Chapitre 30: Chapter 30: Chunin promotion.
The acting Hokage sat in the Hokage seat, and inside his office were many Genin that had been in the exams.
The genin were looking nervous as they were waiting for their results.
Oden was looking at the genin close to his age, yet they couldn't be called his peers.
Oden was from the same cloth as the Kage and Sannin, only they could be called his peers.
"Nara Shikamaru.... what qualities does a chunin have?" Oden suddenly asked without even looking at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru took a step forward as his peers stared at him.
"A chunin is an experienced shinobi that isn't under anyone's tutelage anymore. Chunin are also trusted with missions, to lead teams and find ways to complete missions." Shikamaru said, slightly afraid that he would be promoted.
"Yes you're right..." Oden said as he waved back Shikamaru.
Seeing as everyone was staring at him, Oden collected his thoughts.
" A chunin isn't just about a shinobis strength, although that is important... A chunin might lead teams which means that he needs to use his head to make sure of his teammate's survival and the completion of the mission..." Oden said as he saw realization on some of their faces.
"Which would mean that if you can't show good leadership, the blood of your teammates might be on your hands," Oden said as fear finally crept into the faces of genin as they understood the responsibility of being a chunin.
"I was left quite burdened with the fact that some of you have the strength of chunin... but lacked the mind of one." Oden said as he looked at some of the genin, making them understand that they were lacking in some aspects.
"And then there are some that have the mind of a great chunin, yet don't have the ambition, how can I entrust a mission to them, will they give up halfway or just take shortcuts whenever they see fit?" Oden asked rhetorically as he glanced at Shikamaru.
"Then I realized that we grow the most with experience... so I have decided to promote four of you to Chunin," Oden said as the room got suspenseful.
"Nara Shikamaru.. you have the scheming mind of someone that will go far, I will promote you to the rank of chunin, and you can decide whether to keep being in your current team or if you want to lead a team of experienced genin." Oden said making Shikamaru surprised, as he believed that he wouldn't be promoted after Oden's last words that were directed at him.
"Yes Hokage-sama, I'll do my best." Shikamaru said, even though he was lazy, he knew how important this is.
"Good, make sure you don't laze around during world hours." Oden stated, making Shikamaru slightly shy.
"Neji Hyuga, you have shown great capabilities and talent, I will promote you to Chunin. You also need to develop the mindset to not always think that everything is destined, a shinobi need to work against the odds and try his best even during the harshest of conditions." Oden said. He wasn't going to promote Neji if his personality didn't change, but it seems like Hiashi had a heart-to-heart talk with Neji and he grew up slightly.
"Thank you Hokage-Sama." Neji simply said.
"Hinata Hyuga, during the chunin exams you showed great growth in both your fighting prowess and personality. You have the strength of a chunin, yet your personality is too weak..." Oden said.
Hinata lowered her head, lightly sad at hearing Oden's words.
"But... you showed what a kunoichi is during the exams... showing bravery and overcoming your weakness. You became fierce and decisive. The qualities needed for a chunin. You've grown well, and I entrust future missions of Konoha to you as a chunin." Oden stated as he made his intention to promote her clear.
Her face snapped upwards, surprised that her hard work had been noticed, she was so happy that she was almost shining.
"Lastly..." Oden said, holding his words to create suspense...
"Sasuke, you have the fighting prowess of a chunin and a good head on your head... but there's one thing I'm worried about," Oden said gaining the attention of Sasuke.
"What is it," Sasuke asked, half caring.
"Your ambition... what if I, one day, give you an order to stand back, even if you have the perfect chance to fulfill your ambition," Oden asked, making everyone look at Sasuke in surprise.
"I..." Sasuke tried answering, but he couldn't finish.
"I'll take that as your answer, even though I would like you to become a chunin, it seems like you aren't quite ready for it. Don't worry, I have seen all your efforts and know where you all stand. It won't take long for you to reach chunin. I have high hopes for you." Oden said gaining the nodd of most.
"Hokage-sama... Why wasn't I chosen as chunin?" Rock Lee asked. He had given his everything and shown great capabilities, but all these talks about strategic minds had flown right over his head.
Naruto nodded, also wondering why Sasuke was almost promoted but not him.
"Rock Lee... just based on your taijutsu you might be strongest amongst your peers," Oden said making everyone surprised at how highly he valued Rock Lee.
"Then why?" Even Sakura couldn't help but ask.
"Hmm... Some people are born to work hard to make up for the lack of brain cells... Naruto and Rock Lee are such examples." Oden said making both Naruto and Rock Lee lose the color on their faces, and their teammates chuckled.
"But don't worry, although you won't learn to be strategic no matter how much someone tries to teach you, you'll learn with experience. Continue as you have and soon you'll have enough practical experience to jump directly to tokubetsu jonin." Oden said making both Naruto and Rock Lee drop their jaws in happiness.
"Your path is longer and harder than most, so you must show perseverance and youth so you can become a pillar of this village!" Making all the genins pumped up.
"Lastly Shino... you have shown a great mind and abilities... sadly your social skills are in the drain, work on communicating with your teammates and you'll soon become a chunin." Oden said before chasing away everyone.
He had chosen five new chunin, the Zaraki clan members had been given the rank yesterday when he went back to his clan, so today only three had been promoted. He still had paperwork to finish nonetheless.
As he was about to get back to work he noticed That Hinata had not left yet.
"Yes?" He asked, trying to understand what she wanted.
"Erm... my father wants to meet you... regarding our.. m-marriage" She said, only stuttering at the word marriage.
"Hmm sure bring him here, I'll be done with the paperwork in 5 minutes." Oden said as she brightened up and hurried away.
After she ran out, the Jonin teachers all flashed inside the office.
"listening in during the promotion huh, should I punish you guys?" Oden asked with one eye closed.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama..." They all bowed slightly.
"We were worried about our students." Kurenai admitted.
"I see, are you happy with the results?" Oden asked
"Yes, you chose well, but are you sure they are ready for the promotion?" Asuma asked.
"Not really, but they'll be with a little experience. One day of experience is better than a year of theoretical knowledge." Oden said.
"I see, thank you." They all said as they disappeared.
Oden created clones and finished up all the paperwork.
And then minutes after he was done, someone knocked on the door.
'Hinata and Hiashi has arrived huh.' Oden thought.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone