Jonin Promotion!

[T/N: Five fresh chapters of Young Master, Please Become Hokage! are here! 🎉 Let me know what you think in the comments, and don't forget those Power Stones! 🙏 Happy reading! Also, explore Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise and One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!! 🚀]

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Sarutobi Ryo's eyes lit up when he saw the notification appear in his vision.

He'd seen similar side quest notifications from Hyuga Ruri and Ringo Ameyuri before, but he still needed to learn exactly how to create them.

And now, he had a perfect chance to experiment.

He could use the situation with Yamanaka Hui to study this side quest system...

The system was telling him to instill the Will of Fire into Yamanaka Hui.

So, how do I do that?

"Young Master Ryo, please follow me..."

Just as Sarutobi Ryo was thinking, a ninja approached him at the entrance of the Hokage Building and led Sarutobi Ryo and the others inside.

At the same time, Namikaze Minato and Kushina emerged. Judging by their expressions, they had already passed the Konoha Upper Echelon's Jonin evaluation.

---

Inside the Hokage Office.

"Young Master Sarutobi Ryo, thank you for saving me earlier..."

Hakumo Hayama, now mostly recovered, looked healthy, a testament to the amazing skills of Konoha's medical ninjutsu.

He had been brought back by the Konoha Anbu a week ago and had been recovering well.

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile, "Ryo, you all did very well."

"..."

Sarutobi Ryo nodded slightly.

His old man was clearly very pleased with what they had done.

Kato Dan's remains had been reburied by the Konoha High Council in the Konoha Cemetery.

However, burying him next to his sister's tombstone was a cruel and ironic twist.

Kato Dan's sister had died when she was just over 10 years old, sacrificed on the battlefield during the Second Shinobi World War.

The close proximity of their graves, seemingly a kind gesture, felt like a dark joke.

This feeling of separation, almost absurdity, seemed woven into the very fabric of Konoha's political system.

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Koharu told me about your performance this time..."

Sending a team, including the Hokage's son, and then officially reclaiming Land of Whirlpools... these actions successfully silenced any rumors of conspiracy.

What Konoha needed most after the war was stability, and the High Council was working towards that goal.

Even before this mission, Sarutobi Ryo and the others were considered qualified to be Jonin.

Hakumo Hayama was no exception.

He had been quickly defeated by Ringo Ameyuri, it was true.

But the difference in strength between Jonin could be vast.

For example... the official data books considered Yuhi Kurenai the weakest Jonin, with the lowest stats.

Kakashi had the highest stats of any Jonin.

The difference between their overall abilities was huge.

No one believed Yuhi Kurenai could defeat Kakashi.

In fact, Kakashi could probably take on and defeat three Yuhi Kurenai without a problem.

Also, the Lightning Blade and the likes were powerful tools that could greatly increase a ninja's strength. With her powerful weapon, Ringo Ameyuri's strength was significantly boosted, so defeating Hakumo Hayama was perfectly reasonable.

"How about we promote Sarutobi Ryo and the others to Jonin?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his colleagues.

After a brief discussion, Sarutobi Ryo and the others were officially awarded the rank of "Jonin."

Jonin were the elite of a shinobi village.

Most ninjas eventually became Chunin. That's why everyone made fun of Might Guy for being a Genin for so long. In this world, it was unusual not to become a Chunin.

On average, only one Special Jonin emerged from every 20 to 30 Chunin.

And only one Jonin emerged from every 100 Chunin.

Jonin were a testament to talent and a symbol of strength.

Becoming a Jonin also meant access to Jonin-level resources.

For talented ninjas, becoming a Jonin... was just the beginning of their path to true power.

In emergencies, Jonin could directly order Chunin and Genin to act, and some Jonin even had the authority to command Anbu squads in combat.

Certain important departments required at least Jonin rank. For example, Yamanaka Hui's cousin, Yamanaka Inoichi, worked in the Intelligence Department. The Akimichi Clan, responsible for Logistics, was another example.

The importance of Jonin was clear, but they also faced a high risk of death.

