The Jonin Council.
Following Orochimaru's anti-climactic intervention in the previous session, the critical Jonin recommendations had remained unfulfilled. Today, Shikaku Nara announced the progress of several key matters.
Regarding the academy's Jonin instructor assignments, Sakumo Hatake made a rare, proactive move. He declared his intention to serve as an instructor next year and noted he had already begun early contact with a student he favored.
By embracing the village's plan early, he argued, he could increase the quality of mentorship through extended preparation.
Yagami glanced at the presiding platform. To his relief, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others did not object. While they recognized Minato Namikaze as a talented commoner student, they lacked a precise understanding of just how monstrous his potential was.
Every year produced a handful of "geniuses," but few reached the heights of the elite. Opposing the White Fang—the village's top-tier powerhouse—over a commoner disciple wasn't worth the political friction.
Another major agenda item was the Guardian Shinobi list for the Daimyo. The Daimyo had sent word that Hidden Leaf could provide eight guardians, four of whom would be Jonin.
However, the Daimyo insisted on personally appointing four of the "Twelve Guardian Shinobi," drawing from his own samurai, Fire Temple ninja monks, and wanderers. It seemed the Daimyo understood the danger of putting all his eggs in one basket.
The eight slots were dominated by the Sarutobi clan, supplemented by a single Special Jonin from the Hyuga. By monopolizing these roles, the Sarutobi effectively monopolized the high-priority S-rank missions issued by the Land of Fire.
Finally, the meeting reached its centerpiece: the promotion list for Special Jonin to Jonin. The numbers remained largely unchanged:
' Sarutobi Clan: 5
' Ino-Shika-Cho: 4
' Shimura Clan: 2
' Uchiha & Hyuga: 1 each
' Senju Clan: 2 (including Mie Senju, following Tsunade's pressure)
' Commoners: 8 (including two recommended by Orochimaru)
Tsunade, Sakumo, and Uchiha did not protest again. The high command had met with them privately, systematically breaking their resolve. Sakumo's other recommendations, Shinma and Hayama Shirakumo, were nowhere to be found.
Watching Sakumo remain silent, Yagami thought: 'Well, Sakumo... you're still too soft-hearted. It's time for the "Shadow of the New Ninja" to make a move.'
He memorized every name from the Five Rising Noble Clans on that list. 'Your greed is too unsightly. I'll make you spit some of that back out.'
Shikaku Nara announced, "The Jonin examinations will begin in batches, expected to conclude by next month."
...
That night, deep in the woods above the Hokage Rock, Yagami set up an Earth Tremor Barrier. After ensuring the coast was clear, he summoned Hakuji and Hakuyu. The two stone pandas knew the drill: Reverse Summoning.
Yagami appeared in the Uzumaki hideout in the Land of Rain. Yuka noticed the chilling aura radiating from him, laced with a faint killing intent.
"Yuka, I believe the time is ripe. It's time for revenge."
Yuka trembled. "Revenge? You mean..."
"The situation in the Leaf has shifted," Yagami explained. "Post-war, the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other clans have seized too much profit, sparking public resentment. We can begin small-scale retaliations. We kill a few Sarutobi and Shimura ninja and gauge the reaction."
Yagami caught Yuka's shaking hand. Finally, the vengeance they had lived for was beginning. "Don't be afraid, Yuka. Follow my lead. We go slowly."
...
Back in his ANBU office, Yagami repeated several names in his head. The Jonin exams would start with the eight commoners. Being first was a disadvantage; the examiners and Shikaku Nara would be at their peak energy and scrutiny. Those at the end—the noble clans—would benefit from the examiners' fatigue.
He had one month to prepare. Killing members of the elite clans required perfection. A single mistake would lead to ruin, turning his hard-won status, his relationship with Qiaoyi and Purple Cat, and his entire life in this world into the ashes of a rogue ninja's existence.
The first hurdle: Reconnaissance.
His current scouting ability was severely lacking. He had considered learning specific sensory jutsu, but they weren't enough. To strike at the heart of the noble clans, he needed the pinnacle of insight.
Yagami looked toward the office to his left: the office of the Golden Eagle Squad Leader.
Golden Eagle was a Jonin of the Hyuga clan, powerful and possessing a potent Byakugan. This month's extraction would target him.
Not only would it grant Yagami the ultimate reconnaissance of the Byakugan, but it would also provide intelligence on Golden Eagle himself—useful for dealing with the ANBU high command later. With the Byakugan, he could avoid surveillance, detect enemies from miles away, and prevent himself from being tracked.
Purple Cat entered the room. Yagami's chilling aura vanished instantly. "Purple Cat, is Captain Golden Eagle in?"
"Yes, I just saw his assistant delivering scrolls."
Yagami walked to Golden Eagle's office and addressed the assistant. "I have secret business to discuss with Captain Golden Eagle. Please give us the room."
Golden Eagle waved his assistant out. "Have a seat, Fox."
The two sat across from each other. Golden Eagle watched Fox curiously, wondering what the village's rising star wanted.
"Captain Golden Eagle," Yagami began. "What are your thoughts on the fact that the Hyuga clan only has one person in the Jonin examinations despite the war?"
Behind his mask, Golden Eagle's expression tensed. He immediately wondered if the ANBU were investigating the Hyuga for dissent.
The Hyuga were the village's workhorses, serving as scouts in every conflict and often becoming the enemy's primary targets. Post-war, they were the backbone of daily patrols and the Daimyo's guards. At least one Hyuga stood by every Daimyo's side. These grueling, repetitive tasks drained the clan's energy, leaving them exhausted.
Naturally, there was resentment—especially in the Branch House. But that resentment was suppressed by the Head House. The Head House didn't perform the tedious guard duties; the Branch House's labor became the Head House's political capital.
None of this could be said to the ANBU. Golden Eagle was a Branch House member; he could not betray the clan.
"Captain Fox," Golden Eagle said carefully. "I have no opinion. The Hyuga obey the village. We excel at scouting, but our Gentle Fist style is not suited for leading massive battlefield maneuvers. We know our place. One new Jonin is enough for us."
Yagami nodded. He expected the deflection. Then he leaned in. "Captain Golden Eagle, I've heard rumors that some Hyuga ninja were secretly executed because they saw the high command's secrets with their Byakugan. What are your thoughts on 'that'?"
...
To understand why Yagami covets this ability, one must look at the mechanics of the Hyuga clan's Dojutsu.
The Byakugan provides:
' Near-360° Vision: Allowing the user to see in almost all directions at once, save for a small blind spot at the upper thoracic vertebrae.
' Chakra Perception: The ability to see the chakra pathway system and the 361 pressure points.
' X-Ray Vision: Seeing through solid objects and vast distances (kilometers away).
***
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