Twilight in Konoha's shopping district was bathed in an orange-red afterglow.
Asuma's Land of Fire Daimyo guard uniform was already covered in dust. He was once the Third Hokage's son, a prominent figure, and many Konoha villagers recognized him, but now...
"Get out! Sarutobi clan's dog!"
A rotten tomato splattered at Asuma's feet, its juices splashing onto his fine leather boots.
Asuma looked up in astonishment, only to see the old woman selling dango at the street corner waving a rolling pin, her wrinkled face etched with deep-seated hatred.
Facing this sudden attack and insult, Asuma was powerless to retaliate. He could only flee in embarrassment amidst the laughter of the crowd.
He had originally intended to approach Kurenai to express his longing for her. However, fate always seemed to enjoy playing tricks. Just as he was about to reach Kurenai's home, he unexpectedly encountered her father.
"Uncle Shinku, I'm innocent. I truly love Kurenai."
Shinku's face was expressionless, the chill in his eyes making Asuma shiver.
"Asuma, I warn you, stay away from my daughter."
Asuma opened his mouth, wanting to argue.
But Shinku 's voice grew even colder and sterner. "If I find you bothering her again, I will absolutely break your legs."
But seeing Shinku's angry expression, Asuma fled like a startled rabbit.
Asuma looked at the sky, unable to understand. It hadn't been long, yet the Sarutobi clan's status in Konoha was like a rat crossing the street.
...
"Sorry, this inn is full."
The innkeeper of the eighth inn said through the crack in the door, her voice filled with tension.
Asuma braced the closing door with his shoulder and said, "I saw, you clearly have empty rooms."
The plump innkeeper wiped the beads of sweat constantly seeping from her forehead, her gaze shifty. "Asuma-sama... You know, the villagers have strong opinions about your clan right now. Just last week, someone threw rotten eggs at the old Shimura clan residence."
...
Having grown up in Konoha, Asuma was very familiar with the roads here.
The Konoha Inn sign swayed in the wind. Asuma had just raised his hand when the door slammed shut with a "bang."
The innkeeper's sharp voice pierced through the door crack. "We don't earn the Sarutobi clan's dirty money."
He stared at the newly carved curse on the door, four red characters: Hiruzen Go to Hell.
Asuma took a deep drag from his cigarette, letting the nicotine temporarily numb the dull ache in his chest. He had developed a smoking habit since going to the Daimyo's Mansion, especially when he missed Kurenai.
As he turned the street corner, his steps suddenly halted.
The figure of the girl in front of the flower shop was familiar, her black hair shimmering with a purplish-red luster in the setting sun.
Thirteen-year-old Kurenai was selecting white lilies, her slender fingers gently caressing the petals, reminding Asuma of the times they used to pick wildflowers by the river together.
"Kurenai!"
Asuma quickly stepped forward, instinctively reaching out to grab her wrist.
Kurenai, however, recoiled half a step, the bouquet in her arms rustling softly.
Her voice was much deeper than Asuma remembered. "Please don't call me that, Asuma. Let's pretend we don't know each other."
Asuma's hand froze in mid-air, his knuckles white from gripping. "What my father and the others did has nothing to do with me, and Kurenai, you know how much I've suffered to see you."
Kurenai's gaze fell on the exquisite Land of Fire emblem on his uniform cuff, a bitter smile on her lips. "Nothing to do with you? Then why did you leave without saying goodbye? Why are you returning in the Daimyo's clothes?"
Seeing Kurenai turn to leave, Asuma, in a moment of desperation, grabbed her wrist.
"Wait! Kurenai, we grew up together. You know very well what I've done, and my feelings for you."
"Let go of me, Asuma!" Kurenai suddenly raised her voice, drawing the attention of several passersby.
A clear, sharp command came from across the street.
"Release that girl!"
From a lavishly decorated carriage, a young man in a dark green brocade outfit leaped down. The Land of Fire noble's jade pendant at his waist jingled with his movements.
Hikawa Hideaki, 18 years old, young lord of the Hikawa clan.
He subtly inserted himself between the two, his slender fingers gently resting on Asuma's wrist.
"Sir, forcing a lady is not the act of a gentleman." Hideaki's voice was gentle but firm.
Seeing him place his hand on Kurenai's hand, the anger in Asuma's eyes ignited instantly.
The humiliation accumulated at the Daimyo's Mansion, the indignation of being implicated by his clansmen, and the unwillingness to accept Kurenai's cold attitude all transformed into Chakra, condensing in his palm.
"Get lost! This is our private matter!"
A whirlwind punch, carrying a whistling wind, struck Hideaki's face directly. Although the noble youth reacted quickly by tilting his head back, he was still grazed in the chest by the force of the punch, sending him flying backward to crash heavily into a street-side fruit stall. Apples and oranges scattered across the ground, and Hideaki curled up in pain.
"Murder! The Sarutobi clan's dog is trying to silence him!" Some villagers began to shout.
"Asuma, stop right there!"
Three figures appeared simultaneously.
Two Uchiha clansmen, wearing Military Police Force armbands, held Asuma's shoulders, one on each side, their Sharingan's tomoe spinning wildly.
Meanwhile, a Hyuga was kneeling beside Hideaki, veins bulging around his Byakugan.
Kamon's fingers lightly pressed on Hideaki's chest to stop the bleeding, and he announced in a deep voice, "Three ribs broken, minor spleen bleeding. He needs immediate medical attention."
Tekka skillfully sealed Asuma's Chakra, then put on handcuffs, the metal clasps making a cold click as they tightened.
"Asuma, you are suspected of assaulting a noble and are now under arrest." There was undisguised schadenfreude in his voice.
Asuma struggled, shouting arrogantly, "Tekka! I am the Daimyo's guard, you have no right..."
Inaho sneered, increasing the pressure of his fingers and forcefully pushing Asuma's head to the ground. "Hiruzen doesn't even dare to set foot in the village, yet you have the nerve to come back. Even if you are the Daimyo's guard, harming someone in Konoha still requires judgment."
He glanced at Hideaki, who was being lifted onto a stretcher, a sarcastic curve to his lips. "Moreover, you assaulted a noble. They are our distinguished guests."
On the stretcher, Hideaki painfully wiped away some nosebleed, his once handsome face contorted with pain.
His voice was broken due to his rib injuries. "Asuma, your Sarutobi clan are merely homeless dogs cast out of Konoha, only able to rely on the Daimyo by wagging your tails and begging."
A mouthful of bloody foam spilled from Hideaki's lips. "I swear in the name of the Hikawa clan heir, I will make you pay the price."