The Last Scapegoat

ANBU delivered the intelligence.

"He had just entered the village and was currently returning to the clan grounds."

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the report, and at last, a flicker of change appeared on his weary face.

It was not the composure of a Hokage receiving intelligence.

It was the instinctive comfort of a father hearing that his son had returned.

He rose to his feet, removed his Hokage robe, and draped it over the back of his chair.

"Do not tell him about what happened here for now."

The ANBU lowered his head.

"Should we conceal the news of Kurenai Yuhi's disappearance as well?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment.

"It cannot be hidden."

"Then let him go home first."

He left his Hokage hat on the table and changed into ordinary clothes.

"I will see him as his father."

Sarutobi Clan Grounds.

Asuma stood outside the courtyard gate, still covered in the dust of his long journey.

His clothes were stained with windblown sand, and his beard had gone untrimmed. The face that had once belonged to a ninja in his prime now looked unusually weathered.

They had only been apart for a short while, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi could barely recognize his own son.

Asuma raised his head and looked at the old man approaching him.

"Father."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped.

Looking into Asuma's lifeless eyes, the small comfort he had felt at their reunion quickly sank away.

"You're back."

"Where is Kurenai?"

The first thing Asuma asked about was Kurenai Yuhi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips moved slightly.

"Come inside first."

"How is she?"

Asuma stepped forward, his voice abruptly growing urgent.

"The intelligence only said the pursuit had failed. It did not say where Kurenai was."

"Was she injured?"

"Is she still alive?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer immediately.