His rise to power is the best example of how ordinary people can surpass the wealthy, and it is an important part of his image as a practitioner of the Will of Fire.
Therefore, it would be best if his first disciple could also continue this symbolic meaning.
Then train another disciple who comes from an ordinary background but will eventually become an unparalleled expert.
This perfectly proves that Shinichi Higashino is not only powerful, but also possesses the ability to turn lead into gold and transform the rotten into the miraculous through teaching!
This proves that his path, philosophy, and teaching methods are effective and capable of breaking down the barriers to Kekkei Genkai and cultivating top-tier experts!
This would be an immeasurable help to him in building his reputation, consolidating his image as a leader among the common people, and winning the support and respect of lower and middle-class ninjas and the general public.
At the same time, it can also help upgrade his teaching-related talents.
The more ordinary the disciple's background and the lower the starting point, the higher the final achievement, which proves the teacher's ability.
The stronger his students are, the greater his reputation becomes.
The greater the reputation, the faster the talent will be upgraded.
The faster the talent is upgraded, the stronger the students he teaches will be.
This is a perfect positive cycle.
And Kabuto Yakushi is the most ideal candidate.
"Shinichi?"
Nono Yakushi's voice came from beside him, interrupting his thoughts.
Shinichi snapped out of his daze and looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
"What were you thinking about just now?"
Nono Yakushiu looked at him with some curiosity: "You were smiling a little strangely."
Shinichi smiled and shook his head, replying: "It's nothing, big sister Nono, I just thought of something... Interesting."
Nono Yakushiu glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.
...
The next morning, the snowstorm stopped, but the sky remained gray and overcast.
An urgent letter bearing the Hokage's seal was delivered by a designated courier to the southwestern front command camp, and copies were swiftly transcribed and sent to all major units, as well as to the heads of the logistics and medical departments.
The first half of the document highly praised the heroic performance, unwavering will, and enormous sacrifices of all the ninjas on the southwestern front in the battle of Kikyo Pass, fully affirmed the merits of the frontline ninjas in defending their homeland with their blood and lives, and expressed deep condolences for the fallen.
After the commendation, the document turned to the practical part, clearly stating that, given the ongoing nature and attrition of the current battle, in order to maintain the fighting capacity and morale of the ninjas in the frontline, Konoha will dispatch a new batch of combat and logistical personnel to the southwestern front in three days to carry out replacement missions.
Each department must complete the statistical work within two days.
Which wounded needed to be sent back to the village after three days for further treatment, which ninjas required replacement and rest due to prolonged combat, and which personnel could continue to remain stationed.
After the list is compiled, it will be submitted to Tsunade and Jiraiya for final approval. All handover procedures will be completed on the day the replacement troops arrive.
After the order was given, the entire camp sprang into action once again.
Each squad leader began counting the casualties under their command, the medical department worked overnight to organize the list of wounded to be sent back, and the logistics department verified material consumption, preparing for the handover with the incoming unit.
Inside the command post.
"Tsunade."
Jiraiya hesitated for a moment before looking at Tsunade and tentatively asking, "Regarding the personnel arrangements for this replacement... Especially in terms of medical support, what are your specific thoughts? Especially regarding Shinichi, what are your ideas?"
"Let him go back."
Tsunade pondered for a moment, then spoke: "This kid has been incredibly busy lately and has caused quite a stir. He should go back and rest for a while. Anyway, the Village Hidden in the Sand won't be able to mount a decent offensive for a long time, so we won't need him."
"With me here, it's enough."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya nodded and said, "Okay, it's settled then."
Three days later.
At the camp entrance, a group of wounded ninjas and personnel who were about to return to Konoha to rest were assembling, and all tasks had been handed over.
Tsunade crossed her arms as she watched the group gradually disappear into the distance, then spoke suddenly: "When this kid goes back, he should be promoted to Jonin."
"Most likely."
Jiraiya stood beside her and nodded upon hearing this: "Shinichi's actions and achievements these days, any one of which alone would be enough to qualify him for the Jonin position, let alone the fact that he has done them all."
"Although he is very young, even naive, given his achievements, no one can say anything about promoting him to Jonin."
"This kid will only turn eleven next month, a ten-year-old Jonin..."
Tsunade sighed, her tone complicated. "Konoha has never had such a young Jonin before. This kid has broken another record."
'Who was the youngest person to hold the record before?'
Tsunade muttered to herself, "I remember it was Sakumo Hatake, right? He was only fourteen years old back then, which was already incredible. But this kid broke the record by four years. With such a great reputation and such a big buzz, I wonder if it's a good thing or a bad thing?"
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya fell silent, knowing what Tsunade was worried about.
They worried that if Shinichi's reputation became too great and his fame too high, he would become the enemy's primary target.
But Jiraiya knew in his heart that even without the title of ten-year-old Jonin, Shinichi's actions during this period had already made him quite well-known in the Shinobi World.
His information has likely already been shared with the intelligence networks of major ninja villages, and he's probably one of the most closely watched.
The fact that Pakura personally led a team to hunt him down is the clearest signal that, whether or not he has the title of the youngest Jonin, the enemies' desire to kill him will not change.
If that were the case, it would be better to directly grant him the title he already deserved. To shape him into a symbolic representative of Konoha's new generation, a young hero who had achieved extraordinary feats on the battlefield and broken records to become a Jonin, and was used to inspire frontline ninjas and reassure the civilians in the rear.
Although he did not know the exact arrangements his teacher had made, based on his understanding of his teacher, Jiraiya believed he would very likely do just that.
Thinking of this, Jiraiya spoke up: "As teachers, all we can do is provide support when students need it, and then believe in them. Young people still have to walk their own path in the future."
"Let's go back."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade remained silent for a moment, then lowered her arms, turned around, and began walking towards the camp.
"There's still a mess waiting for us ahead. We don't have time to stand here sighing."
"Heh, you're right!"
Jiraiya laughed and quickly followed.