After making arrangements for the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, Sarutobi Hiruzen went straight off duty.
As for Sarutobi Asuma's request—
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally turned him down flat, telling Asuma to spend some time training out in the world before they talked about it.
Their relationship was already awkward enough. If he called this nominal son over and Asuma realized Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't his father, things would only get more awkward.
Of course, having inherited the Third's body, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't about to kill the horse after it had pulled the millstone.
At the very least, Sarutobi Asuma wouldn't end up being replaced by a bounty in the original story, or even become a unit of measurement for bounties.
He arrived at the research institute.
Sarutobi Hiruzen went straight inside.
The research institute had been renovated so many times that he'd lost count. Its facilities and decor were already quite modern.
Whenever Sarutobi Hiruzen entered, he often felt as if he'd returned to his previous life.
"Kabuto."
"Today's family day."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.
"Don't work overtime, or Nonō won't let you off easy."
Yakushi Kabuto wore a white lab coat and glasses. He had a composed, perceptive air about him.
"Lord Third..."
"If you're here, Nonō won't say anything to me."
"Recently, there's been a major breakthrough in our research..."
"Take a look!"
When Yakushi Kabuto saw Sarutobi Hiruzen, he eagerly showed him the results.
Inside the nutrient solution was a naked, pale-skinned man with white hair and tightly shut eyes. A magatama-shaped pattern marked his collarbone.
Even more eye-catching were the conspicuous gray horns atop his head.
"Otsutsuki No. 1."
"We used a descendant of the Moon Clan you brought back as the base."
"Then we implanted Hashirama Cells, as well as Uchiha, Hyuga, and Uzumaki cells..."
"We created the being