"What are you talking about? I don't understand at all..."
"It's nothing, teacher. Bye."
Shisui waved goodbye.
He still didn't understand, so he had to continue searching for answers.
Jingyi watched him leave, sighing inwardly.
In Konoha, the Uchiha aren't the only clan with strong traditions. In fact, they're almost a village within a village.
There is another clan that operates in a similar way
The Hyuga Clan!
The Uchiha send their children to the Ninja Academy at least every year, while the Hyuga Clan rarely do so. Most of their training is handled internally, within the clan compound.
However
Only the Uchiha were targeted, while the Hyuga were never suppressed by any policy. The reason wasn't only due to the Uchiha's "different hearts" or distrustful nature.
Even if Shisui became the clan head and led the Uchiha to act as model shinobi, Danzo still might not be willing to put down the butcher's knife.
Compared to Hiruzen, Danzo's attitude toward the Uchiha was even more severe.
If Shisui couldn't understand the real cause of the estrangement between the Uchiha and the rest of Konoha, there was no point in explaining further.
Jingyi turned and headed to Ichiraku Ramen.
As for the Third Hokage
What was there to worry about?
After all, Hiruzen was not like Danzo.
He had only contacted Shisui because of the teacher-student bond, and he'd asked Shisui and Obito to help the civilians and the administrative workers. He should be thanking us!
Jingyi arrived at Ichiraku.
Just as he was about to sit down, a figure quickly approached him.
Whoosh~
A masked Anbu appeared.
"Kanda Keiichi, the Third Hokage has summoned you to the Hokage Building."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll go immediately."
Jingyi was surprised.
But
The Anbu's purpose was clear. It was obviously about him.
He didn't think much about it and followed the Anbu. Both used the Body Flicker Technique, arriving at the Hokage Building in just a few moments.
"Third Hokage-sama, I've brought him."
"You're dismissed."
"Yes!"
The Anbu vanished.
In the office, only the Third Hokage and Kanda Keiichi remained.
Hiruzen removed his hat and stood up with a gentle smile, like an ordinary old man. He looked Jingyi up and down and said with a sigh, "I didn't expect you to have grown so much since I last saw you!"
"The Third Hokage-sama knows me?"
Jingyi was a little surprised.
"Of course. Your grandmother and my teacher were relatives. I even held you when you were born."
Hiruzen said with a smile.
"Huh…? Grandma never mentioned that."
Jingyi scratched his head, smiling awkwardly.
But
He was clear-headed.
Whether or not it was true
It probably wasn't.
But there was no reason to call him out on it. Hiruzen's words and tone, along with his actions upon greeting him, were all intended to close the psychological distance between them and win him over.
That was better than being pushed away.
"Heh heh heh, after all, you're like a nephew to me. Come, let's sit and chat like family."
"Thank you, Third Hokage-sama."
Jingyi bowed.
After Hiruzen sat down, he gestured for Jingyi to take a seat.
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe and, with a smile, asked, "How have you been feeling since you returned to the village after your injury?"
"To be honest, Lord Hokage, you might not believe it, but after recovering from my injury, I feel stronger. My Water Release techniques also seem more powerful."
Jingyi shared this information truthfully.
Hiruzen's smile widened. After taking a puff of his pipe, he said, "Foolish boy, you have Senju blood in you. What you're experiencing is the awakening of your Senju bloodline."
"Huh? Really?"
"Indeed!"
The Third Hokage looked increasingly pleased.
Kanda Keiichi had nothing to hide and responded truthfully.
That was good!
After another puff of smoke, Hiruzen said, "I've also heard about your performance at the academy. It's wartime graduation schedules are irregular, and sticking rigidly to the curriculum is pointless. You've done well by teaching flexibly."
"Yes!"
Jingyi i smiled, though his mind was racing.
Mentioning the Senju bloodline and his performance at school...
Was this setting him up for a promotion?
"Don't be so tense. I called you here to chat. Also, now that your Senju blood has awakened, your strength is on par with a Jōnin. Would you be interested in taking the Jōnin exam?"
The Third Hokage held up a form.
An application for the Jōnin Exam.
It had to be filled out by the candidate personally.
"The Jōnin exam?"
Jingyii was taken aback.
He figured this meeting was to reward him somehow but he didn't expect it to be for promotion to Jōnin.
Jōnin…
He fell into thought.
There were pros and cons. Jōnin had greater authority and freedom but also heavier responsibilities and more dangerous missions.
But
The Third Hokage evaluated him as Jōnin-level. If he didn't accept the promotion, it might be misinterpreted.
Thinking this through, he scratched his head and said, "Lord Hokage… I'm still just a Chūnin. I'm afraid I may not be ready."
"Your strength is more than enough. As for the rest, that can be trained. We've lost many capable shinobi in the war there's a real need to fill the gaps. If you're willing, it would help a lot."
Hiruzen sighed.
"If you think I can do it, then I'll give it a try!"
Jingyi exhaled slowly.
He accepted the form and signed it.
"Good. Skill can be cultivated. But willpower and spirit that's what matters most. Not many can understand the true Will of Fire."
The Third Hokage smiled.
Jingyii kept that in mind.
Shisui!
See? The Third Hokage owes me!
Of course
The Uchiha are probably flipping out right now. One of their geniuses, Shisui, becomes a teacher and then immediately changes sides? Someone will likely come to make trouble soon.
But
It doesn't matter.
The current Uchiha are cowards.
When Madara left the village, they didn't even dare to follow.
After Hashirama died, Hiruzen and his successors slowly pushed the Uchiha out of the village's leadership. Even then, they didn't dare to fight back.
Only much later did they start thinking about rebellion.
Too little, too late.
Jingyi had no respect for the current Uchiha including Fugaku Uchiha.
An indecisive man.
If Shisui could abandon his naive ideals, he'd be a much more qualified clan head than Fugaku.
Outside the office
Jingyi walked home, thinking to himself.
The Third Hokage's intentions were clear.
He was recruiting him trying to pull him into the Hokage faction.
He even brought up some questionable old Senju family connection just to build rapport. It was kind of ridiculous, but it showed Hiruzen had no hostility toward him.
For now, there was no need to worry about the Hokage acting against him.
In fact
Hiruzen might even shield him from Danzo.
As long as he's careful of Danzo's secret tactics.
And as for becoming a Jōnin there's a war coming next year. Having that rank would be a huge advantage.
So
The Jōnin position was worth competing for.
Only…
"As a Jōnin… what about my system?"
Jingyi glanced at the Mentor System.
This system rewards him for being a good teacher. After becoming a Jōnin, staying at the Academy may no longer be an option.
But he was already a temp worker. With or without the Jōnin rank, it was unlikely he'd remain at the Academy after his injury.
With that thought, things became clearer.
As a Jōnin, he could apply to lead a genin team. Even without teaching at the Academy, he could still use the system's features to guide young shinobi.
No problem!