The Day, Hokage's Office

  "This year's in Exams—"

  The Jonin had gathered in the Hokage's office, where the Third Hokage and his two advisors sat behind the desk, discussing the aftermath of the ret events and all matters reted to the vilge.

  This rivate meeting among Konoha's higher-ups.

  As a in, Link sat in the back, feeling slightly awkward. Everyone else in the room was either a Special Jonin or a full Jonin, and the differen rank and seniority was evident in the curious looks he received.

  "Regarding the transfer of the Fourth Kazekage—"

  "Border defenses—"

  "pensation for injured or fallen ninja—"

  "Restru of colpsed buildings—"

  "The s of the daimyo and nobles—"

  The meeting proceeded methodically, tag numerous issues. Despite the flict being a small-scale war, the aftermath brought no she of headaches.

  While the Sunagakure might fanation for the deaths of certain nobles, Konoha wasn’t off the hook either. Hosting a where such chaos erupted was bound to harm its reputation.

  For Konoha, this was a financial strain. Rebuildiroyed infrastructure and pensating casualties required substantial resources. Though the Konoha Crush didn’t result in many casualties, the material and eic losses were signifit.

  Normally, the victor could demand reparations from the defeated party to recover losses. However, the Sunagakure was utterly impoverished. It survived on gold mining, thanks to the Fourth Kazekage, but even that wasn’t a reliable source of ine, as it depended on market demand.

  Konoha’s leadership hadn’t realized just how destitute the Sunagakure was until they processed the prisoners. From the Hokage to the advisors and the Jonin, the situation gave everyone a headache.

  No money, no resources, no missions, terrible geography, and a severe ck of talent.

  This was the third meeting of the day. The first involved only the Hokage and his advisors, the sed a smaller group of senior Jonin, and now a rger meeting to brainstorm solutions.

  They couldn’t simply kill the prisoners, after all.

  The current pn was to accept gold as war reparations and use Sunagakure ninja bor for Konoha’s abundant missions. Officially, this would be framed as f friendship, but it was also an opportunity to subtly influehe Sunagakure ninja while leveraging their manpower.

  Furthermore, Konoha could iate access to unique Sunagakure jutsu uhe guise of cultural exge.

  The Sunagakure had no other choice. Their gamble had failed, leaving them at Konoha's mercy. The only reason they weren’t annexed ht was the potential rea from the reat nations.

  After more than two hours, the meeting finally ended before lunchtime, but no oheir seats.

  "There’s o matter," the Third Hokage said with a smile, removing his hat aing to his kindly old-man persona. He looked to the back of the room, where Link sat.

  "gratutions, Link. You are noecial Jonin."

  Seated in the front, Shikaku Nara gave Link an encing smile. Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Might Guy looked on with approval.

  And then there was Anko Mitarashi, who suddenly leapt forward, hugging Link and loudly shouting, "gratutions!"

  Exhaling a deep breath, Link looked around at the smiles, gestures, and words of encement from everyone. Slowly, he began to smile himself.

  Ten and a half years after arriving in this world, after endless effort and growth, he had finally stepped into the ranks of Konoha’s higher-ups.

  Even as a Special Jonin, he now had a void a measure of authority, no longer just a in enin who could be ordered around.

  Gently pushing away the overly enthusiastiko, Link stood and thahe Third Hokage.

  This feels... pretty good.

  …

  Afternoon, Training Ground Seven

  "Awesome!" Iris cheered loudly, thrilled about their leader’s promotion to Special Jonin.

  Ami grinned. "We should celebrate with barbecue tonight. My treat!"

  Link chuckled and g Sasuke Uchiha, who looked away awkwardly and muttered, "I’ll go."

  Still as stubborn as ever.

  Link’s smile widened but didn’t press Sasuke for an overly enthusiastigratutions. After all, that wouldn’t be like him.

  "Oh, boss, we’ve got an out-of-vilge mission tomorrow," Iris said.

  Post-war, Konoha had to ramp up its mission pletion rate to demonstrate strength to the outside world. Many rebuilding tasks were also being verted into missions fenin.

  Hearing this, Sasuke added, "I’m heading out with Team Seven soon as well."

  "Then today is our st group training session for a while," Link said, looking at their faces.

  Ohe missions began, it would be hard to find time for daily training together. Even occasional sessions would likely be missed due to flig schedules.

  The in Exams were a year away, so it would be some time before they reunited.

  Link himself would be buried in missions as a newly promoted Special Jonin. Unlike a full Jonin, who usually pleted over a hundred high-rank missions, Special Jonin had a slightly lighter workload—but not by much.

  Iris and Ami fell silent, but Sasuke spoke up. "I’ll make in as soon as possible."

  He wasn’t particurly ed about ranks like Genin or in; his focus was solely on gaining strength. However, he khat being a in would grant him more freedom. As a Genin, he was still obligated to follow his team leader on missions.

  "I will too!" Iris and Ami said in unison. "We’ll definitely pass year’s in Exams, boss."

  "Don’t overthink it," Link said, patting Iris on the bad resting a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder. "Let’s call it a day and go eat some barbecue."

  After the meeting, Link had been dragged to lunch by the Jonin and thehe afternoon with Shikaku Nara. By the time he reached the training ground, it was nearly evening.

  Even Sasuke didn’t argue and followed them out of the training ground, walking along the empty streets.

  "Isn’t it a bit too quiet?" Ami asked, sensing something amiss.

  Link stopped in his tracks, looking ahead at two figures in bck cloaks adorned with red clouds.

  With a soft sigh, he muttered, "This just got troublesome."

  Bleam