""Hokage-sama""
Uchiha Shinichi and Hatake Sakumo stepped into the Hoakge Office. They bowed respectfully before Senju Tobirama, who sat behind his desk, flanked by Shimura Danzo.
Tobirama the document down on the desk.
"Uchiha Shinichi. Hatake Sakumo. You've completed four D-rank mission, eight C-rank, 15-rank… and three A-rank missions that escalated mid-operation. Your performance and consistency demonstrate that the two of you have at the least fulfilled the required combat capacity of a Jonin."
He paused.
"Therefore, I've decided to promote you both to Jonin – after the completion of this next mission."
Danzo stepped forward and handed them two sealed scroll.
"Is this our jonin exam?" Shinichi asked.
"There is no formal Jonin exam," Danzo replied curtly. "Hokage-sama appoints each Jonin after careful evaluation."
As Danzo returned to his position, Tobirama collapsed his fingers on the desk and nodded.
"I usually promote qualified chunins immediately. But you two are still twelve. This mission will serve as a final test – to reaffirm my decision. The responsibilities of a Jonin are far greater than those of a Chunin. Complete this mission successfully, and your promotion will be confirmed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" the two replied in unison.
"You will need to travel to Kusagakure and deliver this message scroll to the Kusakage. The second scroll contains the specific mission details. Read them thoroughly and dispose of it before you depart Konoha." Tobirama commanded, "You're dismissed."
Shinichi and Sakumo bowed once more and exited swiftly, already planning their preparations for the journey to Kusagakure.
---
Danzo watched the door close behind them, then turned to Tobirama.
"…Sensei. Are you sure it's wise to send those two on such a mission? They have Jonin-level strength, yes – but they're still children."
Tobirama's gaze didn't waver.
"Danzo. Hatake Sakumo is a genius I recognized when he was still in the Academy."
Danzo blinked.
"And Uchiha Shinichi…" Tobirama's voice lowered. "He's something else entirely. His potential… I can't measure it in normal sense..."
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
"But he's an Uchiha."
"Yes," Tobirama said quietly. "And that's exactly why I'm cautious. I don't know whether Shinichi will become a savior of Konoha – like my brother – or fall into darkness like Uchiha Madara."
He leaned back.
"If I try to guide him or influence him, even subtly – he'll sense it. And if he feels manipulated, he may turn his back on the village. It's better to leave him be and watch carefully from a distance."
"But Sensei!" Danzo's voice sharpened. "We can't afford another Madara. We must cut the bud before it blooms."
Tobirama shook his head.
"Not this time. According to Kagami, nearly every Uchiha – regardless of each faction – has very high expectation for Shinichi. Eliminating him without the Uchiha noticing it is near impossible. We can't afford a civil war against Uchiha, especially when war is right around the corner."
He paused.
"Besides… Shinichi is different. He sees beyond his clan. He cares for the village. But his lineage – his identity as the son of Madara's disciple, Uchiha Fukashi – that's what makes him dangerous."
He looked out the window, toward the moonlit rooftops of Konoha.
"Konoha needs another Ninja God. Like my brother. Just one more – one more generation. If Shinichi becomes that, no enemy will dare threaten us and Konoha will have enough time to flourish and become the most dominant force in the world, even if we never produce another Ninja God in the future."
Danzo silently lowered his gaze in compliance, but in his eyes flickered a hunger Tobirama knew all too well – the desire to act instead of betting on the uncertainty. Tobirama closed the distanace and placed his hand on Danzo's shoulder.
"But if we make one wrong move… that same potential could become another Ninja Shura. So be patient, sometimes you must restrain your desires and personal grudges for the sake of Konoha."
Danzo's eyes wavered as he raised his head to face Tobirama. "...Sensei…"
***
"So, our destination is Kusagakure for this mission?" Sakumo asked while adjusting the strap of his scabbard.
Shinichi didn't respond immediately. His brows furrowed.
'Kusagakure… the hidden village that harbors the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. This won't be simple.'
He passed the mission scroll for Sakumo to read while placing the message scroll in his ninja pouch and said, "The main objective is to deliver Hokage-sama's message to the Kusakage."
Sakumo raised an eyebrow as he too read the content.
"This doesn't sound like an A-rank mission to me. According to this intel Kusagakure has less than 50 Jonins and only the Five-Tails and the Kusakage is worth the notice. To be blunt... Their strength and war potential is insignificant."
Shinichi nodded in agreement. "It's true that they are substantially weak compared to the five major hidden villages. But, for a non-major nation, Kusagakure is a relatively stronger among them. Moreover, this is a state-level diplomatic task. It concerns a potential alliance between Kusagakure and Konohagakure in preparation for the upcoming war. Other than that we are also tasked with testing the strength of the new Kusakage."
Sakumo's expression shifted.
"...Then we should get serious. We might encounter Iwanin on the way. Iwa won't sit quietly if Konoha tries to secure an alliance with Kusa."
Clearly, the two were not concerned about the Kusakage at all, but more warry of Iwa or other major hidden villages' interference.
"You're right," Shinichi said, reaching into his pouch. "Here – put this on."
He handed Sakumo a black robe, while slipping one over his own shoulders.
Sakumo examined the fabric.
"Chakra conciliatory silkworm?"
Shinichi nodded.
"It disrupts sensor-type detection. Also, conceal your clan symbol. We're leaving the Land of Fire. Our identities can be used as leverage – or surprise."
Sakumo chuckled.
"Well, thank you, Shinichi. But let's be honest – the element of surprise is mostly for your Uchiha clan. I doubt anyone's losing sleep over the Hatake name."
Shinichi gave him a flat look.
"…Just wear it. Or give it back if you don't want it."
"Haha, no need to get prickly. I'll gladly use this rare commodity."
Shinichi rolled his eyes and turned toward the forest path. Sakumo chuckled and followed suit.
There figures slowly disappeared into the shadows.