"Although you're not old enough yet, you can already get engaged. Once you come of age, you can marry."
Seisui hesitated, glancing at Uchiha Setsuna. The same old man who used to scold and berate me is now asking about engagement… isn't this moving a little fast?
"What are you two staring at me for?" Setsuna snorted as he saw their stunned expressions.
"Is it so strange that I want you engaged?"
Haru lowered her small head, her earlobes turning bright red.
"Maybe after this war?" Seisui cautiously suggested.
"We're heading to the frontlines tomorrow—it doesn't seem appropriate now."
Setsuna nodded at Seisui's words.
"Then after this war. Yes, during wartime isn't the right moment."
By the time Seisui left the Uchiha territory, night had already fallen.
Walking home, he smiled. Today, by sheer luck, he had somehow gained Setsuna's acceptance. While he wasn't afraid of the old man, he was Haru's grandfather, and maintaining good relations was important.
==========
The next morning, Seisui was still asleep when he heard Haru's voice beside him.
"Wake up!"
Stretching and yawning, he got out of bed and greeted her lazily.
"Good morning, Haru."
"The Hokage wants us to go to the office with Sister Tsunade."
"Hmm?" Seisui's mind cleared. "Go… for what?"
"Shouldn't Sister Tsunade go?"
"I don't know," Haru shook her head.
"Then I'll get dressed."
In no time, Seisui had dressed and washed up. Stepping outside, he saw Minato and Tsunade waiting.
"You're lazy, kid," Tsunade said, arms crossed, feigning impatience.
"If I weren't lazy now, I wouldn't have a chance once we reach the frontlines," Seisui defended.
"If I can't be at ease in the village when not on missions, wouldn't that be disrespectful to the Third Hokage?"
"You really know how to make excuses," Tsunade muttered.
"Let's go. I don't know why the old man wants us."
"Maybe it's urgent?" Minato suggested.
"Urgent? It's probably just reminders or meaningless chatter," Tsunade said casually.
As they walked and chatted, they soon arrived at the Hokage building.
Looking at the office, Seisui sighed. From the outside, it seemed normal, but inside, it was reinforced with steel—more secure than a prison. Any ninja locked in here couldn't escape without incredibly powerful cutting jutsu.
"Stop staring and go in," Tsunade said, kicking open the steel door.
"What does the old man want with us?" Seisui called.
"I need to prepare, then we'll depart," Tsunade replied breezily.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the door, noting the single footprint, and chided gently,
"A girl, don't be so violent. You'd have broken the door otherwise. Careful, no one will marry you."
"I don't need anyone to like me!" Tsunade crossed her arms, pouting.
He chuckled and handed Seisui, Minato, and Haru their jonin certification.
"The last time I told you, stopping the Sand ninja for three days was your jonin exam task. You completed it excellently, even killing the Third Kazekage—previously I forgot to reward you."
"From today, the three of you are Konoha's jonin squad!"
He stood and smiled at them.
"Where the leaves flutter, the fire burns endlessly. Let this light guide the village and let new leaves sprout. Keep up the effort!"
"Yes!" Seisui responded first.
Minato, holding his certificate, was overjoyed. Becoming a jonin was recognition of his abilities, even if Hokage wasn't his goal.
"Alright, prepare yourselves. Departure is at noon," Hiruzen said, dismissing them. Tsunade stayed behind.
==========
Back home, Seisui noticed Nawaki unloading bundles of equipment in the courtyard.
"What's all this?" Seisui asked, noticing test tubes and other small instruments.
"My sister said to prepare it. We're going to the frontlines, and we have to bring this along," Nawaki said, showing a test tube.
Couldn't you just leave it with the slug and fetch it when needed? Seisui asked, arms crossed.
Nawaki froze.
Why didn't I think of that?
Being the grandson of the First Hokage, Nawaki had contracts with the slugs of the Shikkotsu Forest and various snakes from the Ryuchi Cave, useful for Orochimaru-style jutsu. He was fortunate indeed.
Soon, Nawaki dumped all Tsunade's experimental medical tools into the forest.
"I, Nawaki, will make a name for myself!" he declared.
"Ghost of the Konoha is nothing. I'll inherit my grandfather's legacy—the God of Shinobi!"
"Really?" Seisui crossed his arms. "Just like you're always dying to your own explosive tags?"
"That was an accident!" Nawaki fumed.
"Just wait—soon, the new God of Shinobi will rise!"
"Don't step on a tag and die," Seisui warned.
"Impossible! I've studied explosive tags thoroughly. I can detect them within ten meters," Nawaki boasted.
Seeing his arrogance, Seisui silently placed a tag on Nawaki's shoulder and calmly said,
"Have you really trained that much? Let's see…"
Nawaki turned and immediately went pale.
"Seisui! You—"
"This was your claim," Seisui said, smirking.
"Ten meters? Smell the tag? Right on your shoulder."
Uzumaki Kushina laughed beside them. Minato smiled too.
Haru shook her head, knowing no one ever ends well against Seisui.
"Nawaki, I'll awaken Wood Release, and you'll regret this!" Nawaki snapped, removing the tag.
"Don't be arrogant," Seisui said seriously.
"One careless move, and you could die in a trap."
Even Minato's smile faded at Seisui's rare serious expression.
Nawaki grew silent, then nodded.
"I'll be careful!"
"Good." Seisui nodded.
Caution is the best safeguard—even for explosive tags.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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