Three days later, early in the morning, before the thin mist had fully dispersed, each breath condensed into white vapor in the air.
Konohagakure's gates finally appeared in the team's sight.
From a distance, a dense crowd had already gathered at the gates.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood at the very front in his ceremonial Hokage robes. Behind him were the two advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. Farther back stood the heads of the major clans, along with packed rows of villagers.
In the crowd, some people began waving. Others began shouting. At first, the voices were scattered and chaotic, but they quickly merged into one.
"They're back!"
"They're back!"
"Look! Is that the one in front?"
"Shinichi! It's Shinichi!"
The shouts rose higher and higher, and more and more people joined the cheers.
When Shinichi led the team into the village, the crowd completely erupted. Morning light fell over him, illuminating that young yet resolute face, and a thunderous cheer rang out, echoing across the entire village.
The following procedures unfolded naturally. The Third Hokage stepped forward, offered words of comfort to the returning shinobi, and delivered a speech. His words drifted through the cold wind and the cheers, reaching everyone's ears. Afterward, the crowd surged forward, surrounding the returning heroes.
Amid the crowd, Shinichi saw Shizune and Kurenai. The two girls stood near the front, waving hard at him, bright smiles on their faces.
Not far away, Kakashi stood with both hands in his pockets, expressionlessly watching from the side. Beside him, Obito was standing on tiptoe and craning his neck toward the group, occasionally turning to shout something at Nohara Rin beside him, making her cover her mouth and laugh softly.
The Third Hokage and the two elder advisors stood off to the side, watching this scene and nodding with satisfaction.
The morning light gradually grew warmer, and the cheers lingered for a long time.
...
Konohagakure Administration Building, Hokage's Office.
Among the nearly three thousand personnel who had returned, those who needed rest had already gone home to rest, and those who required further treatment had also been sent to the hospital. But as the person in overall charge of safely leading this team back, and as the one responsible for reporting important frontline information, Shinichi's work was not yet over.
He needed to give Konohagakure's highest decision-making circle a formal and detailed work report.
Shinichi stood before the desk and reported in detail on the team's return over the past three days, as well as the overall situation on the front line—from the handover of the rotation troops to the arrangements for evacuating the wounded, from the specific course of the Battle of Kikyō Pass to Sunagakure's current movements.
The Third Hokage sat behind the desk, listening while nodding slightly from time to time, occasionally taking a puff from his pipe.
Koharu and Homura sat in the chairs off to the side, recording things in their notebooks from time to time. Occasionally, they interjected with a question or two, and Shinichi would pause and answer each one. Only after they nodded would he continue.
"That is the full situation on the southwestern front from after the Battle of Kikyō Pass until the completion of the rotation."
As Shinichi's voice fell, the office was quiet for a moment.
Koharu closed the notebook in her hand and looked up at Shinichi. This woman, always known for being stern and severe, now broke into a smile and spoke first.
"Shinichi, you did very well this time. At such a young age, you were able to shoulder this responsibility and handle everything in an orderly fashion. We have read the reports sent back from the front. Good. Very good. And thank you for everything you have done for the village and for your comrades on the front line."
Homura pushed up his glasses and took over.
"Indeed. What you accomplished this time exceeded all our expectations. The village is proud of you, child."
Finally, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, slowly exhaled a mouthful of smoke and gently set his pipe beside the ashtray on the desk, a gratified smile appearing on his face.
"Shinichi, you did very well this time. You put the Will of Fire into practice in the truest sense. You did not fail the village's expectations of you, and you did not fail your own convictions."
After the praise, the Third Hokage's expression immediately turned solemn. He reached into a drawer and took out a certificate that had clearly been prepared in advance, placing it on the desk.
"Special Jōnin, Higashino Shinichi."
"Present!"
Shinichi straightened at once.
