The following morning.
In the Jōnin Standby Room within the Hokage Residence, a gathering was underway. Numerous high-ranking Jōnin—those who held critical positions and possessed exceptional capabilities—had been summoned to await orders.
With nearly thirty elite ninja present, the atmosphere was imposing.
After a short wait, Nara Shikaku entered the room.
"Shikaku, is there a mass mobilization mission today?" one of the Jōnin asked, puzzled.
Typically, while a rotation of Jōnin was required to man the standby room, it wasn't necessary for every off-duty operative to report in. Those holding administrative or specialized positions, like many present, were usually exempt from such general calls.
Today was clearly unusual.
"There is no collective mission," Shikaku replied as he took a seat. "However, we need to consult your opinions regarding the promotion of several ninja."
He pulled out three photographs and pinned them to the board at the front of the room.
From left to right, they were Sarutobi Asuma, Yagyu Masahiko, and Yūhi Kurenai.
"You all know their backgrounds to some extent," Shikaku said with a relaxed smile. "Let's discuss them. If anyone has objections, feel free to raise them."
A Jōnin raised his hand and stood up.
"Shikaku, Asuma has done excellent work with the Twelve Guardian Ninja. His ability is undeniable. However, Kurenai is still slightly lacking; I believe she isn't ready to assume the rank of Jōnin just yet."
He then turned his gaze to the center photograph.
"As for this Yagyu Masahiko... isn't he too young? Furthermore, I recall his promotion to Tokubetsu Jōnin was only a few months ago."
"That is correct. Inoichi and I were present to observe that promotion," Shikaku said, glancing at Yamanaka Inoichi.
Inoichi nodded. "His abilities were already formidable back then, particularly in Taijutsu. He was more than qualified for the Tokubetsu Jōnin rank."
"So, are you implying that in just a few months, he has gained the capabilities of a full Jōnin?" Akimichi Chōza interjected.
Shikaku nodded and was about to elaborate when a voice cut in from the side.
"I can verify this matter. In fact, I am willing to recommend Masahiko for the Jōnin Assessment and the rank itself!"
Everyone turned toward the voice, visibly surprised.
The speaker was none other than Might Guy.
Although Guy was an elite Jōnin with a respectable standing in Konoha, he rarely participated in these types of political or administrative discussions. For him to not only show up but actively vouch for someone was unprecedented.
The room's interest was instantly piqued.
"Guy, have you fought him?"
"I sparred with him just yesterday," Guy answered honestly, his expression serious. "He is extremely powerful. To be frank, even now, I haven't thought of a perfect counter-strategy against him."
The focus of the room shifted immediately. They began pressing for details.
Everyone knew Might Guy's strength. While he specialized exclusively in Taijutsu and lacked aptitude for Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, he possessed his own unique methods of dealing with them. If not for that, he wouldn't have become a Jōnin at such a young age.
For someone like Guy to call an opponent "troublesome" and admit to lacking a solution... this Masahiko clearly had skills to back up the claim.
Guy began to describe the details of their spar the previous day.
As the audience consisted of elite Jōnin, they could tell Guy wasn't exaggerating. He was simply stating the facts in his usual straightforward manner.
And it was precisely because of this honesty that the room fell into shocked silence. They looked at one another, processing the information.
A seal-less "Trinity Battle Tactic" that seamlessly integrated Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu.
If true, that was indeed a nightmare to fight against.
The standby room fell silent for a moment.
Shikaku coughed lightly to break the tension. "Well then, let's shelf Masahiko's vote for a moment and decide on the other two."
"First, Sarutobi Asuma. Let's vote."
Shikaku looked around the room.
Every hand went up. Asuma had become a core figure of the Conservative Faction within the Twelve Guardian Ninja. His abilities were witnessed by all. He was more than qualified to be a Konoha Jōnin. No one questioned it.
"Next, Yūhi Kurenai."
This time, the room contemplated for a long while. Only a scattered few raised their hands.
Kurenai's Genjutsu was potent, but she wasn't yet comprehensive enough to stand alone as a Jōnin leader.
Shikaku nodded, noting the count.
"Now, let's discuss the final candidate again."
He looked at Inoichi.
Inoichi nodded solemnly and stood up. "During the recent rebellion involving the Guardian Ninja, Masahiko played a critical role. The difficulty and importance of his mission have been evaluated as S-Rank..."
As the head of the Intelligence Division, Inoichi gave a rough, factual summary of Masahiko's performance without embellishment.
The Jōnin exchanged glances and began to whisper among themselves. Soon, the discussion coalesced into a few proposals.
Shikaku listened from the front, looking thoughtful. "Then, in accordance with custom, we will either assign a high-difficulty mission or submit a combat assessment request for Lord Hokage to decide."
