After being away for several days, Kiyosuke finally returned to the Konoha camp.
He stared wordlessly at Orochimaru. The man only smiled and said,
"Don’t look at like that. You did well. This infiltration mission was designed to help you grow, and it looks like it paid off. Kiyosuke-kun, growth is about overcoming the immature version of yourself."
Good grief. If I didn’t know he was Orochimaru.
"To be honest, Orochimaru-sensei, the way you threw really hurt. Getting betrayed by soone you trust—it’s not a fun feeling."
"It’s precisely because I trust you that I could give you this kind of trial, Kiyosuke-kun. After this mission, your na will start spreading. Do you know what Kirigakure is calling you now?"
"What?" Kiyosuke asked curiously.
He genuinely wanted to know how Kirigakure evaluated him.
"Arsonist."
"..."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"That’s their way of belittling you. Other places have co up with different nas."
"Let’s hear them."
"’Fla Lord.’"
Kiyosuke’s eyes lit up. That sounded way better than "Arsonist."
"A title, for a ninja, is a recognition from your enemies that your strength is undeniable."
Just like Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—the Legendary Sannin. Or Namikaze Minato’s "Yellow Flash," and the Third Hokage’s "Professor of Ninjutsu." These were all acknowledgnts of power.
Kiyosuke was the first of the new Konoha generation to earn a title.
And he deserved it.
"Titles and all... kind of embarrassing, honestly," he said.
"After this mission, you’re also eligible for promotion to Jōnin," Orochimaru suddenly said.
Kiyosuke blinked. "But isn’t a Jōnin supposed to have a matching breadth of knowledge?"
"That’s true," Orochimaru nodded. "But just killing mbers of the Seven Ninja Swordsn is a feat great enough on its own. The last ti you didn’t get promoted was partly due to those knowledge requirents. But after this infiltration mission, you’ve proven your ability. I believe Hiruzen-sensei won’t make things difficult for you."
"So... I get to take a shortcut?"
"You could say that. Of course, if you want to go the official route, I won’t stop you. Having the kind of knowledge expected of a Jōnin is definitely useful. You’ll have to study it all eventually anyway."
"Forget that, I’ll take the shortcut. I’m not interested in taking exams," Kiyosuke said.
"Head back to Konoha for a bit. Your appointnt has already been prepared. The Third Mizukage isn’t likely to make any big moves for now. His body’s failing. Until the Fourth Mizukage takes over, he won’t have the strength for large-scale war."
Orochimaru wasn’t a dical ninja, but he’d done enough experints to have a decent understanding of such matters. The Third Mizukage looked strong on the outside but was hollow within. If nothing went wrong, he’d probably kick the bucket within the next few months.
Kirigakure was a ss right now. The Third Mizukage had to focus on suppressing ambitious clans within the village, which left him little energy for the frontlines.
All Orochimaru had to do was wait him out.
Once the Fourth Mizukage took over, there would probably be chaos again. And at that point, Konoha could start shifting focus back to the battlefield.
With a few misfits in tow, Orochimaru had no intention of clashing head-on with Kirigakure.
Even a cornered rabbit will bite. And this was Kirigakure.
They’d pushed the battlefront to the Land of Water’s edge. Holding the line as it was would be enough.
Once reinforcents arrived and Konoha’s full force bore down, Kirigakure would have no choice but to surrender.
"Understood."
...
Back at the tent, Asuma and Kurenai were checking their gear. When they saw Kiyosuke return, their faces lit up with joy. Kurenai bead.
"Kiyosuke, you’re finally back! I’m so glad you’re okay."
They’d been worried sick these past few days while he was away on his infiltration mission. After all, it was Kirigakure—sneaking into an enemy village and gathering intel was anything but easy.
"Hahaha, co on, who do you think I am? Like anything could happen to . Don’t worry, Kurenai. Oh, by the way, I’m heading back to Konoha—I’m getting promoted to Jōnin."
"You’re becoming a Jōnin?!"
Asuma was stunned.
"From what I know about you, your knowledge base isn’t quite there yet."
He had a clear sense of Kiyosuke’s capabilities. While not as strong as himself, their academic foundations were about the sa. Becoming a Jōnin still felt like a long road ahead.
"Yeah, but Orochimaru-sensei said my strength is more than enough. So he’s opening the back door for this ti."
"Tch, taking the shortcut, huh? I thought you had what it takes," Asuma said with mock bitterness.
"Oho? Soone sounds jealous." Kiyosuke grinned.
"Don’t think getting promoted makes you hot stuff. I’ll catch up to you sooner or later!"
"Sure, sure. Just make sure you’ve actually got the knowledge to match a Jōnin before talking big," Kiyosuke teased. Then he lay down.
"These past few days really wore out. I need a proper nap."
Within monts, his snoring filled the tent.
Kurenai and Asuma exchanged a glance and chuckled. They didn’t disturb him. Infiltration missions weren’t easy. One small slip and you could be exposed, captured—worse. Living in that kind of constant tension... no wonder Kiyosuke was exhausted.
...
He slept straight through till the next morning. When he opened his eyes, he saw Asuma and Kurenai sleeping face-to-face.
And he was stuck between them like a glowing third wheel.
"..."
Seeing that first thing in the morning definitely killed his vibe.
Still, he didn’t wake them. He got up quietly and went to wash up.
After a solid breakfast and a debrief with Orochimaru to receive so updated intel, he made his way back to Konoha.
There were a few other Jōnin heading back to report their own missions. The trip was smooth and uneventful.
...
Hokage Office
After reading the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out an official appointnt docunt and smiled.
"These are warti conditions, so everything’s being kept simple. This is all we’ve prepared for you. Asakawa Kiyosuke—from this mont forward, you are an officially recognized Jōnin of Konoha. I hope you continue striving to beco a pillar of our village."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Kiyosuke accepted the docunt solemnly.
It read:
[Special Appointnt: Asakawa Kiyosuke is hereby promoted to Jōnin of Konohagakure. This individual has t the standards in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, and has demonstrated outstanding battlefield achievents. The promotion is hereby granted.]
Signed: Hiruzen Sarutobi
"I’m deeply honored."
"Kiyosuke, from now on, you are a Konoha Jōnin. You must never forget the Will of Fire."
"Yes. Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The fire’s shadow will shine upon the village, and new leaves will grow. I’ve always kept that in my heart."
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Namikaze Minato stepped in—just back from a support mission to the Land of Earth. His handso face looked exhausted and heavy with sorrow.
Kiyosuke’s heart sank.
He had a bad feeling about this.
----------------
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