"Hahaha—Konoha is a great place. It definitely won't disappoint you!"
Hearing Toneri Ōtsutsuki's words, Asuma laughed proudly.
He didn't suspect anything unusual. Toneri had even emphasized his anticipation with two "really"s—
which honestly made Asuma feel rather honored.
Toneri smiled faintly in response and followed Asuma into Konoha Village.
Konoha—the strongest ninja village of the Land of Fire,
and the strongest village in the entire world!
It was the most powerful force on this continent. Yes—the most powerful.
Ever since Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama founded Konoha together, it had stood at the peak.
And it had remained there ever since.
Three great Shinobi World Wars had already taken place, yet even after all three,
Konoha still firmly occupied the throne as the strongest ninja village.
That alone spoke volumes.
Konoha produced far too many geniuses. It was the greatest cradle for heroes—
since its founding, countless figures who shook the shinobi world had emerged from here.
"How lively it is…"
Listening to the bustling sounds around him, Toneri couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
The shinobi world was chaotic and cruel,
yet Konoha was peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious—a true paradise.
The Land of Fire was the wealthiest nation on the continent.
Its financial and manpower resources far surpassed those of other countries, providing Konoha with unmatched logistical support.
Otherwise, Konoha would never have been able to stand unshaken for so long.
"Haha—glad you like it, Toneri. But I'll need to get back to work now.
I still have to turn in my mission report. I'll have Kurenai accompany you around Konoha instead."
Asuma laughed proudly once more, then apologized slightly.
He needed to submit his mission—and also report Toneri and Kyokusen's situation to his father.
After all, these two children had mysterious origins.
Though their personalities were pleasant, Asuma wasn't reckless enough to settle them in Konoha immediately.
Observation was still necessary.
Discussing it with the Third Hokage was only proper.
"All right. Go ahead and take care of your work, Asuma,"
Toneri replied with an understanding smile. He knew exactly what Asuma was thinking.
"You should really call me 'Brother Asuma,' shouldn't you?
Ah—forget it. I really can't treat you like a child,"
Asuma said helplessly, shaking his head.
Being addressed by name by a seven-year-old felt… strange.
But after spending this much time with Toneri,
he truly couldn't see him as a child anymore.
Toneri Ōtsutsuki was simply far too mature.
After saying goodbye, Asuma left.
Yūhi Kurenai continued walking through Konoha with Toneri and Kyokusen.
"Kurenai—are you and Asuma lovers?"
Toneri suddenly asked with a smile, as if recalling something.
In the original timeline, Kurenai and Asuma were lovers.
Not long after Shippuden began, Asuma died in battle.
Kurenai, pregnant and alone—it was a tragic fate.
"Lovers? No."
Kurenai froze briefly, then shook her head. A thoughtful look appeared in her crimson eyes.
She didn't dislike Asuma.
And Asuma did seem to have feelings for her, but…
She didn't like men who smoked.
Asuma was practically a walking chimney—something she found extremely annoying.
"Is that so? Then would you be interested in waiting for me to grow up?"
Toneri said calmly.
"Kurenai is very beautiful. You could consider me."
He understood immediately.
After all, there were still several years before the original story even began—
it was normal that the two weren't together yet.
Truth be told, Toneri held Kurenai in high regard.
She was beautiful, kind, and gentle.
But most importantly—she was loyal.
Her lover died in battle, yet she chose to give birth to his child without status or recognition,
and raise the child alone.
A devotion worthy of song and tears.
"Pfft—thinking about that at your age?"
Kurenai was stunned, then burst out laughing.
"By the time you grow up, I'll already be old."
Looking at the delicate, seven-year-old boy, she teased him lightly,
not taking his words seriously at all.
After all, she was already twenty-one.
By the time Toneri grew up, she'd be thirty.
"Let's just treat it as a joke,"
Toneri said calmly, changing the subject.
"Could you take me to see the Hokage Rock?"
He wasn't surprised by her reaction.
At his current age, words like that could only make people laugh.
No one would take them to heart.
But he wasn't in a hurry.
It was only a matter of a few years.
He would grow up.
After wandering around for quite some time, the three finally decided to stop.
Kurenai then prepared to take Toneri and Kyokusen back to her home.
They currently had nowhere to stay,
and she happened to have spare rooms.
Kurenai had a very good impression of Toneri.
A polite, refined, and well-mannered child like him was genuinely likable.
Far better than those unruly brats.