Sarutobi Asuma's expression darkened upon seeing what had just unfolded. Why was Kurenai standing protectively in front of a member of the Uchiha clan—especially one from that dangerous clan, widely regarded as a ticking time bomb within the village?
The determination in Kurenai's eyes made Asuma uneasy. Just moments ago, he had hoped to win her heart. Now, her decisive stance left no room for misinterpretation.
"Kurenai, I didn't mean to…" he tried to explain, but before he could say more, several ANBU operatives appeared in the distance, approaching slowly.
With a long sigh, Asuma turned and fled the scene.
Only after his departure did the street return to calm.
Kurenai walked over to Ryosuke, a look of concern on her face.
"Are you alright, Uchiha?" she asked. "I apologize on Asuma's behalf."
Ryosuke waved it off casually. "Forget it. This has nothing to do with you. It was Sarutobi Asuma's recklessness. Still, as a member of the Uchiha Police Force, no matter how strong the other party is, I must stop any illegal behavior."
Kurenai was slightly moved by his words. This guy wasn't like the other Uchihas. Most of them carried themselves with an aloof and arrogant demeanor, barely interacting with others, nor bothering to explain their actions.
But this man—handsome, upright, and righteous—seemed different.
However, she remembered she had other duties to attend to and politely took her leave.
"I still have work to do. I'll be going."
"Alright," Ryosuke replied simply.
Watching her leave, Ryosuke couldn't help but appreciate Kurenai's beauty and figure. She looked like she had good maternal health and strong genes—ideal for his "Many Children, Much Fortune" system.
If he could develop a good relationship with her, maybe he could fulfill the system's mission and receive a rare reward chest.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office, the ANBU had already reported Asuma's altercation with an Uchiha on the street.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately summoned his son.
When Asuma arrived, the Third Hokage's face was filled with fury.
"Why were you so reckless?"
"As the son of the Hokage, you should lead by example—not assault others in public!"
Asuma scowled in defiance. "It was that Uchiha who provoked me. He disrupted my confession to Kurenai."
Hiruzen sighed heavily. "Even if Kurenai didn't accept your feelings, was that reason enough to lash out violently? All you've done is drive her further away."
"You're going to the Land of Fire's capital now, to serve as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Take this time to reflect, calm yourself down."
Though still bitter, Asuma had no counterargument. He had embarrassed himself in front of Kurenai. Maybe once she cooled off, he could try again.
"Fine. I'll leave now."
After Asuma left and the ANBU cleared the room, Hiruzen finally relaxed his expression.
The boy had accepted the assignment. That was good. Let him gain experience with the Daimyō. It was all part of grooming him for the future Hokage position. If the Fire Daimyō became accustomed to Asuma's presence, he wouldn't refuse the idea of Asuma taking the mantle someday.
That path must be laid carefully.
Then his thoughts shifted to the Uchiha Ryosuke.
Although his son had clearly been in the wrong, had it not been for that Uchiha provoking Asuma, the incident wouldn't have escalated. The Uchihas were always so problematic.
After the failed peace talks with Iwagakure, Hiruzen's prestige in the village had already fallen. The villagers didn't understand the bigger picture—if he had to give a little in compensation to end the war, it would have been worth it.
Ending the war would make him a hero, someone even greater than the First or Second Hokage.
He could have been the most respected Hokage in history.
But these foolish villagers didn't understand. He had to step down in shame, and only returned to power after Minato Namikaze's death.
Now, with increasing skirmishes at the borders with Kumogakure, even though Konoha had the strength to fight back, Hiruzen preferred to preserve the village's forces. After all, Konoha had more than one enemy. War wasn't something he wanted to prolong.
If peace could be achieved with Kumogakure, even at the cost of some face, he could bring the Third Great Ninja War to a close and earn eternal honor.
That was his true goal.
Meanwhile, Ryosuke strolled around the village until dusk and finally returned home.
Waiting for him at the door was an old man with graying hair, a scowl on his face.
"You brat! Where did you run off to? I thought you'd been kidnapped!"
This elder was his only remaining family. After Ryosuke collapsed during his police shift and was sent home to rest, he had vanished without notice, causing the old man tremendous worry.
Looking at the old man—who resembled his grandfather from his previous life almost exactly—Ryosuke's expression grew complicated.
To meet his late grandfather again in another world… it was hard to describe the feeling.
"I felt better, so I went out for a walk," he explained.
Hearing that, the old man's anger turned to relief. "Good. As long as you're alright."
Then his expression dimmed.
"It's a shame you didn't inherit your parents' talent. Your body is too fragile."
"Your father died at the hands of Iwagakure, and your mother at the hands of Kumogakure."
"There's no way you can get revenge. I just want you to live a peaceful life."
"If it gets too dangerous, just quit the Police Force."
Ryosuke fell into thought as fragmented memories filled his mind.
During the Second Great Ninja War, both of his parents had gone off to fight. His father died in the battle with Iwagakure, and his mother fell to Kumogakure. Now, only he and his grandfather remained.
Neither of them had appeared in the original Naruto plot, which meant their strength wasn't noteworthy. Likely cannon fodder.
The old man, the so-called Uchiha Clan Elder, was probably long past his prime—just another casualty when the clan was wiped out.
That thought stirred a quiet rage within Ryosuke.
But he didn't let it show. No use getting angry in front of the old man.
The time for anger would come—against Konoha's corrupt leadership and those two traitors.
The Elder noticed Ryosuke's solemn face and gently tried to comfort him.
"Your parents died for the clan and for Konoha. There's nothing to mourn."
"Without them, we wouldn't have peace in Konoha today."
"All we can do is live on… for their sake."
He feared that dwelling on these painful memories might weigh down his grandson. Perhaps that's what caused Ryosuke's recent collapse.