"I didn't know you don't like sweets," Asuma said awkwardly, looking at the untouched dango on the table.
"Shall we go somewhere else?"
"No need," Ren responded calmly, glancing at Asuma. "I'll just order something lighter."
"I thought this place was nice. My friends and I come here often." Asuma chuckled uncomfortably. "Since I'm treating you, I should've asked about your preferences. That was thoughtless of me."
Ren didn't reply, simply sipping his tea. The dango shop didn't have many mild-flavored dishes, so Ren ordered a few random items and waited for them to arrive.
"You don't mind if I smoke, right?" Asuma asked, pulling out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket.
"No," Ren answered.
As the smoke swirled toward Ren, he slightly furrowed his brows, the smell unpleasant but barely noticeable.
"What's wrong?" Asuma asked, catching Ren staring at him. He laughed. "I guess smoking makes me a lot like my dad, huh?"
"Hmm… You mean the smoking?" Ren said.
"Yeah, I picked up the habit a few years ago, partly influenced by my old man. I just hope Konohamaru doesn't start it too," Asuma laughed.
"Konohamaru?"
"Oh, my nephew. He's two years old. My dad has high hopes for him, which is why he gave him that name."
Ren's food arrived: warabi mochi, pumpkin dango, and red bean soup, all sweet but tolerable for him.
"That name certainly carries expectations," Ren said, nodding.
"He's a cute kid. You should meet him sometime."
"Sure. Let's do it today."
Asuma froze, the dango halfway to his mouth. He chuckled awkwardly. "You always catch me off guard with the things you say."
Last time, Asuma had casually mentioned treating Ren to a meal, not expecting Ren to take him up on it so immediately. Now, with seeing Konohamaru, it was the same.
Ren, however, asked simply, "Is that not possible?"
"No, it's fine," Asuma replied, laughing.
"Good." Ren nodded, calmly sipping his red bean soup.
"..."
Asuma stubbed out his cigarette, watching Ren silently eat. Dressed casually in a simple outfit, Ren didn't stand out much—except for his striking face. If it weren't for that, Ren's appearance would have made him blend into any crowd.
"You know, aside from being a bit strange, someone like you must be quite popular with girls, right?" Asuma suddenly asked.
"There used to be a few," Ren answered indifferently.
Asuma laughed. "Yeah, girls love the cool, distant types like you. It was the same with Kakashi back then. He was just as popular as I was."
Ren remained silent. Back in his academy days, he wasn't considered particularly "cool." His personality was rather ordinary, and few girls showed interest in him. Most of the attention went to Shisui. Shisui, the social butterfly, always had a wide circle of friends. Ren, on the other hand, had only Shisui.
"Has a girl ever confessed to you?" Asuma asked, curiosity brimming.
Ren paused for a moment, then replied evenly, "Yes."
"What did you do?" Asuma asked, intrigued.
"I refused."
"Huh? Why?" Asuma asked, puzzled.
Ren looked at Asuma expressionlessly. "Didn't you say you were also popular? You should understand how bothersome that can be."
"Uh…" Asuma's face stiffened before he forced a laugh. "Yeah, it can be a bit annoying… Rejecting them was probably the right thing to do."
He bit down on a piece of dango aggressively, as if venting some deep frustration.
"Being handsome isn't everything, huh?!"
"Excuse me, mister?" A small voice interrupted Asuma's grumbling. He turned to see a young girl, no older than twelve or thirteen, looking up at him nervously.
"Mister, my cup rolled under your table. Could you get it for me?"
"M-Mister?!" Asuma was stunned, his face frozen in disbelief. His shock made the girl flinch.
Ren glanced under the table, seeing the cup. He bent down and picked it up, handing it back to the girl.
"Th-thank you, big brother," the girl stammered, blushing before quickly scurrying off.
Ren ignored her, but Asuma was left with a deadpan expression.
"What's wrong?" Ren asked, noticing his reaction.
Asuma, sporting some stubble and an overall unkempt look due to smoking, appeared much older than his twenty years.
"Nothing!" Asuma huffed in frustration.
After finishing their meal, Asuma, filled with lingering resentment, paid the bill.
"Let's go to your place," Ren said casually, standing at the entrance of the dango shop.
Asuma blinked, momentarily confused, before remembering their earlier conversation about visiting Konohamaru.
"Oh, right," Asuma muttered.
With no other plans, he led Ren to his father's home.
The Hokage's residence was an old, traditional house, exuding a sense of history. The courtyard was well-maintained, the leaves swept into neat piles, and miscellaneous items were stacked in an orderly fashion.
"Asuma, you're back," said a woman, her style a bit outdated but warm. She smiled upon seeing Asuma return.
"Yeah. Mie, this is my friend, Ren," Asuma introduced them.
"This is our housekeeper, Asada Mie."
"Nice to meet you," Mie greeted Ren with a small bow.
