Young Master, Please Become Hokage

However, the gap between Jonin and Jonin is vast, with a significant difference in their upper and lower limits of strength.

For example... in the official databook, Kurenai Yuhi is considered a gatekeeper among Jonin, with her stats at the lowest limit.

The Jonin with the highest stats is Kakashi.

The comprehensive stat difference between the two is enormous.

No one would ever think Kurenai Yuhi could defeat Kakashi.

Rather, Kakashi could likely take on three of her at once; defeating three Kurenai Yuhi wouldn't be a problem for him alone.

Coupled with the Sharingan, Thunder Sword Fang, and other auxiliary tools, these are all sharp weapons that can significantly boost a ninja's strength. With Ringo Ameyuri wielding her divine weapon, her strength greatly increased, making her victory over Shirakumo Hayama a logical outcome.

"What do you think about promoting Akira Sarutobi and the others to Jonin?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his colleagues.

After a brief discussion, Akira Sarutobi and the others naturally obtained their "Jonin" qualifications.

Jonin are the elite of a ninja village.

Most ninjas will eventually become Chunin. This can be seen from how everyone mocked Might Duy for being a "perennial Chunin." It's abnormal for cultivators in this world not to become Chunin.

On average, only one Special Jonin appears for every 20 to 30 Chunin.

And only one Jonin appears for every 100 Chunin.

Jonin are proof of talent and a representation of strength.

Becoming a Jonin also means gaining access to Jonin-level resources.

For geniuses, Jonin... is also the true beginning of the path to becoming a strong individual.

In some urgent situations, Jonin can directly command and mobilize nearby Chunin and Genin. Some Jonin even have the authority to mobilize Anbu squads for operations.

Some important departments have Jonin as the minimum rank requirement. For example, the Intelligence Department where Inoichi Yamanaka, the cousin of Ino Yamanaka, works. Another example is logistics, which is handled by the Akimichi Clan.

The importance of Jonin is self-evident. Correspondingly, they are often dispatched on dangerous missions, ranging from A-rank to S-rank. Therefore, Jonin are often a rank level very close to death.

"This time, it's all thanks to Young Master Ryo..." Shirakumo Hayama breathed a sigh of relief, feeling he had completely benefited from Akira Sarutobi.

Unaware of the inside story, he didn't know that the higher-ups had already planned the promotion path for everyone.

After Shirakumo Hayama and Ruri Hyuga departed, the atmosphere in the office shifted slightly.

It was a change like light and shadow.

Shimura Danzo, the man sitting in the shadows, then spoke, "Tomorrow... let Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka report to Anbu."

He sized up Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka, his gaze finally settling on Akira Sarutobi.

"However, Hiruzen... even if he is your child, he must pass the Anbu assessment mission I issue before he is qualified to join..."

In Danzo's view, Akira Sarutobi was too pure and not dark enough, making him an unsuitable choice for Anbu personnel.

Ino Yamanaka, on the other hand, had excellent aptitude and was very suitable for joining Anbu.

Then, Danzo stood up and left.

Akira Sarutobi watched him leave... As one of Konoha's higher-ups, the Hokage's Assistant, and concurrently the "Anbu Commander," Danzo only had his Anbu command authority stripped by his old father, Hiruzen Sarutobi, after the Uchiha clan extermination night in the original story.

Therefore, in this generation, most Anbu personnel had to accept Danzo's command.

The path of darkness began here, but Akira Sarutobi wasn't too worried about it.

Because... he wasn't as pure as everyone thought.

When Akira Sarutobi walked out of the Hokage Building, a figure was waiting under the shade of a tree not far away.

Akira Sarutobi walked over, and Sakumo Hatake scratched his head, "Young Master Ryo, congratulations."

In Sakumo Hatake's eyes, Akira Sarutobi becoming a Jonin was a given.

With Akira Sarutobi's talent, it would be strange if he didn't become a Jonin.

"I'm planning to grill saury today, why don't you come over and sit for a while..."

Sakumo Hatake's seemingly casual invitation was a reflection of their teacher-student bond.

As Akira Sarutobi's swordsmanship teacher, Sakumo Hatake had taught him many skills, and their interactions were always pleasant.

"Okay."

Akira Sarutobi smiled and agreed.

They walked through Konoha's bustling streets, and finally, the three arrived at a small, flat-roofed house on the outskirts of Konoha.

This ancient-looking building with a courtyard was Sakumo Hatake's home.

After entering the house, the three sat down and chatted for a while.

Time passed without them noticing, and it was suddenly late afternoon, dusk.

Sakumo Hatake shared many interesting stories, including Kakashi's experiences at the Ninja Academy, missions he had encountered, and training issues.

"It's time to cook, please wait a moment, both of you..."

Kagami Uchiha got up, put on an apron, and walked into the kitchen.

Sitting in the living room, Ino Yamanaka poured more tea for Akira Sarutobi and said softly, "Young Master, Mr. Sakumo is truly a good person..."

