But the gap between the weakest and strongest Jonin was enormous.
For example... according to the official databooks, Kurenai Yuhi was the gatekeeper among Jonin, with her stats sitting at the very bottom.
Kakashi had the highest stat ceiling among Jonin.
The difference in their overall stats was immense.
No one would believe that Kurenai Yuhi could defeat Kakashi.
Rather, Kakashi could probably take on three at once. Defeating three Kurenai Yuhis by himself would not be a problem.
And with support tools like the Sharingan and Thunder Sword Fang, a ninja's strength could be greatly enhanced. With a divine weapon in hand, Ringo Ameyuri's strength increased dramatically, so defeating Shirakumo Hayama was only natural.
"How about promoting Akira Sarutobi and the others to Jonin? What do you all think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked toward his colleagues.
After a brief discussion, Akira Sarutobi and the others naturally obtained their Jonin qualifications.
Jonin were also the elite of a Ninja Village.
Most ninja would eventually become Chunin. This could be seen from how everyone mocked Might Duy as the Eternal Genin. In this world, it was abnormal for a practitioner to fail to become a Chunin.
On average, only one Special Jonin would emerge among every twenty to thirty Chunin.
Only one Jonin would emerge among every hundred Chunin.
Becoming a Jonin was proof of talent and a representation of strength.
Becoming a Jonin also meant gaining access to Jonin-level resources.
For geniuses, becoming a Jonin... was also the true beginning of the path toward becoming strong.
In certain emergencies, Jonin could directly issue orders and mobilize nearby Chunin and Genin. Some Jonin even had the authority to mobilize Anbu squads for combat.
Some important departments required Jonin as their minimum rank. For example, the Intelligence Department where Ino Yamanaka's cousin, Inoichi Yamanaka, worked. Another example was the logistics department managed by the Akimichi Clan.
The importance of Jonin went without saying. Accordingly, they were regularly assigned dangerous missions ranging from A-Rank to S-Rank. Thus, Jonin was often a rank that brought one very close to death.
"This time, it was all thanks to Young Master Ryo..." Shirakumo Hayama let out a breath, feeling that he had completely benefited from Akira Sarutobi's favor.
Unaware of the details, he did not know that the higher-ups had long planned out everyone's path to promotion.
After Shirakumo Hayama and Ruri Hyuga left, the atmosphere in the office changed slightly.
It was a shift between light and shadow.
Shimura Danzō, the man seated in the shadows, spoke next. "Tomorrow... have Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka report to the Anbu."
He studied Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka, his gaze finally settling on Akira Sarutobi.
"However, Hiruzen... even if he is your child, he must complete the Anbu assessment mission I issue before he is qualified to join..."
In Danzo's eyes, Akira Sarutobi was too pure, not dark enough, and not a suitable choice for the Anbu.
Ino Yamanaka, on the other hand, had very good talent and was highly suitable for joining the Anbu.
Danzo then rose and left.
Akira Sarutobi watched him go... As one of Konoha High Command, the Hokage's Assistant, and the Anbu Commander, Danzo would not be stripped of his authority over the Anbu by his own father, Hiruzen Sarutobi, until after the night of the Uchiha massacre in the original story.
Therefore, in this era, most Anbu personnel had to accept Danzo's command.
The path into darkness had begun, yet Akira Sarutobi was not particularly worried.
Because... he was not as simple as everyone believed.
When Akira Sarutobi walked out of the Hokage Building, someone was waiting beneath the shade of a tree not far away.
Akira Sarutobi walked over. Hatake Sakumo scratched his hair. "Young Master Ryo, congratulations."
In Hatake Sakumo's eyes, there had never been any doubt that Akira Sarutobi would become a Jonin.
With Akira Sarutobi's talent, it would have been strange if he had failed to become one.
"Today, I'm planning to grill some Pacific saury. Come over and sit for a while..."
Hatake Sakumo's seemingly casual invitation reflected his desire to maintain their bond as teacher and student.
As Akira Sarutobi's swordsmanship teacher, Hatake Sakumo had taught him many skills, and the two got along quite well.
"All right."
Akira Sarutobi smiled and agreed.
After passing through Konoha's bustling streets, the three of them eventually arrived at a modest house on the edge of Konoha.
This ancient-looking house with a courtyard was Hatake Sakumo's home.
Once inside, the three sat down and chatted for a while.
Before they knew it, time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was late afternoon.
Hatake Sakumo shared many amusing stories, including Kakashi's experiences at the Ninja Academy, missions he had encountered, and matters related to training.
"It's time to cook. You two, please wait a moment..."
Hatake Sakumo stood, put on an apron, and entered the kitchen.
Ino Yamanaka, seated in the living room, filled Akira Sarutobi's teacup and whispered, "Young Master, Mr. Sakumo is truly a good person..."
There was meaning behind her words.
