Commendation! Promotion to Jonin

At the gates of Sunagakure, cheers erupted like a long-dormant volcano, the roar nearly lifting the stone-built dome from its foundations. Having endured the humiliation of defeat and the panic of the Hidden Mist Village's sneak attack, the villagers poured all their repression, fear, and hopes for the future into the most fervent, most frenzied cries of this moment.

"Lord Shaye!"

"Long live the Puppet Corps!"

"Sunagakure will win! We will win!"

Flowers and sand-colored ribbons symbolizing Sunagakure rained down upon the advancing steel formation. People packed both sides of the road, rising onto their toes and craning their necks, trying to get a clearer look at the young man standing atop the silver giant's shoulder, at the puppet masters covered in wounds yet still standing tall as they guarded the injured and the bodies of their comrades. Tears mingled with smiles, streaming freely down countless weathered faces. Sunagakure needed a resounding, unquestionable victory like this far too badly to rebuild its backbone!

Shaye stood beneath Mirage, feeling the fervor and gratitude surging toward him almost tangibly. His expression remained calm, but his slightly quickened heartbeat betrayed the unrest within him. Even after living two lives, he had never experienced a scene like this. Controlling Mirage, he followed the Kazekage's personal ANBU clearing the way ahead and slowly passed through the boiling crowd, finally coming to a steady halt before the platform where the village's upper ranks stood.

Shaye stepped forward several paces. Under the gaze of those who represented Sunagakure's highest authority, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head in salute. His clear, steady voice pierced through the surrounding clamor:

"Fourth Kazekage, elders, Special Jonin, puppet master Shaye, under orders, led a force to East Sea Bay to intercept the Hidden Mist Village enemy. The mission has