Home of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi
"Is Asuma still refusing to come out?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, wearing his official Hokage robes—looking quite different from the old man seen at the start of the main story, still in his prime—took a drag from his pipe and asked calmly.
"I don't know what's gotten into him. He locked himself in his room as soon as he got home today. Won't eat, won't come out."
Hiruzen's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, replied with a hint of helplessness.
"Is that so? I'll go see him."
A trace of weariness showed on Hiruzen's face. He had just finished his administrative duties and returned home from the Hokage Tower.
As the Third Hokage, and more importantly, as Asuma's father—
He had already been briefed by the Chūnin instructor in charge of the elite class. The teacher had rushed to the Hokage Office immediately after class ended to report what happened at the Ninja Academy today.
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Inside Asuma's Room
"D-Damn it! How could I...?"
Asuma had buried himself completely under his covers, his body trembling uncontrollably, eyes filled with deep fear.
His mind kept replaying the events from class.
The moment Jin's eyes fixed on him, it felt like being targeted by a demon—utterly hopeless, with no escape.
Afterward, although he didn't know exactly what happened, the feeling of death itself made Asuma shudder even now just thinking about it.
Knock— Knock—
The sound of knocking made Asuma jump violently, cold sweat breaking out instantly.
"Who is it?!"
Asuma squeaked like a frightened rabbit, his voice high-pitched.
"Asuma, it's me."
The Third Hokage's voice came through the door, gradually calming Asuma's frayed nerves.
Click—
"F-Father."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, Asuma first felt a sense of relief, followed quickly by shame as he lowered his head.
Usually rebellious, he now felt ashamed to even face his father.
As the son of the Third Hokage, although Asuma intensely disliked being defined by that title—
He couldn't deny that it had instilled a certain pride in his young heart.
But facing Jin, who came from an ordinary background, he didn't even have the courage to stand up to him.
Jin hadn't even drawn his sword, yet he had collapsed in terror.
Utterly humiliated in front of everyone.
This was unacceptable for Asuma, who came from a prestigious clan.
"Asuma, why didn't you come out for dinner?"
Hiruzen, usually somewhat strict with Asuma, saw the panic in his son's eyes, and his expression softened.
He asked with concern.
"F-Father, I..."
Asuma stammered, unable to articulate what happened, the fear in his eyes intensifying as the memories returned.
"Here, sit down and tell me slowly."
Hiruzen gently placed a hand on Asuma's shoulder, patting it lightly, his voice soft.
"Okay..."
The usually rebellious Asuma was surprisingly docile now. He nodded and slowly sat down.
Under Hiruzen's comforting presence, Asuma gradually returned to normal and slowly recounted the events of the day's class.
"Haaaah... Jin, is it?"
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes filled with reminiscence and nostalgia.
After a pause, Hiruzen temporarily pushed aside the memories.
He began to counsel Asuma.
Who was Hiruzen Sarutobi?
He was the Third Hokage. While perhaps not matching other Hokage in raw power, his political acumen was likely the greatest among all Hokage.
His philosophy of the "Will of Fire" had effectively rallied Konoha's younger generations, sometimes to the point of blind devotion.
With just a few words, he managed to lift Asuma's spirits somewhat.
However, the fear hidden deep within Asuma's heart could never truly disappear.
"Alright, go eat now. Don't make your mother worry."
Hiruzen saw that although Asuma seemed outwardly recovered, the fear lurking deep in his eyes remained. He sighed inwardly.
"Okay."
Thinking of his mother, Asuma nodded and slowly left the room.
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"Yūto... you raised a fine son."
After Asuma left, Hiruzen slowly walked to the window, looking up at the dark, starry sky, his expression complex.
A mix of nostalgia, joy, and sorrow.
Kimoku Yūto—he had been one of Hiruzen's most capable subordinates.
An Elite Jōnin, whose strength would still be considered top-tier even in present-day Konoha.
And Hiruzen had greatly admired this subordinate.
He had even personally chosen the name 'Jin'.
Unfortunately, during a secret mission, a misjudgment by Hiruzen had led to Kimoku Yūto's tragic death.
At that time, Jin's mother was still pregnant.
Upon hearing the news, overcome with grief, she suffered massive hemorrhaging during childbirth.
She passed away shortly after Jin was born.
And so, Jin, the son of an Elite Jōnin, became an orphan.
This filled Hiruzen with immense guilt towards Jin.
Therefore, Hiruzen had always paid close attention to Jin's upbringing.
When he discovered Jin was drinking, he even used the Transformation Jutsu to try and persuade him to stop.
But unfortunately, it had no effect.
Later, however, Hiruzen discovered that Jin possessed a very unique constitution.
Alcohol not only didn't harm Jin's body but actually helped increase his Chakra.
Thus, Hiruzen stopped interfering with Jin's drinking.
It was also because of this connection that Jin was able to enroll smoothly in the Ninja Academy.
Otherwise, just based on the drinking rule alone, Jin wouldn't have even been admitted.
The incident where Jin severely injured the previous teacher was also suppressed by Hiruzen.
That was how Jin remained unscathed.
"Yūto... I wonder if seeing Jin now would bring you joy, or..."
Hiruzen silently smoked his pipe, lost in thought for a long time.
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