But he just couldn't say it!
Asuma's mind was a mess, hating his own cowardice, and he suddenly saw Aomi standing up.
Asuma looked up at Aomi, staring in a daze at his determined and handsome side profile, momentarily lost in thought.
"No, Aomi, I want to stay with you!" Asuma suddenly stood up, as if losing control, yelling loudly with all his might.
Aomi's gaze instantly turned stern, fixing his eyes on Asuma:
"Asuma, first examine yourself, then keep a calm understanding of yourself. Acting like this will only endanger your comrades!"
"With your current strength and age, there's no hurry to do such things. That time will come..."
"Before that, keep yourself alive and remember the promise between you and me!"
Aomi's words seemed to have an invisible power that instantly froze Asuma in place:
"If I don't come back, Asuma, you must remain hidden, continue to observe, and find those ninjas who truly possess the Will of Fire in their hearts. Make yourself and them people who can entrust and build a new era!"
Tears burst from Asuma's eyes, flooding his eyes, but he tried his best to keep his eyes wide open, just to see Aomi's silhouette!
[Received from the target Sarutobi Asuma: You have gained an unbreakable bond (Asuma)!]
[Unbreakable Bond (Asuma): Your actions have profoundly moved Sarutobi Asuma, forming a unique bond in the Hokage world. Whenever he thinks about you, he will undeniably be biased toward you.]
Aomi wiped the blood off his fingertips and turned to Tsunade, smiling: "Tsunade-sensei, try drinking less alcohol and more chicken soup in the future. Take care of yourself, and if possible, please look after Shisui; he's still young."
"Oh, and please remember to help Asuma. He is the true inheritor of the Will of Fire..."
Tsunade remained motionless, staring intently at Aomi, as if trying to engrave this moment in her heart!
[Sensed a strong feeling of cherishing from Tsunade towards the host; binding as a target!]
[Sensed a strong feeling of cherishing from Nohara Rin towards the host; binding as a target!]
"Alright, what needed to be said has been said!"
Aomi retracted his smile, suddenly waved his hand, and sternly shouted to the members of Tsunade's Squad: "Don't look back, run!"
Asuma gritted his teeth and stood up, while Nohara Rin and Tsunade watched Aomi's turning back. It's as if the hearts of all three had a void, but Aomi's words echoed in their ears, urging them to run away.
Aomi had already made a great sacrifice. If they hesitated any longer and squandered their precious opportunity, it would be a crime worthy of death!
The forest fire grew fiercer, and Kakuzu's Chakra gradually approached Aomi's position.
At last, the long-silent Senju Tobirama spoke up: "Aomi, you..."
"Tobirama, you forgot to add the word 'kid.' I find it a bit strange to hear it."
Aomi slowly drew Muramasa, looking at Kakuzu's silhouette flickering in the firelight, interrupting Senju Tobirama with a smile: "What, did I say something wrong?"
"You zero-point Will of Fire contestant, do you want to teach me, the one with full marks?"
Senju Tobirama was silent for a moment, then he laughed: "No, today you truly are full marks..."
"As a reward, I can lend you my strength!"