"Jonin Sarutobi Kotaro has been killed in action!"
The Anbu's words left Asuma Sarutobi and Hiruzen Sarutobi frozen in place.
"What... what did you say?" Asuma stared in shock. He grabbed the Anbu by the shoulders and demanded, "Tell me!"
"Jonin Kotaro..." The Anbu opened his mouth, but before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi staggered and sank to his knees beside the baby's cradle.
"Father?!" Asuma hurried over, trying to help Hiruzen up.
"When did you receive this news?" Hiruzen raised a hand to stop Asuma from helping him. He looked up and asked wearily. He seemed to have aged a dozen years in an instant. The light had faded from his eyes, and even his skin seemed dull.
"Lord Hokage received the news just now and ordered me to report it."
"The message came from the Fourth Hokage, Lord Uzumaki Kuming."
The Anbu briefly reported what he knew. Hiruzen listened in silence, then couldn't help closing his eyes. He had insisted that his son be sent on the mission. Konoha had already known roughly where the enemy was operating, and had long been aware of their movements in the Land of Flowers.
Hiruzen also knew that Uzumaki Kuming was now living in the Land of Flowers. Since the news of Sarutobi Kotaro's death had come from Kuming, there was almost no chance it was mistaken.
In other words, his eldest son really was dead...
And the person who had sent his son to the battlefield was none other than Hiruzen himself.
"Kotaro..." Hiruzen sighed inwardly and waved for Asuma and the Anbu to leave. Then he slowly walked over to Konohamaru and gently picked up the baby.
The Anbu who had delivered the news tactfully left at once. Asuma was overcome with grief, too. Seeing his father's sorrow, he