No one ever learned what Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo discussed behind closed doors that night.
Only much later did fragments of the truth leak out—according to an anonymous ANBU operative who had been stationed nearby.
What was certain, however, was this:
When Elder Danzo finally left the Hokage's office, he did not do so calmly.
He stormed out.
Not slammed—stormed.
Even after Danzo had gone far down the corridor, his furious voice still echoed faintly through the building.
"Hiruzen… you'll regret this! You will definitely regret this!"
The door creaked as it slowly swung back into place.
Inside the office, silence returned.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the broken hinge on his door for a long moment before finally exhaling.
"Whether I regret it or not," he muttered irritably, "you damned bastard are going to pay for my door."
The silver moon sank beneath the horizon.
Morning arrived quietly.
Aosui woke before dawn, as he always did.
Three months of disciplined training had turned early rising into instinct rather than effort. His body moved smoothly as he completed his morning exercises, chakra flowing steadily through his meridians.
After finishing, Aosui wiped the sweat from his brow and began forming hand seals.
His plan was simple.
A Shadow Clone would head to the Senju clan compound to continue studying sealing techniques, while his main body would report to Konoha Hospital.
Healing was still his primary responsibility.
However—
Before the clone could fully take shape, a presence appeared behind him.
"Hirakawa Aosui."
The voice was cold and emotionless.
Aosui turned.
An ANBU ninja stood there, mask expressionless.
"Lord Hokage has summoned you."
The ANBU vanished the instant the message was delivered, as if he had never existed.
Aosui frowned slightly.
Suppressing his curiosity, he dismissed the half-formed clone and headed toward the Hokage Tower.
Along the way, Aosui encountered Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
They were walking together, chatting quietly, though both fell silent the moment they noticed him.
"Looks like we're being summoned together," Minato said with a faint smile.
Kushina crossed her arms. "Must be about the Chunin Exams."
Aosui nodded. "Most likely."
When they arrived, they discovered they were not alone.
Uchiha Nai and Hyuga Yuu were already present.
Seeing the five of them gathered together, Aosui immediately understood.
As expected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood behind his desk, pipe in hand.
"In this Chunin Exam," the Third Hokage said calmly, "all five of you performed exceptionally well."
He looked at them one by one.
"Therefore, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Chunin."
The words settled into the room like a soft weight.
"I hope," Hiruzen continued, "that you will continue striving for excellence and advance to Jonin as soon as possible."
An ANBU stepped forward, presenting green flak vests.
From today onward, Aosui was no longer a Genin—no longer a prodigy who shattered expectations from the bottom rung.
He was a Chunin.
An ordinary Chunin.
Or so it appeared.
"Aosui," Hiruzen said after the others accepted their vests, "please remain."
Once the other four had departed, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and took a slow puff from his pipe.
"You performed exceptionally during the Chunin Exam incident," he said. "Because of that, I've decided to record an S-rank mission on your resume."
Aosui's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And in addition," Hiruzen continued, smiling, "you will be rewarded with an S-rank ninjutsu."
For most ninjas, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Many shinobi would never even see an S-rank mission, let alone complete one—or have it officially recorded.
That alone represented compensation worth millions of ryo.
But compared to an S-rank ninjutsu…
Money was meaningless.
S-rank ninjutsu stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
Each one required immense chakra control, understanding, and risk. Some were so dangerous they were classified as forbidden techniques, sealed away to prevent catastrophe.
For a ninja, mastering even one S-rank ninjutsu meant a qualitative leap in power.
Most would never even touch one in their lifetime.
Hiruzen was offering Aosui something extraordinary.
Aosui understood this perfectly.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," he said sincerely. "I will not disappoint."
Hiruzen handed him a scroll.
Aosui opened it carefully.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave.
His eyes sharpened.
This was a technique created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju himself.
By compressing chakra into an ultra-high-pressure stream of water expelled from the mouth, the user could create a blade-like jet capable of cutting through steel—and even chakra-enhanced defenses.
In recorded history, Tobirama had once used this jutsu to sever the roots of the God Tree.
A terrifying single-point offensive technique.
"With your talent," Hiruzen said, "you shouldn't have much trouble learning it."
Then his smile faded.
"There's more."
The air grew heavier.
"The village has confirmed," Hiruzen said slowly, "that Gato was a weapon released by the Grass Hidden Village, with assistance from Cloud ninja, intended to destabilize Konoha."
Aosui's gaze hardened.
"You will immediately travel to the Grass Hidden Village," Hiruzen continued. "Your objectives are twofold."
"First, to hold Grass accountable."
"Second, to negotiate. Cloud has also sent representatives."
"This," Hiruzen concluded, "is an S-rank mission."
Before Aosui could respond—
"So this is why you dragged me here first thing in the morning?"
The door swung open.
Tsunade Senju entered, yawning, her golden hair tousled, her attire as bold and extravagant as ever.
She looked half-awake.
Hiruzen's mouth twitched.
"Tsunade," he said, "this mission is not trivial. As a senior—"
"I know, I know," she interrupted. "I'll do it properly."
She turned and clapped a hand on Aosui's shoulder.
"Don't screw it up, kid."
Normally, a newly promoted Chunin would never be assigned to an S-rank mission.
Not even A-rank missions would be allowed.
This was clearly intentional.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was paving the road.
He was cultivating Aosui as a future Hokage.
And this… was necessity.
Orochimaru had fallen.
Jiraiya refused responsibility.
Tsunade avoided power.
Hatake Sakumo was too rigid.
Danzo belonged to darkness.
That left Aosui.
Young.
Talented.
Unblemished.
To become Hokage, strength alone was not enough.
Prestige was required.
Achievements were required.
This mission was one such stepping stone.
Tsunade understood this clearly.
If it were anyone else, she would have refused.
But Aosui?
She could help.
As long as she didn't have to sit in the Hokage's chair.
"I'll leave him to you," Hiruzen said.
"Oh," he added casually, "the Sand Village will also participate."
Another figure entered.
Pakura of the Scorch Release.
"Lord Hokage," she said respectfully. "Lady Tsunade. Lord Aosui."
The S-rank mission had officially begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)