Naruto: Promotion is my Ninja Way

Even if Kirigakure was experiencing serious internal turmoil and political chaos, that didn't give anyone the right to kill people at will—especially not to directly assassinate the Fourth Mizukage Yagura.

What did the title of Kage mean to a village? Didn't Naraku understand the significance of such an action?

Tsunade stared at Naraku with complete speechlessness, truly having nothing more to say about his reckless and dangerous behavior.

"For the time being, you absolutely must stay within the village. Even if Kirigakure's military strength has been greatly reduced, it's impossible that they would simply let this matter go when faced with the death of their Mizukage."

"Just wait for their formal diplomatic protests to arrive..."

Shihouin Naraku curled his lips dismissively and replied, "How could Kirigakure possibly have the courage to file any protests against me? Anyone who actually witnessed that battle would never believe that they would dare to cause trouble or seek revenge."

"Is there anything else you need to report?" Tsunade asked with obvious irritation. "If not, go back and rest. There are no missions available for you to undertake right now."

"Oh, actually there is one more matter that I'm not sure whether it counts as good news or bad news..."

Naraku glanced meaningfully at Haruno Sakura, who was desperately trying to hide her presence and avoid attention. Hatake Kakashi immediately understood the hint and realized that both he and Sakura should probably leave the office.

In fact, when Naraku had been reporting his mission results earlier, Kakashi had been prepared to take little Sakura away first. However, Naraku had spoken too quickly and revealed the shocking information about the Fourth Mizukage's death before the two of them could properly excuse themselves.

"Then, Hokage-sama, we'll take our leave first. You still have important matters to discuss concerning little Sakura's future."

Hatake Kakashi and Haruno Sakura bowed respectfully to Tsunade together, but Naraku stopped Kakashi before he could depart. "Little girl, please step outside for a moment. Kakashi, don't leave yet. The news I'm about to share has a great deal to do with you personally."

Kakashi felt genuinely stunned by this statement. What could possibly have happened in Kirigakure that would have any connection to him?

But since Naraku had specifically requested his presence, Kakashi could only signal for Haruno Sakura to leave them alone. Little Sakura bowed politely to all three of them once more before quickly departing from the office.

Everyone else remaining in the office was a high-ranking figure of tremendous importance. Although Naraku and the others had restrained their intimidating presence, little Sakura still felt considerable pressure and stress in their company.

"By the way, I forgot to ask earlier—Kakashi, why did you bring this young girl to meet with the Hokage?"

Naraku withdrew his attention from Sakura's departure and looked at Hatake Kakashi with genuine curiosity.

"I actually need your opinion and support on this matter, Naraku." Kakashi spoke in a respectful, almost pleading tone. "I want Tsunade-sama to accept little Sakura as her personal disciple!"

Naraku raised an eyebrow with mild surprise. "Oh? That's certainly not an easy request to fulfill. Has the Hokage agreed to consider it?"

Whether in the past or present, becoming Tsunade's direct student essentially meant being classified as a potential future Hokage candidate.

Although the actual chances of success were quite small, if Haruno Sakura truly succeeded in becoming Tsunade's disciple, she might even gain the qualifications necessary to challenge for the position of Hokage someday.

Even though the possibility of such success remained slim, nobody could dare claim that she wouldn't be qualified for consideration!

Therefore, even with a request from Hatake Kakashi—a high-ranking official of Konoha—Tsunade, as the Fifth Hokage, would not easily agree to accept Haruno Sakura as her personal student.

This decision had nothing to do with talent or ability. Any ninja who could stand before Tsunade and be considered for such an honor must already possess exceptional talent!

Sure enough, upon hearing Naraku's question, Tsunade shook her head directly. "I haven't agreed to anything yet, but I will arrange for the girl to intern at Konoha Hospital to determine if she can successfully adapt to becoming a medical ninja."

I see!

No wonder Kakashi had looked so pleading and desperate. The Konoha Medical Department was essentially Shihouin Naraku's private territory, and his word carried more weight than even Tsunade's commands as Hokage. Even though he was no longer the official head of the Medical Department, his recommendations were still treated as absolute law!

Not particularly concerned about the political implications of this favor, Naraku raised an eyebrow at Kakashi and signaled with his eyes that this assistance would cost him a meal.

Kakashi quietly gave a subtle thumbs up, indicating that he completely understood the arrangement.

"What are you two doing right now?"

