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Upon catching the eyes of the crowd, everyone's faces seemed a bit stiff. In contrast, Uchiha Yoru looked at them relaxedly and laughed, saying, "What are you all standing around for? Don't think that getting promoted is so simple. It involves multi-faceted evaluations from top to bottom and will take at least several months. So be prepared."
However, Mitarashi Anko took a deep breath and put down the scroll in her hand, staring straight at Uchiha Yoru and said word by word, "Yoru! Why isn't your contribution mentioned above?"
To be promoted from a chūnin to a special jōnin, one must excel in a specific area. For example, Kurenai Yuhi excels in illusion techniques, while Might Guy excels in taijutsu. They have abilities that exceed those of a chūnin but are not yet on par with a jōnin in all aspects.
When one's strength reaches the level between chūnin and jōnin, sufficient mission experience is also required. A recommendation letter can be helpful. It's a letter written by someone who vouches for the individual's outstanding performance and leadership skills in a particular mission.
Over this period, Uchiha Yoru intentionally downplayed his presence in their missions and recommendation letters, giving them more space to shine.
"Haha, Yoru, this is youth! Don't worry, we will become jōnin based on our abilities," Might Guy said with a hearty laugh, giving a big thumbs-up. It was clear they didn't need to take credit from their peers. Everyone nodded in agreement.
There was a complex look in the eyes of Uzuki Yugao and Kurenai Yuhi. It seemed their guilt had increased a bit at that moment.
However, Uchiha Yoru looked at everyone and shook his head, saying, "No, maybe you're overthinking. I genuinely acknowledge your abilities. Setting aside our relationships, objectively speaking, each of you is a genius among your peers, whether it's your strength or your excellent mental resilience, even your commanding abilities."
"You can come to me to learn powerful jutsu based on connections, but promotion," Uchiha Yoru's smile gradually turned serious, "is different. Whether it's a genin becoming a chūnin, a chūnin has to lead a team of three genin and carry out extremely important missions. Especially in terms of commanding abilities, any carelessness can result in the loss of the entire team. So using connections won't work here."
"Take you, Might Guy, for example!" Uchiha Yoru looked directly at the unexpectedly serious Might Guy and said, "Maybe you're not as good as Kakashi in commanding, but you are a responsible ninja. Your conservative and rule-abiding command may not stand out, but it won't cross the line. Your character makes everyone trust you, and that is the most valuable quality."
"On the battlefield, a convincing and reliable commander already has the qualifications to become a special jōnin or even a jōnin. What you lack is just some experience and strength, but I believe in you."
As Uchiha Yoru spoke, the looks on everyone's faces changed immediately. Especially under Might Guy's overly excited, tearful gaze, he felt deeply moved. He knew that many people made fun of him behind his back, but he never thought he had such strong merits.
Similarly, after hearing Uchiha Yoru's comments about Might Guy, everyone suddenly came to a realization. When had they ever doubted Might Guy on the battlefield? Or rather, Might Guy would never cause anyone to doubt him.
You can doubt anyone, but not Might Guy. He is absolutely the most dedicated one, and definitely won't abandon his comrades and leave alone. You don't even have to think about it.
Such qualities might be precious for others, but for Might Guy, they seem to be ingrained in his bones. Everyone habitually takes all of this as instinct, but they forget that it's a very precious quality.
"So, you all don't need to have any psychological burden. Not only you guys, but I also plan to personally recommend any other Chūnin in the camp who meet the standards," said Uchiha Yoru.
For such a method of winning people over, how could Uchiha Yoru give it up, especially when he knew that his position was soon to be revoked? He understood the saying that unused authority expires.
"Moreover, these so-called merits are important for ordinary ninjas, but for the name 'Uchiha,' it's just a pretty resume," Uchiha Yoru said, shrugging with self-mockery. Everyone here was his own, so he didn't have to worry too much.
Did he need these merits with the name 'Uchiha'? He himself was already a Jōnin, had the Uchiha name, and was even Orochimaru's disciple, which gave him enough capital. Merits? He had commanded nearly a thousand people in battle and had even defeated famous Mist ninjas like Suikazan Fuguki. Wasn't that enough?
(ED: That's right, this ff is really complex and cool! Uchiha whether they have strong merits or super strong, they cannot be Hokage!)
"Yoru, just wait and see. I will become a Jōnin at the fastest speed," As Uchiha Yoru's words fell, Mitarashi Anko directly grinned and quickly wrote down her name, even leaving her handprint in the end.
With Mitarashi Anko's smile, the atmosphere instantly lightened. Looking at the hesitant faces of everyone, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and said, "I also want to relax a bit. After all, I still trust my judgment once you become a special Jōnin. Whether you will disappoint, that's up to you."
Having said so much, these merits are not needed by others; they are given to them. It's because he trusts them, and he wants them to better protect the village. What else is there to say?
"Haha, this is youth! Yoru, I will definitely live up to the Will of Fire," said Might Guy.
Indeed, the ever-unpredictable Might Guy suddenly yelled, startling everyone around him who looked at him with twitching eyes.
Might Guy, tears of youth streaming down his face, enthusiastically wrote down his name and left his handprint. He finished with his signature thumbs-up and a grin, leaving Uchiha Yoru awkwardly at a loss.
So awkward, I really want to leave.
With Might Guy lightening the mood, everyone else relaxed, signing their names and leaving their handprints. Their determined eyes showed that they would not betray this trust.
Uchiha Yoru's previous words were not empty; after all, everyone here was either a Jonin or a Special Jonin, proving their potential. He was just putting the burden on them early, tapping into their potential.
