Asuma Sarutobi, son of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Biwako Sarutobi, formed a lifelong friendship with Kurenai Yūhi at their Academy entrance. He later joined her and Raidō Namiashi on a genin team. Senior shinobi, including Kurenai's father, barred Asuma and other young ninja from defending Konoha during the Nine-Tails attack, an event where his mother Biwako died aiding Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Years later, a disagreement over shinobi principles with his father prompted Asuma to leave Konoha. He joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja, protectors of the Fire Daimyō, forging a close bond with Chiriku, future head monk of the Fire Temple. Discovering teammate Kazuma's plot to assassinate the Hokage forced Asuma to kill him, resulting in a 35 million ryō black market bounty—a mark he took personal pride in. Returning to Konoha, Asuma resumed jōnin duties. After initial mentorship of Inomatsu, he assumed leadership of Team 10 (Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Chōji Akimichi). Alongside Might Guy and Kurenai, he advocated for Kakashi Hatake's transfer from the Anbu to teaching, believing it would aid his recovery. Despite a laid-back demeanor, Asuma exhibited fierce loyalty to Konoha and his students. He habitually smoked cigarettes, abstaining only during high-stress moments like his father's death or learning of Kurenai's pregnancy. His teaching methods included bribing Chōji with food and playing shōgi with Shikamaru to hone his strategic intellect—Asuma being the first to recognize Shikamaru's genius. His romantic relationship with Kurenai, though private initially, became common knowledge; colleagues like Kakashi and Ino frequently teased him over the flowers he bought her and their interactions. In combat, Asuma wielded unique trench knives forged from chakra-conductive metal. Infusing them with his Wind Release affinity extended their reach and cutting power via techniques like Flying Swallow, capable of slicing rock or metal. He also mastered Fire Release, notably the explosive Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning. As a former Twelve Guardian Ninja, he utilized the Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder, a defensive chakra spirit technique. His strength allowed him to defeat nine chūnin-level Oto-nin solo during the Konoha Crush and briefly contend with Akatsuki members like Kisame Hoshigaki. Key missions saw Asuma investigate border village attacks with Team 10, encountering Sora, Kazuma's son. Training Sora in Wind Release and reforging his weapon preceded Asuma confronting Kazuma, who had faked his death and orchestrated a Konoha invasion. Asuma defeated him, affirming his duty to protect the "true king"—the next generation. During the Akatsuki Suppression Mission, Asuma led a platoon against Hidan and Kakuzu. He decapitated Hidan using Flying Swallow, but Hidan's immortality allowed Kakuzu to reattach the head. Trapped in Hidan's ritual circle, Asuma suffered a fatal self-inflicted wound. Before dying, he tasked Shikamaru with protecting the "kings," including his unborn child with Kurenai. In the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kabuto Yakushi reanimated Asuma, forcing him to fight Team 10. His students subdued and sealed him after he deliberately weakened his attacks to guide them. His soul returned to the afterlife upon the jutsu's end. His daughter, Mirai Sarutobi, was born after his death and became a kunoichi. Team 10 sustained his legacy, adopting his Yakiniku Q celebration tradition and upholding his teachings on the "Will of Fire," emphasizing the protection of future generations.