"You're back. You did very well in the Land of Rain."
"Not because you defeated Hanzō, but because you didn't kill him."
"Killing a Demigod head-on on the battlefield takes exceptional strength. But knocking that lofty Demigod back down into a politician who weighs costs and benefits and is forced to compromise takes brains."
"Hanzō's real threat was never his Kusarigama, nor was it Ibuse's deadly poison.
It was the way he ruled, using foreign wars year after year to divert attention from domestic conflicts.
You dismantled that approach with your own hands. That was what forced him to sit down and sign this ceasefire agreement."
"You flatter me, Lord Third. I only did what I was supposed to do, and the credit isn't mine alone." Maki lowered his head slightly, his tone calm.
"I'm glad you see it that way."
The Third leaned back in his chair and chuckled softly, his eyes full of emotion.
"A few years ago, you were still a child sulking over a cat at the Konoha Orphanage. Now, you've become a pivotal figure for Konoha on the battlefield in the Land of Rain."
"Your combat record is clearly documented in the Anbu files."
"In terms of military achievements, you've already surpassed most Special Jōnin. But for now, I don't intend to promote you."
Maki offered no objection and quietly waited for him to continue.
Now was the time to hand out rewards, and a temporary delay in promotion didn't necessarily mean anything.
He knew perfectly well that every decision the Third Hokage made involved far-reaching considerations.
In other words, the old man was a scheming bastard-and the most devious kind at that.
"There are three reasons."
The Third put his pipe back between his lips and spoke slowly.
"First, your strength already meets the