"A good person like him will be restrained by the higher-ups in the future. Who knows what kind of fate awaits him..."
Ino Yamanaka did not feel optimistic about Hatake Sakumo's son, Kakashi Hatake, joining Team 7.
A good man whose dream was to live freely would probably be thoroughly used up once he fell into the hands of Konoha High Command.
"If he were alone, it would be fine. At worst, he could become a rogue ninja. But... Mr. Sakumo has a weakness now..."
That weakness was Kakashi.
"If it were me, unless Konoha changed completely one day, I would never have children."
Ino Yamanaka declared that she would neither marry nor have children, thereby ensuring her safety.
In a Konoha like this, every additional child meant another cannon fodder, slave, and crop to be harvested.
"..."
Akira Sarutobi looked at the girl, an odd glint flashing through his eyes.
In the original story, the two of them were clearly the same age as Minato Namikaze and Kushina.
Yet Konohamaru had been born four or five years later than Naruto Uzumaki.
So that was the reason?
Fear of having a weakness?
"What's wrong, Young Master?" Noticing that he had been staring at her, Ino Yamanaka blinked.
Just as Akira Sarutobi was about to say something, a lively voice rang out from outside. "I'm back."
Soon, a child wearing a mask, with dead-fish eyes and the same tousled silver hair as Hatake Sakumo, swaggered in from outside.
The proud, silver-haired, spiky-haired child was Hatake Sakumo's son, Kakashi Hatake.
Known as a prodigy, Kakashi was still attending the Ninja Academy.
However, he would take the graduation exam next week, and then become the youngest Genin in Konoha's history.
Recently, Kakashi had grown increasingly proud after receiving unanimous praise from the Ninja Academy teachers.
While his classmates were still playing in the mud, he was already about to become a real ninja.
Given a child's temperament, along with Hatake Sakumo's gentle upbringing, Kakashi's pride at this moment was easy to understand.
"Young Master Ryo?"
Kakashi was first stunned when he saw Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka, then quickly caught on.
"You two... came to mooch another meal at my house!"
Kakashi looked astonished, especially wary of Ino Yamanaka.
"Oh, isn't this Kakashi? Haven't seen you in days, and you've gotten even more handsome. Come, let big sis have a look..."
Ino Yamanaka revealed a little devil's smile.
At the sight of that expression, sweat immediately formed on Kakashi's forehead. He instantly backed away, clearly having been tormented by Ino Yamanaka before.
Ino Yamanaka stood and mercilessly chased after him.
Soon, Kakashi's screams rang out from outside.
"Despicable~~!"
"You she-devil!"
"You're not human!"
By the time the obedient little Kakashi walked back inside, he had completely wilted.
Like an old man on his last legs, Kakashi sat at the table with a despondent expression after being toyed with by Ino Yamanaka.
Ino Yamanaka stretched out her hand and kept kneading Kakashi's head.
Kakashi was like a roly-poly toy, able only to let Ino Yamanaka torment him.
"Young Master Ryo, aren't you going to control your lackey?" Kakashi raised his head and looked at Akira Sarutobi with grief and indignation.
"A-Hui is doing this for your own good." Akira Sarutobi's casual words carried a deeply profound meaning.
Kakashi opened his mouth to retort, but he also sensed the change in atmosphere.
"The world we live in is a cruel one..."
Holding his teacup, Akira Sarutobi slowly took a sip.
The weight contained in those words made Kakashi fall into thought.
But at his age and with his experience, he could not yet understand their meaning.
Not long after, Hatake Sakumo prepared a sumptuous meal.
The four of them happily enjoyed the delicious food together.
After the meal, Ino Yamanaka went to bully the brat again, and Kakashi's wails continued to ring out in the courtyard.
Inside the living room, Hatake Sakumo seemed completely unaware.
"Young Master Ryo, I heard from Lord Hokage... that you will be assigned to the Anbu next..."
Though Hatake Sakumo held no important post and was unburdened by official duties, he had worked with the Anbu more times than he could count.
Within the Anbu,
there was another force besides the regular Anbu, one called Root.
Root was Danzo's private army, but under the pretext of "training talent for the Anbu," Danzo had built it into a massive force.
"Young Master Ryo, if possible, you should work hard and strive to eventually transfer into the Hokage's Direct Anbu Squad under Lord Hokage..."
Each Anbu squad had different functions, though they were sometimes used interchangeably.
But one Anbu squad was particularly special: the Hokage's Direct Anbu Squad.
This Anbu squad answered only to the Hokage. Even Danzo had no authority to mobilize it.
Hatake Sakumo feared that Akira Sarutobi would be corrupted by Danzo, so he kindly reminded him.
"Teacher Sakumo, thank you for your concern."
Akira Sarutobi nodded.
Seeking advantage and avoiding harm was only human nature.
"But some things cannot be avoided... simply because you want to avoid them..."
Before you continue