The next morning.
Knock knock.
The window was tapped.
Irregularly—lazy and perfunctory.
In the apartment, the shadow clone playing the exhausted boy instantly poofed into white smoke. A flood of memories and false rest surged into the real body on the isolated island.
The next second, Sora's real body Flying Thunder God'd back into the room. He rubbed his eyes and pulled open the curtains.
Kakashi hung upside-down outside, still holding his orange book.
"Good morning, Captain!" Sora immediately flashed his energetic smile, waving vigorously.
"The Hokage wants to see you," Kakashi yawned, flipping down from the frame and landing steadily. "Hurry up. Come with me to the Hokage Building."
The Hokage?
Sora's heart skipped.
So soon? Because of yesterday's training? Or something else?
His mind raced, but his face showed perfect flattered surprise.
"Yes! I'll change right away!"
Hokage Building, top-floor office.
The familiar scent of pipe tobacco mingled with old paper.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind the massive desk, looking like a kindly neighborhood grandfather.
But Sora knew: behind that desk sat the Professor of Ninjutsu who had ruled Konoha for decades.
"Hokage-sama!" Sora bowed respectfully—posture flawless.
"You're here, Sora," Hiruzen set down his pipe with a gentle smile. "Sit. No need to be so formal."
He gestured to the nearby chair.
Sora sat obediently—only on a third of the seat, back ramrod straight.
"I heard about your performance on the border mission. Outstanding," Hiruzen began casually. "You protected your comrades and earned merit for the village."
"It was all thanks to Captain Kakashi's leadership and everyone's teamwork! I just got lucky!" Sora replied instantly, face tinged with shy embarrassment.
Perfect standard answer.
"Humility is good, but credit is credit," Hiruzen took a drag, smoke curling around his wrinkled face. "I heard you're a war orphan—living alone must be hard."
Here it comes.
Background check.
"It's okay. The village uncles and aunties take good care of me, and I've made lots of friends!" Sora's smile grew brighter, amber eyes brimming with love for life.
"Good, good," Hiruzen nodded approvingly. "Konoha is one big family. We won't let any child who contributes go unrewarded."
Standard heart-winning speech.
Sora sneered inside, but his face showed pure emotion.
"Kakashi recommended you for Jonin promotion."
Hiruzen finally revealed his intent.
Sora displayed perfect shock, followed by overwhelming joy and disbelief.
"Me…? But I'm too young…"
"Heroes don't have ages," Hiruzen grew solemn. "Your strength and merits qualify you. But Konoha has its rules."
He looked deeply at Sora.
"I need to see loyalty to the village that matches your strength."
Sora shot up from the chair.
Without hesitation, right hand over heart, he dropped to one knee.
"Hokage-sama! I, Akashi Sora—born of Konoha, will die for Konoha!"
His words rang firm—filled with youthful passion and sincerity.
"Everything I have was given by Konoha! I am willing—for Konoha, for Hokage-sama—to offer my heart!"
Become Hokage, unify the ninja world.
Not empty words.
Today was the first step toward that goal.
Trading perfect loyalty for crucial promotion.
Hiruzen watched him silently; the office fell quiet.
After a long pause, he spoke slowly.
"Rise. I believe in your heart for the village."
He pulled six scrolls from under the desk, laying them in a row.
Each represented a mission—a test.
"Kakashi's recommendation is accepted. But the Jonin title requires solid merits."
"Here are six missions of varying difficulty."
"Choose one. Complete it perfectly, and upon return—you'll be Konoha's Jonin."
Sora stood, gaze falling on the six scrolls.
Scroll 1: Border reconnaissance. Land of Hot Water—target Kumogakure border-crossing squad. Standard—some Lightning Release to record, low yield.
Scroll 2: Supply escort. Route through Valley of the End. Risk in terrain, not enemies. Boring.
Scroll 6: Temporary Chunin Exam proctor. Set traps in Forest of Death. Safest, fits his "lazy" persona—but lowest reward.
Scroll 5: Retrieve kekkei genkai fugitive. Kirigakure Ice Release ninja.
Ice Release!
New "concept code"!
