"That—Great Elder, you just said, um—Sister Mikoto, she—"
On the way back, Uchiha Gen hesitated to speak, but finally couldn't help but open his mouth.
"Heh."
"
The Great Elder glanced at Uchiha Gen and gave a cold chuckle.
"That was just an excuse to pull you out. Otherwise, believe it or not, you would have been so entangled by those people that you wouldn't have been able to get away."
"I see, that makes sense."
Uchiha Gen nodded in understanding.
He was a hot commodity now.
Within the current Uchiha Clan, he was an absolute top-tier combatant, and he also possessed equally top-tier Medical Ninjutsu—a rarity within the clan and one of only three such powerful practitioners in Konoha.
Based on these alone, he was qualified to sit on equal footing with those influential figures in the clan. As for positions like Elder, he only lacked the seniority and prestige that comes with the passage of time.
Not to mention he was still very young, representing not just the present, but the future.
However, despite the logic, Uchiha Gen couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment in his heart.
To be honest, he still had a lot of affection for a beautiful older sister like Mikoto.
That was until a pretty figure appeared at the intersection not far ahead.
"Grandfather, you're back? And Gen, did you miss me? I've heard plenty of clansmen talking about your great achievements lately."
Uchiha Mikoto stood there in the sunlight, smiling faintly at the two of them.
Beneath her dark green high ponytail, her eyes curved into gentle crescents.
The light blue combat uniform she hadn't changed out of yet added a touch of valiancy. Her long, pale legs glowed like jade in the sunlight, incredibly alluring.
The innocence of a young girl and the gentle intellect of an older sister blended perfectly at this moment.
"I definitely did, Sister Mikoto. I was just talking about you with the Great Elder on the way back."
Uchiha Gen grinned at Mikoto.
The Great Elder watched the interaction between the two youngsters expressionlessly and turned his head away.
Uchiha Gen was a catch, but his granddaughter was no less so.
The only daughter of the Great Elder's house, with extraordinary looks and top-tier Ninja talent and aptitude—which family in the clan wouldn't covet her?
If someone truly married her, wouldn't that mean inheriting the wealth and political capital he, the Great Elder, had accumulated over a lifetime?
In the past, Uchiha Mikoto was still young, so he had excuses, but now as she passed sixteen and became increasingly outstanding, there were many things he could no longer refuse.
He was already over seventy, his body riddled with old wounds from his youth. He didn't have many years left to live and couldn't protect Uchiha Mikoto forever. He could only try his best to find a sufficiently strong junior to protect his granddaughter while he was still alive.
"Let's wait another two years and see."
This kid is still too young right now.
That day at noon, not long after Uchiha Gen finished dinner at the Great Elder's house, he received another notice from the Anbu.
He had to go to the Hokage Building.
The Clan Head and the Third Hokage had returned from the front lines in the same batch.
While he was treating Clan Head Hisu at the clan head's residence in the morning, the Third Hokage was also handling some affairs after returning to Konoha. It wasn't until the handover was complete that he had the free time to summon Uchiha Gen.
If he guessed correctly, this should be about his promotion to Jonin.
A few minutes later.
Inside the Hokage Office.
"Lord Third, Uchiha Gen has arrived."
"Let him in."
A vigorous voice rang out in the room.
As soon as Uchiha Gen pushed open the door, he smelled a strong scent of tobacco.
The Third Hokage stood with one hand behind his back, facing away from the door toward the floor-to-ceiling window. Holding a pipe, he gazed at the distant Hokage Rock.
"Lord Third."
Uchiha Gen walked to the desk and spoke.
"Mm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and turned to look at Uchiha Gen, his eyes carrying a hint of exhaustion.
His battles with Kumogakure in the Land of Hot Springs had been a mix of victories and defeats. His personal performance was commendable, but strategically, he hadn't gained much of an advantage over the enemy.
If Orochimaru hadn't led the team to several brilliant victories on the Land of Rain battlefield, turning the tide and greatly easing Konoha's pressure, he would still be scratching his head in frustration.
Now that Sunagakure had been forced back in the Land of Rain and the threat to the northwestern territory of the Land of Fire was cleared, Kumogakure— "Although I anticipated long ago that you, like Kagami, would one day become a pillar of the Village, I didn't expect your growth to be so rapid."
"It is all thanks to the proper guidance of Lord Third and Teacher Orochimaru, as well as Teacher Jiraiya, Teacher Tsunade, and the elders in the clan who have given me great help."
Uchiha Gen said sincerely.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the Great Elder Uchiha Gen were all benefactors who played key roles along his path.
Well, the Third Hokage was also indispensable; without his approval, he wouldn't have become Orochimaru's disciple or come into contact with the Sannin.
Of course, the main reason he could grow so quickly was the various bonuses brought by the system.
Otherwise, with his talent, even with such training resources, without some massive stroke of luck, he wouldn't be much better than Enju Sarutobi right now, still struggling to prepare for the Nature Transformation of Ninjutsu for a promotion to Special Jonin.
To possess his current combat power before reaching adulthood was almost an extraordinary realization of talent.
"I haven't given you much guidance."
The Third Hokage shook his head.
He knew his own involvement and understood that Uchiha Gen was just being complimentary.
But fortunately, Uchiha Gen was personally trained by Orochimaru, and his Will of Fire had been recognized by Uzumaki Mito, indicating that like Uchiha Kagami, his thoughts were controllable.
Otherwise, he would never feel at ease letting such a young Uchiha rise so rapidly.
If a second person like Madara emerged—ambitious, with the strength and ability to covet the position of Hokage—he would have to find a way to eliminate them now.
Now the Third Hokage felt increasingly fortunate for his foresight.
"Your achievements today are due to the merits of your teachers and companions, as well as your own hard work. I didn't play much of a role, but I can at least be considered a witness."
With some emotion, the Third Hokage took a new certificate from the desk and handed it to Uchiha Gen.
The latter's heart stirred as he opened the certificate.
Under Uchiha Gen's ID photo and Ninja registration number, in the rank column, the word 'Jonin' was clearly visible.
"From this moment on, you are a Jonin. You will enjoy all the stipends of a Jonin, have the right to participate in the Jonin Council Meeting and the Hokage vote of confidence, can apply for direct dialogue with the Hokage Office, and gain the qualification to hold major leadership positions in various first-level departments."
The Third Hokage walked up to Uchiha Gen, patted his shoulder, and gave an encouraging smile.
"Congratulations, the youngest Jonin in the history of Konoha Village."