The feeling of coming home is warm food, the tearful smiles of parents, the noisy questions from friends sitting around, and lying peacefully asleep on my slightly narrow but familiar bed, listening to the eternal sound of the wind outside the window.
However, after the initial excitement and warmth subsided, the gears of reality began to mesh again, making a regular sound.
The next day, Shira had a simple breakfast at home and then went out. The morning in Sunagakure was still cool, and the sunlight cast his shadow on the familiar street.
He strolled along, his gaze sweeping over both sides of the street. From the direction of the training ground came shouts and the sound of ninja tools cutting through the air, clearer and more powerful than he remembered.
He saw some young Genin wearing brand-new Forehead Protector undergoing basic training under the guidance of their instructors, and a few of their faces made him pause slightly.
It was Ameno, Matsuri, and Yukata. All three girls wore well-fitting Sunagakure Genin vests, their Forehead Protector reflecting a metallic sheen in the morning light.
Ameno was practicing the Water Release hand seals with focused concentration, and her skills had improved considerably compared to before.
Matsuri was Chunin with a Taijutsu, her movements agile, occasionally throwing out several Shuriken at tricky angles;
Yukata stood in front of the target, throwing Kunai repeatedly with her usual serious expression.
They've all grown up; the naiveté of students has faded, replaced by the competence of ninjas.
Shira didn't go forward to disturb them, but just watched from afar, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.
It seems that everyone has been working hard on their own paths over the past four years.
He continued walking and arrived at the training ground in the more central area of the village.
That's right, this training ground was built not long ago.
Furthermore, the training intensity here is significantly higher, with most of the participants being Chunin, and occasionally even Special Jōnin.
Then, Shira saw Asuka and Sasori.
Asuka was engaged in a high-speed offensive and defensive battle with a burly ninja. His speed was much faster than it had been four years ago. His figure darted around the field, leaving behind afterimages, and the timing and angle of his Shuriken throws were becoming increasingly ruthless and cunning.
The insignia he wore on his waist was already that of Chunin. Sasori occupied a corner by himself, controlling two new puppets with grotesque designs and covered in dark metal plates. The puppets' joints moved incredibly flexibly, and the blades and mechanisms that popped out and retracted gleamed coldly, clearly indicating that they had undergone more sophisticated modifications and were tempered with poison.
He stood there quietly, his fingers twitching slightly, and the two puppets performed complex and dangerous coordinated movements, exuding a menacing aura that kept strangers at bay.
Next to his Forehead Protector, there was also a vertical stripe Chunin.
Their former companions have all advanced in rank. The Asuka's vigor and the Sasori's composure both demonstrate that they have not wasted these four years.
Shira felt happy for them, but she also realized more clearly that time had indeed passed and everyone was no longer in the same place.
His purpose in coming here was not to reminisce. After watching for a while, he turned around and walked towards the Kazekage Building. His steps were steady, and his goal was clear.
The guards at the Kazekage Building had clearly been notified, or rather, the shocking "return" of Shira yesterday had already spread throughout the upper levels.
When they saw Shira approaching, they didn't stop her, but their eyes held undisguised astonishment as they silently made way for her.
Shira arrived at Baki's office without any hindrance and knocked on the door.
"Go in," came Baki's signature calm, even voice.
Shira pushed open the door and entered. Baki was still sitting behind that large desk, dressed in his impeccable Jonin uniform, looking down at a document.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and his gaze fell on Shira.
His gaze was sharp, instantly scanning Shira from head to toe.
Four years had passed, Baki looked unchanged, but Shira could sense that his aura had become more restrained and profound, something that had been cultivated through his high position and experience of many trials and tribulations.
" Jonin Baki." Shira stopped and bowed slightly in greeting.
"Sit." Baki gestured to the chair in front of the table, putting down his pen.
"It seems you've gained far more than expected these past four years." His words were a statement, not a question.
The brief burst of energy and terrifying speed of advance at the village entrance yesterday were enough to explain a lot.
Shira sat down in the chair, her back straight, showing no sign of unease despite the other person's scrutiny. "Yes, thanks to your guidance, senior, I have made some progress."
"Give guidance to your 'senior'..."
Baki paused, not pressing further. Clearly, the higher-ups had reached a consensus on the "incomprehensible being" and it was not advisable to delve into it.
"Fine. Your visit today must have been for more than just reporting for duty."
"Yes." Shira cut straight to the point, looking directly at Baki with a frank gaze, "I would like to apply to participate in the Jonin promotion exam."
Um?
There was a moment of silence in the office.
