"The assessment is over! Hiroki Sawada, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki have demonstrated tactical skill and teamwork far beyond their peers. From today, you are officially promoted to Leaf Village genin!"
No one objected.
The process had been bizarre, sure — but the result was undeniable. Jiraiya's shadow clone had vanished. Whatever method they used, forcing a clone of one of the Legendary Sannin to disperse was proof enough of their strength.
Though their individual contributions varied, each of the three had clearly reached genin level.
"Ohhh! We did it!" Kushina was the first to react. She jumped up excitedly and threw her arms around Hiroki's neck. "Hiroki, you're amazing!"
Minato let out a quiet sigh of relief, then walked over with his usual calm smile. "Hiroki-kun, that last technique you used… did you create it yourself?"
Hiroki nodded silently, offering no explanation.
His eyes briefly met those of the Third Hokage and Danzo, watching from the stands above.He knew it — the real test was just beginning.
The Hokage had warned him not to show anything "too dangerous." But Hiroki wasn't sure if what he'd just done crossed that line.
"You three, come with me to the Hokage's office."An ANBU appeared behind them like a shadow, his tone flat.
In the Hokage's Office
The atmosphere was heavy.The three children hadn't arrived yet. Only the Third Hokage, Tsunade, and Danzo were present.
Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, the smoke blurring his expression.Tsunade stood by the window, arms folded, still fuming — clearly, she hadn't forgiven Jiraiya's latest "incident."Danzo lingered in the corner, silent, half-hidden in shadow.
They were waiting.
Then — Bang!The office door flew open, and a drenched, battered figure stumbled in.
It was Jiraiya.
Soaked from head to toe, with vegetable leaves stuck in his hair and basin marks on his face, he looked like he'd been through a war.
"Sensei! You've gotta help me!" Jiraiya cried, throwing himself toward Sarutobi's desk. "I was just doing research — and I got ambushed by a mob of violent women!"
"Shut up, you idiot!" Tsunade roared, slamming her fist into the wall. Cracks spiderwebbed across it instantly. "You've humiliated the entire village!"
"I—I was just trying to get inspiration!" Jiraiya whimpered, shrinking under her glare.
Sarutobi sighed, rubbing his temples. He tapped his pipe against the ashtray and cut through the chaos."Enough. Jiraiya, let's talk about the assessment. What do you think of the three children?"
At once, Jiraiya's usual grin faded. He straightened up, eyes sharp.
"Sensei, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki are both rare talents with incredible potential," he began seriously.
Especially Minato — Jiraiya's own pupil. His brilliance, character, and instinct were all extraordinary.
But Hiroki… was different.
If Minato was a prodigy, then Hiroki was something else entirely — a strategist, already thinking like a veteran. Unlike the others who attacked head-on, Hiroki approached the test like a chess match.
Jiraiya paused, choosing his words carefully."Sensei, imagine we're on a battlefield. Minato and Kushina think about how to use their strengths to win. But Hiroki… he's thinking about what I would do next, and how to counter it."
He looked down, expression tightening."That's the difference between a student and a true shinobi."
Sarutobi nodded, clearly impressed."In that case, Jiraiya, I'll assign all three to you. You'll form their team and guide them personally."
From the corner, Danzo let out a quiet, mocking chuckle — and as expected, Jiraiya's next words caused an uproar.
"No."
Jiraiya shook his head quickly, looking uncomfortable."Sensei, I can't take all three. I already promised two others — one's an old friend's son, the other's a young Uchiha I agreed to train."
Danzo stepped out from the shadows, voice cold and deliberate."Then take Namikaze Minato. Leave Kushina Uzumaki and Hiroki Sawada to me. 'Root' can give them the training they need."
"Danzo!" Sarutobi slammed the desk and stood. "I won't allow it! Ninjas aren't tools! Hiroki and Kushina are heroes of the village — they deserve to grow up in the light!"
"You're too soft, Hiruzen," Danzo shot back, his single eye gleaming. "Your sunlight only makes dangerous talents harder to control. Only the darkness can forge a true blade to protect the village!"
Sarutobi frowned, lowering his voice. "Did you have something to do with Jiraiya's two new students?"
"Do you really need to ask?" Danzo replied flatly.
Jiraiya gave a weak laugh and scratched his head, looking guilty."Uh… maybe?"
Tsunade glared at him like she wanted to punch him through the wall this time.
"That won't happen," the Hokage said firmly.Danzo's eye narrowed. "Then your kindness will destroy them."
"I am the Hokage."
"And I am right."
The tension thickened, just shy of another shouting match.Finally, Hiruzen exhaled heavily and spoke in a calm but weary tone.
"…Jiraiya, you'll take Minato. As for Hiroki and Kushina — they'll wait until Orochimaru returns from his mission."
That last name made both Jiraiya and Tsunade freeze.
Orochimaru?Their teacher was compromising.
Danzo's single eye glinted with satisfaction. Just as he'd predicted.
Among all the elite jonin, only Orochimaru could handle those two — especially Hiroki and the future Nine-Tails host. Sakumo lacked sealing skills, Jiraiya was full, and Tsunade specialized in medical ninjutsu. The rest were either untrustworthy or too narrow in expertise.
Orochimaru was the perfect choice.
Danzo retreated silently into the shadows, saying nothing more.
A knock sounded at the door.Sarutobi sat back down, his expression unreadable. "Come in."
Hiroki entered first, followed by Minato and Kushina.
The Hokage glanced around — Danzo was gone. He sighed quietly, then looked at the three children.
"Minato Namikaze, you'll train under Jiraiya from now on. Hiroki Sawada, Kushina Uzumaki — you'll await Orochimaru's return before beginning your instruction."
Minato smiled, though his eyes showed concern for his teammates.Kushina blinked in confusion — she'd never heard the name Orochimaru before.Hiroki's expression remained calm, but inside, his thoughts churned.
Orochimaru!?
Before he could ask anything, Sarutobi waved them off. "You're dismissed. I'll summon you when your new teacher arrives."
Hiroki hesitated, wanting to say more — to ask about his technique — but the Hokage spoke again, this time with a faint, knowing smile.
"Don't slack off, Hiroki. Orochimaru isn't a gentle teacher."
Hiroki exhaled quietly. Maybe that meant the worst part was over — for now.
He didn't notice, though, the look Kushina gave him as they left — bright, curious, and full of something he couldn't quite name.