Shadows and Steps

Shadows and Steps

"Thank you for the hospitality, sir. I'll be taking my leave."

Itachi had not taken part in dividing Shin'ya's dirty money. He said he had not contributed to it and had not been included in the originally agreed-upon reward distribution, so he only took the twenty thousand ryo stipulated by the mission. In return, Shuji paid the bill at Yakiniku Q.

As dusk deepened, Shuji rubbed his aching shoulders and prepared to return to his training. At the corner, a figure wearing an animal mask appeared without a sound.

"The Hokage summons you." The Anbu ninja's voice was flat and emotionless.

Shuji scratched his head helplessly and looked up at the evening glow. This feeling... was exactly like being suddenly called back for overtime in his previous life. He followed the Anbu, and his figure vanished into the gathering night.

Inside the Hokage Office, the setting sun's afterglow dyed the room a warm gold. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his back to the door, the hem of his Hokage robe stirring lightly in the breeze. Hearing the footsteps, he slowly turned around. Blue smoke rose from his pipe and drifted through the beam of light.

"You handled this mission very well. You've worked hard." The Third Hokage's voice was gentle, yet those eyes that had seen the world's vicissitudes remained sharp. He removed his pipe and exhaled a wisp of smoke.

"You flatter me, Lord Hokage."

"No, it's the truth." The Third Hokage paced to the desk and lightly tapped his pipe against its edge, scattering a few flecks of ash. "When you were stationed at the border before, you didn't show such talent..." His tone shifted slightly. "Shuji, what do you think of Itachi?"

"His talent is exceptional. He far surpasses those his age."

"That child has lost his partner now, and so have you." The Third Hokage's voice lowered. "Since the two of you worked well together, why not keep it that way?"

"As for the missing member of the team, I'll arrange a suitable candidate."

Shuji frowned slightly. "With my seniority, I'm afraid I'm not qualified to serve as an instructor."

By Konoha's conventions, there were only two possibilities for such a group: either he would serve as the supervising squad leader, with two Genin assigned to him; or he would be transferred into the Chunin or even Jonin ranks, and the team's missions would directly begin at B-rank.

"This is Itachi's own wish." The Third Hokage's gaze passed over Shuji and settled on the darkening twilight beyond the window. "He doesn't want to team up with Genin anymore..." He did not finish, but Shuji already understood—having witnessed his comrades' brutal deaths, that boy did not want to go through it again.

"If you are unwilling, I completely understand." The Third Hokage blew out a smoke ring, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "Having Genin participate in high-level missions is indeed inappropriate. It would be irresponsible toward all of you."

The office fell into a brief silence, broken only by the faint crackling of burning tobacco. The Third Hokage suddenly rose, his broad Hokage robe sweeping out in an arc.

"However..." This Hokage, who had governed for many years, did not press him. Turning back, he looked at Shuji with earnest inquiry in his eyes. "I hope you will consider it carefully."

"If you refuse... there are people within the Uchiha clan who are willing to lead Itachi on missions." He paused, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes. "But if possible, I hope the Uchiha children's horizons will not forever remain confined within their clan."

Shuji asked cautiously, "What is the attitude of his father and the Uchiha clan toward this?"

"Fugaku will have no objections." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was calm.

"Then I have no objections either."

The wrinkles at the corners of the Third Hokage's eyes relaxed, and he smiled with satisfaction. "As expected of... Shuji... Is Lady Toka in good health?"

"Very well." Shuji's answer was brief.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and pulled a slightly aged file from a drawer. Shuji caught a glimpse of his own records. Right in front of Shuji, the Third Hokage picked up a pen and wrote on it.

"For the time being, you need not take any new missions."

"You may also begin preparing for your promotion to Jonin."

"Jonin?" Shuji was genuinely surprised this time.

Jonin held an extremely important position in Konoha. They were the village's true core strength, second only to the Hokage. In theory, every Jonin was qualified to compete for the position of Hokage. Precisely because of this, the position was never granted lightly, and their numbers were strictly limited.

Looking across Konoha's history, there were only a handful who had become Jonin in their teens—Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, the future Hyuga Neji... Beyond their extraordinary talent and sufficient strength, their promotions were often intertwined with special circumstances or tremendous sacrifice: Kakashi's father, the White Fang, had died under mysterious circumstances; Might Duy had fought to the death to save his son, crippling the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist; Hizashi Hyuga had willingly died in another's place to avert war.

The village's promotions were not without considerations of compensation and appeasement.

"Only Special Jonin," Hiruzen Sarutobi added at the right moment, breaking Shuji's train of thought.

Shuji felt relieved. Special Jonin were a unique rank. They had not been promoted because of comprehensive excellence in strength, but because they had reached Jonin level in a particular field or possessed indispensable special talents, such as powerful sensory abilities, top-tier medical ninjutsu, or profound Sealing Jutsu. Their authority and status were below those of full Jonin but above ordinary Chunin. They usually handled specific types of missions or served as expert consultants.

Such an arrangement also avoided the seniority disputes that a direct promotion to full Jonin might provoke.

"Understood." Shuji accepted calmly. The status of Special Jonin suited him better. Higher mission authority and pay, with fewer routine administrative duties—it was exactly what he wanted.

The Third Hokage put the file back into the drawer with a faint sliding sound. "Someone will notify you about the promotion process. You will need letters of recommendation from two active Chunin or Jonin, as well as to pass an evaluation. The assessment will be tailored to your area of expertise." He looked at Shuji meaningfully. "With your abilities, it should not be a problem. As for the recommendation letters..."

Shuji understood. His parents had died on the battlefield, his supervising Jonin had perished in the Nine-Tails Rebellion, and his teammates from the border squad had also died on the Kumogakure battlefield. The most suitable candidates were all gone. If Shuji truly could not find anyone, Hiruzen Sarutobi could naturally find suitable people to provide letters of recommendation.

"I'll handle it myself," Shuji said first.

Grandma Toka should be able to contact some Senju clan members living under assumed names.

They had changed their surnames and integrated into Konoha, but as the village's former backbone, many among them held the rank of Chunin or Jonin. Shuji had even met some of them during holiday gatherings. Getting recommendation letters should not be difficult.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly. "Go and prepare well. As for your team with Itachi, once the personnel are complete, I will have the Anbu notify you."

"Yes." Shuji bowed and took his leave.

By the time he left the Hokage Building, Konoha's lights had begun to glow. The evening wind carried a chill, dispersing the lingering smell of smoke from the office.

Promotion to Special Jonin... Shuji did not care much for the title itself, but he was satisfied with the practical conveniences it brought—greater freedom, opportunities to access more core missions, and more generous compensation.

(End of Chapter)