"The reports from Sunagakure Village for this Chunin Exams have completely arrived. Everyone may take a look."
In the meeting room,
The group reconvened to discuss the matter once more.
This meeting was different from before — besides the Third, Danzo, and the two Elders, Motonami Uchiha was also in attendance.
The Third passed around the report.
Each of the four received two scrolls, read through them, and then swapped copies with one another.
After thoroughly reviewing the reports, each person formed their own opinion.
"Previously we discussed this matter. I believe we should follow Kakashi Windseer's suggestion regarding team leadership: promote Sakuma Akaba, Orochimaru, and Sakumo Hatake to Chunin. All three performed exceptionally well in this exam."
Homura Mitokado said.
"According to the feedback reports from Sunagakure Village, all three indeed did very well. Promoting them to Chunin is absolutely no problem. However, Shinnosuke also performed quite admirably. He played the role of a true team leader in battle, bringing out the best in his teammates. I recommend adding Sarutobi Shinnosuke to the promotion list as well."
Koharu Utatane's opinion largely aligned with Homura's, except she added Sarutobi Shinnosuke's name.
The Third remained neutral and turned toward Danzo and Motonami Uchiha.
Danzo pondered briefly before saying, "I have no objection. Additionally, I propose that Mitashigo Shishio be transferred to Anbu. His abilities are comprehensive, and he has a flexible mind, which makes him well-suited for Anbu operations."
"That is acceptable."
The Third had no objection.
Danzo would be far too busy to continue training students in the near future anyway, especially now that two members of his team were being promoted to Chunin, effectively dissolving the squad.
Mitashigo Shishio was quite capable, though compared to Akaba, he was somewhat weaker.
Therefore, going to Anbu was indeed the best arrangement.
"Shinku Yuhi shows exceptional talent in sensing and Genjutsu. I hope he can join the Military Police."
Motonami Uchiha stated.
"I have no problem with that. You may ask Shinku Yuhi himself for his opinion. But here, I want to specifically discuss whether we should promote Sakuma Akaba to Tokubetsu Jonin."
The Third said calmly.
Tokubetsu Jonin?
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances. After hesitating slightly, they said, "Isn't that moving a bit too fast?"
Even if only Tokubetsu Jonin, it still belonged to a relatively high ninja rank within the village.
"Motonami, what do you think?"
The Third didn't seek Danzo's opinion since he was Akaba's teacher; there needed to be some impartiality regarding this matter.
On the other hand, he wanted to hear Motonami Uchiha's opinion.
"I'm not personally familiar with Sakuma Akaba, but judging from his usual behavior, this man needs pressure to perform at his best."
The Third ignored the first half of that useless comment. Upon hearing the last sentence, he smiled slightly and asked, "How about the two Elders? What do you think?"
"If we consider only his performance during the Chunin Exams, he indeed doesn't qualify for Tokubetsu Jonin promotion."
"But previously, there was a proposal from the Ninja Preparatory Division suggesting Akaba become a training instructor. Holding merely the rank of Chunin would make him ineligible. Considering his mastery of Genjutsu, I believe making an exception to promote him is reasonable."
The two elders worked in perfect sync, shifting their position at just the right moment.
As for Danzo, he wasn't surprised at all.
From the reports coming back from Sunagakure Village, this wasn't the only one. There were also records of Akaba and Orochimaru hunting ninja from other villages, but unfortunately, he had suppressed all these reports.
The Third knew everything, but he wouldn't show mercy to outsiders.
"Then it's decided. Quickly finalize all messages and documents, and release the news this afternoon."
"Yes."
As the first Chunin Exams since the war, everyone took them seriously.
By the afternoon, the announcements had already been posted.
Akaba had just finished napping and was working on promotional materials for an upcoming recruitment event at home when Sakuma Chiaki rushed home in a hurry and shouted loudly downstairs, "Akaba! Hurry up and come down! We're going to the Hokage Tower!"
"What happened?"
Akaba was jumping at his own shadow these days whenever the Hokage Tower came up.
The moment the Hokage Tower was mentioned, he already felt like the Third would give him another task.
"The results of the Chunin Exams are out. The Third ordered you to attend the promotion ceremony."
Sakuma Chiaki shouted excitedly.
That simple?
Akaba felt suspicious while stepping outside, only to see his father beaming with joy.
Clearly something strange was going on.
"You've been promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin, Tokubetsu Jonin!"
Sakuma Chiaki was practically bursting with happiness.
He himself had only recently achieved Tokubetsu Jonin status, yet his child—still not thirteen—was already promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin as well.
"Nani?"
Akaba was shocked.
Elevating him directly from Genin to Tokubetsu Jonin? That was simply too extreme!
Stunned, he asked, "Who else made Tokubetsu Jonin besides me?"
"Just you! Orochimaru and Sakumo only became Chunin."
Sakuma Chiaki said proudly.
With such an outstanding son, naturally the father deserved to feel proud.
More importantly, from now on the entire Konoha will know that besides creating manga, Akaba will be undeniably a genius!
"In the future, wherever I go, I can proudly say 'My son is Akaba!'"
"Don't do that. It's not good."
Akaba wore an indifferent expression.
The only Tokubetsu Jonin aged twelve!
This would paint a giant target on his back — they won't stop until he's dead. Couldn't they lay low a little?
He couldn't help but wonder.
Exactly where did things go wrong?
"Come on, come on. If we delay any further, the Third will have waited too long."
Without letting him protest, Sakuma Chiaki grabbed Akaba and headed out.
