"I heard you're taking the Jonin examination lately. With Kurenai's strength, it should be easy for you to pass, right? Why don't I treat you to a celebration? Ms. Satomi can come, too."
Sarutobi Asuma said with a flattering smile. Yuhi Kurenai had become increasingly beautiful, now fourteen years old, graceful and mature, with a figure and face that increasingly radiated adult charm. Yet her exquisite face still retained a youthful aura.
Sarutobi Asuma, who had liked Yuhi Kurenai since Ninja Academy, grew even fonder of her as he watched her changes over the years following graduation.
However, Sarutobi Asuma felt that Yuhi Kurenai's attitude towards him was growing colder, even though they used to chat and laugh together during their Academy days.
"Asuma, we've passed the exam. Starting tomorrow, we'll be Jonin."
Hyuga Satomi said with a smile. They had just been to the Hokage Building to update their ninja information; from today, Konoha welcomed two young Jonin.
Actually, the two had been preparing to take the Jonin examination a year ago, but at that time, Hyuga Satomi and Yuhi Kurenai only had the chance to pass with the help of the Sage Curse Seal.
Uchiha Yoichi advised them to enhance their strength first, so Hyuga Satomi and Yuhi Kurenai postponed the exam for a year.
After a year of training, Yuhi Kurenai and Hyuga Satomi had fully mastered Rokushiki and also trained in Armament Aura and Observation Aura, significantly improving their stamina. Thus, not long ago, they applied for and passed the Jonin examination.
"Already Jonin... Shouldn't we celebrate?"
Asuma was visibly shocked but still spoke up; deep down, though, he felt somewhat disappointed. He had only recently become a Chunin himself, and had hoped the gap between him and Kurenai would narrow.
Now, Kurenai was already a Jonin. Although it wasn't as record-breaking as Kakashi becoming a Jonin at twelve or thirteen, reaching Jonin at fourteen was still quite rare in the village.
Hyuga Satomi urged, "Kurenai, Asuma's sincerity is evident. Why not go? I have to return to the clan to see my sister, so I won't be joining you all..."
Asuma suddenly found himself growing fond of Hyuga Satomi upon hearing her words.
Yuhi Kurenai shook her head and said, "Forget it, there's much to do now that I've become a Jonin. I plan to apply for a position as an office clerk and need to consult my father... Maybe another time, Asuma."
"Office clerk? Kurenai, you just became a Jonin. Why opt for that?"
Asuma asked, puzzled. Such roles were usually reserved for Chunin or Genin; Jonin were the village's main force and participated in decision-making. Doing this job seemed like a waste.
"To gain experience, it might be needed in the future..."
Yuhi Kurenai replied vaguely, then said to Asuma, "Not today; let's plan for a class reunion next time. I'm heading back, Asuma."
As Kurenai left, Hyuga Satomi also said, "Then I'll be off too."
"Oh, goodbye..."
Asuma hurriedly replied, but the two women had already walked away.
On the other side, Hyuga Satomi caught up with Yuhi Kurenai and quickly asked in a low voice, "Kurenai, are you planning to go to Teacher Yoichi's office?"
"What's wrong with helping the teacher? Teacher Yoichi taught us so much..."
"You're being silly; you decided this because you heard Teacher Yoichi might be frequently coming to the office, didn't you?"
"I did not!"
Yuhi Kurenai immediately retorted like a startled kitten. Although she was indeed thinking that, she couldn't possibly admit it.
Hyuga Satomi nodded and said, "Is that so... Then I'll do the same; I want to help Teacher Yoichi too."
"You want to join... But Satomi, doesn't your family..."
Yuhi Kurenai blinked her red eyes twice upon hearing this. Although Hyuga Satomi rarely mentioned her family, she had previously complained that members of the Main Family always wanted her to return as their protector.
Due to Hyuga Satomi's outstanding performance, under Uchiha Yoichi's guidance, she had mastered Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms and Revolving Heaven.
These Taijutsu techniques weren't difficult; mastering the One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms required seeing the enemy's meridian points and speeding up to hit them. With the Sage Curse Seal's boost, Hyuga Satomi easily mastered the One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms.
Revolving Heaven only required releasing chakra from all body points while rotating rapidly to achieve an absolute defense. But controlling the chakra release was necessary to prevent it from dissipating.
Upon demonstrating these self-trained techniques, some elders from Hyuga Main Family accused Hyuga Satomi of stealing their techniques and threatened disciplinary actions.
Hyuga Hiashi intervened, however, because Hyuga Satomi was Uchiha Yoichi's disciple and might have succeeded with the Secret Technique through his help.
Yet the elders devised another plan, trying to appoint Hyuga Satomi as a protector of the Main Family. With her talent and looks deemed exceptional, and her sister married to Hyuga Hiashi, they thought it wouldn't be bad to wed her to another Main Family member.
But this plan was thwarted by Hyuga Satomi's request for Uchiha Yoichi's intervention. As a registered ninja in the village, she was supposed to prioritize village orders over family orders.
Moreover, Uchiha Yoichi, known for his domineering nature, had previously clashed with Danzo, who now spent his days sweeping the streets without chakra. The Shimura Family even paid medical ninjas for Danzo's muscle fatigue treatment daily.
With their plots disrupted twice, the Main Family elders were quite annoyed, but dared not protest strongly against Uchiha Yoichi, hoping only that Hyuga Hiashi might broach the subject.
"The family can't control me. If they use the Caged Bird punishment... I'll go to Teacher Yoichi for help!"
Considering the clan, Hyuga Satomi's expression turned a bit gloomy, but she still had a plan—surely the family wouldn't dare provoke Teacher Yoichi.
"Satomi..."
Yuhi Kurenai suddenly looked at Hyuga Satomi with suspicion, pondering if her usually quiet teammate might...
Hyuga Satomi remained unperturbed and asked, "What is it?"
"Nothing; I'm heading back."
"Alright, see you tomorrow, Kurenai."
After saying goodbye, Hyuga Satomi turned toward the clan area, inwardly amused that Kurenai tried to probe her—it would never happen.
————————————
After concluding his morning tasks, Uchiha Yoichi returned to the clan area, preparing to eat.
Recently, his opportunities to use Clones were limited, often dispatching them to Loulan to absorb energy. He also had to discuss railway construction with numerous officials from the Land of Fire's townships.
Alchemy couldn't be improved unless an energy crystal similar to the Demon Core could be found in the Ninja World. Otherwise, the elixirs that could be enhanced were limited.
Nevertheless, the Uchiha clan had established a new elixir factory near the village, but its production wasn't significant, mostly serving the clan with a minor portion distributed to the village.
Any ninja who tried the Uchiha clan's secret medicine praised it, although only a limited amount was available monthly, stirring a frenzy among village ninjas.
Even if the Akimichi Race suddenly claimed their Three-Colored Balls had no adverse effects and offered them for sale in the village, a ninja rush would ensue.
That's the value of secret medicine—it can turn the tide in a mission.
Returning home, Uchiha Yoichi opened the door and saw Itachi, holding Sasuke with a smiling face, and asked, "Itachi, didn't you go to school today?"
"Uh, father, you're back..."
Uchiha Itachi, reminded many times to attend classes, couldn't help but return to see Sasuke. Feeling apologetic, he said, "I have a Shadow Clone in school; today's lessons won't be missed."
"That's secondary... Oh well, accompany Sasuke."