"What use is there in saying this now? Besides, you said it yourself—Kakashi is too young, while Shimura Danzō has both strength and seniority. I don't think Kakashi has much of a chance this time."
Sasuke spoke.
Neji fell silent. After a while, he raised his head again and said, "No matter what, you should go find Kakashi. Use your defeat of Gaara as grounds to apply for promotion to Chunin this time."
"I won't do that." Sasuke refused decisively.
He had always believed that honors and titles should be earned openly through one's own strength. How could he possibly reach out and ask for them?
"Listen to me," Neji said seriously, as if he had already anticipated Sasuke's reaction.
"First, this would give Kakashi a reasonable excuse to bring your defeat of Gaara before the review committee for discussion. Most of those reviewers are Konoha's upper-echelon elites. It would benefit both you and Kakashi in the future."
"Second, you've seen it yourself. As Genin, there's nothing we can do. If you want to become Hokage, you need to become a Jonin, or even an Elite Jonin, as soon as possible. Only then will you have a chance to enter the council. Right now, becoming a Chunin is the first step."
"But..." Sasuke still wanted to say something.
Neji cut him off in time. "Don't rush to refuse right away. You can think it over, can't you? It's not like I can force you."
After thinking it over and over, Sasuke suddenly pointed across the river and said to Neji:
"Come to think of it, Jiraiya Sensei taught me ninjutsu over there."
Clang!
Neji lost his footing and nearly fell over.
He immediately sprang back up and pointed at Sasuke, as though he had heard something utterly unbelievable.
For a