Chapter 124: For Pubescent Kids, Love Is Paramount

Chapter 124: For Pubescent Kids, Love Is Paramount

"Yue Yan, are you free tonight? It's been a long time since we last got together. I'm treating."

Yue Yan, who had just finished a day of training, wiped the sweat off his forehead and looked at Asuma who had found him.

"Why the sudden urge to treat us to a meal?"

Hearing this, Asuma forced a smile, then perked up.

"Come on, just tell me if you're in. I know your appetite. I'll make sure you're full as a tick. And it's the top - notch tuna sashimi from the Land of Water."

"Humph, well, since there's a sucker offering, it's stupid not to take advantage when there's a freebie."

"Great that you're coming."

After telling Yue Yan the gathering place, Asuma casually turned around and left.

Watching his back, Yue Yan fell into thought.

As the sun was setting, Yue Yan arrived at a fancy - looking sushi restaurant, with Xiaolan by his side.

Just as Yue Yan had said before, since there was a sucker offering, it would be stupid not to take advantage. High - end tuna sashimi? Yue Yan definitely had to bring Xiaolan along to try it.

Yue Yan had it all planned out. Once they got there, he and Xiaolan would try to finish off the whole tuna, and then let Asuma, the rich heir, foot the bill. He thought Asuma would pay the bill, even if it was just to show off in front of his crush.

Just as Yue Yan was thinking this, they walked into the private room Asuma had mentioned and found only him there. Hong was nowhere in sight.

"I thought this was a gathering. Why didn't you invite Hong?"

Hearing the question, Asuma let out a bitter laugh and pointed to the seat across from him, gesturing for Yue Yan and Xiaolan to sit down first.

Then Asuma took out a pack of cigarettes from god - knows - where, deftly took one out, popped it into his mouth, and lit it.

Looking at Asuma's troubled face behind the smoke and his somewhat dazed eyes, Yue Yan finally couldn't help but tease him.

"Hey hey hey, you didn't call me here just to watch you smoke, did you? This whole brooding, serious act doesn't suit you. Just go back to being your old goofy self. And, are you even old enough to smoke?"

Asuma, who was used to Yue Yan's teasing, didn't care. He called a waiter and told them to start serving the food, then looked at Yue Yan.

"Yue Yan, you're my best buddy. There's something I need to ask of you. Please take good care of Hong for me."

Hearing this, Yue Yan thought to himself, as he expected. It seemed Asuma was about to follow the same old path and become one of those Twelve Guardian Shinobi.

"You know, I've never had a good relationship with my dad. He always says I'm not as worry - free as Aniki and keeps assigning me things. Even during the previous war, he kept me in the rear, doing those logistics jobs, moving supplies around."

Asuma took a long drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaled, then picked up the wine he had ordered earlier and took a big gulp.

"Although I know the Third kage means well and is afraid I'll get into trouble, I have my own ideas. I don't wanna stay under his protection forever. Other kids can hit the battlefield and fight for Konoha. So can I. I don't want folks to just say I'm the son of the Third kage when they talk about me. I have my own name. I'm Asuma Sarutobi."

As Asuma was speaking, the dishes were served. Yue Yan didn't stand on ceremony and listened while eating with Xiaolan.

"Previously, the Fang Daimyō of the Land of Fire sent a request, asking Konoha to dispatch ninjas for personal protection for a period of ten years. I signed up, and then I had a fight with my Father. Anyways, no matter what he says, I'm going. I want to venture out on my own. When I come back, I want everyone who mentions me to know that I'm Asuma Sarutobi."

After hearing this, Yue Yan couldn't help shaking his head. He understood Asuma's thoughts very well. Even if he has to be all alone, far from home, and walk on a rocky path, he doesn't wanna follow the path his Father has already paved with a set future.

Although Asuma's behavior seemed quite rebellious, it's the only way to fight against the pre - arranged fate.

But then again, ten years is really a long time. Although Asuma is only a teenager now, he'll be almost thirty in ten years. Yue Yan thought it wasn't worth wasting ten years of his youth just to spite his Father.

"Okay, I'll take good care of Hong."

Seeing Yue Yan agree, Asuma finally let out a sigh of relief, picked up his wine glass again, and started guzzling.

"Can the Twelve Guardian Shinobi get some leave?"

Hearing this, though Asuma didn't know why Yue Yan asked such a question, he still nodded casually.

"Sure, the Fang Daimyō of the Land of Fire isn't that harsh."

"That's good. When I marry Hong, I'll send you an invitation. Don't forget to take leave and come back for the wedding, okay?"

"Pfft!!!"

Asuma suddenly spat out the wine he'd been sipping. Being too excited, he was choked by the wine and kept coughing. But he didn't care about that at all. He immediately stood up and grabbed Yue Yan by the collar.

"Damn it! I thought you were my best bro, but you're after Hong!"

Hearing this, Yue Yan rolled his eyes and swatted Asuma's hand away from his collar.

"You can go be a Twelve Guardian Shinobi, but you won't be able to come back for at least ten years. Can you let Hong wait for you for those ten years? By then, she'll be almost thirty. Why should she wait for you? What for? Even if I don't go after Hong 'cause we're teammates, with how pretty she is, there'll be others hitting on her."

Asuma, knowing that Yue Yan was right, still looked very conflicted.

"Then can't you just... beat 'em off?"

"Right."

"Oh, are you nuts?"

It's okay once or twice. But if it happens more often, Hong will surely notice. What should I say then?" Yue Yan grumbled silently. "Frankly speaking, who they're dating has nothing to do with me, and it's none of your business either."

"Well, then I..."

Asuma looked at his hands, his expression extremely conflicted. On one hand, it was about rebelling against his Father; on the other hand, it was the goddess he'd admired since childhood. He really found it hard to make a choice.

Seeing Asuma in such a state, Yue Yan shrugged.

"By the time you come back, you'll be nearly thirty. You know the genetic traits of your Sarutobi clan. By then, with a full beard, you'll look at least nearly forty. Which young girl will take a fancy to you?"

Yue Yan's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing straight into Asuma's heart. After all, what Yue Yan said was the truth. Whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi, his Aniki Sarutobi Shinonosuke, or other clan members, which one of them didn't have a full beard, looking at least ten years older than their peers.

To hell with the Twelve Guardian Shinobi! I'm gonna pursue my own love.

Seeing this, Yue Yan let out a soft chuckle in his heart. Sure enough, for pubescent kids, nothing is more important than love.

After making up his mind, Asuma wanted to rush back to tell Hiruzen Sarutobi to cross his name off the list, but Yue Yan quickly stopped him.

"We agreed that you'd be the treater. I haven't finished eating yet, and you're trying to slip away. That's not cool. Besides, you'll see your Father when you go home tonight. You don't have to do it right away."

"Alright."

Asuma sighed and sat back down at his seat. Just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, he noticed that the table was empty, with only the cleared plates left.

As soon as he looked up, Asuma saw Yue Yan and Xiaolan holding the menu, signaling the waiter to order more dishes.