Ryosuke stepped out of the ramen shop and came outside.
The streets were lined with a crowd of onlookers.
At the center stood a man with a cigarette in his mouth and stubble on his face, gazing affectionately at the woman in front of him.
"Kurenai, be my girlfriend."
The long-haired woman with a center parting had an awkward expression.
Although she and Sarutobi Asuma were childhood friends, she didn't particularly like him.
Especially not in his current state—reeking of cigarette smoke, unshaven, and confessing his feelings in public?
Wasn't this kind of thing supposed to be done in a more private place?
This confession seriously lacked sincerity.
Besides, Asuma had a terrible reputation. He was immature, like a child.
She already felt uncomfortable being around him, let alone dating him.
There was no way she could accept this kind of confession.
Kurenai's face turned cold.
"I refuse."
Sarutobi Asuma was shocked.
"Why, Kurenai? Aren't we childhood sweethearts?"
Kurenai replied, annoyed, "We just grew up together."
"And who said childhood friends have to become lovers?"
Asuma panicked. He was about to leave for the Land of Fire's capital to become one of the Guardian Twelve Ninja.
Before that, he needed to lock things down with Kurenai.
With her looks and figure, she was bound to attract a lot of attention.
His eyes hardened as he threatened, "Kurenai, if you don't say yes today, I'll follow you until you agree!"
Kurenai looked at him in disgust.
"You're so annoying."
What kind of guy chases a girl like this?
Was this really the Asuma she used to know?
He was like a piece of gum that wouldn't come off.
Asuma grew more irritated. They were childhood friends—why was she so hard to win over?
He approached and grabbed her hand.
"If you don't agree today, I'm not letting go!"
Kurenai's expression darkened with anger.
How could he act like this in public?
How could anyone expect happiness from someone who behaves like this?
The onlookers stared at Asuma, many of them visibly displeased.
If he weren't the Hokage's son, they would've stepped in already.
This wasn't wooing—it was harassment.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"If you continue harassing this woman, I'll have to arrest you."
It was Uchiha Ryosuke who spoke.
He hadn't expected Asuma to be so reckless and lawless.
As a member of the Konoha Military Police Force, he had to intervene.
The villagers turned to see who spoke—an Uchiha from the Police Force.
Though the Uchiha didn't have the best reputation lately, they hoped he'd act justly this time.
Asuma let go of Kurenai's hand and turned toward the speaker.
A youth in a high-collared robe with spiky hair—an Uchiha.
With disdain, Asuma said,
"Uchiha? Are you trying to ruin my moment?"
To him, this was a private matter.
He figured he just needed to be a little forceful to make Kurenai submit.
The outcome mattered more than the process.
But Ryosuke stared back at him firmly.
"As a member of the Uchiha Military Police, I can't just ignore someone harassing a woman in public."
Asuma laughed out loud.
"The Uchiha Police? After the Nine-Tails incident, they're a joke. And I'm the Third Hokage's son. You really think you have the authority to stop me?"
"You want me to beat you up?"
The crowd scowled at Asuma.
His bad reputation was already well known—eating BBQ and meals without paying was just the start.
Now, harassing a woman in broad daylight?
Even Kurenai looked disappointed.
He was using his father's name to justify such shameful behavior.
Ryosuke calmly replied,
"I don't care if you're the Third Hokage's son. Even if Hiruzen himself were here, he couldn't excuse harassment."
The villagers around him felt a wave of satisfaction.
This Uchiha was right on the money.
One after another, they began to speak out:
"Asuma, how can the Hokage's son harass a woman like this?"
"And threaten a member of the Police Force too?"
Asuma's face darkened.
He glared hatefully at Ryosuke.
It was this guy's fault—he was stirring everyone up.
He pulled out two chakra blades from his waist and infused them with chakra.
The twin blades lit up with a blue glow.
The bystanders gasped and backed away.
Even hardened villagers, used to seeing ninja fight, were stunned.
These weren't kunai or shuriken—this was high-end gear.
Kurenai's face changed.
She had seen these blades before—Asuma once showed them off.
Infused with chakra, they could cut through trees or even shatter boulders.
Such dangerous weapons shouldn't be used against fellow villagers!
She couldn't help but scold him,
"How can you do this? It's completely out of line!"
But Asuma, hearing Kurenai's criticism, grew even angrier.
Why was she siding with the Uchiha?
"Red, this guy's the one causing trouble. Let me take care of him, and then I'll confess again!"
Kurenai rolled her eyes.
Is this really the time for that?
How could she say yes to someone acting like a lunatic?
Ryosuke was also getting frustrated.
All he did was try to stop some harassment, and now Asuma wanted to fight him?
Those blades were no joke—if they hit, he could lose a limb.
He focused his chakra into his eyes.
His pupils turned red, and two tomoe spun within.
Cautiously, he stared down Asuma.
"What are you trying to do—attack someone in public?"
"Is this how the Third Hokage raised you?"
Asuma's expression grew darker.
He already had a poor relationship with his father—mentioning him only made things worse.
Asuma made up his mind.
Even if he didn't kill this guy, crippling one of his arms wouldn't be a problem.
With his father to clean up the mess, who would dare touch him?