In the following week, Asahi not only investigated the actions of Kirigakure village throughout the entire Land of Hot Springs, but also slipped into the Land of Water itself, using the teleportation coordinates he had left behind. It was a dangerous decision, yet one he could not avoid if he wanted to truly uncover the movements of the Kiri. From village borders to coastal outposts, he prowled like a shadow, piecing together the extent of Kirigakure's deployments.
Apart from occasionally killing small scouting squads to keep his presence fresh in their minds, Asahi rarely engaged the Kiri ninjas directly. He knew better than to waste strength in fruitless battles. To the world, his sudden strikes were meant as proof that he still existed, a ghost reminding Kirigakure that he had not disappeared. But in truth, his focus was on observation, patience, and strategy.
By the seventh day, his investigation yielded clear results. The Kirigakure had indeed begun to mobilize more aggressively, secretly increasing the number of ninjas along the frontlines. In every corner of the Hot Springs Country, Kirigakure shinobi were hurriedly moving, searching ceaselessly for one person: Senmei Asahi. He had become their obsession, their humiliation, their nightmare.
The Third Hokage's plan had unfolded as expected. By drawing the Kirigakure out, Konoha had succeeded in weakening their defenses at home. And Asahi, as part of the deception, had played his role perfectly. To the Kirigakure, his existence had become an intolerable stain on their pride.
For Kirigakure, Asahi was not merely an enemy—he was their shame. A single child had turned their village upside down, killed countless operatives, and crippled their reputation in the wider world. To the Kirigakure elders, this was irreconcilable. Unless Asahi was captured and killed, the shadow of Konoha's dominance would always loom over them.
Across the shinobi world, when people mentioned the Kirigakure, the first thought that surfaced was no longer their famed swordsmen or their merciless tactics, but Senmei Asahi. The bitter truth was that he was only twelve years old. That humiliation was something the Kirigakure could not tolerate.
They would not stop until he was dead.
…
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Asahi reappeared in the familiar warmth of the Hokage's chamber, the faint glow of teleportation fading from his body. His footsteps echoed lightly against the wooden floor as he approached the desk where the Third Hokage sat, pipe in hand.
"Hokage-sama, the mission to lure the Kiri ninja out of the village has been completed." Asahi reported steadily. "They've dispatched a large number of forces to the frontlines, but they haven't located my trail yet. For now, they remain cautious, holding back from decisive action."
The Third Hokage exhaled a stream of smoke, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Well, I already know of their movements." he said with a smile.
Asahi hesitated, shifting slightly. "Then… this task…"
"Let it rest here." the Hokage replied in a calm, almost fatherly tone.
"Yes!" Asahi responded quickly, bowing his head.
The silence stretched briefly before the old man's voice shifted. "Tell me, have you encountered any problems in your training lately?"
Asahi felt his chest tighten. 'Damn it… when speaking with this old fox, every word must be weighed carefully.' Outwardly, his face remained calm.
"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. There are no major problems in my training."
Inwardly, however, he added: 'There are problems, but they're not large enough to be considered dangerous. Small matters only. Best not to share too much.'
The Hokage nodded as though satisfied. His gaze sharpened suddenly. "And your relationship with Minato? How has that been?"
Asahi replied truthfully. "Minato-senpai once guided me. It was through his instruction that I was able to master this ninjutsu."
The Hokage leaned forward, his tone now carrying the weight of command. "You have great abilities, and your skill in medical ninjutsu is exceptional for someone so young. Minato may soon ascend to the position of Fourth Hokage. When that time comes, you must assist him well."
The words struck Asahi like thunder. "Minato-senpai… becoming Hokage?" he muttered in surprise, before blurting out, "But Hokage-sama, you are still strong and not old. Why would it be so soon…?"
Hiruzen chuckled knowingly. "You're clever. You must have guessed the truth. After years of war, Konoha has endured grievous losses. The villagers grow restless, disheartened. At such a time, someone must step forward to bear the burden of leadership, to calm the storm and give the people hope again."
Asahi's lips parted, but no words came. He simply lowered his gaze.
The Hokage's next words carried a heavy gravity. "Originally, I considered Orochimaru for the position. He was once my most brilliant disciple, but his character makes him unsuitable."
Asahi's heartbeat quickened. Cold sweat pricked his neck. 'Why would he say this in front of me? Could it be… has he began to suspect something?'
Hiruzen sighed deeply, his tone softer now. "Orochimaru grew under my watch. He is… my proudest student. Yet I know him too well."
Feigning ignorance, Asahi tilted his head slightly. "Orochimaru-sama is exceptionally capable. Has something… gone wrong with him?"
Inside, his mind raced. He could not afford to appear too informed about Orochimaru's secrets. Speaking well of him would suggest familiarity. Speaking ill of him would suggest knowledge best left hidden. Thus, he walked the narrow line of pretense, feigning innocence as though Orochimaru were no more than a distant name.
The Hokage waved the matter away with a hollow laugh. "It is nothing. Pay it no mind. As one grows older, memories surface easily. Seeing your talent reminds me of the young Orochimaru. For a moment, I grew sentimental. Think of it as an old man's rambling."
Asahi's mind hissed. 'Oh my god. If I believe that, I'd be a fool. No… this is a test.'
"Hokage-sama…" he asked aloud, voice tinged with vigilance, "Is something truly wrong with Orochimaru-sama?"
The old man studied him, then chuckled once more. "Ha! Asking me like that is useless. You need not worry."
"I understand." Asahi replied simply.
With a shift in tone, the Hokage steered the conversation back to the frontlines. "You have the advantage of the Flying Thunder God. Use it. Keep a close watch on Kirigakure. We cannot let them catch even a whisper of our true strategy."
"Yes." Asahi answered, bowing once again. He paused briefly before venturing, "And what of Iwagakure?"
"There are no issues there." the Hokage replied curtly, clearly unwilling to reveal more. His words carried finality.
The meeting drew to a close with a few lighter exchanges. Asahi left the office, but his thoughts churned restlessly.
'It must have been Danzo. That rat must have whispered something to the Hokage about Orochimaru's research. Perhaps the Hokage even found traces of my own involvement. That would explain his probing words…'
He clenched his fists. In truth, experimenting with forbidden techniques was nothing unusual in the shinobi world. Everyone condemned such practices as evil, but even the revered Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had pioneered countless forbidden jutsu. Did he not also conduct experiments of his own while creating them?
Asahi's mind flickered back to the original flow of history. Orochimaru had not been forced into exile merely for research—it was the disappearances of Konoha's own shinobi that made his crimes intolerable. Anbu had uncovered his experiments, and the trail led to him without doubt. That was the true cause of his defection.
Therefore, even if Hiruzen had found hints tying Asahi to forbidden research, the Hokage would likely restrain himself to warnings only, so long as Asahi never crossed the line into murder of comrades. Still, the unspoken threat was clear.
'The sooner I cut ties with Orochimaru, the better.'
His gaze hardened. The next steps he took had to be chosen with utmost care. There was still so much power hidden in the scrolls and archives of Konoha, techniques waiting to be learned, waiting to be claimed. To lose the trust of the Hokage now would mean losing access to that treasure trove forever.
*****
Support me on my Ko-fi page and gain early access to my creations.
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
You can access up to 30 advanced chapters.
You can read 30 advanced chapters of the following:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi