Special Jonin

"Lord Orochimaru is actually late for such an important frontline jonin meeting!"

Dazhou Yamanaka grumbled a few times. Since Orochimaru had acknowledged the genjutsu of Kawadera Uchiha, he had no other excuses.

"I will provide an objective and fair evaluation. Once the lords finish their meeting, we shall decide whether you are promoted."

As they entered the tent, Dazhou Yamanaka suddenly stopped and blocked Kawadera Uchiha from entering.

"Do not say a word about what I experienced in your genjutsu! Otherwise, my secret techniques have plenty of ways to make you look like a fool. You wouldn't want to be in a public restroom with your pants around your ankles, running in small, quick steps while flying through the air, would you?"

Kawadera Uchiha imagined the scene and shook his head vigorously: "I wouldn't! Wouldn't that be impossible to clean up? With your butt cheeks squeezed together and smearing everything, wouldn't it be everywhere?"

Dazhou Yamanaka was very satisfied with Kawadera Uchiha's answer.

Inside the tent, many ninjas from the Sarutobi Clan and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were busy at work.

Kawadera Uchiha was an idler. He saw an Akimichi Clan ninja standing opposite him, chubby and holding a stack of documents.

It seemed the person who gave him the documents had forgotten about him, but he neither asked nor grew impatient; he simply stood there, and after locking eyes with Kawadera Uchiha, he even offered a smile.

Compared to the busy people around them, the two of them were forgotten souls.

However, Kawadera Uchiha was an outsider unwelcome by the Sarutobi and Ino-Shika-Cho, while the Akimichi ninja had truly been forgotten.

After a long while, the area outside suddenly grew noisy; the jonin had finished their meeting.

Kawadera Uchiha looked outside and saw that most of the jonin looked excited. It seemed the pipe dream Hiruzen Sarutobi had painted for them was quite appetizing.

Seeing Princess Tsunade also exit the meeting tent, Kawadera Uchiha quickly walked over.

Dan Katō was not with Tsunade; since Nawaki was still alive, Dan Katō had no opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Medical jonin Mei Senju was frowning as he followed behind Tsunade, though it was unclear what they were discussing.

Kawadera Uchiha approached and heard the two talking about personnel deployment after the counter-offensive.

Mei Senju said: "Princess Tsunade, if you lead the Senju Clan to take the lead in the assault as you did before, the shortage of manpower in the medical department will be too severe."

"Since the founding of Konoha, the Senju Clan has always led the charge. This time, I must also shoulder this responsibility."

The medical jonin sighed and asked again: "A counter-offensive cannot be resolved in one or two charges. Lord Naraichi just said that we must push the front line from the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass to the border of the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass.

In a protracted war, more than half of the ninjas in the medical department are from the Senju Clan. If they go to the front lines, the medical department will collapse prematurely."

"That is indeed a problem," Tsunade said. "I will continue to mobilize Senju ninjas from the village to the front lines."

Kawadera Uchiha had long since opened his sea of consciousness, allowing Tobirama Senju to hear.

Second Hokage, even I, an Uchiha, must criticize you a bit. Look at the strategy you formulated: the Senju Clan must be at the front of every battle, leading by example.

When the First Hokage and you were around, it wasn't a problem; the area around you was the safest place on the battlefield.

But now? This spirit has become a heavy mental burden for the Senju Clan.

Tobirama Senju replied: "At the time of the village's founding, each ninja clan had just joined, and no one knew what a great ninja village looked like."

"Hesitation, doubt, and selfishness were unavoidable."

"Someone had to make sacrifices and set an example to bind the village together."

"The Senju Clan must lead the way in practicing the Will of Fire."

"As long as Tsunade or Nawaki grow up, the Senju Clan will remain the strongest core of Konoha."

At this moment, Mei Senju said: "If we recruit more from the village, all that will be left are children the same age as Master Nawaki."

Tsunade signaled for Kawadera Uchiha to follow her, cutting off the previous topic.

Mei Senju shook his head, knowing his advice had been in vain.

After arriving at the command tent, Tsunade sat behind a long table.

Naraichi handed a report to Tsunade.

