An Argument

Danzo nodded. "With this technique alone, Nawaki can already defeat most jōnin. Even a Kage-level shinobi could be killed if they were hit by it off guard. Of course, that doesn't include the Third Raikage, hailed as the Shield of the Strongest."

Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow. "It's a shame the technique consumes so much chakra and requires such precise control. It's very difficult to learn. Also, if I'm not mistaken, it's dangerous. One mistake could put the user's life at risk, so it should be considered a forbidden jutsu. Even with more chakra than an average jōnin, Nawaki can only use it once. For now, he shouldn't use it lightly."

Danzo replied indifferently, "He's only five. At the rate he's growing, he should be able to use this technique regularly before long. Besides, without a massive supply of chakra as a foundation, combined with the ability to move at high speed, it's difficult to bring out the technique's full potential. As things stand, it seems like a jutsu Nawaki designed specifically for himself. Your fighting style and mine are already set. Even if we spent a great deal of time and effort learning it, it wouldn't do us much good. We'd be better off looking for ways to improve in other areas.

"But getting back to the point, this really is an S-rank jutsu. What do you plan to do? Promote him straight to Special Jōnin?"

Hiruzen's brow furrowed even deeper. "What else can I do? That kid always plans ahead, and this time he had it all arranged in advance! So many people witnessed it with their own eyes. I can't deny it. By the rules, I have no choice but to promote him to Special Jōnin. Damn... a five-year-old Special Jōnin. A genius like him is bound to attract the attention of other villages! And the kid isn't exactly one to stay out of trouble. He could easily end up in danger, or even expose that secret. But with so many people watching, it's impossible to keep this under wraps now! What a headache. Being too exceptional isn't always a good thing. Sometimes, I even wish he weren't so perfect."

Danzo gave a cold laugh. "You're always so cautious. How can anyone grow without experiencing blood and steel? But I do have an idea that could solve your problem. Want to hear it?"

"Oh? Let's hear it," Hiruzen said, raising an eyebrow.

"Have him join the Anbu under an assumed identity. That way, no one will know who he really is, and he'll be as safe as possible. But according to our usual practice, he should train in Root first." Danzo took the opportunity to reveal his true intentions. He'd long wanted to get close to Nawaki and make him fully inherit his own beliefs. He thought Nawaki was a born aggressor, and he was also very interested in his Wood Release kekkei genkai. Although he didn't dare experiment on Nawaki, injuries during training were perfectly normal. That would give him a chance to collect some blood or cells for his subordinates to study.

Danzo's scheme was well laid, but as his "old pal," Hiruzen knew him all too well and saw right through it at once. "No! Nawaki's only five, and Root is far too dark. It could easily have a bad influence on him. The Anbu's missions are also extremely dangerous. Neither is suitable for him."

Danzo protested, unwilling to give up. "Don't forget, the teacher once said that Konoha needed a 'Root' hidden underground and in the shadows in order to stay stable and grow! Root is also the most important part of protecting the village!"

Hiruzen shook his head. "That may be true, but Nawaki is the head of the Senju Clan. He was born to grow into a great tree under the sun. He can't be buried underground..."

"But..." Seeing that Danzo still wasn't willing to give up, Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off. "That's enough, Danzo! This is out of the question! Nawaki is my student! I'll decide his future myself. You don't need to worry about it!"

"Hmph! You'll regret this, Sarutobi! Nawaki isn't some weak, compromising man like you. He has the same aggressive spirit I do!"

"You're wrong, Danzo! I understand him better than anyone. This child is kind by nature. Like every Hokage before him, he has a heart that cherishes peace and wants to protect it!" It seemed Nawaki's virtuous image had become deeply ingrained. Everyone thought he was just like them...

"Hmph! Kind? Then how do you explain that economic strategy plan?"

"Shut up! That matter is a top secret of Konoha. You can't just talk about it! Besides, it's a way to preserve peace, not an act of aggression! It's just like how the First Hokage traded Tailed Beasts for money more than twenty years ago!"

The two men's argument grew louder and louder. But the Konoha High Command had seen it all before. The pair argued often, yet were exceptionally close. They hadn't quarreled in a long time, not since the Konoha Consortium was established. No one had expected them to start "flirting" again today.

Koharu, Homura, and the various clan heads seized the rare opportunity to stand quietly to the side, enjoying this long-missed scene of "sweet affection" with strange smiles on their faces.

After using the Rasenshuriken, Nawaki returned to the edge of the field to ask the Third Hokage about his assessment results. Seeing the bizarre sight formed by the Konoha High Command, he shuddered. Goosebumps prickled all over his body, and his eyes nearly turned into "chicken eyes" from the shock.

"Lord Hokage, Elder Danzo, what are you talking about that has you so happy?" Nawaki was a straight man who couldn't take this atmosphere of old men "flirting" with each other, so he interrupted them outright.

At his arrival, the two finally stopped arguing. "And which of your eyes saw us having fun, you brat?" Hiruzen and Danzo stared at Nawaki with their three eyes (no, really) as if their eyes could speak.

Nawaki understood. He gave the people around him a meaningful glance, signaling, "I don't mean you two are having fun. I mean these people seem to be enjoying watching you 'feed each other chicken feed'—the equivalent of a couple flaunting their love."

Only after Nawaki pointed it out did they notice the strange looks everyone was giving them. What was with those "affectionate" and "well-wishing" looks? Just you wait!

The two exchanged another disdainful glance before turning to Nawaki with big smiles.

"That's an impressive S-rank jutsu. It has enormous power and can be used at both close and long range. It's effective against a single enemy and over a wide area, and most importantly, it suits your style perfectly! Congratulations, Nawaki." After speaking, the Third Hokage looked over the High Command and the jōnin. "I've decided to approve Senju Nawaki's application and promote him to Special Jōnin. What does everyone think?"

"I agree!" "I have no objections." "I'm in favor." Everyone voiced their approval. The Senju clan head was now Konoha's money-maker, and the jutsu was powerful in its own right. If not for the fact that the economic strategy couldn't be made public, Nawaki's strength and achievements would be more than enough to promote him directly to jōnin and make him a high-ranking figure in the open. Now he had to build up enough mission experience to become a jōnin. Still, the title of Special Jōnin was already more than enough for Nawaki. It was only half a rank below jōnin, and the two positions weren't all that different in status or authority.