After Asuma left, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained grave.
Because just now, he hadn't seen a single redeeming quality in Asuma.
He probably hadn't even figured out the full extent of Hiruzen's arrangements.
The reason Hiruzen hadn't assigned Asuma to lead the stronger team with Sasuke was that all three members had very special backgrounds.
Uchiha Sasuke, a newly emerged genius of the Uchiha Clan.
Whether in combat ability, intelligence, or the Will of Fire, he was a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
A person like that couldn't be won over by a teacher who lacked both personal charisma and strength.
And Asuma had neither.
Besides, if Hiruzen really assigned Asuma to teach Sasuke, he'd be openly turning against Danzo.
It wasn't time for that yet.
Then there was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—Uzumaki Naruto.
He was a super-sized ticking time bomb in his own right.
Even if Naruto remained calm, what about the outsiders coveting the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki?
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to make Asuma take that risk.
As for Hinata Hyuga...
That clan was strange.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't believe that Hinata alone could change the mindset of the entire Hyuga Clan.
If the Hyuga Clan couldn't wholeheartedly serve him, then there was no need to waste time on them.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was different.
The Nara Clan, the village's greatest strategists.
The Yamanaka Clan, masters of sensory techniques.
The Akimichi Clan, the village's strongest protectors.
Together, these three clans held considerable influence in Konoha. With their support, Asuma's position would be more secure.
As for the Aburame and Inuzuka Clans—
Asuma had already made arrangements for them too: Yūhi Kurenai.
And Haruno Sakura, a fairly honest girl with good talent, would join them.
At that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and rubbed his aching temples.
He had to deal with