Promotion to Jonin

"Lord Hokage, Teacher."

In the underground chamber, Hyuga Yuto stood straight and presented the shattered blade with both hands. "Munashi Jinpachi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist Village, has been confirmed dead." He paused before continuing, "Before dying, Munashi Jinpachi detonated an explosive tag, leaving no remains behind. However, I collected his teeth and will send them to the medical unit for examination shortly."

Sarutobi Hiruzen ran his fingers over Explosive Blade: Splash and sighed only after a long while. "You completed the mission thoroughly, Yuto. You are already an outstanding ninja." He returned the shattered blade to the branch family youth and smiled. "On behalf of the village, I congratulate you on becoming a jonin."

"Yuto will never forget Lord Hokage's guidance." The branch family youth bowed. While Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard and chuckled, he blinked at Tsunade and gestured with his lips toward her plump backside.

The blonde woman froze, then instinctively reached back to touch it. Sure enough, she found a thin blade of thatch.

—It had accidentally stuck to her when she sat on the cart earlier.

Yuto really is thoughtful. His powers of observation are astonishing... just as expected of my adorable disciple. Tsunade felt a little proud, utterly failing to realize there was anything strange about why my adorable disciple was paying attention to my butt.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not notice the covert exchange of glances between his disciple and grand-disciple. After offering a few more sentiments, he continued, "Yuto, you were assigned Mission Four, the most difficult one, which is why you were the last to return. But what gratifies me is that all five of you completed your missions... The Will of Fire lives on without end."

"By the rules, your promotion ceremony will be held before the village's jonin and senior officials. Rest well these next few days and recover your strength. Hidden Leaf Village's future will still depend on young people like you."

After saying a few pleasant but largely empty words, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally got to the point. "Yuto, only you, me, and your teacher are here. You are my grand-disciple, yet I seem not to have given you any special consideration... Is there anything you want? I can personally grant it to you as a gift in celebration of your promotion to jonin."

Tsunade toyed with the blade of thatch and shot Hyuga Yuto a sharp look, telling him to think carefully before answering.

That day, Tsunade had asked Sarutobi Hiruzen whether she could teach Hyuga Yuto advanced sealing techniques. Though he had firmly refused, Tsunade had managed to wrangle some benefits for her disciple through a nearly shameless approach.

Sarutobi Hiruzen would not grow estranged from Tsunade over such a trivial matter. That was why he had deliberately chosen this moment to bring it up, carefully considering his phrasing. Both Tsunade and Hyuga Yuto would have to accept his goodwill.

Why is the Third Hokage offering me a benefit... Do the other four get one too? Hyuga Yuto wondered. At the same time, he caught Tsunade's look. Trusting the blonde woman, he stopped speaking in lofty platitudes and said directly, "Lord Hokage, during my battle with Munashi Jinpachi, I deeply realized that I am still too weak. As a ninja, my offensive techniques are too limited... Therefore, I would like to add a long-range means of attack."

A long-range attack? That made sense. Fighting Explosive Blade: Splash at close quarters with the Gentle Fist was indeed dangerous. Sarutobi Hiruzen considered it briefly, then nodded readily. It was a reasonable request.

"Very well... Yuto, I will select a suitable technique from the ninjutsu archives and give it to you. In a few days, an ANBU member will deliver it to you."

Hyuga Yuto bowed in thanks with tact. Given Sarutobi Hiruzen's status, he certainly would not fob him off with some lousy C-rank ninjutsu. At the very least, it would be a top-tier B-rank technique; an A-rank or even S-rank technique was possible.

The following days were almost entirely peaceful for Hyuga Yuto.

The ninja world was growing increasingly restless, and the village atmosphere became ever more tense. Experts like Minato Namikaze frequently appeared at the Hokage Building. Newly forged ninja tools and soldier pills piled up like mountains, clashes at the front lines intensified, and bodies wrapped in white cloth were brought back to the village every day.

For the time being, though, none of that had much to do with Hyuga Yuto. He was injured, and he was also a newly promoted jonin at the height of his fame. He simply recuperated in the Senju Clan Grounds, and no one dared disturb him.

During this period, both Hatake Kakashi and Hyuga Yuto became very well-known.

Kakashi was only twelve this year, breaking the Land of Fire's record for the youngest jonin. On top of that, he was the son of the "White Fang of Hidden Leaf Village," and many people were awed by his reputation as a genius.

Hyuga Yuto was thirteen this year. Though a year older than Kakashi, his background was equally exceptional: the Hyuga clan's bloodline limit, Tsunade's personal disciple, and more importantly, during his jonin promotion examination, he had killed an entire team of Hidden Mist Village chunin and Munashi Jinpachi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! He had risen by stepping on the head of an established veteran, enough to draw the attention of other villages.

The village producing two genius jonin eased the tension before the war. Its new fighting strength was emerging in an endless stream, which was a good thing for ordinary people and even lower-ranking ninja.

On the fourth day after Hyuga Yuto completed his examination, the promotion ceremony was held at the Hokage Building.

Aside from the village's senior officials and the heads of the major clans, every jonin who could attend did so. The entire process had no excessive formalities and was kept simple. Sarutobi Hiruzen praised the five of them in turn, then dismissed everyone and returned to meeting with the senior officials.

As Hidden Leaf Village's supreme leader, the pressure on his shoulders was indeed immense.

When they were dismissed, Hyuga Hiashi specifically sought out the branch family youth and spoke to him at length in a cordial manner.

Things like how the main family was proud of him, how he could sit beside Hiashi at the next clan meeting, how he suggested Tsunade-hime and the Hyuga clan should interact more often, and when the "Lion Fang Severance" he had developed could be added to the Hyuga clan's secret technique scrolls...

It was a mixture of coaxing and intimidation, honey hiding a club—the classic recruitment and warning from a superior to an inferior.

Hyuga Yuto smiled and listened throughout, occasionally flattering him a little. He offered no rebuttal at all, presenting himself as respectful, friendly, and completely obedient.

The two finished their conversation pleasantly and parted pleasantly, both appearing quite satisfied.

As the days passed, Hyuga Yuto's injuries healed completely. He immersed himself in training once more, waiting for the long-range ninjutsu Sarutobi Hiruzen had promised him... and for the outbreak of war.

What he had not expected, however, was that the first fruit of victory to arrive would be Tsunade, returning in haste.

The blonde woman seemed somewhat fatigued. After seeing Hyuga Yuto, she gave him a complicated look before saying, "Yuto, Explosive Blade: Splash has been reforged... But its maker wants to see the person who will use this ninja tool first."

The branch family youth was stunned and did not understand. "Uh... sure. Then let's go."

"All right." The blonde beauty pressed a hand to the ground, using chakra to trace a complex summoning formula. Softly, she said, "Come on. We're going to... Wet Bone Forest."