Chapter 31: An Unexpected Promotion
"What a swift blade!" Hyūga Harukoshi was forced to leap back, his expression shifting as he reassessed Ryouma.
How can his sword be so fast?
"Ryouma."
Just as the two were about to resume their confrontation, a calm voice called from a large tree nearby. Ryouma looked over to see a masked ANBU operative watching him.
"Huh? Sir, are you looking for me?"
Ryouma smoothly sheathed his sword, adjusted his hold on Hinata to make her more comfortable, and looked up at the ANBU with curiosity.
Swish!
An object like a shuriken shot towards Ryouma. His eyes narrowed, a silvery light flickering within them. A ripple of power emanated from his pupils, acting upon the incoming 'projectile'.
The 'shuriken' shattered under the influence of the Illusion-Breaking Eye's power and fluttered harmlessly to the ground.
Ryouma glanced down and saw it was merely an envelope.
"Ryouma," the ANBU stated, his voice devoid of emotion. "Effective immediately, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Chūnin by special exception. Report to the Hokage's office in three days." Having delivered his message, the ANBU vanished without a trace.
Ryouma stood frozen in place, stunned. Naruto scooped up the envelope from the ground and tore it open, exclaiming, "It's a Chūnin Promotion Notice! That masked guy was telling the truth!"
"Oh? Really?" Kiba leaned in, his competitive spirit momentarily overshadowed by the news.
"Wow, it's true! Ryouma, I can't believe you got promoted to Chūnin directly!"
"Chūnin?" Hyūga Harukoshi's eye twitched. He looked at Ryouma, his face a mask of chagrin and embarrassment. That ANBU... why did he have to show up right after I insulted him as a dead-last? It's like he was waiting to humiliate me!
Ryouma remained motionless, a mix of surprise and confusion swirling within him.
He was surprised by the direct promotion, but puzzled as to why the system hadn't given him any notification.
"Young Mistress," Harukoshi said, turning to Hinata with strained politeness, "since you are in good hands, I shall return and report. I... hope the Young Mistress will not linger outside for too long." Without another word or a backward glance, he strode away, his ears visibly red as he turned.
"Ryouma-nii..." Hinata murmured from his back, her voice soft. "Please... don't mind what Uncle Harukoshi said. He didn't... he didn't mean to target you specifically..."
"Huh?" Naruto suddenly stared intently at Hinata, then at Ryouma. Just as Hinata was about to wilt under his gaze, Naruto blurted out in astonishment, "Whoa, Ryouma! Are you and Hinata together?!"
"What?" Ryouma, snapped out of his daze, was thunderstruck by Naruto's declaration.
Since when is Naruto this perceptive? I was just thinking about how to deal with him, and now he thinks we're a couple?
"Ah..." Hinata was so mortified she wished she could disappear. She wanted to refute it but didn't know how, so she just buried her face deeper, refusing to look up.
"You can think whatever you want," Ryouma said, a roguish grin spreading across his face. He then deliberately added, "Isn't that right, Hinata?"
"Ah... R-Ryouma-nii, why would you say that...?" Hinata's voice was barely a whisper.
"Alright, alright, stop teasing her, Ryouma," Kiba interjected, his tone turning serious. "Ryouma, congratulations on making Chūnin!"
Hearing this, Naruto's expression also sobered. "Ryouma, congratulations on becoming a Chūnin! But I'll catch up to you soon!"
"I'll be waiting."
Ryouma smiled, taking the notice from Naruto. As he did, the system's voice finally echoed in his mind.
"Chūnin Mission Completed. Reward: 250 Almighty Points."
"New Main Mission Acquired: Eliminate Chōjūrō. Reward: 700 Almighty Points."
Three days later, in the Hokage's office, Ryouma stood quietly, waiting as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished processing a stack of documents.
Hiruzen was meticulous in his work. Only after setting the last document aside did he look up at Ryouma. "Do you know why I made an exception to promote you directly to Chūnin?"
"My strength."
"Correct. Your strength." Hiruzen's expression was unreadable, a faint, almost-smile on his lips. "Can you tell me... where did you learn your ninjutsu?"
"No. Because these are ninjutsu I comprehended myself. I don't know where I learned them." Ryouma's answer was blunt and unflinching. Even facing the Third Hokage himself, he could deliver this brazen, irrefutable lie without a hint of shame. Only a fool would admit the truth.
Although Hiruzen had expected Ryouma to be evasive, he hadn't anticipated such a clumsy yet bulletproof excuse. For a moment, the seasoned leader was at a loss for words. He finally shook his head with a sigh. "There is no need for you to participate in the third exam in a few days. I have a mission for you—"
"Lord Hokage, I heard you have a new talent here?" An old, hoarse voice interrupted from the doorway. An elderly man entered, leaning on a cane, his face and one arm heavily bandaged.
"Danzo?" Hiruzen's brow furrowed deeply. "What are you doing here?"
"The numbers in Root have been dwindling. I came to discuss replenishing our ranks, but it seems you already have a candidate right here." Danzo's wrinkled face trembled slightly as he spoke, giving him the appearance of a stern, unyielding elder.
From the moment Danzo entered, a sense of dread washed over Ryouma. His right eyelid began to twitch violently. A very bad feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.
"Danzo, you overreach!" Hiruzen's voice turned cold, his anger at Danzo's audacity palpable.
"Sarutobi," Danzo countered, meeting his gaze squarely. "One Kakashi, one Tenzō... Isn't that enough payment for this one person?" He was dredging up old grievances.
Years ago, both Kakashi and the Wood Style user, Tenzō, had been members of Root before being transferred to the regular ANBU. This matter had always festered in Danzo's heart, and now he used it as a bargaining chip.
"Ryouma..." Hiruzen turned to him, his expression conflicted. "What is your opinion on this?"
"He is still young and doesn't understand these matters. Let's consider this settled!" Danzo cut in, not giving Ryouma a chance to speak. He then turned his gaze fully on Ryouma. "Besides, Ryouma originally hails from another village. Root will train him to become a ninja who truly fights for Konoha."
"Let it be so, then," Hiruzen finally conceded with a heavy sigh, his frown deepening.
A commodity? Ryouma couldn't help but mutter under his breath, watching the exchange between the two leaders.
"Do you have an objection?"
Danzo's words stoked the fire of Ryouma's fury. If he were still weak, he might have had to endure it. But he was no longer that powerless novice. He had proven his potential.
Yet, even so, Hiruzen Sarutobi was pushing him into the fiery pit that was 'Root,' to be 'remolded' by Danzo!
Knowing Danzo's methods all too well, Ryouma dreaded to imagine what would become of him if he fell into the old warhawk's hands.
A wild, desperate thought suddenly ignited in his mind.
Defect... and return when I'm strong enough?