Chapter 269: Orochimaru: Tetsuya-kun, please be my right hand! Undercurrent surges!
"Hokage-sama! You called for me?"
Hokage Office!
After resting at home for several days!
Fujiwara Tetsuya was still called over by Hiruzen Sarutobi!
"Tetsuya! You did well this time!"
"I've heard all about your performance on the front lines from Orochimaru and Tsunade!"
"You've truly worked hard..."
Looking at the energetic Fujiwara Tetsuya!
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but show a slight smile!
This is Konoha! The will of fire passed down!
The older generation has him! And Danzo! And Koharu and Homura!
The younger generation has Jiraiya! Orochimaru! Tsunade! Sakumo! Dan... a large group of excellent Ninja!
The new generation! There's Fujiwara Tetsuya! Minato Namikaze! The twin stars of the Hyuga Clan... these promising juniors!
If there were no wars!
Konoha's present and future! Would surely be peaceful and harmonious!
"Hokage-sama, you flatter me!"
"All of this! Is for the Village! For peace!"
"You truly live up to your name, Tetsuya! You are indeed the junior I value!"
"I called you here today! Because there's something I need to discuss with you! The Village plans to hold a large-scale promotion assessment soon!"
"I originally wanted Orochimaru and Tsunade to be in charge of this matter!"
"But you know Tsunade's personality! So after discussing with Orochimaru, Orochimaru recommended you to be his deputy! To assist him in presiding over this promotion assessment!"
"I know! The war has left everyone very tired!"
"But this matter! Is very important to the Village... so I'm entrusting it to you!"
He said it was a discussion! But Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly didn't want to give Fujiwara Tetsuya a chance to refuse!
Smiling cheerfully! After patting Fujiwara Tetsuya's shoulder!
He directly handed this matter over to Fujiwara Tetsuya!
"I understand... Hokage-sama, I will do my best to cooperate with Senior Orochimaru to handle this matter!"
Thinking of working closely with Orochimaru!
Fujiwara Tetsuya's scalp tingled slightly!
After all! That one!
Is either plotting against others! Or being plotted against by others!
The danger factor is truly too high!
"Mm! Relax! I believe you are fully capable of handling this matter!"
"By the way... Jiraiya! Is he doing well in the Land of Rain?"
When Jiraiya was mentioned! Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood seemed to drop considerably!
That seemingly narrow forehead! Unconsciously gained many more wrinkles!
"Senior Jiraiya, you mean!"
"He... is doing well!"
"In my opinion! Hokage-sama, you really don't need to worry too much about Senior Jiraiya!"
"Because Senior Jiraiya is also a powerful Ninja who inherits the will of fire!"
"When he feels the time is right! He will naturally return to the Village!"
Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi's worries!
Strictly speaking! Fujiwara Tetsuya was somewhat silent!
For these three mavericks!
All of this! Is just the prelude to their rebellious phase just beginning!
...Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's deliberate push!
The matter of the promotion assessment! Only took one morning!
To spread throughout Konoha!
Making it known to everyone!
Whether it was common Ninja! Or Ninja from small and medium-sized Shinobi Clans or prominent families!
Even unrelated Villagers!
All turned their attention! To this matter!
Hyuga Clan!
With Hyuga Hiashi! Hyuga Hizashi establishing countless merits on the Land of Rain battlefield!
Their status within the Clan grew increasingly high!
Whether it was the Main House! Or the Branch House!
Both regarded Hiashi! And Hizashi! As their future hopes!
"Hiashi! Hizashi!"
"Although this promotion assessment will be presided over by Orochimaru!"
"But on those three days! The high-ranking officials led by the Sandaime! And even some renowned dignitaries from the Land of Fire!"
"Will all be present!"
"For the honor of the Hyuga Clan! Merely passing the promotion assessment is far from enough!"
"I need both of you! In the promotion assessment! With absolute! Overwhelming advantage... to defeat your opponents!"
"Completely overshadow the Uchiha and Senju!"
"Uchiha?"
"Elder Kai! As far as I know! This time, only Uchiha Mikoto from the Uchiha Clan participated in the war against the Hidden Rain Village!"
"And she! Due to Fujiwara Tetsuya! Has already been temporarily promoted to Jonin during the war!"
"Could it be that? This promotion assessment! She still has to participate as a formality?"
Compared to the rookies from the Hyuga Clan's Main House! And those protected by the Branch House! Who had never experienced the baptism of war!
Hyuga Hiashi! Hyuga Hizashi!
During the war between Konoha and the Hidden Rain Village!
Had seen countless talented Ninja!
And had long since curbed their arrogance!
And coincidentally! Uchiha Mikoto was one of them!
"Not her! It's other Ninja from the Uchiha Clan!"
"Other Ninja!"
Hearing Hyuga Kai's reply!
Hyuga Hiashi! Hyuga Hizashi's expressions paused slightly!
Didn't they say!
This promotion assessment was prepared for those Ninja who had made contributions in the war?
Why could those Ninja from the Uchiha Clan who had not participated in the war!
Also participate in this promotion assessment!
"I know what you're wondering about!"
"The upcoming war situation! Is far from as optimistic as imagined!"
"Besides the Hidden Sand Village!"
"Perhaps equally powerful enemies will join the battle!"
"To defend Konoha! And achieve ultimate victory! The power of the Uchiha Clan is indispensable!"
"And these! Are the results of the negotiations between the Sandaime and the Uchiha Clan!"
In the year-long war with the Hidden Rain Village!
The Senju Clan suffered heavy losses!
The Hyuga Clan also had a tough time!
Although no Clan members from the Main House died on that battlefield!
However, dozens of Clan members from the Branch House! Also perished one after another!
If the war continued! Or... drastically worsened!
Neither he! Nor all the high-ranking officials of the Hyuga Clan!
Could predict... what the ultimate outcome of the Hyuga Clan would be!
Would it... be like the Senju Clan today?
"Phew~ I've told you a bit too much at once!"
"These matters! Are for us! For the high-ranking officials of the major Shinobi Clans! And the high-ranking officials of the Village to consider!"
"What you need to do now! Is to adjust your condition as quickly as possible!"
"Hiashi! Hizashi... don't let the Clan members down!"
...Like Hyuga Hiashi! Hyuga Hizashi!
Are just a microcosm within the various Shinobi Clans!
Whether it was the Uchiha Clan that Hyuga Kai just mentioned!
Or the greatly weakened Senju Clan!
Or! The Aburame! Yamanaka! Akimichi! Nara! Inuzuka! Kurama... Shiranui Clan!
The high-ranking officials of all the small and large Shinobi Clans were secretly preparing!
Attempting to make their juniors stand out in the promotion assessment!
You should know!
In Konoha! Especially during wartime!
A Shinobi Clan's influence! Besides depending on the strength of the strongest member of that Shinobi Clan!
Also depends on the number of Chunin! And Jonin in a Shinobi Clan!
Especially powerful Jonin-level individuals!
No matter what era!
Or which Ninja Village!
They are always the pillars of existence!
Pubfuture Ads