"Yeah, that's to be expected."
"A Special Jōnin—a very suitable position."
"On the surface, it's a reward, but in truth, it's a way to neutralize my achievements without granting me any real power. That's Hokage-sama's favorite trick."
Uchiha Jin smiled faintly.
He had expected as much.
Even after single-handedly wiping out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he had never once imagined he'd be promoted directly to full Jōnin.
After all, becoming a Jōnin wasn't just about rank—it meant autonomy, authority, and connection.
Autonomy meant that in special circumstances, a Jōnin could refuse direct orders from above. "When a general is away from home, he commands as he sees fit."
And then there was the teaching role: every Jōnin could lead a team of Genin. Bonds would form between teacher and student—and among those students, few were ever civilians. The ones worthy of being led by a Jōnin were almost always from the great clans.
For someone like Sarutobi Hiruzen, who distrusted the Uchiha, how could he possibly allow Jin such an opportunity to forge alliances with other clans?
But most importantly—joining the Jōnin corps meant something far more dangerous.
It meant a vote.
Every Jōnin held the right to participate in Konoha's internal decisions, from small matters like resource allocation to monumental choices—like who would become Hokage.
It was this power that had once doomed Hatake Sakumo.
"The real reason the White Fang had to die," Jin murmured, "wasn't his failure. It was because he held influence. He commanded the Anbu, the Jōnin Corps, and the Interrogation Unit, and even bore the half-sleeve of Hokage, granted by the Daimyō himself. If he'd had just a touch of ambition, and called for a Jōnin vote while Hiruzen and his supporters were away on missions…"
He smiled coldly.
"…he could have removed Hiruzen from office overnight."
Such a position was far too dangerous to hand to another Uchiha.
Even if it meant denying Jin a single vote, the Hokage would rather bury his accomplishments.
As for Shisui, that was a different matter entirely. He was the good Uchiha—the one who carried the so-called "Will of Fire." To Hiruzen, he was safe.
Shisui stayed silent.
In the past, he might have protested when someone criticized the Hokage. But now—after speaking with Jin and seeing the world from a broader perspective—his faith had been shaken.
The same couldn't be said for Hinata Aya.
As a branch member of the Hyuga clan, she was merely a tool. Politics had nothing to do with her. No one ever cared about her opinions anyway.
Only Nara Kazama chuckled softly, amusement flashing in his eyes.
Although he was a Nara, his views often clashed with the Hokage's faction—especially because of Nara Shikaku's delicate position between loyalty and reason.
"Alright then, Jin-kun," Kazama said, folding his arms. "That's the situation as it stands. So, what's your plan from here?"
"Everyone here is one of us—no need to hold back."
Practical as ever, the Nara preferred to look forward rather than complain about what couldn't be changed.
Jin nodded slightly. "We'll return to the village first," he said. "If I'm right, I won't be deployed to the front lines again."
"Our Hokage won't allow me to earn more merit. After all, I lack his precious Will of Fire."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Since I'm 'injured,' he'll graciously allow me to stay home and 'recover.'"
He looked around the tent. "But you—Shisui, Kazama, Aya—you're different. You'll be sent elsewhere soon enough."
He tapped his finger thoughtfully against the table.
"The Land of Rain won't hold for long. After World War II, Konoha learned not to fight on its own doorstep. So, the next push will be into the Land of Grass."
"The Grass shinobi are double-faced cowards—they've already aligned with Kumogakure. Even if Konoha razes their country, no one will mourn them."
He looked up, eyes narrowing. "Once you're deployed there, be cautious. Kumogakure is strong. Especially you, Aya—you're the weakest of the three. They'll target you first. The rest of you must protect her."
"As for me," Jin said lightly, "I'll stay in Konoha and help Aya resolve her issue with the Hyuga clan."
"…"
Jin smiled faintly.
He wasn't a warmonger. Not when his system rewarded him for idleness.
The longer he lay low, the stronger he became.
World War III might still rage outside, but to him, it was already irrelevant.
He'd wait.
And once the war ended—before the Nine-Tails Rebellion—Konoha would enjoy years of peace.
Years that he could use to grow quietly, until he reached the level of a true shadow.
As for Sarutobi's suppression? He couldn't care less.
In a world ruled by strength, all he needed was power. If he could reach the level of Nagato's Six Paths, he wouldn't need politics.
If someone stood in his way… he'd simply punch them.
"With Shisui around, it shouldn't be too dangerous," Kazama said after a moment. "But you, Jin—you'll have your hands full. Even if you're not sent to fight, being caught between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership won't be easy."
He looked at Jin seriously. "And about Aya's situation… are you really sure you want to get involved?"
The question hung in the air.
Kazama wasn't a fool.
Before, when Jin was just a nameless Genin, neither the village nor the Uchiha paid him any mind. But now that he'd drawn attention—now that both sides recognized his strength—it would be dangerous for him to stand between two powerful clans.
Just as he finished speaking, Hinata Aya raised her voice softly.
"There's no need to worry too much about me," she said. "At least until the war ends, the clan won't act against me. And the Hyuga compound's defenses are… excessive."