CHAPTER 124:The Selection of Konoha Jōnin

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Sasuke's power had only increased in terms of Chakra reserves, but his actual combat experience remained limited.

And this…

Kitahara Hitoshi casually turned his head to glance at the white rabbit ninja perched on his shoulder, munching on a small piece of Chakra fruit.

If it were Kaguya herself, it would likely be the same situation.

Like the descendants, the ancestors also seemed to share these traits.

In the original timeline, even after Kaguya was unsealed, she was portrayed as someone with godlike amounts of Chakra but almost no battle sense. Despite her overwhelming power, she lacked actual fighting experience, making her more of a massive Chakra reservoir than a warrior. She had top-tier equipment but couldn't utilize it effectively.

So Sasuke's current state might mirror that. While he possessed Indra's Chakra, he still couldn't harness it properly in real combat.

It was a pity.

But ultimately, it didn't matter. After all, Uchiha Itachi couldn't kill Sasuke.

Sending Sasuke out this time was meant to calm his thirst for revenge.

And to let Uchiha Itachi train him in real scenarios.

Sasuke had power, but no experience. Kitahara Hitoshi had arranged for Uchiha Itachi to be the one who would polish him.

Hopefully, this time Sasuke would mature and become more reliable.

Although Uchiha Madara was stationed on the moon, Sasuke and Naruto were the protagonists of the original story. These major missions were meant for them.

When the time came and Madara could no longer hold the line, it would be up to the two of them to take charge.

While thinking this, the only sound was the quiet munching of the Genin rabbit and the little white rabbit as they devoured the Chakra fruit.

And just then, Kitahara Hitoshi sensed someone approaching.

"Have you waited long?"

Hyuga Hinata had finally arrived, later than expected.

Perhaps she hadn't anticipated being invited by Kitahara Hitoshi at all.

"I just got here too," Kitahara Hitoshi replied casually.

He leaned against the wooden door, then straightened up.

"This time we're heading out on a mission together. But there's still one member missing. Let's wait a bit longer."

"Okay..." Hinata nodded quietly.

Kitahara Hitoshi sighed internally.

Truly, Black Hinata was having no luck. The first time he extended an invitation, the regular Hinata showed up. Now, once again, it was the same version of her.

Still, Hinata's outfit today was pretty cute.

She wore a green Chunin vest bearing the Konoha symbol, with wide pockets and a ninja pouch.

But with someone like her, it didn't matter what she wore. She always looked good.

"It suits you well," Kitahara Hitoshi said sincerely.

"Thank you..." Hinata blushed from her neck to her cheeks.

At that moment, a new presence entered their space.

Hinata, still flustered, quickly turned to look and saw a kindly old man with a large pot strapped to his back.

---

Children and Grandchildren Chat Group

Namikaze Minato: Why does this old man look so familiar?

Senju Tobirama:

Hashirama: Oh?

Hashirama: Tobirama, do you know him?

Senju Tobirama: It's not about knowing or not. He's actually one of my disciples.

Tobirama's Record: No way, you had disciples?

Senju Tobirama: Unlike Sarutobi and Danzo, this one was different.

Senju Tobirama: He started out as a Genin during the First Ninja War and led his own team.

Senju Tobirama: But he was too eager to rise in rank. His poor tactics led to the annihilation of his squad.

Senju Tobirama: The guilt crushed him. He wept, apologized constantly, even tried to take his own life. I had to step in.

Senju Tobirama: I taught him the Water Dragon Bullet and Water Barrier techniques. Told him not to give up until he mastered them.

Senju Tobirama: His name is Maru Xing Kosuke.

Namikaze Minato: Maru Xing Kosuke? I know him.

Senju Tobirama: Oh? Minato, you know him too?

Namikaze Minato: Yeah. He served as my escort when I was the Fourth Hokage.

Namikaze Minato: He was tenacious, almost reckless with his own life.

Namikaze Minato: I worried about him a lot. His leg was injured back then. Now, I suspect it's a prosthetic.

Namikaze Minato: But what puzzles me...

Senju Tobirama: What is it?

Namikaze Minato: He's still listed as a Genin.

Namikaze Minato: Back when he guarded me, his strength was already at Jōnin level. Why is he still ranked Genin?

Senju Tobirama: Sarutobi didn't promote him?

Senju Tobirama: That damned Sarutobi, always incompetent.

Jiraiya: If it's Maru Xing Kosuke, I know him too.

Senju Tobirama: You do, Jiraiya?

Jiraiya: Yes. We did missions together. At the time, the Third Hokage was leading. He said Kosuke should be promoted to Jōnin, but Kosuke refused.

Senju Tobirama said it seemed Maru Xing Kosuke truly wanted to atone for his past sins for the rest of his life. Even though his strength had reached Jōnin level, he had once caused the deaths of his teammates due to his impatience and obsession with quick success. That guilt still lingered in his heart.

Tobirama admitted that, in this case, it wasn't Sarutobi's fault.

Jiraiya exhaled deeply.

When he returned to Konoha, he had gone to see the Third Hokage. Hiruzen had aged significantly and had been officially grounded. Now the Second Hokage was clearly furious with the Third.

But Jiraiya couldn't fully accept that.

As a teacher, the Third Hokage had been fine, but as a leader, he had been lacking—too pedantic, indecisive, and hesitant to take bold action. Still, he was Jiraiya's teacher, so Jiraiya tried to say a few words on his behalf.

