The evaluation was over.
Rie, bouncing excitedly behind Reiji with her newly earned Konoha forehead protector, kept holding it up and trying it on different spots.
"Brother, where do you think it looks better? On my forehead? Or on my arm?"
"Whatever."
Reiji replied absentmindedly.
He was already spiraling.
He felt like he'd completely failed the memory of Rie's late mother.
Just look at her now! Loud, bossy, surrounded by a bunch of lackeys...
She was either running around all hyped up, spewing fire everywhere, or spitting on the ground. And the worst part? She actually won by spitting!
No!
This can't keep going like this!
Reiji rubbed his face with both hands, forcing on a warm smile as he asked gently,
"Rie-chan, besides Water Release: Water Candy and Water Release: Water Candy Rope, what other Water Release jutsu do you know?"
Puffing up with pride, Rie thumped her chest and declared,
"There's also Water Release: Water Candy Cannon!"
You little brat!
That's a toad's jutsu! I really underestimated you—you don't just spit, you practically unload buckets of spit!
You've really got a thing for spitting, huh?
Reiji's face darkened like a scorched pot as he muttered in a deep tone,
"Rie, I've been thinking... Water Release just isn't powerful enough. Why don't you switch to Earth Release instead?"
Rie immediately scowled, puffing up with indignation.
"You're so unfair! You were the one who told me not to use Fire Release and to stick with Water Release!
Now you're telling me to give up Water Release and start learning Earth Release? You're just messing with me!
No way, I'm not changing!"
Seeing her so firm, Reiji scratched his head and sighed.
"Alright, alright, we won't change it.
By the way, I haven't checked the homework I gave you yet~"
At that, Rie's expression changed instantly, her eyes darting around.
A moment later, she put on a sweet smile and latched onto Reiji's arm, clinging affectionately.
"Brother, Earth Release is great! Earth Release is the best!"
Just as the two of them were caught up in their little act, a masked ANBU suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Reiji Sakuhō, Lord Hokage summons you."
Reiji blinked, then narrowed his eyes and nodded.
"On my way."
With that, he took Rie along and walked toward the Hokage's office nearby.
...
Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi was carefully studying a scroll.
On it was written:
Name: Reiji Sakuhō
Date of Birth: Approx. Year 10 of Konoha; exact date unknown
Overall Assessment:
Ninjutsu: 3/10 (Has mastered Magnet Release, but rarely uses it; seems underpowered)
Taijutsu: 10/10
Genjutsu: 1/10
Intelligence: 10/10
Strength: 10/10
Speed: 10/10
Chakra Control: 10/10
Hand Seals: 5/10
Total Score: 59/80 (Recommendation: Special Jōnin)
Hiruzen frowned slightly as he read the ANBU's evaluation.
Objectively, there was nothing wrong with the assessment.
But he was one of the few who knew what Reiji had pulled off in Kumogakure.
In his eyes, Reiji's Taijutsu, Strength, and Speed should all be rated thirty.
Too bad the scale only went up to ten.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen picked up his pen and scratched out "Special" from "Special Jōnin."
...
A knock came at the office door, followed by Reiji's lazy voice from outside.
"Come in," Hiruzen called, setting the scroll and pen aside.
"Yo~ Old man Hiruzen, long time no see!"
Nodding, Hiruzen motioned toward the chair in front of his desk.
"So, Reiji, what've you been up to lately?" he asked as he lit his pipe with practiced ease.
"Running a small business, saving up for a wife."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, then broke into a strange smile.
"Already got your eye on someone? Need me to put in a good word?"
"Hehe..." Reiji scratched his head sheepishly. "Not yet, but no harm in saving up early, right?"
"True, true." Hiruzen nodded in agreement.
They chatted casually for a bit.
Then Hiruzen's expression sobered. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a forehead protector, handing it to Reiji.
"Congratulations, Reiji. You're now a Jōnin."
Reiji's eyes narrowed slightly as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Just like that, he was a Jōnin?
He didn't bother hiding his doubts and asked directly,
"Old man Hiruzen, I never even graduated from the Ninja Academy."
"No problem," Hiruzen said with a firm shake of his head, pushing the protector toward him.
"That mission in Kumogakure? Easily S-rank.
Your abilities are more than enough for a Jōnin.
Besides, I'm not so old and rigid that I cling to rules for no reason."
