At present, the village was still operating under a wartime mode. Aside from official missions issued jointly by the Land of Fire's capital and Konohagakure, no free commissions had been opened. As a result, shinobi like Makoto and the others who had returned from the front lines had little to do for the time being and could properly rest for a while.
Combat-type shinobi did not need to clock in for work like the functional personnel of the village's various departments. Their work schedule was relatively flexible; while the risks were higher, their freedom and income were also greater. Even if they took a break for a year or half a year, they would not be dragged into the execution line.
Those like Makoto and his group, who had made a fortune early on through C-rank missions, already had wallets bulging with money. Continuing to be shinobi was no longer simply about earning money; each of them had their own reasons.
Of course, mission rewards could not be short by even a single ryō—missing even one coin was unacceptable.
In the days after returning, the team did not gather again.
Yūgao stayed at home to properly keep her mother company, acting the part of a well-behaved daughter. At the same time, she trained her own little brother, who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth, letting him experience just how terrifying a shinobi who had been on the battlefield could be.
With nothing more than a single outward release of killing intent, she could make him wet his pants on the spot, making him understand just how laughable his claim that going to the battlefield would let him slaughter enemies and become a hero truly was.
Shinobi possess chakra, and within chakra there is spiritual energy. That energy can genuinely cause killing intent to manifest in a real, tangible way.
Hayate did not need to accompany his family. After all, his mother had been dead for many years, and his father was also his own team-leading jōnin. They were together all day long, and he could enjoy the gaze of a loving father's attention at any time.
What he mainly felt was the pressure from Makoto, and he wholeheartedly went to have his father help him improve his strength.
The family-inherited swordsmanship, the training experience he had obtained from Maruboshi Kosuke, and Wind Release: Vacuum Sword were enough for him to train for several years.
Hayate believed that as long as he thoroughly mastered these, hehe… he would be able to struggle for a few more seconds under the shadow of the great demon king Higashino Makoto.
Makoto was still the same as usual. Early in the morning, he began training his body; after breakfast, he walked around and looked about, then found a quiet place to train in the second stage of chakra control and elemental nature transformation.
At night, as usual, he trained in the second stage of white natural energy. Although he did not need sleep now and could also train, when his consciousness left his body, the efficiency was much higher.
Even if the progress was turtle-slow now, he still practiced diligently without stopping.
Training had already become a part of his life. He liked this kind of rhythmic day; if he did not practice for a single day, his whole body would feel uncomfortable.
...
The last day of August.
Early in the morning, Makoto went to train his body. After returning and accompanying his mother to finish breakfast, he waited for a while before going out.
Today he did not go to train, but instead met up with the team and went to the Hokage Building. This was the notification received yesterday.
After arriving at the Hokage Building, the four of them, under the guidance of an ANBU, came to a rather empty room.
The place was empty and quiet. Aside from a few calligraphy works hanging on the walls, there were only four middle-aged to elderly men seated behind the long desk inside.
Makoto recognized them at a glance. It was Konoha's famously well-known high-level combination—the F4.
The man on the left had bandages slanted around his right eye and right ear, as if he had been injured. However, both of his hands were intact, and unlike in later years, they were not yet wrapped up like a mummy and hung in front of his chest.
This was naturally Shimura Danzō.
Seated beside him was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, followed in order by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
At this time, the four of them were not yet so aged. They were around fifty-six years old—having just stepped into middle age, an age where their remaining authority was still very much present.
As soon as Team Three entered, Kumomi bowed and greeted them. "Hokage-sama, three advisor-sama."
In truth, aside from being the leader of Root, Danzō's official public position was Hokage Assistant. However, for people like Kumomi, addressing him uniformly as an advisor was also acceptable.
After all, shinobi were not like those nobles outside who were overly particular about strict etiquette. As long as the intent was conveyed, it was sufficient.
"Hokage-sama!" Makoto and the other two also greeted politely. As for the other three, a bow was enough—after all, today was only their first meeting.
Among the three advisors, Danzō had long been operating his Root in the shadows, stirring trouble throughout the shinobi world while collecting intelligence for Konoha, or eliminating certain potential threats—threats as he himself defined them.
