The system that had disappeared for ten years had returned and it brought back two powerful gift packs.
At this moment, Yagami could only describe himself as being in pure bliss.
After leaving the dango shop and returning home, he took out his ninja sword.
He planned to head somewhere secluded and finally test out the strength of a true kendo master.
But just as he stepped outside...
A figure dropped from the opposite rooftop and landed directly in front of him.
"Minato?"
Yagami blinked, surprised. Minato was clearly heading straight toward him.
"Yagami, I have an errand for you. Come with me to see Lord Third."
"Errand?"
Yagami stared blankly. "What errand? What's going on?"
Seeing Yagami break the tension with questions, Minato sighed helplessly and explained everything that had happened in the Hokage's office.
"Huh??" Yagami froze, the confusion practically visible on his face.
"You think I'm lazy and wasting my talent, so you recommended me to Lord Third?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Minato replied seriously.
"If you weren't so lazy, with your talent you'd already be a Jōnin."
"I…"
"Anyway, you're welcome for me being so considerate."
Yagami felt a stampede of imaginary animals run through his chest.
Speechless didn't even begin to describe it.
"Come on, let's not keep Lord Third waiting."
Minato, completely unaware of how self-righteous he sounded, grabbed Yagami and hurried toward the Hokage building.
Although Yagami wanted to strangle Minato for recommending him out of nowhere, the situation had already unfolded.
He could only sigh and follow along.
But then—
[Ding! System mission triggered: Promote to Konoha Jōnin. Mission difficulty: ★★]
[Reward: 1000 Prestige Points!]
[Master, do you wish to accept?]
While leaping across the rooftops beside Minato, Yagami froze for a heartbeat at the familiar sound.
A moment later, he accepted the very first mission of his returning system.
…
After several minutes of high-speed travel, the two arrived at the Hokage building.
They knocked on the door, and upon receiving permission, stepped inside.
Yagami had always received missions on the first floor hall — this was his first time inside the Hokage's office itself.
"Lord Hokage!"
"Lord Danzo!"
Seeing Shimura Danzo inside as well, Yagami felt a jolt of surprise.
The first time he entered the upper echelons' field of view, he was greeted by the two most powerful men in the village.
After the greetings, Yagami fell silent.
Since Minato had recommended him, Hiruzen would surely have many questions.
"You are Yagami?" Danzo cut in sharply before Hiruzen even spoke.
"Why are you deliberately hiding your strength?"
Ever since Yagami entered the office, Danzo's eyes had been locked onto him.
"Danzo!" Hiruzen snapped, displeased.
Suspicion was understandable — Yagami's file was unusual.
But accusing a village shinobi of deception so bluntly was excessive.
"Hiding my strength?" Yagami raised an eyebrow. "When have I ever hidden my strength?"
In truth, he had already spent the trip preparing answers.
"Then explain your mission count for the past few years."
Danzo ignored Hiruzen and thrust the file forward, tapping the mission section pointedly.
Uh—
The moment Danzo lifted the file, Yagami activated bullet time mentally and scanned the entire document in an instant.
"Ah…"
Yagami exhaled softly.
"After my relatives and Sensei died on missions, I finally understood the importance of strength."
"I realized how weak I was."
"So I cut back on missions and trained day and night."
Half true, half false — the perfect balance.
Danzo studied his expression carefully… but found no cracks.
"So that's why Yagami wasn't taking missions… he was training nonstop?" Minato muttered, realization dawning.
No wonder Yagami looked strange whenever Minato called him lazy.
So I really misunderstood him… Minato thought.
[Ding! Minato admires you. Prestige +1.]
"???"
Yagami shot Minato a bewildered glance.
"Danzo! Enough!" Hiruzen snapped again.
But inwardly, the Hokage sighed in relief.
If Yagami were truly problematic or worse, a spy — the amount of information he could have leaked over the years would be catastrophic.
"Hmph. I hope you're telling the truth," Danzo muttered before stepping back.
"Yagami…" Hiruzen said gently, pipe in hand.
"Did Minato tell you why I called you?"
"Yes, Lord Third," Yagami replied politely. "He informed me on the way."
Hiruzen nodded. "Then tell me... what do you think of Minato recommending you for Jōnin?"
"Do you believe you can fulfill a Jōnin's duties?"
"I will live up to Minato's trust — and your expectations, Lord Third," Yagami replied without hesitation.
A day ago, he might have answered more cautiously.
But now? With two fresh system gift packs supporting him?
His confidence was overflowing.
"Good."
Hiruzen smiled warmly.
"But even with Minato's recommendation, you must still undergo certain evaluations."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Yagami already knew what that meant.
Unlike the Chūnin exams, promotion to Jōnin followed two paths:
(1) A mission record of sufficient quantity and quality.
(2) Recommendation by a Jōnin, approved by the Hokage.
Yagami was in the second category.
Which meant he needed to prove... directly to Hiruzen, that he truly possessed Jōnin-level power.
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