The next day, in the Sarutobi residence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had completely relinquished power and responsibility, after a brief period of pain and confusion...
...actually found a new source of joy.
Staying at home every day, drinking tea, playing chess, and being affectionate with his old wife...
...became the thing he looked forward to most every day.
It would be even better if that annoying son of his would just get lost.
While eating the food prepared by his wife, Biwako Sarutobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi idly shot daggers with his eyes at his son, Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma Sarutobi was a year younger than Kakashi Hatake; he was already a Ninja, and a Chunin at that.
Although he couldn't keep up with the rocket-like promotion speed of the absolute genius of his generation, Kakashi Hatake...
...he was still very outstanding among his peers.
In normal times, or back when Hiruzen Sarutobi was still focused on worrying about the affairs of Konoha Village...
...Asuma Sarutobi could be considered a son who brought Hiruzen Sarutobi pride.
Even if this son looked down on him in every way and often rebelled or talked back...
...Hiruzen Sarutobi could tolerate it.
Unfortunately, circumstances had changed. Now that he had relinquished power and was free of burdens, staying at home all day...
...this brat, who got in the way of his intimacy with his wife and had such a sour look on his face, was the chief culprit disturbing his pleasant retirement!
"I say, Asuma, don't you have missions to do?"
Finally unable to hold back, Hiruzen Sarutobi swallowed the Dango his wife had hand-fed him and questioned his eye-rolling son.
"Tch! There aren't many missions in the Village lately. The ones available are just small tasks like finding cats and dogs; I can't be bothered to do them."
With a toothpick in his mouth, Asuma Sarutobi flopped onto his back on the floor in response to his old father's questioning.
His left leg was bent, his right foot resting on his left knee, looking completely shiftless.
Seeing his son like this, the old father's blood pressure rose:
"If you have nothing to do, wouldn't it be better to go to the training ground and practice Ninjutsu?"
"Staying cooped up at home all day, what kind of behavior is that!"
Asuma Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, turned his body away from his father's verbal onslaught, and said nonchalantly:
"What's there to practice? This great one's Ninjutsu is already mastered to the core!"
"Heh, Kakashi Hatake is already an Anbu squad leader, and in a few years, he'll be the Anbu Commander."
"You, on the other hand, will have to bow respectfully to him when the time comes, you Chunin!"
The old father's eyes darted as he delivered a sharp jab to his underachieving son.
This actually worked; Asuma Sarutobi froze for two seconds upon hearing it.
Holy crap! Kakashi Hatake is going to be the Anbu Commander!? Is that for real!?
Of course, information coming from his old father, the former Hokage, couldn't be false.
Even if Asuma Sarutobi didn't want to believe it, he had to.
Speaking of which, Asuma Sarutobi was also a proud young man.
With a father who was the Hokage, Asuma Sarutobi's starting point was countless times ahead of his peers.
Years of intentional or unintentional care from those around him had allowed Asuma Sarutobi to live a smooth life.
Until he heard the name Kakashi Hatake.
Graduated at six, became a Jonin at twelve.
The name Kakashi Hatake became a legend among the students of his class.
Naturally, it also affected the next class, which was Asuma Sarutobi's class.
The young and vigorous Asuma Sarutobi wanted to challenge Kakashi Hatake's records, but unfortunately, they were completely out of reach.
Later, the gap between the two widened, and Asuma Sarutobi completely lost the heart to compete with Kakashi Hatake.
But he still paid close attention to this guy who was etched into his mind.
Now, hearing that his 'rival' Kakashi Hatake was about to become the Anbu Commander, how could Asuma Sarutobi sit still?
He wished he could rush to the training ground and practice for three days and nights, striving to become a Jonin within six months, and then head to the Anbu to compete with Kakashi Hatake for the commander position.
But the sarcasm in his old father's words made him feel a bit resentful.
So he forced himself to say:
"So what? What's it to do with me?"
"Hmph! Old Man, don't get any bright ideas. I won't make things easy for you!"
Asuma Sarutobi threw out these harsh words, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face to twist.
Damn it, I just want to enjoy a few days of retirement. What do you mean by causing trouble, you unlucky brat?
While the father and son were bickering, a bandage-wrapped freak walked in from outside.
White bandages completely wrapped his entire head and half his face, leaving only half of a stiff, old face exposed.
There was an X-shaped scar on his chin; it was none other than Danzo Shimura.
"Monkey, I heard you've been relaxing at home every day lately. Don't you have to worry about work anymore?"
"The villagers of Konoha are truly unfortunate to have a Hokage like you."
Danzo Shimura sneered as he walked over slowly.
"No need for you to worry. I've already retired; leave the work to the young people."
"Besides, I am no longer the Hokage, Danzo."
Seeing Danzo Shimura appear, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression immediately changed, becoming cold.
He turned and gave his unlucky son a look, urging:
"Go train already. Good luck!"
"Hmph! Talkative."
Asuma Sarutobi stood up reluctantly and walked out. As he brushed past Danzo Shimura, he didn't even open his mouth, completely ignoring him.
The moment he saw Danzo Shimura, Asuma Sarutobi wanted to leave, but he still had to act a bit tsundere on the surface.
"Hmph!"
Danzo Shimura watched the cold-faced Asuma Sarutobi leave and gave a disgruntled huff of his own.
"What are you here for? If there's nothing else, leave quickly. Don't disturb me and my wife while we're eating."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, signaling Biwako Sarutobi to clear the table. She gave Danzo Shimura a gentle smile and left with the dishes.
"I have nothing special to do; I just came to see you."
"Do you know that Minato Namikaze has placed his disciple in the Anbu? It won't be long before he becomes the Commander."
"Are you really so willing to let go?"
Danzo Shimura sat cross-legged opposite Hiruzen Sarutobi and questioned him.
"Tch!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi blew his mustache in disdain.
He realized at that moment how disgusting Danzo Shimura's greedy face was.
It made him wonder if he had the same look when he was clinging to power.
Fortunately, he had let go, or he would have ended up looking like this.
How truly disgusting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly while remaining calm on the surface:
"So what? Danzo, I'm someone who retired long ago."
"The Anbu is a department under the Hokage's jurisdiction. Isn't it only natural for Minato to want his disciple to be the Commander?"
"People shouldn't overthink things; doing one's own job is enough."
While Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he was silently counting down in his head.
He knew that according to Shikaku Nara's plan, the moment Danzo Shimura stepped out of the Root base, the net had already been cast!
By now, Minato Namikaze was likely on his way with his men.
"Heh, easy for you to say."
"Tobirama-sensei entrusted the Village to us, so we must be responsible for it!"
"This is our duty and obligation!"
Danzo Shimura sneered, speaking with an air of self-righteousness.
The next moment, a flash of gold appeared, and a golden figure materialized at the entrance of the Sarutobi residence.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Following that was a series of rapid sounds as numerous Ninjas in Anbu gear appeared behind the golden figure using the Body Flicker Technique.
"Elder Danzo, it's been a long time!"
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