Against this backdrop, the path to promotion accelerated dramatically for Uchiha Makoto, Kakashi, Obito, Might Guy... and the other young talents who had already begun to stand out.
Obito and Guy were the first.
When the two received their Chunin appointment letters, their reactions were remarkably alike.
First they froze, then rubbed their eyes in disbelief, and finally erupted into cheers loud enough to blow the roof off.
"I... I became a Chunin?!"
Obito held up the document bearing the Hokage's seal, his hands trembling and his face flushed with excitement.
"I'm not the dead last anymore! Rin! Rin, did you see that? I did it!"
Guy performed a standing backflip on the spot. After landing, he gave a thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming brilliantly, and shouted into thin air-perhaps to his distant father as he imagined him:
"Father! Did you see that? This is the fruit of burning youth! I, Might Guy, have become a Chunin!"
Watching the two goofballs practically roll around in excitement-Guy actually did roll across the ground once-Uchiha Makoto's mouth twitched, but he was happy for them.
Although his "special training" had helped speed things along, their own hard work and talent were genuine.
Receiving a promotion on the eve of all-out war was both recognition and... a heavy responsibility.
Soon afterward, Uchiha Makoto received an appointment of his own.
Special Jōnin.
The reason was clearly stated: "In recognition of Uchiha Makoto's outstanding abilities in summoned beast control and tactical reconnaissance, which have reached Jonin standards, he is hereby promoted to Special Jōnin following a comprehensive assessment."
As the name suggested, a Special Jōnin had reached Jonin standards in a particular field, while their overall abilities in other areas might still remain at the Chunin level. It was a transitional position between Chunin and full Jonin.