As the rays of the sun pass through the open window, a young man finds himself standing before the Third Hokage, much to his confusion. ' I'm certain I was only just watching Naruto, so why is it that this seems far more immersive than it should?,' thought the young man. This young man's name is Gale Shade. His parents were both anime buffs, so he had a fun childhood that was healthier than most. Being the otakus that they were, they had their names legally changed, simply to give their son a name that screams chuunibyou: Gale Shade.
Despite his mental disorientation, his body bore signs of being alert, while also being relaxed. Disregarding his lack of ability to fully focus on his current surroundings, he drove himself to recall exactly what happened prior to him being present in the world of Naruto. The memory was quite hazy, like a dream nearly forgotten a few minutes after waking. Yet as the mental fog cleared, the memory revealed itself to be quite grim. He passed away due to a severe case of food poisoning. He supposed it didn't help that he suffered from a severe lack of sleep, malnourishment, and constant overexertion. His daily routine led to the neglect of his body, not that he had the mind to tend to it. Not even sleep itself was something he sought. It had to steal his consciousness from him unaware, while his grasp on his attention towards other occupants of his mind was weak.
The mental clarity brought about by the revelation of the last thing that occurred in his life as Gale Shade was only temporary. It made way for a head splitting migraine that felt like thousands of swords made of sound and light that sought to fragment his mind. Yet, in comparison to the flood of memories from both lives, as Gale Shade, and as Asuma, made the pain seem feeble and paltry in comparison.
Noticing the distraction of his son, the Third Hokage created even denser smoke clouds, propagated with the aid of his favorite age old wooden pipe. Vying for the attention of Asuma, he spoke. "Asuma, I understand I've been rough on you, assigning you multiple A-Rank missions, with nearly no time for rest. Yet, I haven't had much choice lately, due to the shortage of capable Jonin in the village. I have been lenient, only assigning you mostly escort missions."
"You know as well as I do that those missions would've still been assigned to me, capable Jonin available or not. Those missions were more...political in nature," Gale, or rather Asuma, uttered with a sigh. The response was nearly instinctive, despite not fully regaining his bearings from the deluge of memories he received.
Lighting a smoke of his own, more so out of the habits of Asuma, he asked "Just do me a favor, will you? Let me spend some time off from the politics. If you must assign me missions, I'd much rather they're of the 'hunting' kind. Though, I haven't had much time to spend with Kurenai..."
He couldn't help but speak on it, given that he was feeling the desire of two life times. Asuma's desire for Kurenai is well known by many in the village, and maybe by some outside of it as well. Gale's desire for Kurenai arose from the fact that she's an 'Ara Ara' Onee san type, while not being the type to rush or tease. It just so happened to be an added bonus that Kurenai didn't mind his lackadaisical character. Even the fact that he died once already couldn't force him to go headlong first into a relationship with a woman. Regardless of the depth of his past and current life's yearnings, he couldn't rush. He had no want for a relationship that would be as easily discarded as a cheap white shirt after being worn a scorching summer day.
"I won't give you many missions , if any at all. In exchange, you must mentor the next generation of InoShikaCho. They will be graduating from the Ninja Academy in a year, given their current progress. That should be plenty of time for you to recover from the tedious tasks of tending to the social niceties of the nobles. Konoha can never have too much funding." Hiruzen exhorted, he himself exasperated at the antics of the Fire Daimyo and the nobles.
"I like how you make it seem as though including me in another one of your machinations is doing me a favor. This move of yours may be more military than political, but antics all the same. Such a drag. I'd rather the shogi and chess matches that I've been playing with Shikaku over the past few years that I've returned from the 12 Guardians. Your moves aren't looking as subtle as they used to, old man."
Coughing at the mention of 'old man', Hiruzen replied, "I've got life in me yet. This old flame will burn, even as an autumn leaf, to make sure the new leaves stay in bloom. There's always my old friend Danzo to keep me sharp, anyhow."
"You've been assigning Might Guy too many missions. Nearly sounded like you were going to utter 'Eternal Springtime!' and 'Youth!' in addition to the Will of Fire you spewed out with the smoke you blew out just now. Also, that dear 'friend' of yours has been dulling your edge and driving you to age faster. He's got eyes and ears in places only you should. If he wasn't so obsessed with power, I would worry that he would shimmy away with Mom. You know, I wouldn't put it past him to have made attempts to keep eyes and ears on the clan."
"Ahem! That is your mother. You will speak to me, and of her, with respect, Asuma! Am I clear?" Hiruzen exclaimed, both out of embarrassment, frustration, and exasperation. So much so, that he he nearly let his trusty pipe crack upon hitting the floor, if he didn't catch it.
"Aye aye, Lord Third. You should also use Shadow Clones to get all of that paperwork done. Afraid that even your own clones would seize power from you? Do you believe the will not have your....critical vision?"
"I don't recall bringing you up with such a sharp tongue, Asuma."
"Well, I do specialize in wind chakra. Fraternizing with nobles and the like is akin to warfare. Thus, I honed my blade. It was the best way to effectively complete the missions you so generously assigned to me."
"Aaagh, that's enough! You're dismissed!"
"Dismiss the work to some Shadow Clones and go see Mom! Thank whatever lucky stars that you chose someone else to be Kushina's wet-nurse and care taker. Though, I must say I wasn't pleased that the Kyubii attack happened while I was away in the Fire Capital."
"Out,out,OUT!"
Asuma chuckled as he exited the office. He chortled in mirth when he heard his father mumble, "You, Jiraiya and Kakashi together almost give me as many grays as my old friend." 'Good thing that gauze wrapped cyclops didn't see any of that. He may have spotted something wrong with my behavior. He's more paranoid than the Third Mizukage and Hanzo put together.'
As Asuma was on his way to find Kurenai, as he left the Hokage building, he heard a *Ding**Congratulations, Gale Shade. You have successfully communicated with the Third Hokage without arousing his suspicion at your identity. You have activated The Gale Force System. You receive a starter package, courtesy of the system.* Due to his surprise, he nearly stumbled. He's been caught off guard too many times in a short period of time for his liking.