Chapter 29: Asuma

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Whoosh!

Clang!

In the dense forest, the clinking of shurikens and kunai filled the air.

Puff!

Figures darted in and out of view, their movements swift and calculated. Among them were Asuma and Dilu, fighting side by side.

"I said, is this the kind of trouble you always attract?" Asuma grumbled, his trench knives deflecting a hail of shurikens. His irritation was directed at Dilu, who stood just behind him.

Clang!

More attacks rained down, forcing the duo to remain on high alert.

Dilu clasped his hands together, summoning a massive Senju Bodhisattva, which intercepted the barrage with precision. "Apologies, I might've forgotten to mention this. As a monk assigned by the Fire Temple to protect the Daimyo, I'm naturally a target for anyone with bad intentions," Dilu admitted with a sheepish grin.

"Whether they want to intercept me, assassinate the Daimyo, or pursue their own ulterior motives, this journey won't be an easy one."

"Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!"

Asuma formed seals, expelling a thick, ashen cloud that spread swiftly, engulfing the enemies.

Several opposing ninjas faltered, their confidence replaced by fear.

Boom!

The ash ignited, erupting into a fiery explosion. Agonized screams echoed through the forest as the blast reduced several enemies to ash, giving Asuma and Dilu an opening.

With the tide turning, Asuma charged forward, his blades cutting through the remaining assailants, while Dilu supported him with precision strikes.

Panting, Asuma wiped the sweat from his brow. "This guardian gig is tougher than I thought."

Dilu offered a humble smile. "Thanks for your help, Asuma. I hate to trouble you."

Asuma frowned, glancing at the fallen attackers. "Who were these guys? They're not exactly amateurs."

Dilu knelt by one of the corpses, inspecting the body. "They're careful. No identifying marks or clues. Assassins like these don't leave trails."

"Not necessarily."

A calm voice interrupted them. Asuma and Dilu tensed, their senses heightened. They scanned their surroundings, ready for another fight.

Emerging from the shadows, four figures revealed themselves. Their leader, a slender man with a bandaged face, stepped forward. All four wore Konoha forehead protectors.

Asuma froze, his expression darkening. "That old man still can't leave me alone, can he?"

The bandaged man chuckled, waving. "Long time no see, Asuma. Don't tell me you've forgotten your old classmate."

Asuma squinted at the man, trying to place the familiar face. After a moment, recognition dawned. "Kaitan?"

Dilu, sensing no immediate hostility, relaxed slightly but remained cautious.

Feigning heartbreak, Kaitan clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, Asuma. Three years as classmates, and you don't even remember me?"

He turned to the three younger shinobi behind him and pointed at Asuma. "See that? Don't be like him. Always remember your comrades' names, or you'll break hearts everywhere."

The younger shinobi exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond.

Asuma sighed, his irritation growing. "Alright, cut the theatrics. Why are you here? Did my father send you to drag me back to Konoha?"

Kaitan smirked. "Well, that's a rude way to talk about the Hokage. But yes, Lord Third sent us to check on you. He's hoping you'll reconsider and return with us."

"If you want me back, you'll have to break my limbs and carry me," Asuma snapped, his tone defiant.

Dilu stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Asuma. "I don't know what this is about, but if you're picking a fight, I'm with him."

Kaitan sighed, his expression exasperated. "See what I mean? This guy doesn't have the Will of Fire. He's ready to fight his own comrades. What a shining example."

The three younger shinobi nodded solemnly, absorbing Kaitan's sarcastic lesson.

Asuma bristled. "Don't act like you're some authority on the Will of Fire, Kaitan. What gives you the right to lecture me?"

Kaitan's smirk deepened. "You do. The way you act—rude, impulsive, and selfish—gives me every right to call you out."

That was the final straw. Asuma's patience snapped, and he lunged at Kaitan, kunai in hand.

"Stay out of this!" Kaitan called to his team. "Let me handle this hothead. Move the bodies somewhere safe; we'll need them later."

The three younger shinobi nodded, dragging the corpses out of the battlefield while keeping a wary eye on the fight.

Clang!

Asuma's kunai clashed against Kaitan's chakra-infused finger blade. The two locked eyes, their faces inches apart.

"Impressive. You've really refined your wind chakra," Kaitan remarked, his tone mocking as his blade began to slice through Asuma's kunai.

Asuma gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure mount. He shifted tactics, attempting to disarm Kaitan with a swift kick.

Kaitan dodged effortlessly, countering with a calculated strike. Asuma barely managed to block the attack, but his movements were becoming sluggish.

"Damn it," Asuma muttered under his breath. "His taijutsu is insane."

Each of Kaitan's moves was precise and efficient, leaving no openings. Asuma, despite his skill, found himself completely outclassed.

The younger shinobi watched in awe, their mouths agape. Even Dilu, who had witnessed Asuma's strength firsthand, was stunned.

"Kaitan's physical prowess is on another level," Dilu thought, his respect for the man growing.

Asuma, realizing his disadvantage, resorted to ninjutsu.

"Fire Style: Ashes Burn!"

He launched a cloud of ash toward Kaitan, hoping to turn the tide.

Kaitan formed seals at lightning speed. "Water Style: Water Barrier."

The ash cloud collided with the water wall, fizzling out harmlessly.

Kaitan glanced at his team, using the moment to impart another lesson. "Pay attention. When facing Fire Style, Water Style is your best counter."

Asuma's frustration boiled over. "Stop lecturing and fight me seriously!"

Kaitan chuckled. "Oh, I'm serious, Asuma. But you're the one who needs to step up."

Their clash continued, Kaitan remaining calm and composed while Asuma's attacks became more frantic.

Finally, Kaitan disarmed Asuma with a well-placed kick, sending the kunai flying. Before Asuma could recover, Kaitan's blade was at his throat.

"You've got potential, Asuma," Kaitan said, his tone serious for once. "But potential means nothing without control. Remember that."

Asuma glared at him, but deep down, he knew Kaitan was right.

Dilu stepped forward, breaking the tense silence. "If you're done fighting, perhaps we can figure out who sent those assassins?"

Kaitan nodded, lowering his blade. "Agreed. Let's see what we can find."

The group turned their attention back to the fallen enemies, their temporary truce allowing them to focus on the larger threat at hand.

But in the back of his mind, Asuma couldn't shake Kaitan's words.

For the first time in a long while, he wondered if his father's teachings still had a place in his heart.

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