Chapter 57 – Danzo: ?!
A few days later.
Konoha, inside the Hokage’s office.
"I didn’t expect things to be this complicated..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his expression grim as he looked at Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Gen Kitagawa. Even he was starting to realize how big this situation really was.
Especially after hearing the report these three brought back—he was having trouble keeping his composure.
"Yeah... we didn’t expect it either," Jiraiya said with a solemn nod.
"That guy really was Uchiha Obito. And he really was the one behind Minato’s death.
From what we’ve learned, it seems his grudge isn’t just against Konoha—but the entire shinobi world."
"Exactly. He’s completely lost it," Kakashi added with a firm nod. "And the organization he’s with seems to be encouraging him. They’re seriously dangerous."
Dangerous?
That was an understatent.
Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe. The mission to Kirigakure had been a massive success—they uncovered an incredible amount of intel.
But... the more they uncovered, the more terrifying it all beca.
The Mizukage had been under genjutsu control. The truth behind Minato’s death. And then... that mysterious organization.
Even for soone like Sarutobi, who’d weathered countless storms, this gave him chills.
And this was probably just the tip of the iceberg. They still had no idea who exactly was backing Obito... or where that Wood Release ca from.
Even with just this much information, it was already enough to send shockwaves through the village.
"...Bring Danzo here."
After a long pause, Sarutobi massaged his temples and addressed the ANBU hidden in the shadows. Then he continued:
"I’ll have Danzo follow up on this. Root may be... well, Root, but when it cos to gathering intel, they’re still unparalleled.
I’ll also send a team to open negotiations with Kirigakure. At the sa ti, we need to discreetly probe the other major villages to see how they might respond."
If the Mizukage could be manipulated—what about the other Kage?
These matters needed to be handled with extre caution.
"Also, I’m issuing a bounty and a capture order for Uchiha Obito.
But I hope you understand—so of these actions can’t be made public.
Especially not with the talks we’re trying to open with Kirigakure..."
"We understand," both Jiraiya and Kakashi said with a nod. The implications of this whole ss were serious, and they got it.
"Good."
Sarutobi nodded, then turned to the boy who had been zoning out the whole ti—Gen Kitagawa. His voice softened slightly, carrying a touch of awe.
"Gen... what you accomplished this ti was nothing short of remarkable."
He’d always known Gen was impressive—Kakashi and Jiraiya had both praised the kid’s learning ability multiple tis.
Sure, his performance at the academy had been good, but not this extraordinary. Still, so talents only truly shine in real missions.
Even so... what Gen had done was bordering on absurd.
"But that’s a good thing—after all, he’s Konoha’s child."
This mission to Kirigakure had been full of surprises, and almost all of them had Gen’s fingerprints on them.
It was his strategy that got them into the village. He was the one who confird Obito was the culprit from ten years ago. He even used Minato’s sealing mark to fight Obito again—and won.
He led the team out safely and brought back critical intel. Sarutobi couldn’t help but feel stunned—and impressed.
"Uh, thank you, Lord Hokage," Gen said, snapping out of his thoughts. Normally, he wouldn’t even be qualified to attend a eting like this. But due to his deep involvent in the mission, he’d been brought along.
He’d assud his part was over, but to his surprise, they were actually talking about him again. Thankfully, he refocused quickly.
"I was just doing my duty. I’m a Konoha ninja too, after all."
"You don’t need to be so modest."
Sarutobi smiled slightly. His mood lightened, even though he rembered how this brat tricked him out of a bowl of ran before leaving the village...
Shaking his head, he grew a bit more serious.
"Still, Gen, you’re exceptional—but there’s still so much for you to learn. A great shinobi grows through humility.
And considering who and what we’re up against this ti... they’re terrifying. You’ve caused them a serious setback, and I’m worried..."
He paused for a breath, then continued sincerely.
"So I hope you’ll stay in Konoha for now, focus on your training, and work on improving yourself.
This is for your own safety—and your own growth."
He hesitated, then added in a more generous tone, in case Gen resisted. Talents like him usually had so pride.
"And one more thing—your contribution this ti was outstanding. We’re classifying this as an S-rank mission.
