In the secret laboratory.
In front of the bathroom mirror, Rin Nohara was carefully applying makeup and disguising Shishou.
Fifth Hokage Tsunade had called for Aburame Shishou, not the user of Flying Thunder God, Shishou.
To prevent Tsunade from discovering his secret, Shishou needed to disguise himself meticulously. While he could have done it himself, having Rin help provided an opportunity to strengthen their bond, making her easier to control.
The closer he got to Rin, the more likely Obito would lose his cool, increasing Shishou's chances of a successful ambush.
"All done!" Rin Nohara cheerfully put away the makeup tools and looked at Shishou.
Rimei Hyuga had perfectly inherited Uchiha Mikoto's makeup skills, and Rin had learned this art from Rimei.
"Rin, your makeup skills are impressive," Shishou praised as he looked at his transformed reflection in the mirror.
"That's because Rimei taught me well," Rin replied, smiling at the compliment.
"I'll be off then. I'll come back to see you tomorrow," Shishou said, disappearing from the room.
Hearing that Shishou would return tomorrow, Rin felt a surge of happiness. She tidied up the dust from her Edo Tensei body and returned to her room to study the ninjutsu Shishou had left for her. Although her Edo Tensei body couldn't grow much stronger, learning theoretical knowledge was still possible and helped pass the time.
...
In Konoha.
Shishou, wearing a mask, followed his Jonin instructor, Kurenai Yuhi, to the Hokage's office.
Upon entering, Shishou was surprised to see that Tsunade was not there. Instead, Shizune was seated at the Hokage's desk.
Several newly appointed Hokage assistants were also present.
Shizune was overwhelmed with paperwork, obviously burdened by Tsunade's delegation of tasks. Despite Tsunade's promise to work three hours every afternoon, she had quickly started slacking off.
Only the obedient Shizune would agree to such unreasonable demands.
Kurenai, accustomed to the situation, led Shishou to the desk. "Shizune, Aburame Shishou is here. Where is Tsunade-sama?" she asked.
Shizune looked up from her files, "Tsunade-sama is training in senjutsu today, so she didn't come in."
She then turned to Shishou. "You are Aburame... Shishou, right?" Shizune paused, feeling strange since this boy shared the same name as her significant other. However, having investigated him earlier, she had no further thoughts about it.
"Yes, I am Aburame Shishou," Shishou replied, slightly altering his voice.
Shizune picked up Shishou's file and quickly read, "Aburame Shishou, your performance in the Chunin Exams was excellent. You defeated Gaara of the Sand Village, demonstrating outstanding ninja skills and conduct."
"Following Tsunade-sama's instructions, I am officially promoting you to Chunin."
In the exams, Shishou had not only subdued Naruto and Gaara, two jinchuriki, but had also used his bugs to kill a blood-colored snake. His skills were already worthy of a Special Jonin or Jonin. However, due to his young age, Tsunade decided to start him off as a Chunin, with further promotions depending on his future performance.
After the formal speech, Shizune took a Chunin certificate from her assistant and handed it to Shishou. "Congratulations, Aburame Shishou."
"Thank you," Shishou said, taking the certificate.
Kurenai glanced at Shishou. "Kiba and Sakura are waiting to celebrate with you. Go find them later. I have other matters to attend to," she said before using the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
Tsunade's constant senjutsu training had increased Kurenai's pressure, prompting her to focus on her own senjutsu practice.
After Kurenai left, Shizune continued, "In a few days, the Sand Siblings will return to their village. Temari has requested that you escort them back to the Sand Village alone. What do you think?"
To spend more time learning from Shishou and improve her skills, Temari had directly requested this mission from Konoha.
Temari is quite smart!
Thinking this, Shishou nodded. "No problem."
With Pakura soon returning to the Sand Village to serve as the Fifth Kazekage, Shishou planned to assist her. This mission would just be a convenient side task, and it also allowed him to get closer to Temari.
However, having Gaara and Kankuro around as third wheels made the mission slightly less perfect.
"Good, we will inform you when the time comes. You may leave now," Shizune said, waving him off as she returned to her work.
Leaving the Hokage building, Shishou looked up at the sky and sighed. He had to teach Temari ninjutsu in the afternoon and spend the evening with his new bride, Samui.
His schedule was already tight, and now Sakura and Kiba wanted to celebrate.
Celebrating a Chunin promotion seemed unnecessary to Shishou.
Thinking this, he quickly found Sakura and Kiba, took them to Ichiraku Ramen for a bowl of ramen, and informed them of his upcoming solo mission, asking to postpone the celebration.
Understanding his situation, Sakura and Kiba reluctantly agreed to delay the celebration until after his mission.
After finishing his meal, Shishou excused himself to prepare for his mission and parted ways with Sakura and Kiba.
Reaching the designated meeting spot, Shishou saw Temari dressed in a black kimono, which gave her a more restrained appearance.
Seeing him, Temari, who had been waiting for some time, quickly approached him. "Let's start quickly."
Eager to improve her skills and protect Gaara, Temari was determined.
Shishou glanced around and said, "Let's go to the small forest outside the village where no one will disturb us."
Agreeing, Temari followed Shishou out of the village.
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POWER STONE!!!!
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
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