Lao Ma: You Gave Birth to Me, That Doesn't Make You My Father!

At the Konoha Gate, after the three figures gradually disappeared, Jiraiya, as if relieved of a tremendous burden, slumped back in his wheelchair and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Phew—it's finally over!"

These past few days have been absolutely exhausting for this immortal; I definitely need to get some rest when I get back.

Tsunade glanced sideways at Jiraiya and said irritably:

"How dare you say that? You've been the most idle person these past few days, lying in the hospital room all day researching some 'future strategy for Icha Icha Paradise '!"

Aside from the day you discussed the alliance with Mist Village, what else did you do? And you still have the nerve to complain about being tired?!

Hehehe...

Jiraiya knew he was in the wrong, and gave a somewhat guilty chuckle.

"Hmph, look at your shameless face!"

Tsunade, shifting her gaze away from Jiraiya's smug face, then turned around and casually waved to everyone present:

"Now that the matter of the alliance with Mist Village has been resolved satisfactorily, I don't need to stay here any longer."

I'm going back to pack my bags. I'll be leaving tonight with Shizune, so you don't need to see me off.

Jiraiya's expression suddenly changed.

He quickly clutched his bandaged back, his entire body hunched over in the wheelchair.

"Ouch, my old legs! Ouch, my old back!"

Getting old just takes its toll; it'll probably take quite a while to recover.

But I can't just abandon my official duties in Konoha like this, what am I going to do?

Don't try to scam me here!

Tsunade bulged with veins. She whirled around and thrust her long, slender finger straight at Jiraiya's face, which was mostly covered by bandages, roaring angrily:

You really think I don't know what you're up to?

I've already done more than enough by letting you stay for a few days; don't expect me to stay and do your work!

No matter what you say, I'm leaving today. Even if Grandpa came back to life and tried to persuade me, it wouldn't work!

Upon hearing Tsunade's resolute words, the pained expression on Jiraiya's face vanished instantly.

He immediately changed his expression, smiling and advising:

"Don't say that, Tsunade. For the sake of all these years we've known each other, please stay and help me."

You know the situation in Konoha right now. Both I and the village really need your strength!

"I've already said, no way!!"

"Let's think about it some more. How about this, I'll cover all your casino debts?"

"... No, that won't work either!!"

I'll think about it some more--

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood to the side, watching the two who had been causing trouble for most of their lives, and sighed wearily.

"Sigh, these two kids, they're both so old, yet they're still the same as ever, they haven't changed at all."

He shook his head, about to say something, when he suddenly seemed to realize something and froze for a moment.

The Third Hokage subconsciously shifted his gaze from Tsunade and Jiraiya, and with a hint of uncertainty, looked towards the wide dirt road Konoha Gate.

Meanwhile, Kakashi, standing on the other side of Jiraiya, also noticed the Third Hokage's unusual behavior.

He followed the Third Hokage's gaze, turning the dead fish eye that was sticking out of the Forehead Protector toward the door.

Kakashi stared in shock at the muscular figure approaching them step by step in the distance.

"That, that's... Asuma?!"

The argument between Tsunade and Jiraiya stopped abruptly, and they both turned their heads at the same time to look towards the Konoha Gate.

Before anyone knew it, Asuma had walked up to them, his gaze sweeping over the crowd staring at him, a hint of doubt flickering across his rugged, masculine face.

"What's going on? Why are so many people gathered here?"

I arrived two days earlier than the agreed time stated in my letter to Hong...

Logically speaking, no one should know I came back today.

As he spoke, he made eye contact with each of the people in front of him.

The moment Asuma and the Third Hokage locked eyes, Asuma's previously calm face suddenly darkened.

He snorted coldly, then quickly averted his gaze from the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage Hokage stood still, a fleeting look of melancholy crossing his old eyes.

Seeing this scene, Kakashi quickly stepped forward and greeted them with a smile:

"Yo, Asuma! Long time no see!!"

Asuma looked at Kakashi's approaching face, and his expression, which had been gloomy because of the Third Hokage, instantly brightened.

He opened his arms and pulled Kakashi into a tight hug.

"It's been a long time, Kakashi! You look to be in good health."

