CHAPTER 8

Kirigakure's Jōnin promotion meeting is conducted openly, with every Jōnin casting his vote in person. After Squad Leader Maeda Motoji announced the start of voting, the assembled Jōnin raised their hands in agreement. It was evident that roughly half of them favored the candidates from the Karatachi clan—renowned for their distinctive white uniforms, a trait passed down as a proud symbol of their heritage. Over twenty Jōnin bore the Karatachi name, underscoring the clan's influence in Kirigakure, which, as the village led by the Mizukage, stands as the largest ninja faction in the Hidden Mist today. This gathering also served to highlight the inherent advantages enjoyed by those born into a prestigious ninja lineage.

In contrast, directly opposite the Karatachi representatives, neatly arranged rows of resolute and well-built Jōnin sat. Their numbers nearly matched those of the Karatachi, and these fighters—both male and female—shared a peculiar uniformity: a set of meticulously altered brows. Tradition dictated that they remove their natural eyebrows and then redraw a single, defined black line where the brow should be, a practice intended to project stern discipline and formidable strength. Leading this opposing faction was an imposing figure whose size and muscular build set him apart; he was the current patriarch of a rival faction, the notorious Kurozumi clan, and his name—Teru Yoruichiro—carried a long legacy of enmity with the Karatachi. Every member of the Kurozumi contingent, their expressions hard and silent, had cast a veto against the promotion of Karatachi candidate Ryosuke. The rest of the Jōnin, well accustomed to such internal rivalries, showed little surprise. In Kirigakure's history, just as the Kurozumi clan consistently rejects the promotion of Karatachi candidates, the Karatachi, on their own occasions, have blocked the advancement of Kurozumi members.

Even more stinging was the observation that not only had every member of the rival Kurozumi faction voted against Ryosuke's promotion, but even influential figures such as Mizukage Yagura's close aides had withheld their support. Although Squad Leader Maeda Motoji himself showed a modicum of sympathy, only two or three of his immediate colleagues sided with him—hardly enough to save face before the Mizukage.

The remaining supporters were scattered among the loyalist Jōnin from Yagura's own faction. In total, about forty votes were cast in favor of Ryosuke—a figure that, while exceeding 30% of the total participants, was far below what one would expect for a candidate personally endorsed by the Mizukage himself. With roughly 90 Jōnin in attendance, including more than 20 from the illustrious Karatachi clan, Ryosuke's nomination should have spoken for itself by virtue of the family name. Yet the results were anything but encouraging; a clan member handpicked by the Mizukage had secured less than half the affirmative votes. With several prominent and seasoned Jōnin—and even elite Anbu operatives—voicing their dissent, the scene recalled the all-too-familiar peril of political favoritism: it was as if the Mizukage had nominated his own relative for a crucial village project only to have a large portion of his subordinates openly oppose the choice. Such a split was dangerous indeed; after all, the Jōnin form the very backbone of the village, and if a single faction controls less than half of them, the entire balance of power is at risk. Moreover, the unusually high turnout of Karatachi clan members—when normally only a modest contingent attends—suggested that even Mizukage Yagura's direct influence over the Jōnin roster hovered around a precarious 30%. Danger! Extremely dangerous! As the old saying goes, leaning against a mighty tree is pleasant until you realize that even the grandest tree may be old and withering.

Ryosuke knew that being born into the Karatachi clan was an inescapable fate, and judging by the current vote, it seemed that Yagura and the Kurozumi loyalists had positioned themselves as his greatest adversaries. "It appears my long-held strategy of staying under the radar is indeed the correct course," Ryosuke mused silently, reaffirming his commitment to remaining inconspicuous. He resolved then to continue being "mediocre"—at least until he could change the tide.

Soon the next phase of the promotion process arrived. Ryosuke was the final candidate to appear. Aside from Taishi Miyake, who had failed the vote, the remaining four candidates now had to draw lots to determine their sparring opponents among the present Jōnin. The first to emerge was a promising young ninja named Ichiro Kato—a talent whose early appearance in the Jōnin examinations had already earned the Kato clan a reputation as a smaller, yet well-connected family within Kirigakure.

When the lottery ended, Kato Ichiro was paired with a middle-aged veteran. Ryosuke noted with keen interest that as soon as the draw was announced, Kato Ichiro and the older Jōnin exchanged a brief, knowing smile—a silent acknowledgement of past encounters. In that moment, Ryosuke's understanding deepened: the world of shinobi was governed not only by the art of combat but also by intricate human bonds and alliances. It was clear that Kato Ichiro's promotion would likely be secured with little difficulty. As anticipated, the match between the two quickly settled into a "first-to-score" contest; after several measured exchanges, the bout was declared a draw. Their previous acquaintance allowed the veteran to give Kato Ichiro the benefit of the doubt, ensuring the younger ninja passed the test.

By contrast, the match involving ninja Hideno Hara did not unfold so favorably. Drawn to face the icy glare of an elite Anbu operative seated near Yagura, Hara Hara's fate was nearly sealed before the fight began.

The Anbu's expression, already twisted in disapproval, turned even more fierce as the bout commenced. Unleashing a barrage of precise, merciless attacks—typical of an operative who had earned a reputation as an "Elite Jōnin" simply by virtue of his proximity to Yagura—the Anbu opponent overwhelmed Hara Hara within ten rounds. In the third contest, evenly matched combatants Jiang Zhishu and his adversary fought fiercely until the judges, consisting of veteran Jōnin and Anbu, unanimously ruled the bout a draw. This decision attested to Jiang Zhishu's exceptional ability, confirming his strength as truly Jōnin caliber. Ryosuke mentally noted the name of this vice-admiral-level fighter as he prepared himself for the next challenge.

As before, the task of drawing opponents was managed by Squad Leader Maeda Motoji. After the Mizukage's senior aide retrieved a lottery slip from a box filled with the names of all participating Jōnin, several ninjas with keen eyes exchanged expressions of schadenfreude. "Mizukage-endorsed Ryosuke's opponent is…" the voice trailed off dramatically before announcing, "Kurozumi Yuta!" A collective breath was held by the assembly as anticipation built—everyone knew they were about to witness a riveting showdown!