The Promotion Ceremony

(Whoosh!) Naruto landed at the entrance, following which he ran up the stairs.

Shikamaru and Sasuke were waiting outside Hiruzen's room.

"Naruto," Sasuke called out, following which Shikamaru saw Naruto as well.

"Hey guys," Naruto greeted following which he approached the two and brought them closer.

"Listen Up,"

"I've got a mission for you guys," Naruto said.

"Huh?" Shikamaru and Sasuke stared at Naruto.

"Mm!" Naruto nodded.

"This mission is special,"

"It was a mission that I or anyone else could not complete in the future as well," Naruto said.

"What kind of a mission is that?" Sasuke asked.

"Wait, Sasuke," Shikamaru stopped him.

"Naruto, If you couldn't complete this mission before then why ask us now?" Shikamaru asked.

"Well, I didn't consider this as a mission, but this mystery was never solved until the end," Naruto explained.

"And what kind of a mystery is that?" Sasuke asked.

"Hehehe…" Naruto snickered.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"Aw, Come on Sasuke,"

"Don't tell me that you've never thought about it before," Naruto said.

"Thought about what?" Sasuke asked.

"…" Shikamaru continued to watch silently.

"Come closer," Naruto gestured towards Shikamaru and Sasuke.

The duo lent their ears.

"Have you ever wondered what's underneath Kakashi-sensei's mask?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke stared at Naruto weirdly.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"It must just be a regular face,"

"He's probably wearing the mask to look cool or something," Sasuke explained.

"Oh yeah,"

"Then why does he never take it off?" Naruto asked.

"Hm…?" Sasuke stared at Naruto.

"I pity you Sasuke,"

"In my timeline, you, me, and Sakura spent an entire day trying to find what was underneath his mask, But no matter what we did, something or the other got in the way," Naruto explained.

"…" Sasuke.

"We tried this two more times on different occasions, except, when we asked Kakashi-sensei directly, he just pulled out his mask to reveal another mask," Naruto continued.

Sasuke and Shikamaru's expression changed.

"Even before I left that timeline, I had never seen Kakashi-sensei's true face,"

"The truth is, I also had a chance yesterday, except that Gai sensei showed up in the last moment which once again coincidentally saved Kakashi-sensei from showing his true face," Naruto said.

Sasuke's expressions were trembling right now.

Naruto laughed internally following which he closed his eyes and continued.

"I can also say that solving that mystery is on the same level as fighting me at Eighty percent strength," Naruto opened one eye to observe Sasuke's expression from the corner of his eyes.

At this moment,

Sasuke brimmed with battle intent.

("He's in,") Naruto confirmed.

"What do I need to do?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto looked at Shikamaru.

"Are you in?" Naruto asked.

Shikamaru felt that today was just not his day; however, he knew that this was something that was important to Naruto.

"All right,"

"I'm in," Shikamaru said.

"Hehe…" Naruto gave a wicked smile as he stared at the closed door.

"AACHOOO!!!!"

Kakashi sneezed.

"What is it?" Gai asked.

"Probably someone plotting against me…" Kakashi murmured.

Kakashi stood in between Gai and Asuma, while Hiruzen sat at his desk waiting for Rasa and Gaara to show up.

"Gai, Asuma," Kakashi called out.

"Huh?" Asuma looked at Kakashi.

Kakashi explained his situation from yesterday.

"Is this really necessary?" Asuma asked.

Gai and Kakashi nodded.

"Got it…" Asuma said slowly after seeing the duo's expectant faces.

("Huh…?") Hiruzen turned to face the trio that stood by the side.

("What are they talking about?") Hiruzen wondered.

….

*Sound of footsteps*

"Hm…?" Naruto turned towards the source of the sound.

"Kazekage-sama,"

"Gaara," Naruto greeted happily.

"Oh,"

"Naruto-kun," Rasa greeted back to which Gaara nodded.

"Kazekage-sama," Shikamaru and Sasuke bowed a bit.

"Shikamaru, Uchiha Sasuke,"

"Glad to see you all here," Rasa nodded.

Sasuke looked at Gaara following which, he thought back to the time Gaara withdrew from the match due to the upcoming battle.

"Gaara," Sasuke called out.

"Uchiha Sasuke," Gaara responded.

"Our battle is not over yet," Sasuke said.

Rasa looked at Gaara.

"I'm ready to take you on any time," Gaara said.

"Hmph," Sasuke snorted.

*Door opens*

"Kazekage-sama,"

"You four,"

"Please come in," Gai said.

"Mm!" Rasa nodded.

Rasa and Gaara entered followed by Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru.

"Thanks for coming," Hiruzen got up from his desk.

"Hokage-dono,"

"Thank you for having me here," Rasa replied.

