The courtyard of the old Senju estate lay bathed in dusky golden light. A gentle evening breeze rustled the ancient trees, and lanterns under the eaves glowed softly. Lady Momoka sat like a silent rock, lifting only her eyelids when Shuji entered.
"You're back?" Her voice was calm, betraying no emotion, though her weathered gaze lingered on him a moment longer than usual.
"Yes, Grandma." Shuji settled on the veranda's edge, stretching. "The Third Hokage summoned me—about keeping the team together and my promotion to Special Jōnin."
He omitted mention of leading Itachi's squad at Grandma's behest or the implicit exchange of command for rank.
Lady Momoka's fingers hesitated around her teacup as she fell silent, her gaze drifting to the shadowed depths of the garden.
"They require two Chūnin or Jōnin recommendations," Shuji continued in report mode, "plus a specialized skills evaluation. I'll need your help obtaining the letters."
"Recommendation letters?" Lady Momoka turned slowly, her eyes fixed on Shuji. The air seemed to freeze. She lifted her cup and sipped, though her eyes betrayed deep meaning.
Those who could write such letters—those distant kin—visited this lonely villa each year, bearing modest but considerate gifts: ornate sweets, seasonal fruits, or rare village curiosities. Their faces carried reverence for the years past and respect for Lady Momoka. They would regard young Shuji as a living bond between past and future, patting his head or shoulder, asking kindly about his academy progress or how much he'd grown.
For Shuji now, these relatives existed only in brief holiday visits. Their ties were tenuous. To ask them directly for letters would feel awkward and inefficient. Instead, Grandma arranging it would be far more natural and effective.
Lady Momoka set down her cup with a faint click, her eyes studying Shuji's still-fresh fourteen-year-old face. In the ninja world, that was old enough to shoulder responsibility—but to her, still too young.
A recommendation letter signifies recognition: a parent's letter names the child as family representative; a Chūnin's letter signals willingness to follow that Jōnin's leadership; a Jōnin's letter affirms the candidate's worthiness to stand as their comrade.
Should Shuji now step into that circle? After the passing of Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama, those kin gathered at the estate to maintain a network of mutual support in crises. That network carried hopes, burdens, and perhaps calculations—and to Shuji, its depths were unfathomable.
"Letters of recommendation…" Lady Momoka at last consented, "I will handle it."
"Is there anything I should prepare?"
"You need only focus on the evaluation." Lady Momoka pushed a fresh cup of hot tea toward him. "Leave the rest to me."
Shuji accepted the cup; warmth spread across his palm. "Yes, Grandma."
His brisk response suited her plan. It was a relief to defer to her guidance.
"The letters will go directly to the Hokage's office," she added.
Holding the warm cup, Shuji's mind raced.
The original host's talents were rock-solid: mastery of all five elemental releases, exceptional chakra reserves—implying a robust physique—and correspondingly strong taijutsu. As for genjutsu, Lady Momoka herself, in the Warring States, had been famed for her illusions when facing the Uchiha.
Raised by her, Shuji's genjutsu might not be his specialty but would never be a weak link.
Now, his chakra quantity and quality had leapt to new heights. His sensory perception had sharpened, and his five senses greatly enhanced.
A targeted Special Jōnin evaluation? For Shuji—now or ever—it posed no real challenge.
To him, it was more a test of control: how precisely to wield power, demonstrate the ninja arts befitting a Jōnin, and pass without surpassing expectations so radically as to draw unwanted scrutiny.
What truly occupied his thoughts was his natural energy training. Through recent practice, he could faintly sense the ripples in space when his Wood Release trees attempted to draw on nature's energy. Though still elusive, it was positive feedback, affirming the path. He needed only continue training.
Meanwhile, deeper Wood Release development could not be neglected. His previous attempt to draw nature's energy into wood ended in petrification—but failure itself was a lesson: his trees were too weak. Thus, he must strengthen their durability or explore new varieties. These questions demanded answers.
He must probe Wood Release's essence and its deeper bond with nature's energy. Hashirama-sama had paved the way; Shuji could discover his own path.
True power lay in mastery—only genuine strength in hand could anchor him amid the coming tides of turmoil. The evaluation was but ripples; growing stronger was the pillar.
Night deepened, and the old villa's lights blurred through the window frames. Lady Momoka watched the boy, lost in thought with cup in hand, her tension lines softening imperceptibly. She raised her own now-lukewarm tea and sipped slowly.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild