Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen sat behind his desk with his pipe resting in one hand while Shunsui and Mukai stood before him.
The old Hokage smiled warmly at the two young shinobi who had performed so well in the Chunin Exams.
"First of all... congratulations." Hiruzen said these words with genuine happiness in his voice.
"You have both earned your promotions to Chunin." Neither boy looked particularly surprised. Mukai had expected it after lasting until the finals while Shunsui had all but secured it with his victory. They had both shown great skill and talent during the tournament.
"Many believe the Chunin Exams exist to determine who is strongest." Hiruzen continued speaking. "That has never been their true purpose. A genin completes missions. A chunin completes missions... while ensuring everyone under his command returns home alive."
His gaze shifted between the two boys. He wanted them to understand the bigger responsibility that came with the new rank.
Strength was merely one qualification for becoming a chunin. Leadership and care for teammates were even more important.
"I watched both of your matches carefully." Hiruzen said as he looked at them with pride.
"Mukai." The young shinobi straightened instinctively when his name was called. "You really surprised me and the lot in the village with your abilities. I don't know why you felt the need to hide your byakugan. But know this I would protect you from the Hyuga." Hiruzen promised to keep Mukai safe from any pressure by his clan.
"Your prowess with it is something that even I acknowledge. I have not seen any Hyuga user as talented as you. And I am sure that even Hyuga would try to be on your side and would look to butter you up to get their hands on how you managed to add chakra nature to your gentle fist." Mukai let out a breath of relief at that. He felt much better knowing the Hokage was on his side and would support him against clan troubles.
Hiruzen then smirked in a playful way. "And if I were you, I would milk them dry if they want the technique."
He suggested that Mukai could negotiate well if the Hyuga clan wanted to learn his new skills. And with the Hokage supporting him, Hyuga could not pressure him either.
Mukai bowed politely. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen then turned toward Shunsui. "And you..." A small smile crossed his face. "You are troublesome."
Shunsui blinked in surprise. "Umm, Is that a compliment?"
"It is." The old Hokage chuckled softly. "I still remember that back in the academy, every instructor submitted reports about you complained that you refused to fight seriously. They also mentioned you somehow convinced three separate classes to spend an afternoon playing children's games."
Shunsui scratched the back of his head. "...They were educational." He tried to explain that the games had some value for learning and training his Shikai.
"I'm sure they were." Hiruzen replied with a knowing look. Even Mukai struggled to hide a smile at the conversation.
Hiruzen's expression gradually became serious once more. "Yet when it truly mattered, your prowess with your kekkei genkai and how you use it is truly remarkable. It is an ability that befits a leader but it also needs someone with a good head on their shoulders to use it to their advantage and you just have that."
"And during today's final, despite possessing several opportunities to end the match immediately... you chose methods that tested your opponent instead of killing him."
Shunsui shrugged casually. "It was just an exam." He said this to show it was not a real battlefield where killing was necessary.
"Exactly." Hiruzen nodded approvingly. "A shinobi who knows when not to kill is often more valuable than one who knows only how."
The Hokage leaned back in his chair. "The Third Great Shinobi War has demanded much from this village. Many of our finest shinobi now command platoons despite scarcely being older than either of you. I sincerely hope neither of you is forced into that responsibility so soon."
His eyes softened with care for the young genin. "But hope alone does not protect Konoha. You will both receive greater responsibilities from this day forward. Genin are taught how to survive. Chunin are expected to ensure others survive. Remember that difference."
Both boys nodded seriously. "...Yes, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen smiled once again. "I have every confidence that the two of you will become shinobi this village can rely upon."
After dismissing Mukai, Hiruzen kept Shunsui behind. The office grew noticeably quieter now that only the two of them remained.
The old man looked out the window overlooking the village. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Shunsui walked beside him. "It is." He agreed while looking at the peaceful streets below.
Hiruzen rested both hands behind his back. "Every rooftop you see, every shop, every family, every child running through those streets... They sleep peacefully because someone stands guard."
His voice became gentler as he spoke about the duty of shinobi. "One day that someone will be you." Shunsui followed the Hokage's gaze toward the village below.
Finally Hiruzen smiled. "Protect them well."
Shunsui simply nodded. "...I will."
Internally Shunsui thought,'The old man really is good at this. A few speeches about children, sacrifice, and protecting the village, he's practically feeding me the Will of Fire one spoonful at a time.'
'Not that I can blame him. If you're leading a village full of child soldiers during a world war, propaganda probably comes with the hat.'
Despite the cynical thought, his eyes drifted toward the streets outside. Children laughed as they chased one another through the market, completely oblivious to the war raging beyond the village walls.
His smile became smaller. 'Still. It'd be nice if they never had to learn what a battlefield looks like.' He sighed. 'Damn it. Maybe the old man got one spoonful through after all.' Shunsui felt a small change in his heart even though he tried to stay detached.
Hiruzen then said, "Now if you will excuse me, some orphanage matron has been requesting to meet me for some time and I have to meet her today."
Shunsui felt a chill at that. He knew exactly which matron the Hokage was talking about. The same one who had raised him and who loved to boast about her boys in public. Shunsui could already imagine her telling long stories about his childhood to the Hokage. The thought made him shiver a little.
-------Author Notes--------
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