Finally…
They're back.
Kazuku and his team bid farewell to Masagawa, returning to the village.
Seeing Konoha's gates, Kazuku felt a lifetime had passed.
"Ah, the border mission's finally over!"
Kazuku stretched, addressing Uchiha Kagami and the others.
The four parted briefly, Kazuku heading home to rest.
The next morning…
An Anbu ninja visited, "You're Young Master Kazuku, right?"
"That's me."
The Anbu revealed he was sent by Lord Tobirama to fetch Kazuku.
Unsure why Tobirama summoned him, Kazuku followed.
Soon, he arrived at the Hokage Building with the Anbu.
The Anbu remained silent throughout.
Stopping at a door, he knocked gently.
With Tobirama's permission, he opened it.
But…
The Anbu didn't enter, staying by the door, gesturing Kazuku to proceed.
"Thanks."
Kazuku nodded, thanking the guide, then walked in.
The door closed softly behind him.
The scene inside surprised him.
Not only was Tobirama present, but all Konoha's prominent clan leaders sat in two rows, faces serious.
Tobirama sat at the head, arms crossed.
The grand setup caught Kazuku off guard.
He glanced back.
No one was behind him, just the closed door.
"Kazuku."
Tobirama broke the silence, calling his name, directing him to the center.
Sarutobi clan leader.
Shimura clan leader.
Uchiha clan leader.
Akimichi clan leader.
Hyuga clan leader.
And more.
All eyed Kazuku.
Though they'd seen him defeat the Third Kazekage…
And were shocked by his strength…
In just a month, Tobirama wanted to appoint him special jonin.
This was staggering.
Crucially…
Normally, appointments only required notifying clans.
With no objections, the Hokage announced it in the office.
Gathering all clan leaders like this…
Was a first.
Yet their gazes held skepticism.
Did Kazuku qualify as special jonin?
Unlike jonin…
Special jonin, or "unique jonin," required mastery of a special skill beyond the three basics:
Ninjutsu.
Genjutsu.
Taijutsu.
But Kazuku…
Was only seven, right?
Recently promoted to chunin.
He'd only done one border mission.
Promoting him to special jonin upon return…
Seemed unreasonable.
Even as the First Hokage's grandson, promotions should follow protocol.
Unbeknownst to them…
Tobirama followed protocol, choosing special jonin first.
Otherwise, he'd have made Kazuku a jonin.
Though Kazuku had jonin-level strength…
His mission count was low.
His village contributions weren't enough for jonin.
Even as a relative, Tobirama couldn't bend rules that far.
After consideration, he chose special jonin.
Letting Kazuku take missions as one.
Once contributions sufficed, he'd promote him to jonin.
After all…
Per Tobirama's rules…
Mission levels were divided by jonin, chunin, and genin.
Special jonin missions were higher than chunin ones.
Higher missions meant more contributions.
This was the fastest path to jonin.
And…
Tobirama had a subtle motive.
To show Konoha's clan leaders…
How terrifying Kazuku's strength was!
"Since Kazuku's here, I'll explain."
Tobirama stood, recounting Kazuku's intel mission, ambushed by Silver Horn.
How he resolved it, retrieved vital intel, and repelled Gold Horn's squad.
As Tobirama spoke…
All clan leaders' gazes fixed on Kazuku, incredulous.
In their view…
In that situation, even swapping roles, they might not have handled it better.
"But that's nothing."
"Just days ago, Kumogakure's elite jonin, Gold and Silver Horn, led a squad invading our border."
Tobirama didn't mention they targeted Kazuku.
He framed it as Kumogakure's invasion.
Kazuku happened to spot them.
A fierce battle ensued.
After a hard fight, Kazuku wiped out their squad.
The room erupted.
Their gazes at Kazuku filled with shock and disbelief.
Kazuku wiped out an entire squad?
He's seven, a chunin, right?
Crucially…
During the chunin exam, they saw his fight.
His taijutsu and Water Release were impressive.
But wiping out an elite jonin-led squad…
Was too fantastical.
They doubted its truth.
"Lord Tobirama, is this true?"
The Shimura clan leader questioned.
Even if Kazuku was the First Hokage's grandson, using this to force a promotion…
Seemed improper.
As he spoke, others murmured, doubting the story.
"Absolutely true."
Tobirama raised his voice, speaking firmly, his gaze sweeping the room.
His sharp eyes seemed to say, "Would I, Tobirama, lie?"
"In fact, this is my second point."
"Kazuku, as the First Hokage's grandson, perfectly inherited his power."
"Wood Release!"
Tobirama dropped the bombshell.
The room exploded.
Especially the Uchiha and Hyuga clan leaders.
One activated Sharingan.
The other Byakugan.
Scrutinizing Kazuku.
No explanation was needed for what Wood Release meant.
"With such feats and Wood Release, promoting Kazuku to special jonin is reasonable."
Tobirama paused, "Who's for, who's against?"
(End of Chapter)