"Allow."
Rasa's majestic voice echoed in the empty underground training ground, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
On the high platform, the elders and the Anbu had different expressions: surprise, scrutiny, admiration, and complex emotions, but in the end, they all gave their approval.
When the Kazekage personally spoke, making the final decision, Shira's promotion to Jonin was a done deal.
Rasa slowly stood up, looking down at the boy in the arena who had just experienced a fierce battle, whose breathing had not yet fully calmed down, but whose spine was already straight and whose eyes were clear.
He looked for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:
" Shira."
" Lord Kazekage." Shira bowed slightly, her attitude respectful.
" Baki's report mentioned," Rasa's tone was flat, devoid of emotion, as if he were stating a trivial matter.
"During the border defense battle, you used Isshiki self-created Taijutsu technique that seemed quite powerful. Why didn't you use it during the test just now?"
The question was asked casually, but the slightly relaxed atmosphere in the room instantly became subtly tense again.
Everyone in the know understands what Rasa refers to—the legendary, terrifying martial Taijutsu " Sandstorm Barrage," capable of instantly turning several elite Iwagakure and vast swathes of land into scorched earth.
This is also the most intimidating, intriguing, and fearful aspect of Shira's strength assessment.
Countless gazes instantly focused on Shira. Those gazes contained inquiry, expectation, and a hint of barely perceptible wariness.
After all, such a destructive move, if not properly controlled, could have had unpredictable consequences under the encirclement attack just now.
Shira raised her head to meet Rasa's deep gaze, her face showing no panic at being questioned or any excitement at needing to prove herself.
He paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, then calmly replied in his still youthful, clear yet steady voice:
"Reporting to Lord Kazekage, that martial Taijutsu is called ' Sandstorm Barrage.' It's a desperate technique I developed myself, aiming to destroy the enemy with the fastest speed and the widest range. Its momentum is difficult to stop, and its power is difficult to control."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Baki, I Fūgetsu, Kenmei, Yan, and Yosuzume, who had just fought him, his eyes sincere, and continued:
"Today's test was conducted by Jonin Baki, Teacher I Fūgetsu, Teacher Kenmei, Senior Iwa, and Senior Yosuzume. They are the examiners who tested my qualifications, the seniors from my village who guided my growth, and, more importantly, the comrades I can entrust my back to. How can a blade used against an enemy be pointed at a fellow soldier?"
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and resolute:
"My killer move is reserved for the enemy, not for my comrades."
After the words were spoken, the training ground fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.
immediately--
"Good! Well said!"
A loud voice broke the silence first; it was Yan.
He patted his muscular chest forcefully, his face filled with undisguised admiration, and shouted, "Kid, just for those words, Uncle Iwa recognizes you as a Jonin! Be as ruthless as the wind and sand to the enemy, and as reliable as an oasis to your own people—that's what Sunagakure ninja should be!"
"Clap clap clap..."
A crisp round of applause rang out; it was Yosuzume.
The usual playful smile on her face vanished, replaced by a serious expression. She clapped her hands and nodded to Shira, "Little handsome guy, no, now I should call you Jonin Shira. You're upright and strong-willed. I'm starting to like you a little~"
Kenmei didn't speak, but simply looked at Shira and nodded solemnly with a smile. His hand, which had been holding the sword, had somehow relaxed and fallen to his sides.
I Fūgetsu's expressionless face had a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth.
Baki stood on the sidelines, smiling with his arms crossed. In the depths of his eyes, his admiration for Shira's amazing growth had turned into a deeper recognition.
On the high platform, hushed discussions and cheers rose and fell.
"What a fine 'a blade used against an enemy is not pointed at a comrade'! Such awareness at such a young age is truly rare!"
"Exceptional strength, yet humble and composed, with a steady temperament, knowing when to advance and retreat, and discerning friend from foe! This child's future is limitless."
"It seems the village has really produced a formidable 'dull knife' this time," an elder remarked meaningfully.
Rasa listened quietly to the scattered but genuine cheers from the audience, and seeing Shira's composed and clear-eyed demeanor, a smile also appeared on his lips.
He didn't press for further details about the " Sandstorm Barrage," but simply nodded slightly, accepting the answer.
He shifted his gaze from Shira, scanned the entire room, and finally settled it on his two children, Temari and Kankuro, who were standing slightly behind him.
Temari and Kankuro arrived at the underground training ground after receiving an emergency notice, only making it to the second half of the test.
But they witnessed firsthand how Shira Jonin with incredible speed and skill, how she withstood Iwa's monstrous strength, how she broke through Baki's deadly Wind Release, and finally, that punch that stopped just an inch away, containing terrifying power, was deeply imprinted in their minds.
Hearing Shira's words about "saving the killing move for the enemy," and combined with the terrifying strength they had just witnessed, the shock in the two of them was far more intense than that of the already famous Jonin and elders in the arena.
My goodness!
Kankuro's usual rebellious and cynical demeanor had vanished without a trace. He instinctively hugged the Crow puppet wrapped in bandages in his arms, his eyes, beneath the Shira eyeshadow, filled with disbelief and a hint of awe that he himself was unwilling to admit.
He remembered that Shira was just a slightly outstanding Genin four years ago. After disappearing for four years, she returned to find herself this strong?
That speed, that power, and the force of that final punch...
Kankuro asked himself honestly, if he were in that situation, he wouldn't even have made it past the first round of probing.
This can't be described as just "genius," it's practically monster! And yet this "monster" said such things!
Temari was much more composed than her younger brother, but the slightly white knuckles of her hand gripping the handle of the Three-Star Fan betrayed her inner turmoil.
She understood better than Kankuro what Jonin -level battle meant, and she also understood better what the strength Shira had just displayed meant among the younger generation of Sunagakure.
Absolute speed, terrifying power, exquisite control, unwavering will...
And then there's the resounding phrase, "A blade used against an enemy is not pointed at a comrade."
This peer who suddenly returned and once again made a name for himself is not only unfathomably talented, but also possesses a temperament far beyond his years.
His father's exceptional promotion of him to Jonin was no spur-of-the-moment decision. Among the younger generation of Sunagakure, apart from Gaara's monstrous younger brother, probably no one can compare to him.
No, perhaps even Gaara needs to be taken seriously?
Temari's thoughts were in turmoil. Her gaze toward Shira on the field was complex and unfathomable, containing shock, wariness, and ultimately, an indescribable sense of awe.
This is a partner who deserves our attention and must be valued.
Rasa observed his children's reactions without saying a word.
He looked at Shira again, his voice regaining its usual authority. "The promotion ceremony will be held in three days in front of the Kazekage Building. Baki, you are in charge of the related matters. Shira, you've exhausted yourself today, go back and rest. The formal appointment and mission will be discussed after the ceremony."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage," Shira Kazuma replied simultaneously.
Rasa said no more, turned around, and walked towards the exit first. Chiyo, Ebizo, and the others also got up and left one after another.
The crowd on the platform gradually dispersed, but the discussions did not stop. The topic of Shira and this amazing test would obviously continue for a long time.
In the arena, Shira slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, completely relaxing. Continuously activating her powers, especially the final activation of her Third Activation to directly confront Baki's Wind Release, had left her somewhat exhausted.
But he was in good spirits, and his eyes shone brightly.
He succeeded. Through his own efforts, he rose to the Jonin.
This is not just a title, but also a responsibility, a platform, and a brand new starting point.
Shira smiled and nodded at the crowd in the stands, then turned and walked towards the exit.
His steps were steady, his back straight...