A few days later.
In the Hokage's office in Konoha.
"I didn't expect this matter to be so complicated."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a serious expression, puffed on his pipe as he looked at Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Takemi. He now felt that the situation had become even more serious.
Especially after hearing the news these three brought back, he felt a bitoverwhelmed.
"Indeed, we didn't expect it either." Jiraiya nodded earnestly.
"That guy is indeed Obito, and he is also the culprit who killed Minato."
"According to our investigation, he harbors ill will not just towards Konoha, but towards the entire Ninja World."
"That's right, he's now…"
Kakashi nodded and said, "He has completely gone mad, and his organization probably supports him in doing so. They are too dangerous!"
Dangerous?
This is more than just dangerous!
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe. The Kirigakure operation this time could be said to have been extremely fruitful, and the information they obtained was incredibly vast.
But knowing too much startled him.
The Mizukage being controlled, Minato's true cause of death, and that mysterious organization...
At this moment, even Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had weathered many storms, felt his scalp tingle.
Moreover, what they had uncovered was probably just the tip of the iceberg. Who was behind Obito was still unknown, and how the Wood Release came to be was also unclear.
But even this much information was truly deadly...
"Go and call Danzo over."
After a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his brow helplessly, looked up, and spoke to the Anbu hidden in the shadows.
Then he continued, "I will have Danzo follow up on this matter. Although Root... no matter what, they do have their unique strengths in intelligence."
"And I will send people to communicate with Kirigakure, and at the same time, I will try to gauge the attitudes of the other villages to see what their reactions will be."
If they can control the Mizukage, then what about the other Kage?
All these matters must be handled properly!
"Besides that, I will issue a bounty for Obito. But I hope you understand that some things I cannot make public."
"After all, we need to interact with Kirigakure, so…"
"We understand."
Kakashi and Jiraiya both nodded. They could understand this matter, its impact was too severe.
"That's good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, then turned his head to look at Takemi, who had been lost in thought.
He spoke with great emotion, "Takemi, this time... you were truly incredible!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Takemi was formidable, especially since he had heard Kakashi and Jiraiya marvel at hislearning ability more than once.
Although he was surprised that his performance in school, while excellent, hadn't reached this level, he didn't find it too strange.
Some people only truly show their unique talents once they become a ninja.
Even so...
Takemi was truly outrageous!
"But these are all good things. This is a child of Konoha..."
On this trip to Kirigakure, Takemi brought too many incredible things.
It was his idea that allowed them to enter Kirigakure smoothly, it was he who confirmed Obito as the culprit from ten years ago, and he defeated him again using Minato's mark.
Moreover, it was he who led everyone out safely and obtained the most crucial intelligence. He truly gave him a huge surprise and shock.
"Uh, thank you, Lord Hokage."
Takemi had been thinking about other issues. Normally, he wouldn't be qualified to attend such a meeting. He was only here because he was deeply involved in the mission this time.
He thought there wouldn't be anything for him, but unexpectedly, he was called upon again. Fortunately, he quickly snapped back to attention.
"This is what I should do. After all, I am a Konoha Ninja."
"You, there's no need to be modest..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mood improved significantly upon hearing this.
Although... although this kid had conned him out of a bowl of ramen before leaving Konoha...
Shaking his head, he became a bit more serious and said, "Takemi, you are indeed excellent, but you still have much to learn. An excellent ninja must maintain a humble heart to continuously grow."
"Moreover, the people and organizations we need to deal with and investigate this time are too terrifying, and you caused so much damage to them, I'm worried..."
"So I hope you can calm down and temporarily stay in Konoha to study diligently, focusing your energy on improving yourself."
"This can also be considered protecting your safety while allowing you to improve yourself."
When Sarutobi Hiruzen said this, he was somewhat worried that Takemi would be unwilling, after all, which genius isn't arrogant?
After thinking for a moment, he immediately added another sentence, "Also, your performance this time was exceptionally outstanding, and the mission is rated as S-rank. If you want any reward, you can directly ask, and I will try my best to fulfill it."
"Is that so?"
Takemi's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this. He had originally planned to stay in Konoha to study his rewards.
Especially since his eyes had reached their limit and might level up at any time, he also needed to guard against too much change in himself.
Besides, if he wants to go out... With the Flying Thunder God Technique in hand, is it difficult?
As for the reward, he thought for a moment and then asked cautiously, "Um, can I be promoted to Jonin?"
"..."
"Lord Hokage, although I know I still have shortcomings, I can learn, and I should be capable enough, right?"
"..."
"Besides, Kakashi-sensei was also a Jonin at this age, so..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's forehead twitched faintly. He felt like he might have said the wrong thing.
What is a Jonin?
They are the most elite personnel of the village, considered to be potential candidates for the Hokage seat.
Although, becoming Hokage is not that simple...
But if you're not even a Jonin, it basically means you haven't even entered the threshold.
Konoha has over a hundred thousand people, and tens of thousands of ninjas, but how many Jonin are there?
Moreover, it's not wartime now. If he promotes Takemi, there might be adverse effects.
"Jonin... requires careful selection, more knowledge, and the ability to lead independently."
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his brow, trying to persuade him patiently, "Also, becoming a Jonin means you'll have to lead your own team. You don't want to leave Kakashi right now, do you?"
"Hmm…"
Takemi turned his head to glance at Kakashi, then asked in confusion, "But I heard that after Kakashi-sensei became a Jonin, he still…"
"Your Chunin promotion has been approved!"
"But…"
"Don't worry, you're excellent enough and don't need further assessment. All right, you're tired. Go back and rest quickly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately started to usher him out. He really didn't want to argue with Takemi anymore.
"Then, Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave too."
Kakashi shrugged, walked over, put his arm around Takemi's shoulder, and started walking out.
"Dinner party tonight, go back and rest early to regain your energy. Let's go."
"Tsk."
Takemi pursed his lips. He still wanted to see if he could resolve the main mission this time.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was too stingy, wasn't he?
However, he didn't care. After all, this time's reward wasn't bad at all.
Besides the Three-Tails' Chakra, he also got a very interesting item.
[Completed Kakashi's exclusive side mission 2]
[World-Weary Obito, Broken Him]
[Reward: White Zetsu's special Yang Release Chakra]
"Another Yang Release Chakra, huh…"
Takemi had already received Kimimaro's Yang Release Chakra, but that belonged to the 'Ōtsutsuki Hamura' series.
And his eyes were also awakening, so it could be considered complete.
Now that he had received this reward, he seemed to have also gathered the 'Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo' series.
"But, it's not the true Indra and Asura…"
He felt a bit of regret, but Takemi felt it was enough. Combined with the Three-Tails' Chakra and this time's gains.
"I'm definitely going to have a big leap in power!"
Thinking this, he quickened his pace. He just wanted to go home quickly and experience it properly.
"This child…"
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Kakashi and Takemi's retreating figures with a wry smile. After a while, he shook his head.
"He truly is an excellent child."
"Indeed, although his personality is a bit lacking, he is truly excellent."
Jiraiya nodded along, then he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a grin.
"But isn't it normal for each generation to be stronger than the last?"
"Indeed, looking at him, I feel like I'm getting old." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
Perhaps because he was overly sentimental, he suddenly asked with a smile, "Jiraiya, would you like to help me? I'll hand the Hokage position over to you?"
But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw Danzo at the door, staring at him with wide eyes.
"?!"
"..."