Without further thought, Aoyama Ryuyun turned and left.
On the other side, Sarutobi Shinnosuke stumbled his way back home.
"Shinnosuke!"
As Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife and Shinnosuke's mother, Biwako Sarutobi froze the moment she saw her son's condition. Her eyes widened in horror.
"Shinnosuke! You—your arm!"
Blood soaked through the cloth around the stump of his shoulder. Once he finally crossed the threshold of his home, Shinnosuke felt his legs give out from under him.
"I…"
Before he could finish, a wave of dizziness washed over him. His vision darkened, and he collapsed.
"Shinnosuke!"
Biwako rushed to catch him. "Someone! Quick—get a medic!"
---
That night, at the Sarutobi household, Hiruzen, Biwako, Shinnosuke, and Asuma sat together in tense silence.
Thanks to Konoha's medical-nin, Shinnosuke's life was no longer in danger, but the price was heavy. He sat pale and weak, one sleeve empty.
"So," Hiruzen began, tapping the end of his pipe against the table, "this was because of you, Asuma?"
Asuma's face drained of color. "I—I didn't mean for this to happen…"
When he first saw his brother's condition, Asuma had been terrified. The guilt sat heavy in his chest—he had gone to his elder brother asking for help, and now… this.
"Hiruzen," Biwako interjected sharply. "If you're going to be angry, be angry at Aoyama Ryuyun! He's the one who maimed our son! Why are you turning it on Asuma? Remember—it's our child who lost his arm!"
Hiruzen's eyes flashed, anger flaring behind the calm. "What do you think I don't understand? If Aoyama had attacked first, I'd have him arrested myself—even if he were the Golden Lion incarnate! But—"
He stopped, exhaling a long breath. His tone dropped, heavy and measured.
"—because I am the Hokage, I can't act on personal anger."
Silence filled the room.
For a long moment, only the faint crackle of Hiruzen's pipe could be heard.
Everyone in the family understood what that meant.
He could not act openly—but that didn't mean he would do nothing.
'If not by official means,' Hiruzen thought grimly, 'then I'll use unofficial ones.'
His expression darkened.
Even if he respected Aoyama Ryuyun's strength, his son's humiliation and mutilation could not go unanswered.
---
"Asuma."
At the sound of his name, Asuma flinched violently. "Y-Yes, Father?"
The boy's trembling only deepened Hiruzen's disappointment. You caused trouble, but lack the courage to own it. He thought bitterly. That weakness… is what I hate most.
"From this day forward," Hiruzen said coldly, "you'll no longer attend the Ninja Academy. You'll train under the Sarutobi elders—within the clan."
Asuma's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! But—"
Then he saw the look in his father's eyes and fell silent, lowering his head.
Having settled that matter, Hiruzen turned toward Shinnosuke. His anger softened slightly when he saw his eldest son's empty sleeve. He placed a hand on Shinnosuke's shoulder.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen said quietly. "Leave everything to me."
Shinnosuke clenched his remaining fist. "Yes, Father…"
Hatred burned in his eyes—hatred for Aoyama Ryuyun. With the Hokage himself involved, he was certain that monster would not get away unpunished.
---
The next morning, in the Hokage's Office.
Before Hiruzen could even sit down, Danzo Shimura walked in uninvited, his ever-present bandages rustling as he smirked.
"Oh, Hiruzen… I heard your son had his arm cut off."
Hiruzen said nothing, but the sharp glare he cast toward Danzo could have cut steel. He knew that look on Danzo's face—barely disguised satisfaction.
If Danzo could read his mind, he'd probably admit it proudly: yes, he was pleased.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke—Hiruzen's golden child, the one groomed to be a future Hokage—was now crippled. To Danzo, that was one less obstacle.
"Cough… cough."
Danzo quickly composed himself when he saw Hiruzen's killing intent. "Ahem. All right, I'll be direct. What do you plan to do about Aoyama Ryuyun?"
Even Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly as he said the name. "The people call him the Golden Lion, but you know as well as I do—heroes' fame doesn't last long. The public's memory is short."
Hiruzen didn't reply immediately. He set his pipe down, gaze hardening.
"How are your preparations coming along?"
For once, there was no hesitation in Hiruzen's voice.
Danzo smiled faintly. "Heh. As thorough as ever. My men are ready."
That smile said it all. Both of them had made up their minds.
Aoyama Ryuyun—hero or not—had just been marked.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters