Asuma's face darkened. Why was Kurenai standing in front of that Uchiha?
Didn't she understand that this clan was a hidden time bomb within the village?
But the determination in her eyes told him something was wrong.
He had hoped to win the beauty's heart, yet now Kurenai was resolute in protecting another.
"Kurenai… I didn't mean it like that."
As he spoke, he noticed several Anbu operatives approaching in the distance.
With a heavy sigh, Asuma turned and fled.
Only after he was gone did the street gradually return to peace.
Kurenai walked to Ryosuke's side, her voice tinged with concern.
"Are you all right, Uchiha? On Asuma's behalf, I apologize."
Ryosuke waved it off.
"Forget it, this isn't your fault. The one at fault is Sarutobi Asuma's recklessness.
But as a member of the Uchiha Police Force, no matter how strong the opponent, I have to stop unlawful acts."
Hearing this, Kurenai felt moved.
He was different from the other Uchiha she had met.
Most of them carried cold, aloof expressions, too proud to explain themselves to others.
But this man—not only was he handsome, he carried a sense of justice as well.
Still, remembering she had matters to attend to, she bowed slightly.
"I have something to take care of. I'll be going now."
"Alright." Ryosuke nodded.
His eyes lingered on her as she departed.
Kurenai was, without a doubt, a beautiful and captivating woman. With her figure, her looks… she seemed the perfect match for raising a family.
If he could spend more time with her, nurture some feelings between them…
Perhaps he could fulfill the requirements of the Many Wives, Many Children system and earn a precious treasure chest.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
The Anbu had just reported Sarutobi Asuma's altercation with an Uchiha clansman to the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen's face darkened with fury.
"Why were you so reckless?"
"As the Hokage's son, not only do you fail to set an example, but you even brawl in the streets?"
Asuma scowled, unwilling to accept blame, and muttered defensively,
"It was that Uchiha who provoked me. He ruined my confession to Kurenai."
The Third Hokage sighed deeply.
"Why must you be so impulsive? If Kurenai doesn't accept now, does that mean you should use force?"
"Acting like this will only drive her away."
"You'll depart for the Land of Fire's capital immediately. Serve the Daimyō as one of the Guardian Twelve. Calm yourself and learn discipline."
Asuma fell silent. His confession had failed, and he had embarrassed himself in front of Kurenai.
For now, he could only wait for her anger to fade before apologizing again.
"…Fine. I'll leave now."
Once Asuma and the Anbu left, Hiruzen finally eased his expression.
The boy was reckless, but at least he had accepted the assignment.
If he could spend time at the Daimyō's side, it would pave the way for him to inherit the Hokage's seat in the future. The Daimyō would have no choice but to approve.
Still, his thoughts returned to that Uchiha. His brows furrowed.
True, his son had been at fault. But if not for the Uchiha provoking him, Asuma wouldn't have acted out, nor would the villagers have witnessed such a shameful scene.
What a cursed clan.
His reputation had already suffered after signing peace with the Stone Village. Few in Konoha appreciated his farsightedness.
Even if he had offered concessions, ending the war was worth it.
But people only saw weakness—and the Uchiha remained a thorn in his side.
He was considered a hero of the village.
But the foolish villagers couldn't understand. In the end, he had no choice but to step down. Only after Minato's death did he have the chance to reclaim the Hokage's seat. Sitting once more in that position felt undeniably satisfying.
Now, Konohagakure and Kumogakure were clashing repeatedly along the border.
Although Konoha had the strength to face Kumogakure—and even win—he wanted to preserve the village's power. After all, Kumogakure wasn't their only enemy; every neighboring shinobi village was a potential threat.
What he needed was to strengthen dialogue with Kumogakure and push for a peaceful end to the war. If he succeeded, the Third Shinobi World War could come to a close. His brilliance would outshine even the First and Second Hokage.
He would then become the most esteemed Hokage in history.
Only then could he truly be called the strongest Hokage.
Meanwhile, Ryosuke wandered curiously around the streets of Konoha. By nightfall, he finally returned home.
An elderly man with a head of white hair was waiting there, his face filled with anger.
"You brat, where have you been? I thought someone had kidnapped you."
Ryosuke was his only family. During his duties with the Police Force, he had suddenly collapsed and been sent home to rest—only to disappear again. No wonder the old man was so worried.
Ryosuke looked at the elder before him, who looked exactly like the grandfather he'd lost in his previous life, except this one wore a traditional kimono.
His eyes grew complicated.
He hadn't expected to see his late grandfather again in another world.
He explained,"I felt a lot better, so I just went out for a walk."
Hearing this, the old man's anger melted into relief.
"As long as you're alright."
Then, a trace of sorrow flickered in his gaze.
"It's just a pity you didn't inherit your parents' talent. I never thought your body would be this frail."
"Your father died at the hands of Iwagakure, your mother at the hands of Kumogakure."
"Relying on you for revenge is impossible."
"All I want, as your grandfather, is for you to live well."
"If it comes down to it, you don't even need to work in the Police Force anymore."
At those words, memories surged in Ryosuke's mind.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha fought against Iwagakure. His father had gone to battle—only to fall there.
In that same war, Konoha fought against Kumogakure. His mother had gone to the front as well—only to be killed.
That had left just the two of them at home.
In the original story, neither this elder Uchiha nor the original Ryosuke had ever appeared. Proof that their strength was negligible, likely just cannon fodder.
The Uchiha elder's hair was already white. What fighting power could he possibly still have?
And in canon, not only had Ryosuke's parents died for Konoha's so-called peace, but even he himself—and likely this grandfather—would be wiped out during the Uchiha massacre.
At that thought, fury once again burned in Uchiha Ryosuke's heart.
But he didn't let it out. Losing his temper in front of this old man meant nothing.
The time to unleash his rage would be when he faced the Konoha elders and those two traitors. That would be true strength.
Noticing Ryosuke's heavy expression, the elder Uchiha tried to comfort him.
"Your parents died for the clan and for Konoha. There's no need to grieve."
"Without them, there would be no Uchiha, no peace in Konoha."
"We must keep on living well—that's what they would have wanted."
He feared his grandson might be brooding too deeply on these matters, and perhaps it was this very gloom that had caused him to suddenly collapse before.