Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a sense of nostalgia, took off his Hokage Kasa and beckoned warmly for Aomi to sit on the chair opposite him:
"It's truly been a burden on you, having to trouble a child like you with family matters makes this old man feel a bit ashamed."
"Come over and sit, Aomi, let this old man take a good look at the descendant of Kagami, the future of the village."
Aomi responded with a sunny smile to Sarutobi Hiruzen and sat down without hesitation, as if they were very familiar with each other.
Although this was the first meeting between Aomi and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After Asuma and his Hokage father were astonishingly brought to their knees...
Amidst the shock, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to his once rebellious son's self-criticism of past actions and his genuine admiration and desire to have Aomi as a teammate.
This surprised Sarutobi Hiruzen pleasantly – his family's rascal finally grew up!
But at the same time, his years of governance experience made him sense a hint of sensitivity in the air.
Thus, originally planning to observe Aomi for a while longer, Sarutobi Hiruzen, propelled by Asuma, proactively sought out Aomi to have a talk as a senior and as the Hokage.
Aomi, very keenly sensing Sarutobi Hiruzen's inner thoughts, told the Hokage-father directly the general content of his conversation with Asuma, without waiting for any small talk.
So far, what Aomi and Asuma had said perfectly matched up, which gradually settled Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.
But this was not enough; the Hokage of Konoha still needed to give Aomi a final test.
"Lord Hokage, I don't think there's anything troublesome about Asuma's matters. On the contrary, I greatly enjoy my interactions with him; he is an enthusiastic, sunny, and talented ninja."
Smiling, Aomi accepted the tea Sarutobi Hiruzen handed over, thanked him, and spoke slowly:
"What surprises me most is that despite both of us being students at Ninja School, Asuma has a broad perspective on the village and the Ninja World. He shared many thoughts that deeply moved me and made me admire his magnanimity."
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened intently, a mysterious light flashing in his eyes. Magnanimity... What did Asuma and Aomi talk about?
To what depth has Asuma's thinking reached?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's curiosity and vigilance were both piqued; he shook his head with a bitter smile: "Ah, this old man is busy with affairs of state, neglecting the care and education of Asuma..."
"He never mentioned these things to me, his father."
Aomi's expression hesitated, seemingly troubled by something unspeakable, his brows furrowing.
After a moment, Aomi seriously looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said in a deep voice, "Third Lord, I should not speak of these matters, as they are your family affairs and involve another high-ranking member of Konoha."
"I am merely a student at Ninja School, and I am not qualified to comment on these matters. But as a friend of Asuma, if you allow me, I would like to talk to you in that capacity, and as his father."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at Aomi, only to find Aomi's clean eyes filled with sincerity and a hint of remorse for his friend.
"Aomi, your grandfather, Uchiha Kagami, and I were comrades through thick and thin, and you are a friend of my younger son, Asuma..."
"In private, you can just call me Uncle Hiruzen. No need for titles; we ought to consider ourselves family."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as he stroked his beard: "Hearing that makes me feel a bit younger, my beard isn't white yet!"
Aomi nodded heavily, responding smoothly: "I understand, Uncle Hiruzen..."
"As for Asuma, the reason he misunderstood you earlier is due to a secretive organization in the village called the Root, controlled by Hokage Assistant Shimura Danzo."
Upon the mention of Shimura Danzo's name entangled with Asuma, Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned serious.
Shimura Danzo, has he extended his dark hand towards his son?
This is intolerable!
"Since Asuma would inevitably encounter some intelligence, he accidentally paid attention to the Root, and over time, he discovered a shocking cover-up."
"He doesn't understand why the Root operated in violation of the rules but was not penalized. And since Shimura Danzo is a friend of yours, Asuma believes it is because of your coverup, Uncle Hiruzen, letting the Root act so recklessly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was peculiar, a mix of worry and relief, yet his gaze continually prompted Aomi to continue speaking.
Aomi candidly said, "Asuma paid particular attention to the Wood Release experiment."
The Wood Release experiment...
Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted slightly; it was not surprising Aomi knew about this.
After the Second Shinobi War ended, the Wood Release experiment was a decision made through the Jonin meeting of higher-ups, and as the possessors of the Sharingan, the Uchiha Clan was very attentive to this matter back then.
But why did Asuma continue to focus on this experiment that was supposed to be halted?
Aomi, seemingly oblivious to the change in Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze, continued, "Asuma discovered that after the village halted the experiment, a portion of ninja with Senju Bloodline disappeared from Konoha, never to be seen again."
"Even some kids with Senju Bloodline vanished inexplicably..."
"In such a vile incident, Asuma believes that without your approval, the Root could not have reached such an extent."
At this point, Aomi sighed helplessly:
"I've talked with Asuma, explaining that as the Hokage, you must oversee the entire village's affairs involving dozens of ninja clans and tens of thousands of ninja, and you can't possibly grasp every change within the village."
"Moreover, the Root is a powerful organization under the Anbu. If they focused on blinding your perception, it's possible for it to be achieved in the short term."
Aomi's gaze shifted to the Hokage Kasa on the table, his tone filled with admiration mixed with a touch of helplessness:
"Uncle Hiruzen, Asuma adores you immensely, to the extent that he wishes you to be almighty, managing the village without a single blemish."
"Therefore, when Asuma saw that the darkness wasn't being dealt with, for someone who idolizes his father immensely, he wouldn't even consider whether there were issues with the Root. Instead, he thinks you should have long since handled these issues."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression became increasingly astounded, even somewhat flattered, as he unconsciously took out his pipe, fumbling with the flint on the table.
Aomi briskly stood up, his fingers igniting a perfectly small flame, which he brought forward.
Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Aomi's shoulder, took a deep inhale, and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
"Aomi, this old man doesn't know how to properly thank you..."