After the night fishing, Kageyama Kogetsu spent a few days of a two-person world with Pakura, then unhurriedly returned to Konoha.
Those days, Danzō wasn't idle…
With a collaborator this efficient, he, the Hokage's aide, couldn't afford to look slack.
Danzō set aside the matter of disciplining Kazuma and the others, and focused on maneuvering for Kogetsu's promotion. First target: Mitokado Homura.
Homura was happy to see talent he'd scouted rise higher.
After Danzō sounded him out, Homura also felt Kogetsu should indeed be promoted.
The many merits from two battlefronts were still on record; after so long, they should be settled.
Of course, Homura wasn't a fool and wondered why Danzō wanted to help Kogetsu.
Danzō's reason was simple: Kogetsu had helped Root complete an important mission, so he wanted to repay him.
Reasonable enough; Homura didn't think further.
Once the two aligned, Utatane Koharu was easy to sway.
Two days after Kogetsu's return, Konoha's monthly high-level meeting began; the Konoha F4 and minister-level executives gathered.
After the formal business, the best person to speak for Kogetsu—Mitokado Homura—didn't hesitate.
"Hiruzen, I think Kogetsu's position should be raised."
"Kogetsu has been an Anbu squad captain for many years."
"When Kogetsu became a squad captain, Kakashi had only just joined Anbu. Now Kakashi has already been a squad captain for over a year."
"In terms of merit alone—setting aside the unpublicized ones—his performance in the Nine-Tails incident, the Kumogakure front, and the Iwagakure front merits promotion."
Koharu followed up: "I agree with Homura."
"I agree as well," Danzō nodded slightly.
Hiruzen gave a wry smile. "I've no objection to promoting Kogetsu; the problem is there isn't a suitable slot."
"I've had a headache over this for a long time."
Homura smiled. "Hiruzen, you're too close to see clearly."
"How so?" Hiruzen asked, surprised.
"Give the Anbu deputy commander's seat to Kogetsu."
"First, don't you think having both husband and wife in Anbu is too risky?"
When missions abound or the difficulty spikes, the Anbu commander and deputy must deploy; they don't just sit in an office.
"Second, Shinnosuke and Kyōko aren't young, and neither are you."
"Don't you want a first grandchild?"
"If both are endlessly busy with Anbu, when will you get to hold one?"
Hiruzen's eyes lit up; he laughed. "Homura, you're right. I couldn't see it."
"Shinnosuke, your opinion?"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke said gravely, "Elder Homura makes sense."
Children were secondary; Shinnosuke also worried about his wife on missions. Safer to be at home.
"Then it's decided."
"Administration drafts the promotion order; I'll approve it, and it's announced the next day," Hiruzen concluded.
Because of this decision, Hiruzen held a grandchild a year earlier; Konohamaru was originally born in Konoha Year 56.
There was no need to ask others' opinions; they had no right to meddle in personnel of the Hokage's direct Anbu.
Even if asked, none would oppose.
Setting aside acknowledgment of Kogetsu's strength and contributions—and the risk of offending Konoha's finest rising power—no one dared buck a decision jointly made by the Konoha F4.
After work that day, ministers on good terms with Kogetsu immediately sent congratulatory gifts.
Receiving them, Kogetsu instantly knew his advancement was set.
The next afternoon, the promotion order arrived; Kogetsu became Anbu deputy commander—deputy chief.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke gathered off-duty Anbu in the plaza before HQ and announced it publicly.
"Salute to the Deputy Chief!"
Over twenty mask-clad Anbu knelt on one knee in unison, voices ringing out.
As Konoha's Anbu ace and a name known across the ninja world, Kogetsu's prestige in Anbu was extremely high, no less than Sarutobi Shinnosuke's after more than a decade in command.
So everyone sincerely saluted and felt the promotion was deserved—including Kakashi.
Though being surpassed left complex feelings, he didn't think Kogetsu's virtue fell short of his seat.
Uchiha Shisui was delighted; both their personal ties and the clan–superior relationship were good.
"Everyone, up."
"I'm planning to buy out Yakiniku Q tonight at seven—come if you're free."
"If you're on mission, swing by in the morning and treat it as breakfast."
"Shinnosuke-senpai, Kyōko-senpai, you must come," Kogetsu said with a broad smile.
By rights, a new promotee shouldn't be so high-profile, but it no longer mattered.
He had the capital to be high-profile—who would dare chirp?
Besides, a young man full of spirit and riding the spring breeze—what's wrong with a little flair?
If a youth is always "mature and steady," unruffled by anything—that's the scary thing.
"Our appetites are big—can your wallet handle it?" Shinnosuke teased.
"If not, don't force it; everyone can chip in as a celebration," Kyōko said warmly.
Kyōko bore no resentment at being replaced; in fact, she felt relieved.
First, the Sarutobi clan hardly lacked an Anbu deputy chief seat.
Second, she truly wanted a child; their peers' kids were already running around the courtyard.
"Don't worry—I've saved plenty over the years. Treating everyone to yakiniku is well within my means," Kogetsu chuckled.
"Good. Come hand over the work now."
"Alright."
"Hey, Taka—run to Yakiniku Q for me," Kogetsu called back.
"Yes, Kogetsu-dono," Taka bowed.
The three Anbu executives left; the shinobi below drifted off in groups of three and five, looking forward to the evening feast.
Because Anbu identities must be secret, to prevent prying eyes, the area around Yakiniku Q was sealed off by on-duty Anbu during the meal.
Masks on entering, masks on leaving; seating wasn't mixed but zoned by squad and team.
Partitions separated areas; different squads couldn't mingle, and masks could only be removed while eating.
Afterward, genjutsu blurred the memories of the owner and staff.
That's the hassle with a secret department's gatherings.
Kogetsu was the exception—too famous for secrecy to matter.
After the colleagues' party, Kushina and the others prepared a celebration upon hearing the news as well.
Kushina, Kōme, and Mikoto each made their specialty dishes and served a lavish dinner.
Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke basked in the good fortune.
Kogetsu's rise drew classmates' attention. Most eager to advance, Ebisu, took the initiative to organize a reunion.
Aside from Asuma's absence, all the classmates came; even the busy ones made time.
Naturally, Kogetsu was the brightest at the reunion—the absolute center—followed by Kurenai and Kakashi.
A single flare of red amid myriad leaves—Kurenai had blossomed, more beautiful than before.
Kakashi might have lagged behind Kogetsu, but being a jōnin alone drew admiration—let alone an Anbu squad captain.
Since Kogetsu's attitude remained as ever—no airs, no making things hard—the atmosphere was excellent.
All came in high spirits and left satisfied.
Kogetsu thought he could return to normal life after three parties, but then Uchiha Fugaku sent an invitation.
With Mikoto urging strongly, it would be hard not to go…
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