33 Asuma Panics; Lady Tsunade's Intuition
Konoha Village.
The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows.
But it couldn't dispel the coldness and anxiety in Asuma Sarutobi's heart.
He stood alone at the edge of the training ground.
His fingers trembled as he clutched a letter he had just received, its handwriting a bit messy but incredibly familiar.
It was Kurenai Yuhi's handwriting.
The content of the letter was like an ice pick, piercing his heart.
Especially the genjutsu mentioned in the letter.
Inside, Kurenai Yuhi herself spoke of the crisis.
In the letter, Kurenai Yuhi described how they were trapped in the Land of Fire's Imperial Palace, surrounded by powerful, unknown forces.
The situation was extremely critical... The words were filled with despair and helplessness.
Finally, she almost pleaded with Asuma, as if crying blood.
To bring his most trusted subordinates... the Ino–Shika–Chō trio of Team 10, and rush to their rescue!
"Yuhi..."
Asuma murmured.
His heart felt as if it were tightly squeezed by an invisible hand.
His relationship with Yuhi had just made a breakthrough.
He had mustered the courage to confess, and Yuhi had shyly accepted.
That budding romance, full of sweetness and hope.
Now, it was overshadowed by the shadow of death from this plea for help.
He hadn't even had the chance to hold her hand once!
Immense worry and fear instantly overwhelmed him.
He could almost imagine Yuhi's helplessness and danger facing powerful enemies alone!
"Asuma-sensei? What's wrong?"
Ino Yamanaka's puzzled voice came from behind him.
She, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Choji had just finished their sparring session.
They saw Asuma-sensei standing rooted to the spot, his face pale, radiating an unusual aura.
Shikamaru squinted.
He noticed the letter clutched tightly in Asuma's hand and his abnormal expression.
A troublesome feeling arose naturally:
"Asuma-sensei, has something happened?"
Asuma suddenly snapped back to reality.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anxiety that was about to explode, his voice terribly hoarse:
"Nothing! Emergency mission! You all stand by!"
After speaking, he didn't give his three disciples another chance to ask questions.
His figure flashed, like a mad bull.
He charged towards the Hokage's Office at top speed.
Along the way, he knocked over several roadside stalls, completely oblivious.
There was only one thought in his mind... Save Yuhi!
"Bang!"
The door to the Hokage's Office was almost violently slammed open by Asuma.
The loud noise startled Tsunade, who was buried in documents, looking exhausted.
The pen in her hand fell onto the desk.
She was already in a bad mood due to heavy workload and debt issues.
Her full chest rose and fell sharply with anger.
"Asuma! What in the world are you doing?!"
"Don't you know to knock before entering?"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and demanded angrily.
"Hokage-sama! Yuhi is in trouble! I need to save her!"
"Immediately! Right now!"
Asuma completely disregarded etiquette.
He rushed to the desk, hands propped on the surface.
His eyes were bloodshot, his tone so urgent it was almost incoherent, "Her mission is obstructed, she's trapped in the Land of Fire's Imperial Palace!"
"Surrounded by unknown powerful individuals! Her life is in danger!"
"This is her plea for help!"
He almost roared as he repeated the contents of Kurenai Yuhi's letter.
He especially emphasized the request to bring the Ino–Shika–Chō squad for support.
Tsunade's initial anger quickly dissipated upon hearing "Land of Fire's Imperial Palace" and "surrounded by unknown powerful individuals."
Her brows furrowed tightly.
She took the letter Asuma handed her and quickly scanned it.
Her expression gradually became solemn.
Kurenai Yuhi was an elite Jonin of the Village, the sensei of Team 8.
Her plea for help was no small matter.
Moreover, it involved the Land of Fire's Daimyo's Residence... The political sensitivity of this was extraordinary.
"Land of Fire's Imperial Palace... Di Yan..."
Tsunade murmured the name.
In her mind, she pictured the young man she had seen at her inauguration ceremony as Hokage.
That excessively young man.
Who always made her feel something was off about the new Daimyo.
That young man's eyes.
Didn't look like those of a pampered noble.
Instead, they carried a subtle, almost predatory aggression, as if scrutinizing prey.
It had made her very uncomfortable at the time.
"Hokage-sama! Please approve my request immediately!"
"Let me lead Ino–Shika–Chō to the rescue!"
Asuma, seeing Tsunade's silence, urged anxiously.
Every second of waiting was tormenting him.
Tsunade raised her eyes.
Looking at Asuma's anxious gaze, which seemed to be spitting fire.
She sighed inwardly.
From Shizune, she knew that Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi had just confirmed their relationship.
It was impossible to ask him to calm down now.
"Alright."
Tsunade made her decision, her voice regaining the Hokage's decisiveness, "I approve your rescue request. Immediately assemble the Ino–Shika–Chō squad and proceed to the Land of Fire's capital at the fastest speed!"
"Be sure to investigate the situation and rescue Kurenai Yuhi and the members of Team 8!"
"But remember, do not easily clash with the Land of Fire's officials, and prioritize your own safety!"
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Asuma, having received permission, was like someone granted a pardon.
He turned and rushed out of the office.
Forgetting to even close the door.
Watching Asuma's hurried disappearing back, Tsunade leaned back in her chair, her fingers unconsciously tapping the desk.
The doubt in her brows deepened.
"Shizune."
Tsunade suddenly spoke.
Shizune, who had been silently standing by, immediately stepped forward:
"Lady Tsunade?"
"This matter... I just feel something is off."
Tsunade mused, "That boy Di Yan doesn't seem like a peaceful person."
"And Kurenai Yuhi's plea for help came too suddenly, even specifically asking for Ino–Shika–Chō... It's too much of a coincidence."
She paused, a glint of shrewdness in her eyes:
"Immediately secretly dispatch two special Jonin squads to quietly follow them."
"Have them follow Asuma's squad from a distance, without revealing their presence."
"If everything is normal, they will act as backup. If..."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened, "If this is a trap, report back immediately."
"And act according to the situation, prioritizing the safety of Asuma and Ino–Shika–Chō!"
"Yes! I will arrange it immediately!"
Shizune's expression became stern, realizing the seriousness of the situation.
She immediately turned to carry out the order.
Only Tsunade remained in the office.
She walked to the window, looking down at the bustling Konoha Village.
The uneasy feeling in her heart grew stronger.
Danger in the Land of Fire's Imperial Palace?
This seemed problematic no matter how she looked at it.
Di Yan... What exactly do you want to do?
Will this rescue truly go smoothly?