Chapter 115: Promotion to Jonin
"What do you all think of the summer special training Mugetsu organized?" After watching the test, Hiruzen stroked his goatee and smiled at the Chunin teachers present.
"It's incredible," Ikeya Yu said with genuine emotion. "The students' improvement in just one month of training is far greater than what we usually see in an entire semester."
His praise wasn't just because he had a good relationship with Mugetsu. As the homeroom teacher of Class 2, Fourth Grade, with students spread across Groups A, B, and C, he had seen firsthand how far they had come.
Students like Nakamori Gōichi, who had been completely ordinary, had risen to a respectable level, while the strong had become exceptional. Every single one of them had improved.
"This type of training seems perfect for Fourth Grade students about to graduate," Kimura Sugito added after some thought. "If we had more sessions like this, Konoha's new Genin would be far stronger in the future."
Improving Genin strength was no small matter—it allowed them to take on higher-paying missions sooner. Normally, fresh graduates were restricted to low-risk work like cleaning, chasing cats, or pulling weeds. But if their abilities improved enough, those restrictions could be loosened.
Higher-paying missions meant greater challenges, and greater challenges meant faster growth. It was a cycle that could elevate the village's overall strength.
Even Raido Namiashi's teacher, who had once been skeptical of Mugetsu, now openly praised his teaching ability. The results spoke for themselves—no one could deny what he had achieved in just over a month.
"I just teach to the best of my ability," Mugetsu replied with a gentle smile. "The students' progress comes from their own hard work."
"Special training is far more demanding than regular classes. Eight hours of training a day—it's not easy to stick with it." He let out a quiet sigh.
Mugetsu made no attempt to take all the credit. For one, Hiruzen and the others had already recognized his achievements—there was no need to boast. And more importantly, the students truly had worked hard. His methods made the lessons easier to absorb, but they weren't some instant power-up. Without effort, even the best teaching meant nothing.
---
"No matter what, Mugetsu, you've given me a great surprise," Hiruzen said warmly. "I've seen the results for myself. Your summer special training has set an excellent example and shown a new way to strengthen graduating Genin.
"Given your strong teaching ability, outstanding work performance, and tireless dedication… you are hereby promoted to Special Jonin!"
He handed Mugetsu a scroll, smiling kindly as he patted his shoulder.
"Jonin Mugetsu, I hope you will continue to train the next generation for Konoha. The village's future rests in the hands of young people like you."
This promotion had been agreed upon from the start—as long as Mugetsu could produce results with the summer training, he would be elevated to Special Jonin.
In truth, Hiruzen had made the decision the moment Mugetsu submitted his achievement report. Everything had been prepared in advance; barring any last-minute problems, the promotion was guaranteed.
Becoming a Jonin—or even a Special Jonin—was no easy feat. It usually required completing numerous missions, earning great merit, possessing exceptional skills, and demonstrating superior strength.
Yet, for the Hokage, promoting someone could be as simple as speaking the words. He had absolute authority, and no one would dare challenge his decision.
Still, for the sake of credibility and the rank's value, Hiruzen never handed out promotions lightly.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your trust," Mugetsu said, accepting the scroll with both hands, a respectful and slightly emotional expression on his face.
Internally, he felt little different—but with so many eyes on him, he knew to show proper gratitude.
---
"Jonin…" Ikeya Yu's eyes widened with envy.
Even a Special Jonin was a Jonin—high-ranking enough to attend important strategy meetings. Among all the Ninja Academy's teachers, only two held Jonin rank: the head teacher and the vice head teacher. All the grade leaders and office directors were Chunin.
Watching someone younger than him, who had only recently joined the Academy, rise to Special Jonin so quickly left Ikeya Yu feeling a mix of awe and jealousy.
If I were a Special Jonin… even dating would be easier.
"That was fast," Ueda Aya murmured in surprise. She had expected Mugetsu to be promoted eventually, but not so soon. Still, when she thought about it, it made sense—he had led Class 1, First Grade to exceptional results and pioneered summer special training that boosted graduating students' abilities.
The other Chunin teachers all looked at him with envy, though without resentment. After all, he had earned it. None of them could confidently claim they could produce the same results.
---
Hiruzen noted the reactions with satisfaction.
By promoting Mugetsu in such a public way, he not only secured the young teacher's loyalty, but also motivated the other Chunin to strive harder, knowing that real achievements could lead to real rewards.
A small gesture, yet one that would yield multiple benefits for the village.
---
"Hey, what are the students gathering over there for?" a teacher asked, curiosity piqued.
"My Shadow Clone should have finished organizing the results and posted them. The last chart will compare the final scores with the initial group test results, so the students can see their progress more clearly," Mugetsu explained with a smile.
Except for the very special Group A, Groups B and C had followed the standard grading system from start to finish.
"Let's go see the students' progress too," Hiruzen said warmly, leading the teachers over.
Mugetsu followed beside him, his smile this time genuine.
