Think More, Asuma Binds a New Opponent!

Chapter 48: Think Harder, Asuma... Binding a New Opponent!

"Well said, Asuma."

Seisui smiled from the heart, his expression full of appreciation. "I feel the same way you do."

"So, what do you think the current Konoha higher-ups would do in the situation I described?"

Seisui had never intended to answer Asuma's doubts directly. Instead, he used a series of rhetorical questions, guiding Asuma's thoughts step by step, letting him arrive at the answer himself.

A conclusion reached this way came from Asuma's own reasoning, not something Seisui forced on him. It would be deeply ingrained and solid in his mind.

"I... I don't know!"

Asuma frowned, a flicker of fear surfacing in his eyes.

Would the current Konoha higher-ups really refuse to sacrifice some ninja in exchange for a peace treaty, as Seisui had described?

Asuma already had an answer in his heart, but the combination of his identity as the Son of the Hokage and that absurd conclusion hit him far too hard.

That kind of village was nothing like the Konoha he believed in!

Forget the Will of Fire—if that were the case, Konoha would be nothing but a hell that devoured people... The Will of Fire could be slapped onto any Konoha ninja's head as an excuse to send them to their deaths!

Seisui savored Asuma's panic, but his words were soothing. "I don't know the answer to that question either, Asuma... For things that haven't happened, even if we have guesses, we can't be certain."

"But if you already feel uneasy, it means you're dissatisfied with Konoha's current state."

"In this shinobi world, if you want to change something, having the right ideas is only second place. Force is what keeps those vermin from daring to speak up..."

Seisui tugged at Asuma's sleeve, eyeing the scorch marks. "Are you training in Fire Release Chakra nature transformation?"

Asuma nodded awkwardly. "Seisui, yeah. The Sarutobi Clan specializes in Fire Release."

Seisui nodded in understanding, then raised a finger.

A crimson flame curled up from his fingertip, dancing freely in the air.

Asuma stared intently at the fire, which moved like a soaring dragon.

He knew quality when he saw it—this was advanced Fire Release Chakra shape and nature transformation!

"Seisui, you're not only amazing with Water Release Chakra, but you've mastered Fire Release too!"

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

Seisui smiled and shook his head, tapping his finger again.

More flames appeared in the air, and these small, lively sparks gathered together.

Asuma watched dumbfounded.

In an instant, the scattered flames had become a thick fire dragon, roaring in the sky!

The fire dragon seemed alive, coiling above Seisui's head, looking down at Asuma with a mix of majesty and warmth.

"Asuma, I'm really grateful you shared your true feelings with me today."

Beneath the fire dragon's imposing presence, Seisui's face didn't look stern—instead, the firelight made him seem even warmer. "In this somewhat oppressive village, finding someone who shares your ideals is truly rare..."

"But like I said, if you want to make the village a better place, you need strength to back it up."

"Asuma, if you trust me, relax your mind. Let these eyes help you unlock your potential."

Seisui openly revealed his Sharingan, and the usually crimson eyes, lit by the flames, looked warm and clear.

Asuma stared into Seisui's eyes and murmured, "This... this is the Sharingan? It's nothing like what I've heard..."

A moment later, feeling the warmth of Seisui's Dojutsu, Asuma nodded firmly. "I'm counting on you, Seisui!"

The Tomoe spun rapidly.

In the Genjutsu, Asuma felt as if he had become Seisui, personally lighting one flame after another, watching them grow, strengthen, and gather into a fire dragon that illuminated the world and drove away the darkness...

Asuma was immersed in that feeling.

The fire dragon's light and shadow gave him a strong sense of déjà vu, as if he himself was that growing flame...

A long time passed.

Asuma slowly opened his eyes.

Seisui stood before him with a smile, the fire dragon now coiling in his palm. "Asuma, catch it!"

Asuma instinctively reached out, and as the fierce fire dragon shot toward his hand, he flinched—only to hear Seisui's encouraging voice:

"Trust yourself, you can do it!"

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

Asuma gritted his teeth and boldly stretched out his hand...

Meanwhile, Seisui's fingers moved almost imperceptibly, controlling the intensity of the Chakra.

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

Asuma stared in ecstasy at the fire dragon in his hand. Even if his thoughts might still be tangled up with the village and the Will of Fire, at the end of the day, he was just an eight-year-old kid.

Mastering such a powerful technique filled Asuma with incredible joy, and his admiration for Seisui soared to its peak!

What kind of senior Jonin instructor from the Sarutobi Clan?

Not even worth a fraction of Seisui!

Seisui smiled as he watched Asuma hopping and jumping, slowly pressing his palms together to dismiss the Fire Dragon.

"Asuma, a lot of things are difficult and seem impossible to accomplish, but if we want to change the current situation, we at least need the courage to try..."

Seisui looked Asuma straight in the eye and said slowly, "Take the village as it is now. You and I are just ordinary Ninja Academy students. How hard is it to shape the village into what we want it to be?"

"But some things aren't something you can just avoid doing because they're hard."

Asuma's expression grew serious, and he nodded earnestly. "Seisui, I understand!"

"To be honest, I even thought about becoming a rogue ninja, running away from this situation I can't stand and can't change..."

"But with you here, Seisui, I think I've found enough courage!"

Seisui shook his head, though. "Asuma, I'm just a clumsy explorer myself. I'm actually pretty lost..."

"I don't judge many things accurately either. Asuma, I consider you a friend, and what I want to tell you is, don't take everything I say as the truth."

"Instead, think more, Asuma..."

"Observe more, reflect more, and find the people and things you believe are right..."

Asuma was stunned.

Seisui's overly objective self-assessment and his sincere advice stirred a warmth and bitterness in his heart.

In this village, there was only one person like that—Seisui!

Seisui smiled and extended his hand to him. "Let's work hard together, Asuma."

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

Perceiving that Asuma Sarutobi has developed strong admiration for the host, binding as a rivalry target!

And as Asuma's emotions fluctuated...

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

Another Monday, ORZ...

Perceiving that the host craves holiday emotions, fast-forward to a long vacation!