Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 105 The Third Hokage and Uchiha Fugaku

"The following are the criteria for nomination!"

"Let's start with his achievements!"

At the Third Hokage's signal, Hokage advisor Mitokado Homura rose and read aloud:

"First, during the Chunin Exams, Senju Seigo fought a fierce battle against a rogue ninja in the Forest of Death..."

"Secondly, the mission to protect the Land of Tea: defeat the Iwagakure forces attempting to assassinate the Hokage, and then rush to Kakashi's aid to kill the Iwagakure Jonin, Suma Shiki..."

"Third, the mission on the border of the Land of Grass: eliminate three important strongholds of Iwagakure and annihilate the enemy..."

"Fourth, kill Wenya, an elite Jonin from Iwagakure and the border commander of the Land of Grass..."

"Fifth, kill the elite Jonin of Iwagakure, the Explosion Release Swift Ninja, Hunter..."

"Sixth, promote diplomacy between Konoha and Takigakure..."

With each item Mitokado Enoki mentioned, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly tense.

These achievements alone would be enough for an ordinary Jonin to boast about for a lifetime.

"Next comes strength!"

"According to a joint assessment by the Anbu and Root, Qingwu's overall combat strength has already reached the level of a Jonin."

"Especially their lethality on the battlefield, whether it's summoning techniques, wood release, or individual combat prowess, has all been proven in actual combat!"

Upon hearing this, the familiar Jonin exchanged glances, then looked up at the conference room.

None of the Root ninjas attended the meeting, not even Danzo.

However, the Hokage and his advisor said that the joint assessment by the Anbu and Root... they couldn't question it either.

In particular, Nara Shikaku, the leader of the Jonin squad, was still at the border and did not attend the meeting.

So...

Most of the time, the Hokage's orders will be implemented without hindrance.

Of course, even if Shikaku were present, given the achievements just read out, I believe he wouldn't object to this proposal.

"Having discussed achievements and abilities, the final point is... the requirements of the position!"

Mitokado's voice was very steady:

"Qingwu is currently a member of the Shadow Guard, directly under the Hokage, and is responsible for important protection and special missions."

"His Jonin status will grant him greater authority and resource mobilization capabilities, which will be beneficial for mission execution."

"above!"

Mitokado Homura put down the document he was reading and looked at the Third Generation.

The third generation nodded slightly.

Mitokado Homura then looked at everyone in the conference room: "Now, let's begin the vote. Those who agree to promote Senju Seigo to Jonin, please raise your hands!"

Swish!

Without a moment's hesitation, several Jonin belonging to the Hokage faction immediately raised their hands.

Then, some neutral or small clan-based Jonin turned their attention to the two people in the conference room—Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku.

The Uchiha clan has a large number of Jonin, but only Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head and head of the security department, attended the meeting.

Hiashi Hyuga remained silent for three seconds before slowly raising his hand.

As the head of the Hyuga clan of Konoha, his attitude is of paramount importance.

Several more Jonin followed suit and raised their hands.

Representatives from the Aburame, Inuzuka, and Ino-Shika-Cho clans, who were already close to the Hokage's faction, also raised their hands at this moment.

The outcome is decided!

The Third Hokage smiled. Last year, due to the high level of opposition, he had no choice but to temporarily promote Qingwu to the rank of Special Jonin.

This time, as he expected, his achievements speak for themselves, and there were no problems.

"It seems the result will be the same whether I raise my hand or not."

Fugaku Uchiha's serious face remained expressionless, and he said nothing more after finishing that sentence.

"..."

The atmosphere in the meeting room became somewhat awkward for a moment.

After the Nine-Tails' Nightfall, the Uchiha clan was "driven" into a corner, and since then, the relationship between the former number one clan and Konoha has become delicate.

The Third Hokage cleared his throat and announced, "I hereby declare the nomination approved. Effective immediately, Senju Seigo is promoted to Konoha Jonin. Furthermore..."

He looked at Fugaku Uchiha, "At the next meeting, I will propose another name for promotion to Jonin."

"?" The Jonin and the clan leaders looked at the Third Hokage, all curious about the next name.

Konoha these days is not the place where talent is emerging as it used to be. Besides Senju Seigo, could there be other genius ninjas in the village that they don't know about?

"That name is... Uchiha Shisui!"

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, Fugaku Uchiha's pupils constricted slightly.

Although Shisui graduated from the Ninja Academy several years ago, he was considered to have graduated early, just like Kakashi, because of his extraordinary talent.

So Shisui is only 13 years old right now—he'll be 13 after the Lunar New Year!

In other words, the age at which one is promoted to Jonin is younger than that of Senju Seigo from earlier?

What does "third generation" mean?

Is this an attempt to salvage some of the Uchiha clan's reputation?

Or... do you want to repair your relationship with the Uchiha?

In an instant, Fugaku Uchiha's thoughts raced.

The Third Hokage shifted his gaze from Fugaku Uchiha's face and announced, "Furthermore, I personally invite Shisui Uchiha... to join the Anbu!"

Fugaku Uchiha's first reaction was to refuse.

What the hell is this?

What do you mean?

Does that mean the Uchiha... can only be promoted by joining your Hokage's direct forces?

However, in front of all the Jonin and clan leaders, Fugaku Uchiha did not immediately express his refusal.

After a moment, having calmed down, Fugaku spoke: "Agreed!"

He realized that the hawks within his clan kept demanding a hardline approach with Konoha, but as the clan leader, he knew that a hardline approach wouldn't work.

This is an opportunity, a chance!

The Uchiha clan's joining the Anbu is an important step in repairing the relationship between the clan and Konoha, especially the Hokage!

...It must be said that, in terms of skill, Fugaku Uchiha was far inferior to the Third Hokage.

Taking advantage of Qingwu's promotion to Jonin, the Third Hokage's move can be described as a stroke of genius.

End of the meeting.

Many family patriarchs left looking thoughtful...

……

On that day, the news of Qingwu's promotion to Jonin swept through Konoha like a storm.

—Ninja Academy, Training Ground

"Have you heard? Lord Qingwu has been promoted to Jonin!"

"A fourteen-year-old Jonin!"

"OMG!"

"As expected of someone who can fight the Tsuchikage!"

"I'll work hard too, and I want to become a Jonin someday!"

Iruka stood by the playground, watching the excited students, his face filled with undisguised satisfaction and pride.

That once "mediocre" friend has now reached such heights...

Konoha Village, Commercial Street

After the New Year's Day ritual, Yugao and Hongdou developed a friendship.

The two of them were still dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and were browsing the newly opened clothing store.

"A fourteen-year-old Jonin!"

"Tsk tsk, Yugao, we need to work even harder too."

Hongdou tried on a light-colored trench coat and said as she hung it back up.

"Qingwu..." Xi Yan said, her expression somewhat dazed.

"I hadn't shown any particular talent until graduation, and in the past six months... I never imagined it would come to this."

"I'm the same as you." Hongdou sniffed. "He and I used to be classmates. That guy... he was so unremarkable back then."

"..." Xi Yan said in a complicated tone, "I really don't want to be left too far behind by my teammates."