Kamikawa smiled lightly.
"It's an honor to receive praise from the Copy Ninja. But after those two techniques… I actually used one more."
As his words fell—
Genjutsu: Tree Binding Death had already been activated.
In an instant, Kamikawa vanished from Kakashi's—and everyone else's—sight.
At the same time, a sapling burst forth beneath Kakashi's feet, growing at terrifying speed into a massive tree that required several people to encircle.
Clang—
Kakashi's blade slipped from his hand.
His body was bound tightly by the tree, unable to move.
Then—
Kamikawa slowly emerged from within the trunk, Zanpakutō in hand, pointing directly at Kakashi.
"Genjutsu… Tree Binding Death. So you can already use this technique as well…"
Kakashi looked up, his expression serious.
"As expected of the 'genjutsu prodigy' Kurenai mentioned."
Kamikawa smiled faintly.
"Likewise. Kakashi-senpai is the more impressive one. This you… is probably just another clone, isn't it?"
He sheathed his blade and dispelled the genjutsu.
"…Yes."
Kakashi didn't deny it.
The bound body crackled into lightning and vanished.
His real body emerged from the underground tunnel created earlier by Kamikawa's Headhunter Jutsu.
Both men lowered their weapons.
Neither made another move.
The incense—
had burned out.
"Time's up."
With the referee's घोषणा, the match officially ended.
Kamikawa and Kakashi formed the seal of reconciliation.
Clap. Clap.
Hiruzen stood, applauding.
"Kamikawa, I never expected you could fight Kakashi to this extent. Truly remarkable."
"You overpraise me, Lord Hokage."
Kamikawa replied modestly.
"Kakashi-senpai was merely going easy on me. If he had used a Lightning Clone to paralyze me and followed up with an attack, I would have been in real trouble."
"Not to mention… he didn't even use his signature technique, Raikiri."
Calm. Humble. Measured.
Hiruzen nodded inwardly, increasingly satisfied.
Not arrogant, knows restraint, carries the Will of Fire… a fine seedling indeed.
He turned to the crowd and spoke loudly:
"You have all seen Kamikawa's strength."
"There is no doubt he has passed the Chūnin assessment."
"I previously stated—if he demonstrated sufficient ability, he could be exceptionally promoted to jōnin."
"Now, those in favor… raise your hands."
Hiruzen raised his first.
Then—
Kakashi.
Itachi followed.
One by one, the ANBU raised their hands.
After all—
the Hokage had already decided.
And objectively speaking, Kamikawa's abilities justified the rank.
Especially his genjutsu—
enough to trouble most present.
Koharu and Homura also raised their hands without hesitation.
Finally—
to everyone's surprise—
Danzō raised his hand as well.
And even… wore a faint, rare smile.
That alone made several people uneasy.
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.
"Very well."
"Kamikawa, congratulations. From today onward, you are officially a jōnin of Konoha."
"Continue to strive forward."
"And Kurenai—having trained such an outstanding genjutsu user, you may drop the 'special' from your title."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Kurenai knelt respectfully.
Kamikawa, however, did not kneel.
Instead, under the influence of Kyōka Suigetsu, he appeared to kneel.
Hiruzen, seeing both of them, smiled even more broadly.
Then added:
"Kamikawa, although you are now a jōnin, your offensive methods are still somewhat limited."
"Kakashi—take a day and guide him."
Soon after—
Kamikawa and Kakashi agreed on a training time and place.
Then Kamikawa donned his newly issued jōnin vest and left with Kurenai.
Walking through the streets of Konoha—
Kurenai finally voiced her doubt.
"Kamikawa, where did you learn Headhunter Jutsu and Shadow Clone? I never taught you those."
"Ah… I asked Izumi to help me find them."
Kamikawa answered half-truthfully.
Kurenai nodded.
"I see… the Uchiha."
Then, after a brief pause, she added in a quieter tone:
"Learning common techniques like those is fine. But don't learn the Uchiha clan's exclusive jutsu."
"They might cause trouble for you."
"And…"
She hesitated, glancing around before lowering her voice further.
"I know you're close to an Uchiha girl. But the relationship between the clan and the village is tense right now."
"Don't get too involved with them."
Kamikawa stopped walking.
Then I looked straight at her.
"Are you… worried about me, Kurenai?"
Their eyes met.
Her lips parted slightly—
but no words came out.
Her face flushed red almost instantly.
In the end—
she swallowed whatever she wanted to say, along with her breath.