If you have any reward in mind, speak up. I’ll do everything I can to make it happen."
"Really?"
Gen’s eyes lit up. He had already been planning to stay in Konoha for a while to study his rewards anyway.
Especially since his eyes had reached their limit—he could feel a breakthrough coming at any ti.
And he had to be prepared in case any sudden changes occurred...
"Besides, if he wants to leave, using the Flying Thunder God isn’t exactly difficult..."
As for the reward, he hesitated for a mont, then cautiously asked,
"Um, can I be promoted straight to jōnin?"
"..."
"Lord Hokage, I know I still have room to grow, but I can learn! I think I’m capable enough, right?"
"..."
"I an, Kakashi-sensei beca a jōnin at around my age, didn’t he?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s forehead twitched. Was it just him, or had this kid crossed a line?
What is a jōnin?
They’re the elite of the village, the very top tier of ninja—so even being potential candidates for the Hokage seat.
Of course, becoming Hokage isn’t that simple...
But if you’re not even a jōnin, it’s like you haven’t even stepped through the front door.
Konoha has over a hundred thousand people, and tens of thousands of them are shinobi—but how many are actually jōnin?
Especially in peaceti, handing out promotions too easily could cause backlash...
"Jōnin... requires careful selection. You need a wide range of knowledge, and the ability to lead missions solo," Hiruzen said, rubbing his temples, trying to reason with him.
"And becoming a jōnin ans you’d have to lead your own team. You wouldn’t want to part with Kakashi just yet, right?"
"Hmm..."
Kitagawa Gen glanced at Kakashi, then asked with genuine confusion:
"But I heard that even after Kakashi-sensei beca a jōnin, he still..."
"Your chūnin application has been approved!"
"But—"
"Don’t worry, you’re exceptional. No further testing is needed. That’s enough for now—go get so rest."
Sarutobi quickly cut him off and started ushering him out. He really didn’t want to keep going in circles with this kid.
"Alright, Lord Hokage, I’ll be taking my leave too."
Kakashi shrugged, walked over, and casually slung an arm around Gen’s shoulders, steering him toward the exit.
"We’ve got a team dinner tonight, so rest up and be ready. Let’s go."
"Tch..."
Gen pouted. He had hoped to wrap up the main quest this ti.
Seriously, why was the Third Hokage being so stingy?
Still, the rewards weren’t half bad this ti.
Besides receiving the Three-Tails’ chakra, he also got sothing quite interesting:
---
[Exclusive Mission: Kakashi’s Side Quest ②]
["The Disillusioned Obito – Broken and Lost"]
[Objective: Help Kakashi uncover the truth about Uchiha Obito]
[Reward Obtained: White Zetsu’s Unique Yang Release Chakra]
---
"Another Yang Release Chakra, huh..."
Gen had already acquired Kimimaro’s Yang Release Chakra—part of the Otsutsuki Hamura lineage.
And with his eyes awakening, that line was essentially complete.
Now, with this new reward, he’d basically collected parts of the Otsutsuki Hagoromo lineage as well!
"Although... it’s not the full Indra and Asura lineage..."
A bit disappointed, but Gen still felt satisfied. With the Three-Tails’ chakra and everything else he’d gained this ti—
"I’m definitely going to power up big ti!"
Pumped with excitent, he quickened his pace. He couldn’t wait to get ho and try everything out.
---
"That kid..."
Back in the Hokage’s office, Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled helplessly as he watched Kakashi and Gen disappear down the hallway. After a long mont, he shook his head.
"Truly an outstanding child."
"Definitely. A bit quirky, sure—but incredibly talented."
Jiraiya nodded with a grin, then gave Hiruzen a teasing look.
"But isn’t that how it always is? The next generation surpasses the last."
"Yeah... watching him makes feel old."
Hiruzen chuckled and, perhaps a bit too sentintal, turned and asked with a smile,
"Jiraiya, how about helping out? You take over as Hokage."
But the mont he finished speaking, he caught sight of Danzō standing at the door—eyes wide, glaring at him.
"?!"
"..."
---
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