The next morning.
In the Jonin Standby Room of the Hokage Building, many Jonin who had no missions, possessed outstanding abilities, and held important positions were summoned to wait for orders.
Twenty to thirty Jonin holding significant roles were all gathered in the standby room, making for quite a grand scene.
After a long while, Nara Shikaku walked in.
"Shikaku, is there some kind of collective mission today?"
Everyone was somewhat confused.
Normally, while a portion of the Jonin would be required to stay in the standby room, it wasn't necessary for every idle Jonin to show up.
Those of them with important duties were even less likely to be included.
Today was a bit unusual.
"There is no collective mission, but we need to consult your opinions and discuss the promotion of several Ninjas."
Shikaku answered.
As he spoke, he took out three portraits and posted them at the front of the standby room.
From left to right, they were Asuma Sarutobi, Yagyu Masahiko, and Kurenai Yuhi.
"Everyone is more or less aware of their backgrounds."
Shikaku sat down and said with a smile, "Let's discuss. If anyone has an opinion, feel free to raise it."
At this moment, a Jonin raised his hand.
After that, the man stood up.
"Shikaku, Asuma did well in the Guardian Shinobi, and his abilities are worthy of affirmation. Kurenai Yuhi is a bit lacking; I don't think she's quite ready to serve as a Jonin yet."
He looked at the middle portrait.
"This Yagyu Masahiko... isn't he a bit too young? Moreover, I remember his promotion to Special Jonin was only a few months ago."
"Yes, Inoichi and I were both present to observe that promotion."
Shikaku looked toward Inoichi Yamanaka.
Inoichi nodded and said, "His abilities were already very strong back then, especially in Taijutsu. He was more than capable of serving as a Special Jonin."
"So, within these few months, he has gained the abilities of a Jonin?"
Choza interjected.
Shikaku nodded, and just as he was about to speak, someone nearby said, "I can confirm this, and I am willing to recommend Masahiko to participate in the Jonin exam and take on the duties of a Jonin."
Everyone followed the voice and looked over, all somewhat surprised—
The person speaking was actually Might Guy!
Although Guy was also a Jonin and held a significant position in Konoha, he usually didn't participate much in these kinds of topics.
Unexpectedly, not only did he show up today, but he also took the initiative to testify and recommend.
Everyone's interest was piqued.
"Guy, have you fought him?"
"I just fought him yesterday. He's very formidable; I still haven't thought of a good way to deal with him."
Guy answered honestly.
Everyone's focus shifted as they began to ask for details.
Everyone was clear on Guy's strength.
Although he specialized in Taijutsu and wasn't skilled in Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, he had his own unique ways of dealing with them, making him a fairly well-rounded Ninja.
If that weren't the case, Guy wouldn't have been able to become a Jonin in his teens.
Someone who could make Guy feel troubled and leave him without a good solution truly had some real skill.
Might Guy then described the circumstances of yesterday's spar.
They were all Jonin and could tell that Guy wasn't exaggerating; he was basically giving a straightforward description of the facts.
And precisely because of that... after hearing it, everyone was astonished and looked at one another.
This was a Seal-less Combat Style that integrated Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu into a trinity.
If the situation was true, it was indeed very difficult to deal with!
The standby room fell silent for a moment.
Shikaku cleared his throat and said, "Then, the vote for Masahiko will be set aside for now. Let's temporarily vote on the other two."
"First Asuma. Everyone, let's have a vote."
Shikaku looked across the room.
Everyone raised their hands.
Asuma's ability to become a core figure of the Conservative Faction within the Guardian Shinobi meant his abilities were obvious to all; he was more than qualified to be a Konoha Jonin.
Naturally, no one questioned it.
"Next, Kurenai Yuhi."
This time, everyone pondered for a long while, and only a scattered few raised their hands.
Kurenai Yuhi's Genjutsu ability was strong enough, but she wasn't yet ready to stand on her own.
Shikaku nodded, having a rough idea of the count.
"The last one, let's discuss it again."
He looked at Inoichi.
Inoichi nodded slightly, stood up, and said, "In the recent rebellion of the Guardian Shinobi, Masahiko played a massive role. The mission difficulty and importance have been assessed as S-rank..."
As the head of the Intelligence Department, he gave a rough description of Masahiko's mission performance, sticking to the facts without any falsehoods.
Everyone looked at each other and began to deliberate, quickly arriving at several potential plans through the discussion.