Her words held a double meaning.

"A good person like him, if he's controlled by the higher-ups later, who knows what fate awaits him..."

Ino Yamanaka wasn't optimistic about Kagami Uchiha's son, Kakashi Hatake, joining Team 7.

A good-natured person who dreamed of a carefree life, in the hands of Konoha High Command, would likely be completely exploited.

"If he were alone, it would be fine. At worst, he could become a rogue ninja. But... Mr. Sakumo has a weakness now..."

The weakness, of course, was Kakashi.

"If it were me, unless Konoha changed completely, I wouldn't have children."

Ino Yamanaka declared that she believed in staying unmarried and childless for safety.

In a Konoha like this, having one more child meant having one more cannon fodder, slave, and pawn.

"..."

Akira Sarutobi looked at the girl, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

In the original story, they were the same age as Minato Namikaze and Kushina.

Yet Konohamaru was born four or five years after Uzumaki Naruto.

So, was that the reason?

Fear of having a weakness?

"What's wrong? Young Master?" Noticing the Young Master staring at her, Ino Yamanaka couldn't help but blink.

Just as Akira Sarutobi was about to say something, a lively voice called out from outside, "I'm back."

Soon, a masked child with dead fish eyes and silver spiky hair, just like Kagami Uchiha, swaggered in from outside.

Chapter 17: First Infusion of the Will of Fire

The proud, spiky-haired child was Kagami Uchiha's son, Kakashi Hatake.

Known as the genius youth Kakashi, he was still attending the Ninja Academy.

However, he would be taking his graduation exam next week and would become the youngest genin in Konoha's history.

Highly praised by his teachers at the Ninja Academy, Kakashi had become increasingly arrogant lately.

While his classmates were still playing in the mud, he was already about to become a true ninja.

Given his childish nature and Kagami Uchiha's gentle upbringing, Kakashi's current arrogance was quite understandable.

"Young Master Ryo?"

Kakashi's eyes widened when he saw Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka. He then quickly realized what was happening.

"You two... are here to freeload meals again!"

Kakashi looked surprised, especially wary of Ino Yamanaka.

"Yo, isn't this Kakashi? Haven't seen you in a few days, you've gotten even more handsome. Come, let big sister have a look..."

Ino Yamanaka flashed a devilish grin.

Seeing that expression, sweat quickly broke out on Kakashi's forehead. He immediately backed away, clearly terrified of Ino Yamanaka.

Ino Yamanaka stood up and chased after him without mercy.

Soon, Kakashi's screams could be heard from outside.

"You're despicable~~!"

"You demoness!"

"You're not human!"

By the time the obedient child Kakashi walked back inside, he was completely dejected.

Like an old man on his deathbed, Kakashi, having been toyed with by Ino Yamanaka, slumped dejectedly at the table.

Ino Yamanaka reached out and repeatedly ruffled Kakashi's head.

Kakashi was like a roly-poly doll, letting Ino Yamanaka torment him.

"Young Master Ryo, aren't you going to do something about your follower?" Kakashi looked up at Akira Sarutobi with a look of indignant grief.

"A-Hui is doing it for your own good," Akira Sarutobi said casually, but his words carried a profound meaning.

Kakashi opened his mouth to retort, but he also sensed the shift in the atmosphere.

"The world we live in is a cruel one..."

Akira Sarutobi held his teacup and took a slow sip.

Kakashi also fell into thought because of the weight of those words.

However, with his age and experience, he couldn't yet grasp the meaning behind them.

Soon after, Kagami Uchiha prepared a sumptuous meal.

The four of them enjoyed the delicious meal harmoniously.

After the meal, Ino Yamanaka went to bully the brats again, and Kakashi's wails echoed through the yard.

Inside the living room, Kagami Uchiha seemed oblivious.

"Young Master Ryo, I heard from Lord Hokage... that you will be assigned to the Anbu next..."

Although Kagami Uchiha held no official position and was free from any major responsibilities, he had countless experiences working with the Anbu.

Within the Anbu.

Besides the regular Anbu, there was also a unit called "Root."

Root was Danzō's private force, but Danzō had used the excuse of "cultivating talent for the Anbu" to build a massive team.

"Young Master Ryo, if possible, you should still work hard and strive to be transferred to the Hokage's Direct Anbu Squad in the end..."

Each Anbu squad had different functions, and sometimes they were used interchangeably.

But there was one Anbu squad that was very special, called the "Hokage's Direct Anbu Squad."

This Anbu squad was only responsible to the Hokage, and even Danzō had no authority to mobilize them.

Kagami Uchiha was afraid that Akira Sarutobi would be corrupted by Danzō, so he kindly reminded him here.

"Teacher Sakumo, thank you for your concern."

Akira Sarutobi nodded.

Seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages was only natural.

"However, some things cannot be avoided just because you want to..."