In Naruto: Drinking Makes Me Stronger

Bang—bang!

A knock sounded at the door. Asuma jolted all over, cold sweat instantly breaking out across his body.

"Who?!"

Like a startled rabbit, Asuma's voice even turned shrill.

"Asuma, it's me."

The Third Hokage's voice rang out, and Asuma gradually calmed down.

Click.

"F-Father."

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, Asuma first felt a wave of relief, then lowered his head in shame.

Always rebellious, he now felt too ashamed to face his father.

As the Third Hokage's son, Asuma greatly disliked being viewed through that identity.

But he had to admit that this identity had given the younger Asuma a certain pride deep down.

Yet when facing Yuu, who came from a commoner background, he had not even had the courage to confront him.

Yuu's blade had not even left its sheath before he had been frightened limp.

He had lost all face in front of everyone.

Asuma, who came from a prestigious family, could not accept that.

"Asuma, why didn't you come out to eat?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had always been somewhat strict with Asuma, saw the panic in his son's eyes. His expression gradually softened.

He asked with concern.

"F-Father, I..."

Asuma stammered, unable to explain what had happened. As he recalled it, the fear in his eyes only deepened.

"Come, sit down and tell me slowly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gently placed a hand on Asuma's shoulder and gave it a light pat as he spoke softly.

"Mm..."

The usually rebellious Asuma was extremely obedient now. After responding, he slowly sat down.

Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's soothing, Asuma gradually returned to normal and slowly recounted what had happened in class that day.

"Phew... Yuu, huh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, his eyes filled with remembrance and nostalgia.

After a pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi temporarily set those memories aside.

He began to counsel Asuma.

Who was Hiruzen Sarutobi?

He was the Third Hokage. Though there was a vast gap between his strength and that of the other Hokage, when it came to political ability, he was likely the greatest among all the Hokage.

His whole theory of the Will of Fire had thoroughly dazzled Konoha's younger generation.

After just a few words, Asuma's spirits gradually lifted.

But the fear buried deep within Asuma's heart could never again disappear.

"Alright, go eat. Don't make your mother worry."

Though Asuma appeared to have returned to normal, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the fear still hidden deep in his eyes and sighed inwardly.

"Mm."

Thinking of his mother, Asuma nodded and slowly left the room.

"Yuuto, you raised a fine son."

After Asuma left the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly walked to the window. He raised his head to gaze at the pitch-black, starry sky, his expression complicated.

There was longing, joy, and sorrow.

Saiki Yuuto had once been one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's capable subordinates.

With the strength of an Elite Jonin, he would still be considered among the best even in today's Konoha.

Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi had greatly appreciated this subordinate.