Rewards and Arrangements

Squad 1, Class 12, and Squad 17 had left with twelve people. When they returned to Konoha, only eight remained.

"Kouta, Shuichi, come with me to see the Hokage. The rest of you should get some rest first."

After returning to Konoha, Hatake Sakumo finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Teacher Shuichi, your injuries are no longer serious, but you should still go to the hospital for thorough treatment," Shiraha reminded him before leaving.

"Don't worry, I will." Oshima Shuichi nodded.

Soon afterward, the three Jōnin arrived at the Hokage Building together.

When they entered the Hokage Office, they found that besides the Third Hokage, the other three advisors—Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō—were all present. Clearly, they attached great importance to this incident.

"Lord Third Hokage, esteemed advisors."

The three of them bowed slightly.

"Sakumo, Shuichi, Kouta, your three squads performed exceptionally well on this mission! The Interrogation Department has already begun extracting memories from the corpses you brought back. We should soon discover more weaknesses of the Puppet Masters, and that will be of great significance in ending the war."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave the mission's results high praise.

"Yes."

The three of them were used to this, having frequently carried out difficult missions.

"This mission will be upgraded to S-Rank, and the reward will be settled as payment for two S-Rank missions. In addition, I can grant you permission to read the Book of Seals. Each of you may choose any one ninjutsu from it," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.

For ninja at the Jōnin level, monetary rewards were secondary. What mattered most was the accumulation of military merit and permission to read the Book of Seals. To every Konoha Jōnin, that was immensely valuable. It contained many S-Rank ninjutsu left behind by the First and Second Hokage.

Even if they could not learn them themselves, they could pass them down as family ninjutsu in the future. It would be of tremendous help in strengthening their clan's foundation.

"Lord Third Hokage, I did not contribute much to this mission. I failed to save Keita, and I am deeply sorry. As for permission to read the Book of Seals, I would like to give it to the members of my squad. Given my injuries, even if I recover, I will likely only be able to serve on the second line."

Oshima Shuichi spoke.

"Shuichi, this was my failing as Hokage. What happened to Keita was not your fault. I underestimated Sunagakure's determination to continue the war. If I had sent reinforcements sooner, perhaps things would not have ended this way."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked apologetic as he took the blame upon himself.

Sarutobi Keita's death pained him deeply, but the crippling of an Elite Jonin like Oshima Shuichi was an even greater loss to Konoha. More importantly, he could have avoided injury altogether; he had lost his arm while saving someone.

"Lord Third Hokage, please don't say that." Oshima Shuichi was somewhat moved.

"Shuichi, I will later provide a complete plan for you and your squad's arrangements. Please rest assured."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke solemnly.

"Lord Third Hokage, please distribute my reward as compensation to the fallen members of the squads." Sakamoto Kouta decided to forgo his reward.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had no objection. Every Konoha Jōnin was an inheritor of the Will of Fire. Guided by such powerful resolve, they would overcome every difficulty.

"Shuichi, Kouta, return and recover from your injuries first."

"Yes."

Sakamoto Kouta and Oshima Shuichi left the Hokage Office.

"Lord Third Hokage, I would also like to give my permission to read the Book of Seals to someone else. As you know, I do not need any other ninjutsu.

"Also, everyone performed exceptionally well during this mission.

"Among them, Yagami Shiraha stood out the most. If he had not helped at the crucial moment, I would probably be seriously injured right now.

"I believe that, based on his performance this time, he should be granted permission to read the Book of Seals."

Hatake Sakumo said.

He only needed to continue cultivating Hatake Style Swordsmanship. He had no need for anything else.

"I understand." Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Sakumo a somewhat helpless look.

With the military achievements he had earned and the number of high-level missions he had completed, even granting him access to all the contents of the Book of Seals would have been more than justified.

But he did not need it.

Thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen had nothing left with which to reward him.

"Sakumo, I believe it is necessary to understand the details of this mission, especially concerning the Uchiha." Shimura Danzō, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.

"Yes." Sakumo recounted the entire course of the mission.

This included Uchiha Soujin's brave battle and the words he had spoken to Sarutobi Keita before the latter's death.

Sakumo neither concealed anything nor added anything.