Tsunade stared at both men with wide, suspicious eyes. "The Hokage is still sitting right here, and you two are making private deals and agreements."

"Are you treating Konoha Hospital like some kind of personal favor-trading system?"

"Naraku, didn't you say there was something else important to discuss?"

"Hurry up and tell me what it is. Don't waste any more of my time—there are still many other problems and crises to deal with!"

Seeing Tsunade's growing anger and frustration, Naraku could only shrug his shoulders in response. He then walked forward, took paper and pen without any hesitation, and quickly began sketching a detailed portrait!

"What exactly are you doing?"

Both Tsunade and Kakashi felt genuinely confused about why he had suddenly started drawing.

"Who is this supposed to be?"

As Naraku finished his artwork and set down the pen, Tsunade picked up the paper and examined the face depicted on it.

Half of this person's face appeared completely normal, while the other half was covered with terrible scars, as if he had suffered severe disfigurement from some traumatic injury.

But what made Tsunade frown with concern was that the human face drawn by Naraku clearly showed a Three Tomoe Sharingan in the left eye and a distinctive swirl-like pattern in the right eye.

"Who is this person?"

Tsunade asked again, her voice filled with growing unease. She had encountered both Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi previously, but this individual was obviously not one of the two surviving brothers.

"And is this right eye of his actually a Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"Wait, this person is a member of the Uchiha clan?"

"Aren't there only the two brothers, Sasuke and Itachi, left in the entire Uchiha clan now?"

Tsunade found herself with more and more questions filling her mind. She knew that Naraku would never draw something randomly or without purpose. He must have encountered this person directly, which was why he had created this detailed portrait!

"Yes, he is indeed a member of the Uchiha clan!"

"And he's actually quite well-known throughout the shinobi world. To be more precise, he was once considered a hero of Konoha!"

Naraku looked at Hatake Kakashi with meaningful intensity. Kakashi felt stunned, not quite understanding what Naraku was implying with that look.

"Kakashi, take a close look at this drawing!"

What does Naraku mean by this?

Tsunade felt confused and handed the portrait to Kakashi for his examination.

Kakashi took the drawing with steady hands, but the moment his eyes fell upon the detailed portrait, his expression changed as if he had been struck by lightning. He became completely stunned and motionless!

The arm holding the drawing began trembling uncontrollably, and Kakashi's usually calm eyes showed an emotion approaching complete psychological collapse. He staggered backward and nearly lost his balance entirely.

This kind of total loss of composure was the first time Tsunade had ever witnessed such a reaction from the normally controlled jonin, and she felt very surprised by the intensity of his response. Meanwhile, Naraku looked as if this dramatic reaction was exactly what he had expected.

"Obito?!?!"

"Obito!!!"

The veins on Kakashi's hands as he gripped the drawing paper were bulging prominently, as if he had to use every ounce of his strength just to hold this seemingly light piece of paper!

Compared to his childhood appearance, Obito's face as drawn by Naraku had changed dramatically over the years, but Kakashi could recognize his former teammate instantly without any doubt!

After all, he regularly visited both Obito's and Nohara Rin's graves to pay his respects, and the faces of these two precious people had long been permanently imprinted in his mind—faces he could never forget.

"Naraku, this is really Obito?"

"Is this truly Obito?"

Kakashi's voice became hoarse and strained as he looked at Naraku with desperate disbelief.

He knew that Naraku would never joke about such serious and sensitive matters, but it was absolutely true that he had watched Obito being buried with his own eyes!

Unconsciously reaching toward his transplanted Sharingan, Kakashi felt overwhelmed by panic and confusion.

"Is this actually Uchiha Obito?"

"The Sharingan hero who supposedly died during the Rock shinobi attack?"

Tsunade's personal knowledge of Obito was naturally not as intimate and familiar as that of the two men present, so she had not recognized him immediately upon seeing the portrait.

During the brutal conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure, two Sharingan heroes had been born from the tragedy!

One was Uchiha Obito, who had supposedly died in battle, and the other was Hatake Kakashi, who stood before them now!

Both Tsunade and Kakashi stared intently at Naraku, desperately hoping he would provide them with a definitive answer.

"It's him!"

"Uchiha Obito!"

"The former hero of Konoha!"

"He's not dead!"

Naraku's voice echoed throughout the office with the weight of absolute truth, as if casting a powerful genjutsu that caused both Tsunade and Kakashi to freeze completely in their places!

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