Inside the Hokage Building, Shinji and the others were reporting the entire course of their mission.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with his hands clasped before his lips, listening quietly, occasionally frowning slightly or showing a pleased expression.
"That's how it is, old man."
Tsunade sat boldly across from Hiruzen Sarutobi, legs crossed, her demeanor relaxed.
She had successfully completed the mission, ensuring Konohagakure would receive the full support of the Land of Fire's Daimyo next year, while also reporting Hiruko's misdeeds at the Fire Temple, including his Ghost Absorption Technique that could absorb others.
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples and sighed softly: "Previously, the Anbu discovered that Hiruko had been conducting human experiments. After being found out, he killed the monitoring Anbu and defected. I just didn't expect that after his defection, he would head straight for the Fire Temple and be encountered by you all."
Tsunade frowned: "How do you plan to handle it?"
"Issue a bounty, designate Hiruko as an S-rank Rogue Ninja. I will send word to Jiraiya to keep an eye out for Hiruko's whereabouts," Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely. "Once there is news, the three of you Sannin will move out and capture him directly."
Tsunade remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded. At this point, they certainly couldn't let him go.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze shifted from Tsunade to Shinji behind her. From Tsunade's report, he learned that it was Shinji who had stopped Hiruko's atrocities. He was surprised by Shinji's strength and felt even more satisfied.
Stepping up at a critical moment to save his comrades—truly worthy of being someone he had high hopes for.
This was the Will of Fire!
"Well done, Shinji," Hiruzen Sarutobi praised.
Shinji nodded slightly, his tone humble: "As a Konoha ninja, we cannot tolerate Konoha's rogue ninjas."
Such pleasant words were always welcome and didn't require much effort—just a way to make the old man happy.
Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked even more pleased upon hearing this and said, "For this mission, I will reward you additionally. You may choose one Ninjutsu as a reward."
Shinji's eyes immediately lit up, and he spoke without hesitation: "I want the Shadow Clone Technique."
He had wanted this technique for a long time but never had a suitable opportunity before.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi was going to reward him, he took the chance to bring it up.
Now that his Chakra had surged, creating a few shadow clones would be no burden at all, and he could handle multiple tasks simultaneously—extremely practical.
"The Shadow Clone Technique!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback, his expression hesitant.
Tsunade couldn't stand it any longer and slapped the desk: "It's just the Shadow Clone Technique, what's there to hide?"
This technique was originally developed by her second grandfather, Tobirama Senju, and it wasn't a Forbidden Technique, so why hesitate?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily speechless.
Then he thought about how Shinji had managed to defeat Hiruko; his strength was likely already at Jonin level.
The Shadow Clone Technique was a technique that Jonin could apply to learn.
His hesitation just now was only because Shinji was still a Chunin.
Considering that promoting him directly to Jonin would be too abrupt, it would be better to first raise him to Special Jonin.
He cleared his throat and spoke with solemnity, "Effective immediately, Uchiha Shinji is promoted to Special Jonin. In recognition of his achievements in this mission, he is specially awarded the Shadow Clone Technique."
Asuma was the first to applaud, "Congratulations, Shinji."
Kurenai Yuhi and Shizune also joined in with applause and congratulations.
Shinji smiled and expressed his thanks. Compared to the promotion, obtaining the Shadow Clone Technique was what truly satisfied him.
Special Jonin stood between Chunin and Jonin, with treatment higher than Chunin and close to Jonin. However, with his current strength, ordinary Jonin were no longer his match.
In the end, strength was the foundation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi offered his congratulations with a smile, then instructed, "Your team has worked hard this time. Take a good rest now. Tsunade, stay behind. The others may leave."
Shinji exchanged glances with the others, and they all nodded before walking out of the Hokage's office together.
After Shinji and the others left the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the pipe beside his desk, took a slow puff, and fixed his gaze on Tsunade.
"Tsunade, it seemed like you were protecting that child earlier."
Tsunade waved away the drifting smoke, her face full of disdain, "Old man, smoke less. Be careful not to choke to death."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at her in annoyance. Only then did Tsunade compose herself and speak calmly, "You're talking about Shinji, right? I owe him a favor."
"He asked me to take him as my disciple, and I agreed."
"What?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened abruptly, nearly dropping his pipe.
"It's just repaying a favor. I only accepted him as a nominal disciple and will only teach him Medical Ninjutsu, nothing else," Tsunade's tone remained indifferent.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his headache worsen. He rubbed his temples forcefully, filled with helplessness.
...
After leaving the Hokage Building, Kurenai Yuhi looked at the people beside her and said softly, "I'll go back first to report that I'm safe."
Asuma also nodded. He needed to go home and tell his mother, while his father—he had already seen him earlier!
"Then let's part ways here."
Before leaving, Kurenai Yuhi pulled Shinji aside and reminded him, "Shinji, get some good rest. Don't forget about helping me with my training."
Shinji smiled, "Of course I haven't forgotten! You can come every day!"
He leaned in and chatted with Kurenai for a while.
Kurenai Yuhi's face flushed slightly, knowing he was up to no good, but she only rolled her eyes at him.
...
Shortly after waving goodbye to Kurenai, Shinji thought for a moment and turned toward the civilian district.
He arrived at Rin's doorstep.
After confirming his relationship with Rin, he had left Konohagakure on a mission. Now that he was back, he was somewhat worried about Rin's condition.
Shinji smoothed his bangs and knocked on Rin's door.
Before long, footsteps approached, and the door opened.
Shinji was taken aback. The person who opened the door wasn't Rin but her mother.
"Auntie, hello. Is Rin home?" he greeted politely, unable to resist peeking inside.
Megumi Nohara covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes filled with curiosity, "I remember you. You're Shinji, right? I'm sorry, but Rin went on a mission with her teacher."
"On a mission? When did she leave?"
"About two days ago."
"Two days ago!" Shinji muttered softly.
"Shinji, would you like to come in and sit for a while?" Megumi Nohara invited with a smile, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
Ever since Rin returned home last time, she had often been lost in thought or giggling to herself. When questioned, she refused to explain. Relying on a woman's intuition, Megumi was certain it had something to do with the young man before her and was eager to find out more.
Looking at Megumi Nohara's enthusiastic demeanor, Shinji inwardly smiled bitterly. It seemed Rin hadn't told her family about their relationship. Better to wait for Rin to explain it herself.
"Thank you for your kindness, Auntie, but I won't trouble you any further," Shinji politely declined. "I'll visit again after Rin returns from her mission."
After bidding farewell to Megumi Nohara, the smile instantly faded from Shinji's face, replaced by a grave expression.
No, he had to immediately find out the location of Rin's mission!
"Could it be this mission?"
Shinji thought of Madara Uchiha. Although he had left Rin with a protective charm, if he could stay by her side, her safety would be even more assured.
After all, he had now awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shinji glanced around, confirming no one was nearby. In a flash, he activated Transparent Escape and vanished on the spot.