Vacations during the war were extremely precious. After half a year of fighting, Seisuke and his team finally returned to Konoha.
Unlike the front - line battlefield filled with gunfire and lurking dangers, time in Konoha seemed to have stopped. It was still the same as before, except that there were fewer passers - by and wealthy merchants doing business.
Seisuke and the other two bid farewell at the village entrance. After returning home, he first cleaned the dusty house with his shadow clone, then went out to have a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen. When he came back, he collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.
He slept soundly until the next afternoon when Asuma came to wake him up. Opening the door with a messy head of hair, Seisuke asked, "What's up?"
"My dad wants to see you."
The Third Hokage wanted to see him?
"Give me a minute."
Seisuke went back to wash up. A few minutes later, he came out with a wet head. He used his ability to evaporate the water from his hair and even gave himself a new hairstyle.
"Uh..."
Asuma looked at him enviously. Unfortunately, his hair was too stiff. Otherwise, he would definitely ask Seisuke to do the same for him. This ability was really convenient.
"Let's go. What does the Hokage - sama want to see me for?"
"I don't know. The old man didn't say." Asuma shook his head. His father had suddenly asked him to find Seisuke but didn't mention the specific reason, just told him to come and call.
No reason given? What was this about?
Not understanding what the Third Hokage was up to, Seisuke said, "Well, in that case, let's go. By the way, didn't he ask for Kurenai?"
"The old man didn't tell me to call her. He only wanted to see you. Come on, stop talking. Let's go. After this, we'll go find Kurenai for a meal."
"Let's go."
The two walked side by side towards the Hokage Building.
In the Office
With the start of the war, the number of commissions had decreased, and the Hokage's work had shifted to the war. Paradoxically, he was a bit more relaxed than before.
He was sitting in his chair, and on the sofa on the other side was a middle - aged man with his right eye wrapped in bandages and an "X" - shaped scar on his chin.
Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen's upright and open - hearted demeanor, this man was colder and more sinister. His only visible eye was narrowed, and it always seemed like he was plotting something bad.
"Excuse me."
The door opened, and Seisuke and Asuma walked in.
Seeing their arrival, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "Seisuke, you're here. Don't be too formal. I called you here to confirm something."
The scar - faced man beside him said, "The intelligence Orochimaru sent back to the village stated that you encountered Sasori of the Red Sand and managed to retreat unscathed. Moreover, you confirmed that the Third Kazekage was killed by Sasori?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen introduced the man to Seisuke with a smile. "This is Konoha's Hokage advisor, Danzo Shimura. He's here for this matter too."
"Yes, it was Sasori who killed the Third Kazekage and turned him into a human puppet capable of using Magnet Release: Iron Sand. He admitted it himself." Seisuke glanced at Danzo.
This guy coveted the position of Hokage. He was no good. He was also a naive person, trying to stab Susanoo with a kunai. Seisuke didn't know what he was thinking.
Of course, the Third Hokage wasn't innocent either.
The two old foxes pondered for a while. They didn't ask Seisuke how he managed to escape. As high - level members of the village, they knew that Seisuke was Orochimaru's disciple and had a special physique.
Danzo said, "Then we can confirm that Sasori of Sunagakure is the culprit who triggered this Shinobi World War. Hiruzen, this information can help us achieve many goals."
"But there's no evidence. After all, only Seisuke saw it. It's just his side of the story." Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head.
One needed evidence to spread rumors!
"That's not our concern."
If there was evidence, it wouldn't be called spreading rumors.
Danzo thought Sarutobi Hiruzen was indecisive and unfit to be the Hokage. It would be better if he...
Suppressing his inner desires, Danzo said, "That's not what we should think about. Spread this news. Chiyo's position will be in jeopardy, which will be of great help to the front - line battle situation."
The grandson of the front - line commander assassinated the village leader. Whether it was true or not, Chiyo would be suspected, and even her younger brother, Ebizo, would be affected. With these two mainstays influenced, under Orochimaru's offensive, victory was only a matter of time.
"Indeed. In that case, this task is assigned to your Root."
Hearing this, Danzo nodded and left. Seisuke twitched the corner of his mouth. This was pushing all the dirty and tiring work onto Danzo. Even if it was exposed later, it would be Danzo's problem, and the Hokage would be unscathed. What a sly old fox.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and said, "The intelligence you provided was very timely, Asakawa Seisuke!"
"Here!"
"Considering your contributions to the village, I'm promoting you to Jōnin - Special Grade as an exception. I hope you'll continue to work hard and become a full - fledged Jōnin soon."
Jōnin - Special Grade referred to those whose overall strength hadn't reached the Jōnin level but had special talents in certain aspects.
Sarutobi Hiruzen promoted Seisuke to Jōnin - Special Grade mainly because of the valuable intelligence he provided, combined with his battle achievements.
In fact, with Seisuke's battle achievements in assassination, all - out attacks, and intelligence - gathering, he was qualified to be a Jōnin.
However, to become a full - fledged Jōnin, one had to meet the requirements in all aspects.
Both combat ability and knowledge.
Seisuke's combat ability was comparable to that of some ordinary Jōnin, but his knowledge was still lacking.
"Thank you, Hokage - sama. I will definitely be willing to sacrifice myself for the village and make contributions."
"Haha, no need to be so dramatic. You two can go now. Asuma and Seisuke, enjoy your vacation."
Asuma looked at Seisuke enviously. Seisuke had become a Jōnin - Special Grade so quickly. He knew that with Seisuke's strength, he would surely be promoted to a full - fledged Jōnin sooner or later. The Jōnin - Special Grade was just a transition. Since the war wasn't over yet, it was likely that Seisuke would become a Jōnin soon.
The gap between them was getting bigger.
He was a bit reluctant but helpless. After all, Seisuke was even more terrifying than Kakashi in some aspects.
Who would be promoted to Jōnin first, him or Kakashi?
"Come on, stop daydreaming." Seisuke patted Asuma on the shoulder. "Let's go find Kurenai for a meal. I'm starving. I haven't eaten yet."
"Okay, let's go. I wonder if Kurenai has eaten."
"If not, we can go to her place and have a meal. I heard her mother cooks delicious food."
The two walked out, hooking each other's shoulders.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched them with a smile, sighing about youth. He had been like that in the past. Unfortunately, he had become the Hokage at a young age.
Looking at the gradually setting sun, he remembered his lost youth.