Inside the conference room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed lightly and said, "Quiet."
The noise immediately died down, and the room fell into a tense silence.
"So it's that child," Utatane Koharu said. "If it's him, giving him a chance to gain experience is fine. But isn't a Level Three Commander position a bit too heavy a burden for that child?"
A Level Three Commander could already command many special jōnin and even jōnin—chūnin went without saying.
Hearing this, Mitokado Homura, who had his hands braced on the table, instantly understood Koharu's intent. Following her act as the "white face," he played the "red face":
"But I think what Hiruzen said makes sense. That child was also highly praised by Lady Mito in the past.
If this succeeds, it may become a major institutional experiment for the village—something that could be recorded in Konoha's history."
Feeling the tacit cooperation of his two old friends, Sarutobi Hiruzen was greatly reassured. This not only reinforced the Hokage's authority, but also made Baixing's appointment proceed more smoothly.
"Personally, I believe Baixing's strength is no weaker than a special jōnin's. It's just that he has a psychological burden when it comes to exams, which is why he has yet to become a chūnin."
"But on the battlefield, during missions, he can remain calm—and deliver results."
"That reminds me of another ninja in our village, much like Might Guy, who was jokingly called a 'permanent genin' by many."
"—Maruboshi Kosuke."
The moment those words fell, the room erupted in murmurs. Most people no longer had objections. After all, this was someone who had been personally taught by the Second Hokage and the current Third Hokage, and who was still serving on the battlefield as a special genin.
—A genin with jōnin-level strength, yet unwilling to become a squad leader, content to serve as an ordinary team member who followed orders to the letter.
On the battlefield, where squads were often composed of chūnin or even rookie chūnin, who wouldn't love having a jōnin-level genin on the team? The sense of security was off the charts.
Seeing the nods of agreement and recognition in everyone's eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.
"Then, for the sake of fairness, let's hold a jōnin vote."
"Write down 'approve' or 'disapprove.'"
"The majority will decide the appointment."
...
The jōnin conference finally ended.
On the blackboard, under "Approve," there were twelve tally marks.
Under "Disapprove," there was only Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Kato Dan packed up his notes and glanced at Shinnosuke, who stood there dazed in front of his seat. Dan sighed inwardly.
"Sorry. I can't afford to offend the Hokage."
"At least ten people probably opposed it in their hearts… but everyone saw the Hokage's determination."
With that thought, Kato Dan hurried after Tsunade as she was leaving the room.
"Um—may I introduce myself? I'm Kato Dan, a jōnin of the Kato clan."
"Oh, it's you," Tsunade replied, hugging her notebook and turning around. "What is it?"
Jiraiya, standing beside her, was grinding his teeth furiously at the sight of this pretty boy. Orochimaru, meanwhile, had already seen through Dan—an ambitious man—and silently watched from the side.
"Actually, I'd like to get to know you, Tsunade-jōnin. My niece will be entering her second year soon, and she's very interested in medical ninjutsu. I wanted to ask if you'd consider taking her as a disciple…"
"Oooh~~ so that's what this is about," Tsunade said, giving Dan a once-over and nodding internally. Pretty handsome.
But compared to Baixing—young and handsome—he was still just a bit lacking.
"Bring your niece to see me tomorrow. I don't take just anyone as a disciple."
As she was about to leave, Tsunade remembered that she'd be heading to the battlefield soon.
"Oh, right. I'll be deploying shortly. Let's wait until I'm back before making introductions. You can submit her information tomorrow—I'll take a look first."
Dan nodded happily. "Alright! Thank you so much. If it's convenient, may I invite you to a meal sometime afterward?"
"Consider it my thanks."
"No need," Tsunade waved her hand as she walked out. "Cash works just fine."
She ignored the stunned Kato Dan behind her and tossed out a parting line:
"I'll remember this. If there's a chance, we'll meet again."
—No one could guarantee they wouldn't die on the battlefield. Sometimes, the next meeting would be at a grave.
