Exceptional Promotion to Chūnin? This Speed Is Terrifying!

The Hokage Building's conference room—still the same one from three days ago.

The people were still the same people from three days ago.

But the atmosphere was worlds apart.

Three days ago, Uchiha Xuan had stood here as a prisoner under scrutiny, suspicion, and even a death sentence.

But today, when he pushed open the door again and strolled in with almost casual ease, every gaze fixed on him had changed.

They held a complicated mixture of reverence, fear, disbelief, and even a faint trace of flattery.

Senju Tobirama sat at the head of the table, looking at the young man who seemed even more unfathomable than he had three days ago. His feelings were a tangled mess.

For the first time in his life, he felt a powerless inability to control an Uchiha.

Kumogakure's retreat had spared Konoha from a war that would have devastated countless lives. Judging by the outcome, Uchiha Xuan's "prophecy" had rendered an immense service to the village.

But that merit was too great, too strange—so great that even the Hokage found it troublesome.

"Uchiha Xuan."

Senju Tobirama finally spoke. His voice was no longer as icy and piercing as it had been three days ago; it now carried the imposing authority of official business.

"Your intelligence was accurate. Kumogakure has indeed withdrawn its troops. Konoha has avoided a catastrophe."

He paused, as though carefully weighing his words.

"Although the source of your intelligence... is highly unusual. Merit is merit, and fault is fault. Konoha has always rewarded and punished fairly."

Xuan stood there with his arms crossed, a faint smile that was not quite a smile on his lips, quietly watching Tobirama perform.

He knew this was merely a compromise by the higher-ups to calm the uproar outside.

Rewarded and punished fairly? If not for all the civilians and shinobi outside talking nonstop, and if not for the Ino–Shika–Cho clans applying pressure behind the scenes, that old dog Danzo would probably have already locked him in Root's dungeon.

"In light of the decisive strategic intelligence you provided to the village during this incident."

Tobirama picked up a scroll bearing the Hokage's great seal from the table and solemnly announced,

"By unanimous decision of the higher-ups, you are hereby exceptionally promoted to... Konoha Special Chūnin!"

A soft chorus of sharp inhales sounded through the conference room.

Special Chūnin!

Though the word "special" meant he might not be as well-rounded as a regular chūnin in certain abilities, it was still a genuine chūnin rank!

Uchiha Xuan had graduated from the Ninja Academy less than a month ago!

He had not even officially completed a proper C-rank mission—his previous mission had been counted as an accidental A-rank—yet he had skipped the entire genin accumulation period and rocketed straight to chūnin!

Since Konoha's founding, there had never been another case like it!

That speed was downright terrifying!

Even Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had always been hostile toward Xuan, kept their mouths shut now. They knew this was the best way to placate the Uchiha clan and settle public opinion among the villagers.

"Oh? Special Chūnin?"

Xuan raised a brow. Rather than looking flattered, he walked forward and casually accepted the appointment scroll.

He weighed the scroll in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the assembled higher-ups before finally settling on Shimura Danzō's gloomy face.

"Then I must thank Lord Hokage and all you 'higher-ups' for your generous favor." He deliberately stressed the words "higher-ups."

"However, I have one small question."

Xuan looked at Senju Tobirama, a teasing edge in his tone.

"Since I have rendered merit and received a promotion, shouldn't certain people who called me a spy and wanted to drag me into Root for severe torture... give an explanation?"

Whoosh!

Everyone's eyes instantly turned to Shimura Danzō.

Danzō's expression turned as ugly as though he had swallowed a dead fly.

He abruptly rose to his feet, about to explode, only for Senju Tobirama to glare him back down with a severe look.

"Danzō was also acting out of concern for the village's security. Concern clouded his judgment." Tobirama gave a stiff explanation, clearly unwilling to dwell on the issue. "This matter ends here. You may leave."

Xuan looked at the deflated Danzō and Tobirama's attempt to smooth things over, sneering inwardly.

He had not expected to bring down Danzō with a few words. He merely wanted to disgust that old dog.

"Since Lord Hokage has said so, naturally I have no objection."

