Become a Chunin?
Minato suddenly looked up and stared intently at Koki.
"Why are you looking at me like that, teacher?" Koki smiled. Did Minato think this was something serious?
"It's nothing." Minato's face showed a gentle and content expression.
"That's good, uncle. Another bowl of ramen, please. I'm not full!" Koki called out loudly to the Teuchi.
"Coming right away!" the Teuchi replied cheerfully, and began his work with practiced ease.
Inside the Hokage's office in the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, a pipe in his hand, looking solemnly at the documents in front of him.
Suddenly, the office door was pushed open violently, and a ninja stormed in angrily, his face burning with rage and displeasure. As soon as he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, he couldn't wait to unleash his fury.
"Lord Hokage, Minato Namikaze's Team has gone too far! They've taken all the D-rank missions, leaving our team with no missions to take on!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the ninja's agitation, "Have they violated ninja discipline?"
"No, they accepted the mission exactly according to the mission procedures, but they were just too fast. We couldn't outrun them at all!" the ninja said helplessly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling the ninja to leave for the time being. "I will handle this matter properly."
However, not long after, another ninja entered the office, his face bearing the same indignation as the first.
"Lord Hokage, Minato Namikaze's Team has snatched up all the D-rank missions, and our team has been doing nothing for days!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly and asked again, "Did they violate any rules?"
"No, they all accept missions normally, but their efficiency is too high, we can't keep up at all!" the ninja complained.
Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed the ninja from the office, and a short while later, another ninja entered, also there to complain about Minato Namikaze's Team stealing a mission.
"..."
In just one morning, four people had already come to complain about him.
He decided to talk to Minato Namikaze. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at Konoha.
Standing before that slightly worn but imposing desk, Koki's gaze fell directly on the old man in front of her.
He was dressed in a simple, white Hokage uniform, with a straw hat on his head. His face was etched with the deep marks of time, and a pipe was lightly held between his slightly upturned lips, the smoke rising and blurring his features.
This was the first time that Koki had ever interacted so closely with the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Before this, although I had seen him a few times from afar, there was always a subtle distance between us, just like listening to his unreachable speech at the opening ceremony.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, this name is an immortal legend in the entire Shinobi World.
He was the Hokage who held power in the Land of Fire for the longest period and had the longest Hokage in history, and he was also the great creator of the glorious era of Konohagakure.
From a young age, he displayed astonishing talent—the ability to perfectly blend and skillfully utilize five different elemental Ninjutsu.
His extraordinary comprehension and understanding made him far stronger than his peers, even surpassing the Second Hokage.
After years of dedicated training and continuous research, Hiruzen Sarutobi has mastered thousands of different Ninjutsu, and has honed his mastery of the five nature transformations, various secret techniques, superb Taijutsu, and ever-changing Genjutsu to the highest level.
At the same time, he has a profound understanding and mastery of the unique secret techniques of Konoha, making him a truly deserving "Professor of Ninjutsu".
Koki vaguely remembered that the Third Hokage, as depicted by Kishimoto in his early works, was hailed as the strongest of all time. However, as the story progressed, the Hokage's fighting power became increasingly inconsistent.
When the Third Hokage was young, he went to negotiate with Tobirama but was ambushed. Tobirama asked who would be the bait, and he bravely stepped forward. The Second Hokage then appointed him as Hokage, which Danzo's breach of his defenses.
However, although the Third Hokage was very strong, he was always too lenient, or to put it bluntly, too cowardly. As a result, Danzo, that old villain, did too many things in secret, causing many irreversible things, including the Uchiha Clan Massacre!
His mistakes were failing to handle the Uchiha Clan affairs properly and being too lenient with Danzo and the Council of Elders.
He also uttered the most famous line from Hokage: "Where leaves dance, fire burns eternally. And new leaves sprout. Only when one wants to protect those they cherish most, will the true power of a ninja be revealed..."
In short, when Koki stood before the Third Hokage, she felt a mix of emotions.
It should be understood that the Uchiha Clan's tragic annihilation was inextricably linked to his weakness and incompetence.
Just as Koki was lost in thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also carefully examining the two dashing young men dressed in the same clothes.
This was completely different from the scene I had previously peeked through the crystal ball.
At that moment, looking at the Third Hokage and Koki who remained silent, Shisui couldn't help but cough lightly, instantly breaking the original quiet atmosphere in the room.
"What brings you here?"
This sudden remark simultaneously brought both of them back to reality.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly and gently, "Just call me the Grandpa Third Hokage! You're the young geniuses of the Uchiha Clan, right? I've heard you've performed exceptionally well in your recent missions, successfully resolving many long-standing problems. Your team's reputation as 'Mission Maniacs' is already widespread!"
Koki still harbored some prejudice against Hiruzen Sarutobi deep down, so much so that his tone of voice involuntarily revealed a hint of coldness.
"They're just some insignificant, unworthy D-rank missions."
"I've summoned you all here to ask you some questions..."
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Do you want to become Chunin? If so, I can provide you with recommendation forms and recommend you to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams."
What? Upon hearing this, both Koki and Hayate were stunned.
Keep in mind, they only graduated from the Ninja Academy a month ago! They haven't even carried out many C-rank missions!
Shisui was equally bewildered. He gazed at Koki, who was still deep in thought, and after a moment's consideration, said, "This is far too sudden. Besides, given the missions we're currently undertaking, perhaps we don't even qualify to become Chunin."
"You're being too modest. Just go back and think it over carefully before giving me your answer."
After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi put another cigarette in his mouth, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed back into the kind and amiable old man.
They wanted to solve the current mission challenges and also longed to witness firsthand the true abilities of these two so-called geniuses, especially to peek into their mysterious and powerful Sharingan, so as to verify their enormous potential during the Chunin Exams.
"Okay, we'll give you a clear answer after we get home and discuss it carefully."
Just then, a rapid knocking sounded at the door, as if the person outside had something extremely urgent to report.
Koki rose to take her leave, saying, "Then, we'll head home first to discuss this matter with our father."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly in agreement.
As they stepped out of the Hokage Building, Shisui and Hayate could no longer contain their eagerness and both turned their gazes to Koki, who always seemed to see through many things.
"Stop! I know what you want to ask, and I'm confused myself this time too. But please, don't agree to anything. In Konoha, it's best if we just stay and be Genin for life."
Under Shisui's doubtful gaze, Koki winked mischievously. After all, on this land, Genin were the most powerful and awesome beings!