Throughout the process, Kazuku was utterly baffled.
Though called "jonin," special jonin strength lay between chunin and jonin.
Logically, such an appointment only needed Tobirama's word.
There was no need to gather Konoha's clan leaders.
At least, Kazuku thought it unnecessary.
"So, Tobirama isn't really seeking their approval to appoint me as special jonin."
Kazuku pondered, analyzing calmly.
He reached a conclusion.
The meeting's focus wasn't the special jonin title, but Wood Release!
As Hashirama, who ended the Warring States and founded the ninja village system…
He was hailed as the God of Shinobi!
Unlike Naruto's era…
People now only heard legends of Hashirama, with little grasp of his power.
But the clan leaders here were different.
They were Warring States veterans.
Many had witnessed Wood Release on the battlefield.
What kind of power it was…
Needed no explanation from Tobirama.
Especially since Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Third Hokage, and Danzo conducted human experiments…
Hoping to restore Wood Release to Konoha.
This showed…
Hashirama's Wood Release was a force that could shape the next generation!
Before announcing his promotion, Tobirama emphasized…
That Kazuku had mastered Wood Release.
When he mentioned it, every clan leader gasped.
Their eyes filled with shock and disbelief!
"Even if this was important enough to require clan leaders' presence and discussion…"
"It could've been done after the meeting, summoning me privately to the Hokage's office!"
The more Kazuku thought, the more he felt anointed.
"I understand."
Kazuku scanned the gathered clan leaders.
Tobirama's true intent was to tell everyone…
From today, Kazuku…
Would be the next Hokage's heir!
Simultaneously, Tobirama tested the clans' attitudes.
Of course, this was just Kazuku's perspective.
The truth? He couldn't be sure.
Perhaps it was all a coincidence.
Regardless, his promotion to special jonin was settled.
The clan leaders' hearts were like stormy seas, unable to calm.
A seven-year-old special jonin—what a concept?
Unprecedented!
They even felt Kazuku's achievements might be unmatched in the future!
Especially his demeanor.
They expected him to leap with excitement or barely contain his joy.
But…
He was calmer than imagined.
Nothing like a seven-year-old.
His composed expression seemed to say…
What's there to be excited about? It's just special jonin.
With his strength, even jonin wasn't an issue.
A…
Seven-year-old special jonin.
This news would surely shock Konoha's ninja.
Thus, with Tobirama officially appointing Kazuku as special jonin, the matter concluded.
But the clan leaders' awe of Kazuku lingered.
Especially the Uchiha clan leader.
No comparison, no pain.
Uchiha Setsuna, his great hope, was instantly defeated by Kazuku in the chunin exam's first round.
None of the Uchiha could match Kazuku's feats!
Must they truly join the Senju?
The Uchiha leader thought of marriage again.
After the meeting, the clan leaders left the Hokage Building, returning to their compounds.
On the way, several gathered, discussing Kazuku's future.
To them, a seven-year-old special jonin…
His achievements wouldn't stop there.
Crucially, Kazuku's feats were staggering.
"I heard from Hiruzen that Kazuku's first mission pitted him against Kirigakure's Magnet Release ninja, Chikusho."
The Sarutobi leader shared what he knew.
Back then, Kazuku hadn't used Wood Release, defeating Chikusho with Morning Peacock.
And Chikusho was a kekkei genkai ninja!
"Even for jonin, kekkei genkai users are tough opponents."
"Yet Kazuku, a rookie, defeated such a fearsome foe!"
"Indeed." The Shimura leader nodded, "Even our Danzo lost to Kazuku."
"Lately, he calls Kazuku's name in his sleep."
"You know Danzo's talent—our clan's genius."
"Yet he narrowly lost to Kazuku!"
When he first heard, the Shimura leader was incredulous.
But after confirming, he had to accept it.
"And the chunin exam, his fight with the Suna ninja."
The Hyuga leader joined, "It didn't look like two genin fighting."
To these leaders, even without Wood Release…
Kazuku's talent and strength were monstrous.
Now, with Wood Release…
His power had transformed dramatically.
This was why they saw no issue with him as special jonin.
It had little to do with being Hashirama's grandson.
"But looking at it…"
"Tobirama's grooming Kazuku as a future Hokage, right?"
The Sarutobi leader cut to the chase.
To him, anyone with sense could see Tobirama's high hopes for Kazuku.
Under Tobirama's guidance, Kazuku might become…
The youngest Hokage in history.
"Say, could Kazuku become Hokage before twenty?"
The Hyuga leader joked, indifferent to who became Hokage.
Living peacefully in the village was enough.
In the Warring States, they'd racked their brains to protect their clan.
Finally developing the Caged Bird seal.
Yet when he said this jokingly…
He noticed everyone's expressions were deadly serious.
As if…
A Hokage under twenty wasn't unrealistic.
(End of Chapter)