and a cold light flashed. Accompanied by Asuma's piercing scream, blood stained the ground.
"It's gone... my precious is gone... my precious is gone..."
Asuma convulsed with pain, cold sweat instantly drenched his clothes.
He looked down at his wound, and the despair in his eyes gradually turned into venomous hatred.
He hated Shun's ruthlessness and even more, Kurenai's heartlessness. That once fervent love, under the catalysis of intense pain and humiliation, twisted into deep-seated hatred.
'Kurenai ... Shun... I won't let you two go... I want you two to die...' Asuma gritted his teeth and roared internally.
The hall was eerily silent. No one dared to speak, and even their breathing became lighter.
The Land of Fire Daimyo looked at the horrific scene before him but dared not plead any further.
Shun released Kurenai from his embrace, gently tidied her disheveled hair, and his tone softened slightly. "Don't be afraid, no one will dare to harass you again."
Then, he looked at the Land of Fire Daimyo, his tone calm but with a sense of oppression. "Regarding today's matter, I ask Grand Maternal Uncle to restrain the people of the Land of Fire and prevent similar incidents from happening again. Otherwise, the next punishment will not be this simple."
The Land of Fire Daimyo quickly nodded. "Yes, I will strictly manage them and absolutely not allow similar incidents to happen again."
Shun said no more. He took Kurenai's hand and, with Tsunade and Shiryu, turned and left.
The remaining people, looking at Asuma on the ground, all felt a chill rise in their hearts.
And as Asuma was dragged away for treatment, the hatred in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
As he lay in the sickbed, the scene of Kurenai calling for help and Shun's disdainful gaze kept replaying in his mind.
He secretly swore in his heart, 'As long as I live, I will surely get revenge and make those two pay the price.'