Asuma Falls in Battle

Issui traveled slowly, and when he returned to Konoha, he noticed an unusual atmosphere. Everyone in Konoha had a very heavy expression on their face. Of course, ordinary civilians remained as usual, but this only referred to the ninjas. Could it be that something major had happened in Konoha just a few days after he left?

Without slowing down, Issui headed straight for the Hokage, where he was sure he could get the latest updates.

"Knock knock..."

"Please come in..."

Upon entering the Hokage's office, Issui immediately noticed that all of Konoha's elite ninjas were inside, their expressions extremely solemn, especially the Ino-Shika-Cho team. Issui instantly realized that Asuma might have passed away. After carefully observing the area, he indeed could not find any trace of Asuma.

"Lord Hokage, I have completed the mission from Kirigakure. This is a letter of thanks from the Fifth Mizukage. Moreover, this time, I encountered two members of Akatsuki and Orochimaru at the same time. Orochimaru has now been defeated by me..." Issui took out a letter and placed it on the table in front of Tsunade.

"What?!" "Orochimaru is dead..." "No way..." "Really? That's great..."

Upon hearing that Orochimaru was dead, everyone rallied from their slump. After all, the news of Asuma's death had been a heavy blow to them; such a powerful elite Jonin had died so easily. He was the Third's son, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. However, the news that followed from Issui beginning helped them recover from their grief. Sannin, the Orochimaru the Cold Lord had been wanted for so many years and had left many helpless, was dead. This was a shot in the arm for them, and their low morale began to rise again.

Tsunade's spirits lifted upon hearing this. This kid actually managed to do something like that; quite impressive! Konoha's morale, which had just been dampened, had rebounded. After all, they had dispatched 20 teams to capture two Akatsuki members, yet they had failed, and Asuma had ultimately met his untimely demise. Meanwhile, Issui's side was greatly encouraged, having actually killed Orochimaru —a case of losing one thing but gaining another.

"Really? Does this mean Sasuke can finally be free from Orochimaru?" Sakura asked, gripping Issui's arms tightly with both hands.

"Hiss..." Issui deep breath. As expected of Monstrous Strength, she has such great strength. Hey, Sakura, can't you act a little more ladylike? This is too rude.

"Of course it's real. This sword is a trophy I retrieved from Orochimaru..." Issui nodded and drew Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword from behind his back.

"Yes, it is indeed Orochimaru's weapon, the Kusanagi Sword. It seems he really did die at your hands, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to get this sword..." Tsunade looked at the sharp sword in Issui and became even more certain that Orochimaru was indeed dead.

"Great! Sasuke can come back now. Let's go find him, Kakashi-sensei..." Naruto said happily.

Kakashi scratched his head and said helplessly, "Naruto, now is not the time to be impulsive. Your name is on Akatsuki's list of targets, and we don't even know where Sasuke is. There's no point in rushing things. Besides, Orochimaru is dead, Sasuke is out of danger. There's no need to be in such a hurry. If Sasuke wants to come back, he will."

"Oh, I see..." Naruto gradually calmed down.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down. Let's analyze our current situation. Orochimaru is dead, so we've eliminated one enemy. However, an even more powerful force is waiting for us. Therefore, we cannot let our guard down. Asuma's incident serves as a warning. To deal with this unknown enemy, I will reveal all the information about Akatsuki to everyone. This will give you more confidence when you encounter them in the future. Shizune, please distribute these materials." Tsunade took out a stack of materials and asked Shizune to distribute them to everyone.

Shizune took the materials from Tsunade and distributed them to everyone.

The group took the materials from their hands, and upon looking at them, their expressions turned solemn. Every single person inside possessed incredible abilities, and there was even the legendary Rinnegan among them. This Akatsuki had so many super S-rank missing-nin.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Tsunade she also felt a heavy burden, but there was no other way. The enemy was close, and they had to face the challenge head-on. She believed that, inspired by the Will of Fire, they would surely defeat them.

"Click..."

Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was suddenly pushed open, and several intelligence ninjas rushed in. The female ninja in the lead said, "Lord Hokage, the Mizukage unit from Kirigakure was attacked by Akatsuki on their way back, Three-Tails was stolen. Kirigakure has issued arrest warrants to various countries. This is the information they sent..."

The female ninja placed a scroll in front of Tsunade.

"What? The Three-Tails was stolen?" Issui asked in confusion. Who could it be? Deidara shouldn't have it. Could it be Tobi (Obito Uchiha)?