"Where's Konohamaru?" Asuma asked.
"In the living room playing," Mie replied.
Ren followed Asuma into the living room, where a small boy sat on the floor, surrounded by toys.
"Uncle!" the boy called out excitedly, struggling to stand up as he ran toward Asuma.
"It's 'uncle,' not 'uncle grandma,'" Asuma laughed, ruffling the boy's hair.
"This is Konohamaru," Asuma introduced Ren.
Clinging to Asuma's leg, Konohamaru curiously eyed the unfamiliar Ren, his big eyes blinking inquisitively.
After a moment of consideration, Ren extended his hand. Konohamaru, in response, placed a wooden shuriken into Ren's palm.
"He doesn't seem to dislike you," Asuma chuckled.
"Seems like it," Ren said.
"Why don't you play with him for a bit?"
Konohamaru ran back to his toys, and Ren took off his shoes before stepping onto the wooden floor and sitting down near him.
"You brought Konohamaru a playmate, Asuma," Mie teased from the doorway.
"Yeah, Ren wanted to meet him," Asuma laughed.
"Alright, you boys play. I'll get back to work," Mie said, leaving the room.
Konohamaru's toys consisted mostly of wooden ninja tools—kunai, shuriken, and short swords—all blunt and harmless. Ren had no particular interest in the toys but watched as Konohamaru gleefully swung the wooden kunai around, seemingly immersed in his own imaginary battle.
After a while, Ren asked, "Is the Hokage not home?"
Asuma blinked, caught off guard. "He's probably at the office, working on village affairs."
"Even on weekends… He must be busy," Ren remarked, spinning the wooden kunai in his hand. Konohamaru watched in awe, his eyes shining with excitement.
"It comes with the job," Asuma said. "He does take breaks from time to time, though."
"Still, he's getting old. It might be time for him to retire," Asuma sighed.
"There's no one who does a better job than the Third Hokage," Ren said.
Asuma chuckled. "If only the Fourth Hokage were still alive…"
Ren paused, his gaze thoughtful. "Yes… If the Fourth Hokage were still alive, perhaps things would be different."
"Huh?" Asuma asked, confused.
"It's nothing," Ren shook his head.
"Have you ever thought about taking over your father's position?" Ren asked.
Asuma froze, laughing bitterly. "I don't have what it takes. There are plenty more qualified people in the village."
Despite his lineage, Asuma knew he wasn't the most powerful or skilled ninja in the village. He wasn't even close to the level of his father's other two disciples, let alone some of the more talented young ninjas of his generation.
"But I'm sure the Hokage has high hopes for you," Ren said.
In the original story, Asuma becomes the teacher of the next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, a role undoubtedly influenced by the Third Hokage's wishes.
"I'm not interested in becoming Hokage," Asuma said, shaking his head.
"I don't have the ability to lead a village. At most, I'd just be a piece on the board to protect the king."
"A piece to protect the king…" Ren echoed.
"Yeah, to protect the Hokage," Asuma explained.
"...I see," Ren said softly.
It seems you really don't have that kind of talent…
Ren mused inwardly.
Konohamaru handed him another shuriken, watching in awe as Ren skillfully spun it in his hand. The young boy couldn't contain his excitement, shouting with glee.
The courtyard was lively under the afternoon sun. Asuma leaned against the doorframe, occasionally glancing at the shifting shadows of the trees or at Ren, who continued to play with Konohamaru. The hours passed by in a relaxed, peaceful rhythm.
The sun slowly crept across the sky, its golden light turning into a warm amber hue.
Asuma couldn't help but admire Ren's patience. He had spent hours sitting there, entertaining a child with simple wooden toys that most would find dull.
Just then, Asuma noticed a familiar figure approaching the gate.
"Dad, you're back," he called out casually, not bothering to stand up.
Ren's eyes flickered at the mention, and he gently placed the wooden kunai on the ground. Ignoring Konohamaru's protests, Ren slowly stood up.
"Lord Hokage."
The Third Hokage had just stepped into his home when he spotted the familiar young man standing there.
"Ren?" he said, surprised.
"I brought him here," Asuma explained, stretching lazily. "He wanted to meet Konohamaru and spent the entire afternoon playing with him."
"Quite patient of him," Asuma added, almost amused by the thought.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the wooden toys scattered across the floor and at Konohamaru, who was now tugging at Ren's pant leg. His gaze then returned to Ren, who stood quietly, his head slightly bowed.
The Hokage seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.
"Come with me to the study."
"Yes, sir."
Asuma watched curiously as his father called Ren away, but he quickly turned his attention to calming Konohamaru, who looked like he was about to cry.
In the study.
Hiruzen casually removed his long robe, hanging it up before taking his seat at the desk.
"You must have something important to discuss if you're willing to spend all afternoon playing with a child."
"Of course, nothing escapes your notice," Ren finally raised his head and looked at the Hokage, his voice calm and composed.
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