**Chapter 44: You’ll Give Us Your Blessings, Right?**

In the world of shinobi, the rank of Jonin signifies a nation's elite ninja, a critical backbone for any village, holding a position of great importance.

However, becoming a Jonin is no easy feat. Beyond exceptional skill, one must complete enough missions and make significant contributions to the village to earn the Kage's promotion.

So, those who manage to attain the title of Jonin at a young age are called prodigies without exception.

Hattori is undoubtedly recognized as Sunagakure's medical ninjutsu prodigy. While few know his appearance, everyone knows he's a new disciple of Chiyo.

An incredible young talent, not yet ten years old, who can perform advanced medical techniques such as the Life Regeneration Technique.

Under the approval of the Third Kazekage, Hattori's reputation as a "genius" spread through the village. Many in Sunagakure began to see him as the next Tsunade.

For the residents suffering amid the painful throes of war, he was a much-needed glimmer of hope.

It was like a lottery ticket buyer who, after years of not winning, suddenly hears there's a 90% chance of winning if they stick with a particular set of numbers! Although skeptical, it's a sliver of hope.

And hope is precisely what Sunagakure lacks most.

The Third Kazekage, revered as the "Strongest Kazekage," isn't just known for his strength but also for understanding what Sunagakure needs and acting accordingly.

This understanding is his greatest strength in gaining loyalty and respect.

Thus, when he announced Hattori's promotion to Jonin, though it stirred the village, no one found it unreasonable.

On the contrary, many believed he valued talent highly, growing admiration and loyalty toward him, making them work harder than ever.

As they say, "many hands make light work," and this promotion brought a renewed vigor to Sunagakure, which had become somewhat weary after prolonged war.

An unassuming promotion, yet it achieved such remarkable results—there's no doubt the Third Kazekage masterfully wields his power.

Hattori admired him for this, though he didn't intend to exhaust himself for it. At most, he'd show up briefly, then leave the rest until he perfected his Yin Seal.

Having completed his medical ninjutsu training, he had no other ways to gain experience for now. Plus, with his Yin Seal constantly draining his chakra, his MP (Mana Points) was perpetually low. Even if he had the opportunity to gain experience, he could only sigh.

With no MP, how's he supposed to level up?

For now, his only task was to pass the days peacefully.

Each day, he'd eat, drink, rest, and recover chakra to sustain his Yin Seal. Once his chakra was replenished, he could think of other plans.

As for the newly formed Medical Squad, he handed it all over to Mizusa, entrusting her to train the novices. He called this "delegating."

Meanwhile, he mostly stayed at Rasa's house, except for heading home to sleep at night.

Rasa was quite annoyed by this, but with his involvement in secret duties with the Kazekage, he had no choice but to let Hattori do as he pleased.

A month later, the Third Kazekage initiated his plan, taking action as the strategist himself, heading to the eastern front to crush Konoha's defenses.

Of course, this was kept secret. Everyone else assumed that Rasa, who appeared to have left the village, was in the Kazekage's office.

For most, life continued as usual—including Hattori.

That morning, he strolled over to Rasa's house after waking up, opening the door and stepping in.

"Hey, Karura! I'm here!"

"Oh, it's Hattori!"

Karura, holding a baby girl, greeted him with a smile. "Did you have breakfast? If not, I'll make something for you."

"No need, it's nearly lunchtime, so I'll wait. If I eat now, I won't have room."

He walked over, gently taking the baby girl from her arms and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Mwah… Did you miss me, Temari?"

"Goo-goo…"

"Haha, sounds like a yes! Here, have a couple more kisses, mwah, mwah…"

Seeing him entertain her daughter until she was giggling, Karura chuckled.

"She still adores you. Why don't you play with Temari for a bit while I prepare lunch?"

"Sure thing, no problem!"

With that, Hattori lifted Temari up, calling out playfully, "Up, up you go… whoooosh!"

"Goo-goo…"

Despite his young age, Hattori's body was as strong as any adult ninja, thanks to his high level and the immense strength of the Senju bloodline he'd unlocked. Carrying a child like this was no effort at all.

When Karura brought out the food, Hattori was still happily playing with Temari, her cheeks flushed with laughter.

Watching them, Karura laughed again.

"Hattori, Temari loves you so much; why not marry her when she grows up?"

"No way!"

Hattori shook his head firmly.

"She's so young, who knows how many years it'll take for her to grow up. I'm not waiting that long. How about *you* marry me, Karura? Then Temari would be my daughter!"

He turned to Temari again, giving her another kiss on her chubby cheek.

"Mwah… C'mon, Temari, say 'Daddy'!"

"Goo-goo…"

"Not 'goo-goo,' say 'Daddy'… 'Da…ddy…'"

"…"

Watching him holding her daughter and teaching her to call him "Daddy," Karura rubbed her forehead, smiling.

"There you go again. It's a good thing Temari's dad isn't here; otherwise, he'd be furious with you."

"Tch, I'm not afraid of him!"

Hearing this, Hattori's gaze brightened as he looked back at Karura.

"By the way, I haven't seen Rasa around lately. Where is he?"

"The Kazekage assigned him a mission outside the village."

Karura smiled faintly as she served Hattori's meal, explaining.

"Like the Kazekage, Rasa also has the Magnet Release, so he's highly valued by him. The Kazekage frequently summoned him last month, and two days ago, he was sent on a mission that might keep him away for a while."

"Oh? Really?"

Hattori's eyes lit up. As she handed him the meal, he grabbed her hand, looking at her seriously.

"Karura, now that he's not here, let's elope!"

"Pfft!"

Karura burst into laughter and pointed behind him as she laughed.

"If you want me to elope, you'd better ask his permission first!"

"Hmm?"

Following her gaze, Hattori turned to see Rasa's dark, glowering face right behind him.

Contemplating briefly, Hattori looked back at Rasa, lifting his head with a smile.

"Rasa, I'm sure you'll give us your blessings, right?"

Rasa: "(╬￣皿￣)"

Blessings, my foot—get out! 

**(End of Chapter)**