Chapter 99 - 99: Giving Kazuki a Promotion

Hiruzen glanced at Homura and said in an undeniable tone, "Kazuki has been training in Shikkotsu Forest recently. When Tsunade encountered danger, she used the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to summon him, which is reasonable." No matter what, Kazuki was his own person. If he were to make trouble over this matter now, it would be considered targeting Kazuki. Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru would all become disloyal to him. Both emotionally and logically, he had to complete the procedures for Kazuki. "I wonder what level Kazuki's strength has reached after two years." Danzo asked with a hint of curiosity. Two years ago, Kazuki seemed to possess strength comparable to a Jonin. Danzo found it hard to believe then. So, what about after two years? Kazuki was still in a period of rapid growth. "I don't know, but he shouldn't be weaker than Tsunade and the others, right?" Hiruzen said with some uncertainty. "Mito-sama sent him to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode. I don't know if he can learn it. If he does, his strength might advance further. We cannot deny Kazuki's talent in learning." Danzo fell silent. If their learning ability was like Kazuki's, their strength might advance even further. "After this matter is over, let Kazuki join the Anbu. This way, many things will be reasonable." Homura had no intention of targeting Kazuki in this matter. If he did, Orochimaru would also become his enemy in the future. "Mm, that works too." Hiruzen did not refuse either. Between letting Kazuki go to the battlefield, staying in the village, or performing hidden missions in the Anbu, Hiruzen decided to let Kazuki go incognito. There was no other way. Kazuki was simply too much of a prodigy. Just then, a white snake crawled into the office. Hiruzen immediately went to the white snake's side and extended his hand. The white snake opened its mouth and spat out a scroll. Hiruzen took it and looked, then was dumbfounded. Danzo and the others immediately came over and read it together, then exchanged glances. Hanzo lost. He lost a one-on-one battle to Kazuki, who had mastered Sage Mode. Then the Land of Rain turned, and together with the Konoha ninjas, they defeated the Suna ninjas. They were currently preparing to drive the Suna ninjas out of the Land of Rain. Hanzo had one hand crippled by Kazuki, which was enough to leave them speechless with shock. "Monkey, can you do it?" Danzo asked after a long silence. "I can't. My strength is similar to Hanzo's." Hiruzen shook his head slightly with a complex gaze. If Kazuki's strength was truly like that, wouldn't Kazuki's strength be even above his own? What exactly was Mito thinking? Why did she let Kazuki learn Sage Mode? Of course, Hiruzen would not criticize Mito. Mito was cultivating talent for Konoha. Putting other factors aside, the stronger Kazuki became, the better it was for Konoha. He could understand Mito's intentions. Regardless of Kazuki's future attitude, after his strength increased, it would be more beneficial than detrimental to Konoha. Standing from Konoha's perspective, Hiruzen would also do the same. If Kazuki could truly grow to the level of Madara, as long as he still had Konoha in his heart, then he would willingly hand Konoha over to Kazuki. "It seems this brat's strength is becoming increasingly uncontrollable." Danzo felt a bit of a headache. It was he who had suggested freezing and handling Kazuki coldly. He originally thought that with time, Kazuki would fade into obscurity. No strong person grows up in a safe environment, but what was going on with Kazuki? Should they have made Kazuki continuously perform missions, with no time to rest, no time to get stronger, and no time to learn Ninjutsu? "Kazuki is an inheritor of the Will of Fire. There is no doubt about that. I am willing to trust him, trust Kagami, and trust Mito-sama." Hiruzen stated without hesitation. He was only worried that Kazuki becoming Hokage would affect the interests of the Sarutobi clan, but he would not deny anything else. As long as Kazuki did not become Hokage, he would not mind giving Kazuki as much prestige as he wanted. Even if the Uchiha made Kazuki feel annoyed, and Kazuki, in a fit of rage, wiped out the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen would not mind taking the blame for Kazuki and then letting him become Hokage. This would be good for Konoha and also good for the Sarutobi clan. Kazuki would have to acknowledge this favor. Now that Kazuki had grown up, Hiruzen would certainly not intentionally target Kazuki. Aside from power, he could give Kazuki anything. "It seems you don't need to go to the battlefield anymore." Koharu glanced at Hiruzen, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "The Uchiha clan hasn't been very quiet recently. It's time to release Kazuki's information." Hiruzen nodded slightly. Then let Kazuki and Fugaku and those people fight among themselves. Fugaku and the Uchiha clan head behind him were not enemies. Kazuki couldn't possibly solve everything with force, could he? This would be enough to tie up most of Kazuki's energy. They indeed needed to build momentum for Kazuki. Otherwise, no matter how excellent Kazuki's strength was or how great his reputation, the Uchiha would find it difficult to acknowledge Kazuki. It was not wrong for Uchiha to admire the strong, but the other party also needed to consider them, the Uchiha. Madara was strong enough back then, but wasn't he betrayed by Uchiha? "Mm, Hanzo is dealt with, so I don't need to go. This time, let's promote Kazuki to Jonin. A ten-year-old Jonin." Hiruzen winced when he said this. Theoretically speaking, Kazuki's missions still hadn't been fully completed, but if a ninja stronger than himself couldn't become a Jonin, then what kind of ninja could become a Jonin? However, speaking of which, it seemed he had forgotten to promote Kazuki to Chunin before. Initially, he had planned to hold the Chunin Exams before the war began, inviting other villages to participate, and then letting Kazuki display his strength. But later, things developed too quickly. Even now, Kazuki was still a Genin. In the past two years, he had actually forgotten to promote Kazuki. Kazuki himself probably didn't care much either.