On the high platform, Naruto raised a hand and pressed downward.
Strangely, the deafening cheers that had been shaking the sky instantly died down with that simple motion.
Silence fell.
Everyone looked up at Naruto—as if gazing at a god.
"As the new Hokage, tradition says there are three fires to light after taking office," Naruto said calmly. "I'll light the first one right now."
"The Chunin Exams are still fresh in everyone's memory. Although the exams were interrupted by unexpected events, Konoha—as the host—cannot let these Genin fight so hard and end up with nothing to show for it."
"Therefore, in my capacity as Fifth Hokage of Konoha, I hereby announce: all Genin who performed outstandingly in the Chunin Exams will be promoted to Chunin."
Naruto unfolded a scroll and read aloud:
"Rock Lee. Gaara. Aburame Shino. Omoi. Kurotsuchi…"
Not only Konoha's Genin were named—Genin from all five great villages were included. Even those from Sunagakure and Cloud Village, former enemies, were promoted.
The Chunin Exams had been jointly held by all five villages. As the host, Naruto's decision was fully within the rules.
Yagura and Onoki exchanged glances and smiled faintly.
Although each village could promote its own ninja internally, nothing compared to this—an open, fair promotion broadcast live to the entire ninja world.
This was television.
This meant honor, legitimacy, and future potential.
All twelve Genin who reached the final stage of the exams were promoted—no exceptions.
Five from Konoha.
Two from Cloud.
Two from Mist.
Two from Sand.
One from Stone.
"Next," Naruto continued, his tone shifting slightly, "there is one person I wish to commend in particular."
"Uchiha Sasuke—step forward."
Naruto's gaze swept across the crowd, paused briefly on a black-robed young man, then flicked to a blond boy beside him. The corner of his mouth twitched faintly before he looked back to the stage.
Sasuke stepped forward.
"In the Konoha Collapse Incident," Naruto said, "Uchiha Sasuke played a decisive role. He personally captured Shimura Danzo—the true mastermind behind the conspiracy—and made an extraordinary contribution to the village."
"Therefore, in my capacity as Fifth Hokage, I hereby promote Uchiha Sasuke to the rank of Konoha Jonin."
Naruto raised his hand.
The massive screen beside the Hokage Building changed.
The live broadcast vanished.
In its place appeared footage of a dark underground base.
A fierce battle unfolded.
Lightning and fire clashed. Shadows twisted. Wind howled.
Shimura Danzo's strange Wind Style, his forbidden Izanagi that cheated death—everything was shown in brutal clarity. Sasuke's lightning-fast movement, his ruthless Fire Style, his calm precision—all of it played out before the entire world.
The audience watching from their homes gasped.
This was the power of Kage-level combat.
Even veteran Jonin in Konoha felt cold sweat run down their backs.
If they were in that battle, either opponent alone would have crushed them.
Danzo—the darkness of Konoha—needed no explanation.
And Sasuke…
The young Uchiha who had long lived in Naruto's shadow finally stood in the spotlight, shocking the world.
"Another genius Jonin… That's the Uchiha clan for you."
"Capturing an S-rank criminal at that age—promotion is only natural."
"Honestly, if Naruto weren't so monstrously strong, Sasuke would've been the most gifted ninja Konoha's seen in years."
"Did you notice? He barely relied on the Sharingan. Lightning and Fire Style alone forced Danzo into a corner."
Boruto stared at Sasuke on the stage, then looked at the Sasuke beside him, eyes full of admiration.
"Master Sasuke… I didn't expect you to become a Jonin this young. You defeated Danzo at that age—you're incredible."
Future Sasuke was silent.
He looked at the younger version of himself on the stage, calm and resolute.
A strange sense of unreality washed over him.
At that age, in his own timeline, he had been preparing to defect—to chase power from Orochimaru.
He had been nowhere near this level.
It would take him nearly three more years to barely reach the strength this Sasuke already possessed.
"Three years earlier…" Sasuke thought. "Strong enough to defeat Danzo… Then what about the massacre? What about Itachi?"
For a moment, he felt the urge to tell the truth—to shout it out.
In the end, he suppressed it.
This world was wrong.
What he knew might not apply here at all.
"Boruto," Sasuke said quietly, resting a hand on the boy's head, "this isn't the world I remember. At this time, I was still a Genin. That Sasuke up there is already a Jonin. Naruto is Hokage. Everything is happening too early."
"So weird," Boruto muttered, eyes shining as he took everything in. "But… kind of amazing."
On the platform, Sasuke accepted the Jonin vest from Naruto.
He clutched it tightly, eyes wet.
"Father. Mother. Brother… did you see that?" he whispered. "I didn't disappoint you. I became a Jonin at twelve—earlier than you, Brother."
The true culprit behind the massacre—Shimura Danzo—had been brought to justice by his own hands.
The hatred in his heart was finally laid to rest.
Now, he had to choose a new purpose in life.
"Sasuke," Naruto said with a strange smile, "to celebrate your promotion, I prepared a small gift. I hope you like it."
Sasuke froze.
A gift?
In front of this many people?
On live broadcast?
One wrong move, and Konoha would become the laughingstock of the entire ninja world.
Naruto snapped his fingers.
Snap.
A figure in a black robe appeared instantly, kneeling before Naruto.
"Greetings, Lord Fifth Hokage!"
Sasuke's pupils shrank.
Even he hadn't sensed the arrival.
Among the guests, Jiraiya and Tsunade stiffened.
So did the Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Kazekage, and Raikage.
This man's presence was overwhelming—on par with theirs, perhaps stronger.
Then—
"Greetings, Lord Fifth Hokage!"
Another black-robed figure appeared and knelt.
Then another.
And another.
One after another, black-robed figures flashed into existence, lining up in rows, all kneeling before Naruto.
Each one radiated terrifying chakra.
Each one carried the presence of a Kage-level powerhouse.
The Konoha ninja were stunned.
The guests felt their scalps go numb.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.
So this power… had always been behind Naruto.
With this force, Naruto could have seized the Hokage position by force at any time.
And yet he hadn't.
He had waited. Calculated. Won everything cleanly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a chill run through him.
He's thought this through too well… Is it really right to hand Konoha to him?
But then he closed his eyes.
Power was power.
When you were weaker than others, what choice did you have?
Naruto smiled, relaxed as ever.
"Sasuke," he said, "this is my gift to you."
"You don't need to hide anymore."
The black-robed figures reached up—
And tore off their cloaks.
Red-and-white fan crests filled the stage.
Uchiha crests.
The world froze.
"That's—Uchiha Itachi?!"
"Shisui… Uchiha Shisui?!"
"Uchiha Fugaku?!"
"The Uchiha clan… weren't they wiped out?!"
Across the ninja world, jaws dropped.
On the stage, Sasuke's body trembled.
His eyes widened—
And for the first time in his life, he forgot how to breathe.
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