Is This My Little Brother?

The young ninja named Asuma spoke with open contempt.

It seemed that in all of Konoha, only he dared to openly despise the highly respected Third Hokage.

But then again, he was the Third Hokage's son.

And in the Third Hokage's "memories," his relationship with this son had always been poor. To some extent, they had nearly reached the point of never speaking to each other again. If Asuma truly had not been able to hold himself back this time, he probably would never have come looking for him.

As for why he could not hold himself back?

After all, rumors about the Third Hokage and Yakushi Nonō had been spreading everywhere throughout the village. They spread quickly, and countless variations soon emerged.

This made the Third Hokage wonder whether Danzo was fanning the flames behind the scenes, deliberately trying to disgust him.

Of course, gossip about a major figure like him was inherently fascinating.

That alone would have been one thing, since they were only rumors. But when word reached Asuma Sarutobi that the Third Hokage was moving near Yakushi Nonō's residence, Asuma Sarutobi could no longer sit still.

Good grief, the old lady had not even been dead for long, and he was already so eager to find him a stepmother?

Although, as Hiruzen Sarutobi's son, Asuma Sarutobi knew full well that his father was lecherous, he also knew his father cared greatly about his reputation. He had never expected that this time, his father would not even care about saving face, acting so openly!

It made Asuma Sarutobi feel that the deceased old lady had not been worth it.

At the same time, an impulse rose within him. Driven by that impulse, he came nearby and began spying.

Of course, after being discovered by the two young ninjas, Asuma realized he was not ready to see his Third Hokage father. He intended to leave first and sort out his feelings before coming back.

But unexpectedly, just as he was about to leave, his Hokage father appeared and called out to him.

Hmm.

The Third Hokage's appearance had also been carefully considered. Since Asuma Sarutobi's spying had been discovered by Kabuto and Itachi, it would be best to deal with this embarrassing family matter quickly.

As for how to deal with it?

The Third Hokage raised his pipe and took a puff.

Then he said, "Asuma, since you're here, let's have a meal together."

"So I can watch you show off your love with your new flame?"

"Don't be confused by the rumors. Tenshin and I are innocent." The Third Hokage spoke with righteous conviction.

He truly believed that he and Yakushi Tenshin were entirely innocent, and that everything spreading outside was slander.

"Ask the people here. Do you think they'd believe you?"

The Third Hokage did not look toward Kabuto and Itachi.

Kabuto and Itachi, meanwhile, tacitly stood in the corner, making themselves as inconspicuous as possible.

They said nothing, but they truly would not believe it.

Not only would they not believe it, the nearby Anbu would not believe it either.

The Anbu more or less knew the legends of Lord Third using a crystal ball to peep on people.

So how could they possibly believe him?

Of course, if Lord Third asked them, they would definitely state firmly: We believe you.

"Whether you believe it or not, my innocence is known to my own heart."

The Third Hokage walked over.

He stopped in front of Asuma.

Asuma hesitated, but he still did not turn and leave.

Then the Third Hokage raised a hand and placed it on his shoulder.

"Asuma, it has been a long time since father and son had a meal together."

"...I don't want to eat with someone as despised as you."

"Enough, don't say so much. Come with me."

The Third Hokage simply took Asuma's hand, as naturally as could be.

Sweat broke out on Asuma's forehead, and he seemed somewhat at a loss.

It had been a long time since his father had taken his hand so proactively.

His father always seemed to hope that he would understand him.

Yet his father always did things that people could not understand.

His father had never truly prepared himself to make him understand, either.

But this time.

His father had taken his hand himself.

It made Asuma a little nervous.

After all.

He had always admired his Hokage father.

"Tch."

After clicking his tongue, he could only let his father lead him toward the new home.

Kabuto and Itachi silently followed behind.

When they arrived at the new home, Yakushi Nonō could be seen waiting at the door with a smile.

She froze briefly upon seeing Asuma, but immediately understood.

As an intelligence expert, there was no way she would fail to recognize Asuma.

She could also guess why he had appeared here.

"Welcome."

She spoke with a gentle smile.

As warm and comforting as ever.

Asuma froze for a moment. This old man's new flame did not seem unpleasant.

A deeply filial thought immediately popped into his head: Could the old man have forced her?

This made him look down on his old man even more. At his age, he was still forcing other women to be with him.

Nothing like him, who had gotten together with a stunning beauty like Kurenai while still young.

He was obviously his father, so why was he so unlike a son like him?

Truly useless.

Just as Asuma continued to despise his "unfilial old man" in his heart.

His unfilial old man had already dragged him into this so-called new home.

It was not very large, but it had been thoroughly tidied up and furnished with some relatively new furniture.

A brand-new television, a refrigerator, oh, and there was even a crib nearby... Asuma jolted.

He flung away his old man's hand and trembled as he walked toward the crib, looking at the baby lying inside.

"Th-this is my little brother?"

The cigarette fell from his mouth.

His mouth hung open, and for a moment, he found it difficult to accept what he was seeing.

He felt angry, yet there was also an indescribably strange feeling.

After all, he had a little brother now.

He had never been an older brother before.

At home, he had only ever been the younger brother.

Now that he had a little brother, how was he supposed to be a good older brother?

For a moment, countless chaotic thoughts flooded his mind. He even imagined his little brother growing up and being bullied, while he, as the older brother, taught those bullies a proper lesson and stood up for him.

Asuma even blushed at the thought.

Smack!

A hand chop landed on Asuma's head, snapping him back to reality.

Holding his head, Asuma glared at the Third Hokage unhappily. "Old man! Don't interrupt me while I'm looking at my little brother!"

"He isn't your little brother."

"Then who is he?"

"He is Yondaime's son."

Asuma fell silent.

Yondaime, as warm and dazzling as the sun, was also someone he deeply respected.

"Tch."

He turned his head away.

"Then you really are useless. Have you gotten old and impotent? You can't have another child anymore, is that it? Figures. You're just an old lecher."

The Third Hokage immediately felt the veins in his forehead tighten.

This son really was not lovable at all.

Just then, Nonō stepped forward and broke the awkwardness between father and son.

"All right, dinner has been ready for quite some time. Come and enjoy it together."

As she spoke, she turned and reminded them, "Kabuto, and Itachi, remember to wash your hands before eating."

Kabuto and Itachi nodded and went to wash their hands.

As for Yamato, who was also in the house?

He had already washed his hands long ago.

Everyone, please do not rush me. The most agonizing thing about writing is having an elderly family member bedridden at home, ringing the call bell whenever something happens. You could say my writing conditions are extremely poor right now. I am doing my best to maintain a good state of mind and write under these living conditions. When my mental state is bad, it really becomes difficult to write. It is not that I cannot force myself to write, but the quality of forced writing is something even I cannot bear to look at. You can probably tell that my writing style is fairly delicate, and that requires a clear mind to understand the emotional threads of the characters. I also need to sort out the characters' actions and the story's logic as clearly as possible, which requires an even clearer mind.