[NGS] [ARC-01] Chapter : 07

Hokage Tower, Council Room

Five of the village's most politically powerful shinobi sat in quiet tension around the council table. Scrolls lay open, reports were stacked in neat piles, and steaming cups of tea were slowly going cold.

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, pipe idle in hand, observing the gathered council. "On to the next topic, Jōnin promotions are scheduled to commence in one month's time. We need to finalize the candidate list by week's end."

Looking at the probable list given by Shikaku, Koharu gave a quiet sigh. "The pool is worryingly shallow this year. We lost too many during the last wave of skirmishes."

"Too few are ready," Homura Mitokado added, tapping a mission record. "Many are too green to shoulder the command responsibilities of a jōnin."

Danzo Shimura, arms crossed, voice low and cold, countered, "Caution is weakness. In war, hesitation is death. Promotion must go to the capable, regardless of risk."

"We are not at war, Danzo," Hiruzen said mildly, though his eyes were sharp.

Danzo's response was a smirk. "Then prepare as if we were. Peace is a pause, nothing more."

The room quieted until a lazy voice broke the silence.

"Genma Shiranui," said Shikaku Nara, reclining with a faint yawn. "He’s on my list. Top five, in fact."

That name brought a ripple of raised brows.

"Genma?" Koharu echoed, disbelieving. "The senbon-chewing brat?"

"A good prospect," Danzo added. "He's been carrying darkness in his heart since childhood and now even more after the Kyuubi's attack. He would be a good candidate for the ROOT."

"Outdated information," Shikaku said coolly. "He’s a Special Jōnin now, and he’s no longer the academy brat you remember. Completed three A-rank missions this year alone. One of them solo. He has a close friend circle made up of his graduating class."

Hiruzen's brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Minato spoke highly of him. He even chose Genma as one of his guards when he was Hokage and passed on the hiraishin."

Danzo scoffed. "Minato’s soft-heartedness is not the foundation for Jonin promotions."

Shikaku's tone hardened. "Minato trusted him enough to have him as a bodyguard and even guard Kushina sometimes. That means something. His latest mission destabilized Iwa’s trade network in the Grass Country without drawing any formal retaliation. Clean, surgical, and it framed Kumo to boot."

Homura hummed, looking at the mission report. "Unorthodox... but effective."

"Resourceful," Koharu admitted, grudgingly. "Still..."

"He thinks like ANBU," Shikaku said. "Just doesn’t wear the mask."

The room fell quiet again, the words hanging in the air like smoke from Hiruzen's pipe.

Finally, the Third Hokage nodded. "Add his name to the list. Observe him carefully in the coming weeks. If he continues to demonstrate the same clarity and precision, the promotion will be his."

'Genma walks the line between idealism and pragmatism—just like Minato once did. If war comes again... we’ll need that.' Hiruzen thought before continuing.

"Next candidate…"

And like that they discussed the possible list of candidates for another half an hour.

"This time, I, Danzo, and Shikaku will be giving a mission each to evaluate the candidates, and based on the reviews, the promotions will be awarded."

Everyone seemed to concur, as three of them were the ones with real authority in the village as Hokage, Root Commander, and Jonin Commanders.

After everyone had left, only Danzo and Hiruzen remained in the dimly lit office.

“Hiruzen,” Danzo began, his tone clipped and cold, “the Uchiha have been growing restless. We’ve received multiple reports of excessive force, unlawful detainments—borderline insubordination. They need to be reminded of their place.”

Hiruzen folded his hands behind his back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned toward the window. “They’ve been subjected to constant surveillance and systemic isolation. This unrest didn’t come from nowhere, Danzo. They can see the moves we’re making, and they’re reacting. It's not ideal—but it is human.”

Danzo’s single visible eye hardened as he thundered. “They’re shinobi. Orders are to be obeyed, not questioned at every step.”

“Lower your voice when you’re in my presence,” Hiruzen said calmly—but the steel in his voice made the room grow heavy with killing intent. Chakra rippled through the air like a silent storm. Danzo flinched ever so slightly, reminded—just for a moment—why the man before him was called ‘The Professor.’

