"Hmm, I'm prone to impulsiveness, I guess." Naruto said, rubbing his chin, asking somewhat unsurely.
Shinji said, patting Naruto's head, "That's easy to solve. Just ask Shikamaru and do what Sasuke does. Meditate and calm your mind."
Naruto wasn't so much impulsive as he was easily provoked into a direct charge. However, Shinji had already told him that he could ask Shikamaru for advice when things happened. But in the future, he would definitely have to be on his own. Shikamaru couldn't follow him forever.
"Eh?!"
Hearing "just like Sasuke," Naruto immediately looked displeased.
"You don't want to?" Shinji asked with a smile.
Naruto: "…"
He couldn't help but shiver, then quickly chuckled and said, "No, no, I'm willing."
Next was Ino. She was also limited by the shortcomings of her clan's secret techniques. Helpless, Shinji could only say that he would think of a solution later.
"Alright, that's enough talk. Now, focus on your training." Shinji said, clapping his hands.
"Oh, and before school starts, there will be team combat. Whichever team loses will have to come to me to receive extra assignments."
After Shinji finished speaking, the disciples' faces stiffened. Here it comes, the devilish test before school starts.
Shikamaru remembered the last assignment. He had been struggling with it for almost half a semester.
He shook his head. No, he had to consider how Shinji would divide the teams.
Shinji chuckled softly, then turned to leave.
Hinata caught up from behind and said, "Sensei, wait."
Shinji asked curiously, "Hmm? What's wrong, Hinata?"
Hinata said after much hesitation, "Sensei, Neji-nii-san wants to ask when you'll have time."
"Neji? Tell him tonight." Shinji said, stroking his chin and giving a direct time.
"Okay, thank you, sensei." Hinata quickly bowed and said.
"It's nothing. Go on, Hinata." Shinji waved his hand.
Screech—!
Just as Shinji was thinking of testing his new jutsu, a cry came from the sky above his head.
"Hmm?"
Shinji looked up and saw a Ninja Hawk flying away at high speed.
"Jonin Meeting? What's happening?" Shinji said, immediately changing direction.
After informing Naruto and the others, he quickly headed towards the Hokage Building.
Arriving outside the Jonin Meeting room, he encountered some familiar faces. It was Muta and the others who had gone to the Land of Hot Water last time.
"Captain!" Muta and Koto stepped forward to greet him.
Shinji waved his hand and said, "Just call me Shinji. I haven't had a chance to congratulate you all on your promotion to Special Jonin."
That's right, after returning from the Yugakure mission, Muta and Koto were recommended by their clans for Special Jonin.
They were previously unqualified, but this time, both of them had an S-rank mission under their belts. Their respective clans naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
"It's because captain led us that we were able to complete that mission." Koto, due to the good relationship between the Yamanaka clan and Shinji, spoke more familiarly.
Muta, who was beside him, nodded in agreement.
"Yo, Shinji, I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly." Behind him, Shikaku's voice rang out.
Shinji turned his head and saw Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi walking quickly towards him. Beside them was Fugaku, the current deputy representative of the Jonin.
"Jonin Shinji, long time no see." Fugaku greeted Shinji.
Shinji smiled and nodded in response, then turned to Shikaku and said, "Shikaku-senpai, Choza-senpai, Inoichi-senpai."
Muta and Koto, who were beside Shinji, nodded to the clan heads and then walked away.
From time to time, some Jonin walked past, all looking at Shinji with appraising eyes before walking away. After all, the last test was still vivid in their minds when they thought about it now.
Especially since he was the Hiruzen's disciple.
Recently, there had been some rumors, but they were just hearsay.
"Yo, Shinji!"
Just as Shinji, Shikaku, and the others were about to enter the meeting hall, an enthusiastic voice sounded from behind again.
Shikaku looked back and saw Guy and Kakashi, then said to Shinji, "Shinji, we'll go in first."
Shinji nodded, staying behind to wait for Guy and Kakashi.
"You two are still so close, senpais." Shinji said with a smile, greeting Guy and Kakashi.
Since Kakashi left Anbu, Guy was often seen dragging Kakashi around Konoha. Over time, rumors about Guy and Kakashi could be heard within Konoha.
One could only say, as expected of Konoha.
"Give me a break." Kakashi said weakly, his deadpan eye staring.
Clearly, he had also heard the rumors about himself and Guy.
"Kakashi, cheer up!" Guy said, patting Kakashi's shoulder without a care.
Shinji said, "Let's go, senpais, otherwise the meeting will start soon."
If they dragged on any longer, Hiruzen would probably arrive soon.
Seeing this, Guy nodded, dragging Kakashi while exchanging some taijutsu experiences with Shinji.
As Shinji sat down with Guy and Kakashi, Hiruzen, accompanied by his personal guard Shisui, entered through a small side door. He sat alone in the prepared seat.
Shisui looked around and, seeing that all the Jonin in the village were present, spoke loudly, "The meeting begins!"
Knock, knock—
Hiruzen put down his pipe, tapped the table with his hand, and then spoke, "Just a short while ago, Yugakure, which has an alliance with Konoha, sent a message."
"The Raikage sent representatives to pressure the Land of Hot Water."
"They stated that if the alliance agreement with Konoha is not terminated, they will implement actions against Yugakure, including but not limited to economic sanctions or military action."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, all the Jonin frowned.
Shikaku stood up and bowed slightly to Hiruzen, then said, "Hokage-sama, what specific actions has Kumogakure taken? And what is Yugakure's current stance?"
Shikaku's expression was serious. He was Konoha's top strategist and his job was to secure the greatest advantage for Konoha.
Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe, slowly exhaled, and then said, "The current Yukage of Yugakure has requested substantial security guarantees from Konoha and the Land of Fire."
"And the Land of Lightning has already begun to gather ninja troops on the Land of Lightning border before the meeting began."
"They are preparing to hold large-scale military exercises in the strait between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Hot Water."