Xuan gave a slight bow, executing an impeccable salute.

"Then I shall take my leave."

The moment he turned and left the conference room, a flash of disdain passed through Xuan's eyes.

Special Chūnin?

Just a lousy vest, and they thought they could buy me off?

You can slowly keep playing in this rotten village. My goal is the stars and the sea.

The next day.

Hidden Leaf Training Ground Three.

Team 7's regular training.

When Uchiha Xuan, dressed in that iconic green chūnin vest, sauntered into the training ground.

Tsunade and Orochimaru both froze.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had seen his fair share, felt as if he were dreaming as he looked at this disciple who had graduated less than a month ago.

"You... you bastard..."

Tsunade's eyes widened as she pointed at Xuan's vest, even her finger trembling.

"You actually... became a chūnin?!"

She simply could not believe her eyes.

She was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and after training her heart out, she was still a genin.

This infuriating Uchiha had been confined by Grandpa Hokage for three days, yet not only had he come out unscathed, he had even been promoted?!

Was there any justice left in this world?!

Orochimaru, meanwhile, stared at Xuan. An even more fanatical, inquisitive gleam flickered within those golden snake eyes.

"Xuan-kun... just how many secrets are you still hiding?" he muttered hoarsely.

After just a few days apart, he felt that Xuan's aura had become even more unfathomable. If he had once resembled a fierce beast lying in wait, he now felt like a bottomless ocean.

"What? Never seen a chūnin before?"

Xuan adjusted his vest and could not help teasing Tsunade when he saw her ghost-struck expression.

"Want to call me 'sir'? Genin Tsunade."

"In your dreams, asshole!"

Tsunade jumped in fury, waving her fists as she tried to rush him. But upon recalling the terror of being utterly dominated by a single finger a few days ago, she forcefully stopped herself. All she could do was grit her teeth in resentment.

Looking at his three students with their wildly different personalities, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep draw from his pipe.

He looked at Uchiha Xuan, his eyes filled with emotion—and a trace of reverence that even he was unwilling to admit.

This disciple's rate of growth was too terrifying.

So terrifying that he had already reached a height where even his teacher had to look up at him.

"All right, quiet down."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe, cutting off Tsunade and Xuan's usual bickering.

"Xuan's promotion to chūnin was an order personally issued by Lord Hokage. It recognizes his ability. But you are a squad, a single whole."

He looked gravely at the three of them.

"Chūnin means greater responsibility and more dangerous missions. Starting today, your training will be doubled."

"Yes!" Orochimaru and Tsunade answered in unison.

Xuan answered absentmindedly as well.

Double the training?

Whatever.

At his current level, training of this caliber did not even count as a warm-up.

What he looked forward to more was when the system would issue a few more "legendary" missions.

After all, building an Earthly Divine Kingdom that belonged to the Uchiha required a lot of money.

"Xuan."

After training ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped Xuan alone as he was about to leave.

"Teacher, is something wrong?" Xuan turned around and looked at the Third Hokage, a man steeped in controversy in the original story.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked into Xuan's black eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything. After hesitating for a moment, he finally sighed.

"I know that some of the village higher-ups' decisions may have wronged you and the Uchiha clan."

He spoke earnestly.

"But I hope you understand: where leaves dance, fire burns on without end. Konoha is our shared home. You are very capable, and the village needs you."

Is it time for the Will of Fire brainwashing?

Xuan sneered inwardly.

In the original story, perhaps a hot-blooded youth really would have been moved by such heartfelt words.

But after witnessing Senju Tobirama's coldness and Shimura Danzō's malice.

After gaining the system and absolute power.

To Xuan, those words sounded nothing but hypocritical and laughable.

But he did not show it.

"I understand, Teacher."

Xuan lowered his head slightly, his tone calm and devoid of any readable emotion.

"I will 'protect' the Uchiha in my own way."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Xuan's departing back, he suddenly realized that he might never have truly seen through this disciple.

The words "in my own way" inexplicably made his heart tremble.

"I hope... I'm merely overthinking it."