At the center of the room stood the three candidates.
Shinji.
Shisui Uchiha.
And Might Guy.
Guy stood rigidly straight, fists clenched with excitement. "THIS IS IT!"
Shinji glanced sideways. "You're vibrating."
"I AM FILLED WITH YOUTHFUL ANTICIPATION!"
Shisui chuckled quietly.
Across the room, seated behind the desk, was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Beside him stood Hiruzen Sarutobi. Minato folded his hands together and smiled calmly.
"You've all done well in the Jonin Promotion Examination."
Guy leaned forward eagerly. "THEN WE PASSED?!"
Minato raised a hand. "The decision required careful consideration."
He looked at each of them in turn. "Because becoming a jonin means more than strength."
"Each stage of the exam evaluated a different aspect of leadership."
"The written exam tested your judgment."
"Shisui Uchiha."
Shisui straightened slightly.
"Your answers demonstrated exceptional strategic awareness."
Minato continued. "You showed the ability to analyze complex battlefield situations quickly."
Shisui bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Minato raised another finger.
"The leadership trial."
His eyes moved toward Shinji.
"Shinji."
Shinji met his gaze.
"You demonstrated calm decision-making and effective delegation."
Hiruzen spoke quietly from beside the desk.
"You trusted your team."
"And the combat trial."
His eyes moved toward Guy.
"Might Guy."
Guy stood even straighter.
"YES!"
Minato smiled.
"Your taijutsu ability is exceptional."
Guy beamed.
"THE POWER OF YOUTH"
Minato held up a hand, laughing softly.
"And your determination is… impossible to ignore."
Guy wiped a tear dramatically.
"THANK YOU!"
The Hokage leaned back slightly in his chair.
"All three of you possess the qualities expected of a jonin."
The room fell completely silent.
Minato stood.
"Therefore…"
"By the authority of the Hokage"
"I am pleased to announce that all three of you are hereby promoted to the rank of Jonin."
Guy exploded with excitement. "YES!" He threw his fists into the air. "THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH HAS ARRIVED!"
Shisui bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Shinji simply nodded once.
Minato stepped forward from behind the desk. A small tray rested nearby. On it were three flak jackets. The traditional uniform of Konoha jonin. Minato picked up the first one.
"Shisui Uchiha." Shisui stepped forward. Minato handed him the jacket. "Your talent will serve the village well." Shisui accepted it with a respectful bow.
Next
"Might Guy." Guy rushed forward so quickly he nearly tripped. Minato handed him the jacket. Guy held it like it was a sacred artifact. "I WILL PROTECT THE VILLAGE WITH MY LIFE!"
Minato smiled. "I believe you will."
Finally
"Shinji."
Shinji stepped forward. Minato studied him for a moment before handing him the jacket. "You've grown a lot."
Shinji took the vest. "I've had good teachers."
Minato glanced toward Hiruzen. The old shinobi chuckled quietly.
Minato nodded. "You've earned this."
Shinji slipped the vest over his shoulders.
Minato stepped back. "From this moment on, you will carry the responsibilities of jonin."
He looked at them seriously. "You will lead missions." "You will guide younger shinobi." "And when the village needs you…" "You will stand at the front."
The three young jonin nodded.
Guy raised his fist. "WE WILL!"
Minato smiled.
"You're dismissed."
Outside the Hokage Tower, the three of them stood together on the balcony overlooking Konoha.
Guy stared at his new vest proudly. "LOOK AT IT!"
He struck a dramatic pose. "I AM OFFICIALLY A JONIN!"
Shisui leaned against the railing. "You've been yelling about it for ten minutes."
Guy pointed at him. "YOU'RE A JONIN TOO!"
Shisui laughed. "That's true."
Guy turned toward Shinji. "And YOU!"
Shinji adjusted the collar of his vest. "What about me?"
Guy grinned widely. "OUR TEAM HAS RISEN AGAIN!"
Shisui looked out across the village rooftops. "Feels strange."
Shinji nodded slightly. "We're not kids anymore."
Guy placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "BUT OUR YOUTH CONTINUES!"
Shisui smiled. "I guess it does."
Three former genin. Now jonin.
The next generation of Konoha's protectors.