After hearing Richard's response, Asuma gave him a long, thoughtful look before speaking again. "Mind if we talk in private, Richard?"
"Of course not," Richard replied.
After exchanging a few words with Kurenai and Yugao, they moved to a secluded corner of the street.
Once they arrived, Asuma pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tapped one loose. "You smoke, Richard?" he asked, glancing over.
"No, thank you," Richard declined. Though he occasionally enjoyed cigars when bored in the past, he had no particular craving for cigarettes.
Asuma nodded and lit one for himself.
After taking a deep drag, he continued, "Truthfully, after the Third Hokage's funeral, I wanted to speak with you."
"But you left Konoha before I could find you."
Hearing this, Richard immediately deduced Asuma's likely topic.
Undoubtedly, Asuma intended to ask why he hadn't intervened in the battle between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage.
Although the Sound Four had employed the Four Violet Flames Formation to create an isolated battlefield for Orochimaru, the barrier couldn't have prevented someone of Richard's power from interfering.
The Four Violet Flames Formation might have delayed him briefly, but it couldn't have kept him out permanently.
Richard's conjecture proved correct as Asuma quickly addressed the matter.
"Richard… you were on that rooftop when Orochimaru fought the Third, weren't you?"
"I'm not here to point fingers. I just want to understand—why didn't you try to stop him?"
"I know you've got the strength to tear through that Four Violet Flames Formation. Hell, even a Tailed Beast couldn't stand up to your blade. If you'd really wanted to step in… that barrier wouldn't have stopped you."
Asuma regarded Richard with gravity as he spoke.
As the Third Hokage's son, his questioning didn't surprise Richard.
However, this didn't obligate Richard to answer with complete honesty.
"The reason is straightforward—I didn't anticipate the Third Hokage employing that particular jutsu against Orochimaru," Richard explained.
"In other words, I originally believed the Third would defeat Orochimaru."
"Though Orochimaru possesses tremendous power, he was the Third Hokage's student. The Third knew precisely how to counter him."
"Additionally, another factor influenced my inaction: the Third Hokage never requested my assistance."
"He knew I remained outside the barrier, yet he chose not to seek my help. Instead, he resolved to confront Orochimaru independently."
"Judging by the outcome, the Third Hokage's decision proved unwise."
"However, under those circumstances, I elected to respect his choice."
"As Konoha's Hokage, he likely wished to avoid public perception that the village couldn't rely on its own strength against intruders."
Richard maintained a calm demeanor as he addressed Asuma.
Though his primary reason for not intervening stemmed from his personal dislike of the Third Hokage, had the Third genuinely requested his assistance, Richard might have at least considered acting.
After all, aiding an elderly person in need represented a virtue.
Asuma didn't immediately respond, instead regarding Richard with a complicated expression.
He had indeed considered Richard's explanation.
Yet from a son's perspective, he still wished Richard had taken initiative to save the Third Hokage.
Naturally, he recognized that Richard bore no obligation to help the Third.
Though Richard currently resided in Konoha, he wasn't a village shinobi—merely a foreigner temporarily settled within Konoha.
Asuma let out a quiet sigh, then looked at Richard. "That's all from me. I won't take up any more of your time. Appreciate you answering my questions, Richard."
"You're welcome," Richard replied calmly.
After their conversation, they rejoined Kurenai and Yugao to continue their shopping.
After browsing the night market for over an hour and purchasing various daily necessities and trinkets, Richard and Yugao returned to their residence.
Upon arriving home, Yugao first organized their purchases from the night market, then announced, "I'm going to shower first."
"All right," Richard nodded.
After watching Yugao enter the second bedroom and take clean clothes to the bathroom, he proceeded to his study.
Settling behind the desk to contemplate tomorrow's plans, he employed his enhanced vision to check Sasuke's home.
Though past nine o'clock, even if Sasuke, Naruto, and others had undertaken a mission, they should have returned home to rest by this hour—provided they hadn't left the village.
Normally, this would be true.
Yet after examining Sasuke's residence with his enhanced vision, Richard still found no trace of the young Uchiha.
Did he leave the village on a mission?
This thought immediately crossed Richard's mind.
Due to Richard's presence, Sasuke's fate had diverged completely from the original timeline.
In the original storyline, after encountering Itachi who had returned to the village, being easily defeated by him and mocked for insufficient hatred, Sasuke had contemplated joining Orochimaru.
Subsequently, the narrative featured Sasuke being extracted from the village by the Sound Four, with Naruto, Neji, and others departing to retrieve him.
Now, however, this significant portion of the original plot had no opportunity to unfold.
Orochimaru had temporarily abandoned his plan to "abduct" Sasuke.
Furthermore, since the Reaper Death Seal hadn't sealed his arms' souls, Orochimaru felt less urgency regarding body transference than in the original timeline.
Though uncertain of Sasuke's current activities, Richard didn't dwell on the matter and deactivated his enhanced vision.
The following morning, after enjoying breakfast prepared by Yugao, Richard employed his flight ability to leave the residence, soaring toward the Hokage's office.
Beyond recommending Yugao for Jonin promotion, he intended to complete all procedures required for establishing his private office.
Soon, he arrived outside the Hokage's office.
Like yesterday, rather than entering through the main entrance, he pushed open the window and flew inside.
The moment he entered, Tsunade's voice resonated through the chamber.
"Can't you simply use the front door like everyone else?"
Tsunade, dressed identically to yesterday, frowned at Richard as she spoke.