Shikaku listened from above and, after some thought, said, "Then, according to usual custom, we will either arrange a mission or a combat exam... Let's submit this and let Hokage-sama decide."
"Agreed."
Everyone nodded together.
The results came out quickly... In the afternoon, at Konoha's Combat Arena.
Around the venue specifically used for fighting and sparring sat many Special Jonin and Jonin.
In the central seat, Hiruzen Sarutobi had even arrived in person.
In a nearby seat, Anko Mitarashi was eating dango as she looked at Kurenai beside her and said, "With such a big turnout, who's up for a special promotion?"
There were various ways to be promoted to Jonin, with no fixed format.
But there was one type that required those at the level of Special Jonin and above to participate in the observation of the exam—
When the examinee was very young and extremely capable, but didn't have enough completed missions, making it difficult to convince others based on seniority alone.
This type of exam mostly appeared during times of peace, and there were very few Ninjas who fit the criteria.
Therefore.
Since Konoha's founding, it had only truly been held a few times.
"The last time... seems to have been during Nidaime-sama's era?"
Kurenai Yuhi thought for a moment and smiled. "It should be Masahiko. His strength is very high, but his promotion has been so fast that it's normal for people to have doubts."
"Ah?!!"
Anko Mitarashi's movement of eating dango immediately froze, her expression blank.
A few seconds later, she looked at the dango in her hand and then at the center of the field; suddenly, the dango didn't taste as good anymore.
She was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I hope it's fake. If it's true... he better not pass!"
Anko Mitarashi was indignant.
"His promotion is way too fast!"
"Masahiko's abilities are very strong; he'll definitely be promoted. I just don't know who his opponent is."
Kurenai Yuhi was very calm, not doubting Masahiko's abilities in the slightest.
Before long, the entrances on both sides of the Combat Arena opened.
The next moment, two people walked out from the two entrances of the arena and slowly approached the center of the stage.
Seeing this, Anko cast a strange glance at her friend.
Kurenai Yuhi's expression carried a hint of nervousness, but her eyes remained fixed on Masahiko's side.
The corner of Anko's mouth twitched slightly as she looked away.
She was boisterous, yes, but she wasn't completely oblivious.
Asuma liked Kurenai.
But now, Kurenai Yuhi seemed to have developed a deep interest in this handsome and exceptionally talented young Ninja.
Asuma... poor guy!
However, feelings themselves were mutual; they couldn't be forced.
She silently looked toward the stage.
When the two met, both were somewhat surprised.
"Masahiko, I will give it my all and won't hold back."
Asuma said seriously.
"As it should be."
Masahiko nodded. "Giving one's all is a sign of respect to both parties, the other Ninjas, and the Village."
Soon, the two formed the Seal of Confrontation and gave a friendly bow... then Asuma's hands formed seals.
In just an instant, rolling smoke and dust spewed from his mouth.
However.
The Masahiko in front of him split his form while running, quickly turning into several bodies that ran toward three or four different directions.
They were equally fast, their auras were identical, and there were footsteps... it was impossible to judge.
He no longer hesitated and clamped his teeth together, accompanied by a burst of sparks—
Boom!
A loud explosion rang out.
The scorching dust erupted into raging flames, instantly covering a large area of the Combat Arena.
A moment later, the flames and smoke dissipated, leaving a hazy mist in the air.
Three figures leaped through the air.
Asuma looked up only to see the three figures split again, turning into nine in one breath, all swinging their swords downward together.
There were even four more "Masahikos" surrounding and attacking him from the sides; for a moment, he couldn't tell the real from the fake.
Wind Release: Dust Cloud Jutsu!
Vast amounts of dust were exhaled from his mouth, and as the fierce wind blew, the figures distorted until only three remained, all of which dissipated behind the dust.
As the dust cloud swept through, those three also turned into splashes of water and vanished one after another.
However.
The last one had already closed in.
A blade slashed down, and trench knives rose to block.
Clang!
Sparks flew everywhere.
The trench knives shifted slightly, and sharp wind blades erupted from Asuma's trench knives, slashing toward Masahiko.
A stream of water surged from the Chakra points on Masahiko's arm, instantly spreading across his entire arm before rushing forward and converging.
The wind blades cut through and penetrated the water flow, striking Masahiko's arm and leaving a small wound.
But at the same time, the water flow exploded—
Boom!
Asuma swung his other trench knife to block, using the powerful impact to retreat.
As he looked up, Masahiko had already vanished from his spot and was charging at him from another side.
Not good!