"By the way, Kakashi, shouldn't you be getting promoted to jōnin soon?"
Kiyosuke asked while slurping his ramen.
"Oh, yeah, something like that," Kakashi replied with his usual calm expression, glancing at him curiously. "How did you know?"
"You're strong enough," Kiyosuke said simply.
Minato chuckled from the side.
"Kakashi is pretty powerful, but honestly, Kiyosuke, with your strength, you should be promoted to jōnin too. After all, you took down four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Even among jōnin, that kind of record is insane."
The intel from Kirigakure had already reached them—Kiyosuke's name was making waves. He was the brightest rising star of his generation, even overshadowing the famed son of the White Fang, Kakashi.
"You killed... the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?" Rin's mouth hung open in disbelief.
Obito wasn't convinced.
"Wait, wait. When you say 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen,' do you mean the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Asuma shot him a look.
"You think there's another squad like that on the battlefield in Kirigakure? Seriously though, why hasn't the old man promoted Kiyosuke to jōnin yet? His strength should more than qualify."
Minato chimed in,
"Becoming a jōnin isn't that simple. You need solid all-around ability in ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and knowledge. Unless you're some extreme special case, you might stay a special jōnin forever."
"Like Duy," Minato continued. "He doesn't have much talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu, so he's technically more of a special jōnin. But his taijutsu is off the charts, and with the Eight Gates, he's overwhelmingly powerful. That's why the Third Hokage promoted him anyway."
"I see..." Kiyosuke rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Then he muttered, "I'm screwed. I might never become a jōnin in this life."
Everyone: ∑ (′△｀)?!
Minato wiped his forehead and asked, "Why would you say that?"
"The knowledge part. I cheated on the written portion of the Chūnin Exams. Minato-sensei, do you honestly think I could pass a jōnin-level exam?"
"Ah… well..."
Kushina laughed,
"Want me to talk to the old man and pull some strings for you?"
"Kushina..." Minato looked at his girlfriend helplessly. "Even if you could do that, don't say it out loud..."
"Thanks for the offer, Kushina-san, but being a special jōnin isn't a big deal to me," Kiyosuke said with a grin.
"My strength speaks for itself, and with the war record I'm building... give me a few more big wins, and I dare the Third Hokage not to promote me."
After everyone finished eating and drinking, Minato stood up.
"Alright, time for me to take them to the exam site. We're heading out."
"Okay. See you, Minato-sensei. Later, Kushina-san."
After paying the bill, Kiyosuke and Asuma also headed home.
...
Back at his own place, Kiyosuke was training with shadow clones in the hot spring, practicing Rasengan until evening. When he heard a knock at the door, he climbed out, evaporated the water off his body, and opened the door to find Rin standing there.
"Huh? Rin? What brings you here? Come in and sit."
Rin waved her hand with a smile.
"No need. Just wanted to ask you for a favor—could you come to the cherry blossom tree at the academy tomorrow morning at ten?"
"Sure, no problem. Is it about Kakashi becoming a jōnin?"
"Wow, you already guessed? Yep! Kakashi passed the exam this afternoon and officially became a jōnin. I'm hoping to throw a little celebration. He's the first one among us to get promoted, after all."
"Hey, I was the first to become a special jōnin, you know. That counts for something!"
Rin stuck out her tongue. "I wasn't around back then!"
"Just kidding. I'll be there. Want to come in for a bit?"
"Nah, I've got a few more people to visit."
She waved again.
"I'm counting on you tomorrow, Kiyosuke. See you!"
"Yeah, see you."
Kiyosuke watched her leave, then scratched his head.
"A gift for a jōnin promotion, huh? What should I get...? Got it!"
An idea struck him like lightning. He threw on his shoes, closed the door, and headed for the bookstore.
The owner was just about to close up when Kiyosuke barged in.
"I don't sell books to brats," the owner grumbled.
"Relax, old man. It's a gift."
Without waiting for a response, Kiyosuke dashed inside, picked a suitable book, and dropped some money on the counter.
"You paid too much, kid."
"Oh." Kiyosuke ran back, grabbed another book, and left.
The bookstore owner: "..."
...
The next day
Under the cherry blossom tree at the Ninja Academy
Obito clutched a bouquet of flowers, trembling with excitement.
Rin asked me to come… she must have something important to say. This is it—my chance to confess!
"You're not thinking of confessing now, are you?"
"Yeah," he answered without thinking. Then he jumped, startled to find Kiyosuke right next to him.
"Why are you standing next to me?!"
"Because Rin asked me to come too. It's not just me—there are others as well." Kiyosuke glanced at the flowers in Obito's hands.
"You're not planning to confess now, are you? It's not the right time, Obito."
"Others too?!"
Obito immediately deflated.
"Right… she's really into Kakashi..."
Seeing him slump like a wilted flower, Kiyosuke patted his shoulder.
"Don't get so down. You need to be more energetic! I believe in you. Can you do it?"
"Kiyosuke..."
Obito's eyes welled up.
You really are my best friend!
Choked up, he nodded.
"I can!"
"That's no energy! You think you can win her over mumbling like that? Louder!"
"I can! I definitely can!!"
"Good! That's the spirit!"
"Obito!"
Rin jogged over, waving. Obito panicked and tried to hide the bouquet, but Kiyosuke swiftly snatched it from him.
"Why hide it? Hand it over."
Rin stopped in front of them with a smile.
"Thanks for waiting!"
"He's not even late—that's already an achievement. Rin, here. This is from him." Kiyosuke passed her the flowers.
Rin looked a little flustered.
"Huh? Flowers? Out of nowhere…?"
Kiyosuke added,
"Obito's been preparing for this for a while. He just couldn't work up the courage to give them to you."
"Kiyosuke, stop making stuff up!" Obito stammered in panic.
Rin laughed and reached out to accept them.
"They're beautiful. I really like them."
"As long as you do," Obito muttered shyly, scratching his head.
Kiyosuke… from this day forward, you're my best friend!
Between the two of them, a sweet pink bubble of budding romance seemed to rise in the air.
Ah, youth...
"Rin! We're here!"
Asuma and the others arrived in a group. Rin had invited almost all their classmates.
After all, Kakashi was the first of them to be promoted to jōnin—and since he was such a loner, this party was also a way to help him open up a little more.
Rin had put a lot of effort into planning this gathering.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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