"He's gotten stronger again!"
Terumi Mei's heart tightened as she watched Senmei Asahi send Suikazan Fuguki flying with a single strike.
Even though she had always been confident in her own talent — possessing not one, but two kekkei genkai — the display before her was beyond comprehension. She, the woman once hailed as the most gifted kunoichi of Kirigakure, was forced to admit that this boy from Konoha was something beyond human.
The last time they had met, Asahi had been struggling to hold his ground against several Kirigakure shinobi. Now, he had crushed one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen in a single kick.
Though Fuguki's carelessness played a part, the terrifying aura radiating from Asahi was undeniable — the calm, deadly composure of someone who had stepped beyond the ordinary. Even the air around him seemed to hum with restrained violence, and that suffocating sense of pressure made every shinobi nearby unconsciously tremble.
As the surrounding Kiri-nin stood frozen in stunned silence, Asahi glanced around and let out a quiet chuckle.
"Since you've found me." he said lightly, his tone almost teasing, "I suppose my little investigation in the Land of Water ends here. So — until next time."
He turned toward Mei, his expression playful. "And… when we meet again, Mei, I'll tell you a secret."
Mei frowned, her instinctive curiosity outweighing her irritation. "What secret?"
"Bye-bye." Asahi replied, flashing a faint smile — and in the next instant, his figure vanished without a trace.
Swish!
The Kiri-nin gasped in alarm, scanning the area, but he was gone.
Terumi Mei clenched her fists. 'What in the world is he planning?'
Asahi had left her with more questions than answers. But if her intuition was right, that secret he mentioned wasn't a bluff. He knew something — something that could shake the very foundation of Kirigakure.
Indeed, Asahi already knew the truth about the Fourth Mizukage being under the control of the Masked Obito. When the time was right, he intended to use that knowledge to bargain with Mei — perhaps even aid her in ending the bloody purge that would soon consume the village.
…
When he finally returned to Konoha days later, the familiar scent of the village — the earthy fragrance of leaves, the chatter of merchants, the distant laughter of children — filled him with a quiet sense of nostalgia.
"It's good to be home." he murmured.
His modest house, though small and tucked away in a quiet corner of the village, was still his own — a space he had built from the earnings of his missions. It wasn't luxurious, but it carried the warmth of belonging.
After creating a shadow clone to clean, Asahi washed away the travel dust and made his way to the Hokage's office to report.
He already knew he had to come clean about Sage Mode. The transformation's characteristics — the serpentine chakra that coiled around him, the markings on his face — were unmistakably tied to Ryūchi Cave. If he used it in front of Konoha shinobi, rumors would spread immediately, linking him to Orochimaru.
Better to take the initiative and control the narrative before someone else did.
…
Inside the Hokage's office, both Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Hiruzen were present.
"Yondaime-sama, Sandaime-sama." Asahi greeted respectfully with a bow. "It's been a while."
"Asahi! When did you return?" Minato asked warmly, his golden hair catching the sunlight streaming through the window.
"I just arrived, and came straight here to make my report." Asahi said.
Hiruzen adjusted his pipe slightly, observing the young man before him. "You've been gone nearly four months." he remarked with a faint smile. "It seems that training of yours bore considerable fruit."
Indeed, even without his chakra sense, Hiruzen could feel it — the quiet pressure emanating from Asahi. It wasn't arrogance, but confidence, the natural aura of someone whose strength had reached a new realm.
"Sandaime-sama your eyes are sharp as always." Asahi said modestly, smiling. "My strength has indeed improved during this journey."
He hadn't realized just how much he had changed, but everything about his bearing — his calmness, his composure, his tone — exuded quiet dominance. He was no longer the cautious child of a few years ago.
Whether he stayed in Konoha or chose to walk a different path, Asahi no longer feared anyone.
But remaining in Konoha had its advantages. Here, he had access to vast resources — laboratories, intelligence, and infrastructure. Leaving now, to build something of his own like Orochimaru, would only waste precious years.
"Haha! It seems your efforts were worth it." Hiruzen said with rare laughter, setting down his pipe.
"Actually, there's something I must explain to both Hokage-sama." Asahi said seriously.
"Oh?" Minato tilted his head slightly. "What is it?"
Without another word, Asahi formed a seal.
Yin Seal ∙ Release!
The next instant, a wave of powerful chakra rippled through the office.
Sage Mode!
Purple markings appeared around Asahi's eyes, and faint, transparent serpentine chakra began to coil around him. The air trembled with pressure.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
In an instant, five elite Anbu appeared from the shadows, surrounding him. Both Minato and Hiruzen rose from their seats, bodies tense and ready to react.
Asahi lifted his hands slightly, smiling wryly. "My apologies! I didn't mean to startle anyone. I'm not attacking — I merely wanted to demonstrate."
He dispersed the chakra, the markings fading as he returned to normal. "Sandaime-sama, I believe you've already sensed it."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, signaling the Anbu to stand down. His aged eyes fixed on Asahi, sharp and probing. "So… you and Orochimaru did have contact after all."
"It was more of a transaction." Asahi said calmly. "When Orochimaru defected, I made a deal with him. In exchange for letting him leave unscathed, he gave me the summoning scroll of Ryūchi Cave."
Hiruzen's brows furrowed. "What did you trade for it?"
"I let him go." Asahi replied simply.
The old Hokage's pipe trembled slightly in his hand.
He knew the truth of Asahi's words — that Orochimaru had fled Konoha under pursuit and that several Anbu had mysteriously vanished during that mission. It all fit perfectly.
Hiruzen's expression darkened. "You… why would you do such a thing!?"
"I had no choice." Asahi said firmly. "I needed strength — and quickly. If I hadn't made that trade, Orochimaru would've escaped anyway, and Konoha would've gained nothing. This way, at least, his knowledge wasn't wasted."
His voice remained steady, neither pleading nor defensive.
"I'm not denying that what I did violated regulations," he continued, "but I'm telling you this now so that there's no misunderstanding in the future. Though some of my actions may go against your expectations, I am — and will remain — a shinobi of Konoha."
Hiruzen stared at him for a long moment, his gaze unreadable.
Asahi's meaning was clear. He would act according to his own judgment, not blind obedience.
Minato broke the silence first. "Asahi, I believe in your intentions." he said quietly. "You've done much for this village already. But understand — such choices are dangerous. Next time, consult us first."
"Understood, Yondaime-sama." Asahi said with a faint smile.
Hiruzen exhaled, his expression softening just a fraction. "You've always walked your own path, Asahi. Just remember — every choice leaves consequences. Be sure you can bear them."
"I always have been, Sandaime-sama." Asahi said, bowing. "And I always will be."
As he turned to leave, the room fell into contemplative silence.
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]