Asuma looked deadly serious as he repeated himself.
Hiruzen stared at him for a long, painful moment.
"…Do you even know who Shiki is?"
"Of course I know!" Asuma said, chin up.
"He's that Golden Lion guy! The one who beat the One-Tail!"
Hiruzen just… blinked.
"You know," he said slowly, "and you still want me to send someone to 'teach him a lesson'…? Are you trying to kill me?"
Asuma didn't hesitate.
"If it's really that hard, old man, then you do it! You can beat him, right?"
"…?"
Hiruzen stared into the void for a full five seconds.
Admit he couldn't beat Shiki?
In front of his son?
Never.
He exhaled sharply.
"Explain. Why do you want trouble with Shiki?"
"If it's truly his fault, then as Hokage I'll step in. So tell me everything."
Asuma immediately launched into the entire story from the classroom — the jealousy, the argument with Anko, Kurenai preferring Shiki, everything.
When he finished—
The Hokage's office fell silent.
Hiruzen looked at him like he was staring at a failed exam paper.
Asuma squirmed.
"W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Get out."
"Huh?"
"I said GET. OUT."
Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk.
"You wanted me to attack Konoha's war hero because you're JEALOUS!? I ought to beat—!"
"Old man!! You—!"
"OUT!!"
Asuma shouted, "I hate you!"
Then stormed out of the office.
Hiruzen sagged into his chair, massaging his temples.
If this weren't my son, I swear…
Even if he wanted to pick a fight with Shiki—
With THIS reason!?
He'd choke to death from embarrassment before he even issued the order.
"…I'll ask Shinnosuke to straighten him out later."
At least one of his children had a functioning brain.
Later — Konoha's Negotiation Rumors
"Have you heard?"
"Negotiation results with Sunagakure came out."
"What compensation did they give?"
"…None."
Tsunade stopped walking.
Shiki raised an eyebrow.
Konoha had sent an entire army to crush Suna, defeated their jinchūriki, forced their surrender—
And the elders came back with:
Nothing.
Not even a token tribute.
Shiki snorted.
"Classic Konoha leadership. Talking big, accomplishing nothing."
He remembered the future clearly.
During the Third Ninja War and even during Orochimaru's invasion — Konoha and Suna were "allies."
Fat lot of good it did.
Alliance agreements were only useful until one side decided they weren't.
Tsunade's temper ignited instantly.
"Those bastards! Then what were we fighting for!? Why did our people die!?"
Fortunately no one else was nearby.
Anyone seeing Tsunade this furious would have run for their lives.
"Apparently Koharu and Homura handled the delegation," Shiki said lightly.
Tsunade's fists tightened.
"Those fossils! Why did Grandpa ever let Sarutobi become Hokage…!? If I become Hokage, every one of those parasites is getting kicked out!"
At least her priorities were clear.
Shiki chuckled softly.
When Tsunade begged, eyes sharp and earnest, "Shiki… help me,"
Shiki tapped her forehead gently.
"Haven't I been helping you this entire time?"
Tsunade nodded, cheeks pink.
He continued, voice serious:
"Train. Reach true Kage-level before the next Great Ninja War. After that war, I'll make sure you're the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade blinked.
Another war?
Already?
The Second just ended…
But she didn't question him.
She believed him.
"Okay. I'll train as hard as I can."
That Evening — Kurenai Returned Home
"Shiki-nii!"
When Kurenai came back from school that evening, Shiki had already finished training.
He smiled as she ran over.
"You come here every day. Your father's probably planning my funeral."
Kurenai drooped.
"…Shiki-nii…"
Usually she joked, but today her face was downcast.
Shiki frowned slightly.
"What happened?"
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