Kōki, standing next to Nara Yūsuke, noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi's worried expression and had something to say.
" Sarutobi, since things have come to this, there's no point in thinking about it anymore. Besides, didn't we already discuss countermeasures after our Wood Release was exposed? And besides, my strength isn't bad either, so don't always underestimate me."
Kōki felt that his strength had reached a bottleneck and he needed a catalyst to truly break through, and he believed that the catalyst was on the battlefield.
Sensing the powerful aura emanating from Kōki, Hiruzen Sarutobi's worried expression finally eased. He asked Kōki, "Are you confident? The situation on the front lines is no less dangerous than carrying out missions in the Anbu, and may even be more perilous. On the battlefield, you are surrounded by enemies, and you have no teammates."
Even more dangerous is the possibility that while you're dodging enemy attacks, a fatal blow could strike your heart from a hidden corner you've never noticed. Can you withstand such a perilous situation?
Perhaps Kōki saw the battlefield as a place to hone his skills, but for Hiruzen Sarutobi, it was a place that would take his life.
Compared to the optimistic Kōki, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood the risks of the battlefield much better, and even he himself was not confident that he could escape unscathed.
Therefore, he was genuinely worried that Kōki might meet with misfortune on the battlefield.
" Lord Hokage, I understand. Even if something unexpected happens, I will never regret it. Not for any other reason than that I am also Konoha Ninja!"
These words shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi and the three members of the Ino-Shika-Cho beside Kōki. Though simple, they stirred a surge of emotion in all four present.
" Kōki, is this your resolve?"
Looking at Kōki's back, Nara Yūsuke felt that although Yuki's figure was so short, it was as tall as a towering mountain.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at Kōki, remaining silent for more than two minutes before taking another deep drag on his pipe.
"In that case, let's do as you say."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say anything more. As the Hokage, he didn't stop him, or rather, after sensing Kōki's will, he gave up the idea of stopping Kōki.
At this point, Kōki had grown up in his eyes and had his own goals, and all he had to do was support him.
"From this moment forward, Kōki Itō is leaving the Anbu and being promoted to Jonin. Report to Orochimaru Orochimaru, the frontline commander, first thing tomorrow morning and obey his orders on the battlefield."
" Nara Yūsuke, Yamanaka Kenji, and Akimichi Tsuyoshi have also left the Anbu and resumed their Jonin status, joining Kōki Itō in supporting the battlefield."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's two consecutive appointments resulted in Kōki, Ino- Ino-Shika-Cho, and the other two members being removed from the Anbu and reassigned as full- Jonin to support the battlefield.
He thought for a moment, then said to Kōki other three, "You are all excellent Konoha Ninja. Be careful on the battlefield."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi gave them instructions, Kōki left the Hokage's office.
The four of them walked along the streets of Konoha, watching the hawkers' cries and the setting sun.
Akimichi Tsuyoshi suddenly suggested, "To celebrate Kōki's promotion to Jonin, let's go to a yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant. The rich aroma and juicy, fatty meat make it the perfect place to celebrate his promotion."
Akimichi Tsuyoshi, who had already removed his mask, looked at the other three with shining eyes and an excited expression.
Yamanaka Kenji rubbed his forehead and shook his head helplessly. " Tsuyoshi, I think you just want some barbecue. At least act like a senior."
" Kenji, you're being too serious. You know we've left the Anbu and are heading to the battlefield. We need to treat ourselves well before we leave," Akimichi Tsuyoshi said with a righteous expression. But if there hadn't been traces of some strange liquid still lingering around his lips, he would have been even more convincing.
Kōki, however, was lost in memories after hearing Akimichi Tsuyoshi's words. He remembered the promise he made with his companions to eat barbecue together, but while Akimichi was still alive, the person who made the promise had disappeared.
" Kōki, Kōki, you're the main character, what do you think we should eat?" Akimichi Tsuyoshi, who was arguing with Yamanaka Kenji, interrupted Kōki's wandering thoughts.
He and Kenji couldn't agree on where to eat and what to eat, so they finally decided it was best for the person in charge of the celebration to make the decision.
Upon hearing Akimichi Tsuyoshi's question, Kōki, who had been awakened, pondered for a moment, then turned to Nara Yūsuke and asked, " Yūsuke- senpai, do you have any objections?"
Seeing Nara Yūsuke shake his head, Kōki continued, "Then let's go eat barbecue. I rarely eat barbecue."
Following Kōki's suggestion, the four of them headed towards the barbecue restaurant.
While Kōki and his friends were celebrating, news of him caused quite a stir in other ninja villages.
In the southeast of the Land of Fire, towering mountains rise into the clouds, shrouded in mist, and echo with deafening thunder. This is the location of Kumogakure ), and the largest of these mountains is where the successive Kumogakure Village) officials have worked.
" Kumogakure, a letter has been received from Sunagakure." A dark-skinned ninja handed a piece of information to the Third Kumogakure, who was handling official business. The Third Kumogakure took the scroll from his subordinate and began to read it quickly. The more he read, the uglier his expression became. Finally, he clenched his right fist and slammed it hard on the table in front of him.
"Hmph, Konoha," the Third Raikage seemed to have thought of something and said to the ninja in front of him, "Go and reply to Sunagakure. Tell them I know the situation, and we'll handle that brat. As for a joint operation, there's no need. Kumogakure its own."
The Kumogakure certainly doesn't want to see Konoha dominate, so they will also take action to deal with the Wood Release user.
However, the Kumogakure was not as weak as the Sunagakure. The Third Kumogakure was confident that they could deal with the Wood Release user on their own without the intervention of other Kumogakure villages.
Furthermore, while Sunagakure fears Wood Release, Kumogakure does not. In Kumogakure's view, it wasn't Wood Release that made Hashirama Senju he was, but rather Hashirama Senju made Wood Release who he was. Therefore, in Kumogakure's eyes Wood Release is not invincible.
It can only be said that the Third Raikage underestimated the power of Wood Release. Hashirama Senju did indeed make Wood Release famous, but Wood Release is not as simple as he thought. This Kekkei Genkai is related to the ancient God Tree.
Ultimately, it was because the Third Raikage knew too little about Wood Release. After all, the main description of the power of Wood Release in the Shinobi World is that it is very effective against Tailed Beast, and the Tailed Beast did indeed bring fear to the Shinobi World at one time.
However, the Tailed Beast were nothing to the Third Raikage, who was able to suppress the Eight-Tails with his own strength.
Therefore, while Wood Release was powerful in the Third Raikage's eyes, it was just that kind of thing.