A household in the Sarutobi clan was getting together throwing a celebration. There was cake and fruits and dango and meat; it was a feast fit for a king. Or better yet for the Hokage. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the third Hokage, was taking a break from his duties to celebrate with his clan, "Hey, Pops, I didn't expect to see you here." Asuma said upon seeing him.

"Even if I lead the village, my roots are in this clan," Hiruzen said, "Where is everyone?"

"We're all in the other room, come joining the party." Asuma led his father to a room full of people eating and drinking happily, but the attention wasn't focused on any single person.

"Hello everyone," Hiruzen said, "It's so nice to be back here again. We're here for a celebration aren't we? I'd like to know who it's for."

"The name is Haru Sarutobi. Remember the next God of Shinobi!" A young, rather androgynous boy (the only tell being his clothing) stood up from the crowd before smiling at him, "I'm glad you made it Grandpa!" Haru made his way over to Hiruzen and gave him a hug, "Uncle Asuma said you wouldn't come."

"Maybe it's a lesson not to take everything you hear for truths," Hiruzen said while patting his younger cousin's head, "I would not miss the beginning of a journey with so much potential, especially one with such an ambitious end. The God of Shinobi is quite the title."

"You just watch grandpa, I'll definitely be the greatest that the leaf has ever seen."

Asuma laughed heartily, "But right now you're just a loudmouth little kid, pretty far from any god."

Haru turned to Asuma with a frown, "Yasei!" he snapped his fingers loud enough to match a gunshot and a monkey fell from a ceiling to attack Asuma's head. Screeches and yells came from the monkey as it attacked with the comical fury of 1000 suns, "You done trash talking, Asuma-kisama?"

Asuma was holding Yasei at arm's length, but the monkey still had his tail wrapped around Asuma's throat, "Fine, fine, just get your little primate already."

Haru snapped his fingers again and the gold-furred spider monkey wriggled out of Asuma's grip and climbed Haru's clothes to sit on his shoulder, "Good job, Yasei," Haru said while grabbing him an apple slice. Everyone else just took it in stride and kept on with the party.

Suddenly Konohamaru appeared out of nowhere, fiery as usual, "Haru-niisan. I learned some new jutsu, let me show you, kore!" Despite the honorific Haru and Konohamaru weren't that far apart, only a month and tend days

Haru snapped his fingers again, this time by reflex, "Oh yeah! Asuma-jisan, I can do the jutsu you taught me now." He said with a fist in the air, "And you said you were a hundred years ahead of me."

"What? You learned Burning Ash already? It's only been a week!"

Haru and Yasei both pulled an Akanbe; pulling down one of their lower eyelids and sticking out their tongues, "Nyah!"

Haru's moment was interrupted my Konahamaru pulling him out the party, "Come on Niisan! Let's go, let's go!" With that the two children had left the adults back to their celebration.

Hiruzen began laughing, "Asuma," he said, "Come walk with me."

Asuma nodded and the two of them had left the celebration and walked through the Leaf village. They strolled through the residential district, past Ichiraku's, the library, and even the hot springs until Asuma saw that they were walking through the park beneath the stunning hues of the autumn leaves, "So what's up, Dad?" Asuma asked.

"It's been quite a while since we spent any amount of time together, don't you think?" Hiruzen said as the strolled along the leaf adorned path, "It's surprising, how fast time slips beneath our noses. How people change, and how they come and go."

Asuma took a cigarette and lit it before taking a drag, "You could say that."

"How has he been?"

Asuma took another drag, "Who? Shikamaru?"

Hiruzen shook his head, "No, Haru. He went through such a harrowing experience, so recently too. I haven't been around to see him, but it seems he's doing well."

"Exactly who are you looking at through that crystal ball of yours?" Asuma asked.

"Naruto mostly," Hiruzen said, "There's only so much I can do when that prankster is around."

Asuma nodded, "Well, at least Kakashi has him now. Haru though, he's a bit mysterious."

