An Anbu Squad Captain?

Three days later, news came from Sunagakure: the genius puppeteer Sasori of the Red Sands had fled, though the village had not placed him on its list of rogue ninja.

By saving Sasori, the Third Kazekage had escaped a deadly fate after all.

Uchiha Mai had already been back in Konoha for several days when he heard the news.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed that Mai's promotion to Chunin, earned in this round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, was valid. After a few words of encouragement, he sent Mai on his way.

That made no sense.

Mai had brought Konoha enormous glory. Surely that deserved a handsome reward. If rewards and punishments weren't fair, who would work hard for the village?

Uncle Fugaku reassured Mai that major changes were underway in Konoha. The start of the month was only a few days away, and Lord Hokage probably intended to announce his reward at the monthly meeting.

Mai settled down and waited to see what Sarutobi Hiruzen had planned for him.

On the evening of January 31, Fugaku sent Shisui to fetch Mai again.

Little Shisui licked his cotton candy, his face red from the cold. His runny nose nearly dripped onto the candy.

Shisui snuffled it back up, then looked up and asked, "Mai, is the Ninja Academy really fun? Do you get to make lots and lots of friends there?"

"Hm?

Why do you ask? Is the clan head planning to send you to the Ninja Academy?" Mai asked.

"Uh-huh!"

Shisui nodded eagerly. "Clan Head Fugaku just said I'm old enough to start school.

He hopes I'll attend the Ninja Academy, learn the Will of Fire, and become an outstanding ninja who brings glory to Konoha, just like you.

Those older boys who don't go to school, like Cousin