With Hanzō formally declaring the end of hostilities, the Land of Rain campaign finally concluded for Konoha. The pressure on the Hidden Leaf Village eased immediately.
At the frontline base, part of the forces continued the war in the Land of Grass, preparing for a possible incursion into the Land of Earth. Another group , including Yellow Dog's ANBU unit, received rotation orders and headed back to the Hidden Leaf.
Konoha
After arriving in Konoha, Yoru entered a dim ANBU conference room. Only his seat was illuminated by a harsh spotlight. Sitting in that beam made his shoulders tense; the oppressive silence of the room didn't help.
Not long afterward, three jōnin stepped in. They sat at the front podium, three desk lamps switching on , bright enough to show the silhouettes of their forms, but not their faces.
Yoru immediately recognized Yellow Dog's voice:
"Fox… to become a Special Jōnin, you need three jōnin to co-sign your recommendation.
After that, the Hokage will approve or deny it. This is the internal ANBU assessment.
Answer every question carefully."
Yoru nodded. He could guess that the center silhouette was Yellow Dog.
The identity of the other two remained unknown.
Each had a scroll before them, his file.
Combat Evaluation: Ninjutsu
The jōnin on the left spoke:
"Your mission record states you killed a Sand shinobi jōnin during the Rain campaign. Describe the battle in full detail. No omissions."
Yoru's heartbeat tightened.
That battle…
He had used the Self-binding Curse Seal , a forbidden technique , to end the fight quickly before his subordinates suffered casualties.
Had ANBU discovered something?
He reviewed the record he had written, and stuck exactly to it:
"The enemy specialized in Earth Release. But my hand seals were faster.
My Falling Earth Spears technique overwhelmed his Fissure Shot. His defenses grew sloppier.
I seized an opening and finished him with a single strike to the head."
The moment he finished, the left jōnin moved.
The floor cracked open , gravel shards erupted upward, shooting toward Yoru.
Yoru formed hand signs instantly.
"Earth Style: Falling Earth Spears!"
Spears of packed soil burst from the ground, intercepting incoming gravel one after another. But the jōnin's elemental control was far beyond the Sand ninja he'd fought; the impacts grew closer and closer to Yoru's body.
A shard shattered so near his cheek he felt the edge pass by.
Too close.
Yoru switched techniques:
"Water Style: Water Barrier!"
A surging wall of water erupted upward, stopping the remainder of the attack. Water splashed across the stone floor.
Yoru exhaled. His forehead was already starting to sweat.
Yellow Dog chuckled:
"See, Crocodile Turtle? I told you Fox's ninjutsu level was exceptional."
Yoru relaxed. It was only a verification, not suspicion.
Combat Evaluation: Taijutsu
The right jōnin stood.
"If I were a noble of the Land of Fire opposed to Konoha, and you were ordered to assassinate me without revealing shinobi origins…
You'd be limited to taijutsu. Come."
Yoru drew a kunai and moved in.
Steel clashed. The jōnin raised an eyebrow.
"Strong arms. Impressive strength for your age."
Yoru thought, I do have the Senju physical constitution…
Their kunai danced back and forth. Yoru shifted into the flowing, unpredictable angles of Cloud-Flow Blade Technique, exploiting joint flexibility to stab from abnormal trajectories.
The jōnin commented as they exchanged blows:
"Your kunai work carries hints of swordplay , deceptive, flexible, refined. Good taijutsu ability."
After barely two minutes of testing, the jōnin withdrew.
Yellow Dog spoke:
"Well, Crocodile Turtle? Hummingbird? Will you co-sign my recommendation?"
"Your subordinate is strong."
"Stronger than my squad captain."
One after another, they signed the scroll.
Yellow Dog turned to Yoru.
"Come. We'll see the Hokage."
Audience with the Third Hokage
In the Hokage Tower, Yellow Dog went ahead first. After a short wait, he returned and escorted Yoru upstairs.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly.
"Fox. Come in."
Only Hiruzen and Yellow Dog were present , the atmosphere was open.
The Hokage read from a dossier as he spoke:
"Codename Fox.
Real name: Yoru.
Born in Konoha Year 23.
Orphaned in Year 28.
Graduated the Academy in Year 33.
Passed the Chūnin Exams last year.
Your squadmates died in two missions; ANBU rescued you and later recruited you.