"The Uchiha truly do not fit in with the village," Danzō said coldly.

"Danzō, watch your attitude." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice sank. He then looked toward Hatake Sakumo. "Sakumo, you should return and rest as well. The village will not assign you any missions for some time. Recover properly."

"Yes." Hatake Sakumo bowed slightly and withdrew from the Hokage Office.

Utatane Koharu suddenly sighed. "Among this generation of ninja, Sakumo is the finest. He would be very suitable as a candidate for Fourth Hokage."

"Indeed. The Three Ninja are all excellent, but compared to Sakumo, they are still a little lacking." Mitokado Homura echoed, "He has earned so many military achievements. I think promoting him to Jonin Squad Leader would also be appropriate."

"I agree." Utatane Koharu nodded.

Konoha had several hundred Jōnin. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for all missions to be assigned directly by the Hokage, and Jōnin without missions could not spend all day in the Hokage Building. Therefore, most Jōnin would report in at the special department known as the Jonin Squad.

When there was an important mission, the Jonin Squad Leader would directly convey the Hokage's orders.

The Jonin Squad Leader held no real authority, but the position carried great significance.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen was young, the Second Hokage had appointed him Jonin Squad Leader. This had allowed him to build connections among the village's Jōnin.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent at the two suggestions before saying, "With Sakumo's abilities, having him stationed permanently in the Jonin Squad would waste his talents."

Noticing Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression, Danzō added, "In terms of prestige, character, strength, and the military achievements he has accumulated over the years, Sakumo clearly surpasses the Three Ninja. However, Sakumo truly is not skilled at management."

"Many things must be learned gradually," Mitokado Homura said. "But you are right as well."

"Hiruzen, among these juniors, who do you favor most as the Fourth Hokage candidate?" Utatane Koharu could not help asking.

"It is not yet time. I can remain in this position for at least a few more years and give the next generation more time to grow." Sarutobi Hiruzen did not give a clear answer.

"That is true. If it is you, everyone would readily accept you serving as Hokage for another ten or twenty years." Mitokado Homura nodded.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "Around fifty years should be enough. We should give the young people more opportunities as well."

"Hiruzen, how do you intend to arrange these squads?" Danzō abruptly changed the subject.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly. It seemed Danzō still had not given up on Shiraha.

After pondering for a moment, he made his decision.

"Promote Uchiha Soujin to Chūnin. I hope that following Sakumo will make him more responsible.

"As for the members of Class 12, have Orochimaru lead them for a while."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances. It seemed that although Hiruzen did not say so, the candidate he favored most in his heart was still Orochimaru.

Having members of the Uchiha and Hyūga clans follow Orochimaru was clearly meant to have Orochimaru emulate their teacher, the Second Hokage.

Moreover, Shiraha was a genius of Medical Ninjutsu and was likewise of civilian birth. If he followed Orochimaru, it would also raise his prestige in the future.

Otherwise, Shiraha could have been assigned to Tsunade. After all, among the Three Ninja, Tsunade currently had the highest prestige.

"Shiraha is not a problem, but having the Uchiha and Hyūga follow Orochimaru... aren't you afraid that it will give them ideas they should not have?" Danzō said pointedly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said sternly, "The Hyūga and Uchiha are also part of the village!

"Although our teacher was wary of the Uchiha, he also acknowledged them.

"Have you forgotten Kagami? As long as a ninja inherits the Will of Fire, they are qualified."

At the mention of Kagami Uchiha, a strange look appeared in Danzō's eyes.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura agreed with him. Kagami Uchiha had undoubtedly possessed the caliber to become Hokage. The only regret was that he had died young. Otherwise, the village would now have greater trust in the Uchiha.

As for whether the Uchiha and Hyūga would join forces, that was simply impossible. The two Ninja Clans had been in conflict for centuries, ever since the Warring States era.

Just as the Uchiha had always been hostile toward the Senju lineage, how could they possibly unite because of a few Genin?

Wanting to become Hokage without everyone's support was simply a dream.

Especially given Hiruzen's current prestige in the village, as long as he did not support the Uchiha through concrete actions, the Uchiha would never be able to reach the Hokage position.

And with them keeping things under control, nothing could go wrong.