CHAPTER 22: 21- AFTERMATH

With the escapade of the assassination of the Second Raikage, the war ended quietly.

It was kind of strange how eerily it ended. There were no treaties signed at all. Yes, no Kage dared to go and sign treaties after the news of the Gold and Silver Brothers’ attack spread.

Everyone just huddled back to their villages and started acting as if there was no war going on at all, and soon, there was a common consensus around the world -

The First Shinobi War was over.

Although I did not actually fight in this war, almost the entire time I’ve spent in this world was during it. So in a sense, this is the first moment of me living in a time of peace since coming to this world.

And the thing about peace is... it’s boring.

I know that sounds bad, but really, it’s kind of like all your accumulated adrenaline through years of anxiety vanishes all at once...

Sure, you may say I can only say that because I have a good background and all, and war is hell for most common shinobi - but hey, it is what it is...

But since there’s peace now, that means it’s the best time to train and grow - at least hit high or peak Kage - tier by the time the Second Shinobi War starts.

So, I stopped doing missions for a while. Not because I couldn’t handle them, but because Tobirama - sensei finally had more time to spend on me.

And he was shockingly just as obsessed with studying ninjutsu and implementing new policies in the village as I was with chakra control.

Free from his stressful job of acting as a commander for the Shinobi War, Tobirama - sensei started pushing my training harder. Not just in the "learn more and better jutsu" kind of way, but more in a strength + diplomacy kind of way - he was properly grooming me to be the next Hokage.

Yes, I know that sounds weird, but it’s as true as an Uchiha being an evil - born one.

He also began involving me more in the village’s development. I didn’t care much about politics or infrastructure, but he insisted, said that understanding how the village functions would make me a better shinobi. Who the hell even gives excuses that lousy?

’Yeah, well. If I ever become Hokage, I’ll just let someone else handle the paperwork.’ I thought as I sat in the Hokage office looking at sensei working.

’But if we really do remove the paperwork part, ruling is kind of fun, and in a place like Konoha, it really feels like playing Township or something...’

And over a year passed.

It went by really fast. Even I was surprised, like huh, it’s already been a year since the war ended? Wasn’t it like... twenty days ago?

Between learning new elemental transformations, developing a few personal jutsu ideas, grooming my personal future mommy, and listening to Tobirama rant about clan disputes - I barely noticed the months flying by.

Then, one day, I was called into the Hokage’s office.

A sudden scroll delivery from the ANBU and a bored voice telling me, "Inaba Shinkurou, report to the tower."

And report I did.

Tobirama stood behind his desk, arms crossed.

"Time to become a Chunin."

"Huh? What is with you suddenly dropping news like this? Hahh, doesn’t matter, just promote me. You know I’m super strong."

"Shut up. You have to pass the normal way without any support from me - you know that."

I blinked. "Hahh, okay. So we’re doing this now?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You’ve been acting like one for a year. It’s about time you defeat a Chunin publicly and become one yourself."

Apparently, this was how Chunin promotions worked right now.

No written test. No team battles or survival rounds. No stadium with cheering crowds. Just a direct fight with a current Chunin. If you didn’t die in five seconds and actually put up a decent fight, you passed.

It was crude, but simple and efficient.

And honestly, kind of refreshing.

Of course, the current Chunin were no joke. Most of them had survived a full - blown war. These weren’t the clipboard - carrying squad leaders from Naruto’s era. These were hardened killers with actual field instincts.

Of course, that’s what the mobs think - I can practically bitchslap any Chunin out there. I specialize in bullying the weak.

I already feel pity for the bloke who gets to fight me.

The fight took place in a circular ring behind the Academy, barely large enough to stretch my legs in.

No crowd. Just a few Jonin watching from the shadows, and Tobirama standing to the side, completely neutral - faced.

My opponent was a savage - looking Chunin - a jagged scar over his throat and face, and a smirk that screamed "You’re dead, kid."

Yes, by savage, I did not mean to compliment him. He really did look like a wild animal.

He really did fit all the criteria for a cultivation novel villain. If the sect leader and elders (Tobirama and the Jonin) weren’t present, he might’ve started bragging.

He took out a short sword and raised it. His stance indicated he was about to attack.

I just stretched my body slightly and let my chakra flow evenly through every cell in my body.

’Let’s not embarrass the man. A clean win should do.’

The moment the signal dropped, he moved first - fast, a clean draw slash with his short blade aimed at my ribs.

I flickered behind him, enhanced flexibility letting me twist at an angle that didn’t even disturb the dirt under my sandals.

He spun, expecting a follow - up - but I wasn’t there anymore.

I circled around him at an ultra - fast speed, lowering my chakra signature to the bare minimum.

His brow furrowed.

That was the moment he realized he couldn’t sense me.

Not just because I was fast, but because I was actively spreading a thin net of chakra all over - to make it feel like I was everywhere to chakra sensors.

He adjusted by taking a defensive pose.

Smart man.

But... too late.

A chakra - enhanced poke to his right shoulder dislocated his arm. Not fatal, but enough to temporarily cripple him.

Before he could reset, another kick came straight at his chest, and he raised his left hand to defend himself.

And - Boom.

He flew like a comet and fell like Yamcha.

And then -

Silence.

Then Tobirama spoke. "Promotion approved."

After that, life went on as usual.

ANBU missions became more frequent. Tobirama - sensei started dragging me into council meetings.

Though, not everything was bad - Tsunade insisted on celebrating my promotion with a homemade cake, which was actually delicious, to be honest.

’Yes, you plebeians, I lucked out. My girlfriend can cook. No hazardous cooking trope for me.’

But all these things are nowhere close to the best thing that happened -

- Flashback -

"Inaba, sign here with your blood," Tsunade said excitedly, holding a large scroll.

’That should be the summoning contract of the Shikkotsu Forest...’

"What’s that? And why sign with blood?" I asked. After all, I had to pretend I didn’t know about this.

"Shut up and sign here quickly, I’ll tell you later."

"...Okay..." I sighed and did what she asked.

"Good. Now, look at this jutsu, remember the seals, and copy it." Tsunade bit her thumb, performed the summoning jutsu, and summoned a human - sized slug.

I, having already enhanced my brain, copied the jutsu entirely and did exactly what she did - summoning another clone of Katsuyu, about the same size as hers.

"Great! Now we both have matching summoning, teehee!" Tsunade shouted and jumped at me, giving me a tight hug.

Is it strange that I feel the urge to call her mommy?