Could anything good come of the Third Hokage looking for him? Had the sun risen in the west, or had Konoha abandoned the Will of Fire in favor of rewarding people according to their merits?
"I don't know what it is, but I might as well look forward to it."
He smiled brightly, as if he were eagerly anticipating the congratulations from these Anbu. Only when he arrived at the Hokage Office Building's Mission Assignment Hall did he realize everyone had been waiting for quite some time.
"Minato-sensei, Kakashi-senpai, Third Hokage, and all the advisors—what's going on?"
When everyone saw Uchiha Hanazuki arrive, Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat twice. He glanced over the three of them, then nodded with satisfaction.
"Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Hanayu, on the recommendation of your guiding jonin, Orochimaru, and Namikaze Minato, you are hereby officially appointed as Konoha jonin."
Kakashi had clearly been expecting this, but Hanazuki was slightly taken aback. A Konoha jonin? He hadn't even taken the Chunin Ninja Exams, and they were promoting him straight to jonin as an exception?
"Wait, I haven't even become a chunin. Is it really all right to promote me like this?"
"That doesn't matter. We're at war, and the village has full authority to decide who becomes a chunin or jonin. You have the ability to serve as a jonin, Uchiha Hanazuki."
Puffing on his pipe, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, set it down on the desk. He looked over the mission reports and ninja evaluations, then gave a slight nod.
"Since graduating, you've saved the lives of hundreds of your fellow villagers. You thwarted Chiyo, the Kazekage's advisor, in the Sand Village, and in the Battle of Mount Kikyo, you helped preserve Konoha's strength."
"Just now, you defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure. Your abilities and character are worthy of recognition. Even if you don't say it aloud, you instinctively act in accordance with the Will of Fire."
Utatane Koharu remained silent. Namikaze Minato wore a gentle expression, affirming Hanazuki's contributions to Konoha.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on. Its light will illuminate the village and help new buds grow into great trees. I hope you'll become a light for the village, illuminating the darkness and protecting Konoha's young shoots as they grow strong."
"Ptooey... Sorry, I did that on purpose!"
Thump!
Utatane Koharu, who had been holding back for a long time, flared up again. She pointed at the unconcerned Hanazuki, then turned and roared,
"Sarutobi! We absolutely cannot let this man become a jonin! Even if he's earned some merit on the battlefield, that doesn't mean—"
"Calm down, Koharu. The Will of Fire isn't just something people talk about. Uchiha Hanazuki's actions show that he truly embodies it."
"The official appointments of the Konoha jonin will be issued in a few days. Congratulations, Uchiha Hanazuki and Hatake Kakashi."
After the two had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply. His gaze settled on the blond man, whose outstanding contributions made him a model ninja.
"Minato, I'm entrusting that boy to you. There's no question about his talent, and he's generally impeccable toward his comrades. But spending so much time with Orochimaru could cause him to be influenced by Orochimaru's obsessive ideas."
"I understand. Hanazuki's a clever boy, so don't worry. He'll definitely become an excellent jonin."
Minato nodded in agreement. Sarutobi Hiruzen gave an almost imperceptible nod, then gestured for everyone to leave.
Outside the Hokage Office Building, Kakashi's lips curled up slightly. After a brief pause, he looked puzzled.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing. Congratulations, Kakashi-senpai. Once the official documents come through, you'll be a jonin."
"A twelve-year-old Konoha jonin is a rare sight. Isn't that something worth celebrating?"
His eyelids lowered, and Kakashi's tone was cold.
"Are you bragging? A ten-year-old Konoha jonin, graduated from the Ninja Academy only a few months ago and promoted repeatedly through the ranks during wartime—Uchiha Hanazuki."
"No. I was thinking that if I were Kakashi-senpai's friend, I ought to plan a celebration for you. But if it were me, I probably wouldn't get one."
"After all, I'm not exactly the sort of person who has a lot of friends, am I? Hahaha..."
Watching Hanazuki walk farther and farther away, Kakashi shook his head for reasons he couldn't explain.
"What a weirdo."
It was wartime, and Konoha's streets were rather quiet. With nothing to do, Hanazuki strolled along a street corner. Just as he rounded a corner, someone in a hurry collided with him head-on.
"Sorry! Are you all right?"
A startled cry, a soft voice full of apology, and papers scattered all over the ground. The girl who had fallen looked rather troubled.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. What's this... a secret celebration plan for Kakashi's promotion to jonin? You're..."
He glanced at the girl gathering up the celebratory posters, and a flicker of recognition crossed his eyes.
"What? It's Rin-senpai! You sure get the news fast. You even know Kakashi-senpai is about to become a jonin. I'm impressed by your information network."
"Huh? Uchiha Hanazuki—it's you! I'm so sorry. Would you like to join us in celebrating?"
After managing to gather everything up, Nohara Rin smiled sweetly and warmly, then invited Hanazuki along.
"Celebrate together?"
"Sure. If I don't have another mission, I'll be happy to join you."
Footsteps approached in the distance. Obito, wearing goggles and a tracksuit, waved excitedly.
"Rin, I..."
"Obito, come help us too!"
Nohara Rin handed the celebratory posters to Obito, then hurried off to distribute them to their other classmates. She left before he could finish what he'd been about to say.
After Nohara Rin had gone, a familiar voice rang out, making Obito pause in surprise.
"Oh, Obito-senpai also made chunin! Congratulations, congratulations! Want to celebrate with some dango?"
"So it's Hanazuki! Why did that jerk Kakashi become a jonin? Honestly, Rin's the same—everyone's always going on about Kakashi, Kakashi. Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely surpass him."
Obito couldn't help complaining. He had thought his younger clansman would simply smile and offer a few words of comfort. Instead, Hanazuki nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Exactly. If you can awaken the Sharingan—or even an ocular jutsu more advanced than the Sharingan—you'll definitely surpass Kakashi-senpai."
"To borrow a phrase from my teacher Orochimaru, I've never been wrong about judging people. Your eyes hold the potential to surpass Kakashi-senpai!"
Hanazuki smiled, his expression full of conviction. Overcome with emotion, Obito's eyes welled with tears as he nodded hard.
"I get it! I'll definitely awaken the Sharingan and surpass Kakashi. I won't let you down, Hanazuki!"
Obito left full of confidence, and Hanazuki nodded repeatedly.
The Mangekyō Sharingan is like drawing cards. How could an N-rank Tsukuyomi or Amaterasu ever compare to an SSR-rank Double Kamui?
"So, you're here, my adorable student..."
Before you continue