I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 467 Promotion not only means a raise, but also taking on even greater responsibilities.

"Shadow Imitation Technique? You actually succeeded in developing it, but how many years has it been? More than ten years, right?"

In the Hokage's office, it was Tatsuma's turn to be on duty today. Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even bother to come. The dark clouds of war had already gathered, and the civilians were beginning to panic. So Hiruzen Sarutobi went out into the streets to appease the people.

Standing in front of Tatsuma was Shikaku, the member of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Hearing Tatsuma's words, Shikaku shrugged and said, "If you hadn't assigned me so much work, I might have been able to finish it even earlier."

He conceived of the Shadow Imitation Technique when he graduated from Shikaku Ninja Academy. Although it took ten years to develop and perfect, it was still a huge contribution and was enough to become one of the criteria for his promotion to Jonin.

However, Tatsuma didn't believe that Shikaku would take a full ten years to develop such a technique, and he was even less convinced that Shikaku had been delayed by administrative affairs.

The reason it took ten years to develop is most likely because he felt there was no need to rush the development for the first nine years. It was only with the war approaching, coupled with pressure from his father, that he finally brought out this technique.

Moreover, this technique is unlikely to have been perfected recently. As the person who reviewed it, Tatsuma could tell from the ninjutsu scroll that it was a highly perfected technique, and even its derivative directions had been thoroughly researched.

Shikaku didn't mind letting Tatsuma learn about his technique, after all, he knew that Tatsuma wouldn't steal it, and he also knew that Tatsuma was quite generous to "his own people".

Furthermore, Tatsuma possesses exceptional talent in developing ninjutsu, having created many techniques that even he finds difficult to fully comprehend. If Tatsuma could identify the flaws in these techniques and improve upon them, wouldn't that be...

Does it save a lot of trouble?

Unfortunately for Shikaku, Tatsuma wasn't going to fall for his trick. He pointed to a spot on the scroll and said, "You must have developed the derivative techniques too, right? You were holding back from me?"

Lu Jiu pursed his lips. He didn't have that many trump cards. After all, he hadn't spent too much time on this aspect, so he definitely had to keep a few hidden. He said seriously, "No."

"Is it that you don't have it, or that you don't?"

"If I have it, my promotion to Jonin is a sure thing; if not, I can still try. What if I happen to fail the evaluation?"

If Tatsuma delayed his promotion to Jonin, then Shikaku openly didn't want to be promoted. He's already exhausted as a Chunin and the executive vice-captain of the Anbu; if he were to become a Jonin as well...

He needs to cut his sleep time by at least an hour, and his time for daydreaming and playing chess by half an hour. How many hours are there in a day? He doesn't want to end up like his father, who has to start coordinating his time two weeks in advance just to have a cup of tea and sit quietly.

"Then I won't ask any more questions. Here is your letter of introduction. Go and submit your application to your father."

Tatsuma handed the pre-written letter of introduction to Shikaku, who immediately opened it and began to read it. In an instant, his face fell, and he angrily said, "Sakamoto Tatsuma! You corrupt bastard!"

What are you writing?! Am I some kind of person without any flaws?! Write them down, you bastard!!!

"You know that recommendation letters shouldn't contain information that's detrimental to the person being recommended."

Tatsuma shrugged and looked at Yamanaka Inoichi. Inoichi's gaze was no longer as fervent as before, because his father had obtained more "oddballs" than he had.

Without a doubt, Tatsuma is a traitor in the cooperative relationship!

Looking at his cynical expression, Tatsuma smiled and said, "Inoichi, the perception technique you contributed has been of great help to the village. It has made the perception barrier no longer limited to passive perception, but can actively explore. That's remarkable."

"Hmph! Don't think you can erase your betrayal by saying a few nice words!"

Haiyi looked utterly displeased. Chenma leaned back in his chair and said, "I can't help it. Who told Lord Yingzhong to be the head of the intelligence department? The moment you usurp your father's position, I'll immediately 'bribe' you."

"You're the kind of person who's completely worthless and a complete opportunist. I don't want to become a Jonin because of your recommendation."

"You're making me really sad. I prepared a gift for your promotion in advance—a giant flower bigger than a tree."

Upon hearing this, Haiyi's expression twitched, and the negative expression on his face seemed to collapse. A desire unconsciously appeared in his eyes, but the resentment accumulated over this period and the harsh words he had just uttered made it difficult for him to back down.

Tatsuma didn't expect Inoichi to immediately change his mind. He handed over the letter of recommendation and said, "The evaluation is approved. Come to my house and take the flowers."

With lightning speed, Haiyi snatched the letter of recommendation from Chenma's hand. He subconsciously turned his toes, clearly wanting to leave. It wasn't to antagonize Chenma, but rather to participate in the assessment as soon as possible.

