Chapter 135: A Pre-War Gift!

In the Hokage's office at the Leaf Village.

Shūichi reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi about establishing a secret experimental base in collaboration with the Daimyo.

This was all part of the plan.

On the surface, the secret experimental base was for Shūichi, acting as a spy, to steal Konoha's research on tailed beasts and use it on subjects provided by the Daimyo.

However, the success of the experiments and whether the subjects would ultimately obey the Daimyo remained entirely within Shūichi's control.

Naturally, Hiruzen Sarutobi was aware of all this.

As a loyal subordinate, Shūichi reported everything in a timely manner, as was expected.

Hiruzen simply nodded, showing his acknowledgment. He trusted Shūichi completely to handle this task.

Then, Hiruzen spoke, "Shūichi, the announcement of your promotion to Jōnin has already been made. Go and collect your Jōnin gear shortly."

Shūichi nodded, "Yes, Lord Hokage!"

---

After leaving the Hokage's office, every staff member he encountered smiled and greeted Shūichi, or gave him respectful salutes. Their attitudes had shifted noticeably from before.

When he stepped out of the Hokage Building, he saw four figures smiling at him.

"Shūichi!"

It was Chihiro who called out, waving to him.

The group consisted of Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Chihiro, Nara Satoshi, and Yamanaka Shinichi. No wonder Shūichi hadn't seen Shinnosuke inside the Hokage Building earlier.

Shūichi quickly walked over to them.

"Shūichi, congratulations on becoming the youngest Jōnin in Konoha's history!" Nara Satoshi said with a smile.

Yamanaka Shinichi chimed in, "Hey, since we all happen to be free today, how about we celebrate together?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke added, "The four of us are treating you today, Shūichi. You can eat as much as you want!"

Shūichi grinned and said fiercely, "Then I won't hold back today. I'm going to make sure to empty your wallets!"

The group burst into laughter.

---

Meanwhile, at Orochimaru's experimental base.

Danzo, having returned from the Land of Rain, watched as Orochimaru slowly busied himself with his work and said, "The war with the Sand and Mist is now inevitable. This time, the commander for the combined Sand and Mist forces will be Koharu, but I've already discussed it with her. You will be leading the troops in the field."

"As long as you win this war, I, along with Homura and Koharu, will support you as the next Hokage. There will be no obstacles."

Orochimaru smiled. "Thank you very much, Danzo-sama."

"But I imagine the Third Hokage won't be stepping down anytime soon."

Danzo replied sternly, "You don't need to concern yourself with that."

"With Hiruzen's current weak policies, it's only a matter of time before he makes a mistake."

Orochimaru nodded, refraining from saying more.

He was fully aware of Danzo's immense ambition in supporting him to become Hokage, but Orochimaru was confident that once he became Hokage, he wouldn't be under Danzo's control.

Still, people can sometimes be blindly overconfident! Orochimaru chuckled to himself.

At that moment, Danzo asked, "How is the tailed beast research coming along?"

"Are we ready to proceed with human trials?"

Orochimaru looked up. "Is Lord Danzo growing impatient?"

"The power of the tailed beasts is no less than that of Hashirama's cells."

Danzo's voice lowered, "With the Great War looming, now is when we need strength the most."

"Besides, if Shūichi can endure it, others can too."

"If it comes down to a contest of willpower, I'm certain that the ninja trained in Root would surpass Shūichi Hoshita."

Orochimaru, however, didn't share that sentiment.

If Root's ninjas could compare to Shūichi, then it wouldn't be him, but one of them who had become a Jōnin before the age of 12.

Still...

Orochimaru considered for a moment and then nodded, "We can start with two test subjects. We have enough Four-Tails tissue ready."

Danzo nodded in satisfaction. "I'll send them over tomorrow."

...

After the meal with Shinnosuke and the others, Shūichi made his way to Konoha Hospital.

However, just as he reached the entrance, he was suddenly grabbed by Might Guy.

"Shūichi, come with me quickly!"

"Huh? What's going on?"

Confused, Shūichi was dragged by Guy to another location.

