"Ow!"
Asuma turned to look. Not far away, an old craftsman's toolbox had fallen to the ground.
The tools inside were scattered everywhere.
One sharp chisel happened to be hurtling toward a young craftsman nearby.
The young craftsman was wolfing down his food, completely unaware.
The chisel was about to pierce the top of his foot.
Asuma's body moved faster than his mind.
His fingers twitched instinctively.
A kunai shot out, striking the side of the chisel with perfect precision.
The chisel was knocked away and changed direction, grazing the craftsman's straw sandal before embedding itself in the dirt.
The whole thing happened in an instant.
Startled by the sound, the young craftsman looked down.
A chisel had nearly pierced the ground right beside his foot, with a kunai lying nearby.
His face turned pale in an instant.
He looked up blankly and happened to see the cold-looking ninja in the distance, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
Though the young craftsman did not understand what had happened, he was not stupid.
He knew that intimidating ninja had saved him.
After standing there stunned for several seconds, he carried his bowl over to Asuma, fear still lingering on his face.
When he reached Asuma, the craftsman suddenly gave him a deep bow while Asuma looked on in confusion. "Sir! Thank you, sir! Thank you for saving my life!"
He was not educated and only knew how to express his gratitude this way.
Asuma was startled by the grand gesture and took half a step back, his brow furrowing tightly.
"There's no need for this! It's not a big deal!"
His tone was harsh and impatient.
He was used to the glory of the battlefield, the Hokage's praise, and his comrades' admiration.
But he had never been thanked so solemnly by