Asuma talked big… but everyone in class knew he never actually used that "Hokage's son privilege" he bragged about.
He puffed out his chest anyway.
"So what!? That Shiki guy—he's average! I'll definitely beat him in the future!"
The real reason wasn't hard to guess.
Asuma liked Kurenai.
He'd liked her since the day she entered the Academy.
But Kurenai didn't like him.
She liked Shiki.
Everyone knew that.
So every time Asuma saw Shiki, he felt irritated.
Every time Kurenai talked about Shiki, he felt even more irritated.
"Hah? You? Comparing yourself to Lord Shiki?"
Anko said without mercy, voice dripping with disgust.
Kurenai was gentle, she wouldn't say it.
But Anko?
Anko talked like Naruto would ten years later—loud, blunt, and allergic to tact.
The fact Asuma was the Hokage's son didn't matter to her at all.
You're not the Hokage.
You're just his brat.
"You—!"
Asuma jabbed a shaking finger at her, furious, face red.
But the worst part wasn't Anko.
It was Kurenai's expression.
She was looking at him the way she'd look at a boring rock.
Disgusted.
Uninterested.
That crushed him more than anyone else could.
Seeing that, Asuma's childish pride snapped.
Anko didn't stop.
She leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"What's the point yelling at us? If you have guts, go say it to Lord Shiki's face! Repeat everything! I dare you!"
"You—!"
Asuma froze.
Yeah right.
He wasn't stupid.
Even if Shiki didn't kill him, Tsunade would.
So Asuma did what every stubborn kid does when cornered—
He deflected.
"You just wait! I'm still a kid now! I'll surpass him one day! I'm from the Sarutobi clan!"
The classroom went silent.
Everyone knew what "Sarutobi clan" really meant.
He meant the Hokage.
Kurenai panicked.
"Asuma, I—"
Before she could explain, Anko cut her off.
"Go on then! Go cry to Hokage-sama! Just go! Get out!"
"Fine!"
Asuma stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Kurenai stared helplessly.
This entire mess…
Did she just cause trouble for Shiki?
Anko sighed and waved her hand.
"Relax. Lord Shiki's stronger than everyone in this school combined. And Tsunade-sama's backing him—Hokage or not, nobody's touching them."
Kurenai finally breathed again.
"Is… is that true?"
"Of course."
Anko leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"Now tell me—what kind of person is Lord Shiki really like?"
Kurenai froze.
Ah.
Here it comes.
The last time Anko met Shiki, she hardly talked to him before Kurenai dragged her away.
Kurenai laughed softly.
"Shiki-nii is… very gentle."
Most saw Shiki as arrogant or wild.
But Kurenai knew the truth—he was only harsh to enemies.
To his own people?
He was warm.
"Details! Give me details!"
Kurenai giggled despite herself.
Then she began telling stories—her first meeting with Shiki, how he protected her, how he taught her simple ninjutsu, how he scolded her when she cried…
She didn't notice Anko's eyes shining brighter with each word.
Meanwhile — Hokage Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi, enjoying a rare peaceful moment, puffed on his pipe and watched his crystal ball glow.
"At my age, one must stay youthful," he muttered proudly.
BAM!
The office door exploded inward.
"Old man!"
Hiruzen jumped, hiding the crystal ball like he'd been caught watching something embarrassing.
"Asuma…?"
He rubbed his temples.
Of all his children, Asuma gave him the biggest headaches.
Rebellious, stubborn, temperamental—if only the boy put half his energy into training instead of arguing.
"You should be in class," Hiruzen said sternly. "Why are you here?"
"What's the point of class? Big brother can teach me better!"
"Presumptuous!"
Hiruzen slapped his desk, making Asuma flinch.
He didn't send Asuma to the Academy for education—it was for networking.
Every child in that class would grow into a clan head, jōnin, ANBU captain.
But Asuma…
Asuma just wanted to fight fate.
"You have until the count of three to explain yourself," Hiruzen warned. "Or I will drag you back to class myself."
Asuma clenched his fist, face red with shame and anger.
"If you don't help me… I'm not going back to that stupid school!"
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
If he weren't my son…
"Fine."
He sat down.
"What do you want me to handle?"
"I want you to send someone to teach Shiki a lesson!"
"…Who?"
Hiruzen blinked.
"Asuma, repeat that."
"That Golden Lion! Shiki! Teach him a lesson!"
Hiruzen stared at his son.
Long.
Hard.
Then he quietly wondered:
Is my son brain-damaged?
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 300 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.