After receiving Kakashi's promise, Sasuke didn't say anything further.
A week later, the Great Bridge of the Land of Waves was finally completed.
Originally, Tazuna wanted to name the bridge "Yoruha Bridge."
However, Yoruha refused.
Tazuna then named it "Hope Bridge" instead.
Yoruha naturally didn't want his name to become too prominent at this time. There was no benefit in standing out, so he let it go without resistance.
After spending over a month in the Land of Waves, they finally completed their mission. What was originally just a C-rank task had unexpectedly escalated to a B-rank mission.
Of course, for Yoruha, this mission was immensely beneficial.
In just over a month, his strength had skyrocketed from Genin to Kage-level. Now, his power had even surpassed Kakashi's—at least, according to Kakashi himself.
Yoruha, however, remained conservative in his own assessment. He felt his strength was just barely at the Jōnin level.
He believed his combat experience still lagged behind that of a true Jōnin. It was only through his immense chakra reserves and his mastery of various practical jutsu that he could even stand on that level.
Yet even so, it was hard for him to believe that someone merely at the Jōnin level could kill an elite Jōnin in such a short time—especially one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
He had also unleashed a jutsu spanning several hundred meters, capable of suppressing Naruto in his Two-Tails state.
Yoruha had always been cautious when evaluating his abilities.
Perhaps it was because he knew the outcome of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki during the Fourth Shinobi World War, which made him extremely careful.
The lesson from Kaguya was too significant—he had to be prudent.
After returning to Konoha, the group headed to the Hokage's office to submit their mission report.
Since Yoruha had participated in the mission, he naturally needed to be there.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage looked at the five people standing before him—his gaze especially lingering on Yoruha.
This was the first formal meeting between Yoruha and the Third. Before this, the Hokage hadn't paid much attention to him. Even after hearing of him, he'd had no real opportunity to meet him face to face.
After Kakashi reported the general details of the mission, the Third Hokage nodded.
"This mission is considered a B-rank mission. Well done."
Missions above A-rank had to be issued by a nation, so even though an elite Jōnin had participated, the mission could only be classified as B-rank—since it was personally commissioned by Tazuna.
After chatting for a bit, the Third said, "Kakashi, Yoruha, you two stay behind. The rest of you may go and rest."
Kakashi frowned slightly.
Yoruha, however, didn't react. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura simply assumed the Hokage was keeping them back for commendation.
After all, Kakashi and Yoruha had performed the most outstandingly during this mission—especially Yoruha.
This aligned with the image they held of the Third Hokage. Even Sasuke, despite his increasingly aloof nature after the Uchiha massacre, had a favorable impression of the Third.
The Third had indeed taken good care of him—whether due to his own judgment or Itachi Uchiha's request, Sasuke didn't know. But he had no objections.
Naruto and Sakura were even less likely to question the Hokage's intentions.
As they left, Naruto glanced at Yoruha with envy and silently vowed, "I will definitely surpass Yoruha."
Even though Naruto often pulled pranks on the Hokage, in his heart, he genuinely viewed him as a grandfather.
Naturally, he longed to receive his praise.
After Naruto, Sasuke, and the others left, only the Third, Yoruha, and Kakashi remained in the office.
After a moment of silence, the Third finally said, "Kakashi, tell me the details of this mission."
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
He had intentionally provided only a rough overview of the mission earlier, not wanting the Third to delve too deeply.
But with Naruto and the others present, he couldn't fabricate too much, so he had kept it very brief.
That was the biggest issue—the Third was an old fox. He could immediately sense that something was being concealed.
Yoruha also noticed the shift in atmosphere.
Fortunately, he understood the Third well enough not to worry. Still, it was clear that what happened in the Land of Waves couldn't be kept hidden.
Of course, Yoruha had never planned to hide it.
He was a Konoha ninja and had no clan scheming in the background. The Third wouldn't harbor ill intentions toward him.
But Yoruha also didn't want the Hokage to know the full extent of his strength.
After all, with great power came great responsibility—and burden.
If the Third saw him as a powerhouse, he might treat him as a workhorse.
It was important to remember: Yoruha was still a Genin. Even if he took on higher-level missions, the compensation was still at Genin level.
Kakashi considered the situation.
He certainly didn't want to expose Yoruha's capabilities. But the mission had involved not only him and Yoruha—but also Sasuke and the others.
If what he said conflicted with what the Genin reported later, it would only create more trouble for Yoruha.
Kakashi glanced at Yoruha. Left with no other choice, he began recounting the mission in detail.
At first, the Third Hokage remained calm.
But as he listened, he gradually became more and more astonished.
Yoruha had killed an elite Jōnin—one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kurosuki Raiga. He had even managed to suppress Naruto while he was in a rampaging Two-Tails state.
The Third Hokage was very familiar with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
They were a fearsome force from the Hidden Mist, once infamous during the Third Shinobi World War.
Even though Might Duy had taken down several of them, it had cost him his life.
To take one of them down in ordinary combat—Kakashi himself wouldn't dare claim he could do it easily.
It meant that Yoruha's current strength might already be at the level of an elite Jōnin.
How long has it even been?
After Kakashi finished his report, the Third looked at Yoruha seriously.
"Yoruha, it seems being a Genin is no longer suitable for you."
Yoruha was momentarily stunned.
He didn't quite know what the Third meant. Was he going to be promoted? But he'd only completed a handful of missions, all of which were D-rank or C-rank before this one.
Seeing his confusion, the Third Hokage smiled.
"With your strength and abilities, it's time to promote you to Chūnin."
Kakashi, standing to the side, couldn't help but feel pleased.
It wasn't just because Yoruha was being promoted.
Once Yoruha became a Chūnin, Kakashi could take him on missions outside the village without drawing suspicion.
After all, a Chūnin was no longer considered a ninja apprentice. They were independent shinobi—no longer required to act under the constant supervision of a Jōnin instructor.
They could be dispatched directly by a Jōnin at any time.
With Kakashi's status, arranging for Yoruha to join missions would seem completely normal.
Before, it might have raised questions—after all, Kakashi wasn't even Yoruha's official instructor. But once Yoruha became a Chūnin, that barrier would be removed entirely.
From then on, he could move freely.
And Kakashi could guide him without constraints.
New week new Power Stones Leaderboard we need a strong start :D