Special Jonin

"Orochimaru-sama was actually late for such an important meeting of Front Line Jonin squads!"

After grumbling a few words, Dazhou Yamanaka acknowledged Kawadera Uchiha's genjutsu, leaving him with no other excuse.

"I'll give you a fair and objective evaluation. Once the higher-ups finish their meeting, they'll decide whether you should be promoted."

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

"Remember this site's domain name. For Taiwan novels, Taiwan Novel Network is the one to trust, . It's incredibly useful."

"Don't tell anyone about what I went through in the genjutsu! Otherwise, my secret techniques have plenty of ways to make you embarrass yourself. You wouldn't want to be running through the camp in tiny steps while flying, with your pants hanging from your ankles while you're using the public latrine, would you?"

Kawadera Uchiha imagined the scene and hurriedly shook his head. "No! Wouldn't that be a nightmare to wipe afterward? Your butt cheeks would be squeezing and smearing everything around—wouldn't it get 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 had nothing to do. He spotted an Akimichi Clan ninja standing across from him, plump and holding a stack of documents.

It seemed that the person who had handed him the documents had forgotten about him. He neither asked nor hurried, simply standing there. After making eye contact with Kawadera Uchiha, he even smiled at him.

Compared to everyone else bustling about, the two of them were like two forgotten people.

The difference was that Kawadera Uchiha was an outsider unwelcome among the Sarutobi and Ino-Shika-Cho, while the Akimichi ninja had genuinely been forgotten.

After a long while, noise suddenly erupted outside. The Jonin had finished their meeting.

Kawadera Uchiha looked outside and saw that most of the Jonin were visibly excited. It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi's promises had gone down very well.

When he saw Tsunade emerge from the meeting tent as well, Kawadera Uchiha hurried over.

Dan Katō was not with Tsunade. Since Nawaki had not died, Dan Katō had never gotten the chance to exploit her vulnerability.

Mei Senju, the medical Jonin, was following behind Tsunade with a furrowed brow, seemingly saying something to her.

As Kawadera Uchiha drew closer, he heard the two discussing personnel arrangements after the major counteroffensive.

Mei Senju said, "Princess Tsunade, if you lead the Senju Clan in the main assault again like before, the Medical Department's manpower shortage will become far too severe."

"Ever since Konoha was founded, the Senju Clan has always led the charge. This time, I must shoulder that responsibility as well."

The medical Jonin sighed, then asked, "The counteroffensive cannot be settled with one or two charges. Naraichi-sama said it just now as well: we must push the front from the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass to the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass. During such a prolonged war, more than half the Medical Department's ninjas are from the Senju Clan. If they go to the Front Line, the Medical Department will collapse ahead of time."

"You have a point," Tsunade said. "I'll continue transferring Senju ninjas from the village to the Front Line."

Kawadera Uchiha had already opened his Sea of Consciousness, allowing Tobirama Senju to hear.

"Second, even an Uchiha like me has to criticize you a little. Look at the policy you established. The Senju Clan had to take the lead in every battle, always serving as an example. When the First and you were around, it wasn't a problem. The safest place on the battlefield was wherever you stood. But now? That spirit has become a crushing burden on the Senju Clan."

Tobirama Senju said, "When the village was founded, the ninja clans had only just joined. No one knew what a great ninja village would be like. Watching, hesitating, and harboring selfish motives were unavoidable. Someone had to make sacrifices and set an example to bind the village together. The Senju Clan had to take the lead in putting the Will of Fire into practice. As long as Tsunade or Nawaki matured, the Senju Clan would remain Konoha's strongest core."

At that moment, Mei Senju said, "If we recruit more from the village, all that will be left are children around Nawaki-sama's age."

Tsunade signaled for Kawadera Uchiha to follow her, cutting off the earlier conversation.

Mei Senju shook his head, knowing his persuasion had been futile.

After arriving at the commander-in-chief's tent, Tsunade sat behind a long table.

Naraichi handed a report to Tsunade.

Tsunade said to Hiruzen Sarutobi beside her, "Sensei, I recommend someone for promotion to Special Jonin."

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

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

"This is a good thing. We warmly welcome ninjas of the Uchiha Clan leaving their compound and integrating into Konoha. Kawadera Uchiha, I hope you will set an example and encourage more Uchiha ninjas to open their hearts."

Kawadera Uchiha thought, Integrating would be easy enough. I'm just afraid what you want isn't integration, but dissolution.

Opening our hearts isn't hard either. I'm just afraid what you want is for us to open our chests and lungs.

Tsunade's influence was useful. With no obstacles in his way, he obtained the position of Special Jonin.

After returning to the squad, Kawadera Uchiha said to Kureya Inuzuka, "Red Night, I'm sorry, but your temporary captain position has fallen through. From now on, whenever Xingyue is at the Medical Department, I, as a Special Jonin, will serve as temporary captain."

Kureya Inuzuka was somewhat regretful, 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 situation around. Don't worry, you don't need to care about my feelings. Sooner or later, I'll become a Special Jonin, or even a Jonin."

Among mission rewards, the captain's evaluation was generally the best, and the captain received the greatest credit.

Every capable ninja wanted to be captain.

A unit commander led dozens of ninjas. With a single word, he could decide whether others lived or died. Whoever he wanted to use as bait had to go, and whoever he wanted to hold the rear had to go.

On a larger scale, the Hokage held the authority to assign missions. A random mission beyond a ninja's limits could get rid of anyone who refused to obey.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had served as Hokage twice, remaining Hokage until his death. If he could become immortal like Orochimaru, he would definitely find a way to remain Hokage for hundreds of years.

Power was the strongest aphrodisiac for men.

Kawadera Uchiha said, "Don't worry. As the temporary squad captain, I'll definitely charge first and retreat last."

There was some sincerity in those words.

Only on a few occasions would he charge during a rearguard action and hold the rear during a charge.

He did have some attachment to the members of his squad. He would try not to treat them like animals too often.

For more than ten days, the troops remained in preparation, with no major developments.

Until a batch of reinforcements arrived at the Front Line.

The Medical Department suddenly became lively, gaining more than fifty medical ninjas.

A young girl had appeared beside Seigetsu Senju. She was twelve this year, Kanzuki Senju, who had graduated alongside Nawaki Senju.

Whenever there was downtime, Kanzuki Senju would wait until everyone else had left, then immediately begin chattering away.

"Xingyue-sister, I was bored to death these past few months. I kept doing D-rank and C-rank missions, and I finally made it to the Front Line."

"My teammates are so dull, especially Shingu Senju. He's stupid and vacant-minded, always staring blankly at me. I'm only a Genin too—what would I know?"

"Xingyue-sister, when can you teach me advanced medical ninjutsu?"

"Xingyue-sister, that wounded man keeps twitching. Did he injure his nerves, or was he frightened into a mental breakdown?"

Kawadera Uchiha turned back, and Kanzuki Senju immediately fell silent again.

She was a twelve-year-old girl, her face full of childish innocence.

Seigetsu Senju said, "Kawadera, she's my cousin from my fourth uncle's family. She's curious about everything and talks a little too much."

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

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

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

"A lot of Senju ninjas were sent to the Front Line as reinforcements. I heard some rumors from the clan." Her eyes dimmed. "Kanzuki brought me a letter from my brother. When I wrote back, I got so angry that I argued with him. My brother actually said that saving Nawaki-sama might not have been a good thing..."

"Is your brother planning a rebellion? Does he want to become the next clan head?"