Your performance across the Wave, Whirlpool, Grass, and Rain missions was exceptional.
Both former captain Black Ape and current captain Yellow Dog repeatedly praised you.
Now, Yellow Dog recommends you for Special Jōnin."
Hiruzen lifted his gaze.
"Fox… tell me how your mindset changed after joining ANBU. ANBU is my personal blade. Right now, I want your honest thoughts."
Yoru understood. This was the loyalty assessment.
He organized his thoughts and spoke:
"Lord Hokage… my parents, my instructor, my teammates , all were killed in war. I once believed I was already dead inside. ANBU felt like the only path suited for me.
But during my time in ANBU, my heart has slowly revived. The missions are cruel, but because we endure cruelty, the village enjoys peace. My suffering allows others warmth.
Lord Hokage… the Leaf moves forward because people like you carry its burdens. I am willing to help you carry them."
Hiruzen froze.
Carry burdens… yes…
For a moment, the weight he bore felt acknowledged.
He signed immediately.
"Yoru, I approve your promotion to Special Jōnin!
Konoha prospers because of young shinobi like you."
Yoru replied firmly:
"I will not betray the Will of Fire. I will complete every mission you assign."
The Hokage nodded.
Special Jōnin Reward: Choosing a Jutsu
"As ANBU's newly appointed Special Jōnin, you may choose one A-rank technique."
Yoru answered:
"I wish to learn an offensive Water Release. My attack power is lacking."
Hiruzen gestured. Yellow Dog fetched a blue scroll, a catalog of Hiruzen's Water Release summary.
Yoru immediately saw the name:
Water Style: Severing Wave
The signature technique of Tobirama Senju, capable of slicing even the God Tree's branches in the Fourth War.
"Lord Hokage, I wish to learn the Severing Wave."
Hiruzen's expression softened with nostalgia.
"My teacher developed that technique. Its difficulty is high, I'm glad someone wishes to inherit it."
He personally wrote down the full teaching formula.
Yoru dried the ink and sealed the scroll.
A Guest Arrives , Sakumo Hatake
"Fox, stand at my left side. We will receive someone together."
Yoru obeyed, symbolically standing beside the Hokage with Yellow Dog.
A moment later, a silver-haired shinobi entered.
Hiruzen smiled:
"Sakumo, please sit."
Yoru nearly stopped breathing.
Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang.
Sakumo sat, glanced at the two ANBU. He recognized Yellow Dog. The newcomer, Fox , stood with a poised, balanced stance. Strong potential.
Hiruzen handed Sakumo a scroll.
As Sakumo read, the Hokage spoke:
The war the with the Hidden Rain Village has ended , but now the Hidden Sand Village has declared war. Yellow Dog's unit thwarted a Sand plot to redirect the Land of Rain's waters into the Wind Country. Now they wish to strike while we're weakened.
We will confront them in the Land of Rivers.
Sakumo…
I want you to serve as deputy commander of the River campaign. Nara Shikakuro(Nara Shikaku's father and Shikamaru's grandfather), will be the commander. You will be our spearpoint."
Sakumo fell silent.
Yoru was stunned, Sakumo didn't immediately accept?
Hiruzen continued:
"Orochimaru is busy in the Hidden Grass Village front. Jiraiya decided to follow a prophecy. Sakumo… only you can fill this role."
Sakumo finally spoke:
"I have no intention of retreating, but… I have a request."
Hiruzen's tone cooled slightly.
"Speak."
Sakumo said calmly:
"Lord Hokage, I wish to implement merit-based examinations for Special Jōnin and Jōnin promotions during wartime. Not the current recommendation system.
Too many capable chūnin never receive proper rank. If we create a point-based exam, complete X A-rank missions to become Special Jōnin, complete Y S-rank missions to become Jōnin,
motivation will rise, and ranks will match ability.
The same applies to jutsu access. Complete missions, earn techniques."
Yoru was shocked.
He's challenging the political hierarchy, during wartime!
Hiruzen answered slowly:
"This system… was established by the Second Hokage. It cannot be changed quickly.
I will consider it. For now, we must prepare for the Hidden Sand Village."
Sakumo nodded.
After he left, Hiruzen turned to Yellow Dog:
"Yellow Dog… Sakumo has gathered followers promoting this 'fair merit system.' Add long-term surveillance of these followers to your duties. Find out what they're planning."
"Understood."