Chapter 366: How Can It Be Like This?
Sunagakure.
"What?! On what grounds can I, a genius puppeteer, not be certified as a One-Star Puppet Hunter?"
Veins popped on Kankuro's forehead as he stared at the certification examiner in disbelief. Having performed distinguished service during the Fourth War, he had already received the certificate for a One-Star Honorary Ninja.
But he wanted more than just that; he wanted the official Puppet Hunter certification to go with it. As arguably the most outstanding puppeteer currently in the shinobi world, he had walked into the Hunter Association today brimming with confidence. He had stepped onto the testing grounds with confidence. He had expected to walk away with the One-Star Puppet Hunter title with confidence. Instead, he had failed.
The examiner wiped sweat from his brow. "Lord Kankuro, every specialized star-rank assessment has different requirements. For the Puppet Hunter certification, you need to have achieved extraordinary feats in the field of puppetry itself. Whether it's developing a breakthrough chakra thread control technique, creating a revolutionary puppet design, or other major contributions to the craft—those are the criteria. But you... according to the Association's data, your current puppets were mostly salvaged. While your Black Secret Technique is impressive, you know in your heart that it doesn't represent a 'pioneering contribution' to the development of the Puppet Master profession."
The examiner was breakng out in a cold sweat. Kankuro was a Jonin of Suna with immense power and status. However, the examiner had to maintain the Association's professional integrity. He had passed the exam to become a "Contracted Ninja" for the Association and signed a long-term work contract; he had to follow the rules, or he'd lose his own One-Star status. He could only say sorry to Lord Kankuro.
"That's not right. If even I can't get certified, then there are no puppeteers left in this world who can," Kankuro muttered, feeling the loneliness of his craft. He was frustrated by the denial of his achievements, yet he couldn't bring himself to use his political power to lower the Association's standards. That would be an insult to the art of puppetry.
The examiner smiled tentatively. "Based on historical records of puppeteers, Sasori of the Red Sand from the Akatsuki could have achieved a star rating for his Red Secret Technique and Human Puppet technology. Or Lady Chiyo, who led the team to develop the Reanimation Jutsu—a ninjutsu that breathes life into puppets. These are the kinds of pioneering technologies that reach certification level. Honestly, Lord Kankuro, I think you should wait a bit. The Association is brand new; the difficulty of the assessments will likely be adjusted later. They might lower the standards."
Snap!
Kankuro's face turned beet red. He roared at the examiner, "Are you insulting me?! Are you insulting the art of puppetry?! I will reach those requirements! Hmph!" He turned and stormed out.
"Phew!" The examiner exhaled a long breath. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I? The difficulty is supposed to be adjusted..."
Sunagakure, Kazekage Office Rooftop.
"I heard Kankuro hit a wall at the Hunter Association. He couldn't even get a One-Star Puppet Hunter certification! Hahahaha! Serves him right for acting like such a 'genius' all the time!" Temari laughed loudly. She could perfectly imagine her brother's frustration. Kankuro wouldn't care about other certifications, but he absolutely cared about his standing in the Way of the Puppet.
Gaara looked at Temari. "The standards are indeed high, but I think it's meaningful. If it were too easy, the order of the shinobi world would fall into chaos again. If it weren't for Tonbo Tobitake's specific suggestion, I would have actually suggested increasing the difficulty further to stimulate the passion of our puppet brigade."
For years, Suna's progress in puppetry had been stagnant, relying on slow accumulation rather than breakthroughs since the ban on the Reanimation Jutsu.
"I have to say, Senior Tonbo's suggestion is very effective. Right now, think-tanks in every nation are analyzing how this system will impact the world," Temari said.
Gaara nodded. "As Suna's first One-Star Strategy Hunter, where do you think the influence is headed?"
"The positive side, obviously," Temari replied. "War will never truly disappear as long as people are alive. But with the Association established and these new concepts, the attention of ninjas will be focused on their specific fields. Even if wars occur, the scale will be many times smaller than before."
She paused, then added with a grin, "But I'm still a bit jealous... being one of the Five Kage grants an automatic Triple-Star Leadership Hunter certification. I'm so envious."
"Being a Kage isn't the only way to get a Triple-Star Leadership certification. It's just that the Five Kage did exactly what leaders should do during the war. More importantly... Chojuro, study hard."
In the Mizukage's office in Kirigakure, Mei Terumi spoke with an exhausted expression.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Chojuro blushed. He felt a bit ashamed; he never expected to be on the path to becoming Mizukage at such a young age. Once he took the mantle, he might be rated as a Triple-Star Leader too. What a glorious title.
Mei Terumi sighed. The war was over, and she had little interest in what kind of "Hunter" she became. She was thirty-one. If she didn't get married soon, it would be too late. She heard Tonbo Tobitake from Konoha got married at eighteen and already had three kids. She was green with envy.
Damn that Uchiha Madara and the Blood Mist incident... If it hadn't been for that, she might have had a chance to find someone back then. Now she was struggling to find a dating partner. She desperately needed Chojuro to finish his training so she could retire and start her "journey of love."
Iwagakure.
"I didn't expect an old man of nearly eighty like me to receive such a high honor. I guess I've still got it!"
Crack!
Before Onoki could finish his boast, his eyes bugged out as his back gave a sharp pop.
"Grandpa, stop trying so hard. Just stay for two more years and then hand the Tsuchikage position to me, seriously," Kurotsuchi said, supporting him while teasing.
"Nonsense! My body is as hard as Stone—" Crack! "Alright... I admit it. This old man needs to retire soon!" Onoki sighed. "Though, I didn't think a stubborn old goat like me would agree to such a massive reform by the Shinobi Alliance."
"It's a miracle," Kurotsuchi remarked. "The establishment of the World Hunter Association is revolutionary. It's on the same level as when Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara created the hidden villages. It's a literal epoch-making revolution."
"I may be old, but I'm not stupid," Onoki said. "I am now one of the greatest revolutionaries in history. Actually... I thought the future would rely solely on Naruto's infectious personality to bring peace. I didn't expect Tonbo Tobitake to have such a grand vision as well."
Tonbo provided the suggestion, but the Five Kage made the decision. They were all leaders of this world-changing reform. Onoki wasn't about to let such a golden opportunity for a legacy slip away.
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