After leaving Uchiha Touhuan, Kakashi immediately sought out Asuma, a classmate he cared deeply about. The former Twelve Guardian Ninja were now merely nominal members.
During this time, Asuma and Chiriku had collected the remains of their former comrades and buried them in the Land of Fire. Chiriku prayed for them daily, while Asuma idly stayed by their side.
Upon hearing of Kakashi's visit, Asuma first expressed surprise at Kakashi appearing without his mask, then asked about the purpose of his visit.
"Asuma," Kakashi said calmly, "recently, the Fifth Hokage has mobilized many village ninjas, leaving Konoha's defenses somewhat weakened. Therefore, the Fifth Hokage hopes you will return to the village to help strengthen its defenses."
"Back to the village?" Asuma was taken aback. "Why? If the Fifth Hokage has any orders, I can help here. I've been active in the Land of Fire for years and am very familiar with the terrain."
Kakashi looked at Asuma speechlessly. Although the Third Hokage had grown weak and hesitant with age, he still possessed basic political insight. In the same situation, the Third Hokage would have already returned to Konoha. With the Daimyo dead, the Twelve Guardian Ninja bore unavoidable responsibility. At this moment, Asuma should have taken advantage of the civil officials being too occupied to act, instead of foolishly remaining in the Land of Fire and waiting to be purged.
"If this kid really had that kind of intelligence, he wouldn't have fallen out with the Third Hokage and run away."
Kakashi had heard some details about Asuma's experience as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. It could be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already planned Asuma's future perfectly. As long as Asuma followed the established path, becoming Hokage might have been difficult due to his limited ninja talent, but securing a position as a Jonin commander would have been no problem. Unfortunately, he insisted on rebelling.
"The Fifth Hokage is also thinking of you," Kakashi continued. "The Third Hokage is quite bored after retirement. As his son, you should return and fulfill your filial duties."
Kakashi glanced at Jiraiya, who was chanting sutras and praying before the memorial tablet, but said nothing more.
"Hmph. What does that old man's situation have to do with me?" Asuma snorted.
"By the way," Kakashi added, "before I came here, Kurenai asked me to pass on a message. She hopes you'll return and visit her."
Asuma blushed slightly. "Alright, I'll leave tomorrow."
"Don't linger in the Fire Capital," Kakashi reminded him. "There's a shipment of supplies purchased there that must be delivered back to the village tomorrow morning. You'll be responsible for escorting it. On the way, you'll pass by Fire Temple. The Third Hokage is currently there with Konohamaru, praying for the village. Bring them back as well."
"Alright, alright, I get it," Asuma waved his hand and lit a cigarette. "I really didn't expect you to become so nagging lately, Kakashi."
The next day, Asuma and Jiraiya left the Fire Capital together.
Not long after they departed, Kazuma arrived and secretly dug up the remains of his former comrades.
Meanwhile, undercurrents were surging within the court of the Fire Capital.
At Uchiha Touhuan's instruction, Kikuchi Tomokane raised the issue of the recent rumors spreading throughout the Fire Capital during the court assembly.
"Your Highness," he said, "the people of the Fire Capital believe that the dragon veins beneath our capital have been exhausted and can no longer protect the destiny of the Land of Fire. Yesterday, I summoned the fortune-tellers and onmyoji of the capital, and their conclusions were consistent with these rumors."
How could they not be? The clergy Kikuchi Tomokane summoned were the same group who had once held a theological seminar along the Naga River in Konoha. After being disciplined by police batons, these charlatans had deeply understood the principle of divine authority enforced by force.
"What should we do?" Minamoto no Yūkimaru, seated on the throne, immediately panicked. For a four-year-old child, such mystical talk was extremely persuasive.
"According to the masters," Kikuchi Tomokane continued, "the only solution is to relocate the capital to another place where dragon veins converge. Only then can the nation's destiny be stabilized. Otherwise, disaster may strike."
"Hmph! Dragon veins? Prophecies?" Abe Taichi stepped forward angrily. "Since when did you start believing in such nonsense, Lord Kikuchi? Are you saying the Land of Fire will perish if we don't move the capital?"
"That is not my meaning," Kikuchi Tomokane replied calmly. "However, the assassination of the former Daimyo by a rogue ninja—something unprecedented—has already occurred. This theory deserves consideration."
"You dare!" Abe Taichi roared.
Before the argument could escalate further, Uchiha Touhuan stepped forward.
"Your Highness," Touhuan said, "I have remained in the Land of Fire for some time, and the situation has stabilized. However, there are many affairs in Konoha that require my return."
"You cannot leave!" Nagano Kiri immediately interrupted. "The late Daimyo trusted you deeply, Grand Minister. How can you betray that trust?"
"Master, don't go!" Minamoto no Yūkimaru toddled over, clutching Uchiha Touhuan's robe.
Uchiha Touhuan sighed. "I also feel ashamed before the late Daimyo, but I am still the Fifth Hokage of Konoha. The two divisions and thirteen clans rest on my shoulders, and I must guard the borders of the Land of Fire. I am truly exhausted."
At that moment, Kikuchi Tomokane spoke again. "I have a perfect solution."
"I consulted the masters regarding remaining dragon veins within the Land of Fire," he continued. "One master, well-traveled across the ninja world, claimed that the Nanga River flowing through Konoha perfectly aligns with the dragon's momentum. It would be the most suitable location for the new capital."
"If the capital were moved to Konoha," Kikuchi Tomokane said with a smile, "the Grand Minister could oversee military affairs while assisting His Highness until he comes of age. Would that not be ideal?"
Abe Taichi felt as if struck by lightning. Only now did he understand the true purpose behind Uchiha Touhuan and Kikuchi Tomokane's scheme.
"This is absurd!" Abe Taichi roared. "The Fire Capital has stood for hundreds of years! How could we relocate it to a ninja village?!"
"I see no problem with it," Miura Kazuo sneered. "Is the Left Minister reluctant to part with his assets?"
Before Abe Taichi could respond, Uchiha Touhuan's killing intent surged forth, freezing him in place and leaving him drenched in cold sweat.
"Teacher!" Minamoto no Yūkimaru tugged Touhuan's robe happily. "After the capital moves, you won't have to leave anymore!"
Uchiha Touhuan looked down at the child and smiled faintly. "Alright."
That night, Abe Taichi sent a secret letter to Kazuma.
Later, lightning enveloped Uchiha Touhuan's residence.
Kazuma attacked—and died.
That night, the Fire Capital was bathed in blood.
By dawn, sealing scrolls were filled with severed heads.
The purge had begun.
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