So compared to "goodbye," "meet again" was a more blessed farewell.
"I hope we'll meet again, Tsunade," Dan said, waving. Watching her retreating back and Jiraiya making faces at him, Dan chuckled inwardly.
A rival in love? Just an immature fool.
As for Tsunade supporting Baixing, Dan didn't care much. In his eyes, Baixing was just a trash genin. Taking on such a heavy responsibility—one mistake, and his future would be ruined.
Early the next morning, an ANBU knocked on Baixing's door.
Rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep, Baixing opened the door and blinked in confusion.
"ANBU? You're looking for me this early?"
The ANBU held a Level Three battlefield command appointment. Though shocked inside, he spoke respectfully:
"By order of the Hokage."
"You are appointed Level Three Commander of the Reconnaissance Division at Insect Grove Gorge Camp, concurrently serving as Recon Squad Leader."
The ANBU's tone brimmed with envy.
"Congratulations, Genin Baixing. I heard the Hokage personally vouched for you at last night's jōnin conference. Please don't disappoint him."
"..."
Baixing took the appointment scroll, a tightly bound document.
He stared at it blankly.
Stared at its contents.
Then stared back up.
"Am I still asleep?"
Smack—!
So fast the ANBU couldn't even stop him. Baixing's right cheek reddened instantly, and his dazed eyes finally cleared.
"I understand."
"Please convey my thanks to the Hokage."
"Will do."
As the ANBU left, he sighed inwardly. If only I could become a battlefield commander… the pay and future would be smooth sailing.
...
After closing the door and making sure no one was spying, Baixing buried his face in his pillow and cried for a bit. Then he stood in front of the mirror and slapped himself several times.
"Serves you right for showing off. Serves you right for a 100% mission completion rate."
He stopped after a few slaps—failing missions wasn't an option either. Too many failures meant penalties, restricted mission access—far worse.
He opened the appointment scroll again.
"Report to Insect Grove Gorge Camp by September 3rd."
"Position: Reconnaissance Division, Level Three Commander."
"Recon Squad Leader, may apply for直属 personnel… up to thirty members…"
"Damn it! What do I need that many people for?!"
He kept reading aloud, finally snapping.
"If I refuse now, what kind of Will of Fire successor would I be?!"
"No restriction on chūnin, special jōnin, or jōnin…" Baixing laughed bitterly.
"What jōnin would want to take orders from me? That's just asking for trouble."
Then he saw the salary.
"..."
"Base monthly pay: 1,000,000 ryō."
"No tax deductions. Paid in full after one month on the battlefield."
"Mission bounties during deployment paid at 75%."
Baixing clamped his hand over his mouth. His eyes turned into money signs.
My god. I don't even need to do missions and I still get a million a month?!
Six years of nonstop D-rank missions only earned me four million total!
"No wonder everyone wants to go to war."
"With待遇 like this, I can't even complain."
He glanced at the death compensation: 3,000,000 ryō.
"If killed in action… inheritance goes to direct family… otherwise collateral relatives… otherwise designated beneficiary… otherwise—confiscated?!"
"So the village buries me as a 'donation'?"
"Six."
This was basically high-end insurance. No wonder people wanted to become jōnin.
But then—
"Wait. I knew it. There's no such thing as a free lunch."
He noticed a small line at the bottom:
"If mission failure causes significant losses to the village or comrades, the village reserves the right to withhold all pay and compensation."
"…Sigh."
"First time commanding. What am I even supposed to do?"
"I can't calm down at all… Forget it. I'll ask Orochimaru-sensei."
He couldn't sleep anymore. After washing up, he ran to Orochimaru's place—empty. Then to the Senju compound—Tsunade wasn't there, only Nawaki.
"Baixing, why are you up so early looking for my sister?" Nawaki yawned. Then he smirked and elbowed Baixing's stomach.
"You're not trying to chase my sister, are you? I can help you~ I like you."