Tsunade said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing to the side: "Teacher, I recommend this person for promotion to Special Jonin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took the document and was about to sign it when he looked up in confusion: "An Uchiha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tsunade, then at Kawadera Uchiha, and said:

"This is a good thing. We welcome ninjas from the Uchiha Clan stepping out of their district and integrating into Konoha."

"Kawadera Uchiha, I hope you will set a good example and let more Uchiha ninjas open their hearts."

Kawadera Uchiha thought to himself: Integration is simple; I just fear that what you want isn't integration, but dissolution.

Opening their hearts isn't hard; I just fear that what you want is to open their hearts and lungs.

Tsunade's influence was effective; without any obstacles, he obtained the position of Special Jonin.

After returning to the squad, Kawadera Uchiha said to Kureya Inuzuka: "Kureya, I'm sorry that your position as temporary captain has gone down the drain."

"From now on, when Captain Xingyue is at the medical department, I will serve as the temporary captain as a Special Jonin."

Kureya Inuzuka felt a slight regret, but he said: "Your performance in the Land of Rain was too perfect. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that you and Jonin Mei Senju turned the tide of the situation."

"Don't worry, don't mind my feelings. I will eventually become a Special Jonin, or even a jonin."

In mission rewards, the captain's evaluation is generally the best, and their share of the credit is the greatest.

Every ninja with decent strength wants to be a captain.

A squad leader commands dozens of ninjas; with a single word, they can decide the life or death of others. If they want someone to act as bait, that person must go; if they want someone to cover the retreat, that person must go.

Expanding the scope, the Hokage holds the power to distribute missions. A single mission that exceeds a ninja's capability is enough to kill off anyone who refuses to listen.

Hiruzen Sarutobi served as Hokage twice, holding the position until his death. If he could have achieved immortality like Orochimaru, he would surely have found a way to remain Hokage for hundreds of years.

Power is the most potent aphrodisiac for a man.

Kawadera Uchiha said, "Rest assured, as your temporary squad leader, I will certainly charge at the front and retreat at the rear."

There was a hint of sincerity in those words.

He would only occasionally charge when it was time to cover the retreat, or cover the retreat when it was time to charge.

He still held some affection for the few members of his squad and tried his best to avoid acting like a beast toward them.

For over ten days, the troops remained in preparation, with no major movements.

That was until a batch of reinforcements arrived at the front line.

The medical ward suddenly became lively, bolstered by more than 50 additional medical ninjas.

Beside Seigetsu Senju stood a young girl, 12 years old this year, Kanzuki Senju, who had graduated alongside Nawaki Senju.

Whenever things quieted down, Kanzuki Senju would wait for others to leave before immediately launching into a non-stop chatter.

"Sister Seigetsu, I've been bored to death these past few months, stuck doing D-rank and C-rank missions. Finally, I've made it to the front line."

"My teammates are so dull, especially Shingu Senju. He's so clumsy and dim-witted, always staring at me blankly. I'm a genin too, what could I possibly know?"

"Sister Seigetsu, when will you be able to teach me advanced medical ninjutsu?"

"Sister Seigetsu, that wounded man keeps twitching—is it nerve damage, or has he suffered a mental breakdown from fright?"

Kawadera Uchiha turned his head, and Kanzuki Senju fell silent once more.

A 12-year-old girl, her face full of childish innocence.

Seigetsu Senju said, "Kawadera, this is my fourth uncle's cousin. She's curious about everything and just talks a bit too much."

Kanzuki Senju immediately covered her mouth with both hands, not daring to speak.

"Kanzuki, go find Uncle Mei Senju for help; I'll come get you in a while."

Seeing that Seigetsu Senju had something on her mind, Kawadera Uchiha asked, "What's wrong, Seigetsu?"

"A lot of Senju ninjas have been sent as reinforcements to the front, and I've heard some rumors from within the clan." Her eyes dimmed.

"Kanzuki brought a letter from my brother. I was so angry when I wrote back that we ended up arguing. My brother actually said that saving Master Nawaki might not necessarily be a good thing..."

"Is your brother planning a rebellion? Does he want to be the young clan head?"