Reiji nodded, accepting the Konoha Jōnin forehead protector with a serious expression, then carefully tucked it into his pocket.
No matter what happened next, at least for the next couple of minutes, he was pretty loyal.
But he clearly overestimated that loyalty.
In less than three seconds, thoughts of trading favors booted that loyalty right out of his mind.
"So... is there anything you need me to do?"
Hiruzen gave him a long, speechless glance and exhaled a slow puff of smoke.
"Can't you stay touched just a little longer?"
"There wasn't one, but since you asked—now there is."
With that, he set down his pipe and started rummaging through the mountain of documents on his desk.
A moment later, he handed over a scroll.
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe again and began explaining.
"This mission's destination is Uzushiogakure, in the Land of Whirlpools.
Three months ago, members of the Uzumaki Clan in Uzushiogakure began disappearing one after another.
We discovered that the disappearances mainly happened on the outskirts of the village.
And all of them vanished at night—meaning, they disappeared from inside their homes.
According to Uzushiogakure's reports, there were no signs of struggle at the scenes, but they did find unfamiliar footprints.
So, we have reason to believe these people were kidnapped."
Listening quietly, Reiji's mind filled with details about the Land of Whirlpools and Uzushiogakure.
The Land of Whirlpools lies southeast of the Land of Fire, sharing a border and sitting on a massive peninsula.
To the east, it's separated from the Land of Water by sea.
To the north, it's just a modest stretch of sea away from the small Land of Waves.
Uzushiogakure is home to the Uzumaki Clan, known for their long lifespans and vast chakra reserves, and they've maintained a close bond with Konoha for generations.
After all, both the red-haired Uzumaki and the Senju clans inherited the legendary Sage's body.
Hiruzen continued his briefing.
"This mission was originally ranked B-rank, but then two Jōnin squads that accepted it disappeared under strange circumstances.
Uzushiogakure confirmed both teams arrived at the village.
But after they left, they never returned.
So, the mission has been upgraded to A-rank."
Reiji frowned slightly and asked, "Then how did the info from Uzushiogakure reach Konoha?"
"ANBU went to investigate," Hiruzen replied.
Reiji's mind raced.
Two Jōnin teams—this meant the enemy was at least Jōnin level, or had access to specialized tools or jutsu.
And since ANBU managed to bring back intel, the enemy likely wasn't monitoring Konoha long-term.
Though... it could be bait for a bigger fish.
With that thought, Reiji began piecing things together.
"Alright then, I'll head out now—might even make it back for dinner!"
He turned to leave.
Hearing that, Hiruzen's face darkened.
Sure, it wasn't wrong—but bragging like that in front of him? Couldn't the kid spare a thought for an old man's dignity?
"Ahem... Reiji, hold up!"
Hiruzen reached out to stop him and added,
"For this mission, try not to engage directly. Just take the lead as the team's instructor."
At that, Reiji felt a wave of dread.
"Uh... and who exactly are the students?"
"Ahem," Hiruzen cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. They're all Chūnin.
Orochimaru is close to becoming a Jōnin. You'll be in charge of their safety this time."
"What the hell!" Reiji groaned, holding his forehead in despair.
"Old man, they're your students! Why aren't you going?"
At that, Hiruzen waved his hands frantically.
"I—I've got too much work! Swamped!"
What he didn't say was: Jiraiya had been pestering him non-stop lately, begging to learn the Telescope Technique. Saying stuff like, "You're not gonna teach your own student? Gonna take it to the grave?"
He'd had enough of that idiot's antics and just wanted some peace.
After thinking it over, Reiji eventually nodded.
It wasn't about exploiting the Uzumaki, or poking around the Land of Water. He was just genuinely worried about his friends' safety.
Seeing him agree, Hiruzen finally relaxed and added,
"You'll depart in a week. If you're free, spend some time getting to know them."
Reiji nodded, said his goodbyes, and turned to leave.
Just then, Hiruzen called out again.
"Oh, right—Reiji, since you're back in the village, take over communications with Hanzō of the Salamander again.
We've recently let in two spies from Amegakure. Check in with Sakumo for the details."
Reiji nodded calmly and left the Hokage's office.
As he walked through the corridors of the Hokage Building, a slow smile crept onto his face.
He'd put in the effort, endured the long game.
And now, finally, the old bastard saw him as almost one of his own.
That plan...