"Rei," the Third Mizukage said in his office, unable to hide the upward curve of his lips. "You've done something incredible again."
"It was luck," Rei replied calmly. "If Minato had been the ANBU squad leader from the start, I probably couldn't have completed the mission."
"In the shinobi world," the Mizukage said, waving a hand, "we don't bother with 'if.'"
"A successful mission doesn't need you to imagine how a different variable might've caused failure."
"A failed mission can't be saved even if you replay it a hundred times."
"You killed the four who chose to defect. You kept the village's secrets safe."
"And you severely wounded Konoha's Yellow Flash."
"That's enough to force the whole village to acknowledge your ability."
"…Yes."
"Good." The Mizukage's tone was casual, as if discussing the weather. "Go to the equipment division and collect your jōnin uniform."
"Yes—"
Rei stopped mid-turn.
"…Wait. Jōnin uniform?"
"That's right." The Mizukage's voice remained calm. "From today onward, you're Kirigakure's jōnin, Kaguya Rei."
Rei stared, silent for several breaths, then asked in a low voice:
"Won't the other jōnin object?"
"Can any of them guarantee they can do what you just did?" the Mizukage asked coldly.
"Under pursuit by a fully formed ANBU squad, you eliminated every target, protected our secrets, and used terrain to set a trap that nearly annihilated them."
"They can't do it. So they have no right to question your promotion."
"Especially when you wounded the Yellow Flash and bought us a valuable advantage in the opening phase of this war."
Rei lowered his eyes.
"…Understood."
…
He returned his ANBU mask and uniform, updated his shinobi registration, and stepped out of the Mizukage building in a daze.
The village was louder than before—more restless, more heated.
Along the street, civilians and shinobi alike stared at his too-young face and the jōnin uniform on his back.
Rei didn't care.
He went to his favorite dango shop and ordered two extra-sugary tri-color dango sets.
Soft, fragrant sweetness flooded his brain with clean happiness, slowly easing the unease in his chest.
Sitting there, watching the crowds, he began to think through what becoming a jōnin meant.
The benefits were obvious—more authority, higher clearance, more resources. All of it was vital for his future climb.
Sure, jōnin missions would be harder, but with his current strength, even S-rank tasks weren't a big deal. He could grind high-difficulty missions the same way Minato once crushed the Iwagakure front—until his name shook the shinobi world.
So what did he lose by handing back his ANBU identity?
Probably only one thing.
Less frequent direct access to the Third Mizukage.
From the Mizukage's tone, Rei would be thrown onto the Fire Country front as a pillar of the line—meaning he wouldn't return to the village for a long time.
And he wouldn't see the ultra-classified intel only the Mizukage's direct ANBU could access.
"…Well. As long as it doesn't stop me from taking missions and getting stronger, it's fine."
He hadn't pulled Flying Thunder God from Minato anyway. He couldn't help Kirigakure win this war.
If the ending couldn't be changed, then he'd at least secure a result where—
Kirigakure loses, but Kaguya Rei doesn't.
After finishing the last dango and letting the sugar fog his head pleasantly, Rei paid and headed toward the Kaguya clan grounds.
…
In a dark underground cavern, Uchiha Madara watched the newly awakened Uchiha Obito with amusement.
"You're awake, Obito."
"How's the world through Mangekyō?"
"Full of lies," Obito said coldly.
He tried to lift his arms, but they felt heavier than before. Even his vision was blurry.
"…What's wrong with me?"
"You overused your ocular power," Madara replied. "You pushed Mangekyō too hard right after awakening it, and you forced out Susanoo recklessly."
"The fact you lasted long enough to teleport your two comrades away before collapsing… exceeded my expectations."
"What's the point?" Obito's voice was frozen steel. "I didn't even kill all the Kirigakure ANBU who caused Rin's death."
"Mangekyō… it's only this much."
Madara scoffed.
"A brat with one eye, incomplete power, talking nonsense."
Then he smiled, maliciously entertained.
"Still… there's an interesting piece of news about the ones you didn't finish."
"What?"
"According to Tobi, some of the Kirigakure ANBU fled from you. Those cowards became missing-nin and were chased into the Land of Whirlpools."
"And?" Obito snapped.
Madara's grin widened.
"Because they were terrified, they left many openings."
"And Konoha noticed them too."
"…Then?"
"Konoha's ANBU squad ran into Kirigakure's pursuer in the Land of Whirlpools."
Madara's voice softened into poison.
"The Kaguya brat who drove you back."
Obito's body went rigid.
"That brat slaughtered Konoha's ANBU. They were almost wiped out."
"And then?"
Madara paused again just to savor it.
Obito's impatience sharpened into rage.
Madara finally delivered the knife.
"Someone arrived and saved them."
"A boy called the Yellow Flash—one who uses Flying Thunder God."
"Enough!!" Obito roared.
Madara closed his eyes like a frail old man.
But he listened, pleased, as Obito's clenched, hateful voice echoed:
"Why… why did you make it in time this time!?"
"When Rin needed you… you were always late!"
"Why—why—WHY?!"
Yes.
That's it.
Drown in the darkness.
Only then would Obito's Mangekyō grow faster—
Only then would he be worthy of inheriting the name Uchiha Madara.
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