Chapter 49 – Asuma Leaves
One of the Guardian Twelve kunoichi gritted her teeth, wanting to run out the window to chase after Asuma, who had already been gone for some time.
A fellow Guardian stepped forward, eyes flashing with frustration, and pulled her back.
"Are you crazy? Do you also want to throw your life away with Asuma?"
Her eyes were conflicted.
"Aren't we all Guardian Twelve? We're supposed to watch out for and help each other."
The other Guardian snorted coldly.
"We've all tried to persuade him these past few days. We even took turns guarding him. He refused to listen and insisted on leaving. How could we stop him? Didn't Chiriku already say? This is his own path to walk!"
At that moment, two more members of the Guardian Twelve arrived.
Seeing them, the first shinobi called out urgently,
"Quick, help me talk sense into her. She wants to go after Asuma Sarutobi—doesn't she realize how reckless that is?"
One of them froze. "What? Asuma… left?"
They entered the room and saw the truth: Asuma was gone.
Another Guardian stepped forward and tried to persuade her,
"Don't act on impulse. Our duty is to protect the Daimyō. Asuma has a great vendetta to avenge—it's understandable for him to leave. But what about you? What reason do you have to abandon your post?"
A look of struggle flickered across her face. But after their persuasion, she sighed softly and let the thought of chasing Asuma fade away.
Seeing her relent, the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In their hearts, they knew the truth: the chance of Asuma Sarutobi successfully avenging his clan was slim.
They admitted his strength was impressive—stronger than most of them individually. But the Guardian Twelve weren't known for solo power. Their true might came from fighting together.
And even if Asuma was stronger than them, Konoha was full of jōnin at his level. Not to mention… his enemy was the Uchiha clan, hailed as one of the most powerful clans in the ninja world.
For Asuma to rush back alone now was nothing more than suicide.
Still, he had been their comrade for years. Watching him walk to his death pained them. They had done everything they could. If he refused to listen, there was nothing left but silent prayers.
Although her feelings for Asuma had been well hidden, they hadn't escaped her comrades' notice. They could understand why she wanted to chase him… but they could not follow her.
As colleagues of many years, all they could do was wish Asuma luck.
Chiriku clasped his hands together. "Amitābha," he murmured before returning to his room.
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Meanwhile, Asuma traveled overnight, rushing out of the capital.
He stopped on a large tree, looking back at the city he had lived in for years. Seeing no one chasing him, he felt relieved… but also lonely.
He gritted his teeth and forced the emotion down.
"Father… Konohamaru…"
Asuma Sarutobi's eyes went bloodshot, his expression twisting with fury.
"Damn Uchiha… I'll make you pay for your blood debt!"
He rushed madly in the direction of Konoha.
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Two days later, in Konoha Village.
Uchiha clan compound, clan head's house.
When Fugaku opened his eyes in the morning, sunlight spilled across the floor through the curtains. He reached for the quilt beside him—empty, as expected.
Through the thin walls, he could vaguely hear Naruto and Sasuke shouting at each other downstairs.
Fugaku stretched with a yawn. "Another beautiful day."
He shuffled downstairs in his slippers and saw Naruto and Sasuke fighting over the TV remote.
He frowned. "There are only three channels—what's there to fight about every morning?"
The two boys froze at the sight of him, then greeted him quickly.
"Uncle! You're awake!" Naruto called happily.
"Father," Sasuke said, trying not to be outdone.
Recently, Sasuke had noticed his father had changed. Fugaku was gentler, less strict, and the boy no longer felt so afraid of him.
But almost immediately, Sasuke returned to grappling with Naruto.
"Damn it, Naruto, you lost last night! It's my turn to watch today. Don't go back on your word!"
Naruto clung to the remote. "I don't remember! Wait—no, I won last night! It's my turn!"
Sasuke wailed in protest. "You're cheating, you big idiot!"
Fugaku shook his head helplessly. "These two… noisy every day."
He went to wash up, then heard Mikoto's call from the kitchen.
"Anata, hurry, hurry—the noodles are ready."
"Coming," Fugaku answered, wiping his face before heading to the table.
Bowls of steaming noodles awaited, each topped with a soft-boiled egg. Naruto and Sasuke were distracted by the TV, while Mikoto tidied their bags.
Fugaku quickly sat down.
"Time to eat."
Naruto dove in immediately, while Sasuke ate more elegantly, rolling his eyes at Naruto's manners.
Fugaku remembered how breakfast used to always be rice. He had asked Mikoto to make noodles instead—his preference. He had also stopped the family custom of kneeling to eat, asking Yamato to bring chairs instead. Kneeling had always felt awkward.
After finishing, Fugaku leaned back, picking his teeth with a toothpick.
Mikoto glanced at him and said,
"Anata, come home early today, okay? I invited Yakushi Nonō to visit us."
Fugaku nodded. Mikoto had already told him about her long friendship with Nonō. He had been surprised—he never knew the two women were so close.
"Alright, little ones, let's set off!" Fugaku clapped his hands, changing his shoes at the entrance.
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