I, Konoha's Sage of Life

"Sensei, were you summoned for a new mission?"

Asuma's eyes lit up with excitement.

Another B-rank mission? That would be amazing!

"You went to see the Third Hokage again, didn't you?"

Kurenai turned her head to look at Asuma.

Asuma froze for a second.

Then, his face flushed, and he loudly refuted, "No way! I didn't go last time either! He just gave it to me on his own!"

"Hahaha..."

The other shinobi in the mission hall burst into laughter.

Asuma's little "rumor"—

Most people had heard about it, though no one knew for sure if it was true.

But…

It probably was.

After all, Asuma's mission records had mysteriously gained another B-rank entry.

Kyoichi patted Asuma's shoulder with a grin. "Relax, this has nothing to do with you this time."

"It didn't last time either!"

Asuma bristled.

"Sure, sure..."

Kurenai chuckled as she followed along.

Shisui had been watching silently from the side.

As he passed by Asuma, he murmured, "Even if you did, so what? If you're strong enough, you don't need to care what others say."

With that, he quickly caught up with Kyoichi.

Asuma was momentarily stunned.

He knew the truth.

Of course, he had gone to ask for a mission.

But he didn't want to admit it.

Still, after hearing Shisui's words, he thought it over carefully…

And it made sense.

Yeah!

Why should he care so much?

If he got stronger, who could talk down to him?

Power—

That was what really mattered!

Asuma clenched his kunai tightly and strode into the hall with renewed determination.

Kyoichi casually took on a C-rank mission.

A simple escort job, nothing too difficult. But this time, he made one thing clear to Asuma and the others—unless they were in mortal danger, he absolutely wouldn't step in.

Asuma's response?

Perfect!

After two brushes with death, they were no longer the rookies they had been.

A C-rank mission was well within their capabilities now.

And so, after meeting up with the merchant caravan, Kyoichi comfortably took a seat in the cart—

While Asuma and the others had to run alongside it.

Asuma was dumbfounded.

Kyoichi, however, called it—

"Training!"

The mission proceeded smoothly.

The enemies were a few rogue ninja, but Asuma and the others successfully repelled or eliminated them.

Once the escort was complete, on the way back, Kyoichi taught them a new jutsu.

Vacuum Wave—a B-rank technique.

As for Kurenai, her main focus was still medical ninjutsu.

One of the rogue ninja had been severely wounded. Kyoichi had her attempt to heal him.

She failed.

But—

It was still valuable experience.

It wasn't cruelty on Kyoichi's part. These rogue ninja had attacked the caravan and looted innocent merchants. If they weren't treated, the caravan guards would have finished them off anyway.

If Kurenai saved them, they might have a slim chance at survival.

If not?

Then so be it.

Kyoichi wasn't going to intervene.

Kurenai felt terrible. But this was a lesson every medical ninja had to face—

Even Tsunade couldn't save everyone.

And Kyoichi had no intention of letting his student develop psychological trauma over it, like Tsunade had.

---

After returning, they rested for a day.

The next morning, Kyoichi took Shisui and the others out for another mission.

Another C-rank.

No complaints—

As long as there were missions to take, he'd take them.

After all…

He didn't have to do anything.

He could research jutsu in peace while still getting a solid share of the rewards.

Kurenai got to train her medical skills.

And Asuma and Shisui?

They were the ones doing all the work.

But strangely enough—

They didn't feel exploited at all.

Instead, they felt they were growing significantly stronger.

A win for everyone!

A squad that never got injured had formed.

But…

The peaceful days didn't last long.

When they returned to Konoha again—

"Jonin Kyoichi, the Third Hokage has summoned you."

"Ugh…"

Great.

It had to be something serious.

After dismissing his students, Kyoichi made his way to the Hokage's office.

Inside the conference room—

Several jōnin were already present, including Minato Namikaze.

Seeing Kyoichi arrive, Minato subtly gestured at him.

Kyoichi got the hint and stood next to him.

"What's this about?" he asked quietly.

"The Chūnin Exams," Minato replied in a low voice.

Kyoichi understood immediately.

The Chūnin Exams.

That made sense.

It had been two or three months since graduation. There was no major war at the moment, but one could break out at any time. They needed to speed up the promotion process for genin.

And the only way to promote them—

Was through the exam.

Konoha's education and promotion system was… too casual.

Even if someone passed the exam, what then?

Naruto won his exams and tournament—

And still wasn't promoted.

Meanwhile, Kakashi had already been a chūnin at six years old.

If he took the exam, it wouldn't be fair to others.

But if he didn't—

What about Obito and Rin?

The Third Hokage explained the exam situation and then glanced around the room.

"This year is special. Does anyone have any objections?"

Kyoichi noticed—

When the Third asked that, his gaze lingered on him the longest.

He hesitated.

Did the Hokage want his input?

Or did he want him to stay silent?

Either way, there was no benefit in speaking up.

As he glanced around, Kyoichi noticed Minato's expression wasn't quite right.

Sensing Kyoichi's gaze, Minato leaned over and whispered, "I sensed when you returned. I suggested to the Third that he should ask for your opinion."

"Ugh…"

This guy just threw him under the bus!

Fine.

The Third Hokage cleared his throat. "Kyoichi, you have a talent for education. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

Kyoichi sighed.

"Lord Hokage, I don't have much to say—just a few questions."

"Go ahead."

The Third sat up straight, clearly intrigued.

He believed the Chūnin Exams were fine as they were.

Yet Kyoichi had several concerns?

Was his exam design really that flawed?

"A lot of this year's genin have battlefield experience. Some teams even have chūnin among them. If an entire team competes together, wouldn't that be unfair to the others?"

"Uh…"

The Third leaned back, deep in thought.

Kyoichi's point was obvious.

Kakashi Hatake.

Six years old and already a chūnin.

Now nine, his strength was on a completely different level from the rest.

"And?"

"Also, do team-based battles truly measure an individual's qualifications? Some fight their way through but don't get promoted. Is that fair?"

Kyoichi shrugged.

A chūnin wasn't just a fighter—

They had to be leaders.

The Third fell silent.

After a long pause, he sighed. "An exam can never be the same as real war. But you've raised important concerns. Do you have a solution?"

"My suggestion—" Kyoichi said calmly, "is to reorganize all the teams. Force them to form new squads and take the exam with unfamiliar teammates. Then, promote those who demonstrate leadership potential."

"Reorganize…?"

Minato and the other jōnin exchanged uncertain glances.

That would undo all their prior teamwork training!

"Yes. Assign teams based on a balanced system. Make them adapt to new teammates. Then, select the best leaders for promotion."

Kyoichi explained his idea.

The Third Hokage thought for a long time before asking, "Do you already have a full exam plan?"

"No—"

"Good. You're in charge of designing this year's Chūnin Exams. Completing it will count as an A-rank mission. If you need assistance, just ask—even me."

The Third didn't buy it.

Kyoichi definitely had a plan.

This kid was holding back!

Earlier, when asked if anyone had opinions, Kyoichi remained silent. But the moment he was called on, he raised a series of pointed questions that went straight to the core of the issue—along with a well-thought-out proposal.

And now he claimed he didn't have a complete plan?

Who would believe that?

Certainly not the Third Hokage!

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