"With this, I would like to begin the promotion ceremony," Hiruzen said.

Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Gaara, Gai, Asuma, and Kakashi stared at Hiruzen.

(Knock!)

(Knock!)

(Knock!)

"Come in!" Hiruzen said.

*Door Opens*

"Ah!"

"Hope I am not late or anything," Hashirama laughed.

"Tsk!" Tobirama appeared behind Hashirama.

"Lord First,"

"Lord Second,"

"Lord Fourth," Rasa greeted while Gaara also bowed simultaneously.

"Forget the formalities Kazekage-dono,"

"We are friends after all," Hashirama smiled.

"Brother…" Tobirama tried to stop, but it was already too late.

"Sorry for coming late," Minato smiled awkwardly.

"Haha,"

"You're just in time," Hiruzen said.

Sasuke looked at Minato yet again.

Naruto also noticed this gesture.

("Crap, I forgot to tell him,") Naruto thought.

"Sasuke," Naruto brought his face near Sasuke's.

"The Fourth Hokage is my father," Naruto said.

("WHAT?") Sasuke stared at Naruto in shock.

Shikamaru also noticed this.

("Looks like Sasuke didn't know huh…?")

("Hope things don't get more complicated than they are right now…") Shikamaru thought.

…

Hiruzen took a certificate in hand.

"Gaara of the Hidden Sand,"

"I present this certificate which will henceforth establish your rank as Chūnin," Hiruzen said as he held the certificate in his hands.

"Please step forth to receive it," Hiruzen added.

Gaara then walked towards Hiruzen and collected the certificate with both hands following which he bowed.

"Congratulations, Gaara"

"You are, as of this moment a Chūnin!" Hiruzen said.

The others in the room clapped for Gaara.

"Also as a personal reward for maintaining this treaty, we would like to present you with a Wind natured Chakra blade," Hiruzen said following which he took out a blade in a wooden sheath that was present on the desk and handed it to Gaara.

The others in the room clapped once again for Gaara.

"It was my duty to do so…" Gaara said as he bowed down.

"Next,"

"Nara Shikamaru!" Hiruzen called out.

Shikamaru approached Hiruzen.

"You may have given up your match,"

"However, due to having met other conditions of the judging criteria,"

"You have been promoted to Chūnin by demonstrating creative thinking and problem-solving skills during your battle,"

"I present this certificate which will henceforth establish your rank as Chūnin," Hiruzen said as he held the certificate in his hands.

"Please step forth to receive it," Hiruzen added.

Shikamaru then walked towards Hiruzen and collected the certificate with both hands following which he bowed.

"Congratulations, Nara Shikamaru"

"You are, as of this moment a Chūnin!" Hiruzen said.

The others in the room clapped for Shikamaru.

("You deserve it,") Asuma thought.

"Next,"

"Uchiha Sasuke," Hiruzen called out.

Sasuke approached Hiruzen.

Hiruzen took a certificate in hand.

"Uchiha Sasuke,"

"I present this certificate which will henceforth establish your rank as Chūnin," Hiruzen said as he held the certificate in his hands.

"Please step forth to receive it," Hiruzen added.

Sasuke then walked towards Hiruzen and collected the certificate with both hands following which he bowed.

"Congratulations, Uchiha Sasuke"

"You are, as of this moment a Chūnin!" Hiruzen said.

The others in the room clapped for Sasuke especially Naruto who clapped the loudest.

"Sasuke, you had taken part in the unofficial S-Rank Mission and helped in protecting the arena by fighting outside."

"The boy you had brought the other day was supposed to be our concern since we have taken Orochimaru as a prisoner,"

"Hence, in the spirit of protection, you will be rewarded with a defensive treasure," Hiruzen said.

Tobirama walked towards Sasuke.

"…" Sasuke stared silently at Tobirama.

Tobirama took out a scroll from his blue armor and unraveled it.

(Poof!)

A huge fan appeared.

"This here is a weapon that originally belonged to the Uchiha clan,"

"To be honest, it belonged to my subordinate Uchiha Kagami," Tobirama explained.

("The Uchiha Reflect Blade…") Sasuke stared at it in silence.

"I now hand this over to you," Tobirama said.

Sasuke reached out slowly and took the blade.

People once again clapped for Sasuke.

…

Hiruzen looked at Rasa.

Rasa nodded following which he looked at Gaara.

"Gaara,"

"Go ahead and wait with your siblings for me," Rasa said.

Gaara looked at Naruto, for a second after which he looked at Rasa again.

"Mm!" Gaara nodded following which he left the room.

…

Hiruzen looked at Naruto.

"Naruto, however, will not receive a Chūnin certificate," Hiruzen announced.

"Huh?"

Sasuke, Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, Hashirama and Tobirama were surprised.