In this world, once more than two people know about something, it is no longer a secret.
The news of YORU killing Nozawa Hayato and his two companions spread rapidly across the Rain Country battlefield.
Rain Village.
Hanzo's face was ashen as he stared at the intelligence report in his hand, disbelief flickering in his eyes.
A trace of pain flashed through his gaze. Those three were among the top-ranking shinobi of the Rain Village, yet they had all fallen at YORU's hands.
Defeated—and not a single one returned alive.
How was that possible?
Hanzo refused to believe it. One specialized in ninjutsu, one in swordsmanship, and one in genjutsu. Together, their threat level increased exponentially.
Even an ordinary Kage-level shinobi would need some effort to deal with them.
Unless—
Hanzo's pupils shrank.
"No… impossible! How could such a terrifying genius exist in this world?!"
His expression flickered with uncertainty. If that brat had truly killed all three by himself, then he was far too dangerous.
Hanzo felt a deep sense of threat from YORU. At this moment, he wished he could personally eliminate him at the source.
He turned his gaze toward the window. The gloomy rain outside mirrored his mood.
Hanzo understood clearly that the reason Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Konohagakure had not launched a full-scale assault on the Rain Village was because they feared his strength.
None of the three nations wanted Hanzo to appear on their battlefield.
That was why they had been restrained.
After all, Hanzo's power was among the very peak of the ninja world.
But if he personally went to hunt YORU, and that information leaked, the three great nations might launch a full-scale attack on the Rain Village.
The consequences would be unimaginable.
Hanzo was the stabilizing pillar of the Rain Village—like a nuclear weapon.
When is a nuclear weapon most threatening?
When it hasn't been launched.
No one wants that weapon to fall on their own head.
Hanzo's gaze drifted, as if piercing through space itself, locking onto that dazzling young genius.
Iwagakure Frontline Command.
"My lord, how should we deal with this YORU?"
A ninja knelt on one knee inside the tent, addressing the middle-aged commander seated above.
The man glanced at the report in his hand and smiled faintly.
"There's no need to act for now. If anyone should be worried, it's those fools from Sunagakure."
"Yes, my lord!"
The kneeling ninja responded respectfully.
Sunagakure Frontline Command.
"This YORU… must not be allowed to live!"
Chiyo, still in her prime as a middle-aged woman rather than the aged figure from later years, stood at the forefront.
As Sunagakure's top puppet master, she currently commanded the frontline forces.
Her face was filled with killing intent.
"If we let him continue to grow, who knows if he'll become the next Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"Immediately form a special unit. Gather all available intelligence on YORU and eliminate him as soon as possible!"
"Lady Chiyo…"
A Sunagakure ninja spoke hesitantly.
"We are currently at war with the Rain Village. Attempting to assassinate a Konoha ninja could trigger a direct conflict with Konoha."
Chiyo's expression darkened instantly. The subordinate had overstepped.
This was not a decision a frontline commander could make alone. It required approval from the village leadership.
The surrounding ninjas shared the same hesitation.
Chiyo cursed inwardly and turned toward her younger brother.
Although she held the title of commander, the true strategist behind everything was her exceptionally intelligent brother.
Ebizo pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Sister, we should report this to the village and wait for their decision."
He had considered more than she had. If killing YORU triggered a war between Sunagakure and Konoha, they would gain nothing—and instead bear the consequences.
Seeing that even her brother had made this decision, Chiyo let out an irritated snort and reluctantly ordered the report to be sent back to the village.
Konoha.
YORU's battle record once again shocked everyone.
Nozawa Hayato and his companions were not nobodies. Even Konoha's higher-ups had heard of them.
Because of this, the council of elders was convened once more.
This time, it wasn't just about YORU—it was about the interests he represented.
At the meeting, an elder from the Senju faction proposed that YORU's achievements be publicly announced and that he be promoted to Jonin.
The Senju-aligned elders immediately supported the proposal.
However, the faction led by Danzo fiercely opposed it.
"Don't be ridiculous! He may be Tsunade's disciple, but he hasn't undergone ANBU training. I believe he still needs observation!" one elder from Danzo's faction argued.
A Senju elder immediately retorted, "Are you questioning YORU's loyalty to the village? A man willing to risk his life for Konoha—something you've never had the courage to do!"
"Outrageous! I've been loyal to the village for decades! How can I be compared to that brat?!" the elder shouted, his face flushed.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice cut through the argument.
"This is an elders' meeting, not a marketplace!"
Once the room quieted, Hiruzen spoke calmly.
"Now, we will vote. Those in favor of promoting YORU to Jonin and announcing his achievements—raise your hands."
The Senju faction elders raised their hands without hesitation.
"I object!" the same elder shouted unwillingly.
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"Objections are not handled that way. Follow the rules."
After the elder finally fell silent, Hiruzen himself raised his hand.
He counted the votes.
Exactly half.
"…Only half?"
Just then—
"I support it as well."
An unexpected voice sounded.
The head of the Hyuga clan slowly raised his hand, while the second elder beside him remained silent with a grim expression.
"Good!"
A smile appeared on Hiruzen's face.
"Then it is decided. YORU will be promoted to Jonin, and his achievements will be announced throughout the village."
After the meeting ended, Danzo approached Hiruzen with a dark expression.
"What are you thinking?"
"Hand YORU over to me. Within a year, I can turn him into Konoha's sharpest weapon!"
Hiruzen's expression turned cold.
"Enough! You only want to turn him into a tool. He is a child who carries the Will of Fire."
"Stop hiding behind your Will of Fire!" Danzo snapped. "YORU's influence within the Senju faction is growing. After this incident, his reputation among the civilians will rise as well. What exactly are you planning? Do you intend to groom him into the next Hokage?"
Hiruzen glanced at him silently and said nothing, turning to leave.
Danzo stood there, his face dark.
"…Hokage? Hiruzen, you actually have that kind of idea?"
"YORU…"
A chilling killing intent slowly surfaced in his eyes.
"To think it would come to this…"
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