Unlike the polite gratitude he had shown earlier, this smile came from the heart—though not because of the Special Jonin promotion. It was because the system's rewards had just arrived… and they were far more generous than he expected.
---
[Under your guidance, the students participating in the summer special training have improved in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, and their overall strength has increased.]
[Reward received: Chakra +800, Skill Proficiency Scroll, Combination Ninjutsu (Proficient Level).]
All of these rewards were valuable.
Chakra—he could never have too much. The Skill Proficiency Scroll could be used on a Ninjutsu he wanted to refine further or on a high-difficulty technique. Combination Ninjutsu would give him an even stronger offensive edge, especially with the wide range of techniques he already commanded.
And that wasn't all. More notifications appeared.
[Disciple Uchiha Shisui diligently trained and achieved perfect results in the summer special training. Reward: Chakra +200.]
[Disciple Uchiha Obito diligently trained and achieved excellent results in the summer special training. Reward: Chakra +150.]
[Disciple Might Guy diligently trained and achieved excellent results in the summer special training. Reward: Chakra +150.]
Another five hundred Chakra in total.
Looking at the results settlement, Mugetsu could only sigh—this system's quirks were hard to exploit. His guess had been half right: exams he personally conducted could trigger system rewards, but there were hidden conditions he still didn't fully understand.
Perhaps it depended on the time gap between exams, or on the measurable improvement in the students' abilities. Either way, spamming tests every few days clearly wouldn't work.
Still, a direct increase of 1,200 Chakra was enough to make him truly happy.
---
Mugetsu opened his panel to check his stats.
[Name: Hayate Mugetsu]
[Chakra: 15,300]
That was already the equivalent of six Kakashi's worth of Chakra.
The summer special training had been better than expected. He had assumed his Chakra growth rate would drop over the holidays, but instead it had surpassed his normal school-term gains. In just over a month, his Chakra had risen by 3,250 points—without even counting the benefits from training missions or new Ninjutsu.
The largest gains came from the improvement settlement and exam settlement, with smaller amounts from class rewards, disciple returns, and Chakra generated from his students' training. His natural growth had also increased thanks to his body.
Chakra came from both physical and spiritual energy. Since mastering Rock Breathing at the proficient level—and with the Constant State's boost—his physique was strengthening every day, pushing his base Chakra higher.
At this rate, he estimated he could break the 20,000 mark before the next semester ended.
---
"You've improved so much, from twelve points to twenty-three!"
"Heh, yours isn't bad either—fifteen to twenty-five!"
When Mugetsu and the others arrived, the students were chatting excitedly, comparing their before-and-after scores. The progress was clear, and the teachers couldn't help but marvel again.
After everyone had looked over the results, Mugetsu gathered the students for a final speech.
"Are you satisfied with your improved scores?" he asked with a smile.
"Satisfied!"
"I didn't expect to improve so much in just five weeks!"
"Teacher Mugetsu, you're amazing! I never knew getting stronger could be this straightforward!"
Their words differed, but their tone was the same—full of pride and satisfaction.
"It's good that you're satisfied," Mugetsu said seriously. "But remember—the most important factor in this improvement was your own effort. If you keep working this hard, you'll all grow into excellent ninja."
This was perhaps the most genuine encouragement he had given them in over a month. Not to build favor, not to push them for his own gain—just a simple, honest wish that they would grow strong enough to survive the coming war.
He had only been in this world for five months, and felt no deep attachment to Konoha. His main goal was still to grow stronger and break the cursed seal on his body.
But anyone raised in a modern world would find it hard to watch children barely ten years old walk onto a battlefield.
Unfortunately, he was still a clay Buddha crossing a river—barely able to protect himself, all while keeping one eye on Danzo. No matter how much he disliked it, there was little he could do right now.
---
With Hiruzen present, Mugetsu politely invited him to address the students as well.
"To be honest, before coming here, I was a little worried," Hiruzen began with a warm smile. "But seeing your progress has put my mind at ease.
"You are proof that the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before us were not in vain. The village continues to grow and thrive."
Then, he spoke the words of the Will of Fire.
"Where Konoha dances, fire will continue to burn. That fire will light the village and help new leaves to grow."
"You are the new leaves of Konoha," he finished, holding his pipe in one hand, the other clasped behind his back. "And nothing makes me happier than seeing you grow."
Mugetsu stood behind him, smiling gently at the students.
A phrase came to mind—That year, at eighteen, standing like a nobody.
---
When Hiruzen's speech ended, it should have been time to disperse.
But the students didn't let Mugetsu leave. They pulled him aside, blindfolded him, and said they had a surprise prepared.
After using a Ninjutsu to scan the surroundings, Mugetsu allowed the students to guide him forward.
"Ta-da! A super-sized five-tier cake!"
Accompanied by Anko's energetic voice, his vision returned as the blindfold was removed. Mugetsu found himself surrounded by students, and in front of him stood a towering cake—only slightly shorter than himself. The top was decorated with eighteen kunai-shaped desserts, and the entire cake was covered in hundreds of small candles.