Helplessly, Akaba could only follow.
Passing by a manga shop, he saw Izumi Yamano's transport team arriving.
His clone still hadn't prepared promotional posters or anything like that.
Akaba looked up.
That crude banner was clearly the work of Sakuma Yunlang. But compared to before, at least some flashy advertising phrases had been added — it was actually somewhat decent.
But he didn't have time to deal with it now, so he let them handle it themselves.
They continued until reaching the Hokage Tower.
Sakuma Chiaki stopped moving. Near the first-floor entrance, a notice had been posted, drawing a crowd around it.
All came to gawk; none of the main people had arrived yet.
Looking around, Akaba soon saw Orochimaru being escorted over by an Anbu ninja.
Orochimaru also looked displeased.
Lifting his head, Orochimaru expressed surprise and said, "Didn't expect you'd arrive earlier than me. Do you know what Teacher wants?"
"Chunin promotion."
Promoting to Chunin in Konoha is actually simple. The Hokage gives them new clothing and forehead protectors, then hands them the *Chunin Code of Conduct* for memorization.
That's it. That's all.
Upon hearing this explanation, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. Immediately, an Anbu ninja grabbed him tightly.
"Orochimaru, the Chunin promotion ceremony is important—you must attend!"
"I'll have Teacher make it up to me later, or I can stay a Genin. My experiment is far more crucial."
Orochimaru's voice sounded somewhat hoarse.
The Anbu held him firmly, preventing any escape.
Clearly, Orochimaru had become deeply engrossed in his studies recently—probably barely stepping out of his lab. Consequently, his already pale complexion looked deathly pale.
Before long, Sakumo arrived too.
The three stood silently facing each other.
"Let's go inside."
Kakashi Windseer swept his gaze coldly over them, and no one dared act up anymore.
Sakuma Chiaki looked impressed.
The head of the Hatake clan certainly commanded an air of authority—these three boys didn't dare resist at all.
They entered the Hokage Tower. On the way, Sakumo couldn't help but ask, "Orochimaru, when did you last sleep?"
Those dark circles under his eyes were so heavy they looked like makeup.
Orochimaru turned his head slightly, thinking for quite a while before replying, "Hmm… maybe three days ago? Or four? Maybe five? I honestly don't remember."
Locked in the lab day after day—how could he even keep track of time?
"Why are you pushing yourself so hard? You should balance work and rest."
Akaba voiced concern—one part genuine, another partly because Orochimaru's relentless efforts made him feel increasingly lazy by comparison.
"Because it's fascinating! Every day I uncover something unknown; every day I discover new realms I don't understand."
Orochimaru smiled brightly.
Still, his physical and mental condition was terrible—he clearly had reached his limit. Sakumo could sense that immediately. No wonder the Anbu had dragged him here forcefully.
If they hadn't pulled him out, he might've collapsed unconscious right there in the lab.
"Let's climb upstairs. The sooner we finish, the sooner you can rest."
After casting a glance at Orochimaru, Akaba led the way forward, heading upstairs.
This wasn't their first time visiting the Hokage office, so they didn't need a guide. They followed one another inside and saw three brand-new sets of Ninja uniforms waiting.
The Third was organizing some documents when he spotted them entering—and immediately paused, taken aback.
Orochimaru's current mental state…
"Lord Third, perhaps we should start quickly—it'll end faster if we do."
Akaba reminded him.
"I'm fine! I'm still energetic!"
Orochimaru insisted he didn't need rest, looking like someone high on obsession.
The Third sighed with regret.
He'd learned a little about this protégé's recent condition, but as he got busy with affairs, he kept forgetting to follow up further. He hadn't even realized his pupil hadn't rested for so long.
"Then let's begin. First, Akaba—here's the report from Sunagakure. Take a look."
He handed over the document without much enthusiasm.
Akaba skimmed through it briefly, visibly embarrassed.
It clearly detailed events regarding Taki ninja. Worse still, several Sand ninja bodies had been recovered. Repeated verification confirmed that they had died from his Genjutsu.
This was Sunagakure's investigative report focusing solely on Akaba.
The Third took a puff of his pipe and asked, "Well? What do you think?"
"Teacher, Sunagakure is intentionally retaliating. Please see through it clearly."
Akaba calmly pushed the document back. This report had no real reference value at all — it was entirely based on speculation and inference. But Suna had sent it over with no other purpose than to simply irritate them.
"Hmm, we'll set this aside for now," Hiruzen said, tossing another document forward. "This one concerns you, Orochimaru."
It didn't specifically mention Orochimaru by name, nor did it clearly accuse anyone from Konoha. It merely stated that an intruder had sneaked into the examination hall and looted ninjutsu techniques from other villages.
However, since they delivered it to Konoha, obviously Suna suspected someone from their side. Others might not recognize it, but Danzo and Hiruzen immediately saw through it. This was definitely Orochimaru's doing.
"Teacher sees through it clearly," Orochimaru said without bothering to explain further, borrowing Akaba's phrasing. He almost added a "+1" at the end, just like Akaba did.
Sakumo remained unmoved, as if indifferent to these proceedings.
"Based on your performance, I've discussed with the Elders and decided to promote Sakuma Akaba to Tokubetsu Jonin, and both Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo to Chunin."
After speaking, Hiruzen handed each of them a ninja uniform from his table.
Akaba understood immediately.
Those two reports were nothing but warnings. The real aim was for them to accept their new ninja uniforms—because higher rank meant heavier responsibility.
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