Reunion

"..."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, walking down the street, ran into an old acquaintance.

Asuma Sarutobi never expected that he would run into his father less than an hour after returning to Konoha.

To be honest, my father was a big part of the reason why I left the village in anger back then.

Therefore, the father and son fell into a tacit silence after meeting.

"Third Hokage grandpa, why aren't you leaving?"

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi still on the street, Naruto and the others, who were in a hurry to go fishing by the river, asked him what was wrong.

"Oh, it's nothing, Naruto, let's go now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and patted Naruto's head before following the children away, leaving Asuma with only the back of his head in his sight.

"Tch, still as annoying as ever."

Asuma was somewhat annoyed and took out a cigarette to light it.

He was able to return to the village thanks to Kazashiro.

Originally, because of the killing of Kazuma and others, the Twelve Guardians were rendered ineffective, and the Daimyo's Mansion lost the will to keep them.

Not long ago, Konoha Chunin a large number of Jonin and Chunin to Jonin, including two former advisors of Konoha. As a result, Asuma and others who were not firm in their stance were kicked out.

The daimyo's guards were all entrusted to this group of loyal men.

Fortunately, over the years I have learned a great deal about the military equipment of the Daimyo's Mansion, and I have reported everything that needed to be reported. It is time for me to return to the village and contribute my strength.

Asuma envisioned, after returning to the village, he would work in the Internal Affairs Department, continuing to follow the principles that Danzo had taught him, and dedicating himself to the village in secret.

As if to antagonize him, less than a minute after he lit his cigarette, his appointment was delivered by an Internal Affairs Department ninja.

"Become Jonin? Me?"

Asuma really wanted to ask his old friend why he had been given this job.

However, before he could set off, the ninja from the Internal Affairs Department who came to deliver the message told him another piece of news.

The Jonin meeting will begin in one hour.

Jonin meeting? That must be taken seriously.

A glint flashed in Asuma's eyes. He had learned about the Ōtsutsuki through various channels, and he figured that the meeting at this time must be about something that concerned the survival of the Shinobi World.

Asuma quickly finished his cigarette, demonstrating his incredible lung capacity, then stubbed it out and threw it on the ground before turning to leave.

Please stop.

Then he was stopped by the Military Police Force.

"Asuma Jonin, littering is punishable by a fine of one thousand ryo. However, since you have just returned to the village, you will only be fined five hundred ryo this time."

After the Military Police Force ninja finished speaking, he reached out and asked Asuma for money.

By the time Asuma finished dealing with the fines and arrived at the meeting, Jonin had already gathered.

"Oh, it's young master Asuma. It's been a long time."

Anko, who had already been promoted to Special Jonin Anko, greeted Asuma familiarly.

"It's Anko! I heard you work for Lord Orochimaru, how come..."

"Ugh, staying by the teacher's side is so boring, so I applied for a frontline job."

Anko explained with a smile.

"It's a pity you came at the wrong time. Kakashi and Obito aren't in the village, otherwise our class could have had a long-awaited opening party."

She added, "Of course, there are also some who haven't been promoted to Jonin and aren't qualified to attend this meeting, so you won't see them for now."

"That may be true, but Anko, are you sure you weren't promoted to Special Jonin just because you're close to Kazashiro?"

Seeing that the other person was still like this, Asuma couldn't help but joke with them.

"What are you saying? My achievements today are all due to hard work, hard work!"

Anko was somewhat indignant, with a hint of resentment. "Besides, our Fifth Generation Tenten running around with Uchiha girls, how could he possibly care about us old classmates?"

"Uchiha girl?"

Asuma didn't know who this so-called girl was, but that didn't stop him from continuing to joke, "It seems that girl's looks far surpass yours, your childhood friend."

"What are you saying?"

Asuma's words instantly ignited Anko's competitive spirit. She immediately puffed out her chest and said pointedly, "How could I possibly be inferior to that washboard!"

"What are you all talking about? Oh? Asuma, you're back?"

Genma Shiranui, who had heard Anko's voice from Shiranui Genma, peeked out. He had already been promoted to Special Jonin and was now qualified to attend meetings.

"Yes, I just got back not long ago."

Asuma watched as the other person carried Senbon Japanese paper) even during meetings, and he greatly admired the other person's perseverance.

Where is Ebisu?

"That guy is still Chunin."

Genma shrugged. "Besides, he's not active on the front lines anymore; he recently started working at the Ninja Academy."

"Well, that guy is definitely better suited to teaching than fighting."

Due to his lineage and natural talent, Ebisu was indeed more suited to teaching and nurturing students.