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Chapter 25 - Ch-25 Hokage (Bonus Chapter)

Kyojiro looked at the entrance of the Leaf with a smile on his face. The fresh air—the peaceful environment.The soft murmur in the wind—the sound of life and work mingling in the air.

It was such a stark contrast to the very life he had lived for the past five days.

He turned towards his friend—the one-armed brat now known as Kushiro. "See, I told you we would come sooner than you expected."

Kushiro merely huffed, once again losing in a bet he had placed. "Well, either way, it's a win—I was so missing the dumplings of my old man."

Kyojiro nodded.After the celebration, Kushiro had told him how everyone had witnessed how he had protected them.

The other shinobi he saved, Mitani, too, was utterly thankful to him...Even inviting him to his wedding.Kyojiro shook his head as he dispelled the thoughts.

Turning towards Kushiro, he spoke, "What are your plans now?" His voice solemn yet hopeful.

Kushiro's career wasn't entirely doomed—a Chunin at fifteen meant he was talented in his own right.A right arm did act like a crutch, but maybe it could be used for something greater.

Kushiro meanwhile shook his head. "I don't know really—first though, I have to get used to fighting with this." He turned towards the Leaf, a nostalgic smile on his face.

"If nothing works out, I'll just start teaching at the academy—heard they pay good." A small smirk on his face.

He nodded. "That's a good plan. I hope you do well," his voice sincere.

Before Kushiro could respond, the Head Jonin spoke in front of them, his voice serious. "Now that we have reached our home, the mission is finally over." His face remained stoic, but Kyojiro could sense the relief in his voice. "You all are no longer my responsibility, so disperse."

The whole squad responded with a loud, "Yes, sir!" before finally moving into the village.Kyojiro turned one last time towards Kushiro. "See you some other time, friend."

Kushiro nodded with a smile. "Some other time for sure."...The first stop for Kyojiro wasn't the Uchiha compounds, or Minato's team, or even Duy—his first stop was the obscenely huge building in front of him.

The Hokage Office.

He entered the familiar office—the rush, the newfound faces, the old veterans he was used to—it was all the same.As if time itself had stopped in the mission desk.

He nodded at the old man who was softly snoring on his job. Shaking his head, he couldn't help but suppress a laugh. 'Some mighty shinobi you were.'

Calming himself, he took a deep breath before moving upward—the usual door of the Hokage chamber staring him in the face.

Kyojiro didn't come here out of any self-urgency to report—he was commanded to, by none other than the highest authority in the village.The Hokage.

.

.

.

TINGLE

TINGLE

The bells jingled as he entered the room.Kyojiro couldn't help but widen his eyes as he looked at the familiar faces in the room."Senior brother!" one of the kids—an optimistic Uchiha Obito himself—jumped up before rushing at Kyojiro.

The fiery-haired Chunin couldn't help but smile, lightly petting the kid. "How have you been, little guy?"

Obito spoke with a proud fire in his eyes. "Just been practicing the Fireball Jutsu—let me tell you, my fireball can now even compete with yours, you know!"

Kyojiro couldn't help but smile at the cute kid. "Of course, kiddo. I believe your fireball is indeed stronger than mine."

"Dumb Obito, your fireball is like a candle in front of his—stop boasting lies," Kakashi's monotone voice rang from the side, his face hidden perfectly under a mask.

Obito immediately angered up. "Nobody's lying, stupid Kakashi!"

Before the fight could divulge, Minato calmed them down with a small bonk on the head. His voice remained gentle but stern. "We are in the Hokage's office, boys. Have some decorum."

Seeing both quiet down, Kyojiro nodded before turning towards Hiruzen. "Sir, you asked for me?"

Hiruzen nodded. He exhaled a small puff of tobacco, a soft smile lighting up his face. "I heard about the news—you killed a Jonin?"

Sharp gasps rang through the room. Even Minato turned towards Kyojiro with a surprised gaze.

Kyojiro meanwhile nodded. "Yeah, sir, it was a difficult battle, but my new jutsu finished the task."

Hiruzen didn't pry any further, just smiling to himself. "Mhmm."

Kyojiro could sense the calculations running in the old man's head. Despite the trust Hiruzen had shown him, Kyojiro still didn't completely trust the man.

'From my knowledge, so many things don't add up in this man.'

Hiruzen suddenly looked up. "Minato, you take care of Obito and Rin—teach them more jutsus and increase their combat ability."

He then turned towards Kyojiro and Kakashi. "As for you two, your ability seems to have exceeded your ranks." He tilted his head. "I have a mission for you both."

His voice seemed to pulse with a hint of excitement. "If you succeed, you both will be promoted to Jonin."

Kyojiro's eyes widened as he heard his words. 'Jonin? So soon...' Had someone told him this a month ago, Kyojiro would have taken that as an insult.

But now—the situation had far since flipped. He had grown stronger, competent... and even someone people looked up to.

THUMP

THUMP

"Yes, sir," he spoke with hope in his eyes.

Kakashi too nodded, accepting the request.

Hiruzen smiled back. "You will find your mission information down on the desk." His eyes suddenly twinkled. "Also, you both will be working under someone."

"Kakashi might become a Jonin?" Obito whispered to himself... even though the whole office heard it.

'Yeah, Obito... and so might I.' Kyojiro had one simple plan—to grow stronger. So strong that he could finally fix this world.

And this was just the first step.

......

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