On the other side.
Kakashi Hatake, like a responsible senior, took Akihara Kagura to re-register his ninja information and informed him about some matters regarding Jonin.
Konoha Jonin belong to the upper echelons of the village, they do not need to wear the ugly green vest mandatorily, and have a certain degree of freedom in dressing. At the same time, from now on, they are recognized by the village to carry out some S-level missions.
If the promotion from Genin to Chunin is a level upgrade, then the promotion from Chunin to Jonin is a leap in hierarchy, even having the power to provide advice to the Hokage.
Besides that, the most important...
Jonin can learn some of the top Jutsu within Konoha Village.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen can, like a reward, teach some Ninjutsu to ninja he considers excellent, Jonin have the full right to request to view and study the village's top Jutsu, even some Kinjutsu.
"Not bad at all."
When Kakashi Hatake returned to the Hokage Office with Akihara Kagura, he complimented him a few sentences: "Although your promotion is quite hasty, becoming a Jonin at this age is quite excellent, only a year later than me..."
"That's because I was always training with Jiraiya-sensei."
Akihara Kagura is quite familiar with Kakashi, and doesn't mind chatting with him: "I should have been promoted to Jonin at eleven years old..."
"That's true..."
Kakashi Hatake quite agrees with this statement, he just gazed at the calm and peaceful village, and softly sighed: "After all, we are living in a peaceful era..."
Peaceful times.
It is naturally more troublesome for ninja in the village to be promoted.
Of course, even in peaceful times, Akihara Kagura's contributions were long enough to be promoted.
When Kakashi Hatake brought Akihara Kagura back to the Hokage Office, it seemed Jiraiya and Sarutobi Hiruzen, the mentor and disciple, were having some disagreements.
"You should have killed Orochimaru..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, having heard about Jiraiya's encounter with Orochimaru, advised his disciple solemnly: "Orochimaru is causing more trouble than you imagine, he continues to conduct forbidden research and experiments, and sooner or later he will endanger Konoha's safety..."
"In that case, you should deal with Danzo first!"
Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh slightly and brought up the issue of Shimura Danzo: "If it weren't for Danzo, Orochimaru wouldn't have come this far... Compared to the troubles Danzo brings to Konoha, Orochimaru is far worse!"
"Danzo..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent, sighed and said: "Jiraiya, when you sit in this position, you will understand my ordeal."
"I don't want to understand such ordeals."
Jiraiya didn't want to deal with such trivial matters.
As a wanderer of the Ninja World, Jiraiya would rather live freely than be bound by his teacher here to learn about politics.
When Jiraiya brought up Danzo, he couldn't avoid his own disciple: "By the way, Kagura has been deeply influenced by Danzo. Even though he knows the mistakes Danzo has made, he still wants to return to the Root. The youngster keeps clamoring that he wants to change something about the Root in his own way. Old man, I'll leave this matter to you to handle..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a headache hearing it as well.
Just at this moment, Kakashi Hatake brought Akihara Kagura back to the Hokage Office, causing the two to glance over, wondering why this promotion examination ended so quickly?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, after listening to Nara Shikaku's examination method, could only sigh at the wisdom of Konoha's strategist and announced Akihara Kagura's new position: "Akihara Kagura Jonin, from today onwards, you are transferred from the Dark Department to serve as my assistant and guard."
"..."
Akihara Kagura tilted his head.
What is this situation?
[System Prompt]: Supervisor (Kakashi Hatake) removed, Supervisor (Nara Shikaku) removed.
Now, Akihara Kagura has only a few supervisors, Nagato, Pain, and Uchiha Obito belong to the super-villain camp, the minor villain Orochimaru as a supervisor is about to flip;
Shimura Danzo in the Konoha camp is also on bad terms, likely to turn anytime; Jiraiya, the teacher, is wary of giving tasks due to Kagura's extreme personality;
When Sarutobi Hiruzen, the top supervisor, assigns tasks, they are always vague and difficult to settle, and most rewards are pennies, not gold coins;
It's rare that Akihara Kagura just gained a Jonin squad leader Nara Shikaku, but that supervisor hadn't issued tasks before the superior-subordinate relationship was gone;
Removing two supervisors is no different than losing two sheep for Akihara Kagura...
Although Akihara Kagura had already reaped from Kakashi Hatake during the Hidden Rock Village incident, stripping Kakashi's wool, but Nara Shikaku's deer hasn't been skinned yet!
Perhaps...
This is the trouble of working within the system.
Supervisors may be replaced at any time due to job transfers, what would he do if one day he accidentally became the Hokage, how would he work then?
However…
For now…
Such a transfer seems quite delightful!
Akihara Kagura wasn't too pleased about losing a supervisor, but soon realized how wonderful a position the assistant and guard of the Hokage really is!
Because...
The Hokage Guard can receive guidance from the Hokage!
The Hokage Guards need to follow the Hokage around for long periods, naturally requiring a certain level of strength, which surely requires the Hokage's assessment.
One of Sarutobi Hiruzen's daily tasks is to train and guide the Hokage Guards, which certainly involves guiding them in their training!
Moreover...
The most important point.
The selection of Hokage guards and assistants are mostly Hokage candidates.
When a Hokage keeps an excellent ninja close-by, especially one who might succeed to the Hokage position, it sends a signal.
In the Ninja World, other village leaders often keep their considered successors close to guide them accordingly.
Besides guiding these successors, the village leaders hope to teach them how to become a village leader, and how to handle village internal and external matters, so that these successors know what to do when they take over, at least have a path to follow.
"..."
After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's order, those present weren't surprised, as they all knew Akihara Kagura was very likely to become a Hokage candidate.
"I've taught all I can."
Jiraiya glanced at his teacher, then looked at Akihara Kagura, before turning to leave, saying softly: "If you've really thought it through, I'll leave the rest to you, old man."
"I understand."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, wondering if he couldn't outdo Shimura Danzo by personally teaching Akihara Kagura.
First day at work.
Akihara Kagura met his new colleagues.
In fact, members of the Hokage Guard are few, usually only one Xuanjian squad, comprised of Special Jonin.
Other times, to ensure the Hokage's safety, it's necessary to mobilize other squads or the Dark Department as backup for the guard unit when going out.
Akihara Kagura looked around.
This squad was full of familiar faces.
Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raido, Yamashiro Aoba – all were the examiners during his Chunin exams, along with the less-known Tatami Iwashi.
"Am I not Genma's subordinate?"
Akihara Kagura frowned, the system didn't prompt him, not part of this squad?
"No."
Shiranui Genma, with a senbon in his mouth, shook his head oddly, explaining to Akihara Kagura: "Actually, you're supposed to be our superior now, right?"
"..."
Akihara Kagura's eyes twitched.
"Genma, you guys go out first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gestured for Genma and his squad to leave, leaving Akihara Kagura behind to inquire about a diplomatic affair in a gentle manner.
"Kagura, you once had contact with Mizukage-sama."
"Now the Hidden Mist Village is requesting Mizukage-sama, who was a guest in the village for a while, to return. I plan to let Mizukage-sama leave Konoha, what do you think?"
"..."
Akihara Kagura frowned, then quickly relaxed, answering methodically: "In fact, if Karatachi Yagura goes back alive, he might commit suicide anyway. We could kill Karatachi Yagura, then send his body back to the Hidden Mist Village, to be benevolent, doing him a favor, so he doesn't have to do it himself in the future."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen silently tightened his grip on his pipe, the old man slowly lit it, inhaling deeply and exhaling a smoke ring, evaluating this successor's response: "The thought is well-intended, but in practice, it might seem a bit extreme to others…"