Advisor Homura's primary duty in daily affairs was responsible for liaison between the village and the daimyō's residence. As for the specifics, it could be summed up in just two words—getting funds.
As for what Advisor Koharu was responsible for, few people actually knew. In any case, the three of them rarely appeared in public. Those who could see them regularly were at least elite chūnin or above; as for ordinary chūnin and genin, very few even recognized them.
The Third Hokage was, as always, smiling amiably. He exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Oh, hehe—look who's here. Our three little heroes. Kumomi, you really have a knack for leading students."
Listen to how well he spoke—he even called Hayate and Yūgao little heroes together, and casually praised Kumomi as well, making everyone feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
Then look at Danzō—wearing that stiff, deadpan face the whole time, without the slightest bit of approachability. What, do we owe you money or something?
And with that attitude you still want to sit in the Hokage's seat? Don't make me laugh.
"Hokage-sama, you flatter me," Kumomi replied. "It's mainly because the academy laid a solid foundation. They themselves have talent as well. I merely did some polishing."
"Good, good. They are all Konoha's future," Hiruzen said with praise, then continued. "Regarding your team's performance on the Kirigakure front, we are already fully aware of it.
"You rendered great service. Whether in intelligence reconnaissance or in the counteroffensive against the Kiri shinobi, you played an irreplaceable role—greatly reducing allied casualties and accelerating the pace of defeating the enemy.
"Especially you, Makoto. You truly did not disappoint me. Your performance fully lives up to the reputation of Konoha's number-one genius of the new generation."
"Your team's merits have now been fully verified. As for the corresponding mission conversions and reward redemptions, you can proceed through the standard process."
Makoto bowed slightly once more. "Hokage-sama, this is all what I should have done. From the very beginning, the goal of my training has been to better protect the village and my comrades. I'm very glad that I managed to do so."
"Good, good—truly an excellent Will of Fire," Hiruzen said with a satisfied nod. Then he changed the subject. "In light of your performance, you have fully reached the level of chūnin. Therefore, starting today, you are no longer genin. Gekkō Hayate and Uzuki Yūgao, the two of you can go register directly in a moment. If there is anything you do not understand, just ask your sensei."
The two of them were delighted—but then quickly realized that the Hokage seemed to have left out one name.
There was no trace of disappointment on Makoto's face. He knew there would certainly be more to come.
He just did not know what kind of scheme the Third Hokage was playing.
Could it be that he was being promoted directly to tokubetsu jōnin? Or even to full jōnin?
Impossible—absolutely impossible.
In terms of strength, he had no problem at all. The higher-ups must have already seen his performance in the battle reports from the assault on the Kirigakure stronghold. With that level of combat power, he had already surpassed ordinary jōnin.
The main reasons were simple. First, he was too young—promoting him to jōnin would be far too conspicuous. Second, one must not forget that the Higashino family already had two jōnin. If he wanted to be promoted to jōnin, he would still have to wait.
Yūgao spoke up anxiously, "Hokage-sama, what about Makoto? Didn't you forget him?"
The Third Hokage replied, "Of course I haven't forgotten. I simply have other ideas—though I don't know whether Makoto would be willing to help."
"Hokage-sama, I am willing to comply with the village's arrangements."
"Good, good. It's like this: because of the war, the chūnin exams scheduled for July were suspended. After discussion, we have decided to hold a make-up exam tomorrow—September 1st."
"For the final one-on-one match, our country's daimyō, several important officials, and many villagers of Konoha will all be present to watch. This is a good opportunity to showcase Konoha's strength to the capital, and also to let the villagers witness the bearing of the strongest new-generation genius of our village, thereby increasing their confidence in Konoha."
"Makoto, as one of Konoha's little heroes, you won't disappoint everyone—right?"
"Huh? Hokage-sama, me alone?"
"That's right. You will participate in your personal capacity, and it will be counted as an A-rank mission."
"I see. Then I have no problem with it, Hokage-sama!"
Makoto finally understood—it turned out they were using his name for a political show.
But there was nothing wrong with that. As a shinobi, going through life without ever experiencing the chūnin exams was like passing through one's youthful years without ever having a pure, innocent romance—thinking about it left a slight sense of regret. Now, that regret was gone.
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