The moment they stepped into Hiruzen's house, Konosuke saw Asuma already dressed in his jonin flak jacket, preparing to head out.
Asuma spotted his father and Konosuke returning together and vanished in a Body Flicker Technique, reappearing before them.
"What was that explosion just now? I was about to head over to support."
Konosuke glanced at Hiruzen, silently asking whether he could tell Asuma. He personally didn't care.
Hiruzen understood immediately.
"It was Konosuke's doing. Nothing serious. I've already had it handled. You don't need to go."
"Konosuke?" Asuma turned toward him, lowering his voice. "Did you ignite a storage room full of explosive tags? That blast was massive."
Konosuke looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Yeah, sure. Lit up a whole crate. Thinking of lighting another one later to test how sturdy your house is."
Hiruzen coughed lightly, cutting them off.
"Come sit in the living room. Asuma, make some tea."
"Me? Tea?" Asuma pointed at himself in disbelief.
Konosuke had visited before, but his father had never been this courteous.
Hiruzen led Konosuke into the living room, leaving Asuma standing awkwardly in the hallway.
Soon, tea was served, and the three men sat quietly.
No one smoked.
Konohamaru was upstairs. They didn't want the smoke drifting toward him.
The child was just over a year old now, already crawling around energetically.
Truth be told, he was quite adorable.
Hiruzen was the first to break the silence.
"Konosuke, tell me your thoughts on the clan… and the village."
Konosuke had anticipated this question.
His ability was too powerful. Hiruzen needed to understand where his loyalties lay.
He rotated the teacup slowly in his hand.
"Old Man… do you want the truth or a lie?"
"And are you asking as Hokage? Or as Clan Head?"
"The identity matters. My answer changes depending on the standpoint."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Is there truly a difference between Hokage and Clan Head?"
"Of course," Konosuke replied calmly.
"If you ask as Clan Head, I'll tell you this—if the Sarutobi clan faces destruction, I won't stand by. I'll fight to the death. I won't let the clan that raised me be wiped out. And if destruction is inevitable, I'll drag the enemy down with me."
"That's why I said earlier the village should be grateful I'm not the Uchiha clan head. Otherwise, I'd have already fought the village to the bitter end."
Hiruzen watched him closely.
Konosuke drained his tea and continued in a reflective tone.
"They call me the disgrace of the Sarutobi. Some elders scold me whenever they see me."
"But they've never withheld my stipend. I see their scolding as disappointment, not malice."
"Without the clan's protection and support, I wouldn't have lived comfortably these past years. That's why I'd protect it with everything I have."
He paused.
"As for the village…"
"I like it here. It's home. I'll protect it as best I can."
"But if you expect me to throw my life away for every civilian? I can't promise that. Since you're asking as Clan Head, I won't lie to you."
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
It wasn't the perfect answer—but it was sufficient.
At least Konosuke was someone who understood gratitude.
After a moment of quiet satisfaction, Hiruzen asked another question.
"Your bloodline limit is incredibly destructive. How much chakra does it consume? How many times can you fire that beam?"
Konosuke held up one finger.
"Once. One shot drains nearly everything. That's why I'm developing sustainable techniques. So far, I've created a high-speed movement technique—faster than the standard Body Flicker Technique."
Hiruzen nodded again, clearly pleased.
He rose and retrieved a scroll from a cabinet behind him, placing it on the table.
"This is the Sarutobi clan's chakra refinement method. It's superior to the one you've been using. Train with it. It should increase your reserves somewhat."
Konosuke accepted it without hesitation and tucked it into his robe.
It wouldn't change much—but it was something.
Afterward, Hiruzen returned to the Hokage's office without asking further questions in his official capacity.
He didn't need to.
Konosuke had made his stance clear.
He might hesitate to die for the village—but he would certainly die for the Sarutobi.
That was enough.
Once Hiruzen left, Asuma slid closer, wearing a mischievous grin.
"So… what exactly is your ability? Show me."
"Show you? If I do, you'll need to rebuild this house. Didn't you see the ANBU still putting out fires?"
Konosuke stood up and headed for the door.
It was almost time for class. The children were waiting to be enlightened.
Asuma sighed in disappointment and decided to go find Kurenai to vent his frustration.
Back at the Hokage's office, Hiruzen had barely sat down when Danzo arrived.
"Hiruzen. Konosuke's ability is too dangerous. Give him to me. I'll train him into a blade sharp enough to defend Konoha."