Feeling the mix of envious and complex gazes from the others, Shinji felt a bit exasperated.
Truth be told, he was still just a student at the shinobi academy, not even a genin.
Under normal circumstances, someone like him wouldn't be eligible for mission assignments, and the village wouldn't typically summon him. Yet, his record now included four missions: scouting in the Land of Grass, capturing the 'Upper Moon Five,' successfully developing the Type-3 Aging Potion, and slaying the 'Upper Moon Two.'
Four missions in total!
What's more bizarre was that none of these were mundane tasks like retrieving lost pets, weeding, or catching thieves. All four were S-rank missions, fraught with danger.
Across the entire shinobi world, Shinji's situation was unprecedented.
This wasn't just about rewards—it demonstrated that Shinji possessed both strength and intellect, and was favored by the village's higher-ups. He was a rising star among the new generation, a worthy investment!
After leaving the Hokage's office, Tsunade's team members congratulated Shinji one by one.
Shinji maintained his politeness and humility.
Jiraiya clapped Shinji on the shoulder. "Kid, too much humility borders on arrogance! You took down the 'Upper Moon Two,' who had the Tsuchikage and Raikage chasing their tails in the Land of Iron. Show a little swagger!"
After teasing him, Jiraiya turned and left.
Nearby, Yakumo blinked and joined in the teasing. "Shinji, you're treating us today! I've been starving these past few days—I want tons and tons of barbecue!"
"Uh, sure!"
Shinji nodded.
Others might think this was the Uchiha clan's characteristic arrogance, but only Shinji knew the truth: he genuinely didn't care about these accolades. Compared to the responsibilities he bore, these so-called honors were insignificant!
While Yakumo busied herself gathering their peers to announce Shinji's triumph over the 'Upper Moon Two' and his promise to treat them, Shinji, just stepping out of the Hokage Building, received a summons from Koharu Utatane. He headed to her advisory elder office.
"Elder!"
Shinji bowed respectfully.
Koharu Utatane looked him over, then nodded with satisfaction. "Your performance this time was excellent!"
Shinji replied, "Just luck."
"Sometimes, luck is part of strength!" Pausing, Koharu asked, "Is the 'Upper Moon Two' really dead?"
She wasn't worried about Shinji falsely claiming credit; she simply found it hard to believe the 'Upper Moon Two' would fall so easily.
Shinji briefly recounted the situation, concluding, "So, before I encountered the 'Upper Moon Two,' he was already gravely injured and on his last legs. Anyone in my position could have easily finished him off."
Koharu nodded slightly. "It's good you think that way."
Shinji asked, "Did you summon me for something?"
Handing him a document, Koharu said slowly, "If you sign this application, you can join the Anbu directly as a genin, becoming a member of my personal Anbu unit."
Shinji took the application, slightly surprised.
To go straight from the academy to the Anbu was a path reserved for prodigious talents.
The Fourth Hokage, Kakashi, and Uchiha Itachi—village legends—had all followed this route, quickly gaining experience and credentials in the Anbu before being promoted. Shinji hadn't expected such an opportunity to fall to him.
Koharu continued, "With your current strength, staying in the academy is of little use. Joining the Anbu early will benefit your future advancement."
"Thank you for your support!" Pausing, Shinji handed the application back to Koharu. "But I prefer the academy environment."
For anyone else, rejecting Koharu's proposal would be unthinkable.
Becoming a direct subordinate of an advisory elder was practically a leap to the top. Afterward, even the Hokage couldn't easily command him, and he could outright refuse orders from other village leaders, answering only to Koharu.
But Shinji was different. He had no intention of building a career in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Forget being an elder's direct Anbu subordinate—even if they offered him the title of advisory elder, he wouldn't be interested.
Looking at the returned application, Koharu frowned slightly. "Have you thought this through?"
"Yes!"
Shinji didn't hesitate.
He was swamped with responsibilities: monitoring Karin's condition to ensure the 'Rinnegan Plan' proceeded smoothly, keeping an eye on Kimimaro and Neji for the 'Tenseigan Plan,' and watching Shion to prevent her from revealing his identity.
Beyond these daily concerns, there was a far greater matter: planning a counter-invasion of the Demon Slayer world to capture the mysterious figure, a task critical to the safety of the entire shinobi world.
With so much on his plate, he had no time to join the Anbu.
Koharu didn't press him. After a moment's thought, she said, "Staying in the academy is fine too. Regarding the Tsuchikage and Raikage's accusations that Uchiha Sasuke is the Akatsuki's 'E,' what's your take?"
Shinji replied casually, "Sasuke's in the village, isn't he? How could it be him?"
Koharu explained, "If the Akatsuki has access to some kind of space-time ninjutsu, or if Sasuke has a contract with a summoning beast that can reverse-summon him, he could return to the village from the Land of Iron in no time. His presence in the village isn't definitive proof against him being the Akatsuki's 'E.'"
"So you mean…?"
Koharu fixed her gaze on Shinji. "Since you wish to remain in the academy, I'll assign you a task: monitor Uchiha Sasuke's every move and determine whether he has betrayed the village or secretly joined the Akatsuki!"
"Uh…"
Shinji was speechless again.
Having him, the leader of the Akatsuki, investigate whether Sasuke had secretly joined the Akatsuki—wasn't this absurd?
"Is there a problem?" Looking at Shinji, Koharu continued, "Many in the village's leadership harbor ill will toward the Uchiha. Monitoring Sasuke is also a way to protect him!"
Shinji nodded. "No problem."
Koharu added, "Also, keep a close eye on Uzumaki Naruto and Kurama Yakumo!"
Shinji understood instantly and nodded again. "Understood."
Uzumaki Naruto, Jiraiya's disciple, and Kurama Yakumo, Tsunade's disciple, were both part of the Third's faction among the new generation.
Koharu's instruction to monitor them was clearly a move to have Shinji look for weaknesses and flaws in the two, enabling the advisory council to counterbalance the Third.