Baixing slowly shifted from despair to numb resignation.
"Dream on."
"With how recklessly your sister spends money, I couldn't afford her."
Nawaki: "..."
Behind Baixing, Tsunade approached.
Judging by her flushed face and hand on her forehead, she'd spent the entire night drinking with Jiraiya and Orochimaru—celebrating promotions, mourning fallen comrades, and indulging in one last spree before the battlefield.
Her clothes clung to her curvy figure, revealing fair, flushed arms and calves.
The moment she heard Baixing's words, veins popped on her forehead.
"W-WHO SAID YOU HAD TO MARRY ME?!"
Baixing instantly turned serious.
"I meant I'd be afraid you'd gamble yourself away and I wouldn't have money to ransom you."
"When I make big money, I'll marry you."
He turned around, pretending to notice her only now.
Tsunade's face screamed: You think changing your words helps?! I heard everything.
"Ah—Tsunade-sama is back!"
Baixing bowed deeply, eyes lowered—conveniently allowing him to admire her figure while avoiding eye contact.
"My apologies for my rudeness earlier."
"I was unsettled after seeing the Hokage's appointment."
He peeked up cautiously.
Tsunade crossed her arms, pressing together a pair of assets now far beyond single-hand control.
Baixing nearly zoned out.
Should I go to a shady bar and lose my virginity before dying on the battlefield?
"Is it nice to look at?"
"Y-Yes. Tsunade-sama's looks are among the best in Konoha. I lost myself for a moment—my apologies."
"Hmph."
She stepped closer, alcohol on her breath.
"Look me in the eyes. Am I pretty?"
Baixing instantly went poker-faced. "Pretty."
"You're drunk, Tsunade-sama. Please rest."
"Drunk? I'm not drunk." She clicked her tongue, eyes lingering on his face. This kid really is cuter than that Kato-something.
"You said you'd marry me. Right?"
"…Uh." I just want your body, not marriage…
Before he could finish, a finger with orange nail polish gently pressed against his lips.
She leaned closer.
"So… since you're marrying me someday, lending your future wife some money—shouldn't be a problem, right~?"
"..."
After a second of temptation, Baixing said flatly, "No money."
"?????"
"I've never even been to an izakaya since turning eighteen. I was planning a high-spending night."
Tsunade recoiled, arms crossed in disdain.
"So you're the same type as Jiraiya."
"…I've never gone! Can't I experience one of the ninja world's Three Great Taboos?"
"And you drink and gamble all the time—how are you lecturing me?"
"That's different! I drink purely for leisure! Gambling is just for relaxation! You—you—"
She waved her hands irritably. "Forget it. I won't borrow from you. Just like Nono said—ultimate cheapskate."
Cheapskate was better than broke.
His savings had just climbed back to 500,000 ryō.
—He'd already spent 200,000 on a custom ninja blade via Transformation Jutsu, reserved for his alter identity.
"Oh, right."
"Tsunade—"
"Call me Tsunade."
"…Tsunade-nee?"
"That works. Come inside."
She flared her chakra briefly, scaring Nawaki stiff at the door.
"Why aren't you inviting him in? Is this how the Senju conduct themselves?!"
"Fine—pay me 100,000 ryō!"
Nawaki: "..."
I only have eighty thousand left…
Moments later, Baixing witnessed a masterclass in emotional manipulation: Nawaki was tricked out of 80,000 ryō, while Tsunade happily counted the cash.
"You know," Baixing said, sipping the tea Tsunade brewed, "with your luck, if I went to gamble and bet opposite you, we'd make a fortune."
—The tea was mediocre.
Tsunade's eyes lit up like she'd discovered a secret.
"That's it! Lend me yourself for one day! If I win, I'll do anything!"
Baixing smirked.
"Anything?"
"Mm-hmm! Anything~~"
She fluttered her eyes, hands pressing lightly toward her chest, a sly glint flashing.
Once you fall for my body, I'll drain every last coin you have.
Hahaha—
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