Chapter 35: Three Years!

After this news was announced, all of the people in Konoha were boiling with excitement. Especially the classmates who knew Seishi, they were so shocked that they couldn't even speak.

They never imagined that the person they looked down on the most would suddenly become a Tokubetsu Jōnin. Third Hokage's action broke the norm of the past. According to the usual practice, passing the Chūnin exam at most would only make one a Chūnin. As for the existence of Tokubetsu Jōnin and above, even the most excellent Chūnin with outstanding talent would have to complete countless missions to be promoted.

Every Tokubetsu Jōnin in any ninja village is a carefully selected and trustworthy existence. Only by making countless contributions to the village and gaining a certain level of trust, can they become Tokubetsu Jōnin.

Yet, Seishi, from graduation to becoming a Tokubetsu Jōnin, only took one or two months. This not only broke Konoha's record but probably also broke the record for the entire ninja world.

After this news was announced, there were immediately people who protested, but it was of no use. The current Third Hokage was not the senile old man of the past. He was in his prime both in terms of mental state and strength. He firmly suppressed all dissenting voices and promoted Seishi to a Tokubetsu Jōnin by force.

After being promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin, three years passed for Seishi. In these three years, he proved that Third Hokage's proposal was not wrong. Within these short three years, he completed 158 D-rank missions, 425 C-rank missions, 485 B-rank missions, 614 A-rank missions, and 231 S-rank missions. In terms of completing S-rank missions, he was even approaching Hatake Sakumo.

….

"Come in," said the Third Hokage upon hearing a knock on the door.

Immediately, a handsome young man carrying a large sword walked in.

Seeing the figure before him, the Third Hokage smiled.

Over the past three years, he had become increasingly satisfied with his decision to promote this young man to a special Jōnin.

The fact that the entire ninja world viewed him as the heir to the Leaf Village only solidified that feeling.

Thanks to the unique swordsmanship he had created, he had also become known as the "Leaf Kirin."

"Sit down," the Hokage said, pointing to a nearby chair. "This is some tea recently sent to me by Daimyo. Try it and tell me what you think."

The young man skillfully approached the desk and took out two teacups, pouring the tea from the box the Hokage had pointed to earlier.

"Chiba Seishi, time flies. I still remember your appearance when you took the Chunin Exam," the Hokage exclaimed, shaking his head.

After pouring hot water from the kettle into the two teacups, Seishi finally sat down.

He looked up at the Hokage and said with a smile, "Thank you, Hokage-sama. If it weren't for you, I might still be just a regular Chunin."

The Third Hokage lifted his teacup and took a sip. The tea was grown on a mountain and the yearly production was not very high. But thanks to his past friendship with the Daimyo he was able to get his hands on some.

The taste of the tea is not bitter at all, but has a sweet taste when drunk, which is what Third Hokage likes the most. So he often wonders if he is getting old, because he used to prefer bitter tea when he was young. Adversity makes people grow.

"So, do you blame me now that it's been three years and you still haven't been promoted to Jonin?"

"You know, in these three years, even Orochimaru and Tsunade have become Jonin..."

In the second year after Seishi became a Special Jonin, Orochimaru and Tsunade became Special Jonin too. And just this year, the four of them, including Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya , and even Uchiha-Qi, have all been promoted to Jonin.

On the contrary, Seishi, who was the fastest to be promoted to Special Jonin, was still stagnant.

Seishi shook his head and said, "You must have your own reasons for doing so, Third Hokage. It's already a great honor for me to be promoted to Special Jonin from a newly graduated Genin. I dare not ask for more."

Third Hokage stared at him and smiled helplessly, "You... I don't know whether your early maturity is a good or bad thing."

If it were his disciple Jiraiya in the same situation, he would probably have made a fuss about it long ago.

"Promoting you directly to Special Jonin was not only to affirm your talent, but also to set a new example for all of Konoha..."

"And the reason why I haven't promoted you to Jonin yet is mainly to protect you."

After a pause, Third Hokage poured himself another cup of tea and continued, "When you were promoted to Special Jonin so quickly, it also attracted the attention of many people in the village. The bigger the tree, the more wind it catches... no one knows if you will be targeted by someone with ill intentions."

"But after these three years of training, I believe your strength is enough to handle these difficulties."

"Seishi, from today onwards, I announce that you are no longer a Special Jonin, but a real Jonin."

Seishi looked up in surprise at Third Hokage, not expecting his promotion to come so soon. After becoming Hokage, Third Hokage became more and more skilled at playing the carrot and stick game.

If he were a true believer of the Will of Fire, he would probably have been moved to tears by the Third Hokage's gesture. But at this moment, Seishi was contemptuous of the kind and benevolent demeanor of his elder.

Three years ago, he had no idea why the Third Hokage had promoted him to Special Jōnin. But in these three years, he had figured out the reason.

He had done so many missions, half of which were not for Konoha, but rather for the Third Hokage's own selfish desires.

To consolidate his own power, suppress Danzo, and eliminate dissenters. These were things he had done for the Third Hokage.

But it didn't matter to him. The Third Hokage was using him, but wasn't he also using the Third Hokage? In these years, he had gained a certain level of prestige in Konoha.

Although he was not as respected as his teacher, Konoha's White Fang, he was not far behind. It was precisely because of this that the Third Hokage had to succumb to public pressure and promote Seishi to Jōnin.