The war in the Land of Rain had come to an end. Konoha returned as the victor.
After a brief period of rest, the merit recognition meeting was held at the top floor of the Hokage Building.
The air in the top-floor conference room was as heavy as ever. Behind the massive desk, Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, the smoke masking the weariness and deeper calculations in his eyes. Homura and Koharu sat on either side.
The room was packed. Konoha's brains and backbone were once again gathered: the heads of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans. Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi, each accompanied by elite clan members, sat silently. The Aburame and Inuzuka clan heads also wore stern expressions. Civilian Jōnin, like Katō Dan, sat in the back rows, looking relaxed after fulfilling their missions, with a hint of hope for what came next.
Tsunade sat alone in a front row seat, apart from the advisors' table. Her arms were crossed, her golden ponytail tied neatly behind her head. Her expression was unreadable, but her gaze swept across the familiar and unfamiliar faces in the room with a subtle trace of fatigue.
Ryo sat quietly in a less noticeable corner. Dressed in a plain black uniform, his dark red hair slightly tousled, his silver eyes calmly scanned the room like an observer watching from the outside. Since Kushina and Mikoto weren't Jōnin, they weren't qualified to attend this meeting. The only reason he was here was because the upper echelon needed to go through the motions of "rewarding" him.
Hiruzen cleared his throat. The deliberately suppressed fatigue made his voice sound hoarse, but it still cut through the low murmurs of the conference hall.
"Everyone, the war in the Land of Rain has concluded. Konoha has emerged victorious. Today's meeting is to recognize and reward the shinobi who have made outstanding contributions to this hard-fought victory."
He paused, his gaze first landing on Tsunade, and a warm smile appeared on his face, carrying a deliberate tone of anticipation.
"Tsunade, as one of the frontline commanders, you took charge under dire circumstances and remained composed under pressure. Your exceptional medical ninjutsu saved countless Konoha shinobi. Your contributions are outstanding. After thorough discussion among the high council, it has been decided to appoint you as the director of Konoha Hospital. From this day forward, you will be fully in charge of the medical system's development and management. The position, previously held concurrently by Advisor Koharu, will now be yours alone."
Tsunade's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Hospital director? That meant endless paperwork, constant meetings, and a never-ending stream of patients.
She loved studying medical ninjutsu and saving lives. She didn't enjoy being trapped behind a desk. And this appointment, at this timing...
She looked up at Hiruzen, then glanced toward the empty seat that should've been next to her.
Heh. Suppress Ryo and tie her down in the process? The old man's calculations were as precise as ever.
She didn't say a word, only nodded slightly, a gesture of acceptance.
Refuse? No need.
Once the higher-ups made such a decision, especially under the guise of a "promotion," it was nearly impossible to find a legitimate reason to decline. It was just... annoying.
Hiruzen seemed quite pleased with Tsunade's "obedience," his smile deepening.
He went on to commend several Jōnin who had contributed in logistics, intelligence, and other areas, rewarding them with money, jutsu scrolls, or entry slots into the ANBU or special departments for their clan members.
Those named stood and offered their thanks. The atmosphere briefly became "harmonious."
Finally, Hiruzen's gaze turned toward the corner where Ryo sat. The entire room grew noticeably quieter. Every pair of eyes, whether curious, respectful, or complex, turned subtly toward the red-haired youth.
"Kamiyama Ryo." Hiruzen's voice rose slightly, carrying a formal tone. "Your actions on the Land of Rain battlefield were nothing short of miraculous. You reversed the tide of battle on your own and laid an unshakable foundation for Konoha's ultimate victory. Your contributions... are immeasurable."
He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, or perhaps observing Ryo's reaction.
Ryo simply looked at him calmly, no trace of anticipation or excitement on his face.
"In recognition of your formidable strength and exceptional merits," Hiruzen continued, his tone turning more solemn, "after careful deliberation by the high council, we have decided to transfer you into the ANBU and appoint you as the captain of the Third Division. The ANBU is the Hokage's direct force, Konoha's most elite unit, tasked with protecting the village's core secrets and security. This position represents the Hokage's absolute trust and reliance upon you."
As his words fell, low gasps and murmurs rippled through the room.
ANBU Division Captain.
This position was no small matter.
To ordinary shinobi, entering the ANBU—especially as a captain—meant stepping into Konoha's true power core. It was a mark of the Hokage's inner circle, a symbol of status and honor.
Many shinobi from prestigious clans, even the Uchiha, coveted a spot in the ANBU to prove their clan's worth and gain recognition from the upper echelon.
For most, this was a heavy and honorable reward.
Fugaku's brow twitched slightly. Hiashi's eyes flickered. Shikaku stopped tapping the table, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Homura adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping calmly across the room before settling on Ryo. He added, "Ryo, ANBU duties are critical. The missions are classified and demanding. They require absolute loyalty and readiness at all times. This is both recognition of your abilities and a heavy responsibility. We hope you'll perform admirably in your new role."
Koharu remained silent, her lips tightly pressed and chin slightly raised, as if her expression said, "You're lucky we're even offering this much."
Hiruzen looked at Ryo with a gentle, "earnest" smile.
"Ryo, the ANBU is the backbone of the village. You joining as a captain not only allows you to fully display your talents, but also positions you at my side to contribute to the village's future strategy. This appointment affirms your achievements and is a vote of confidence in your capabilities."
The words sounded righteous and flawless.
Promote him into a core department. Give him an important title. Let him learn under the Hokage. Such a perfect arrangement. What a grand "reward."
This way, he could silence public opinion, especially from Tsunade, and appear impartial and wise in appointing the capable.
More importantly, it allowed him to cage the unruly beast known as Ryo.
What was ANBU?
The Hokage's direct tactical assassination force. They carried out the most dangerous, dirtiest, and most hidden missions.
Even more importantly, ANBU members had to obey the Hokage's orders absolutely, reducing their personal will to the bare minimum.
Assigning Ryo to a division captain role might look like a promotion on the surface, but in reality, it placed him directly under the Hokage's supervision, restricted his freedom, and weakened his growing influence that could one day challenge the Hokage's authority.
Turn the brilliant, independent Asura into a "well-oiled tool" in the system.
And ANBU's inherent secrecy would effectively limit Ryo's rising popularity among common shinobi and civilians.
Hiruzen could even imagine Tsunade questioning, "Old man, Ryo did all this, and you're giving him... an ANBU captain post?"
He had already prepared his answer.
"Tsunade, the ANBU captain is a position of prestige and direct command under the Hokage. This is the greatest form of trust and utilization we can offer! What more do you expect? Make him the Hokage's assistant?"
That would be enough to shut her up.
He felt this arrangement was flawless. It showed the council's gratitude while perfectly achieving their core goal of "cooling down Ryo's presence."
He looked toward Ryo, waiting for him to stand and accept the position like everyone else had.
Under the table, Tsunade's hand clenched slightly. She knew exactly what the ANBU meant. This wasn't a reward. It was a leash. It was a way to tie Ryo to the Hokage's office and grind away the sharp edges that might threaten the upper echelon's control.
She looked at Ryo, her eyes filled with worry and unspoken questions.
Shikaku also stared at him. He had likely figured out the upper echelon's intentions and sensed that Ryo's response might not go the way they wanted.
Katō Dan and the other civilian Jōnin had mixed feelings. On one hand, the position of ANBU captain was prestigious. On the other hand, for someone like Ryo, who had displayed overwhelming strength and achievements, it felt... lacking.
(To be continued.)
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