"Anyone else can go, but you are not allowed to go!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were firm and unwavering, causing Asuma Sarutobi's expression to darken.
"Why?!"
"Is it because it's dangerous? I'm not afraid of danger!"
"Father, I don't want to stay in the village, wasting my time, unable to do anything meaningful."
"Many of my peers have already become Jōnin, but I'm still a Chūnin. Am I supposed to stay a Chūnin forever just because I'm your son?!"
Asuma's voice was filled with frustration. Deep down, he understood his father's reasoning. Hiruzen Sarutobi had already lost one son to the battlefield—he didn't want to lose another.
But despite understanding, Asuma refused to accept it. He couldn't bear to remain stagnant while his comrades moved forward. As the son of the Hokage, he didn't want to live in mediocrity.
"Asuma, you still don't understand the bigger picture!"
"You can't even see the true nature of this situation, yet you're so eager to throw yourself into it?"
"This goes far beyond what you imagine—it could very well get you killed!"
Hiruzen's expression was serious, his voice laced with both concern and disappointment.
Why had the Daimyō of the Land of Fire suddenly begun recruiting his own ninja guards? Until now, Konoha's forces had always been responsible for protecting the Daimyō.
This decision signaled something deeper—the Daimyō no longer wanted Konoha to hold all the power. He was trying to form his own military force, a force that could serve as a counterbalance to the might of the Hidden Village.
This Daimyō wasn't as foolish as he appeared.
Hiruzen could already predict the next steps.
Once the Daimyō successfully established his independent force, his next move would likely be military downsizing—cutting Konoha's budget and reducing its influence.
Other nations had already begun this process. The Land of Earth, for example, had drastically cut Iwagakure's funding years ago. As a result, Iwa had undergone massive disarmament and had even started outsourcing some of its missions to mercenary groups.
If the Daimyō succeeded, Konoha could soon face the same fate.
For Hiruzen and the rest of Konoha's leadership—including Minato—this was unacceptable.
To preserve Konoha's influence, the village might have to orchestrate an accident—one that would cripple the Daimyō's newly-formed guards and reassert Konoha's dominance.
Even if the Daimyō suspected Konoha's involvement, he would have little choice but to accept the outcome.
And when that happened, anyone who had joined the Daimyō's personal guard would be caught in the crossfire.
They wouldn't survive.
This was why Hiruzen adamantly refused to let Asuma go.
But Asuma didn't see it that way. To him, this was just another case of his father trying to control his life.
"Die?! You think I'll back down just because of a little danger?"
"If I were afraid of death, I would have never become a ninja in the first place!"
"My brother died in battle, but did he ever fear death? No!"
"I was the one who buried him—I saw how much he suffered before he died."
"But he never gave up, not until his final breath."
"I refuse to stay weak—I will become stronger! I will join the Daimyō's guard!"
Asuma roared, his voice filled with determination. Without waiting for a response, he turned and stormed out of the house.
Hiruzen could have stopped him.
He raised his hand slightly—but then hesitated.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
"Asuma..."
He stood in silence for a long time before slowly making his way to the Hokage's office.
Asuma Leaves Konoha
After his argument with his father, Asuma left Konoha to join the Daimyō's personal guard.
But just as he passed the village's outskirts, several Anbu appeared.
Without a word, they tossed two scrolls toward him before swiftly disappearing.
Curious, Asuma unfurled the scrolls.
The first was an official letter of appointment.
From that moment on, he was no longer a Chūnin—he had been promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin of Konoha.
The second scroll was a letter addressed to the Daimyō.
It stated that Sarutobi Asuma, son of Hiruzen Sarutobi, was an elite ninja of Konoha and that the village fully endorsed his service to the Daimyō's guard.
A political gesture, a show of support.
But Asuma wasn't fooled.
This letter wasn't just a recommendation—it was a lifeline. A shield Konoha had given him in case things went south.
His father had seen this coming all along.
"Thank you, Father..."
Asuma clenched the scrolls tightly, then turned and continued his journey toward his new path.
Springtime in Konoha – The Next Generation Begins
Despite the political tensions brewing in the Land of Fire, life continued for the people of Konoha.
It was April, and the gates of the Ninja Academy had once again opened, welcoming a new class of students.
The cherry blossoms in Konoha were in full bloom, their petals fluttering in the gentle spring breeze.
Early in the morning, a large crowd had gathered outside the Academy. Parents stood with their children, eagerly awaiting their chance to enroll in the entrance examination.
This year's class was special.
Because among the new students...
The son of the Fifth Hokage, Namikaze Naruto, was about to take his entrance exam.
Many people were curious and excited about the son of the Yellow Flash.
Would he live up to his father's legacy?
At the entrance of the Academy, Uzumaki Kushina led a small blond-haired boy through the crowd.
Despite being surrounded by dozens of other parents and children, the boy stood out—not just because of his bright golden hair, but because of the confidence he exuded.
Today, Uzumaki Naruto was six years old—the perfect age to enroll.
"Naruto, today's the big day! Are you ready?"
Kushina ruffled his hair, smiling warmly as she guided him forward.
Naruto grinned widely, his blue eyes burning with determination.
"Of course! These exams are nothing!"
"I only have one goal—to defeat Sasuke and take first place!"
(End of this chapter)