“…Understood, Hokage-sama.”

Hiruzen turned back toward him, his gaze like iron. “I will speak with Fugaku personally and resolve this. You focus on ensuring that neither Kiri nor Kumo makes an unexpected move. We can't afford surprises on multiple fronts. And Danzo, remember that you are also a ninja under my command.”

“Hai, Hokage-sama.”

Danzo gave a stiff nod of obedience, but internally he was seething with jealousy.

—

The sun blazed overhead, casting long shadows over the training ground as sweat dripped steadily down Genma’s brow. Sweat clung to his forearms as he pushed through his push-ups, muscles trembling but refusing to give in.

Finally, Genma collapsed onto his back, chest heaving, an exhausted chuckle escaping his lips. "You win this round, Gai… Barely. I think my arms have disowned me."

Beside him, Gai slammed his palms against the ground, springing upright, steam practically rising from his back.

"Nine hundred and ninety-seven!" Gai announced triumphantly, striking a radiant Nice Guy pose as a triumphant smile lit up his face. "Victory is mine, Genma!"

Before Gai could even launch into his impromptu celebratory speech—complete with one-handed handstands and a declaration of youthful spirit—his eyes snapped toward the horizon. His expression changed instantly, becoming deadly serious.

"He's here," Gai muttered.

Genma blinked up at him. "What?"

"My eternal rival… Kakashi!" Gai shouted, eyes gleaming with challenge. "His chakra signature just appeared in Training Ground 3. He dares to show his face after two weeks of evasion!"

Without another word, Gai was already a blur, dashing off with a trail of leaves swirling in his wake, his voice echoing behind him. “Kakashi! Prepare yourself for a challenge of ultimate youth!”

Genma let out a long groan as he collapsed onto his back, eyes squinting up at the cloudless sky. “That man has two modes—dramatic and utterly absurd,” he muttered. Still, a smirk tugged at his lips. Training with Gai was exhausting, sure—but never boring.

The truly bizarre part? Gai wasn’t even a sensory-type ninja, and yet he could somehow pick up on Kakashi’s chakra signature like a bloodhound. It was uncanny.

'Almost like they were made for each other…'

Genma’s smirk widened into something more amused—and a bit wicked.

'Huh. Maybe they’re both into each other. That’d explain why neither of them got married in the original timeline… Idle thoughts for an idle mind.'

Ding!
Strength +1
Endurance +1
Taijutsu +1

“Phew,” Genma muttered, still catching his breath. “Best thing about challenging Gai? The stat buffs afterward.”

With nothing better to do, he decided to test his newly honed sensory training. Focusing his chakra, he formed the ram seal and channeled it into his senses. It took a few minutes—longer than it should’ve—but then, there it was: Gai’s blazing chakra signature, over half a mile away.

Genma vanished in a flicker, heading in the direction of the chaos. More than anything, he wanted to challenge Kakashi to a spar—see how he measured up now.

As he neared the training ground, the familiar sound of exasperation met his ears—dry, resigned, and 100% Hatake.

"Gai, I don’t have time for your challenges today," Kakashi was saying, as if speaking to a stubborn rock. "This is the only break I’ve had in a month. I need to focus on my own training."

Genma slowed his pace, grinning as he stepped into view.

“Well, lucky you, Kakashi,” he called out casually. “Looks like you’ll be training with both of us today.”

Kakashi turned his head slowly, eye narrowing above his Icha Icha book. “Oh no…”

Name: Genma Shiranui
Age: 17
Chakra Capacity: 50300/50300 (Jonin)
Strength: 110/500
Endurance: 160/500
Durability: 115/500
Agility: 115/500

Chakra Control: 200/500
Taijutsu: 180/500
Ninjutsu: 200/500
Genjutsu: 115/500
Bukijutsu: 150/500

Fuinjutsu: 160/500

Sensory Jutsu: 50/500

Chakra Affinities:

Fire (Advanced)—Master of Fire Chakra nature.

Lightning (Adept)—Know five Lightning-style ninjutsu.

Water (Adept)—Know five Water-style ninjutsu.