Chapter 119: Promoted to Jonin, Leader of the Real Power Division!

The sun had dipped behind the mountains, casting Konoha in a twilight glow. Stars began to dot the darkening sky, and the evening air carried a serene calm that contrasted with the turmoil of impending war.

When Uzumaki Raiden arrived at the Hokage's office, it was already late evening. Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, taking a rare moment to rest after a day filled with unrelenting tasks. Since Sand Shinobi's declaration of war, the Third Hokage had scarcely left his office, often relying on meals brought by his wife as he coordinated Konoha's defenses.

The creak of the door broke the quiet, and Sarutobi opened his eyes to see Raiden, still dressed in a hospital gown, stepping into the room.

"Oh!" Sarutobi exclaimed, his exhaustion fading as a smile spread across his face. "Raiden, you've recovered! What brings you here?"

"I finally get to see you again, Teacher," Raiden replied with a grin. "I ran into some things on the way that delayed me."

Raiden settled onto the sofa across from Sarutobi, who immediately moved to sit beside him, his tone warm and fatherly.

"Although Tsunade already reported your recovery, I couldn't help but worry until I saw you myself," Sarutobi said, his eyes scanning Raiden carefully. "It seems Orochimaru did an excellent job. That poison was no ordinary concoction, yet he handled it with remarkable speed. Truly impressive work from my disciple!"

Raiden chuckled, nodding. "Brother Orochimaru's skill is indeed exceptional."

His gaze drifted to the Hokage's desk, where Totsuka Blade rested. Though Raiden's expression remained neutral, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity as he noted the placement of his weapon.

Oblivious to Raiden's thoughts, Sarutobi continued, his voice filled with pride. "But you're just as exceptional! The reports I've received from Sand Shinobi confirm it. Although they've exaggerated parts of your exploits, the losses they suffered are very real. You took down thirteen elite ninja, along with over a hundred lower- and mid-tier Sand Shinobi!"

Sarutobi stood and walked to the large window overlooking Konoha. The orange glow of dusk bathed the village in a golden hue.

"Konoha is in a precarious position," he said gravely. "Sand Shinobi's declaration of war has unsettled even the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth. Even Kirigakure, which has kept to itself in recent years, is showing signs of movement."

Turning back to Raiden, his tone lightened slightly. "Your actions, Raiden, not only earned you a formidable reputation but also served as a deterrent. For now, the other great nations hesitate to make rash moves."

Sarutobi returned to his desk, picking up Totsuka Blade and examining it thoughtfully. "The last time I saw this weapon was in Lady Mito's hands, over twenty years ago. It seems she entrusted it to you."

He handed the weapon back to Raiden, who accepted it with a small smile.

"Teacher, I wouldn't mind receiving a reward too, you know," Raiden joked.

Sarutobi chuckled, retrieving a scroll from a drawer. "You're in luck, then."

Unrolling the scroll, he released its seal, and white mist filled the air. As the mist cleared, the Sword of Thunder God emerged, its blade glowing faintly with chakra.

"This is the Sword of Thunder God, once wielded by the Second Hokage," Sarutobi said. "It can channel lightning chakra even without an infusion of your own. With chakra added, its power becomes devastating."

Demonstrating, Sarutobi poured chakra into the blade, causing it to shine brilliantly.

Raiden's eyes lit up. "If it's a reward, I'll gladly accept it!" he said, taking the weapon eagerly. As he examined the sword, he couldn't help but marvel at its craftsmanship.

Seeing Raiden's enthusiasm, Sarutobi smiled. "You've earned it, Raiden. I've also submitted a recommendation for your promotion to jonin, which I've already approved. From today, you're officially a jonin of Konoha."

Raiden grinned, twirling the Sword of Thunder God experimentally. "Thank you, Teacher. But approving your own recommendation? Isn't that a bit questionable?"

"Hmph! Who's going to argue with my decision?" Sarutobi retorted playfully. "Besides, with your strength, there's no doubt you deserve it."

His tone turned serious. "I plan to deploy you to the battlefield in the Land of Wind. The Sand Shinobi know you well, and your presence will have a significant psychological impact. You'll also be given six Anbu under your command—all jonin. Use this time to prepare; you'll leave soon."

Raiden nodded, his smile fading as determination set in. "Understood."

A Sudden Report

As the two chatted, the office door burst open. A ninja entered, his expression grim.

"Lord Hokage! Urgent news from the Land of Wind!"

"What is it?" Sarutobi asked, his face immediately hardening.

"The team led by Captain Sakumo Hatake has failed to intercept Sand Shinobi's strategic supplies. The materials have been fully transferred."

"What?!" Sarutobi's voice rose in disbelief. He slammed his hand on the desk, standing abruptly. "That's impossible! The source of the information was reliable, and the supplies were poorly defended. How could Sakumo fail?"

The ninja hesitated before answering. "Captain Hatake… abandoned the mission to rescue his team members."

Sarutobi's face darkened as he absorbed the implications. The strategic supplies were critical to turning the tide of the war. Their loss meant Sand Shinobi would remain a formidable opponent.

Raiden, still standing nearby, watched silently as the weight of the situation sank into the room.

(End of this chapter)