The Hokage's office, with its high ceilings and walls lined with scrolls, hummed with a quiet authority. Tsunade, seated behind her large wooden desk, held a stack of official documents in her hands. Shizune stood beside her, meticulously organizing paperwork, her expression focused and calm. Before Tsunade stood Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Sasuke Uchiha, their expressions a mix of anticipation and composure.Though they already know what it is about.
"By the authority vested in me as the Godaime Hokage," Tsunade began, her voice clear and authoritative, "I hereby promote Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Uchiha Sasuke to the rank of Chunin."
Lee's eyes widened, his face breaking into a wide, exuberant grin. "Yes!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with youthful enthusiasm. "My youthful spirit has triumphed!"
Neji, his expression composed, bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama," he said, his voice calm and polite. A slight, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
Sasuke, his expression neutral, was slightly surprised. 'So Shikamaru didn't get promoted this time,' he thought, his gaze momentarily shifting to the empty space where Shikamaru would have stood in his past memories of Naruto universe but alone. He then bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama," he said, his voice calm and collected.
"You will receive your Chunin gear later today," Tsunade continued, her gaze sweeping over them. "This includes the standard Chunin flak vest, a scroll pouch, and your official Chunin identification plates. As Chunin, you are now eligible to request permission to learn B-rank jutsu from the Scroll of Seals.
However, any such request must be submitted and approved by me personally."
She paused, her gaze settling on Sasuke. "Neji, Lee, you are dismissed," she said. "Sasuke, I require you to stay."
Neji and Lee exchanged brief glances, a flicker of curiosity in their eyes, before bowing and exiting the office. Sasuke, his expression composed, remained standing before Tsunade, his gaze steady.
Outside the Hokage building, a small crowd had gathered to congratulate Neji and Lee. Kakashi Hatake, his single visible eye crinkled in a smile, leaned against the wall, his hands tucked into his pockets. Might Guy, his teeth gleaming, gave neji & Lee a thumbs-up, his voice booming with enthusiasm. Sakura Haruno, her expression bright, offered a warm smile. Naruto Uzumaki, his face beaming, clapped Neji and Lee on the back. Tenten, her arms crossed, offered a nod of approval. And Hanabi Hyuga, accompanied by her caretaker, Natsu Hyuga, stood slightly apart, her expression shy but happy.
"Neji nii-san!" Hanabi exclaimed, her voice soft. "Congratulations on becoming a Chunin!"
Neji's expression softened slightly as he looked at Hanabi. "Thank you, Hanabi," he replied, his voice gentle.
"Lee!" Guy boomed, his voice filled with pride. "Your youthful spirit has finally been recognized!"
"Thank you, Guy-sensei!" Lee replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "This is all thanks to your guidance!"
"Where's Sasuke?" Naruto asked, his gaze scanning the crowd.
"Tsunade-sama asked him to stay," Neji replied, his voice calm.
"Stay?" Naruto repeated, his brow furrowed. "What for?"
"We don't know," said Neji and Lee.
Sakura said, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe Tsunade-sama has something important to discuss with him."
The group exchanged curious glances, wondering what Tsunade wanted with Sasuke.
Back in the Hokage's office, Tsunade leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Sasuke. "Sasuke," she began, her voice serious, "how much do you know about Senjutsu?"
Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly. 'Senjutsu?' he thought. 'Why is she asking me about that?' He decided to play dumb. "Senjutsu?" he repeated, his voice laced with feigned ignorance. "I don't think I've ever heard of it."
Shizune, her expression calm, continued her work, her ears perked, listening to the conversation.
"Senjutsu," Tsunade explained, her voice patient, "is a specialized method of sensing and absorbing natural energy. It allows a shinobi to enhance all of their attributes significantly."
She paused, her gaze intense. "This includes physical strength, speed, reflexes, durability, chakra potency, and sensory perception. When done correctly, it is a massive power boost."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his interest piqued. "I see," he said, his voice thoughtful.
"When I was a child," Tsunade continued, her voice laced with a hint of nostalgia, "my grandfather, Hashirama Senju, demonstrated his Sage Mode to me. And Jiraiya, as you may not know, is also capable of using Senjutsu."
She paused, her gaze distant. "I've sensed a high concentration of natural energy in the Katsuyu's Shikkotsu Forest, and obviously same is the case with Ryuchi Cave & Mount Myoboku though I never visited them," she added.
Sasuke, his expression composed, wondered why Tsunade was sharing this information with him. "Why are you telling me this, Tsunade-sama?" he asked, his voice calm.
"I myself...," Tsunade admitted, her voice laced with a hint of regret, "have never attempted to learn Senjutsu. But I know quite a bit about it."
Sasuke nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand," he said, his voice calm.
"However," Tsunade continued, her gaze piercing, "I have noticed something peculiar about your chakra."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "Peculiar?" he repeated, his voice laced with curiosity.
"Yes," Tsunade confirmed, her voice serious. "I can sense traces of natural energy within your chakra. It's not as potent as Jiraiya's when he enters Sage Mode, but it is there, pure and distinct."