"Entering through the main entrance requires additional steps—the window proves more convenient," Richard responded casually.
"This is still the Hokage's office, you know," Tsunade said flatly. "Climbing in through the window like some thief doesn't exactly scream professionalism—especially if someone catches you."
"That's fine, provided no one catch it," Richard replied with a smile.
Observing Richard's obvious reluctance to change his behavior, Tsunade sighed in resignation.
"What do you want?" she asked directly, unwilling to waste further time.
"If you're here regarding private matters, please consult Shizune—she'll assist you."
As Hokage, she now faced numerous daily responsibilities.
Though she could delegate these matters, doing so early in her tenure might create perceptions of laziness, and she preferred handling Hokage-level concerns personally.
"This isn't about my private office," Richard clarified.
"I've come primarily to recommend someone for Jonin promotion."
Though he hadn't specified the individual, Tsunade immediately deduced the candidate.
"You wish to recommend Yugao Uzuki for Jonin promotion?" she inquired promptly.
"Yes," Richard confirmed with a nod.
"If I remember right, she's only a Special Jonin with a focus on Konoha-style swordsmanship."
"Her swordwork is impressive, no doubt—and I know you've trained her personally."
"But outside of that, her overall skillset still falls short of what we expect from a full Jonin."
Tsunade understood Richard's motivation for recommending Yugao's promotion.
Yet from her perspective, Yugao's current abilities hadn't reached full Jonin level—she remained better suited as a Special Jonin.
"Apart from swordsmanship, Yugao's other skills admittedly aren't exceptional," Richard acknowledged.
"Yet her present strength certainly compares favorably with other Jonin."
"Additionally, her mission record satisfies promotion standards."
"If you remain concerned, I'll serve as her guarantor."
"Should any issues arise following her promotion, you may hold me directly accountable."
Richard approached Tsunade's desk, providing the answer she sought.
Despite Tsunade's businesslike demeanor, Richard recognized she merely sought an appropriate concession.
Tsunade gave a slight smile. "You're offering this of your own will—I didn't twist your arm."
"Since you're confident enough to vouch for her, I'll approve the promotion."
"I'll have Shizune take care of the paperwork."
"Anything else you want to bring up?"
As Tsunade concluded, Richard recalled another question. "I'd like information regarding everything that transpired when Itachi Uchiha returned to the village."
Itachi Uchiha?
Tsunade immediately frowned.
"Why do you want to know?" she questioned.
"Sasuke qualifies as my student—my interest in his circumstances seems natural," Richard explained.
That's what he claimed, but his genuine concern wasn't Sasuke, but whether Itachi had confronted Kakashi, Jiraiya, and others upon returning to Konoha, as in the original timeline.
Itachi embodied the quintessential "overprotective brother."
Even when returning to Konoha, he wouldn't genuinely harm Sasuke—he would merely encourage Sasuke's growth through his distinctive methods.
Though his motivational approach differed from conventional wisdom, he would never truly injure Sasuke.
Of course, some psychological trauma proved inevitable.
Tsunade didn't immediately address Richard's inquiry.
After frowning thoughtfully for more than ten seconds, she detailed Itachi Uchiha's activities during his village return.
After listening to Tsunade's account, Richard inwardly sighed.
Indeed different!
In the original timeline, Itachi had easily defeated Kakashi using Tsukuyomi, revealing to Sasuke the enormous power gap between Kakashi and himself, which had planted the idea of joining Orochimaru in Sasuke's mind.
Following a rooftop duel with Naruto and witnessing the Rasengan's power, Sasuke had grown more determined to seek Orochimaru.
Subsequently, the Sound Four had extracted him from Konoha, with Naruto, Neji, and others pursuing him.
But here, due to the "butterfly effect" Richard had triggered, Itachi hadn't confronted Kakashi and the others after returning to the village.
Though avoiding that confrontation, Itachi had still demonstrated his power within Konoha.
He had approached Danzo directly and engaged him in combat.
Tsunade remained unaware of the battle's specifics.
However, following the confrontation with Itachi, Danzo had gone into hiding.
Tsunade didn't know his current location, much less whether he had sustained injuries.
After obtaining this information from Tsunade, Richard departed the Hokage's office to find Shizune.
With her assistance, he easily completed all procedures for establishing his private office.
Afterward, he visited the shop that had remained closed for over three months.
Opening the store's door, he located a nearby cleaning service and delegated the shop's cleaning to them.
Then, he flew toward his residence near the Uchiha district.
Back home, he informed Yugao that Tsunade had approved her Jonin promotion and that his private office would soon open.
"Do you need my help at the office?" Yugao inquired.
"No, focus on your own responsibilities," Richard replied quickly.
"After your promotion to Jonin, Tsunade will likely assign you additional missions. You'll soon be busier than I am."
"Mm-hmm," Yugao nodded.
Following lunch at his residence, Richard visited the now-cleaned shop to begin transforming it into his private office.
After some basic planning, he completed the office design drawings.
He reorganized the store into two distinct areas—his office and a reception area.
After completing the design, he contacted a decoration company, provided them with the drawings, and specified his requirements.
The subsequent process proved straightforward: Richard supplied the funding, and the decoration company transformed the store into a private office.
After handling these arrangements, evening had arrived.
Just as he prepared to return home and enjoy a quiet dinner with Yugao, Shizune suddenly appeared before him, her expression grave.
"Tsunade-sama has an urgent matter requiring your attention," she stated seriously.
An urgent matter?
Observing Shizune's serious demeanor, Richard's brow furrowed slightly.
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