"Jonin…"
Ino and the other two looked at Yagyu in shock.
"So that means Sosuke, you already have Jonin-level combat strength now? That's amazing!"
Whoosh.
"As expected of Sosuke!"
Her face was full of happiness.
"You already have Jonin-level strength now. Soon you'll definitely become a Jonin. That's incredible!"
Jonin.
In fact, the official ranking system in the shinobi world only consisted of Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and the Kage who served as the highest leader of each village.
So-called Special Jonin or Elite Jonin were only detailed internal classifications within each village.
But whether Special Jonin or Elite Jonin, they were still within the category of Jonin.
In other words, Ino believing that Yagyu possessed Jonin-level strength was correct.
After all, if his strength was insufficient, forming a team with a Jonin would only drag them down and place himself in danger.
And as the final disciple of the Third Hokage, it was obvious that the Hokage would never allow Yagyu to hold someone back or put himself in danger.
Yagyu gently squeezed Ino's small hand.
His gaze softened as he looked at the delicate girl who had been by his side for six years.
"I'll start going on missions with the Jonin tomorrow. Until I fully grow stronger, the time we have to see each other might become much less."
For the past six years, although they had not been together every moment, they still met almost every day and spent some time together.
But now that he had formed a team with Anko, they would definitely be carrying out many missions outside the village.
Naturally, the time he spent with Ino would decrease.
There was no way around it. Gains always came with losses.
Of course, this situation would probably not last too long.
The Third Hokage only wanted Anko to help him accumulate mission experience, not permanently form a team with him.
Jonin were extremely valuable combat assets.
The Third Hokage would never foolishly keep two Jonin-level fighters in the same squad. They would eventually be separated.
"I understand."
Ino froze for a moment. A trace of disappointment appeared on her face before she quickly cheered up.
"A real man should focus on his career! This will be a perfect chance to show my dad how good my judgment is. The man I chose will definitely become a pillar of Konoha in the future!"
Hearing that.
Yagyu looked at Ino gently.
"Alright. I'll become a Jonin as quickly as possible. At most three years. I will definitely become a Jonin. By then Uncle Inoichi probably won't be so strict with me."
Yamanaka Inoichi was not very pleased with Yagyu.
That was only natural.
After all, Yagyu had practically stolen his daughter away since childhood.
In short.
Ino's mother liked Yagyu very much, but Inoichi was extremely strict with him.
"Mhm."
Ino nodded softly and sat obediently beside Yagyu.
"I'll listen to you."
The way the two of them acted together seemed to radiate a pink aura around them.
Most people would not be able to endure this level of affection.
But the two people sitting opposite them, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji, remained completely calm.
Faced with Yagyu and Ino's constant display of affection, one of them continued eating grilled meat while the other calmly drank juice as if nothing was happening.
It was clear how much romantic nonsense they had endured over the years to become this indifferent.
…
The next morning, at nine o'clock.
After his mother gave him countless reminders and warnings, Yagyu left home and arrived at the entrance of the Hokage Tower.
After their fight yesterday, the decisive Anko had arranged to meet here this morning.
They would gather their equipment, accept their mission, and then immediately leave the village.
The trip could last two or three days at the shortest, or five or six days at most.
Anko had specifically told Yagyu to be mentally prepared.
At the entrance of the Hokage Tower.
Leaning against a pillar, Yagyu spoke casually.
"My progress feels like riding a rocket. The second day after graduating and I'm already going to carry out missions at least C-rank or above. After a month, Anko will probably start taking me on B-rank missions."
Things were moving extremely fast.
But that was exactly what Yagyu wanted.
To be honest, he had begun to have some thoughts about becoming Hokage someday.
So he wanted to increase his reputation within the village and even across the shinobi world.
"Hm?"
Just as Yagyu was talking to himself, a familiar chakra presence appeared before him.
"You're here, Anko-nee."
Whoosh.
A breeze passed, and Anko appeared in front of Yagyu.
A satisfied smile was on her face.
"You're early, Sosuke."
After losing to Yagyu yesterday, this straightforward woman had instead begun to admire him greatly.
The foundation of their cooperative relationship as comrades had already formed.
"I only arrived five minutes early."
Seeing Anko still holding a skewer of dango in her hand, Yagyu said.
"Anko-nee, I suggest you eat less sugary food. Otherwise you might become very fat."
In the future.
After the Seventh Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto, took office, Anko's figure had become rather difficult to look at.
Wasn't her current beautiful figure much better?
"Idiot."
Anko rolled her eyes at him and finished the dango.
"As a ninja, except for the Akimichi Clan, how could anyone become fat under normal circumstances? Our bodies are extremely important."
As she spoke, Anko began walking toward the Hokage Tower.
"Follow me. We'll take a few C-rank missions today. I'll let you see some blood."
That was very direct.
Very Anko-like.
Looking at her departing figure, Yagyu shrugged and followed her.
Seeing blood.
That was something every ninja had to experience.
Even someone as kind-hearted and simple-minded as Uzumaki Naruto could not avoid it.
A ninja who had never seen blood was not a real ninja.
…
Anko's style was always fast and decisive.
In less than ten minutes.
With three mission scrolls in hand, Yagyu and Anko left the Hokage Tower.
They headed straight toward the gates of Konoha.
"Three C-rank missions…"
Following beside Anko, Yagyu looked at the mission scrolls in his hand.
"They're all bandit suppression missions issued by a Daimyo. And they're not even from the Land of Fire."
Hearing Yagyu's words, Anko explained casually.
"Smaller nations usually don't have hidden villages, and their military forces are restricted. So missions like this often end up being handled by the Daimyo, who then commission them to villages like ours."
After pausing for a moment, Anko continued.
"D-rank and C-rank missions are the village's main economic support."
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