---
"By the way, Ye Dou, what stupid thing did you do to get noticed by the Fifth Hokage?"
Nara Shikamaru asked lazily, hands in his pockets.
He had been exceptionally promoted to Chūnin after the exam, not because he won, but because of his strategic brilliance. His performance in the preliminary matches and his leadership during the invasion of Konoha earned him recognition from the Third Hokage, the proctors, and even the feudal lords present.
Ironically, Shikamaru hadn't even advanced past the first round of actual combat in the finals. Still, he was promoted based on merit and potential.
"It's nothing," Ye Dou replied flatly, striding toward the training grounds.
"I just completed a mission in Suchang Town."
Shikamaru's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wait a sec—You mean that mission? The one that ended with twenty percent of the town leveled?!"
---
[The Night of Defection]
"Why?! Ye Dou... never mind. If even that lazy ghost Shikamaru can get promoted, anything's possible."
With the rank of Chūnin came the iconic dark green flak vest, a symbol of status and leadership in Konoha.
So when Shikamaru showed up wearing it, everyone instantly understood what had happened.
Uzumaki Naruto didn't even try to hide his frustration. His jealousy was obvious.
In Team 7, the missions were dangerous, and he had proved himself in battle time and time again. His victory over Neji Hyūga in the finals of the Chūnin Exams should have been more than enough.
"That pineapple head lost his fight and still got promoted?!" Naruto fumed internally. "How is this fair?!"
He was on the verge of storming into the Hokage's office to demand an explanation from Lady Tsunade.
Naruto wasn't alone in his frustration. The other members of the Konoha 11 felt similarly, though they handled it with more restraint. Deep down, they understood.
"Does this mean leadership is more valuable than raw strength?" someone mused.
During the Chūnin Exams, Shikamaru had faced Temari of the Sand. Despite being clearly outmatched in raw power, he used the terrain and every tactical advantage to corner her. He forfeited the match, but his intellect left a strong impression.
It wasn't just the proctors who noticed. The daimyō and feudal lords were also watching.
He was clever, decisive, and calm under pressure—everything a Chūnin should be. His promotion was also likely a political move by Tsunade, newly appointed as the Fifth Hokage, to stabilize her position and reinforce the value of the Ino-Shika-Chō legacy.
The same could be said for Ye Dou.
At the time, Rock Lee's condition required Tsunade's direct attention, and Ye Dou—his senior in some respects—was deeply involved in the mission. Helping Lee meant supporting Ye Dou as well.
But the Konoha 11 were still too young to fully grasp the political undercurrents of their world. Their confusion wasn't due to a lack of intelligence, but a lack of experience.
"Anyway, congrats to Shikamaru and Ye Dou on becoming Chūnin!"
"Seriously! Who would've thought you two would be the first?"
"Yeah! I always thought it'd be Sasuke or Hanabi—they were the top of the class!"
As the group raised their glasses to celebrate the promotions, they noticed Uchiha Sasuke quietly stand up and leave without a word.
"Sasuke, where are you going?"
"Training."
He said curtly and walked away. He had taken yet another hit to his pride.
First, the battle against Gaara during the exams had shown him how far behind he was. Then, the mission in Suchang Town, where he had been powerless to stop the destruction. And now, even Nara Shikamaru—who had surrendered—had surpassed him in rank.
It was becoming unbearable.
"This kid's emotions are boiling over," muttered the mongoose at Ye Dou's side.
Ye Dou glanced at his companion but said nothing. Then, a strange "井" (well) mark briefly appeared on his forehead—and his dango, which had been on the table, vanished without a trace.
He turned slowly and saw the guilty face of the mongoose with a mouth full of skewers.
"You little... did you just use a decoy move to steal my food?"
"Ahaha... Ye Dou, you eat too fast, I was just helping!"
---
Meanwhile...
In a dimly lit room in Otogakure, Orochimaru lay on a bed, his face twisted in pain.
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal performed by Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't just sealed his arms. It left Orochimaru in constant torment, as if his limbs were eternally aflame.
"Summon the Sound Four."
He ordered coldly.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and stepped forward.
"Orochimaru-sama, Lady Tsunade has just become the Fifth Hokage. Konoha's security is tight after the invasion. It's not the best time to move... unless Uchiha Sasuke comes to us willingly."
He already understood Orochimaru's intent: to lure Sasuke and prepare his body for the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique.
But now was not the time. Konoha's senses were heightened after the invasion. Any suspicious action could trigger a swift and brutal response.
"Just do as I say."
Orochimaru hissed.
"He will come to me."
Orochimaru knew the window to take Sasuke was closing. The longer the boy stayed in Konoha, the more bonds he would form—bonds that could prevent him from ever leaving.
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