"In view of your outstanding performance, major contributions, top-tier shinobi competence, and absolute loyalty to the village during your time on the southwestern front—"
The Third Hokage's gaze fell on Shinichi's face as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly: "After deliberation by the Hokage and the council of advisors, Special Jōnin Higashino Shinichi is, effective immediately, promoted to Jōnin of Konohagakure!"
With the announcement complete, the Third Hokage picked up the Hokage seal at hand and, at the end of the promotion certificate, firmly stamped it with the vivid red Hokage insignia.
Tap.
With that soft sound, the imprint appeared crisp and clear, symbolizing the formal recognition and authorization of Konohagakure's highest authority.
"May you uphold the Will of Fire and continue striving to protect the village and your comrades."
After stamping it, the Third Hokage gently pushed the promotion certificate forward.
At the very moment the seal was stamped, Shinichi clearly sensed something deep within his consciousness quietly stirring—but he suppressed the urge to inspect it. Now was not the time.
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama, and esteemed advisors!"
Shinichi stepped forward, extending both hands to receive it solemnly.
"Congratulations, child!" Koharu said with a smile from the side.
"From this moment on, you are officially a Jōnin of our village. And you are also the youngest Jōnin in the history of Konohagakure. I'm afraid that record will stand for a very long time."
In truth, given Koharu's typically conservative approach, she had been hesitant about elevating someone as young as Shinichi to the position of "youngest Jōnin."
But the merits this child had achieved were simply too great—so great that they could not be ignored. Enough to override all considerations of age or seniority.
It had reached the point where he had to be granted the honor and status he deserved.
Perhaps this child was destined to break conventions and make history.
Looking at the boy before her, Koharu could not help but think so.
"Keep it up, Shinichi," Homura added with a nod and a smile. "Do not disappoint this honor, nor the expectations the village places on you. Konoha's future needs young people like you."
"Yes! I will give it my all and live up to Hokage-sama's and the elders' expectations—I will not fail Konoha!"
Shinichi carefully put away the certificate and bowed once more.
After straightening, he looked at the Third Hokage and spoke tentatively: "Hokage-sama, regarding Kumogakure—"
Before he could finish, the Third Hokage waved his hand.
"You don't need to concern yourself with that for now."
"Go. Return and get some proper rest. You've worked hard these past days."
Shinichi paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
He said nothing more. After bowing again, he turned and left the office.
The door closed softly behind him, faint voices of conversation from the three remaining inside drifting out.
Stepping out of the Hokage building, the biting cold wind rushed toward him. Shinichi walked slowly along the street. With a slight movement of his thoughts, his personal panel quietly appeared.
[Name: Higashino Shinichi]
[Class: Jōnin / Sword Master]
[Talents: ...]
[Draws Remaining: 1 (Purple)]
Shinichi's gaze lingered on the word "Jōnin" in the Class field.
As expected.
His earlier scheme had succeeded. He had first shaped the public's perception of him as a Jōnin, and when he truly attained the rank, that perception had already been established—allowing the corresponding class entry to be generated the moment of his promotion.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he continued reading.
[Jōnin: You are now a pillar of the village, possessing the strength to stand on your own. Your efficiency in creating original ninjutsu, high-level chakra control, and advanced theoretical comprehension and training is greatly increased. You can more effectively form your own unique combat system, and your efficiency in guiding others in ninja-related abilities is significantly enhanced.]
A massive boost to ninja-related training!
A significant improvement in teaching efficiency!
Shinichi's gaze lingered on this description for quite some time before he withdrew his thoughts and shifted his attention to the final line.
[Draws Remaining: 1 (Purple)]
Purple.
This was the first time he had come into contact with a trait of this level.
Blue traits were already powerful—so what about purple?
What kind of qualitative leap would it bring?
No rush.
He would wait until he got home, wash his hands clean, and then proceed.
A moment like this deserved a sense of ritual.
Shinichi closed the panel, lifted his head, and walked toward home against the biting cold wind.
Behind him, the outline of the Hokage building gradually blurred into the gray, overcast sky.
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