Seeing that you're doing well now, I'm relieved!

"Hahaha..."

Kakashi was struggling to breathe from Asuma's overly enthusiastic bear hug.

He felt the increasingly complex gaze from the Third Hokage behind him, and could only awkwardly chuckle a few times. His hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, hesitated for a while before finally gently patting Asuma's broad back.

Shortly after, Asuma released Kakashi Jiraiya and Tsunade in turn.

"Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, it's been a long time."

By the way, why are you all gathered here? Did something happen?

Jiraiya and Tsunade glanced at the Third Hokage Hokage, whom Asuma had deliberately ignored from beginning to end, with eyes full of sympathy, and then chuckled in perfect unison.

"Uh, we're gathered here because--" ×2

"Because we just saw off the Mist Village delegation that came to discuss an alliance with Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had remained silent until now, was the first to give an answer.

The forced smile on Asuma's face, which he had just maintained while facing Kakashi, froze completely the moment the Third Hokage spoke.

He slowly shifted his gaze to the white-haired old man and said with displeasure:

"Who asked you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.

He opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

The atmosphere seemed to become heavy at that moment.

Tsunade and Jiraiya, sensing the suffocating silence, exchanged a knowing glance.

Jiraiya suddenly clutched his waist and groaned loudly in an extremely exaggerated manner:

"Ouch, my back seems to be even worse than before. It must be from standing for too long while seeing the guests off."

Tsunade immediately picked up the conversation, echoing with a serious expression:

"That's terrible! Your back injury hasn't healed yet, and if you keep going like this, it might cause lasting problems."

I need to go back to the hospital for a thorough check-up right away!

"Yes, yes, hurry back, hurry back!!"

Jiraiya nodded repeatedly, and Tsunade, without saying a word, pushed Jiraiya's wheelchair and instantly disappeared around the corner of the street behind the Konoha Gate.

Kakashi watched as Jiraiya and Tsunade vanished from sight in an instant, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

He suddenly slapped his forehead, as if in a daze, and exclaimed:

"Oh dear!! It's getting late, Naruto and Sasuke should be getting out of school soon."

It's too unsafe to let those two kids go home by themselves; I have to go pick them up right away!

Sorry, Asuma, we can talk later!

Before he finished speaking, Kakashi's figure had already silently disappeared from the spot.

At the Konoha Gate, only Asuma and his son Sarutobi Hiruzen remained.

The midday sun cast their shadows very short, silently huddled at their feet.

Asuma felt the heavy gaze that had been fixed on him since the beginning, and clicked his tongue in annoyance.

He lifted his foot, ready to leave without looking back.

Asuma!

Watching Asuma's departing figure, the Third Hokage called out his name hesitantly in his aged and trembling voice.

Upon hearing the Third Hokage Hokage's call, Asuma's body stiffened for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.

He didn't look back, but simply tried to keep walking.

The Third Hokage, watching Asuma's retreating figure that showed no sign of stopping, seemed to suddenly remember something and subconsciously called out to that figure:

"Just a few days ago, that kid returned to Konoha!!"

Asuma stopped abruptly when he heard Koko's name.

Konoha, Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the Hokage Position he had held for decades, his hands clasped on the table, gazing intently at the burly young man opposite him, who was frowning and looking at him with impatience.

So, what exactly happened?

Asuma coldly said to the white-haired old man opposite him:

You'd better get to the point; I'm short on time and don't want to linger here.

The Third Hokage Hokage did not answer his question directly.

He just sat there quietly, silent for a very long time.

After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke slowly, asking a question that had nothing to do with Asuma's earlier question.

How have you been all these years?

"... That's not what I want to hear."

Asuma looked at the forlorn old man before him, but his expression did not soften at all; instead, it hardened even more.

"Only now do you think of putting on a fatherly act? Don't you think it's a bit too late, Third Hokage Lord Hokage?"

"I made that very clear to you the day I left Konoha."

Just because you gave birth to me doesn't mean you're my father!

As he spoke, Asuma looked directly at his white-haired biological father with a resolute gaze:

"Although you are indeed my father by blood, the 'father' I have always recognized has only been one person."

That person... wasn't you!!