"As for the documents."
The third Hokage took another puff of his pipe and spoke slowly, "The first and second reports will not be distributed for now. We will talk about them later if there is an opportunity. The third one can be distributed, but not in full."
He paused, as if choosing his words.
"Although this report does not involve specific military deployments, its deductions about the various forces and its judgment about the scale of the war are still somewhat sensitive. Limit the scope to Special Jonin and Jonin, plus some outstanding and experienced Chunin team leaders. Let them take a look so they can be mentally prepared and know what they will be facing next."
Koharu Utatane nodded.
The third Hokage's gaze fell on her.
"As for the lecture, arrange for Shinichi to give it. Since he wrote the report, no one understands the logic better than he does. Let him explain these analyses point by point in front of them. Koharu, you will be responsible for arranging this."
Koharu Utatane was slightly startled, but quickly nodded.
"Alright. After the documents are distributed, give them a few days to digest, then arrange them uniformly. Use the large conference room in this building as the venue. It can seat three thousand people, which should be enough."
The third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and slowly exhaled.
"That works. Let's arrange it that way."
He paused, then added another sentence.
"Also, after this lecture, I will personally give a speech announcing that Konoha will enter a wartime state."
Koharu Utatane was stunned, her brows slightly furrowing.
"Announce entering a wartime state directly? Hiruzen, isn't that… too fast? After all, the Village Hidden in the Sand hasn't officially made a move yet. If we announce it first…"
"Since we chose to believe this child's analysis report, then we should believe it completely."
The third Hokage interrupted her and explained, "After the lecture, there will only be ten to twenty days before the war breaks out. What difference does it make whether we announce it ten days earlier or ten days later?"
He looked out the window, his gaze falling on Konoha's quiet streets.
"Letting the villagers know ten days earlier, letting them know what they will face next, will at least give them time to prepare mentally."
Koharu Utatane was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
"You're right. Preparing early is better than being caught off guard at the last moment."
The third Hokage continued, "You should also prepare. Think about what you will say when the time comes."
Koharu Utatane nodded, and Homura Mitokado pushed his glasses without saying much.
Whenever something major happened in Konoha, the higher-ups would address the entire village from the open-air platform of the Hokage building.
Although the Hokage was always the main speaker, the two advisors would also add remarks at appropriate times, explaining matters clearly to the ninjas and villagers from their respective areas of responsibility.
For decades, it had always been this way.
However, at this moment…
"This time, I will give a speech as well."
A voice suddenly sounded, breaking the brief silence.
The three of them all turned toward the source of the voice.
Danzo Shimura.
He sat there, his face still as gloomy as ever, but his words once again stunned the other three.
Danzo also wanted to give a speech?
It should be known that although Danzo was also one of the higher-ups, in the past decades, he had never given a speech in any public setting, and rarely even appeared in public.
This had even led to situations in which villagers of Konoha subconsciously believed the village had only two advisors.
The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds. After a moment, the third Hokage slowly nodded.
"Alright, then, Danzo, prepare over the next few days."
And just like that, it was decided.
For the first time in Konoha's history, Danzo Shimura would speak in a public setting.
Outside the window, the sunlight remained the same.
And thus, the largest and most uniquely structured lecture in Konoha's history was set.
The lecturer, Shinichi Higashino, ten years old, Konoha's most dazzling new star, the youngest Special Jonin since the village's founding.
The audience, three thousand people: Chunin team leaders, Special Jonin, Jonin, the heads of major clans, and the top-tier Konoha combat forces such as the Sannin.
….….
One day later.
Shinichi had just returned home and hadn't even had time to change out of his dust-covered training clothes when he heard a knock on the door.
He opened the door.
Standing outside was a staff member from the Hokage office building, holding a bag of documents in both hands and wearing a solemn expression.
"Chunin Shinichi Higashino, this is a promotion order personally signed by the Hokage. Please review it."
Shinichi took the bag full of documents and put it away, nodding to the staff member.
"Thank you for your hard work, senior."
The staff member gave a slight bow, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
After the staff member left, Shinichi closed the door and opened the bag full of documents.
Inside was an official promotion document, stamped with the Hokage's seal, clearly stating: "Effective immediately, Shinichi Higashino is promoted to Special Jonin and shall receive the treatment of a Special Jonin."
Special Jonin?
Shinichi's gaze lingered on the words, Special Jonin, for a moment before continuing to read.
The reason for the promotion was outstanding strategic analysis ability, deep insight into the Shinobi World situation, and the significant value of the three analysis reports he had submitted.
After review by the third Hokage and the Konoha Council, he was granted an exceptional promotion.
He remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded slightly.
From the perspective of generating an occupation entry, Special Jonin might not be sufficient.
What his system panel would recognize should be the formal rank of Jonin.
However, having the Special Jonin position as a foundation would accelerate his promotion to Jonin and make the process smoother.
He put the promotion document aside and turned his attention to another item in the bag.
It was an order document.
"A lecture?"
Shinichi read it carefully.
The document stated that he should prepare himself.
In five days, at the Hokage building, he would give a special lecture to those present on the current situation of the Shinobi World and preparations for war.
A lecture?
How should he explain it?
Shinichi walked to the window.
Outside, the lights in Konoha gradually lit up, like countless stars scattered across the night. In the distance, the outline of the Hokage Rock appeared faintly in the dusk.
The faces of the first, second, and third Hokage were calm and solemn, overlooking the village that was about to face a storm.
At the same time, throughout Konoha, documents bearing the name "Special Jonin Shinichi Higashino" were being delivered to the appropriate recipients one after another.
The first to receive them were the Chunin team leaders, Special Jonin, and official Jonin who happened to be in the village.
Some had just returned from missions, while others were leading teams at training grounds when they were stopped by suddenly appearing messengers and handed brown envelopes stamped with the Hokage's seal.
"What is this?"
Someone muttered, opening it on the spot.
Then they saw the name on the cover.
Special Jonin?
Shinichi Higashino?
When did that genius junior become a Special Jonin?
Check my Patreon for more chapters and novels, Patreon.com/SweetestDeath