Chapter 57: The Fifth Hokage's Summons
The Fifth Hokage's summons brought Ryuzen's training to an abrupt end.
After speaking briefly with Hinata and Hanabi, he followed the ANBU back toward the village. The masked operative moved swiftly through the trees, clearly testing Ryuzen's ability to keep pace. Ryuzen matched him effortlessly, his expression never changing.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Hokage Tower. The ANBU gestured toward the office door, then vanished without a word.
Ryuzen pushed the door open.
Inside, a familiar figure already waited.
"Yo. You're here too."
Nara Shikamaru raised a hand in lazy greeting, his expression showing no surprise at Ryuzen's arrival. He had clearly expected this.
Ryuzen nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then moved to stand beside him. His red eyes swept across the room, taking in the two women behind the massive desk.
The Fifth Hokage. Senju Tsunade.
Legendary Sannin. Granddaughter of the First Hokage. The strongest kunoichi in the world and its greatest medical ninja.
She sat with her chin propped on one hand, studying him with open curiosity. Beside her stood Shizune, her assistant, holding a small pink pig that snorted softly.
Ryuzen met Tsunade's gaze without flinching. His expression remained as plain as ever—neither intimidated by her reputation nor impressed by her status.
Shizune, watching from the side, felt a flicker of amazement. This genin... he's completely unfazed by Tsunade-sama's presence.
After a long moment of examination, Tsunade withdrew her gaze. When she spoke, her voice carried the weight of authority.
"I've heard everything about you. In this Chunin Examination—among all one hundred fifteen candidates from our village and others—you stood above the rest."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Effective immediately, as the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure, I promote you to chūnin."
Neither Ryuzen nor Shikamaru showed any reaction. No joy. No excitement. No gratitude.
Shikamaru scratched his head, not bothering to hide his expression. "Chūnin... what a hassle."
Ryuzen said nothing. Fame and rank meant nothing to him. Gato's wealth hadn't moved him. Promotion to chūnin wasn't going to change that.
Tsunade's eye twitched slightly at their reactions. Problem children. Both of them.
She waved a hand dismissively. "Shikamaru, you can go. Report back in three days to receive your chūnin vest. Ryuzen—stay."
Shikamaru nodded lazily and walked out without a backward glance, entirely unbothered by the Sannin's presence.
When the door closed behind him, Tsunade's expression shifted. The casual authority remained, but something sharper entered her eyes.
"Your business," she said seriously, "I've learned about from Jiraiya, from Yūhi Kurenai, and from witnesses during the Konoha Crush plan."
She studied him.
"There's no doubt—you're a genius who represents this era. Even during the Second and Third Wars, no one your age could match you."
Ryuzen listened without reacting.
"I've seen the photos. The dismembered corpses. Jiraiya was right—you're a genius who should have been born in a time of war." She paused, then continued: "But in this era, your style fits ANBU standards. So I'll ask directly: Do you want to join ANBU? Become my direct subordinate?"
"No."
The word came instantly. No hesitation. No consideration.
Tsunade blinked. Beside her, Shizune's eyes went slightly wide.
Then understanding flickered across Tsunade's features. A knowing look entered her eyes.
"This is about the Hyūga girl, isn't it? The one with the Byakugan?"
It made sense. After Ryuzen had demonstrated his power—both in the Chunin Exams and during the invasion—his name had naturally reached Konoha's leadership. Not just the Hokage, but the clan heads as well.
Jōnin were rare. Elite jōnin were precious. Someone who could wield S-rank power at twelve, who possessed the foundation of Kage-level strength, who would inevitably grow into one of the Five Kage's peers in the future—such a person drew attention.
And anyone who investigated Ryuzen would inevitably discover Hinata. The childhood sweetheart. The girl he spent every day with. The sister of Hanabi, who now trained alongside them with what appeared to be the Hyūga clan's tacit approval.
Tsunade had done her research.
Ryuzen was slightly taken aback by her directness, then nodded. "Yes. I don't want to leave Team 8."
"You'll be promoted to jōnin eventually. When that happens, you'll automatically leave the team structure anyway." Tsunade's question was pointed. "What will you do then?"
"Then I'll refuse the promotion."
The answer came instantly again.
Ryuzen felt a flicker of disdain at the question. If not for Hinata, he wouldn't be in Konoha at all. Joining ANBU might give him access to darker missions, more chances to kill, more experience. But compared to leaving the village entirely—becoming a bounty hunter on the black market, or joining the Akatsuki and making the entire ninja world his enemy during the coming war—ANBU was a poor substitute.
Better to stay home, complete daily tasks for his measly 0.02% experience, and train Hinata.
At least that brought him happiness.
Tsunade studied him with a troubled expression. A love-struck genius. This is going to be difficult.
But she wasn't finished.
"Don't reject it so firmly. Think about it for a while." Her voice shifted, taking on a persuasive tone—like an adult tempting a child with candy. "If not for yourself, think about that Hyūga girl. Don't you want to marry her with proper honor?"
Ryuzen's eyes sharpened slightly.
"You're strong. Incredibly strong. But the gap between your backgrounds is still significant." Tsunade pressed her advantage. "If you join ANBU, I can promise you'll be a team captain within a year. ANBU division commander within three. The position itself may be secret, but the power it represents? That's real. Even the Hyūga clan would have to acknowledge your status."
She leaned back.
"And after joining ANBU, you'll have access to higher-level techniques. Once your rank increases, you can even read the forbidden jutsu in the封印之书."
Silence filled the office.
Ryuzen stared at her for a long moment, his red eyes unreadable.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked out.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Tsunade slumped forward, her forehead hitting the desk with a heavy thunk.
"I give up," she muttered into the wood. "I've never met anyone so completely immune to temptation in my entire life."
Shizune's smile was frozen on her face. "Ha... haha..."
Inside, she felt genuine admiration for the young man who had just walked away from everything Tsunade had offered.
Fame. Power. Status. Forbidden techniques. The chance to stand equal to clan heirs.
He had rejected it all without a second thought.
What kind of person turns down all of that?
Outside the Hokage Tower, Ryuzen paused for a moment, looking up at the sky.
Tsunade's words echoed in his mind.
Marry her with proper honor.
The gap between your backgrounds...
He already knew all of this. Had known it for years. But hearing it spoken aloud by the Hokage herself gave it weight.
He thought of Hinata's gentle smile. Of Hanabi's adoring eyes. Of the warmth he felt in that small apartment that had become their shared space.
I don't need status, he thought. I don't need power beyond what lets me protect them.
But if it makes things easier...
He shook his head slightly and started walking.
He had training to resume. Two sisters waiting for him.
Everything else could wait.
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