"Agreed."
The group nodded in unison.
The result came quickly.
That Afternoon, Konoha Dueling Grounds.
The arena, specifically designed for combat and sparring, was lined with spectators—mostly Tokubetsu Jōnin and full Jōnin.
In the center seat of the viewing stand sat Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, personally overseeing the event.
In a nearby section, Mitarashi Anko was munching on dango. She nudged Kurenai, who was sitting beside her. "This is a huge turnout. Who's getting a special promotion?"
There were many ways to be promoted to Jōnin; there was no fixed formula.
However, one specific method required the observation of Tokubetsu Jōnin and above: The Combat Assessment.
This was reserved for candidates who were very young and exceptionally skilled, yet lacked the mission count or seniority to convince the masses. Such assessments were rare, usually only appearing during times of peace when rapid field promotions were less common.
In fact, since the founding of Konoha, this had only happened a handful of times.
'Was the last one during the Fourth Hokage's era?'
Kurenai thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. "It should be Masahiko. His strength is formidable, but his rise has been so fast that it's bound to attract skepticism."
"Hah?!!"
Anko froze, a dango ball halfway to her mouth, her expression blank.
A few seconds later, she looked at the dango in her hand, then down at the empty arena floor. Suddenly, the sweets didn't seem so appetizing.
She fell silent for a moment before grumbling, "I hope it's fake. If it's true... he better not pass!"
Anko was indignant.
"He's promoting way too fast!"
"Masahiko is strong. He'll definitely pass," Kurenai said calmly, "I just wonder who his opponent will be."
Kurenai didn't doubt Masahiko's ability for a second.
A moment later, the gates on both sides of the arena opened.
Two figures walked out from opposite ends, slowly approaching the center of the stage.
Anko noticed something and shot a weird look at her best friend.
Kurenai's expression held a trace of worry, but her gaze was fixed intently on Masahiko.
Anko's mouth twitched, and she looked away.
She might be brash, but she wasn't blind.
Asuma liked Kurenai. Everyone knew that.
But now, it seemed Kurenai had developed a strong interest in this handsome, incredibly talented young prodigy.
'Asuma... you poor bastard.'
'Still, feelings are mutual things. You can't force them.'
Anko silently turned her attention back to the arena.
On the field, the two combatants faced each other, both slightly surprised by the matchup.
"Masahiko," Asuma said seriously. "I will be going all out. I won't hold back."
"I would expect nothing less," Masahiko nodded. "Going all out is the only way to show respect to your opponent, the other ninja watching, and the village."
They quickly formed the Seal of Confrontation and bowed.
Asuma's hands flew through a sequence of seals.
In an instant, billowing clouds of ash spewed from his mouth.
Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!
However, the Masahiko in front of him was already moving. As he ran, his figure split apart, rapidly turning into multiple bodies that scattered in three or four different directions.
Their speed was identical. Their chakra signatures were indistinguishable. Even the sound of their footsteps was perfectly synced.
Impossible to tell apart.
Asuma didn't hesitate. He bit down hard on his teeth, creating a spark within the ash-filled air.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rang out.
The superheated ash ignited into a roaring inferno, instantly blanketing a massive section of the arena.
Moments later, as the flames and smoke began to dissipate, the air remained hazy.
Three figures leaped out from the sky above.
Asuma looked up, only to see the three figures split again in mid-air—expanding into nine distinct bodies, all slashing downward simultaneously.
Around him on the ground, five more "Masahikos" rushed in to besiege him. There was no way to distinguish the real one from the fakes.
Wind Style: Dust Cloud Jutsu!
Asuma exhaled a stream of blinding dust. A violent gale whipped up, distorting the approaching figures. The nine in the air vanished into smoke instantly upon contact with the wind.
The wind swept across the ground, and the five rushing attackers also burst into splashes of water and disappeared.
'Water Clones?'
'But wait—'
The final figure was already right in front of him.
Blade slashed. Trench knife blocked.
CLANG!
Sparks flew.
Asuma angled his trench knife, channeling sharp wind chakra through the blade to slash back at Masahiko.
At that exact moment, a surge of water erupted from the chakra points on Masahiko's arm. It instantly coated his entire limb, rushing forward and condensing.
Fluid Mantle.
The wind blade sliced into the rushing water, piercing through and cutting a small gash on Masahiko's arm.
But simultaneously, the pressurized water detonated.
BANG!
Asuma swung his other trench knife to block, using the massive recoil of the explosion to slide backward and create distance.
When he looked up, Masahiko had already vanished from his spot and was coming at him from the flank.
'Damn it!'