Hashirama raised a question, wondering what kind of mission required a veteran who had served multiple generations of Hokage to step back onto the field. Tobirama curled his lips and responded.

There was no real mission.

Didn't they see the pot Maru Xing Kosuke was carrying?

Hashirama blinked, confused.

Tobirama explained Kosuke's cooking skills were exceptional. He had reviewed the detailed material Kitahara Hitoshi had placed on the table. Among various ninja profiles, Kitahara had not chosen based on strength but on cooking skill.

In all the missions Maru Xing Kosuke had participated in, his teammates consistently praised his cooking. That was why Kitahara chose him.

Namikaze Minato murmured awkwardly.

Hashirama asked if it wasn't good to have a teammate who could cook.

Tobirama responded that he himself could cook very well too, yet Kitahara had never invited him on a mission. Hashirama joked that perhaps it was because no one took charge after Tobirama passed.

Tobirama silently acknowledged that truth. He had personally invited Kosuke, treating him as a trusted uncle.

Hashirama teased Tobirama, saying he should wait until he was resurrected to join.

Tobirama retorted that Hashirama didn't like fieldwork anyway—he preferred desk work.

Hashirama raised his hand in resignation.

He genuinely wasn't skilled at administration, but Madara had been. When the village was founded, Hashirama had originally nominated Uchiha Madara to be Hokage. In fact, the very title "Hokage" came from Madara's prowess in Fire Style.

Because Madara excelled at Fire Style, they coined the title "Hokage"—Shadow of Fire.

But things hadn't gone as expected.

Hashirama became Hokage and had to handle responsibilities he wasn't suited for. Madara, meanwhile, walked a solitary and difficult path.

Time had changed things so much.

Now, Sasuke was still being pummeled, while Kitahara Hitoshi and Hinata were quietly going on dates.

Maru Xing Kosuke, a veteran of three Hokage generations, had solid ninja skills and excellent culinary ability. Even without pre-supplied rations, he could forage in the forest for ingredients—mushrooms, yams, taro, betel nuts—and make a full picnic meal.

But that still wasn't the core reason Kitahara brought him along.

"A Genin of fifty years," Kitahara Hitoshi said, "but his decades of experience as a ninja are more important and admirable. That's why I'm inviting you to join the Ninja Academy's inter-learning program."

Only then did Kosuke understand why he had been chosen.

He felt flattered. He knew Kitahara Hitoshi was the de facto next Hokage.

After all, Hitoshi was the only one entering and leaving the Hokage office freely now, lounging around as he pleased. The Third Hokage had been grounded by the Second. And the Second had been summoned out himself.

So the identity of the next Hokage was no secret.

Kosuke understood this. As a former student of the Second Hokage, he should've visited him upon learning of his return, but he hadn't had the courage.

Years had passed, and Kosuke hadn't dared to face his old teacher—not after all his failures and shortcomings. Despite receiving guidance from the Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage, he had never made any significant contributions to the village.

He felt ashamed.

When he received the notice to join Kitahara's team, he thought it was merely because he was a failure and needed work. But in truth, he was being recognized—as the exclusive guardian who had served every generation of Hokage.

That made it all seem worthwhile.

He thought he was just a tag-along, a support role. But Kitahara Hitoshi had brought him along to give him purpose—to help him continue burning with the Will of Fire.

To teach the next generation.

He was old now, and though still capable, he didn't know how much longer he could hold out. So maybe being at the Ninja Academy was the right decision.

And so, time passed. Kosuke added his experience to the Ninja Academy while Kitahara Hitoshi and his team headed to the Fire Temple in the Land of Fire.

When they arrived at the temple gates, they unexpectedly saw a familiar figure.

She was blocked at the entrance, along with three disciples.

All four stood at the gates. They weren't allowed inside.

The temple had a barrier, unlike Konoha's sensory perimeter that alerted the village upon entry. This was a pure sealing barrier—it denied entry outright.

"You are…"

Upon hearing the word "Konoha," the four turned around quickly. They were all familiar faces.

Led by Jōnin Yūhi Kurenai, her three students were Inuzuka Kiba with Akamaru, Aburame Shino, and Haruno Sakura.

Haruno Sakura…

Hinata greeted them with a stiff nod. She was uncomfortable around groups, her introverted nature coming to the fore.

That was the usual Hinata.

"Yo! Yo!"

Recognizing classmates, Inuzuka Kiba immediately waved excitedly.

Both Kitahara Hitoshi and Hinata had earned Chūnin-level evaluations in the Chūnin Exams.

Akamaru barked a warm greeting too.

"Hinata, and Kitahara-kun…"

Sakura, mid-stretch, ran over and grabbed Kitahara Hitoshi's right hand.

"I didn't expect to see you two on this mission. This is great!" Sakura said brightly.

Hinata tilted her head.

Sakura wasn't holding her hand.

Hinata's shyness melted into unease.

She glanced at Sakura in surprise.

Was Sakura that close to Kitahara?

Senju Tobirama muttered, "Shuraba…"

Hashirama winced.

"Don't say things like that, Tobirama," he said.

Tobirama didn't understand why he was being scolded.

Chiyo laughed gently. "Youth is a beautiful thing."

Minato added, "Speaking of which… if it's Kurenai leading this team…"

Kakashi finished the thought. "She might lose her Jōnin position."

Minato sighed. "Ah…"

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