Hiruzen's face instantly stiffened.
On one side were his son's pride and backbone; on the other was the scandal of his embezzlement and corruption.
Either choice felt impossible to accept.
After a few seconds of silence, he drew a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute.
"Forgive me, but I refuse. If it means hurting Asuma, I can't do it."
"A father is born to protect his children. Even if I'm covered in filth, there's nothing to fear."
"He's still young. He still has a future."
"Old man, you..."
Tsunade's expression abruptly changed. She reached out, about to say something, but after a few seconds of silence, she lowered her hand again.
Since this was the old man's decision, she would naturally respect it.
Xuandou smiled calmly.
"What if I could make Konoha completely forget the scandal involving you?"
"Could you have Asuma apologize to Naruto?"
"After all, you don't want to disgrace your teacher, Tobirama, do you?"
Hiruzen froze at first, then his eyes blazed with wild delight.
He suddenly stepped up to Xuandou, pressing his lips together nervously.
"What did you say? You can make Konoha completely forget about this?"
"In that case, having Asuma apologize to Naruto... might not be out of the question."
At the thought of being the respected Third Hokage again, Hiruzen instantly found Xuandou much more agreeable.
His reputation didn't matter.
His main concern was that, as Tobirama's student, he couldn't disgrace his teacher!
Asuma would just have to suffer a little!
Xuandou nodded.
"Of course!"
"The Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai has always excelled at genjutsu. With my strength, resolving this would be effortless."
Xuandou paused and turned his gaze to Hiruzen's face.
"But in exchange, Asuma must apologize to Naruto, and you must work for Xuanyin."
"Use your prestige among Konoha's civilians to support