Asuma's Obsession

Uchiha Siming's expression didn't change, but in his heart, he silently reframed the question.

The gang boss asked: "Kid, you've been hanging real close with the next gunpowder dealer, Naruto Uzumaki, lately, haven't you? Got some ideas, huh?!"

The best move was to cut ties—no connection at all, turn your back and deny everything, only acknowledge the Will of Fire, only acknowledge Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"I don't think I've done anything wrong!"

Siming's voice was calm, as still as an ancient well without a ripple.

"Secondly, in my eyes, Naruto Uzumaki has never been the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. During the Second Shinobi World War, Lord Minato once saved my life. To me, Naruto Uzumaki is a child, and likewise, the son of a hero."

Ha.

The best move was to cut ties, but he looked down on that path.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up in surprise at the unflinching, vibrant Uchiha Siming before him: "So, Siming, you've always had this edge?"

How long had it been since someone told him Naruto was the son of a hero?

Everyone only talked about Naruto's threat.

But in Siming's eyes, Naruto was just the child of an old friend, the descendant of a hero—this reckless boldness, how much it resembled his own younger self when he chose to stay behind as a rearguard?

"Hahaha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily, as if the mindset of those days had resurfaced in this moment.

"Enough of that. Siming, has the Uchiha Clan made any moves lately?"

Tch.

Siming curled his lip. He'd thought they were about to throw down—he'd been that blunt—and yet it turned out to suit the old man's temper instead?

He lowered his hands, which had been clasped together.

"Same old story at the clan meetings. Uchiha Yashiro and Uchiha Xianren argue—one wants reconciliation with the village, the other wants the Uchiha to advance further. Neither can convince the other." Siming shrugged, selling out the Uchiha without a second thought.

With Shisui and Itachi as double agents.

He was actually slow to sell them out; the Third Hokage already knew this, it was just a test.

"Is that so? I understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered: "If it ever comes to blades between the village and the Uchiha, Siming, what would you do?"

At this moment, the dagger was drawn!

If even a single answer was off, he would be the first sacrifice!

"Loyalty!"

Uchiha Siming snapped a salute toward Hokage Rock, his gaze deep with devotion.

"Rest assured, I will protect my Konoha. No one can harm Konoha—whether it's my father, my mother, or my own child, I will never allow them to damage even a single inch of my Konoha!"

"I, I understand."

Looking at Uchiha Siming, who was even more fervent than himself.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood frozen, utterly baffled. He could feel Siming's loyalty.

But something about it was always off.

Forget it.

The Uchiha Clan had bad heads, but they were exceptionally useful—why fuss over details? Siming was a pure Konoha man through and through!

Uchiha Siming withdrew, all about that loyalty!

All about that understanding!

"Tch."

"An old fossil who's degenerated from a war hero to a war coward, still playing mind games every day?"

Uchiha Siming sneered: "Doesn't he get that what you can't win on the battlefield, you won't get at the negotiating table?"

That was Hiruzen Sarutobi now.

Everything he hoped to solve with words, no longer bearing the stance of a war hero.

Just as he stepped out of the Hokage's office, he ran straight into Asuma Sarutobi.

"Siming, you okay?"

Asuma Sarutobi looked worried.

More importantly, there was an expression on his face that Siming found strange, making him unconsciously tighten his sphincter: "Asuma, you're not some old closet case, are you?"

Damn!

Your sudden concern is making me real concerned.

"Huh?"

Asuma Sarutobi blinked. As a longtime playboy, he caught on fast and his face darkened: "The hell are you on about? I'm a real man. Come on, Siming, I'm treating you to a meal!"

When someone invites you to a meal, naturally there's no reason not to go.

After a few cups of wine went down.

"Siming, I'm wronged! I'm having a hard time!"

Asuma Sarutobi, recalling the "contemptuous" look his old man had just given him, was furious!

"I know I'm not that strong, but does the old man have to look at me like that every day?! I know he's the Hokage, but I don't want to be called 'the Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi' for the rest of my life!"

His face was full of grief and indignation.

He felt like he'd lived his whole life in the shadow of the Hokage, which was why he'd left Konoha recklessly before.

But as it turned out, even after leaving, he couldn't shake the title of the Third Hokage's son.

[Ding! Lord Hashirama has heard the grievance in Asuma Sarutobi's heart! He doesn't want to keep being called the Third Hokage's son... Huh? Isn't Lord Hashirama the First Hokage? Where did this Third Hokage come from? Never mind!]

[Please have Lord Hashirama help Asuma improve his strength!]

[Quest reward: Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!]

Wood Golem Technique?

Uchiha Siming was very familiar with that one. Hashirama Senju had used that very jutsu to shove the Nine-Tails into the ground, saying with a stern face, "Your power is far too dangerous—I must seal you!"

Then, with a sealing technique, he'd sealed it inside Mito Uzumaki's belly.

This was a giant wooden mecha on par with Susanoo!

"I completely understand how you feel."

Uchiha Siming, arm around the dead-drunk Asuma, first expressed understanding and agreement: "But getting out of this predicament isn't impossible. First, you need strength that's not inferior to the Third Hokage's."

Asuma gave a bitter smile, tears glistening faintly in his eyes: "Of course I know that."

"Siming, like you said before, my father was already a Kage-level expert in his twenties, but I'm just a jonin now—I haven't even reached elite jonin. I'll never... catch up in this lifetime!"

Facing his father's reputation.

He resisted.

He was confused.

He struggled.

He fought.

At first, he questioned his father; later, he understood him. Now, he realized he simply wasn't as good.

"Heh, who says so?"

Uchiha Siming's voice was like a demon's whisper: "Asuma, I have a way to make your strength rival the Third Hokage's!"

What?!

Asuma jerked his head up in shock.

He saw Uchiha Siming's dark eyes, calm and deep, glinting with light. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and his voice shook with excitement: "Siming, if you can help me, I'll follow your lead from now on!"

"As long as it doesn't threaten Konoha's safety, I'll do anything you say!"

He was like a dying traveler grasping at the last straw.

Originally.

Asuma thought he'd never have a chance to surpass his father. But now, it was as if he saw a glimmer of hope called "possibility," so much so that he gasped for breath, and even his usually "steady" eyes filled with hope.

--If a son can rise to match his father's glory, why settle for a peaceful life!

Uchiha Siming chuckled softly and said, word by word: "Then come on, call me 'boss' first."