"Teacher, teacher, I heard you're taking the Jōnin promotion exam today, how did it go?"
"Yes, sensei, did you pass?"
"You must have passed, right? You're the best!"
When Jingyi returned home, he found a bunch of kids already waiting outside his door.
The first one to rush forward was Obito Uchiha.
This kid was impulsive and always charged ahead without thinking
and often ended up taking the blame for it too but Jingyi knew he meant well.
He glanced over the group, and his gaze finally stopped on the last girl standing a little shyly in the back.
It was Kurenai Yuhi.
Her father was a well-respected Jōnin who served in many critical missions.
"Kurenai, were you the one who said something?"
"I… I just accidentally mentioned it," Kurenai stammered, nervously fiddling with her cuffs.
Accidentally?
Jingyi didn't believe it for a second but seeing their innocent faces, he could only smile helplessly.
He opened the door. "Come on in."
Many kids followed him inside Obito, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Shisui Uchiha, and even Might Guy, who had technically already graduated but hung around them anyway.
But…
There was someone else too Jingyi's eyes flicked toward the rooftop.
"Hey, the one hiding up there are you coming down, or what?"
"Who is it?" Obito craned his neck to look.
On the rooftop, a boy with silver hair and a mask peered down Kakashi Hatake.
Obito immediately frowned.
"Hmph! It's Kakashi. Bet he's bitter 'cause sensei's getting promoted."
Obito sneered.
Kakashi said nothing.
He wasn't bitter. Honestly, Jingyi's promotion was long overdue if anything, Kakashi thought it would have been strange if he hadn't been promoted.
He was simply curious about how powerful Jingyi had become.
Kakashi calmly said, "Congratulations, sensei."
Then he disappeared from sight.
"Tch, who needs him anyway!" Obito grumbled.
Jingyi raised a hand, stopping the petty bickering. "Enough. Kakashi became a Chūnin at six. You all just graduated. If you work hard, you'll catch up."
Everyone quieted down.
It was true compared to Kakashi, they still had a long road ahead.
But then they suddenly turned to look at Shisui.
"Wait, Shisui… are you graduating too?" Asuma asked in shock.
Shisui was famous even among the Uchiha talented, calm, and mature for his age.
He nodded lightly.
"But you're only five!" Kurenai gasped.
Was Uchiha forcing him to graduate early for prestige?
Asuma frowned, thinking about how clan politics often worked.
Shisui simply smiled. "I want to. I hope to study under Jingyi-sensei after graduation if the Hokage approves."
Everyone was stunned.
If Jingyi was becoming a Jōnin, Shisui requesting to be his student actually made a lot of sense and it would definitely be good for Shisui too.
"Wait… you already applied to the Hokage?" Obito asked, dumbfounded.
"Uh-huh," Shisui nodded shyly.
Obito cursed inwardly. Why didn't I think of that?!
The others clearly had the same thought, but...
"Teacher," Asuma suddenly said, eyes sparkling with an idea, "I just remembered I have urgent business! Gotta go!"
"Go on," Jingyi said casually.
Everyone could guess why Asuma ran off no doubt to petition the Hokage too.
The others felt tempted but restrained themselves fighting over a teacher's spot would look desperate. Better to wait and see.
After all, Jingyi had just been promoted he wouldn't stay stuck teaching academy kids much longer.
There was no point being greedy.
Jingyi smiled secretly.
Once officially a Jōnin, he wouldn't need to teach at the academy anymore and he could put more effort into training exceptional students like Might Guy, Shisui, and Asuma.
Especially Asuma he had the potential to become one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and an elite Jōnin.
"Sensei, can we still come ask you questions even after you leave?" Rin Nohara asked, a little sadly.
"Of course," Jingyi said, ruffling her hair gently.
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had just finished approving Jingyi's Jōnin certification when an Anbu member brought him a letter.
"Hm? What's this?"
"From the Uchiha Clan, Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi opened it and read carefully.
It was from Uchiha Fugaku a formal request asking for Shisui Uchiha to be assigned under Kanda Kyoichi after graduation.
The Third Hokage's eyes gleamed with interest.
A chance to tie Shisui one of Uchiha's brightest closer to the Hokage faction?
That was a political opportunity he couldn't ignore.
He nodded thoughtfully.
Just as he was about to put the letter down, there was a knock on the door.
Sarutobi sensed who it was and sighed.
"Come in."
Asuma entered, looking nervous.
"Father... I mean, Lord Hokage. I have a request."
"Speak."
"I want to join Jingyi sensei's team too."
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.
Jingyi again?
First Shisui, now his own son?
The boy bowed deeply, something he rarely ever did. "Please allow it. He's strong, and I feel like I can really learn from him."
Sarutobi stayed silent for a long moment.
Finally, he smiled wryly and said, "Jingyi is well-suited to train someone like Shisui. But if it's your own choice, I'll respect it."
"Thank you, Father!"