"This time, thanks to Young Master Ryo..." Hakumo Hayama sighed with relief, feeling like he had benefited from Sarutobi Ryo's success.

He didn't understand the full story and didn't know that the Konoha Upper Echelon had already planned everyone's promotion path.

After Hakumo Hayama and Hyuga Ruri left, the atmosphere in the office shifted slightly.

It was a change in light and shadow.

Shimura Danzo, sitting in the shadows, spoke, "Tomorrow... Sarutobi Ryo and Yamanaka Hui will report to the Anbu."

He looked at Sarutobi Ryo and Yamanaka Hui, finally focusing on Sarutobi Ryo.

"However, Hiruzen... even if he's your son, he must pass the Anbu assessment I give him to be qualified to join..."

Danzo thought Sarutobi Ryo was too innocent, not dark enough, and not suitable for the Anbu.

Yamanaka Hui, on the other hand, had excellent skills and would be a good fit for the Anbu.

Then, Danzo stood up and left.

Sarutobi Ryo watched him go... As a member of the Konoha High Council and the Hokage's assistant, Danzo also held the position of "Anbu Commander." Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't strip Danzo of his Anbu command until the Uchiha Clan Massacre in the original story.

So, in this era, most Anbu members had to follow Danzo's orders.

The path into darkness was now opening before him, yet Sarutobi Ryo wasn't worried.

Because... I'm not as simple as everyone thinks.

---

When Sarutobi Ryo left the Hokage Building, a figure waited under a tree in the distance.

Sarutobi Ryo walked over, and Hatake Sakumo scratched his head: "Young Master Ryo, congratulations."

Hatake Sakumo had no doubt that Sarutobi Ryo would become a Jonin.

With Sarutobi Ryo's talent, it would have been strange if he hadn't.

"I'm grilling saury today, so come and stay a while..."

Hatake Sakumo's casual invitation showed his desire to maintain their bond.

As Sarutobi Ryo's swordsmanship instructor, Hatake Sakumo had taught him many skills, and they had a good relationship.

"Okay."

Sarutobi Ryo smiled and agreed.

They walked through the busy streets of Konoha, eventually arriving at a one-story cabin on the outskirts of the village.

This simple building with a courtyard was Hatake Sakumo's home.

After entering the house, the three sat down and chatted.

Hatake Sakumo shared many interesting stories, including Kakashi's experiences at the Ninja Academy, the missions he had been on, and his training problems.

Time passed quickly, and it was soon late afternoon.

"It's time to cook, please wait a moment..."

Hatake Sakumo stood up, put on an apron, and went into the kitchen.

Sitting in the living room, Yamanaka Hui poured a cup of tea for Sarutobi Ryo and said softly, "Young Master, Sakumo-sensei is really a good person..."

There was a deeper meaning in her words.

"A good person like that will be held back by the Konoha High Council, and who knows what will happen to him..."

Yamanaka Hui wasn't optimistic about Hatake Kakashi, the son of the White Fang, joining Team 7.

A kind man who just wanted to live a peaceful life would be completely used by the Konoha High Council.

"If he were alone, he could just become a rogue ninja, but ah... Sakumo-sensei has a weakness now..."

The weakness she mentioned was Kakashi.

"If I were him, unless Konoha changed completely, I wouldn't have children."

Yamanaka Hui said she wouldn't marry or have children to ensure her safety.

In Konoha's current state, one more child meant one more potential soldier, slave, or resource to be exploited.

"..."

Sarutobi Ryo looked at the girl, a strange expression in his eyes.

In the original story, they were the same age as Namikaze Minato and Kushina.

Konohamaru was born 4 or 5 years later than Naruto.

So, is that why?

Is she afraid of having a weakness?

"What's wrong? Young Master?" Noticing the young master staring at her, Yamanaka Hui blinked.

Just as Sarutobi Ryo was about to speak, a very energetic voice called out from outside: "I'm back."

Soon, a child wearing a mask, with tired eyes, and silver hair like Hatake Sakumo, walked in confidently.