Moreover, under his "Will of Fire," everyone felt a sense of pressure. Being a Special Jonin was no longer the goal, but a transition. After all, as part of the reform, being a Jonin is basic.
After everyone signed, Uchiha Yoru, seeing that they were still immersed in this trust, said impatiently, "Aren't you going to work? Go back to your posts and call others; there are more with potential than just you."
Everyone smiled, knowing that Uchiha Yoru was trying to lighten the mood. Still, they couldn't deny that it felt good.
As everyone left, Kurenai and Yugao felt conflicted. Was Yoru wrong? Probably not; they had witnessed and experienced the village's corruption and felt the urge for change.
The village needed change, but they were still grappling with identity issues. Would Yoru be disappointed if they spoke out? They chose to keep some things hidden for now.
They had seen the village's corruption and wanted sunlight to reach every corner of the village.
After everyone left, in the quiet tent, Kakashi frowned and said, "Yoru, did something happen?"
Others might not notice, but he sensed some urgency in Uchiha Yoru's actions, as if he wanted to help those he could.
Looking at Kakashi's questioning eyes, Uchiha Yoru gave a wry smile. Kakashi's observational skills and political sense were truly sharp.
"There is something. According to messages from Orochimaru's people in the village, it seems that the higher-ups are planning to replace the front-line commander of the Land of Whirlpools."
After Uchiha Yoru said this, Kakashi Hatake's face immediately darkened. "Yoru, are we being suspected?"
Hearing this news, this was Kakashi Hatake's first reaction. However, Uchiha Yoru just laughed and shook his head: "You're overthinking it. If we were really suspected, do you think the village would let it slide so easily? I'd probably be sent straight to the Root division."
"Probably due to the gradually clarified situation in the ninja world, with the withdrawal of the Sand and Stone villages, the village has decided to resolve the border unrest earlier. Once the war frictions in the Land of Whirlpools are over and the root cause is eliminated, the rest are just minor nuisances from smaller ninja villages."
After Uchiha Yoru said this, Kakashi Hatake frowned and responded: "So they are here to steal the credit, huh? I remember that right after the Nine-Tails chaos, Lord Orochimaru had just stabilized the front lines, and someone else picked the fruit of his labor."
It must be said that Kakashi's reaction was quick. After all, the battlefield in the Land of Whirlpools is a huge chunk of reputation meat for those who need fame.
"If Uchiha Yoru leads and ends the war, the village will keep mum and downplay the achievements. But if it's someone from the higher-ups, they'll naturally glorify the military achievements and decorate heroes."
Having experienced so much, especially things involving his father, White Fang, and Orochimaru, Kakashi has come to deeply despise this. Heroes don't get the glory they deserve, while clowns bask in the limelight.
"Kakashi, as long as you understand, there are some things that you see but don't have to point out," Uchiha Yoru said, nodding with a smile. Kakashi then went silent for a while and said: "So, before someone replaces you, you want to distribute some of your credit to useful people."
Seeing Kakashi in this state, Uchiha Yoru simply laughed and waved his hand: "Don't make it sound so bad. I have great faith in my judgment. The people I choose have potential and shouldn't be buried. Also, why not use my credits if they are there to be used? I won't have this opportunity later."
Uchiha Yoru easily brushed off his own achievements with such a carefree smile, focusing more on the village's future instead.
"Kakashi, you're smarter than anyone else. Shisui may be a competent ninja, but he's not suitable for high-level scheming. So, there are some things I can only hint to you."
"You must have realized it by now. Yes, I've secretly been in contact with Kirigakure's Suikazan Fuguki, but don't worry. I have leverage on him," Uchiha Yoru added with a cunning smile: "The Great Sword Samehada is in my hands, so Suikazan Fuguki has no choice but to comply."
Upon hearing these secrets, Hatake Kakashi suddenly showed an enlightened expression. No wonder there hasn't been much loss of personnel on either side recently, but the logistics keep getting sabotaged.
"Yoru, this is too risky for you."
Even so, Hatake Kakashi's face still showed a solemn expression after listening. Conspiring with the enemy commander is like walking on a tightrope; a slight mistake would lead to irreversible disaster. After all, this could be seen as betraying the interests of his own village to the enemy nation.
However, when Uchiha Yoru said this, a crimson hue appeared in his eyes. Three tomoe started to rotate, and one of his eyes transformed into a Mangekyō Sharingan under Kakashi's gaze.
After confirming that no one was around, Uchiha Yoru spoke solemnly: "Kakashi, there's something I've been investigating. I'm now 60% certain, but I'm afraid something will happen to me. Therefore, I need you to keep this a secret. If something happens to me, return to the Third Hokage immediately."
"Remember! Use my information to secure the Third's trust and keep yourself useful. This matter is so significant that I no longer dare to trust anyone, not even Jiraiya!"
Under the weight of Uchiha Yoru's words, Kakashi also showed a solemn expression. He realized that something monumental might have been discovered. Could it be the Nine-Tails? That's the only thing he could think of.
Sure enough, Kakashi's guess was correct. Uchiha Yoru lowered his voice and said, "It's an indisputable fact that the Sharingan is in the eyes of the Nine-Tails. Perhaps only a Mangekyō-level Sharingan has this ocular power to control Tailed Beasts."
"Among the Uchiha clan, no one, or perhaps it's the clan leader who is very suspicious. Based on my secret investigation, Uchiha Fugaku is very likely to have activated the Mangekyō."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi's pupils shrank, and he exclaimed, "Yoru, are you suspecting the leader of the Uchiha clan?"