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Naruto Peerless Flying Dagger (37)
🕑 Added 2025-05-05 17:00:06 +0000 UTCChapter 37 - Promotion to Jonin
"Lord Third, do you think, out of these thirty children, how many will live past the age of twelve?"
People in the ninja world generally matured early.
Many married and had children at fourteen or fifteen.
Therefore, those past the age of twelve were almost universally considered adults.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.
Wars between ninja villages were far crueler than the clan wars of the Warring States period.
In the Warring States era, outside of active wartime, a single mission might involve only a dozen or so ninjas fighting each other. When children undertook missions, they were accompanied by adults from their clan.
But in wars between villages, a battle involving a dozen ninjas didn't even qualify as a minor skirmish.
When main forces clashed, the numbers ranged from dozens or hundreds to thousands, even tens of thousands.
In such wars, forget children; even Jonin like them had no guarantee of survival.
Even Kage had died in considerable numbers among the five great ninja villages within this past year.
The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, and the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, had perished together.
The Second Raikage was killed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, during the ambush involving the Gold and Silver Brothers.
Currently, only the Second Kazekage of the Sand Village remained alive.
The other four ninja villages, including Konoha, had already entered the era of their Third Kage.
In warfare of this intensity, it would be fortunate if even ten of those children survived to adulthood.
Here, Li Anshi was subtly twisting the facts.
Indeed, as he said, after one battlefield experience, only about thirty of the three hundred-plus children under twelve were unscathed.
But excluding the hundred or so who had already died in battle, among the hundred-plus injured, after his and Tsunade's treatment, at least half could recover.
For those with psychological issues, with careful attention and frequent indoctrination with the "Will of Fire," some could regain their fighting spirit.
In fact, those children who truly embraced the "Will of Fire," after undergoing a spiritual transformation, would likely experience a surge in strength.
At the very least, their chakra reserves would double.
And for Genin, an increase in chakra amount provided the greatest boost to their overall strength.
This wasn't just about casting a few more ninjutsu; even when using taijutsu, the enhancement to their physical abilities would be incomparable to before.
However, these considerations were likely only things Li Anshi and Tsunade would pursue; other ninjas simply wouldn't think of them.
Therefore, Li Anshi's assessment wasn't entirely wrong.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi remain silent, Li Anshi took a deep breath.
"Lord Third, at this current stage, you are indeed the most suitable person to succeed as the Third Hokage."
"But if you continue to lead Konoha with the mindset of the Warring States period, forget about making Konoha stronger day by day; it's more likely Konoha will decline under your leadership and eventually perish."
"After all, the reason we identify with Konoha is because we identify with the will of Lord First and Lord Second, willing to sacrifice our lives for that dream."
"Once everyone feels the village has deviated from its founding principles, will anyone still fight and die for it?"
Li Anshi's words sent shivers down Hiruzen Sarutobi's spine.
He could feel that if Li Anshi's words spread, his newly stabilized position as the Third Hokage would face a severe challenge.
Setting others aside, even among the Jonin in this tent, Hiruzen could see the flickering light in the eyes of several.
This indicated they too were swayed by Li Anshi's words.
After taking another deep breath, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward and bowed deeply to Li Anshi.
"Anshi, thank you!"
"If not for your words today, I fear I would have strayed further and further down the wrong path."
"Indeed, as you said, the Konoha of today is no longer the Warring States period."
"After this war ends, I will admit my mistakes before all the villagers."
"I ask that you lend me your strength, Anshi, so we can quickly defeat the enemies invading the Land of Fire and restore peace to Konoha sooner."
"Lord Third, you speak too seriously."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's frankness, Li Anshi dropped his stern expression.
Whether Hiruzen's words were genuine or an act, the fact that he was willing to admit his mistakes earned Li Anshi's respect.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi was willing to change, Li Anshi was naturally happy to avoid further trouble.
This way, when Tsunade eventually took over Konoha in the future, the village wouldn't be in a desolate state with only a few stragglers left.
"As a member of Konoha, I am also willing to contribute my strength to make Konoha better."
"Thank you, Anshi."
Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened up and thanked Li Anshi.
He also knew that Li Anshi discussing this matter here, rather than publicizing it in Konoha village, was for the sake of stability.
Otherwise, with powerful enemies outside, if internal strife arose, Konoha would truly be finished.
"Anshi, based on your achievements in the previous battle, I, as the Third Hokage, hereby promote your ninja rank to Jonin."
"Jonin?"
Li Anshi raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
He wasn't an ordinary civilian ninja, unaware of the intricacies within Konoha's upper echelons.
Jonin could be considered the highest rank for ninjas in the ninja world.
Even those powerful ninjas with renowned titles, and the Kage of various villages, technically belonged to the "Jonin" rank in terms of ninja classification.
However, due to the difference in strength, these titled ninjas were referred to as "Elite Jonin" to distinguish them from ordinary Jonin.
As for "Kage," that was a symbol of status and position.
Typically, the Kage of a village was also the strongest ninja within it.
Before becoming "Kage," they were also just "Jonin."
Many decisions within the village were made by Jonin voting.
It could be said that a single Jonin could establish their own "ninja clan" under their family name.
"Congratulations, Jonin Anshi."
"Congratulations, congratulations."
The Jonin in the tent immediately offered their congratulations to Li Anshi.
"Thank you."
Li Anshi responded positively to the goodwill shown by these Jonin.
"Everyone, I hereby announce that Li Anshi will take over as commander here, to pin down the Cloud ninjas..."
"Clan Leader Sarutobi and Elder Kagami, along with ten Jonin, will accompany me to reinforce the Land of Earth battlefield."
"Does anyone have any objections?"
"Lord Third."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi announced Li Anshi as the commander, Li Anshi stood up.
"I have a question."
"Anshi, what is your question?"
"I am just an ordinary ninja. I have no experience commanding army battles."
