After Yuichi left, Shikaku folded his hands behind his back, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Then, advisors… you'll soon witness Yuichi's strength with your own eyes."
The flap of the command tent rustled open. Homura and Koharu stepped inside.
"Hmph. About the proposal you mentioned earlier—if you want us to agree, we'll need to see his abilities firsthand."
"We're not interested in simply watching his Wood Style. What matters is his ninjutsu and his taijutsu."
Shikaku inclined his head. "Understood."
Meanwhile, Yuichi, leaving the tent, felt a twinge of unease.
Shikaku had mentioned arranging a Jōnin exam for him. Normally, Jōnin weren't promoted through an exam—the Hokage appointed them directly. Exams for that rank were rare.
But it wasn't impossible.
'No… Shikaku must have some special mission in mind for me. Before he can hand it over, he needs to verify my abilities.'
That would explain it. After all, Konoha was in the middle of rebuilding. Wasting resources on a formal exam would otherwise be absurd.
For Yuichi, though, the logic didn't matter.
If this step made him a Jōnin—even a "special" Jōnin—it was still a massive stride toward Hokage.
Back in his small tent, Yuichi chatted with a few shinobi, but no special news surfaced.
Apparently, Konoha's council still hadn't decided who would act as Hokage.
That surprised Yuichi. He had expected someone to be named quickly.
'Strange… what are they waiting for?'
Shaking off the thought, Yuichi resolved to pass this Jōnin test first.
The next day, a Jōnin guide brought him to an abandoned square at the edge of the village. Once lively, it now stood deserted—except for the crowd gathering there.
Around the square stood many of Konoha's Jōnin, familiar and respected faces: Mitarashi Anko, Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Hyūga Hiashi, and more.
Asuma's eyes lingered on Yuichi, conflicted.
Back when Hinata had been in danger, he and Yuichi had clashed. But no one had confronted Yuichi afterward. Someone—likely Shikaku—had convinced Asuma to let it go. After all, Yuichi's decision had been correct.
Besides, Yuichi had defeated Orochimaru himself, ending the threat that had claimed the Third Hokage's life.
If anything, Asuma should be grateful. But he wasn't ready to say the words aloud.
Anko grinned at Yuichi. "Still bursting with energy? You helped rebuild half the village yesterday, yet you don't look tired at all. What a tireless little monster."
Her eyes were bright with expectation.
Kurenai nodded. "The last twelve-year-old to be promoted to Jōnin was Kakashi."
"But Kakashi grew up in wartime," she added softly. "It's much harder for a child of peace to walk that path."
Hearing that, Asuma frowned, turning his head away. He didn't want to hear Kurenai comparing Yuichi to Kakashi—not when his own feelings about the boy were so tangled.
Hiashi's gaze was more calculating. A special Jōnin exam for Nagano Yuichi… is Nara Shikaku grooming this boy to be Hokage?
The thought wasn't far from the truth. But it wasn't the whole truth either.
Yes, Yuichi was a candidate. But above all, this test served another purpose: stabilizing the village.
Konoha lacked a Hokage. Jiraiya had not returned. If another village launched an attack now, they would be in grave danger.
The Jōnin felt it. Even if none spoke it aloud, unease gnawed at them all.
By having the entire corps witness Yuichi's power, Shikaku hoped to restore their confidence. Even without the Third Hokage, Konoha still had a protector.
One young, yes—but powerful.
Rumors were one thing. Seeing with their own eyes was another.
"Yuichi," Shikaku said, stepping forward, "a Jōnin represents the top fighting force of a village. They must be strong in every discipline."
His eyes locked on Yuichi.
"Today, you'll face three trials: taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. One condition—you may not use Wood Style."
Yuichi raised an eyebrow. No Wood Style?
So they wanted to see his fundamentals.
Interesting.
"Fine." He agreed without hesitation. His confidence was plain.
Shikaku felt a quiet weight lift. I've placed all my hopes on you, Yuichi. Whether Konoha survives this crisis depends on your performance today.
He gestured to the side. From the gathered Jōnin, a man stepped forward.
The instant Yuichi saw him, his heart gave a small tremor.
"Your opponent for the first trial—taijutsu—is Konoha's Elite Jōnin, Might Guy. Known as the Blue Beast of the Leaf."
As Shikaku introduced him, he studied Yuichi's face.
But the boy's expression remained calm and flat.
"This match is for taijutsu. You may use only physical techniques and basic ninjutsu. Do you understand?"
"Clear," Yuichi said evenly.
The crowd of Jōnin stirred.
Might Guy. The man whose taijutsu was unrivaled in the entire village. Pitting a twelve-year-old against him, without Wood Style?
"Isn't this unfair?" Anko muttered. "How can Yuichi compete with Guy in pure taijutsu? Shikaku's bullying him."
Kurenai frowned too. Yuichi had his own strengths—why forbid him from using them?
But Shikaku had his reasons.
"Maybe he wants Yuichi to understand," Kurenai said quietly, "that Wood Style isn't everything. His other abilities must grow too."