Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Asuma and the Ino-Shika-Chō Trio

Barbecue Restaurant.

On the sizzling grill, strips of beautifully marbled beef lay roasting, their tantalizing aroma stimulating the senses and making mouths water. The cycle of cooking and eating only intensified the hunger in the air.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Asuma grinned at the three members of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio sitting across from him—his natural allies.

"Chōji, you’ve only had three plates? That’s not like you at all!"

"Ino, you should eat more too. You’re still growing. If you want a perfect figure like Kurenai’s someday, you’ve gotta fill up now!"

"And you, Shikamaru! A sharp brain burns a lot of energy—dig in!"

Faced with Asuma’s enthusiasm, the three exchanged silent glances. Eventually, Chōji started eating while Ino took over the grilling.

Shikamaru mentally cursed his irresponsible teammates before turning to Asuma. "Sensei, where did you go during your absence?"

Asuma slapped his forehead. "Ah, right! I haven’t told you yet. With everything happening lately, I felt my abilities were lacking, so I went to train with Enma to master the Summoning Jutsu."

"So, you succeeded, right?" Shikamaru studied Asuma closely. His sharp instincts told him that Asuma had undergone a drastic change since his departure, though his current level of skill made it hard to pinpoint exactly what was different.

"Of course I succeeded! And let me tell you, the gains were huge." Realizing his words might sound hollow, Asuma quickly added, "Enma has high standards, so you three should train hard. Once you meet the requirements, I won’t hold back in teaching you."

There. That should shut them up, he thought.

Whether his words were genuine or not, Asuma had at least put on a convincing show. As for whether he’d actually follow through—that remained to be seen.

"Thanks, Asuma-sensei. But our clans rely on secret techniques, and Enma is the Sarutobi clan’s hereditary summon. We’ll pass for now." Shikamaru politely declined.

Enma was undoubtedly a powerful summon, and the idea of having him wasn’t unappealing. But nothing in the shinobi world came free. If they accepted such a favor, they’d inevitably owe something in return.

The Ino-Shika-Chō alliance held some influence in Konoha, but in the wider shinobi world, they were far from top-tier. Shikamaru didn’t want to drag his clan into unnecessary conflicts.

"No worries. You’re still young. Once you’re older and understand the importance of strength, you can always come find me."

Asuma wasn’t offended by Shikamaru’s refusal. If anything, he seemed magnanimous, as if the matter meant nothing to him.

"Thank you, Asuma-sensei. We’ll keep that in mind." Shikamaru replied calmly, chewing on the meat Ino had grilled for him.

When he first saw Asuma today, Shikamaru had wondered if his unease was just due to their time apart. But now, he was certain—Asuma had changed.

This realization left even Shikamaru’s sharp mind momentarily stumped.

Because he sensed that Asuma now carried a subtle ambition that most people wouldn’t notice.

"Alright, dig in! Last time, you guys demolished an entire table’s worth of food. Why so restrained today?"

"Asuma-sensei!" Ino, noticing Shikamaru eating quietly without engaging Asuma, decided to step in. "Have you seen Kurenai-sensei since you got back?"

Kurenai.

The name made Asuma’s smile falter for a split second before he chuckled. "I came straight to see you guys first. It’s been days, and I still feel guilty for leaving without a word. That’s why I’m treating you all to barbecue, but you’re eating so little—way too considerate of your sensei!"

Heh.

Shikamaru smirked inwardly.

Were they being considerate?

No.

Sometimes, a child’s intuition was sharper than an adult’s.

Right now, even Ino and Chōji sensed something off about Asuma. They felt uneasy but couldn’t quite articulate why.

Their young hearts didn’t want to believe Asuma had changed for the worse, so they convinced themselves this was just a natural reaction to their time apart.

"So, how’s your training been lately? Why would Tsunade assign Kamizuki Hikari—just a chūnin—to train you? He doesn’t know anything about your clan’s techniques. How could he possibly guide you properly?"

*Clack!*

Chōji set his chopsticks down sharply, glaring at Asuma.

He might be chubby, but he wasn’t stupid.

When it came to Hikari’s teaching, Chōji was the one who benefited the most. Over the past few days, he’d felt a new kind of chakra within him. His clan’s secret techniques had become easier to master, and his control had improved significantly.

All thanks to Kamizuki Hikari’s guidance.

Chōji wouldn’t tolerate anyone badmouthing him—not even Asuma.

"Chōji, what’s wrong?" Asuma frowned in confusion.

From what he knew of Choji, the kid would forget his own mother at the sight of barbecue. Why was he eating so little and acting so rudely today?

"Asuma-sensei... you’ve changed." Chōji voiced his displeasure bluntly.

Asuma blinked. "How so?"

Chōji had been about to say that Asuma shouldn’t speak ill of Hikari. But after catching Shikamaru’s warning look, he changed his approach.

"You never used to talk behind people’s backs."

"Hikari-senpai might not be the strongest, but at least he trained us and took us on missions after you left. You shouldn’t talk about him like that!"

To Asuma, Chōji’s words sounded laughably naive.

So childish.

What was wrong with badmouthing a gate-guarding chūnin?

He was a jōnin. If anyone else heard him criticizing Hikari, they’d either join in or at least not call him out.

The shinobi world was cruel—strength ruled everything.

Still, considering his plans involving the Akimichi clan, Asuma forced a smile. "I was just upset. How could Tsunade assign a chunin to teach you? It’s like she’s looking down on the Ino-Shika-Cho!" noveldrama

"Alright, alright—today’s a team reunion. Let’s not talk about this. Eat up, drink up—well, you’re still kids, but when you’re older, we’ll have a proper toast!"

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