Chapter 1
Konoha Year 47. On a forested path along the border of the Land of Fire, fallen leaves lay thick on the ground. Stepping on them produced a soft crunch-crunch.
Team Minato had just completed a C-rank mission and was heading back to the village.
"Kakashi, you jerk! Can't you wait up for once?!"
Uchiha Obito clutched his knees, lungs burning, gasping for air as he chased the distant figure ahead.
Hatake Kakashi didn't even glance back. His silver hair cut sharp arcs in the wind.
"Rule-breakers don't get to complain."
"I was just helping an old lady carry her stuff! What's the big deal?! Helping others is a proud Konoha tradition!"
"Any unnecessary detour during a mission can bring unpredictable risks. That's the rule."
Kakashi's tone was flat, almost mechanical—like he was reciting straight from the ninja code.
Nohara Rin, caught between them, gave a helpless smile and jogged up to hand Obito a canteen.
"Come on, Obito-kun. Drink some water first."
Obito took it grudgingly, gulping down several mouthfuls while still muttering.
"Seriously, you always have 'rules' this and 'regulations' that. Zero sense of humanity. Are you a robot or what?"
Suddenly, inspiration struck him like a weapon he could finally wield. His voice rose again.
"Speaking of which, that Sakuya Senxuan guy—he's five years older than us and still a genin! He's the real tail-end slacker who doesn't give a damn about rules!"
The nickname "Super Repeating Student" was infamous throughout Konoha.
At the mention of the name, Kakashi's stride faltered—barely noticeable.
A scene flashed in his mind: A lone figure in the corner of the training grounds, swinging a blade over and over. No audience. No teammates. Just endless strikes—and knife-light so fast it made even Kakashi's heart skip.
That level of skill definitely didn't belong to any "tail-ender."
"Obito, don't talk about seniors like that," Rin said softly, trying to calm things.
But Obito felt an odd kinship with Sakuya Senxuan—like he'd found a kindred spirit.
"I'm not! I think Senxuan-senpai is actually pretty amazing. Staying a genin for five straight years? That's talent in its own way!"
Kakashi said nothing more. He simply quickened his pace.
That man... he couldn't read him at all.
...
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
Sakuya Senxuan stood before the desk, expression blank—as if the person who'd just danced with death wasn't him. Dust and a faint metallic scent of blood still clung to his clothes from the mission. All he wanted was to report quickly and go home to stare at the ceiling patterns for days.
Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"Senxuan, thank you for your hard work this time."
"Just got lucky."
Senxuan's reply was curt. He couldn't be bothered with extra words.
Hiruzen studied the young man, eyes full of admiration—and a trace of hidden regret.
Chakra reserves so low he could barely qualify as a proper ninja, yet he'd survived countless near-death missions through sheer self-created secret techniques and masterful swordsmanship. His mental fortitude and perseverance far outstripped his peers.
"Your secret technique has improved again, hasn't it?" Hiruzen said slowly. "Otherwise, escaping encirclement by three Iwa chunin with only minor injuries wouldn't have been possible."
Senxuan's eyelid twitched, but his face stayed neutral.
The old man knew everything. He just wanted to finish the report and lie down.
Hiruzen caught the tiny reaction and smiled.
"No need to be tense. The village has no intention of coveting your secret art. We see all your effort."
His tone grew solemn.
"After discussion with the elder advisors, we've decided to promote you to chunin by special exception."
Senxuan's head snapped up. For the first time, genuine shock crossed his face.
Chunin?
Didn't that mean missions jumping straight to higher risk—and death rates skyrocketing? Pay barely increases, but the chance of dying multiplies several times over.
Who wants this "blessing"?!
He opened his mouth, ready to decline politely with something like "I'm not worthy of the village's favor" or "my abilities fall short."
"Hokage-sama, I—"
Knock, knock, knock.
The office door sounded.
"Come in."
Namikaze Minato entered with his three students in tow.
"Hokage-sama, we're back to report on the mission."
Hiruzen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three youths behind Minato.
"Minato, perfect timing."
He glanced at Senxuan beside him, then at the silver-haired boy at the front of Minato's team.
Hatake Kakashi stepped forward, expression calm.
"Hokage-sama, I request to take the jonin promotion exam."
The words stunned Obito and Rin.
Hiruzen wasn't surprised. He turned to Minato.
"Minato, your thoughts?"
"Kakashi already possesses sufficient strength and judgment. I approve." Minato replied with a smile.
"Good."
Hiruzen picked up his seal and stamped a document.
"Then you'll serve as his chief examiner."
He paused, eyes shifting to Senxuan—who looked like he wanted to vanish on the spot—and gave a meaningful smile.
"Additionally, to motivate the younger generation and test the true strength of our 'special genin,' Sakuya Senxuan's special chunin promotion exam will take place on the same day as Hatake Kakashi's jonin exam."
The air froze.
Obito's jaw nearly hit the floor. He looked from Kakashi to the legendary "Super Repeating Student," brain short-circuiting.
The "Super Repeating Student" versus the "Super Genius"? Had Grandpa Hokage not woken up properly today?
Kakashi's visible eye also turned toward Senxuan—assessing, scrutinizing.
Senxuan's mouth twitched unnaturally.
His blood pressure was spiking.
Right now, he just wanted to crawl into a hole—or maybe stab the Third Hokage.
In the end, he forced one word through gritted teeth.
"…Yes."
After leaving the Hokage Tower, Senxuan vanished around the nearest corner at top speed—like a beast was chasing him.
Back in the office, only Hiruzen and Minato remained.
The mood turned heavy.
"Iwa and Kumo have been committing more forces lately."
Hiruzen picked up his pipe again and took a deep drag.
"Intelligence suggests they've already allied."
Minato's expression grew grave. His golden hair seemed dimmer in the indoor light.
"So that's why you're rushing to promote Kakashi and Senxuan-kun? Using this method…"
"Yes. Konoha needs more strength—and heroes."
At that moment, a cold voice emerged from the office shadows.
"Hiruzen, you're still so naive."
Shimur Danzo stepped out from the darkness, leaning on his cane. The single visible eye gleamed with ambitious chill.
"Do you think our enemies are only Iwa, Kumo, and Suna?"
Hiruzen's brows furrowed tightly.
"Danzo, what do you mean?"
Danzo sneered, voice laced with mockery.
"My 'Root' has just received new intelligence."
He paused, savoring their tense expressions.
"Kiri has already made contact with the other three great villages."
"What?!"
Minato's pupils contracted sharply.
"Meaning… all four great ninja villages…"
The four great villages uniting for an invasion.
Was the Third Great Ninja War about to enter its most brutal phase?