"You're aiming for Jonin rank?"
"Yes, I know it's irregular, but I truly want to contribute to Konoha!" The unspoken implication was that a little favoritism within the family wouldn't hurt, right?
This made Lin Yu recall a saying: My rules are my rules!
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment. Seeing no one else present, he picked up the pipe from his drawer, took a deep puff, and blew a few smoke rings towards Lin Yu. He feigned hesitation, saying, "Your strength has indeed reached the Jonin level, but you are currently only a Genin. There has never been a precedent in Konoha for a direct promotion to Jonin."
He's doing this on purpose! Absolutely on purpose! Hiruzen Sarutobi is truly petty, definitely getting revenge for the "shoe print" incident last time!
Lin Yu still couldn't avoid inhaling second-hand smoke. He waved his hand and coughed twice, saying, "We are still in a state of war. Having an additional Jonin in the village would be beneficial for deployment. Although I possess Jonin-level strength, my Genin authority is too limited."
That's right. Although the Second Shinobi World War had ended, according to intelligence gathered by the Anbu recently, some ninja villages were showing signs of unrest. The Hidden Sand Village, in particular, was strangely strengthening its defenses tenfold. There must be something brewing.
It seemed the ninja world wouldn't remain peaceful for long. Hiruzen Sarutobi took another puff of his pipe and said, "Although you have Jonin-level strength, whether you possess the qualifications to become a Jonin still needs to be assessed. Jonin-level strength does not necessarily mean one can become a Jonin; you understand this, don't you?"
Nonsense! Of course, I understand. Otherwise, why would Might Duy still be a Genin!
Based on overall strength, he should at least be a Jonin. If it were about peak power, Hiruzen Sarutobi might be crushed in a direct confrontation. But as Hiruzen Sarutobi said, having Kage-level strength doesn't make you a Kage.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to kill Might Duy, he wouldn't give him the chance to open the Gate of Death. Moreover, even if you opened the Gate of Death, Hiruzen Sarutobi had hundreds of ninjutsu to stall until you exhausted your life force and died. Both had Kage-level strength, and Might Duy's offensive power might even be stronger, but he was no match for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If it were Might Guy… even with a thousand ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be helpless!
The above were just Lin Yu's personal thoughts. For the Might father and son to become enemies with Hiruzen Sarutobi, it would probably require Hiruzen Sarutobi to kill Sakumo Hatake and Kakashi in front of them!
Huh? Why am I thinking this? Something's not right, not right at all.
Lin Yu's expression tightened, and he said sternly, "I am ready. The test can begin anytime!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi blew another smoke ring at Lin Yu, remaining silent. He was contemplating who to assign to test Uzumaki Lin Yu.
The Yamanaka clan wouldn't work; they were better suited as support ninjas.
The Nara clan wouldn't work either; Lin Yu's Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu was practically their bane.
The Akimichi clan? They could be considered, but it seemed prone to failure.
…
This was a headache! With so many Jonin, why couldn't he find anyone suitable to beat up Uzumaki Lin Yu?
Lin Yu: I don't remember you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, being such a vengeful person!
Should I take action myself? That wouldn't be appropriate!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat tempted. He hadn't personally engaged in combat for some time, and he wondered if his ninjutsu might have become rusty. Perhaps he could test his skills on Uzumaki Lin Yu?
"How about… I do it?"
Just then, the door creaked open, and Orochimaru walked in with a sinister expression, a hint of anticipation in his golden vertical pupils. The words he had just spoken were his.
"Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't failed to consider Orochimaru, but he understood his disciple's personality; such an assessment mission would be of no interest to him.
Now, an unexpected event had occurred. For some reason, Orochimaru had changed his tune and volunteered to assess Uzumaki Lin Yu. When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard Orochimaru's words, "How about, I do it," his mind automatically rephrased it to "I'll beat him up!"
This was… perfect!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru with a hint of delight. Both could sense an emotion called "happiness" from the other's eyes.
They even felt a sense of camaraderie, and at the same time, both involuntarily thought: Did Lin Yu pull a fast one on you too!?
Orochimaru: Lin Yu secretly used me as a scapegoat; this is intolerable!
Hiruzen Sarutobi: That brat dared to kick me six times in the face! Damn it!
"Good!" It's decided, Orochimaru!
Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to Orochimaru's suggestion without a hint of hesitation, saying with a "smiling face," "Go 'easy' on him later, after all, he's your student."
Orochimaru grinned sinisterly and replied, "Lin Yu-kun is my student, and by extension, your grand-disciple. Of course, I won't be 'heavy-handed'!"
Lin Yu: Two sly old foxes, do you think I can't tell? We'll see!
Lin Yu watched his teacher and disciple exchanging veiled remarks and smiling at each other, seemingly confirming their unified goal: to beat Uzumaki Lin Yu to a pulp!
Lin Yu forced a wry smile, reminiscing about Jiraiya in the Land of Rain. If the system were to issue a mission involving Jiraiya and Orochimaru in the future, he, Lin Yu, would definitely complete the objective 100%! No, he would exceed it!
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi… the system wouldn't be so cruel as to arrange Danzo, would it? After all, he has a wife.
Danzo: What need do I, the Pot-Kage, have for a mere system's arrangement? I'll do it myself!
With the assessor for Lin Yu's test decided, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood improved considerably. He turned to Orochimaru and said, "Why have you come to see your old teacher today? Is there something you need?"
Orochimaru wouldn't come to the Hokage's office for no reason. In fact, besides his laboratory, he didn't want to go anywhere else. But alas, his laboratory was a bottomless pit of expenses! He was here to get money!
Orochimaru took out a list of laboratory supplies from his embrace and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Teacher, this is the list of research supplies from last month. I'd like to double the quantity for this month."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and glanced at the prices on the list, his brow furrowed: Two million five hundred thousand Ryo?
He was aware of Orochimaru's underground research facility. He hadn't strongly approved, but he hadn't opposed it either. He just didn't want Orochimaru to be too fixated on it; the most important thing for a ninja should still be their own cultivation. Their own strength was the true path.
However, two million five hundred thousand Ryo was indeed a bit meager. Doubling it to five million Ryo would still be a drop in the bucket for his experiments. He would consider it a hobby for Orochimaru, hoping he would "return to the right path" soon!
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the list, signed it, and said, "Take this list to the finance department and collect five million Ryo. Orochimaru, remember, you are a ninja. Don't neglect your necessary training."
Two-five? No wonder Orochimaru asked for double the amount. This number isn't very auspicious, Lin Yu thought to himself.
"Teacher, don't worry, I know how to arrange things."
"It's good that you have your priorities straight. Alright, when will you beat up… assess Lin Yu? Once you've arranged it, notify me. I want to witness it firsthand!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly, his tone a little rushed.
Lin Yu: Did you just blurt out your true thoughts? Want to beat me up? I'll shove Danzo right in your face!