Back home, Might Duy, Might Guy, Kakashi, and Bieshu Feifan sat together.
After hearing Bieshu Feifan's account, Kakashi gave him a strange look.
"Old Feifan, looks like you've offended someone.
I've never heard of a Chunin who, despite recommendations from three serving Jōnin,
was rejected outright without even reaching the ability assessment.
You're probably the first in Konoha's history."
Might Guy clenched his fists.
"Brother Feifan, is Lord Hokage still thinking about selling us to Kumogakure?"
Might Duy sighed.
"Lord Hokage's youth has come to an end, too.
Danzo, on the other hand, is quite a character."
Bieshu Feifan was in a rare bad mood. He stayed silent for quite a while before sighing.
"Forget it. What's done is done. I'll just have to wait another six months to apply again."
Seeing Bieshu Feifan so unusually unhappy, Kakashi thought for a moment and said,
"Actually, there's another way."
Bieshu Feifan's eyes lit up.
"Tell me, Kazi Di."
Kakashi looked at Bieshu Feifan.
"To become a Jōnin, besides getting recommendations from three serving Jōnin, you can also be nominated personally by Lord Hokage."
Hearing this, Bieshu Feifan gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"Monkey has changed. He won't nominate me.
This time, he made it clear he doesn't want me becoming a Jōnin."
Might Guy took a deep breath as something occurred to him.
"Could Lord Hokage be wary of Brother Feifan?"
Might Duy nodded.
"Very likely. After all, Feifan's excellence really has stolen Lord Hokage's thunder."
Bieshu Feifan sighed.
"Monkey just can't stand anyone being better than him."
Looking at the three of them, Kakashi couldn't stop rolling his eyes.
While Bieshu Feifan and the other three were griping about Hiruzen Sarutobi,
an inconspicuous figure seemed to appear out of thin air in a shadowy corner of Konoha.