Pop!

Colorful streamers rained down from above, and then Shizune, Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, Ebisu, and others appeared one after another.

"Shūichi, congratulations on becoming a Jōnin!"

Shizune handed him a bouquet of flowers.

Shūichi took the bouquet and smiled at everyone, "Thank you all, this is a wonderful surprise!"

Ebisu, wearing his signature sunglasses, said, "Shūichi, you're the first of our generation to become a Jōnin. No one is likely to break your age record either!"

Shūichi looked over at Kakashi with a smile, "Kakashi might still have a chance."

After all, Kakashi was younger than him by a bit, and he was less than a month away from turning 12.

Kakashi shook his head, "The mission requirements for Jōnin are too high; it's hard to complete them in such a short time."

Kurenai Yuhi laughed, "No matter what, Kakashi, it's only a matter of time before you become a Jōnin too."

"But today, let's celebrate Shūichi! Here, Shūichi, this is my gift to you."

Shūichi quickly took the gift. "Thank you!"

One by one, the others also presented their gifts.

Shūichi opened each gift on the spot, thanking them one by one.

Rin Nohara gave a handmade medical kit, Kakashi offered notes on Lightning Release, Ebisu gifted his signature sunglasses, Genma Shiranui gave custom senbon, Aoba Yamashiro presented homemade raven feed, and Obito Uchiha gifted a pair of goggles identical to his own.

The most outrageous gift came from Might Guy—a green spandex suit, exactly like the one he was wearing.

Shizune's gift was a custom white scarf with a golden fire lotus design, which Shūichi immediately asked her to tie around his neck.

"Since everyone's here, how about we all grab dinner together later tonight?"

"For now, how about we find a snack shop?" Shūichi suggested with a smile.

Kurenai was the first to agree, and no one else objected, so the group moved to a nearby snack shop, eating and chatting.

Before they knew it, the conversation turned to Sarutobi Asuma, who wasn't present.

Kurenai Yuhi expressed her concern, "Asuma is still at the Daimyo's palace."

Shizune immediately reassured her, "Being by the Daimyo's side should make him safer, right?"

Shūichi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Kurenai. Asuma is more than capable."

"Plus, he'll return to the village eventually."

Kurenai nodded.

The conversation shifted again, and before they knew it, they were discussing the ongoing war between the Sand and the Mist.

However, Uchiha Obito and the others didn't seem to realize just how quickly the shadow of war was approaching them.

---

Later that evening, after the meal, Shūichi escorted Shizune home before heading to the experimental base.

Tsunade was still busy working there. When she saw Shūichi arrive, she briefly looked up and said, "Congratulations on becoming a Jōnin!"

"A Jōnin before the age of 12—you're the first one, huh."

Shūichi walked over to Tsunade and extended his right hand.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow in confusion and looked up at him.

Shūichi smiled, "Since you're congratulating me, shouldn't you be giving me a gift? Everyone else got me something."

Tsunade turned around and looked at Shūichi seriously, asking, "Is war about to break out?"

Shūichi nodded, "Yes, the Sand and Mist have already allied, and their next move will be to attack us."

"Once the war begins, both the Stone and Cloud villages might get involved as well."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment before unclasping the necklace around her neck and placing it on Shūichi. "This was my grandfather's... Don't you dare die in the war, kid!"

"A dead genius is useless!"

Shūichi was stunned.

This necklace... wasn't it supposed to be cursed? What should he do now?

But Tsunade had already gone back to her work.

Shūichi looked at her profile and then smiled. "Don't forget, I know the Flying Thunder God Technique."

Without lifting her head, Tsunade replied, "My granduncle knew that jutsu too."

Shūichi was instantly speechless.

Damn it, did she have to be so harsh?

Tsunade continued, "Anything can happen on the battlefield."

"Don't act impulsively. Don't be careless—at any time!"

"Don't think your strength is enough to do whatever you want. You must have respect for war."

Shūichi grew serious and nodded, "Don't worry, Tsunade. I'll come back safely. After all, our research isn't finished yet."

(End of Chapter)

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