But a note: Amegakure pursuit squad. "Underground transfer route"—reeked of Root. Danzo's game—uncontrollable risk. Avoid for now.
Remaining: 3 and 4.
Land of Rain.
That perpetual war zone—great powers' quagmire.
4: Intelligence decryption—desk work.
3: Emergency cross-border support—rescue injured Anbu squad.
Chaos, evacuation.
Those words meant disorder—and opportunity.
In such a place, what ninjas might appear? What techniques to record? Total unknown.
The biggest blind box—greatest treasure.
Sora had decided inside.
But he didn't choose immediately.
He looked up—with pure, clear amber eyes—at Hiruzen.
Face showing curiosity and youthful competitiveness.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask…"
"Of these six missions, which is the hardest?"
The office air froze for a moment.
Hiruzen's cloudy old eyes narrowed slightly.
He didn't answer right away.
He took a deep drag on his pipe, smoke veiling half his face.
He had expected the clever boy to pick the safest or most obvious reward.
But he asked which was hardest.
This wasn't mere loyalty.
It was a blade eager to be unsheathed.
"The third."
Hiruzen's voice dropped lower.
He pointed to the scroll reeking of damp moisture and faint blood.
"Land of Rain conflict zone—three-way faction war. Our Anbu squad is surrounded, intel cut off—life or death unknown."
"This mission is nine deaths, one life."
Sora smiled.
Still that sunny, harmless grin.
"Then I'll take the third mission!"
Hiruzen's hand holding the pipe froze midair.
The office fell deathly silent.
The boy didn't choose safest or clearest reward.
He asked which was hardest.
Then chose it.
This wasn't a clever subordinate pledging loyalty.
This was a challenge.
Using his life to fulfill "offer my heart."
The stifling air shattered with a sudden, heartfelt laugh.
"Good!"
Hiruzen shot to his feet, slamming his pipe on the desk.
His wrinkled face flushed with excitement; long-dormant spark returned to his cloudy eyes.
"Good! Well done, Akashi Sora! Well done, Konoha ninja!"
He strode around the desk to Sora—still kneeling—and personally lifted him up.
His palm dry yet warm, full of strength.
"It's been ages since I've seen a young man with such pure Will of Fire."
Hiruzen's praise was unmasked.
Sora rose with the help, face showing perfect agitation and awe—amber eyes glistening with "overwhelmed emotion."
Flawless performance.
Inside: ice-cold clarity.
He'd bet right.
Old-generation ninjas like Hiruzen ate this up.
Hot-bloodedness, loyalty, fearlessness of sacrifice.
Core of the "Will of Fire" underpinning his rule.
Everything Sora did: presenting that "will" in its most perfect, exaggerated form.
Showing Hiruzen a living embodiment of his ideal Konoha successor.
"Your courage, your loyalty—I've seen them," Hiruzen patted Sora's shoulder, words grave.
"This mission is perilous beyond words, but I believe you'll create a miracle."
"When you return victorious—I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Third Hokage, promise!"
He emphasized every word.
"I will personally vest you in the Jonin flak jacket representing Konoha's backbone!"
Boom.
Those words hit harder than any ninjutsu.
The Hokage personally vesting a ninja in Jonin jacket.
What honor!
Declaring to the entire village: this boy is favored by Sarutobi Hiruzen!
Sora's body shook—as if staggered by the immense honor.
"Hokage-sama… I…"
His lips trembled, seemingly too moved for words.
This sight pleased Hiruzen even more.
"Go." Hiruzen withdrew his hand and returned to his seat. "I've seen your strength. I've noted your resolve."
"Intelligence will deliver the latest briefing."
"No time to waste—depart immediately!"
"Yes!"
Sora snapped straight, roaring the word with full force.
He bowed deeply once more, then turned—crisp, no hesitation—toward the door.
Every step firm and powerful.
As he exited and the door closed softly, the two Anbu guards outside looked at him differently.
No longer scrutiny—genuine respect.
Sora didn't go home.
Nor fetch gear.
Emergency support—time was life.
He headed straight for Konoha's gates.
Along the way: perfect sunshine, villagers at peace, children chasing and playing in streets.