"The Genin assignments this year will be handled by the Jonin I just mentioned. I hope you all lead them well." Hiruzen looked at the Jonin standing before him and said.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." The Jonin, including Kakashi, bowed in response.
Hiruzen nodded and continued the meeting, "Finally, in the name of the Hokage, I formally recommend Chunin Shinji for promotion to Jonin."
"Shinji became an Academy teacher as a Chunin, and his students' academic performance has been outstanding."
"During this period, he has completed over a hundred missions: 50 D-rank, 20 C-rank, 25 B-rank, and 10 A-rank."
"His exceptional strength and high sense of responsibility towards Konoha demonstrate a deep understanding and practice of the Will of Fire even during his Chunin days."
"He possesses the potential for continuous growth and teaching ability, and the qualities to train the next generation of ninja."
If Shinji were in the Jonin meeting room at this moment, he would probably be blushing. After all, even he didn't know he was so outstanding.
"Everyone, let's vote by a show of hands."
In the Jonin meeting hall, Hiruzen spoke in a gentle yet extremely solemn tone.
After speaking, Hiruzen immediately picked up his pipe and began puffing. His gaze, however, was fixed on the Jonin present.
Throughout the meeting hall, even though they had already known the news in advance, some Jonin still subconsciously looked around. After all, a new Jonin meant that a portion of power would be divided among those present. The attitudes of others would indicate the direction things would take.
As the representative of the Jonin class, Shikaku stood up and came to the front, saying, "Now, those in favor, please raise your hands."
As his voice fell, the Jonin or Special Jonin from Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans all raised their hands. Although not many, it still drew attention.
Fugaku gestured to the few Jonin in the meeting room, and then the only few Uchiha Jonin also raised their hands.
Hiashi naturally saw Fugaku's action and also raised his hand. The other Hyuga Jonin, seeing their clan head raise his hand, also followed suit and voted.
However, a few Hyuga remained motionless. Hiashi merely glanced sideways and then ignored them. Those few were people from some of the main family elders.
Hiashi shook his head inwardly. They truly are a bunch of parasites, unable to understand the current situation.
"I've met this young man Shinji before, he's very strong, so I agree." Guy, completely unconcerned about the other Jonin next to him, raised his hand as he spoke.
Kakashi, sitting nearby, couldn't help but cover his forehead.
Did he really not sense the atmosphere in the meeting hall?
Raising his hand was fine, but there was no need to speak and draw attention.
Helpless, Kakashi also raised his hand in agreement.
Asuma looked at the number of raised hands on the floor, it had almost reached half.
Ding—
The sound of a lighter ignited, and Asuma , with a cigarette in his mouth, also raised his hand.
"As the Jonin representative, I agree with Hokage-sama's recommendation." Shikaku said, seeing no more hands raised.
"The Jonin Vice Representative, Fugaku, agrees with Hokage-sama's recommendation." Fugaku, sitting next to Shikaku, also raised his hand.
"With more than half in agreement, the motion for Chunin Shinji's promotion to Jonin is passed."
Shikaku finished speaking and bowed to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen nodded.
Just as he was about to stand up, a voice interrupted: "Hokage-sama, I recall that a Jonin candidate recommended by the Hokage must pass a strength test by three Jonin before being promoted, correct?"
As soon as the words fell, everyone in the meeting hall looked towards the speaker.
Seeing that it was a member of the Shimura clan, they understood implicitly.
The others sitting next to this Jonin, however, looked displeased, as Hiruzen had just swept his gaze over them.
After looking around for a while and seeing no one else speak, Hiruzen smiled and said, "Naturally. Regarding the candidates for the strength test, do any of you have suggestions?"
Inside the meeting hall, all the Jonin fell silent.
The former Konoha Council wanted to contend with the Hiruzen, and even if their strength was not equal now, they would not speak easily.
Asuma spoke, "I think, since this Jonin brought up the need for a strength test, why not have him conduct this test?"
"After all, only by experiencing it firsthand can he truly understand if Shinji is qualified for promotion."
Although he didn't always get along with Hiruzen, Shinji was, after all, a junior he was very fond of.
The Shimura Jonin, under scrutiny, unconsciously felt cold sweat trickle down, as the person looking at him was one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire. That was someone whose strength was definitely at the Elite Jonin level.
Moreover, this was completely different from his plan. It should have been those few Hyuga who hadn't raised their hands who would volunteer. And then he would follow up by saying that since the Hyuga clan had sent someone, the Uchiha clan couldn't fall behind.
After that, no matter who the last person was, once Jonin from the Hyuga clan and Uchiha clan were involved, it wouldn't be so easy for Shinji to get promoted.
However, Asuma's intervention interrupted those who wanted to speak and was now putting pressure on him.
"Hiruzen, I propose…"
The Shimura Jonin didn't have time to think and was about to speak.
"I recall that a Special Jonin, it seems, doesn't have the right to propose." Kakashi's voice rang out, interrupting again.
If this rotten apple continued to stir things up, it might just go in the direction those people behind the scenes had intended.
"I believe I should serve as one of the testing Jonin. I trust no one has any objections, correct?" After speaking, Kakashi's right eye swept across the entire meeting room.
All the Jonin whose gaze Kakashi met lowered their eyes and remained silent. These were all the people who had not raised their hands in agreement earlier.
Kakashi, who had been exceptionally promoted to Jonin at the age of twelve, was, in terms of strength, a unique existence among them.
With Kakashi serving as the Jonin to test Shinji's strength, no one dared to say no.
Seeing no one object, Kakashi nodded to Hiruzen and then sat down. Being able to fight Guy to a standstill, Kakashi would not underestimate Shinji.
As Kakashi sat down and he received a nod from Hiruzen, Fugaku spoke, "As the Jonin Vice Representative, let the Uchiha clan send one person to be a testing Jonin."
Hiashi also spoke, "The Hyuga clan can also send one person to be a testing Jonin."
"Very well, the meeting is adjourned." Hiruzen nodded with a smile, agreeing.
The Shimura Jonin blinked. Although it wasn't his suggestion, the outcome was still the same. Moreover, there was Kakashi, a Jonin famous from a young age, among them.
However, why did he feel that the outcome of the matter had changed?
If Shinji were here, he would explain to this person what it means for the tables to have turned.
(End of Chapter)
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