The Troubles of the Versailles Young Master

"You just... rejected Asuma too."

Hyuga Mami brought it up again.

Sarutobi Asuma was the Hokage's son.

He was the second most powerful and influential person in the entire village.

Ordinary people... wouldn't have the courage to reject him.

"Because my mission is to Protect the Main Family."

Hyuga Sho immediately held his head high and puffed out his chest, as if duty bound.

He looked as loyal as loyal could be.

"Besides, I believe that, as the Hokage's son, Young Master Asuma must possess the same broad-mindedness as Lord Hokage."

"Well said."

A voice came from behind them.

It wasn't Hyuga Mami speaking, nor was it Hyuga Sho praising himself.

It was...

Yūhi Kurenai?

Hyuga Sho and Hyuga Mami turned around to see Yūhi Kurenai standing there alone, seemingly with something to say.

She glanced at Hyuga Mami.

She hesitated, as though she wanted Hyuga Mami to leave.

But Hyuga Mami spoke directly. "A straight body fears no crooked shadow... If there's something, just say it. No need to sneak around..."

The moment she said that,

Hyuga Mami Detected her own slip of the tongue.

Because...

She shouldn't have disregarded etiquette like that.

Yūhi Kurenai froze for a moment, thought for several seconds, then nodded. "That's true."

She stepped forward a few paces and looked straight at Hyuga Sho.

"Hyuga Sho, there's something I have to tell you. It's about Asuma."

Hyuga Sho: "Asuma?"

"Yes."

Yūhi Kurenai nodded.

Then, her next words were shocking.

"I hope you can become friends with Asuma."

"Me?"

Hyuga Sho didn't understand.

Hadn't he rejected Asuma earlier?

Did this woman not see it?

Yet Yūhi Kurenai shook her head. "Young Master Asuma is troubled by certain things."

As Yūhi Kurenai described it, Asuma's life and troubles unfolded before Hyuga Sho and Hyuga Mami.

Sarutobi Asuma was the youngest son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He also had an older brother.

His brother was outstanding.

His father was someone admired by countless ninja.

This placed Asuma under tremendous pressure.

Of course, Asuma worked very hard.

He studied hard and trained hard.

But.

No matter who it was, they all treated him like some young master.

The first thing they called him was "the Hokage's son," not "Asuma."

Asuma bore the halo of "the Hokage's son."

No matter what accomplishments he achieved,

others would only say... "As expected of Lord Hokage's son."

No one acknowledged his efforts.

It was as though it was simply something to be expected.

Until...

"I rejected Asuma."

Yūhi Kurenai said.

Back then, before they entered the Ninja Academy,

everyone else fawned over Asuma.

Or they were too afraid of offending him because of his power and influence.

Only Yūhi Kurenai treated Asuma with indifference.

So...

Asuma believed Yūhi Kurenai was the most special girl.

Though Yūhi Kurenai initially thought Asuma was a useless second-generation rich kid,

Asuma kept proving himself, proving how hard he worked.

Yūhi Kurenai also changed her opinion of Asuma.

"You're the first boy to reject him. I hope you can become good friends with Asuma."

Earlier,

when Hyuga Sho had left,

the blazing look that lit up in Asuma's eyes clearly showed that he believed Hyuga Sho could treat him as an equal, rather than treating him differently just because he was the Hokage's son.

He wanted to earn respect.

He wanted to live equally under Konoha's skies, just like everyone else.

"Oh."

After hearing Asuma's story, Hyuga Sho responded blandly.

Was this the legendary trouble of a "Versailles Young Master"?

Hyuga Sho felt that

he didn't understand the troubles of powerful people.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."

Hyuga Sho pointed in a direction, indicating that he was going home.

I, Hyuga Sho, was merely an emotionless Training Machine.

"I won't waste your time for nothing..."

Yūhi Kurenai called out to stop Hyuga Sho.

"I can teach you the Genjutsu passed down solely through the Yūhi family line."

Hyuga Sho: "Alright, I'll become good friends with Asuma right away."

Hyuga Mami: "..."

That afternoon.

Hyuga Mami and Hyuga Sho arrived with Yūhi Kurenai at the Sarutobi Clan compound, the old residence of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Genjutsu is interesting."

Hyuga Sho said to Hyuga Mami.

"I've never encountered Genjutsu before. I want to learn it."

That Honest and Simple look of his was nothing more than a child's pure curiosity.

Hyuga Mami thought about it and was relieved.

She thought, Hyuga Sho isn't tempted by money or swayed by power, but curiosity moves him. That suits his personality perfectly.

"Looks like someone is coming out."

Yūhi Kurenai gestured to the two of them.

The three immediately hid by the corner of the wall.

Today,

the gates of Hiruzen Sarutobi's old residence stood wide open.

That meant someone was inside.

Although the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, often rested at the Hokage Building because of work,

occasionally,

he would return to the old residence for a few days.

One second later...

they saw Asuma run out with a crazed roar on his face.

"This isn't the life I want at all~~~!!!"

Asuma was in agony.

He was suffering so much that he was almost suffocating.

Just by looking at his spectacular Facial Art,

Hyuga Sho understood his pain.

That roar just now was incredibly Versailles.

He ran, leaped, and roared through the streets alone.

He was even on the verge of tears.

It was clear just how fiery and intense the turmoil in his heart was.

"You people simply don't understand the pain in my heart!"

Asuma lay sprawled on the ground, pouting as he muttered to himself with a miserable expression.

"I don't want to go on like this!"

He started pulling at the grass on the ground.

"The old man doesn't understand me, Mother doesn't understand me, Big Brother too... Sage of Six Paths~~~~~~! Hic—oh~~~!"

Asuma had only shouted halfway when he made a strange sound.

Because he discovered

that Hyuga Sho was Spectating him intensely.

The next second,

Asuma instantly changed his expression and posture while still lying down.

He lay on his side, propping up his head with one hand, deliberately putting on the face of a spoiled young master.

"Hmph~! Hyuga Sho, what are you doing at my house?"

"Is this ground yours?" Hyuga Sho pointed at the ground beneath Asuma.

"If the ground in front of my house isn't mine, then is it yours~~?!"

He raised his voice and roared loudly.

He was as arrogant as could be.

But although he acted that way on the surface,

Yūhi Kurenai and Hyuga Mami, who were hiding nearby, could clearly see the joyful look in Asuma's eyes.

That gaze seemed to say: Hyuga Sho, you've successfully caught my interest, Asuma!

"..."

Hyuga Sho shook his head.

He thought,

What a fun little child. How had he been raised into this?

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