"Shinji, show your true strength in this assessment."
Shinji, who had arrived early at the final venue, heard a voice from behind him as he was wrapping bandages around himself.
He turned his head to see Hiruzen slowly approaching, accompanied by Shisui.
"Sensei."
After calling out to Hiruzen, Shinji nodded at Shisui as a greeting. Shisui nodded in acknowledgement, then instantly disappeared with a Body Flicker.
Shinji asked Hiruzen curiously, "Sensei, why did you suddenly come? Aren't you supposed to be entertaining the Advisor?"
After all, at this time, the Advisor should be arriving soon.
"He's not in a hurry." Hiruzen said, puffing on his pipe, completely unconcerned.
"I came to tell you to display your full strength later." Hiruzen said, looking at Shinji.
Shinji was a bit confused, as it was a test, so naturally, he would have to use his full strength. This had already been decided beforehand.
"In the Ninja World, the title of 'genius' often comes with misfortune. And if you cannot avoid this title of genius..." Hiruzen's voice was low but firm.
His cloudy eyes looked at Shinji and said, "Then let that title be so great that it can oppress enemies—that is its only valuable purpose."
Listening to Hiruzen's words, Shinji was silent for a long time.
One could say he was shocked by Hiruzen's words, or perhaps a little slow to react.
Hiruzen ignored Shinji's silence and continued, "Shinji, after this, whether you like it or not, your name will spread throughout the Ninja World."
"After all, very few Jonin promotions require three Jonin for the test."
Hiruzen showed a wry smile as he said this.
This was also why he rarely recommended people. Even if he recommended someone, as long as the test was conducted quietly within the village, it wouldn't be a big deal. However, the arrival of the Land of Fire's Daimyo Advisor would attract the attention of other ninja villages.
After all, between a country and a ninja village, if there were no major matters, they wouldn't easily visit.
Just like during the Fourth Great Ninja War in the original story, when the Five Kage visited the Five Daimyo.
Now, Shinji's promotion test, whether or not it was what Hiruzen desired in his heart, already meant that he would appear in the sight of some people after this promotion.
Since that was the case, why not let Shinji shine even brighter through this opportunity?
Shinji took a long time to recover before realizing that Hiruzen wanted to use this test to make a name for him.
It was just, why did he suddenly have this idea?
Shinji's eyes unconsciously looked towards Hiruzen.
Noticing Shinji's confusion, Hiruzen chuckled and sat down on a nearby chair.
He said, "I'm old. Standing for a while makes me feel tired."
Shinji helplessly said, "Sensei, there's no tea here for you to drink."
As he spoke, he went and sat beside Hiruzen.
"Sensei, I've known about what you said for a long time."
"Even without this reason, I am your disciple, and the disciple of the Hokage cannot back down no matter what."
"This promotion method, at least, won't embarrass you."
"It's just, why are you suddenly telling me this?"
This was what Shinji was curious about.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, paused slightly, and then turned to look directly into Shinji's eyes.
"Actually, I've been thinking about this for a while, and only now did I decide to come and find you."
"Shinji, I want to train you to become Konoha's Fifth Hokage."
As soon as he said this, Shinji's mouth fell open, his pupils filled with astonishment.
What did he just hear?
Hiruzen asked with a smile, "Unbelievable, even a bit 'crazy,' right?"
Shinji was so stunned he didn't know whether to nod or shake his head. At this moment, he truly didn't know how to respond to Hiruzen.
"Even if you are about to become a Jonin, your seniority is still shallow, and your power has not reached its peak. However, I see 'the future' in you."
"That kind of future, I once saw something similar in the Fourth Hokage. The title 'Yellow Flash' indicated that his speed and talent were unparalleled in the Ninja World."
"However, the real reason I chose him was not because of that. It was his gentle personality and way of acting that directly connected the characteristics of the various great clans."
"At that time, Konoha could be said to fear no one. This characteristic, besides great power, is what Konoha needs most in the next era."
"Power can be honed and improved, but magnanimity and sense of direction are innate treasures that shine even brighter through tempering."
Hiruzen patted Shinji's shoulder, and Shinji, who had come back to his senses, gave a wry smile. He hadn't expected some of his actions to make this old man feel this way.
Whether it was the Uchiha or the Ino–Shika–Chō, he always acted from his own self-interest. It was only after slowly getting along with Naruto and others that he gradually changed.
Shinji said bitterly, "Sensei, compared to the Fourth Hokage, I might not be that good."
Unlike Minato , he couldn't achieve that 'sun-like' magnanimity. But Hiruzen's expectations made him feel immense pressure. After all, for nearly a year and a half, this old man had treated him very well.
Whether it was clarifying doubts in training or doing everything a senior should, Hiruzen had done his best. Even the time he spent with him was much more than with his biological grandson, Konohamaru.
Hiruzen looked at Shinji, a hint of emotion in his eyes, and said softly, "No need to compare yourself to Minato. Different eras have different ways of thinking."
"At least the wisdom, power, and prestige required to become Hokage, you are still far from having enough now."
"I just hope you can strive towards this goal in the future. But I also need to warn you, you will face countless doubts, challenges, and even open and hidden attacks."
Hiruzen's tone became slightly serious here.
"This path requires you to fight with all your might for several years, or even longer, to prove your worth."
Shinji nodded very solemnly, responding, "I understand, sensei."
"However, sensei, I have a question."
Hiruzen was first stunned by Shinji's question, then asked curiously, "What question?"
Shinji said, "It's just, are you sure you're not trying to slack off and dump your responsibilities?"
"What you said is not... You little brat, are you making fun of me?!"
Before Hiruzen could finish speaking, Shinji's figure shot out, turning and running.
"Sensei, I'm going to prepare in the arena first."
Hiruzen sat on the chair, his mouth agape.
Shinji didn't care about Hiruzen, leaping directly and gracefully into the arena. After landing steadily, he muttered to himself, 'This old man sure knows how to add burdens to me. I'm not even eighteen yet.'
Hiruzen looked at where Shinji had disappeared, shook his head helplessly, and said, "This brat, when did he learn Jiraiya's antics?"