We've officially completed ten D-rank missions.
Not that I'm counting.
Okay, I'm definitely counting. I have a mental scoreboard titled "Dumbest Thing Takkun Has Tried" and it's tied between 'bribing a dog with explosive tags' and 'asking a jounin if his vest has pockets for snacks.'
This morning, Genma told us to report to the Hokage's Tower. No mission. No details.
Just, "Suit up. You're being reviewed."
Cool cool cool. Nothing anxiety-inducing about that at all.
We're brought into a clean room. No windows. One chair. One desk.
And behind it?
Hiruzen Sarutobi. Third Hokage. Pipe in hand. Eyes like he already knows which of your memories are embarrassing.
He gestures for me to sit. Alone.
My teammates are nowhere to be seen.
This feels less like a shinobi review and more like a very intense parent-teacher conference.
"Ten D-rank missions," he says, flipping through a folder. "Some… creatively resolved."
"Emphasis on resolved," I offer.
His lip twitches.
"Your squad leader reports high adaptability. Unconventional methods. Minimal property damage."
"Define 'minimal.'"
"Only two fences. One barrel. One emotionally compromised ferret."
"It was a weasel," I correct.
"Mm. Regardless." He closes the folder. "You're not like other shinobi. Your chakra does not align with known patterns. Your tactics are reactive, unpredictable."
"Thank you?"
"That wasn't necessarily praise."
I shrug. "Still accepting it."
He reaches into the drawer and pulls out a fresh forehead protector.
"I won't send you to the Academy."
I blink.
"Oh. Thank God."
"You'd break their curriculum."
"Flattered. And slightly offended."
He places the protector on the desk.
"You are hereby assigned to a permanent genin squad for extended evaluation."
"So it's a 'you're weird, but let's see where this goes' situation."
"Exactly."
I take the headband.
It's heavier than I expect.
Outside, Genma is waiting.
He sees the band on my forehead and nods once.
"No expulsion. Good."
"No parade either. Disappointing."
"You're officially Genin. Full squad placement. Hiruzen wants to see how far you go."
"How far I go, or how far the ground tilts when I walk?"
"Same thing."
He hands me a folded slip of paper. "Field mission in two days. Recon and escort. Medium risk."
Takkun and Damu rejoin us moments later. Takkun is holding two mission scrolls and asking which one smells more like adventure. Damu says he had a dream where a squirrel promoted him to Chunin.
I tie my headband tighter.
Evaluation, complete.
Still sarcastic.
Definitely not done yet.
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— void_chakra