"Teacher Mugetsu, thank you for your guidance this past month!" the students shouted in unison.
Of the more than three hundred students, over half had hardly known Mugetsu before the summer training. Some had only attended a single class under him, while others had merely heard his name. But after more than a month together, they had grown to admire the teacher whose skill was matched only by his patience and kindness.
At the start, many had been disappointed when placed in his group, thinking he was just another teacher who judged students by grades—gathering the weaker ones together only to ignore them. But they soon realized they were wrong. The grouping had been purely for more efficient teaching.
Though Group A was filled with top students from different classes, Mugetsu showed no favoritism. One Shadow Clone was assigned to each group, while his main body rotated between them. No group received more attention than another.
Every student had the chance to learn directly from him. Even those who didn't actively approach were approached by Mugetsu himself, offering guidance without hesitation. He could call every student by name, never resorting to a dismissive, "Hey, you."
He often praised their diligence, but the students knew Mugetsu worked even harder. While they trained individually, he taught all three groups, splitting himself into three clones while his main body moved between them—working like four people at once.
The strongest students might not have noticed as much, but those who usually went unnoticed by other teachers felt the difference deeply. From an acclaimed Jonin, they received the attention and care they had never expected—something that pushed many of them to train harder. None of them wanted to disappoint him.
---
"The cake was bought with everyone's pooled money," Obito explained excitedly. "The eighteen kunai are because you're eighteen this year, Teacher Mugetsu. And there are three hundred fifty-nine candles—one from each of us."
Looking at their bright, innocent smiles, Mugetsu felt a flicker of warmth.
Students at this age were pure—if you treated them well, they would return that kindness wholeheartedly… even if they didn't understand your deeper motives.
After I have the strength, I should do what I can, he thought. This world might be corrupt, but it still had its share of good people.
"Your intentions have been well received. You've gone to a lot of trouble," Mugetsu said, smiling like the sun.
"It's no trouble! If you're willing to be the homeroom teacher of Class 6, Grade 4, it's no trouble at all," Genma chuckled.
"That's right, you should take Class 3, Grade 4 instead!"
"Class 1, Grade 4 too!"
The students of Class 2, Grade 4 only smiled, confident that as long as Ikeya Yu remained, Mugetsu would still be teaching them.
"No, no, that's impossible! Teacher Mugetsu belongs to Class 1, Grade 1!" Anko declared protectively, glaring at the other students as if guarding treasure.
"Let's all share the cake. If I ate this alone, you probably wouldn't see your Teacher Mugetsu again," he said with a light laugh.
That ended the tug-of-war over which class he should "belong" to. The students began taking slices, though slowly—until Mugetsu created several Shadow Clones to help cut.
The old man's only good decision this year was bringing Teacher Mugetsu in as a tutor, Asuma thought as he ate.
Because of their different family situations, some students contributed more money, some less, and some offered labor instead. Asuma had used most of his saved pocket money, making him the biggest contributor.
They ate, chatted, and shared funny moments from training.
---
"Ebisu, I've got good news for you," Kotetsu said eagerly.
"What good news?" Ebisu asked, still sulking from an earlier scolding.
"Your genius reputation has reached the Hokage!" Kotetsu grinned.
"Ebisu, you owe Kotetsu for this one," Izumo added with a smirk. "He actually ran straight into a group of teachers to make it happen."
"What genius reputation…?" Ebisu's face went pale. A terrible suspicion formed in his mind, and suddenly, he knew why he'd been criticized.
"Here's what happened," Kotetsu said proudly. "I heard Teacher Mugetsu say your name while the Hokage was right there. So I shouted it out—nice and loud—and called you the main contributor to perfecting the Enemy Confusion Technique!"
"But you don't have to worry," Kotetsu added magnanimously. "It's just our way of paying you back for teaching us."
"In front of the Hokage…" Ebisu's face drained of color entirely. His Ninja career felt like it was over before it began.
"Why aren't you smiling? You don't like to smile?" Izumo teased.
Ebisu's fists clenched.
"I really should treat you both to something… cake!"
With that, he smeared his slice across their faces. The act sparked a full-blown cake fight.
By the end, everyone was covered in frosting, but the laughter was worth it.
---
"Everyone, no need to be sad," Mugetsu said at last. "I'm not leaving the Academy. If you have problems, you can still come to me. I'll always be your Teacher Mugetsu."
Today, his mood was bright. His Chakra had grown again, and this day felt like the second real gift he had received since arriving in this world.
---
On the way home, Asuma spotted the Third Hokage waiting. Remembering Mugetsu's earlier words, he felt a faint stir of emotion.
"How do you feel about my battle today?" he asked.
"Too many mistakes," Hiruzen replied bluntly. "If it were me, I could have won in over a hundred ways."
Asuma's face darkened. Without another word, he walked past his father and headed home.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on:
~ [email protected]/FanficLord03
~ Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the story in the rankings using your
[Power Stones]
~ https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9