Chapter 77:
The Konoha commercial street at dusk was bathed in a warm orange-red afterglow.
Asuma Sarutobi's Daimyō guard uniform was already covered in dust.
He had once been the son of the Third Hokage — a person of prominent status. Many Konoha villagers used to recognize him, but now...
"Get out of Konoha Village! You Sarutobi mutt!"
Suddenly, a rotten tomato smashed at Asuma's feet, splattering juice onto his polished leather boots.
Asuma looked up in shock. At the street corner, the old lady who sold dango was waving her rolling pin, glaring at him with a furious expression.
Faced with this sudden attack and insult, Asuma's face twisted bitterly. Under the mocking laughter of the crowd, he fled in embarrassment.
He had originally come to find Kurenai Yuhi to confide in her about the pain of missing her.
However, while he was near Kurenai's house, he unexpectedly ran into her father… Yuhi Shinku.
"Uncle Shinku, I'm innocent… I truly like Kurenai!"
Yuhi Shinku's face remained expressionless, but the coldness in his eyes made Asuma shiver involuntarily.
"Asuma, stay away from my daughter! If I find out you've harassed her again, I will definitely break your legs!"
Asuma opened his mouth, wanting to explain.
But seeing the anger on Yuhi Shinku's face, he fled like a frightened rabbit.
Asuma looked up at the sky, unable to understand… How had it only been a short time, yet the Sarutobi clan's status in Konoha had fallen to the level of rats crossing the street?
At the eighth inn, the fat owner shouted through the crack in the door: "Sorry, we're fully booked!"
Asuma pressed his shoulder against the door that was about to close: "Boss, I saw it. You clearly still have empty rooms."
The fat owner wiped the sweat continuously beading on his forehead, his eyes darting evasively: "Young Master Sarutobi… You know how it is. The villagers have very strong opinions about your family right now… Today someone even threw rotten eggs at the Shimura family's old residence. We wouldn't dare let you stay here."
Asuma had grown up in Konoha. He was very familiar with the roads and the people here.
The moment he withdrew his shoulder, the door slammed shut with a "bang."
The fat owner still shouted through the door: "We don't want the dirty money of the Sarutobi clan!"
The surrounding people also stared tightly at Asuma Sarutobi. From time to time, someone cursed: "Why don't the Sarutobi people all just die!"
Hearing this, Asuma took a deep drag from his cigarette, trying to let the nicotine temporarily numb the depression in his heart.
Ever since he went to the Daimyō's residence, he had picked up a smoking habit — especially when he missed Kurenai.
As he turned the street corner, his footsteps suddenly stopped.
The girl in front of the flower shop had a figure so familiar, so longed for.
Thirteen-year-old Kurenai Yuhi was selecting fresh flowers. The way her slender fingers gently stroked the petals reminded Asuma of their school days…
"Kurenai!"
Asuma quickly stepped forward and, without thinking, reached out to grab her wrist.
Kurenai recoiled like a frightened fawn.
"Asuma, please don't call me that. Let's just pretend we don't know each other."
Asuma's hand froze in mid-air, his eyes somewhat unfocused: "Kurenai, my father and the others' actions have nothing to do with me. And Kurenai, you know how much I've suffered just to see you…"
Kurenai's gaze fell on the cuff of his uniform — the exquisite Fire Country emblem.
"Nothing to do with you? Then why… did you leave without saying goodbye? Why did you join the Daimyō's subordinates just like your father?"
Seeing Kurenai turn to leave, Asuma panicked and grabbed her wrist.
"Wait! Kurenai, we grew up together. You know exactly what I've done. You also know my feelings…"
"Let go of me, Asuma!"
Kurenai suddenly raised her voice, causing several passersby to look over.
"Let go of that beautiful girl!"
A lavishly decorated carriage stopped nearby. A young man in dark green brocade attire jumped down. Noble ornaments hung from his waist, jingling with his movements.
Hikaru Hinokawa, 18 years old, the young heir of the Hinokawa family.
He calmly inserted himself between the two, his slender fingers gently resting on Asuma's wrist.
"Sir, forcing a lady is not the behavior of a gentleman."
Seeing him place his hand on Kurenai's arm, the anger in Asuma's eyes instantly ignited.
All the humiliation he had accumulated at the Daimyō's residence, the resentment from being dragged down by his clan, and Kurenai's cold attitude — everything was vented onto Hinokawa Hikaru.
"Get lost! This is our private matter!"
Two wild punches, carrying whistling wind, flew straight toward Hinokawa Hikaru's face and chest.
The noble youth couldn't react in time. His entire body was sent flying and crashed heavily into a fruit stall by the roadside.
Apples and oranges rolled everywhere. Hinokawa Hikaru curled up in pain.
"Murder! The Sarutobi mutt is trying to silence witnesses!" Some Konoha villagers began shouting loudly.
"Asuma Sarutobi, stop right there!"
Three figures appeared simultaneously.
Two Uchiha clan members wearing Police Force armbands pressed down on Asuma's shoulders from left and right. Their Three Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly.
Meanwhile, a Hyūga clan member had already squatted beside Hinokawa Hikaru, veins bulging around his Byakugan.
Hyūga Kamon's fingers lightly pressed on Hinokawa Hikaru's chest to stop the bleeding: "Three ribs fractured, slight spleen bleeding, nasal bone collapsed. He needs immediate medical attention."
Uchiha Tetsuka skillfully sealed Asuma's chakra and then handcuffed him. The cold click of the metal rings locking echoed.
"Asuma Sarutobi, you are suspected of assaulting a noble. You are now under arrest."
Asuma struggled and shouted arrogantly: "Uchiha Tetsuka! I am the Daimyō's guard. You have no right—"
Uchiha Inaka glanced at Hinokawa Hikaru, who was being lifted onto a stretcher. He suddenly increased the force in his hands, brutally pressing Asuma's head against the ground.
"Asuma Sarutobi, even though you are the Daimyō's guard, injuring someone in Konoha still requires judgment. Moreover, the person you assaulted is a noble — they are honored guests of Konoha."
Hinokawa Hikaru lay on the stretcher, painfully wiping the blood from his nose. His originally handsome face was twisted in pain.
"Asuma Sarutobi… I swear on the name of the Hinokawa family heir that I will make you pay…"
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