Chapter 51: Reporting
Chapter 51: Reporting
In the Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in his office, his eyes fixed on the two maps laid out before him. One was a large map of the entire ninja world, while the other was a map of the Grass Country, including a portion of the Fire Country's border.
"Hokage-sama."
Fengye entered the Hokage's office, his presence causing Hiruzen to emerge from his thoughtful silence. A slight relaxation came over the Hokage's furrowed brows as he addressed the young ninja, "It seems you've returned safely. Do you have a report on the situation in the Grass Country?"
Fengye replied in a low voice, "In Frost Moon Town of the Grass Country, I encountered a large number of Hidden Stone Village ninjas, numbering over a hundred. Due to their sheer quantity, I didn't investigate further, and their purpose remains unknown."
"That's the Iwa ninja village's advance team," Hiruzen stated, already well-informed. Intelligence about this force had been relayed by Konoha scouts in the Grass Country some time ago.
Hiruzen turned to Fengye, a hint of relief in his voice as he said, "You did well. You didn't act rashly to probe the Iwagakure ninjas for information. Many young ninjas suffer setbacks or even lose their lives due to a lack of caution..."
For geniuses like Fengye and Kakashi, the concern was not their growth in strength, but their judgment of situations and their own capabilities.
With a group of ninjas numbering over a hundred, including many sensory-type ninjas, it would be extremely difficult to gather information covertly. Acting rashly would only put oneself in danger.
Once surrounded by such a large force, even someone as capable as Fengye, or even his disciples Orochimaru and Jiraiya, would face a grave crisis.
"...”
Fengye also guessed that Hiruzen was already aware of the Iwagakure ninja's movements, and he wasn't surprised. However, noticing that Hiruzen didn't inquire about the mission, he seemed to be unconcerned, and after a brief moment of contemplation, he decided not to elaborate further.
Hiruzen studied the maps before him, then considered Fengye's exceptional speed and strength as a chuunin, as well as his status as Orochimaru's disciple. "Since you're back from the Grass Country and are familiar with the terrain there, go with Orochimaru to deal with the Iwa ninja village's advance team."
He couldn't afford to be passive about the Iwa ninja village's intrusion into the Grass Country. Although there was no news yet of them invading the Fire Country's border, it was only a matter of time. He had to act before the situation worsened.
If Fengye had returned a few days later, he could have been assigned to the subsequent support team. However, with his timely return, it made sense to send him with Orochimaru.
"Yes," Fengye replied. "Hokage-sama, there's one more thing I need to report..."
Fengye then briefly described Maitai Dai's situation.
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly, surprised to learn that there was a lower ninja among them with the capabilities of a jounin.
Fengye had no reason to lie about this, and with his level of skill, he was unlikely to have misjudged. This meant that there was indeed a hidden talent among the lower ninjas who had gone unnoticed.
While the individual in question might not excel in other areas required of a jounin or be capable of leading a team, their strength alone made them valuable!
In a village, the number of ninjas with jounin-level strength was limited, and each one was a true elite, forming the backbone of the village's strength.
Fengye's talent surpasses Kakashi's, but he's probably still a bit away.
"Alright, I understand. Please ask him to come over."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded at Fengye.
He intended to meet with Maitai Dai, assess his specific situation, and then decide how to assign him.
"Yes."
Fengye nodded and left the Hokage's office.
When he reached the first floor mission assignment desk, he saw a Jonin in charge of mission assignments, who had taken the place of Hibana Unomo, and was now inquiring about Maitai Dai's situation in detail.
Upon seeing Fengye coming down from the upper floor, a glint of surprise flashed in his eyes, as he had already learned from Maitai Dai that Fengye had killed a Hidden Rock Jonin!
That was a Jonin!
There's a distinct difference between a Jonin and a Chunin!
The number of Chunin in a village is quite large, even more so than the number of Genin, because most Genin will eventually advance to the Chunin level when they reach a certain age.
Out of ten Chunin, maybe not even one will reach Jonin level, and that's still counting the 'special Jonin' who are considered exceptional talents!
For Fengye, who was only ten years old, to have slain a Jonin... If not for the head as evidence, he would have found it hard to believe.
After all, the fastest ninja in the village to become a Jonin was at the age of fourteen, and that ninja's name was Orochimaru!
Even with the evidence, he still couldn't help but ask Fengye, "Was it really you who killed the Jonin you encountered during your mission in the Grass Country?"
"..."
Fengye tilted his head and glanced at Maitai Dai, his eyes conveying a message of 'this isn't what we agreed on'.
Maitai Dai scratched his hair and said awkwardly, "Sorry, I'm not good with words, and I can't very well take credit for your achievement..."
Seeing this, Fengye sighed and said, "Yes, it was me."
As he had expected, Maitai Dai was too honest. The idea of having Maitai Dai take credit for killing the Jonin was basically impossible, even if they had agreed on it beforehand.
But it didn't matter.
Let the attention come as it may.
With his current strength, even if he were to be noticed by a Kage-level powerhouse, while he might not be able to win, he should still be able to escape. There aren't many in the ninja world who could threaten him anymore.
The original plan to have Maitai Dai take credit was to ensure he had sufficient achievements to justify a promotion to a special Jonin. But even without this feat, his strength spoke for itself, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would most likely promote Maitai Dai to a special Jonin anyway.
It would just cause a bit of an uproar.
As for the other option, joining the Anbu, it was basically out of the question.
The Anbu mask would be useless to Maitai Dai, and his personality wasn't suited for the Anbu either. Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't make such a decision.
Hiss...
Hearing Fengye's admission, the Jonin took a sharp breath, and his gaze at Fengye turned slightly solemn.
In his eyes, Fengye's image now resembled that of a young Might Guy!
(End of Chapter)
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