However, there's still one teammate who hasn't received a recommendation letter yet.

Choza Akimichi rubbed his stomach and asked, "Do I have a promotion gift? Just a meal will do."

"Of course! Lord Qufeng has made appointments with all the famous chefs in the village. You can't let him down."

Hehe~

Ding chuckled and took it, then asked, "Do you have any training meals? You know, the more calories, the more energy."

"My training meals are for weight loss, do you want to try them?"

Tatsuma warned Choza not to push his luck, and Choza patted his belly and said, "Then let's forget it, we can indulge ourselves after the race."

Tatsuma nodded and said, "You guys, even if you're unhappy, give me your best. This is the first time I'm exercising my Jonin authority since becoming a Jonin, so don't tarnish my reputation."

"Oh!"

"snort!"

"good!"

The three left with different expressions. Tatsuma stretched and put away his ninjutsu scroll. Just as he was about to continue working on the documents, there was another knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock~"

Chenma frowned, somewhat puzzled by the newcomer, but still said, "Please come in."

The office door opened, and Nonou walked in. Tatsuma asked curiously, "Is something the matter? Is it a funding issue with the orphanage?"

"No, the funding is normal. Lord Yan even increased the allocation to cope with the increase in the number of refugees after the outbreak of war. I came for something else."

After hesitating for a moment, Nonou said, "I would like to apply for the Jonin evaluation exam."

"Promoted to Jonin."

Tatsuma pursed his lips and said, "Nonou, it's not that I'm blocking your promotion, but given your current situation, you're still a bit short of the Jonin exam, so I can't make an exception for you."

Furthermore, there are currently no Jonin in the wartime medical corps within the medical department. Once you become a Jonin, if war breaks out, you will inevitably become an operations captain, needing to lead your team to the front lines. The danger level there is even higher than that of a combat squad.

Of course, there are Jonin among Konoha's medical ninjas, such as Tsunade, Biwako, and Koharu Utatane. However, none of them are members of the wartime medical unit.

The wartime medical department was newly established, and its main members were the medical ninjas who had previously led Nono to provide free medical services in the surrounding areas.

The reason why these people were chosen as the main body to form the wartime medical department is that among the medical ninjas, only these people were "free" and were not assigned to combat or other functional teams.

These people are generally not very strong, and the village has been considering who should lead the team. Biwako even suggested that she lead the team herself, but Konoha Hospital will also need someone to take charge.

Koharu Utatane had mentioned beforehand that she would be in charge of overseeing the medical department from the rear, so she couldn't go to the front lines. As for Tsunade, she was capable of leading the team, but doing so would be too wasteful.

Tsunade is a medical ninja, but at the same time, she is also a highly skilled combat ninja with experience in commanding during the Second Shinobi World War. The village would not allow her to lead just a medical team, let alone a non-core one.

Therefore, it was difficult for the wartime medical department to find a suitable captain. Tatsuma was even considering incorporating some members of the Sensory Class into the team, with the Jonin from the Sensory Class taking command and leading them.

This is also to reduce casualties among medical ninjas. After all, healthy medical ninjas can help many wounded recover, and losing a medical ninja means that more ninjas who should have received treatment and had their lives and fighting abilities saved will die.

In addition, Konoha has invested a great deal of financial and material resources in training medical ninjas, so even non-core wartime medical teams must raise their security and defense levels.

Nonou volunteered to take on the role, which Tatsuma hadn't expected. However, based on the strength Nonou had shown, she was clearly not strong enough to be seen by Tatsuma as the captain who could protect the medical team.

When Nono heard Tatsuma's somewhat "disdainful" words, she wasn't angry because what Tatsuma said was true, and it could also be considered that he cared about her.

Shaking her head to clear her mind of the random thoughts, Nono said, "I know, but the village also said that as long as it makes a significant contribution to the bloodline limit, secret techniques, and ninjutsu of Konoha, the restrictions can be appropriately relaxed."

Tatsuma narrowed his eyes and asked, "The requirements for 'significant contributions' in ninjutsu are much higher than those in the other two disciplines. It requires an irreplaceable role, and the practitioner cannot be unique or have only one unique skill."

Even my Yin Healing Destruction and Rasengan can't meet this requirement because too few people can learn them, making them useless in war.

Nono nodded and said, "I think my technique meets this condition. Its difficulty is only between B and C level, but its effect, as it stands, should be irreplaceable."

As she spoke, she took out a scroll and handed it to Tatsuma, saying, "This technique can greatly improve the survival rate of frontline ninjas after being injured, as well as the safety of medical ninjas during operations."

Upon hearing this, Chenma became somewhat curious, took the scroll, and unfolded it to take a look.

"Ninja Art: Divine Concealment Technique"

(End of this chapter)