Baki's face didn't show much surprise, as if he had expected it. He leaned back slightly, placed his hands on the table, and looked at Shira:
"The promotion to Jonin has a strict process. It usually requires passing the Chunin Ninja Exams first, accumulating sufficient mission experience and team leadership qualifications, then being recommended by Jonin, and undergoing a comprehensive assessment..."
"I know." Shira interrupted Baki's routine narration, her tone calm yet firm.
"However, the regulations also allow for applications to be submitted to higher levels under special circumstances, with special approval from higher authorities. I believe my situation falls under the 'special circumstances' category."
"The reason," Baki stated succinctly.
"Strength."
Shira's answer was equally concise and powerful, but he immediately added, "And I believe I possess the qualities required of Jonin, not just individual combat skills, but also the ability and decisiveness to independently assess situations, formulate tactics, lead a team to complete missions, and ensure the safety of team members."
"In these four years, I've learned more than just how to use strength."
He didn't boast, but simply stated his facts calmly. In those eyes that had experienced life and death, witnessed the earth's veins, and been honed under the watchful eye of immortals for four years, there was no youthful impetuosity, only a deep pool-like composure and confidence.
This composure was not unfamiliar to Baki; it was often seen in the eyes of those truly powerful Jonin who had experienced countless battles.
In this relatively peaceful Shinobi World, it's quite unusual that such a gaze is directed at a mere twelve-year-old boy, and one from their own Sunagakure at that.
Baki looked at him silently, as if weighing every word he spoke and the true weight it carried.
He knew Shira's personality; she had been steady and pragmatic since childhood, even a bit too mature for her age.
Returning after a four-year absence, his demeanor has become more profound, but the "practicality" at his core seems unchanged. He is not one to boast.
" Jonin are the pillars of the village, a strategic force. They need more than just fighting skills."
Baki said slowly, his tone serious, "What we need even more is the ability to make the most beneficial choices for the mission and the village when we are isolated, without help, and with incomplete information."
"At the same time, you need a holistic perspective, the ability to shoulder responsibility, and sometimes, even the willingness to make ruthless choices when necessary. Are you sure you're ready?"
Shira met Baki's scrutinizing gaze without flinching. "I'm certain. The first lesson I learned during my four years of solitary training was to take responsibility for every choice I made, to find a way out of desperate situations, and to weigh the power against the consequences. If I didn't have this awareness, I wouldn't be sitting here today making this application."
The office fell silent again. Only the faint sound of the wind outside the window and the shouts from the training field in the distance could be heard.
After a long silence, Baki nodded almost imperceptibly.
"I will submit your application to Lord Kazekage and the Council of Elders."
He said, "But before that, you need to prove that your claimed strength and ability are not just empty talk. In the history of Sunagakure, there has never been a precedent of Jonin being promoted directly from Genin to Jonin, let alone a ninja who achieved the title of Jonin purely through Taijutsu."
His sharp gaze pierced into Shira's eyes. "You need to undergo a test. A comprehensive test that will silence all doubters and prove you truly possess the qualifications to be Jonin."
"The test will simulate extreme situations that may be encountered in highly challenging missions, assessing your combat effectiveness, tactical acumen, adaptability, and even mentality."
"If you fail, or your performance is not convincing enough, then you at least need to start Chunin and gradually build up your skills."
Shira nodded without hesitation. "I accept. We can start anytime."
"Very good." A faint hint of approval seemed to flash across Baki's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. "The specific content, time, location, and opponent of the test will be decided by the assessment committee, and I will be one of the members. You need to be prepared for anything. This will not be an easy sparring session."
"I understand." Shira stood up. "I'll be ready."
"Go back and wait for further instructions. Also,"
Baki called out to Shira, who was turning to leave, his tone softening slightly, "Now that you're back, you can go see the people you need to see."
" Reppu and the others are very worried about you. There are many rumors about you in the village, and dealing with these is something that Jonin also need to face."
"Yes, Jonin Baki the reminder, Jonin Maki."
Shira left the Kazekage Building and walked on the street, which was bathed in sunlight.
He knew that he had passed the initial test with Baki. The real test was yet to come.
Skipping Chunin, going straight for Jonin. Purely based on Taijutsu.
He knew it would be difficult, that he would face countless questions and scrutinizing eyes. But that was exactly what he wanted. He needed this identity, this platform.
Only by standing high enough can he better see the game of the Shinobi World, and only then can he have enough weight to do what he wants to do, to protect those he wants to protect, and to walk the path that he has pondered countless times in the Cavern of Echoes and that has gradually become clear in the wind and sand—the path that belongs to him.
Was he the first Sunagakure Jonin Taijutsu?
He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him and the subtle resonance with the surrounding airflow.
Let's start by breaking this precedent.