Promotion to Jonin

"Elephant! Take two squads of ANBU to back up Kakashi and Doichi Hyuga! Also, track Orochimaru's movements!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered in a deep voice.

"Understood, Lord Hokage!"

Two days later, the ANBU found Kakashi and Doichi Hyuga.

After inquiring about the battle site, Elephant left with a squad of ANBU...

Five days later, Doichi Hyuga and Kakashi rushed back to Konoha.

The two entered the Hokage's Office to submit their mission report.

"Doichi, Kakashi! You're back! This mission was completed exceptionally well. Thank you for your contributions to the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his paperwork, a gratified smile on his face.

"The report says you encountered Orochimaru! Tell this old man all the details!"

Kakashi began by recounting their mission experience, with Doichi Hyuga chiming in to supplement some details from the side.

"Kakashi! I heard you were injured. How are your wounds?"

"Fortunately, Doichi was there. They've already healed completely, Lord Hokage!"

"I see! Was Doichi injured?"

"I sustained a minor injury, but it's already healed. I also have to thank Senior Kakashi for looking after me, otherwise it wouldn't have been just a minor injury."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not expose him: It was a good thing for a young man to remain humble!

"It's good that you both returned safely!... That bastard Orochimaru, I will definitely not let him off!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned ugly, his words laced with killing intent: Back then, he shouldn't have been soft-hearted and let that rebellious disciple go!

"Doichi! How do you plan for your future?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile.

"This? I honestly haven't thought about it. I'll probably just stay at the hospital!"

Doichi Hyuga knew this old fox was probing him, so he tossed out a vague answer first.

"Is that so? Since you're interested in medical ninjutsu, how about I recommend you to Tsunade?"

"Really? Lord Hokage, thank you so much!"

Damn it, I messed up!

Feeling somewhat helpless inside, Doichi Hyuga had no choice but to keep acting.

"I will send ANBU to search for Tsunade, and notify you the moment she's found. When that time comes, you'll set out directly to find her!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile grew even warmer, satisfaction and approval shining in his eyes.

"According to our previous agreement, today I promote you to Jonin. I hope you will continue to work hard and make even greater contributions to Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a new ninja ID card and documents, handing them to Doichi Hyuga.

The ninja rank on the ID card and documents had already been changed to Jonin.

"Kakashi! Please take Doichi to the Material Department to collect his Jonin gear!"

"Understood, Lord Hokage!"

The two bid farewell and left, heading downstairs to the Mission Department first to settle their accounts.

After deducting the village's cut, they each received eight million five hundred and fifty thousand ryo.

Converted into his past-life currency, that was around four hundred thousand.

After collecting the Jonin gear, Kakashi insisted on treating them to a meal.

Kakashi felt the money was too much and somewhat burning a hole in his pocket.

The mission was basically completed by Doichi Hyuga, and he himself hadn't played much of a role.

Besides, it was a way of expressing his gratitude; he hadn't even dared to imagine returning alive after running into Orochimaru.

Doichi Hyuga didn't want to get too close to Kakashi, seeing as this guy was fully stacked with bad luck. A complete lone star of fatal misfortune—whoever touched him died.

Still, since Kakashi was willing to be generous for once, Doichi Hyuga couldn't ruin his face.

The two agreed to go to Akimichi BBQ in the evening and parted ways.

Returning home, Doichi Hyuga recalled his Shadow Clone Technique one by one.

Natural Energy washed over him in layers like ocean waves, and the Bagua Five-Elements Transformation within his body operated, slowly incorporating the energy into his physical flesh.

Ever since his physical strength had advanced further two years ago, Doichi Hyuga had stopped meditating with his main body and began refining Natural Energy using shadow clones. His cultivation officially entered the fast lane, making him practically half a cheating player.

Doichi Hyuga used Flying Thunder God to arrive at the experimental base, took out Kaguya Kimimaro's finger, and placed it on the laboratory bench.

Recalling all his experimental shadow clones, the experimental results of these past few days flooded into his brain.

"I'll leave this to you guys!"

Splitting out a group of shadow clones once more, Doichi Hyuga used Flying Thunder God to return.

Research on the First Hokage Cells was already sufficient! He could notify Itachi Uchiha now.

After sorting through the experimental results, Doichi Hyuga went outside the village to release a ninja raven.

As evening fell!

Doichi Hyuga arrived at the Akimichi BBQ restaurant, where Kakashi was squatting at the entrance reading Make-Out Paradise.

"Why isn't senior going inside?"

"Ah! It's Doichi! I was waiting for you! A few extra people are coming, you don't mind, do you?"

Kakashi closed his little yellow book, smiling awkwardly.

He had originally intended to invite just a couple of people, but after being broadcasted by big-mouth Might Guy, basically everyone who could come had shown up!

"It's fine! Having more people is quite nice too!"

What else could Doichi Hyuga say? Since he was already here, was he supposed to turn around and walk back?

"Sorry! Next time I get the chance, I'll treat you alone. This time is just to introduce some people for you to get to know."

The two walked into the shop and entered a large private room.

"Let me introduce everyone! This is Doichi Hyuga, newly promoted to Jonin by special permission of Lord Hokage. He's a very skilled medical ninja!"

Kakashi sat down after speaking.

"Hello everyone! Please take care of me, seniors!"

Doichi Hyuga said.

"Hello there, Doichi! I am the Blue Beast of Konoha, Might Guy is my name! Hahahahaha!"

The green-spandex freak gave a thumbs-up and laughed arrogantly.

"I am Asuma Sarutobi, Jonin!"

"My name is Kurenai Yuhi, Special Jonin!"

"I am Tenzo, Jonin!"

"My name is Aoba Yamashiro, Special Jonin!"

"Genma Shiranui, Special Jonin! We met at the hospital, that time when I was hospitalized with Raidō. You treated us—come to think of it, I still need to thank you! Too bad Raidō isn't in the village! Haha!"

Pulling out a senbon needle, Genma Shiranui said with a smile.

Namiashi Raidō was practically a regular customer at the hospital, probably the Special Jonin with the most hospital stays.

"I am Mitaraishi Anko, Special Jonin! Speaking of which, little brother Doichi, becoming a Jonin at such an early age makes us Special Jonins feel quite bad! You have to punish yourself with three cups!"

After the fishnet-wearing Anko finished speaking, a group of Special Jonins chuckled awkwardly and scratched their heads.

"Since Senior Anko has said so, I'll drain these first as a toast!"

Doichi Hyuga downed three cups of sake in a row, and the crowd burst into applause and cheers.

With a few social butterflies warming up the venue, the atmosphere quickly escalated to the next level.

The grilled meat was devoured plate by plate, and the waiters could barely keep up.

The sake was also brought out crate by crate. After a few rounds of exchanging toasts, everyone was in a tipsy state.

Tipsy, Kakashi began to recount their mission experience, completely missing Doichi Hyuga's glaring hints.

Hearing that Doichi Hyuga had beaten back Orochimaru, the looks in everyone's eyes grew even more passionate as they gazed at him.

I mean, who could refuse a teammate who could tank, deal damage, and heal?

Might Guy hooked his arm around Doichi Hyuga's neck, declaring that he wanted to duel him.

After two hours of commotion, everyone stood up to leave.

Seeing that the bill came out to one hundred thousand ryo, Kakashi's eyes went wide.