Think More, Asuma... Asuma Bound a New Target of Confrontation!

Think More, Asuma... Asuma Bound a New Target of Confrontation!

"Very good, Asuma."

Seisui smiled sincerely, his expression full of admiration. "Just like you, that's what I think too."

"Then what do you think Konoha's higher-ups would do if they faced the situation I described?"

From the very beginning, Seisui had not intended to answer Asuma's question. Instead, he used questions to guide Asuma's thoughts step by step, letting him arrive at the answer himself.

A conclusion reached through Asuma's own thinking would be far more deeply and firmly rooted in his heart than one Seisui forced upon him.

"I-I don't know!"

Asuma frowned, a trace of panic appearing in his eyes.

Would Konoha's current higher-ups really refuse to sacrifice some shinobi in exchange for a Peace Treaty, as Seisui had described?

Asuma already had an answer in his heart, but his identity as the Son of the Hokage, combined with that absurd answer, struck him far too hard.

That kind of village was completely unlike the Konoha he believed it should be!

Forget the Will of Fire. If that were true, Konoha would practically be a hell that devoured people... Simply placing the label of the Will of Fire on a Konoha shinobi's head could send him to his death!

Seisui admired Asuma's confusion, but his words were comforting. "I don't know the answer either, Asuma... Things that haven't happened cannot be determined, even if we have our suspicions."

"But if you already feel wary in your heart, then that means you are dissatisfied with Konoha's current state."

"In this Shinobi World, if you want to change something, having the right ideas is often only second most important. Strength is what ensures those vermin dare not speak..."

Seisui tugged at Asuma's sleeve and looked at the scorch marks on it. "Are you training Fire-nature Chakra transformation?"

Asuma nodded awkwardly. "Seisui, that's right. The Sarutobi Clan specializes in Fire Release."

Seisui nodded in understanding, then raised a finger.

A crimson flame rose sinuously from Seisui's fingertip, dancing freely through the air.

Asuma stared intently at the flame that resembled a soaring dragon.

He knew his stuff. This was an advanced form and nature transformation of Fire-nature Chakra!

"Seisui, not only are you so proficient with Water-nature Chakra, you've mastered Fire-nature Chakra this well too!"

Asuma looked at Seisui with admiration, then remembered Seisui's background and scratched his head. "I forgot you're from the Uchiha Clan, Seisui..."

Seisui smiled and shook his head, flicking his finger several times.

More flames appeared in midair, and these tiny, lively sparks gathered together one by one.

Asuma watched the scene blankly.

In an instant, the separate flames became a thick Fire Dragon, roaring in midair!

As though it possessed life, the Fire Dragon coiled above Seisui's head and looked at Asuma with dignity and gentleness.

"Asuma, I'm very grateful that you were willing to speak from your heart with me today."

Though enveloped by the Fire Dragon's imposing presence, Seisui did not look imposing at all. The firelight only made him appear gentler. "In this somewhat stifling village, it's truly hard to find someone who shares the same ideals..."

"But as I said, if we want to make the village better, we need strength to support us."

"Asuma, if you trust me, relax your mind. I'll use these eyes to help awaken your potential."

Seisui openly revealed his Sharingan. Under the firelight, the usually scarlet Sharingan looked warm and clear.

Asuma stared into Seisui's eyes and murmured, "This... this is the Sharingan? It's completely different from what I heard..."

A moment later, Asuma felt Seisui's warm Dojutsu and nodded firmly. "Please, Seisui!"

The Tomoe spun violently.

Within the Genjutsu, Asuma seemed to become Seisui himself. He personally summoned flames one after another, watching them gradually grow stronger and gather together, becoming a Fire Dragon that illuminated the world and drove away darkness...

Asuma immersed himself in that sensation.

The Fire Dragon's light and the darkness around it gave him a powerful sense of familiarity, as though he himself were one of those growing flames...

After a long while.

Asuma slowly opened his eyes.

Seisui stood smiling before him, the Fire Dragon now coiling in his palm. "Asuma, catch it!"

Asuma instinctively reached out. The violent Fire Dragon rushed toward his palm, and just as he jolted in shock, he heard Seisui's encouraging words:

"Believe in yourself. You can do it!"

At that moment, the lingering sensations from the Genjutsu world gradually resurfaced in Asuma's memories.

Asuma gritted his teeth and boldly reached out...

At the same time, Seisui's fingers moved almost imperceptibly, controlling the intensity of his Chakra.

"Seisui, I did it! I did it!"

Asuma looked ecstatically at the Fire Dragon in his hand. Even if his thoughts often drifted toward the village and the Will of Fire, he was still only an eight-year-old child.

Mastering such a powerful technique filled Asuma with incomparable delight, and his favor toward Seisui soared to its peak!

What experienced Jonin instructor from the Sarutobi Clan?

None of them could compare to a single finger of Seisui's!

Seisui smiled as he watched Asuma jump around in excitement, then slowly clasped his hands together and withdrew the Fire Dragon.

"Asuma, many things are difficult. They may even look impossible to accomplish, but since we want to change the current state of things, we must at least have the courage to try..."

Seisui looked directly at Asuma and spoke slowly. "Take the village as it is now. You and I are merely ordinary Ninja Academy students. How difficult would it be to turn the village into what we want it to become?"

"But some things cannot be left undone merely because they are difficult."

Asuma's expression turned solemn, and he nodded seriously. "Seisui, I understand!"

"To be honest, I even thought about becoming a wandering shinobi, running away from a reality I can neither endure nor change..."

"But if I have you, Seisui, I think I already have enough courage!"

Yet Seisui shook his head. "Asuma, I'm only a clumsy explorer myself. I'm actually very lost..."

"My judgment is not always accurate either. Asuma, I regard you as a friend. What I want to tell you is that you shouldn't treat everything I say as correct."

"Instead, think more, Asuma..."

"Observe more, think more, and seek out the people and things you believe are right..."

Asuma froze.

Seisui's overly objective self-assessment and his utterly sincere advice made a warm yet bitter feeling rise in Asuma's heart.

There was only one person like this in the village: Seisui!

Seisui smiled and extended his hand to him. "Let's do our best together, Asuma."

Asuma grasped it without hesitation. "Together, Seisui!"

Detected that Asuma Sarutobi had developed intense admiration for the host. Bound as a Target of Confrontation!

As Asuma's emotions fluctuated.

Madara Uchiha in the valley and Tobirama Senju within Seisui's body were also shaken...

It was Monday again, ORZ...

Detected that Claypot Rice yearned for a holiday. Fast-forwarding to a long vacation!