Chapter 104: Chūnin
The Third Hokage stood slowly and walked toward the window while holding his pipe.
Looking out toward the peaceful scenery of Konoha beyond, he sighed softly.
"This Fourth Mizukage…"
"He's the ruthless figure who once established Kirigakure's Bloody Mist era."
"His true attitude toward the Uchiha clan remains impossible to understand."
"It's deeply unsettling."
"After all, everyone believed he had already fallen victim long ago."
"And yet now…"
"The information says he personally killed Shisui Uchiha and returned to Kirigakure carrying the corpse."
"Furthermore…"
Hiruzen slowly exhaled smoke.
"Instead of canceling the agreement, he actually intends to continue hosting the Chūnin Exams in Kirigakure."
"He hasn't even mentioned pursuing Konoha over previous matters."
"That only makes the situation even harder to read."
Then the Third Hokage pulled out another planning document.
"Because of all these factors…"
"It's best not to send Sasuke Uchiha to Kirigakure for now."
"In fact, I also don't recommend sending Hinata Hyūga due to her bloodline limit."
"Let's wait another year."
"I've already decided that next year's Chūnin Exams will be jointly hosted here in Konoha together with Sunagakure and Kirigakure."
"As for Naruto…"
Hiruzen's expression softened slightly.
"After he becomes a Chūnin, I'll arrange for him to spend some time leading lower-ranked Genin and carrying out missions alongside teammates."
"That experience will greatly help his growth."
Hearing this, Kakashi could only temporarily set the issue aside.
After all—
No matter how one looked at it, the alliance between Konoha and Kirigakure originally existed because Kakashi personally reached an agreement with Elder Genji.
The alliance between two of the Five Great Villages had already forced many other nations to behave more cautiously.
Afterward, Kirigakure also stopped pursuing Konoha regarding the chaos caused by Shisui Uchiha.
But now—
The true "victim," the Fourth Mizukage himself, had suddenly returned.
With Kirigakure's leadership changing once again, the uncertainties became enormous.
And with the Chūnin Exams already approaching rapidly, Konoha couldn't suddenly withdraw from the agreement now.
Doing so would directly insult Kirigakure.
Potentially destroying the alliance completely.
"There's one more thing, Kakashi."
The Third Hokage's voice turned more serious.
"I need you to lead an ANBU team to Kirigakure and retrieve Shisui Uchiha's body."
"If you hadn't returned in time, I originally intended to assign this mission to Asuma and the others."
"Since you're already here…"
"You'll handle it instead."
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded solemnly.
"I understand."
Recovering the corpse of a missing-nin possessing a bloodline limit was normally an operation handled exclusively by ANBU.
But Shisui's situation was completely different.
First—
He had previously caused massive turmoil within Kirigakure.
Back when the Mizukage remained missing, both sides silently understood the political situation.
But now the Mizukage had returned.
Regardless of everything else, Konoha needed to give the Fourth Mizukage some kind of answer.
Second—
This mission would also determine whether the agreements Kakashi made with Elder Genji still remained valid.
As Kakashi prepared to leave, the Third Hokage suddenly added one final sentence.
"Remember."
"Be careful."
At this moment, only Hiruzen knew the secret Itachi left behind:
Shisui Uchiha belonged to Akatsuki.
What exactly happened between the missing Fourth Mizukage and Shisui?
Did Akatsuki become involved?
These uncertainties left the Third Hokage deeply uneasy.
Everything now depended on the results of Kakashi's trip.
Once Kakashi departed, the Third Hokage once again gathered several trustworthy shinobi still remaining in the village.
"... According to Team Seven's mission report…"
"Uzumaki Naruto independently eliminated the Snow Ninja blocking their path."
"He also organized the infiltration operation, subdued all enemy forces inside the target location, and captured the key target alive…"
"Wait, wasn't the mission originally just escorting someone safely to the Land of Snow?"
"How did it suddenly become helping the current daimyō reclaim an entire country?"
"This level of mission…"
"And they even established diplomatic relations between Konoha and the Land of Snow."
"The envoy sent by the Land of Snow, Asama Sandayū, is still staying in the village…"
"The report states that Nadare Rōga's Snow Ninja team possessed combat strength comparable to Konoha's elite ANBU squads?"
"And Team Seven completed all this with almost zero losses?"
The gathered shinobi discussed the report in disbelief.
None of them bothered hiding their shock.
Before long, however, several people realized why the Third Hokage summoned them here today.
Eventually, all eyes turned toward Hiruzen once more.
"Regarding the mission in the Land of Snow…"
"I believe its rank should be officially upgraded."
"Considering the resulting alliance between the Land of Snow and Konoha…"
"It qualifies as an S-rank mission."
"Any objections?"
A first mission…
Directly upgraded to S-rank.
This had never happened before in Konoha's entire history.
Still, based on the contents of the report, nobody present could reasonably object.
The Third Hokage slowly looked across everyone's expressions before finally speaking again.
"Therefore…"
"Following the recommendation of Team Seven's Jōnin instructor, Kakashi Hatake…"
"I have decided to specially promote Naruto Uzumaki…"
"To Konoha Chūnin."
"I refuse!"
Naruto—who had been summoned alone to the Hokage's office that afternoon—immediately shouted toward the Third Hokage.
Looking around at the unfamiliar Chūnin and Jōnin standing in rows around him, Naruto frowned deeply.
"This mission wasn't accomplished by me alone!"
"Sasuke and Hinata contributed too!"
"And Kakashi-sensei even used genjutsu earlier to help us gather information!"
"Naruto."
For one of the rare times in his life, the Third Hokage revealed a genuinely stern expression toward him.
"This is not a game."
"Your performance and accomplishments were personally recognized by your Jōnin instructor, Kakashi Hatake."
"He holds extremely high evaluations of you."
"And he strongly supports your promotion to Chūnin."
"Furthermore…"
Hiruzen gestured toward the surrounding shinobi.
"These mission reports have already been reviewed by all present here."
"They reached the same conclusion."
"Are you questioning their judgment?"
"Do you believe they all misjudged you?"
"I…"
Naruto instantly became speechless.
Only now did he finally look carefully toward the gathered shinobi around him.
Within their eyes existed the very recognition and approval Naruto once desired more than anything else.
Truthfully, Naruto's true problem was emotional.
He originally assumed the "special promotion" would apply to all three members of Team Seven together.
He never expected only himself to receive it.
"I can guess what you're thinking."
The Third Hokage's tone gradually softened.
"But I won't waste time discussing that further."
"Tell me, Naruto…"
"You once said your dream was becoming Hokage."
"Would you only become Hokage together with your teammates too?"
"Will you stop and wait for them forever?"
"Becoming Chūnin…"
Hiruzen's voice suddenly rang out sharply.
"Is merely the beginning for Naruto Uzumaki!"
The old man's stern words completely overwhelmed Naruto.
Meanwhile, the surrounding Konoha shinobi showed absolutely no surprise.
Because in their eyes—
Naruto Uzumaki truly deserved such expectations from the Hokage himself.
Naruto stared blankly toward Hiruzen.
Then gradually—
The stern expression upon the Third Hokage's face softened once more.
Eventually, Naruto saw the same warm smile he had witnessed countless times before.
The same gentle expression Hiruzen once wore while grilling fish beside the river with him.
"Don't disappoint us…"
"Or the expectations we hold for you."
At last, Naruto stopped resisting.
Excitement surged through him.
He raised his clenched fist and revealed his signature dazzling grin.
"Yes, sir!"
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