Tsunade picked up the scroll and examined it carefully. The mysterious man with the vortex mask? Another mysterious member of Akatsuki had suddenly appeared. This person hadn't made a move while Issui was still there, clearly indicating that he feared Issui's strength. Only after Issui bid farewell to the Kirigakure Ninja did he swiftly strike and snatch the Three-Tails. This was no easy feat; after all, it was the Mizukage of the Kirigakure Ninja and a group of elite ninjas. How could they let someone so easily take away the Tailed Beast?

"Everyone, go back first. It's best not to go out too often unless there are major missions. Be ready to be called upon at any time. In these turbulent times, only by working together can we defeat the enemy..." Tsunade told everyone to go back first. Her mind was in turmoil, and she needed to carefully consider future strategies.

"Yes..." Everyone took their leave and Earth Flow the Hokage's office one after another.

Issui followed the others out, but a faint voice called out to him from behind.

"Can we talk?" Hong whispered from behind Issui.

Issui frowned. Why did she call her at this time? Did she want an explanation for what happened that day? Well, it's good to talk. After all, they'll see each other all the time, and it's not good to keep that matter bottled up inside. Some things need to be clarified for the benefit of everyone.

"Alright, you choose the location..." Issui agreed.

Red Dot nodded, leaped into the air, and rushed off in one direction, which seemed to be the Memorial Stone in Konoha.

"Issui..." Hinata reached out and Issui. She had seen Issui and Kurenai-sensei's little interaction and didn't understand why Kurenai-sensei was looking for Issui, since the two of them weren't very familiar with each other.

Issui pressed Hinata's hand down and said, "It's okay, I'll be right back. You stay home and wait for me. We're just chatting."

"No, that's not what I meant. Asuma just died, so don't talk to Kurenai-sensei too much... Kurenai-sensei has been feeling down lately, so please comfort her..." Hinata said, shaking her head.

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry, I'm not stupid. I'm going now..." Issui Shui nodded and disappeared instantly, chasing after Hong's direction.

When Issui arrived at the Memorial Stone, he found Hong squatting in front of Memorial Stone, reaching out to touch the name on it. It must be Asuma. The two of them seemed to have a deep affection for each other. It was just that he had interfered and caused their relationship to deteriorate slightly. But with Asuma's death, Hong must have suddenly realized that the only person she loved was Asuma. Her heart must be breaking right now.

"Sacrifice is common in the world of ninjas, why did it have to be him... Waaah... Asuma, you bastard, leaving me all alone in this world..." Kurenai sobbed as she looked at the name on the Memorial Stone.

"No one can stop death. Everyone is born, grows old, gets sick and dies. No one can escape the shackles of fate. The dead are gone, and the living should live on even stronger..." Issui said quietly as she walked behind Hong.

"Smack..."

Hong turned around, stood up, and slapped Yishui Issui, saying, "What do you know? Do you know how long it's been for Asuma and me to get to where we are now? We were about to be together, but you ruined everything... Asuma, my love, I betrayed you. You died without even knowing that I was no longer pure and that I had another man's child. I'm so sorry..."

"!!!"

Suddenly, Issui's eyes widened in shock, as if struck by lightning. They hadn't expected that Hong was really pregnant. One shot, and the probability was too high. This slap was worth it. Speaking of which, Asuma- senpai is really a tragic kid. He didn't even know that his girlfriend was pregnant with someone else's child. If he knew, he would probably be so angry that he would come back to life.

Hong looked at Issui unmoved, vacant faces, as if all her strength had been drained. Was this fate?

Issui quickly helped Hong up, "Damn it, don't upset the baby, or my son's life will be in danger!"

Hong pushed Issui away, wiped away her tears, and said firmly to Issui, "I want to avenge Asuma. I know that with my abilities, fighting the enemy head-on would be suicide. So, I thought of you. If you can kill Asuma's enemy, everything we've done in the past will be wiped clean."

Issui sighed. It seemed that to Hong, he was just a tool, a tool for Asuma's revenge. However, this was obvious. Asuma was her true lover, and he was just a 'disposable tool'. This conclusion was truly hurtful.

"Alright, I also have some grudges against Kakuzu of the Immortal Duo, so I'll just kill Hidan while I'm at it..." Issui nodded.

"Okay, remember what you said. After you finish this, everything between us will be settled, and neither of us will owe the other anything..." Hong said, turning to leave.

"Hong, that child..." Issui asked. The child in her belly was her own; how could they say their relationship was completely severed?

"This child is 'Asuma,' he's been called Asuma since he was born, his father is Asuma, that's all, he has nothing to do with you..." Red said coldly.

Issui was instantly enraged. He grabbed Hong's arm and said, "Hong, you know this child is mine, ours. It has nothing to do with Asuma. I promised to help you avenge Asuma, but I didn't promise to hand over my child to someone else..."