The tower’s grand hall was dressed for presentation, not celebration. Tall fgs hung from the upper beams—marked with the Konoha symbol, each gently fluttering from hidden wind scrolls, as if even the air had been trained for aesthetics.

  The twenty teams who had survived the Forest of Death stood in rows.

  Some looked proud.

  Some looked tired.

  Some looked like they were still trying to figure out how they survived at all.

  And then there was Squad 9.

  Ken stood silently, arms behind his back, face unreadable.

  Reina beside him, hands folded, posture perfect.

  Daisuke slouched, already bored—but quiet.

  Their uniforms were clean, but patched. Their eyes were sharp. Their aura? Calm and dangerous.

  And when Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, entered the room fnked by two ANBU and stepped to the front stage, all attention snapped forward.

  Even Ken’s.

  The Hokage didn’t begin with awards.

  He began with words.

  “I see before me the next generation of strength.”

  He looked across the room. His voice wasn’t loud—but it carried.

  “You have all survived what has killed shinobi in the past. You have fought for your vilges. For your teams. For your lives.”

  Silence followed.

  He continued, walking slowly down the line.

  “You have proven your courage. And now, as you stand here—within the heart of Fire Country—know this…”

  His voice shifted—deepened.

  “There is no greater honor than to carry the Will of Fire. It is not power. It is not jutsu. It is the unbreakable fme in your chest that says: ‘I will protect my people.’”

  Ken felt the shift in the room immediately.

  Heads straightened.

  Backs stiffened.

  Hearts caught fire.

  It was more than a speech.

  It was indoctrination.

  Words woven like genjutsu.

  And Hiruzen had mastered the technique over decades.

  But Ken?

  Ken watched it happen from behind his mask.

  Control, yered under inspiration. Unity disguised as choice.

  He said nothing.

  But he didn’t buy it.

  After the speech, Hiruzen remained for questions.

  No one moved.

  Not until Ken stepped forward.

  “Lord Hokage,” he said, voice calm, respectful.

  Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. “Yes, Uchi—”

  Ken’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “Ken.”

  A pause. Then the Hokage nodded. “Of course. Ken.”

  “You said those who made history earn the right to ask. Squad 9 broke the record for tower arrival. We’re asking.”

  Murmurs rippled through the room.

  Hiruzen tilted his head. “And what is it you seek?”

  Ken didn’t hesitate.

  “Permission for squad-specific development requests.”

  That did surprise him.

  But he smiled. “Go on.”

  Ken stepped aside as Reina stepped forward first, clearly prepared.

  “I’d like a secondary assignment under a certified medical-nin for targeted chakra recovery training,” she said. “Specifically the usage of live-tissue repair during high-pressure conditions.”

  Hiruzen nodded slowly. “Bold. But practical.”

  He looked to Daisuke.

  The bigger boy scratched the back of his head. “I want gauntlets. Custom-fitted, chakra-conductive metal. I’ve got Earth nature, and I’m not using it right. I want to start shaping terrain. I need tools that won’t melt when I punch.”

  A few chuckles, but Hiruzen nodded again.

  “You’ll submit a requisition. And earn them.”

  Then his gaze moved to Ken.

  “And you?”

  Ken stepped forward. His eyes, for the first time during the entire event, sparked with intent.

  “I want technique scrolls. Not for high-level jutsu. For precise ones.”

  Hiruzen waited.

  “Wind jutsu—targeted. High-compression, fast-activation, no wasted movement. Techniques like Vacuum Wave or Pressure Palm.”

  He held up two fingers.

  “And water jutsu that improve barrier flow—flexible defensive jutsu. None of the rigid walls. Something reactive. Liquid armor. Dynamic perimeter defense.”

  A long silence followed.

  Then a slow, impressed smile tugged at the Hokage’s lips.

  “You’re not trying to overpower. You’re trying to adapt.”

  Ken nodded once. “Power makes you a target. Precision makes you a threat.”

  Hiruzen looked to the nearest ANBU and spoke quietly.

  “Draft an acquisition route for Squad 9’s requests. Priority approval. They earned it.”

  Then he stepped down, and leaned slightly toward Ken.

  “You always ask for the things that make you harder to control.”

  Ken didn’t blink.

  “That’s the point.”

  Later, while the rest of the participants were led to the dorms for rest, Squad 9 remained behind to receive their paperwork.

  Daisuke muttered, “I can’t believe you called the Hokage out in front of everyone.”

  Ken replied, deadpan, “I asked for tools. He gave a sermon.”

  Reina chuckled softly. “We just went from the quiet squad to the watched squad.”

  Ken didn’t deny it.

  Because she was right.

  And now?

  They had five days until the 1-on-1 battles.

  Five days to sharpen the weapons they'd just earned.

  And everyone was watching.