"Danzo, don't cross the line," Shisui really didn't want to argue with Danzo but couldn't stand it anymore.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also found it odd. Shisui was always calm as still water, wise beyond his years, and never spoke unnecessarily. Yet this time, he even spoke up for Satoru, openly opposing the Hokage Advisor and ANBU head, Danzo.
"Shisui, what happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally realized something had occurred between them.
"Don't change the subject! I say this kid has no right to become Jonin!" Danzo glared at Satoru again.
Satoru couldn't hold back either.
"Shisui, it's fine. I'll handle Lord Danzo from here."
"Lord Third, I absolutely have the right to become Jonin. But this guy named Danzo has no right to even call himself a ninja!" Satoru said it straight to his face too.
"What?!" Danzo was shocked. Before him stood just a nine-year-old child, yet he dared oppose him so openly. Where could he put his old face now?
Danzo wasn't magnanimous and instantly wanted to kill Satoru.
"Yellow-bellied fledgling!" Danzo prepared to attack. Of course, he still retained some reason, with the Third Hokage present.
"Wait, Danzo," Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped Danzo, then turned to Satoru.
"Satoru, why do you say that about Danzo?"
"This guy holds a high position but has no dignity. He strives with all his might to become Hokage, secretly builds a private army. Knowing I might hinder him in the future, he even sent Root ninjas to try eliminating me. Danzo has tried to kill me more than once or twice," this time Satoru spilled the whole truth in one breath.
"You're lying! Where's your proof?" Danzo denied everything categorically.
"Proof? Shisui is a witness. There are also plenty of material evidences. Those ninjas we killed had your cursed seals," Satoru didn't expect to finish Danzo with a few words, but enraging him was possible.
Danzo shook his head, "Shisui was with you; you've conspired long ago. And those cursed seals you mention—how can you claim I placed them?"
Satoru knew Danzo would deny it over and over. The youth said no more, just throwing at Danzo, "Old fart, sooner or later I'll finish you off."
"You?!" Danzo flew into rage again and was about to attack, but the Third Hokage saw everything.
"Enough, Danzou! If you have no reasons to convince me otherwise, Satoru will henceforth be a jonin of our Konoha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was clearly enraged. He naturally believed Satoru's words, for he knew Danzou better than anyone in the world, and he was aware of many dark deeds that the man had carried out behind his back.
The Third Hokage allowed Danzou many things, but he still believed that Satoru would bring far more benefit to Konoha in the future.
Danzou immediately objected, "I already said, he's too young! He needs a few more years of training to become a jonin!"
"Due to age? Then allow me to ask, Lord Danzou, your age is already quite venerable—shouldn't it be time for you to retire?" Satoru immediately parried Danzou's thrust.
"Age is a problem? Age is no problem at all! A ninja is one who endures. Jonin status is directly proportional to the responsibility one can bear. The greater the abilities, the greater the responsibility. Therefore, the rank of jonin isn't all that high; it merely means the burden on one's shoulders can be heavier."
"Danzou, you want to become Hokage, but you lack the qualities for it. Without becoming Hokage, you won't gain universal recognition, but only by gaining universal recognition can one become Hokage. You completely fail to understand this truth and only know how to seize power! You're an ambitious schemer! Don't try to confuse me!"
Satoru scolded Danzou in one breath and felt immense relief. Seeing Danzou's face distorted with rage, Satoru was unspeakably pleased.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, at this moment, didn't blame Satoru at all. Clearly, the young man had spoken to the point.
"I'll kill you! Brat!" Satoru's words drove Danzou into a fury and shame. He immediately formed seals, "Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!"
However, Satoru didn't even pay attention to Danzou's technique. He simply pulled the Diamond Staff from his ear, extended it, and pressed it to Danzou's throat.
If Danzou so much as twitched, Satoru would instantly extend the staff further, piercing his body.
The Third Hokage was stunned. He hadn't expected Satoru's power to grow so much in just two years.
He knew Danzou's strength. And though Danzou had attacked first, Satoru had neutralized him in an instant.
"To think this kid already possesses such power! Astonishing! For two years he handled 'Konoha Barn' affairs, yet his strength still rose to this terrifying level! It seems his talent surpasses even that of Uchiha Madara and the First Hokage!" A multitude of thoughts flashed through the Third Hokage's mind.
The Third Hokage had to intervene. If he didn't, they would surely fight.
"Enough, enough! Now listen to me," the Third Hokage began to restore order.
"Satoru, the Daimyo holds you in very high regard. Two years ago, you became a chunin. Then you completed a two-year mission brilliantly. Even more importantly, your strength hasn't weakened at all, and that pleases me greatly," the Third Hokage then announced, "Therefore, I declare that Satoru becomes a jonin of our Konoha!"
Danzou could do nothing. Despite all his obstructions, Satoru had still become a jonin.
"As for Danzou's matter, since there is no evidence yet, we'll put it aside. But I must remind you, Danzou: you're an adult—don't bully children. And especially don't bully my student," after these words from the Third Hokage, Danzou froze.
"Sarutobi! Sarutobi!" Danzou was furious but could do nothing. Who was he to argue with the Hokage?
"You'll regret this, Sarutobi! Sooner or later, this guy will become another Uchiha Madara! No! He'll surpass Uchiha Madara and harm Konoha!" Danzou stated firmly and convincingly.
Satoru didn't know why this guy was so convinced, but he calmed down as well. Because Danzou's head must be filled with nothing but excrement.
When Pain destroyed Konoha, Danzou hid in the shadows, claiming it was for the village's protection. Wasn't the price too high? In essence, Danzou was just a selfish man who wanted to conquer the world. His words about protecting Konoha and the village's well-being were mere cover.
The Third Hokage's boundless kindness deeply touched Satoru. The fact that the Third Hokage was willing to support him at such a moment meant he truly cared for Satoru sincerely.
"Now that you're a jonin, you have the right to lead a genin team. I don't know if there are any genin teams that interest you?" The Third Hokage pulled out a folder of documents and handed it to Satoru.
Satoru opened the folder, glanced inside, and his face took on an expression that could be described as "both laughable and exasperating."