Chapter 80: Special Promotion
"Well, well... if it isn't the Black Flash himself."
Yoru had just arrived at the Hokage's office and nearly thought he'd walked onto the wrong movie set.
Seeing Hiruzen's teasing expression, Yoru's mouth twitched slightly as he feigned a bitter smile: "Hokage-sama, please don't make fun of me. On my very first day reaching the border, I exposed critically important intelligence and indirectly led us into three-front warfare. If I could choose, I wouldn't want this title or method of becoming famous at all."
"This has nothing to do with you."
Hiruzen genuinely thought Yoru felt guilty and immediately explained: "Earth Country's target was always Fire Country from the very beginning. Even if you and Tsunade hadn't been exposed, they would've created other opportunities to tear open our border defenses before declaring war."
"Once two nations declare war on us, the third absolutely won't pass up the opportunity. Three-front warfare was inevitable—only a matter of time."
"On the contrary, though you and Tsunade were exposed, you drastically shortened the time needed for Fire Country to develop antidote formula. You even injured the salamander, meaning we temporarily don't need to worry about Hanzo's attacks on the Rain Country front. This tremendously boosted our side's morale. This counts as major merit."
To encourage Yoru, Hiruzen produced the secret weapon he'd already decided upon, announcing with solemn expression: "Genin Gojo Yoru, in recognition of your exceptional completion of high-level infiltration and assistance in repelling powerful enemies, obtaining hope for our forces to break the salamander's deadly poison, becoming the new generation's shinobi role model while displaying excellent ninja qualities—I now formally, in my capacity as Third Hokage, grant you special promotion."
"Effective immediately, you are Konoha's tokubetsu jonin. Shinobi number: 007185."
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Yoru never expected that simply putting on an act would make him jump two ranks—from genin straight to tokubetsu jonin.
Seeing Hiruzen's demeanor, if not for Yoru's comprehensive qualities still falling short of requirements for becoming an all-around jonin, he'd probably want to promote him to the jonin rank reserved for Konoha's upper echelon.
This was one of war's few benefits—easily obtaining military merit to become heroes, requiring no exams for special promotions.
More critically, this promotion method wouldn't face obstruction or jealousy from anyone.
Battlefields were among the fairest stages—if you had capability, you obtained what you wanted.
Canon Minato became Fourth Hokage through his Third Shinobi World War performance, defeating both Orochimaru and Danzo who'd participated in both Second and Third Wars.
The shinobi world only had so many titled shinobi—each recorded in various nations' ninja handbooks as powerhouses.
Even so, few possessed reputations currently louder than Yoru's.
Possessing military merit, fame, and strength... if still merely a genin, it would actually trigger civilian ninja groups' questioning and dissatisfaction.
Someone with special talent to master super S-rank techniques, recognized by the shinobi world's Demigod—such an important figure—if he couldn't receive special promotion, then these civilian shinobi would have no advancement path whatsoever.
Understanding this, Yoru stood slightly straighter, equally solemn: "Yes. Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Seeing Yoru recover, Hiruzen couldn't help showing a gratified smile, eyes full of appreciation and satisfaction for this junior.
Yoru didn't know that intelligence spreading about him being only eleven yet already mastering Flying Thunder God came from Hiruzen secretly fanning the flames.
If Yoru hadn't been exposed or become famous, Hiruzen would've kept him hidden indefinitely.
Since already famous, might as well make that reputation ring loudest—becoming the new generation's standard-bearer, a shinobi role model.
This was why Hiruzen didn't put Yoru in ANBU.
If simply wanting to hide Yoru, nowhere proved more suitable than ANBU.
Lighting his pipe's tobacco, Hiruzen smiled: "Your records have been upgraded in advance. After leaving, you can take your headband to collect your jonin vest. Now tell me—you returning, is there some urgent matter?"
Yoru's next words made Hiruzen choke on smoke.
"Tsunade-sama's younger brother was killed in action."
Hiruzen coughed violently, face flushing completely red, looking at Yoru with disbelief: "You... you mean Nawaki?"
"Yes."
Seeing Yoru nod, Hiruzen's gaze filled with incredulity: "How is that possible? Nawaki was support force personnel. Even staying there, he'd only exchange shifts with on-duty support forces—either handling logistics transport or providing medical assistance. Reconnaissance squads and ANBU handle intelligence gathering. He'd only need to relay information. How could he possibly have an incident? Did he encounter enemy nation infiltration assassination?!"
Even Hiruzen found this unbelievable—showing how absurd it was.
Yoru explained the circumstances. Hiruzen instantly became speechless.
Continuously inhaling and exhaling smoke, Hiruzen's furrowed brow could crush a fly, his expression utterly worried—mood completely opposite from earlier.
He'd considered Nawaki dying to enemy assassination since shinobi capable of infiltrating had strength starting at tokubetsu jonin minimum.
He never imagined Nawaki actually died to explosive tags.
Moreover, recklessly rushing into dangerous areas—neither following his squad nor staying behind superiors, not even using Shadow Clones to scout ahead...
Hiruzen didn't know how to evaluate this.
If merely injured by explosions, Hiruzen would be jumping with fury, loudly reprimanding right now.
Now with the deceased deserving respect, Hiruzen could only remain silent.
Yoru proactively spoke: "Hokage-sama, should you go console Tsunade-sama?"
"If he died during mission duty, I should indeed." Hiruzen said distantly. "But currently wartime, my position cannot show such special treatment. All shinobi sacrificing in war—afterward, the village will uniformly give them honorable burials and commendations, carving their names on the memorial stone."
"Regarding Nawaki's death, I feel great regret, but he's also Konoha's member and must follow these rules."
"As for Tsunade, she's already an independent jonin. She'll overcome this herself."
With mood plummeting to rock bottom, Hiruzen had no interest in casual conversation with Yoru, forcing a smile: "Go collect your vest. Now your status is completely different from before. Stay close to Orochimaru, study well, improve comprehensive qualities preparing for future promotions. Merit you establish on battlefields—I'll record everything. Later when wanting to exchange jutsu, you can find me anytime."
"Yes."
Yoru nodded, then turned and walked out of the Hokage's office.
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