Chapter 59
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The Border Front
Asuma left the camp with a determined expression on his face.
Behind him, Uchiha Yatsushiro and Uchiha Inaba watched in stunned silence.
Can you really do this?
Convincing Sarutobi Hiruzen's own son to expose his father's dirty secrets?
Although, to call it "dirty work" might not be entirely accurate. After all, how many Hokage have truly had clean records?
As head of the assassination organization, Hiruzen's actions were nothing surprising to those in the know. Everyone had tacitly accepted his ruthlessness as part of the role. But the image he had crafted for the civilian populace? That was a different matter.
The Hiruzen Sarutobi portrayed in textbooks—selfless, righteous, kind, and willing to sacrifice everything for the villagers—was impeccable. If the truth about his experiments with Wood Release were ever exposed, the resulting public outrage would be seismic.
This was one of the few pieces of damning evidence that could actually tarnish Hiruzen's spotless reputation.
After the initial experiments on Wood Release proved fruitless, and volunteers were no longer willing to sacrifice themselves, Hiruzen had discreetly handed the project over to Danzo, instructing him to continue the research in secret.
And now, Toki had tricked Asuma into obtaining this very information.
Yatsushiro and Inaba exchanged confused glances.
"Patriarch Toki, what you just said to him… was it true?" Inaba asked hesitantly.
Toki smirked. "What's wrong with it? I didn't lie to him. I'm just letting him discover the truth for himself."
If Hiruzen can brainwash Uchiha Itachi with his Will of Fire, why can't I strike first?
---
Back in Konoha
Asuma returned to the village, deep in thought.
The moment he stepped inside, two Anbu appeared at his side.
"Young Master, you're finally back," one of them said with relief.
When they had learned that Asuma had slipped off to the front lines, they had panicked. If he had fallen into Uchiha hands, there would have been little hope of retrieving him alive.
Asuma waved them off irritably. "Don't worry, I'm not going back to the front."
As he reached into his pocket, he asked, "Where's Kurenai?"
The two Anbu exchanged knowing looks.
Great. The young master has gone back to being a lovesick puppy.
"She's at the dango shop," one of them replied.
Asuma nodded and walked off in the shop's direction, visibly dejected.
As soon as he was out of earshot, one of the Anbu whispered, "Go report to the Hokage that Master Asuma has returned."
"It seems he's back on the right path, thankfully."
"He must have just missed his girlfriend," the other Anbu snickered.
---
At the Dango Shop
When Asuma arrived, he found Kurenai, Anko, Genma Shiranui, and Anko Yamashiro chatting happily.
Genma raised an eyebrow at him. "Weren't you at the front?"
Asuma forced a grin. "I got called back for an important mission. Couldn't stay."
Anko smirked. "What? Did you chicken out?"
Kurenai gave him a curious look, which made Asuma's face flush red.
"Of course not! I'm not scared of anything!" he barked.
In an attempt to change the subject, he pulled a Poké Ball out of his pocket and held it up for everyone to see.
"Check this out! This is the advance payment I got for the mission—a Charmander!"
At the sight of the Poké Ball, Kurenai and Anko's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is that… a summoning tool?" Kurenai asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
Asuma grinned and pressed the button, throwing the Poké Ball into the air.
"Go, Charmander!"
A red light flashed, and a small, red-skinned lizard with a flaming tail appeared.
"Whoa! It's real!"
"Is this… some kind of fire lizard?"
"That's incredible! Its tail is actually on fire!"
The young women crowded around the Charmander, marveling at its appearance. Unlike the usual summoning beasts of the ninja world, Pokémon had a unique charm that immediately won them over.
Charmander, having already been tamed, didn't resist as the girls pet and admired it.
Seeing Kurenai's delighted expression, Asuma felt a sense of satisfaction that he rarely experienced.
He recalled the Charmander with the Poké Ball, and both Kurenai and Anko looked visibly disappointed.
Genma and Anko clapped him on the back with envious grins.
"Not bad, man. Already forming summoning contracts, huh?"
"Yeah, they say that thing will grow into a massive beast with wings that can fly. If that's the kind of mission you're getting, count us in next time!"
Asuma's brief moment of pride evaporated at their words, and his expression darkened.
"Ha! This isn't the kind of mission just anyone can handle. It's only for me!"
He turned to Kurenai and hesitated before holding out the Poké Ball.
"Kurenai, actually… I got this Charmander for you," he said awkwardly.
Kurenai blinked, startled. "For me?"
Asuma nodded quickly. "Patriarch Toki promised to let me pick a stronger Charmander for myself after the mission, so this one was meant as a gift for you."
Kurenai's eyes widened, and a small smile spread across her face. "Really?"
"Of course! I swear on my honor as a ninja!" Asuma replied, his face serious.
Smiling brightly, Kurenai accepted the Poké Ball. "Thank you, Asuma. You're such a kind person!"
Her words made Asuma's heart soar. In his mind, he could already imagine the two of them flying together on a Charizard.
"I'll complete this mission," he thought to himself. "But not for the reward—only for Kurenai."