"No wonder my jonin exam was so ridiculously hard. Turns out the old man wants me to join the Anbu," Jiraiya said with a dawning realization. Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't just testing him—he was preparing to elevate him. To give him a foothold in Konoha's power structure.
Normally, the jonin exam in Konoha was conducted within the village, pitting candidates against other jonin to assess their strength. But Jiraiya's exam had been entirely different: a mission outside the village to take down two enemy jonin and four elite chunin. It was the definition of a trial by fire.
In the history of Konoha, exams like this were exceedingly rare. The risks were just too high. After all, facing such a number of enemies alone—even with Anbu backup—could easily result in severe injuries or even death.
This only underscored the fact that Hiruzen had absolute confidence in Jiraiya's abilities. Such a decision wouldn't have been made lightly. Hiruzen wouldn't gamble with the life of someone he didn't trust completely.
Now, it was clear: Jiraiya was being groomed as a trusted confidant. Otherwise, Hiruzen wouldn't be in such a rush to bring him into the Anbu and place significant responsibilities on his shoulders. Becoming an Anbu squad captain wasn't just an honor—it meant having influence within Konoha's inner circle. His voice would carry weight in crucial decisions.
And on top of that, Hiruzen had even arranged for Yuhi Mitsune to be one of his subordinates. Missions wouldn't feel so dull anymore with her around—her long, graceful legs could certainly liven up the monotony.
"Sensei didn't say anything about promoting me to the Anbu beforehand. Looks like he trusts you enough to tell you first," Jiraiya said with a grin.
"The Anbu exists to serve the Hokage. You can rest assured we'll never betray Lord Hokage," Mitsune replied earnestly.
"Well, you guys better clean up that bounty office. Next time we meet, you'll have to call me 'Captain,'" Jiraiya said, preparing to head back to the village. He didn't want to linger—Tsunade was probably waiting for him. And besides, Mitsune's legs weren't something he could enjoy just yet. If he could, he'd have considered sticking around a little longer.
With a flicker, Jiraiya activated the Body Flicker Technique and headed back to the village.
"Mitsune-senpai, with someone as strong as Lord Jiraiya leading us, our missions will definitely be much easier!"
"Exactly! Lord Jiraiya is already so powerful at his age. It's an honor to serve under someone like him."
"Lord Hokage appointing him as our captain is like rewarding us. We'll need to work even harder to protect the village now!"
As Jiraiya disappeared into the distance, the remaining Anbu members watched him with admiration.
They all felt lucky to have Jiraiya as their captain. At his age, his power was already terrifying, and he was bound to grow even stronger. Serving under someone like him meant safer missions and greater security for their lives.
Moreover, Jiraiya wasn't just a talented ninja—he was also the Hokage's personal student and one of Konoha's brightest stars. His future was limitless. One day, he might even become Hokage.
Working under him meant they'd rise alongside him. His increasing influence would naturally elevate their positions within the village.
"Let's get moving. Finish the job and return to the village," Mitsune ordered.
Though her expression remained cold, her heart was filled with excitement. Like her subordinates, she admired strength, and someone like her could only be conquered by a true powerhouse.
...
Back in Konoha
"Sensei, all the Iwagakure ninja have been eliminated. The mission is complete," Jiraiya reported upon returning to the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, buried in paperwork, looked up in surprise. Even with his seasoned composure, he couldn't hide his shock.
Jiraiya had finished the mission this quickly? It was far beyond Hiruzen's expectations.
He had assigned the mission partly to gauge Jiraiya's true capabilities after his training at Mount Myoboku. Hiruzen had anticipated that Jiraiya might succeed, but he'd expected it to be an arduous task. Yet, from Jiraiya's calm demeanor, it was as if the mission hadn't been challenging at all.
"Sensei, why are you looking at me like that? You taught me well! Taking down a few Iwagakure weaklings was nothing," Jiraiya said, sneaking in a bit of flattery.
"As expected of my student," Hiruzen replied, unable to suppress a proud smile.
The stronger Jiraiya became, the more it reflected on Hiruzen as his teacher.
"Jiraiya, now that the mission is complete, you are officially promoted to jonin," Hiruzen said, handing him the jonin headband. "Additionally, I'm appointing you as an Anbu squad captain."
"Thank you, Sensei. I'll dedicate my life to protecting the village," Jiraiya said solemnly .
"Come by tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you to your team. For now, you should rest—you've earned it," Hiruzen said with a nod.
After Jiraiya left, Hiruzen called a meeting with the village's higher-ups, including Danzo.
"While Jiraiya's completion of the mission was commendable, don't you think promoting him to Anbu and giving him so much authority right away is a bit extreme?" Danzo argued.
Danzo's objection was clear. He had handpicked the current Anbu squad captains, and Jiraiya's promotion threatened to disrupt his influence. Even though Danzo had established Root, he was unwilling to relinquish his hold on the Anbu.
"Danzo, take a good look at the mission scroll," Hiruzen said sharply. "Jiraiya's abilities speak for themselves. This isn't up for debate—I'm informing you, not seeking your approval."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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