"Then we should recap on what exactly happened. Satomi and Hotamaru were traveling with Haru and his sister Yuina as they were going to the Sand. They were attacked multiple times and the Four God's attacked them. Satomi fought the elementals and Hotamaru took down their leader, Oryu. Hotamaru died after using forbidden jutsu. Haru and Yuina were attacked on the way here, but Satomi rescued them and bought them to the village gates."

"What? Didn't the report say she used the seventh gate? It's insane that she ran all the way here with shredded muscles."

"Well it was done," Hiruzen said with a nod, "We were able to treat them. Unfortunately Satomi died from the strain added to her already extensive injuries, but not before confirming that her kids were safe. Both of whom were also heavily injured. Haru's up, as you can see, and Yuina is alive, but has been comatose since then."

Asuma took another drag, "If they weren't Senju they probably would have died," he said, "Haru's been shell-shocked as you can imagine. After he recovered from his injuries, he spent a lot of time crying. Afterwards he stopped feeling, but he's out of the stoic mode now," Asuma took another drag, "I think he's living with it, but he's on a fine line."

A leaf broke from a branch and fell in front of Hiruzen as he thought, "I see. What of his behavior today? He seemed quite happy."

"Seemed is the key word. I, well, none of us knows what's really going through his head. If anyone even tries to bring up the issue he shuts down or goes extreme."

Hiruzen looked up at the falling leaves, "We can't force him to say anything, Asuma. But what we can do is make sure he knows his clan, and his village, is there to listen when he is ready."

Asuma snuffed his cigarette and put the butt in his pocket since he was reluctant to litter, "Going out on a limb here; maybe he can talk to Sasuke."

Hiruzen chuckled softly, "So we have two brooding avengers? No, I don't think that's the best idea. But it's interesting to note how different the two of the turned out." Hiruzen sighed, "How about we move to a more positive topic? Although he wasn't able to go through the regular curriculum his trainer notes he's picking up on things very quickly."

Asuma nodded, "It's a good generation for the Leaf. Haru is a genius, no doubt about it. That makes a trio; Sasuke of the Uchiha, Neji of the Hyuga, and Haru of the Sarutobi. I never thought that the new generation of ninja would be so strong. It's amazing they can use fire release so young."

"Haru's goal is to become the next God of Shinobi," Hiruzen smiled at the thought, "The strongest ninja of his era. Admirable."

Suddenly a third, foreboding voice,"Yes, quite admirable indeed. Once again, the Sarutobi clan manages to create geniuses one after another. Aren't you proud, Hiruzen?" The two Sarutobi turned to see a frail, old man with a cane, black, shaggy hair, a bandaged right eye, and an X-shaped scar on his chin. He wore a white shirt, with a grey robe concealing his right arm.

Asuma didn't say anything but instead let Hiruzen speak, "Danzo. Of course I am proud. This is a golden age for Konoha ninja. I think you'd also be of the same opinion."

Danzo nodded, "I am. Skilled ninja come and go…but gods? Gods are quite the rare phenomenon, Hokage. He needs to be molded young."

"Danzo, you're the last thing that Haru needs to deal with," Asuma said.

Danzo shifted his cane, "Ah yes, I've heard of the attack. It's been a month since then correct?"

"Yes, but he has only recently been able to resume training again. He went through a great amount of trauma." Hiruzen said

"I see," Danzo said before turning around, "If he's going to be the 'God of Shinobi' he must first steel his resolve. He mustn't let emotion cloud his judgment or his potential. Hokage, Asuma, have a good day."

Danzo strolled along forward while Hiruzen and Asuma made their way back to the Sarutobi house, "You know, I never liked that guy," Asuma said after Danzo was out of earshot.

"He can be unpleasant, but Danzo has nothing but good intentions for the Leaf," Hiruzen stated.

"Still, I don't like how he talked about Haru just now," Asuma took a drag, "I'm surprised he even wants to be a ninja."

"Like you said. None of us have yet to figure out what happened since he returned. All we can do is support him."

Asuma snuffed out his cigarette, "Hey dad," Hiruzen looked up with a raised brow, "Let's play Shogi."