A Two-Level Leap

"Lord Hokage, you must give us an explanation today!"

"That's right! We are ninjas, we need to take on missions!"

"Even the Hokage cannot strip away my youth and passion!" Even Bowl Cut could no longer stand it; his training in the Eight Inner Gates required a high intake of food and medicine, and he had recently started dating a girlfriend—both of which were very expensive.

Facing the protests of the genin, the Third Hokage looked toward their jonin or special jonin instructors for help, but no one responded. They were joking; this was a matter concerning the power dynamics of the entire ninja class, and they could not possibly help the Hokage violate the rules.

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe heavily: "Quiet! Nawaki, you should understand that the reason we do not allow everyone to take C-rank missions is for your own safety. You are all the future of the village, and you cannot easily risk your lives before you have matured."

Nawaki retorted: "But a young eagle must leave the nest and learn to fly before it can truly grow. I believe that excessive protection will instead become a shackle, dragging down our growth. As ninjas, we must learn to face all dangers head-on; we were already prepared for this the moment we became genin! I believe the Third Hokage, known as the Hero of Ninjas, understands this principle!"

The Third Hokage was moved by Nawaki's words: "Excessive protection will become a shackle... You wish to spread your wings and fly? Nawaki, your words are always so reasonable; I have been persuaded by you once again! Very well! Starting today, your team is permitted to take on C-rank missions! However, the latest batch of merchant caravans has yet to return, so you will have to wait for a while... Until then, you may rest, and the village's D-rank missions will be left to other teams!"

"Yes! The stubborn old man has finally seen the light!" Aside from Shinnosuke, no one else would dare speak to the Third Hokage like that.

"With this, we finally have something to do!"

"I never thought I'd be this excited about a D-rank mission..."

"It hasn't been easy, but things are finally back to normal!"

"This is youth! Any difficulty can be overcome!"

"Wait!" As Nawaki spoke again, everyone grew tense once more. Surely this unexpected genius wouldn't change his mind, would he?

Everyone fell silent to listen.

"Nawaki, is there anything else?" Hiruzen was also somewhat wary of this disciple who didn't play by the rules. He had actually used a loophole in the mission regulations to force a compromise, and coupled with the series of strategic plans he had proposed earlier that were all proceeding exactly as predicted, this level of intelligence made even the Third Hokage feel a sense of dread. Fortunately, he was a genius of the Senju Clan and had inherited the Will of Fire; otherwise, he wouldn't know how to handle him—perhaps he would have directly dispatched the Anbu to monitor him closely or simply placed him under house arrest? But fortunately, none of that would happen, and everything was moving in the best possible direction.

Nawaki nodded: "Lord Third, over the past year, our team has completed over five hundred D-rank missions. Given our qualifications, shouldn't we be able to apply to become chunin?"

The Third Hokage frowned and said: "True, based on your qualifications, you can indeed apply for the chunin exams, but in terms of strength..."

"I recall that Matsushita-sensei, whom I defeated during my graduation exam, is a chunin, right? So, in terms of strength, I shouldn't need to be tested again!"

Nawaki pressed on, and the Third Hokage, having nothing to say, could only nod: "Nawaki is indeed eligible for promotion to chunin. Torifu, as his supervising jonin, do you have any objections?"

If Torifu Akimichi expressed opposition, the Third Hokage could delay Nawaki's promotion, but Torifu did not want to offend this promising head of the Senju Clan, so he said with an appreciative look: "With Nawaki's talent and strength, he is fully qualified for the position of chunin."

The Third Hokage could only helplessly agree to Nawaki's request: "Very well, I announce that starting today, you are promoted to chunin. Nawaki, I hope you will continue to work hard." He knew that given Nawaki's current status, the Konoha high command would not object, so he announced the appointment directly, which would be recorded in Nawaki's ninja file shortly. Thus, Nawaki could now be considered a chunin.

"Rest assured, Lord Hokage, you know my ninja way."

"Although you have become a chunin, your team will not be disbanded, and you will still only be allowed to take C-rank missions until your average strength exceeds that of a chunin," the Third Hokage emphasized.

Shinnosuke finally snapped back to reality: "What? Nawaki is only five years old, right? And he's already a chunin? Damn it! Old man, I want to apply for the chunin exam too!"

Before the Third Hokage could scold him, Torifu Akimichi stepped in to stop him: "Shinnosuke! To become a chunin, besides qualifications and strength, there are also requirements for a ninja's intelligence, analysis, and decision-making abilities. You are far from ready! Therefore, I will not recommend you to the Hokage for promotion to chunin!"

"Ah? The gap is that big?" After complaining, Shinnosuke had no choice but to give up; he knew his own strength was indeed inferior to Nawaki's.

The surrounding genin classes witnessed this scene and began to whisper among themselves.

"That's amazing! He became a chunin at five!"

"A chunin is a formal ninja! A backbone capable of handling things on their own! A five-year-old chunin—I've never heard of such a thing before!"

"A five-year-old chunin! What a rare genius!"

"So cool!"

Nawaki once again gained a sum of Wish Power, and he knew that as the news spread, his reputation would continue to grow, yet he was still not satisfied! He already possessed the strength of a jonin; since he had decided to expose himself, why not do it more thoroughly and shockingly? Only then could he gain more Wish Power and prestige.

"Lord Hokage, I have one more important matter!" Nawaki spoke up again!

"It seems Nawaki has a big surprise for me today. Tell me whatever else is on your mind!" Hiruzen Sarutobi knew this little disciple had come prepared today and was about to make a big move.

"As far as I know, for a chunin to be promoted to jonin, besides strength requirements, there are also requirements for high-level mission experience. However, if one is promoted to a Special Jonin, unlike a versatile jonin, one only needs to possess unique talents in certain areas to qualify? For example, in education, research, or intelligence, one only needs to have outstanding talent, and there are no excessive requirements for mission experience to be directly promoted to Special Jonin."

The Third Hokage hurriedly interjected: "That is correct. Nawaki, do you have any special talents? Just don't make them too special—you might scare us!" The Third Hokage said this as if it were a joke, while signaling to Nawaki that he must not expose the two major secrets of Wood Release and economic strategy in front of everyone.

Nawaki nodded meaningfully: "Rest assured, Lord Hokage, this humble one only has a little insight into ninjutsu research; it won't be enough to scare everyone!"