At this very moment, inside the Hokage Office of the Hokage Tower, Asuma stood before the desk of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"You're saying that a little girl who's barely over ten years old—just from the pressure she leaked when she made a move—made you feel utterly unable to resist?"
Holding his pipe, the short-statured Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled the information his son had just reported to him. His expression darkened as he asked the question in a low, steady voice.
No one understood Asuma better than he did.
Although his talent could only be considered above average, he trained diligently and never slacked off.
His current strength was indeed nothing to scoff at.
But what did he just say?
That a girl barely past ten years old had frightened him merely with a trace of killing pressure?
If the person standing before him were not his own son—and if Hiruzen did not clearly understand his character—he would have already smashed his old pipe straight into the kid's face and told him to get lost.
Are you messing with me right now?
Even at his current level, his own pressure was only about this much.
Was Asuma implying that a ten-year-old girl was on par with him?
Utter nonsense!
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Even his three students, the White Fang, and even the most outstanding among them—Namikaze Minato—had nowhere near this level of talent, alright?!
"Yes, Father—absolutely true!"
Asuma shed his usual carefree demeanor and spoke with rare seriousness.
"That girl… she's terrifyingly strong."
There was no mistake. He would never forget that pressure—the kind that nearly crushed his will to resist.
It wasn't just a gap in strength.
It felt more like a difference in racial hierarchy—
the instinctive fear a lower lifeform feels when facing a higher one.
Asuma didn't want to admit it…
but at that moment, he had indeed faintly sensed such an illusion.
Tap… tap…
Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head and began smoking.
Whenever he thought deeply, this was his habit.
Asuma stood quietly, waiting for his father's decision.
After a long while, Hiruzen suddenly spoke.
"She possesses the Byakugan, correct?"
"Yes, Father."
Asuma paused briefly before answering.
"And the other child is blind… coincidence?"
Hiruzen muttered in a low voice, brows furrowing.
"Are you certain that boy is truly blind?"
He felt as though he had almost grasped something—
yet the spark of insight vanished in an instant.
Lifting his head again, he fixed his gaze on Asuma.
"It should be correct. He keeps his eyes closed at all times. However, his sensory ability is exceptionally sharp."
Asuma thought for a moment, then shook his head as he replied.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri truly did seem to be blind.
The ability to navigate without eyesight wasn't something one could develop overnight.
"Exceptional sensory ability…"
Hiruzen took another puff of his pipe, analyzing calmly.
"Then he can't possibly be an ordinary child. What about his strength?"
His combat power might not surpass that of other Hokage across generations—
but his intellect was among the very best.
The fact that he had sat on the Hokage's seat for decades spoke for itself.
After all, Danzō, that old schemer, had always been coveting his position.
"I can't tell," Asuma admitted, shaking his head.
"But he definitely shouldn't be weak."
"I see."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered briefly, then issued his order.
"Pass the word down. No one is to provoke or come into conflict with them. As for the Hyūga clan, I will go there personally."
He trusted his son deeply.
If things were truly as Asuma described, then this was indeed an opportunity for Konoha.
To befriend the two of them—
and let them take root in the village.
...
On the other side, Yūhi Kurenai brought Ōtsutsuki Toneri and the other child back to her home.
Toneri sensed briefly—
the house wasn't large. It seemed Kurenai's family background could only be considered fairly well-off.
"Come in. I'll make something for you first—it's almost dinner time."
Kurenai opened the door and smiled at them.
Her father had died during the Third Great Ninja War,
so she had begun living independently at a very young age.
"Kurenai, what time does Konoha's Ninja Academy let out?"
Toneri nodded, then asked curiously.
To him, the Hidden Leaf Village was entirely new.
After all, his knowledge of Konoha came solely from that manga.
Many details were unfamiliar to him.
"The Ninja Academy?"
Kurenai tapped her chin, thought for a moment, then smiled.
"It's at 5:30 in the afternoon. What's wrong, Toneri? Are you interested?"
If Toneri wished, she could send him to the Ninja Academy.
After all—
he was only seven years old.
"No, just curious."
Toneri shook his head lightly. He had only asked on a whim.
Because there was a memory—
one that had always remained exceptionally clear in his mind.
Kurenai soon finished preparing the meal, and the three of them ate together.
Although the taste wasn't particularly outstanding—
Toneri was still very satisfied.
Because Kurenai's kindness was genuine,
and he was genuinely happy.
After the meal, Toneri said goodbye to Kurenai and walked out with Ōtsutsuki Kyokusen.
There was a place—
A place he truly wanted to see.