Asuma's Decision
Hearing Asuma's "treasonous" words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's old face showed no anger whatsoever, but instead a deep sense of guilt flashed across it.
He is not without self-awareness.
I have indeed failed in my responsibilities as a father to this youngest son.
Throughout Asuma's life, the companionship, guidance, and care that child gave him far exceeded what Asma himself, as the biological father, provided.
Compared to himself, that child was indeed more deserving of being regarded as a father figure by him.
... But no matter what, calling someone your own age "father" in front of your own father is still too outrageous.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Asuma, who was completely oblivious to the extent of his own power and looked at him as if it were his right, and sighed deeply in his heart, feeling utterly exhausted.
This child is ultimately hopeless!
Sensing the strange gaze from the Third Hokage, Asuma frowned slightly and urged him impatiently:
"Answer my question quickly! You said you came back to Konoha a few days ago, what exactly happened?"
I just saw Kou not long ago, and according to what he said then, Kou shouldn't be coming back!
"Kou's return to Konoha this time is indeed for a reason."
The Third Hokage slowly nodded:
According to him, he came here on a mission assigned by the Akatsuki: to check on the current condition of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"A mission from Akatsuki? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
A hint of confusion flashed in Asuma's eyes, then he lowered the two thick arms from his chest and asked in a deep voice:
"Why would he bring up mission-related matters? Isn't he a member of Akatsuki now? What's going on?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent for a moment, pondering the matter repeatedly in his mind.
Regarding the fact that Minato and Kushina are still alive in Naruto's body as spirits, and the conversation between Minato and Minato in that spiritual space that contained a wealth of information...
These secrets cannot be fully revealed to Asuma at this moment.
He looked at Asuma solemnly and carefully, then slowly revealed only the parts that could be told to him:
The specific content of the dialogue between He and Kou should not be detailed at this time.
You only need to know one thing: that kid, Koko, didn't actually join Akatsuki voluntarily. He has his own reasons for staying with Akatsuki.
And now, we can say that we have reached a cooperation agreement with him.
In a sense, he was on Konoha's side in dealing with the Akatsuki.
The moment the Third Hokage finished speaking, Asuma's face darkened, and he growled through gritted teeth:
"As expected! I knew it... How could he possibly willingly join that dangerous organization, Akatsuki!"
He must have been coerced into joining Akatsuki!
Thinking of the hardships and torments that Kou might have experienced over the years, hardships that he dared not even imagine, Asuma's eyes couldn't help but redden slightly.
He clenched his teeth, his fists trembling slightly.
A wave of blue wind surged uncontrollably from his entire body, making his short hair stand on end, and the immense Chakra caused the wooden floor beneath his feet to creak.
Chakra Sarutobi Hiruzen as he sensed the wind-style chakra erupting from Asuma, and his pupils involuntarily contracted slightly.
"This power... Has this child grown to this extent?!"
He stared blankly at the rugged young man before him, who was enveloped in cyan Chakra and exuding an astonishing aura. While feeling shocked, a look of heartfelt relief flashed across his eyes.
"If Biwako were still here, it would surely be very gratified to see this child like this now..."
Thinking of his wife who had passed away many years ago, Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a little lonely, but he quickly suppressed this untimely sadness back into his heart.
For this elderly man, controlling his emotions had become an almost instinctive reaction.
With a thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen vanished from behind the desk and appeared beside Asuma in the next instant, extending his hand towards him.
The old, broad hand gathered a layer of light blue Chakra, easily breaking through the layer of wind-attribute Chakra that was swirling wildly around Asuma, and steadily patted Asuma's shoulder.
"Calm down, Asuma!"
Feeling the heavy, familiar pressure on his shoulder, Asuma gradually regained consciousness.
Almost instinctively, he jerked the hand off his shoulder, quickly took a few steps back, and distanced himself from the old man in front of him again.
The Third Hokage, seeing Asuma's wary and resistant expression, showed no surprise. He simply lowered the hand that had been flung away back to his side and said in a solemn, low voice:
"Xiao's strength is extremely powerful, so we must not act rashly."
Currently, Koko is relatively safe within the Akatsuki. If you act rashly, it might cause him unnecessary danger.
If you truly care about that child, don't do anything that might hurt him!
"Of course I know that!"
Asuma lowered his head and struggled to say:
"But, but..."
He hung his clenched fist at his side, and his originally fierce aura gradually dissipated under the Third Hokage's gaze.
The anger and impulsiveness in Asuma's eyes slowly dissipated, replaced by deep frustration.
The thought that Kou was still forced to stay in the Akatsuki, experiencing unimaginable suffering, and that he could do nothing about it, filled him with a sense of powerlessness that almost overwhelmed him.
Is it really true that I'm completely unable to help him?
I've clearly become so much stronger over the years!
If we can't protect those we cherish, then what's the point of this force?
(Lock Earth: Well said, settle the copyright fee!)
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Asuma's bowed head and felt a pang of heartache.
He walked slowly to Asuma, raised his old and broad hand once more, and patted Asuma's shoulder heavily.
He looked into Asuma's still slightly trembling eyes and said in a firm, low voice:
"One day, the power you possess will surely help that child."
That child has now reached an agreement with Konoha.
Although we don't know when he will contact us again, I believe that one day he will definitely come back here.
Until that day comes, you should stay in Konoha.
He paused, a rare look of paternal love and expectation appearing on his face:
"It's for the sake of that child, and also for those... who have always missed you."
Asuma subconsciously looked up and was slightly taken aback when he saw his "father" gazing at him with a gentle look he had never seen before.
"All these years, that child, Red, has been waiting for you. Don't let that child wait any longer, Asuma."
Upon hearing the name "Red," a glimmer of light flashed in Asuma's eyes.
He said nothing more, only nodded almost imperceptibly, then shifted his gaze from the Third Hokage to the vast and distant sky outside the window, tinged pale gold by the sunlight.
"Kou, one day, I will definitely rescue you from the Akatsuki! I will!!"
The Konoha arc has now ended. The next chapter will be a transitional arc five years later. This arc will feature less main storyline content and more of the protagonist's daily life in Mist Village, secretly developing his own power.
This also includes his interactions and daily life with Obito and the Akatsuki.
Following this chapter is the major climax of the main storyline: the break with Obito, the exposure of his identity, and the revelation of Prisoner's true purpose... I hope everyone will support him, thank you!!