After returning home that day, Sasuke informed Fugaku and the others about his application to become a jōnin.
Fugaku nodded slightly after hearing this.
"Very well. Your brother Itachi was also promoted to jōnin through special application. If you wait for a formal promotion, who knows how long it will take? Your current strength is sufficient. Become a jōnin early and bring further glory to the Uchiha clan."
Sasuke nodded silently and returned to his room, closing the door behind him.
After settling in, Sasuke reviewed the current situation.
According to the scroll sent by Orochimaru, he had successfully lured Danzo out of the village. Their meeting was to take place near Kusagakure. Orochimaru promised to eliminate Danzo there and requested Sasuke to witness it personally.
His jōnin evaluation might begin soon, though no date had been fixed yet.
Now that he was already a chūnin, leaving the village alone posed no issue. He had the clearance to take solo missions.
The real question was whether and when to go.
At present, Orochimaru no longer possessed the Edo Tensei ability to reincarnate the First and Second Hokage, and his Yamata no Orochi form had been crippled—two of its heads severed. Even if Orochimaru's claims were a trap, Sasuke had confidence in his ability to fight back. With the research data on Kekkei Genkai extraction from the Kaguya remnants and the Rinnegan development theories from his Zanpakutō's inner world, he believed he could handle whatever Orochimaru was planning.
But unless he saw Danzo die with his own eyes, he couldn't shake off the possibility that Orochimaru and Danzo might be conspiring together.
Having made up his mind, Sasuke decided to wait one more day. If the jōnin assessment was scheduled for tomorrow, he would complete it first before leaving the village. If Minato didn't summon him, he'd prioritize the Kusagakure matter.
With everything in place, Sasuke sank into his inner world—his Zanpakutō space.
This time, he didn't linger in the other areas and instead went directly to the domain of Senbonzakura.
---
Early the next morning, Hatake Kakashi arrived to inform Sasuke that his jōnin evaluation had been arranged. Sasuke hadn't expected it to be so soon.
He figured Minato likely wanted to gauge the true extent of his powers, especially his mysterious Kidō-based techniques, which he had concealed during the Chūnin Exams.
Kakashi brought him to a training ground, where Minato, Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and Hyuga Hizashi were already waiting. Aside from Minato, the rest were evidently the jōnin assigned to assess him.
At first, Sasuke thought Kakashi was one of the examiners, but it turned out he was merely a messenger.
"Sasuke, these three will be handling your jōnin assessment," Minato said with a smile, glancing at Sasuke with quiet anticipation.
"This is the genin who stole the spotlight in yesterday's chūnin finals?" Asuma asked, cigarette dangling from his mouth.
"Mm, Sasuke's talents are formidable," Minato confirmed.
"It's a shame I missed the match," Kurenai said regretfully. "I'd assumed he just had a few flashy jutsu, but it turns out he's wielding something that resembles a spiritual system."
"My brother often praises you before the clan, claiming you're a once-in-a-century prodigy," said Hizashi, giving Sasuke a measured nod.
"Senior Hizashi overstates it. I am but a humble shinobi of Konoha," Sasuke replied respectfully.
"Well then, let's begin. Sasuke, whose evaluation would you like to take today?" Minato asked.
"Huh? What do you mean? Is there an order?" Sasuke asked, slightly puzzled.
"Didn't I mention it?" Minato chuckled. "To be promoted to jōnin through this method, you need to face three jōnin—randomly selected. Today, you'll meet them and challenge one. The other two will be scheduled for tomorrow and the day after."
Sasuke was stunned at how much time this would take.
"So even by going this route, I'll need at least three days for promotion?" he asked incredulously.
Minato and the others fell silent.
Does this brat even hear himself? they thought. Three days to reach jōnin and he thinks that's slow?
At first, they'd thought Sasuke was modest. Now, they were wondering if he was a self-absorbed lunatic.
But Sasuke's next sentence stunned them even more.
"There's no need to waste everyone's time. Let all three of you come at once. If I win, I pass. If I lose, I'll remain a chūnin. What do you think?" Sasuke asked earnestly.
"Young man, arrogance isn't a virtue," Asuma muttered, a bulging vein forming on his forehead.
The smiles on Kurenai and Hizashi's faces also faded. Sasuke's suggestion came off as deeply disrespectful. But he meant no offense—he was in a hurry and couldn't afford to waste time.
"Apologies, seniors. That came off as arrogant," Sasuke bowed slightly.
Before the others could respond, he continued, "But my intention was sincere. I ask that you fight me seriously, without reservation. Don't go easy on me."
Sasuke looked directly at the three of them with firm eyes.
The three jōnin exchanged glances and turned to Minato for guidance.
"Let him have it his way. I'll monitor closely and intervene if necessary," Minato said.
With Minato acting as a safety net, the trio said nothing more.
To be honest, Sasuke was also curious to observe Minato's current power. As the complete Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Minato should be at least Super-Kage level.
Minato stepped back, leaving the training ground clear for the combatants. Sasuke stood before the three jōnin and drew his Zanpakutō.
Minato's eyes gleamed. Sasuke hadn't used his sword during the Chūnin Exams, and Minato had always been curious about his swordsmanship.
In truth, this fight was more like a two-on-one. Kurenai's Genjutsu wouldn't work in a direct melee.
"I'm ready, Lord Hokage," Sasuke called out calmly.
Minato nodded.
"Assessment—begin!"
The moment Minato gave the signal, Kurenai began forming hand seals. Asuma and Hizashi held their positions, still unsure whether to go all out against a boy who sounded half-insane. Despite Sasuke's insistence, no seasoned jōnin would rush in recklessly.
Instead, they figured the best way to teach him humility was through Genjutsu-induced suffering.
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