He knocked on the door, and when granted permission, he stepped inside.
"Hokage-sama, the escort mission is complete. I'm here to report in."
"Well done," the Third Hokage said, nodding briefly. He didn't make a big deal out of it, simply acknowledging Xin's success before looking over the mission report and stamping it.
With that, the escort mission was officially wrapped up.
Just as Xin was about to leave and finally get some rest, the Hokage called out to him. "Xin, the new class of academy students is about to graduate. You're already a jonin now, and I've noticed that many enemies are keeping an eye on you in the Land of Rivers. I'd like you to stay in the village for a while and take on the role of a jonin instructor, leading a squad of new genin."
"Me?"
"A jonin instructor?"
Xin's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't understand what was going through the Hokage's mind.
He was supposed to become a jonin instructor?
Was this some kind of joke?
The new graduates were only eight to ten years old. And he was... well, ten. How was he supposed to be their instructor?
As for the Hokage's reasoning about threats, Xin wasn't too concerned. Let them keep watching, he thought. What was the big deal?
Still, the idea of staying off the battlefield and not having to fight enemy forces was appealing to him.
What the Third Hokage didn't realize was that Xin had no real interest in racking up war achievements or boosting his reputation.
Given the choice, he'd much rather laze around the village.
So if the Hokage wanted him to stay behind, Xin wasn't going to argue.
But being a jonin instructor?
That felt a bit... absurd.
"With your strength and your accomplishments, even I am impressed," Third Hokage continued. "Besides, Minato and Nawaki have been training under your guidance. I know this."
"I believe you have what it takes to be an excellent instructor and to raise the next generation of Konoha's best."
"What about my team?" Xin asked, scratching his head, feeling a bit out of his depth. This whole situation didn't seem right.
Third Hokage handed him three files and explained, "Minato and Nawaki have already left for the Land of Rivers with Jiraiya. Orochimaru will be joining them there. I believe that as teachers, they need to take responsibility for their students, not leave them behind while they go off on their own."