Chapter 58

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Toki didn't bother to explain further. Instead, he sent the confused Uchiha Yashiro and Uchiha Inaba to find the equally bewildered Sarutobi Asuma.

At 16 years old, Asuma was still at an unreliable age, brimming with adolescent confidence but lacking maturity. Despite being a Chūnin, he still carried the naivety of youth.

As Asuma stood before Toki, he couldn't help feeling nervous. The man before him was a legendary figure who had been active since the Second Shinobi World War.

"Lord Toki, do you have any orders?" Asuma asked nervously.

Toki looked at the young man, a kind smile spreading across his face. "I hear you're the son of the Third Hokage."

Asuma, who had lived most of his life under heavy protection, didn't understand the deep grudge between his father and Toki.

With a determined expression, Asuma puffed out his chest and declared, "Lord Toki, please don't give me special treatment just because I'm the son of the Third Hokage. I'm an elite Chūnin—I can handle myself!"

Yashiro and Inaba exchanged bewildered glances, their faces full of incredulity.

What was going on here? Did Hiruzen not realize that the man his son was addressing was practically his sworn enemy?

But Toki simply chuckled, his expression one of understanding.

While Hiruzen Sarutobi was ruthless in politics, he had clearly neglected parenting.

Asuma, Konohamaru, and even Shikamaru all carried similar burdens. They resented being raised in the shadow of their Hokage fathers, constantly treated as privileged children. Their rebellious nature stemmed from this, as they longed to prove themselves on their own merits.

Toki's expression softened further as he said, "Don't worry, child. I won't treat you differently because of who your father is.

"This is the battlefield. Here, we defend our village, and everyone is equal. No one will see you as the Hokage's son. Here, you are your own person, fighting to realize your own worth."

Hearing this, Asuma's eyes lit up with joy. No one had ever spoken to him like this before. For most of his life, people had treated him with deference because of his lineage. Even his promotion to Chūnin had felt more like an obligation than an achievement.

"Thank you, Lord Toki! I'll do my best to prove myself and show my worth!"

Toki waved a hand dismissively, a sigh escaping his lips. "Unfortunately, I can't keep you here."

"What?!" Asuma's face fell. "I'm not afraid of dying! I have the strength to fight!"

Toki shook his head. "Let me ask you a question, then. Between family and village, which do you think is more important?"

"Family… and village?" Asuma repeated, confused.

Toki turned, his hands behind his back, and looked into the distance, as though deep in thought.

"I wasn't planning to tell you, but I fear only you can handle this task."

Asuma's confusion gave way to determination. "I'm not a kid anymore! You can trust me!"

Toki glanced back at him, his expression serious. "No, this is too cruel for someone as young as you."

Asuma clenched his fists. "Stop treating me like a child! I'm a ninja!"

Toki sighed deeply. "Very well. If you insist, I'll tell you the truth."

He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Your father—no, the Sarutobi clan—may have already betrayed Konoha."

"What?!" Asuma gasped, his face pale. "That's impossible!"

"All my life, my father has taught me about the Will of Fire. He loves the village more than anyone!"

Toki's eyes were filled with sorrow. "I know it's hard to accept, but as an adult, you must analyze the facts yourself."

"Konoha has been through two wars since your father became Hokage—the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars. During that time, the Senju clan disappeared, and our ally, the Land of Whirlpools, was destroyed. Who led Konoha during those times? Your father."

"I only uncovered the truth recently, after rescuing an orphan from the Land of Whirlpools. Your father and his allies have been secretly conducting experiments—using their own comrades to study Wood Release ninjutsu."

"Danzo even killed Uchiha Kagami, his former comrade, to implant his Sharingan. Your father has been weakening Konoha from within to bring it under the Daimyō's control."

Toki paused, letting his words sink in. "Now, while our Uchiha clan is fighting to defend the village, your father is plotting a coup d'état."

"I believe it's more important to stop him from making further mistakes than to win this war. He's the Third Hokage, after all."

Asuma's face twisted with disbelief. "No… That's not true! It can't be!"

Toki sighed again. "I know it's hard to believe, but the evidence is there. If you don't trust me, check your father's documents when you return home. Even Orochimaru is still conducting inhumane experiments under his watch."

"That's why I need your help. Stop your father. Or, if you can't, collect evidence of his wrongdoing. I don't want to destroy him—I just want him to set aside his prejudices and stop walking down this dark path."

"As Konoha shinobi, we must prioritize the village above all else. We must pass on the Will of Fire, even if it means confronting our own families."

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[A/N:Manipulation at it's finest]