"After the Third Shinobi World War ends, if we are to implement the medal system and assess the merits of the ninja returning from the battlefield, we'll need to establish a temporary department. This department could be temporarily called the 'Medal Review Board.' Hokage-sama, it's foreseeable that the heads of all of Konoha's ninja clans will want to join this review board…"
Habara wasn't one for subtle hints. His "hints" were basically outright statements.
Even if there were clan heads with extremely high political awareness who could immediately see that this medal system would undermine clan unity and control, strengthening the village's direct control over clan ninja, what could they do? Could they reject this system? That would be a serious political error. The medal system would help increase the overall sense of honor and collective consciousness of Konoha's ninja. Who would openly oppose that?
Not only could they not reject the medal system, they would even have to strive for more medals for their clan members. For example, the "number one ninja clan": if your entire clan only had two or three low-level medals, what right would you have to call yourselves number one? Where was your honor? Still living off your ancestors' legacy?
And without a doubt, the Medal Review Board would be in the Hokage's hands. The Third Hokage could appoint whoever he wanted, further strengthening the Hokage's authority and influence.
Thus, the Third Hokage's gaze towards Habara became filled with appreciation.
Then Kushina Uzumaki spoke up, "This review board… I should have a seat on it, right?"
Third Hokage: "…"
The widow of the Fourth Hokage certainly deserved such a position, but did she have to be so direct?
Seeing that the Third Hokage didn't respond, Kushina held Naruto up towards him. "Sandaime-sama, didn't you hear me clearly? Or should little Naruto translate for you?"
Little Naruto was neither polite nor shy. He immediately reached out and started tugging on the Third Hokage's beard.
The Third Hokage quickly took Naruto into his arms and said, "You have a seat, you have a seat."
He couldn't afford to offend a widow with a child. He really couldn't.
"And what about the establishment of a new organization within the village, as I mentioned? What are your thoughts, Sandaime-sama?" Kushina nodded in satisfaction and then continued to ask.
This time, the Third Hokage was silent for a moment. Compared to a seat on the review board, establishing a new organization was a more complex issue.
"I know you want to find a place for the young ninja the Fourth left behind, but establishing a new organization… what would be the justification? Under what name would this organization be established?" the Third Hokage asked.
"How about an organization dedicated to improving the average quality of the village's ninja and training new recruits, something with an educational focus for now? I've even thought of a name: Akakammuri (Red Crest)," Kushina said. It was clear she had already considered the answer to this question.
The Third Hokage was silent again, until little Naruto once again reached out to tug at his beard. He looked at Naruto's face, his gaze lingering on the child's blond hair, and then he nodded.
"Very well, Kushina… You have the right to make such a request. I agree to this matter, and I will help you overcome any other obstacles," the Third Hokage finally said.
He rarely showed such a responsible side, though it was unclear whether this was due to a sense of debt and guilt towards the Fourth Hokage.
After discussing matters within the village, the Third Hokage returned little Naruto to Kushina and then took out the second proposal. Compared to the almost complete approval of the first proposal, this one was more troublesome.
"Now, about this matter: calling for a Five Kage Summit to completely end the Shinobi World War. This is a good thing. If we can take the initiative, it will naturally enhance Konoha's political prestige. And at this point, calling a Five Kage Summit isn't a difficult task…
Konoha takes the initiative, Sunagakure will support it, and Kirigakure will likely agree. With the three of us making the request, the permanently neutral Land of Iron will naturally help invite Iwagakure and Kumogakure. The samurai also don't want to see the war continue, and most importantly, everyone wants to sit down and talk."
The Third Hokage believed that calling a Five Kage Summit to discuss ending the war was the correct decision, in line with the current trend. But the problem was the subsequent proposal.
"Prohibiting ninja under the age of fourteen from participating in missions involving conflict with other ninja, this is also negotiable. The key is… calling on all countries to reduce their ninja forces. This is almost impossible. Kushina, you must understand that if Konoha proposes this, we must be the first to set an example."
Kushina nodded. "A proposal is just a proposal. But I believe that if we actually do this, through political pressure, other ninja villages will more or less respond positively. If nothing else, Sunagakure would definitely be willing to sign such a treaty."
Disarmament was beneficial to the weak and detrimental to the strong.
"According to this proposal, you hope that Konoha can keep its ninja forces under 15,000 after the war. You know this means reducing our forces by a quarter. Never mind the outside perception, the village itself might not accept this." The Third Hokage shook his head.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha's ninja forces had swelled to 20,000. But how many of those 20,000 were considered combat-ready? Sheer numbers didn't mean much. Instead of blindly expanding the army, it would be better to increase the average strength of the ninja.
"It's not about eliminating 5,000 ninja all at once. It's about gradually phasing them out over several years. Instead of maintaining a large number of ninja, it's better to find ways to improve their quality. Konoha currently has 20,000 ninja, but how many Jonin do we have? Jonin and Tokubetsu Jonin combined, there are only about 500, and most of them are Tokubetsu Jonin.
That means for every 100 ninja in Konoha, there are only 2.5 Jonin on average. If we're talking about improving the village's strength, finding ways to increase this ratio is the most important thing. I think numbers are secondary. One Jonin versus ten Genin – is there even a need to think about which to choose?" Kushina said.
Then she glanced at Habara and added, "Ninja who retire from the front lines aren't useless. We can put them into productive professions…"
The term "productive professions" clearly came from Habara.
"While that's true in theory, it's not easy to implement in practice. Increasing the Jonin ratio, how would we go about doing that?" the Third Hokage asked.
Currently, all villages used similar methods to cultivate talent: survival of the fittest and intense competition. Never mind the details, just throw 100 Genin together, and after all the fighting and dying, one or two might eventually become Jonin.
"That requires reforming the village's education and training system," Kushina replied.
Habara added, "With the Shinobi World War coming to an end and the worldwide anti-war sentiment, it wouldn't hurt for Hokage-sama to bring up the topic of disarmament at the Five Kage Summit. This will help enhance Hokage-sama's and Konoha's political prestige, proving that we are truly reflecting on the war and do not wish for it to happen again. After all, Konoha hasn't started any of the previous Shinobi World Wars, so at least we have the right to bring up the topic of disarmament."
In Habara's view, disarmament wasn't entirely impossible. Ninja villages certainly wouldn't want to reduce their military strength, but if this sentiment truly became a trend, there would definitely be those who welcomed it… If ninja villages simultaneously reduced their ninja forces, the Daimyo of each country would be 100% in favor.
Who would want to pour vast sums of money into ninja villages? It would be better to keep the money for something else, like delicious food, beautiful women, luxurious clothes, and grand palaces. Indulge in corruption and extravagance! Wouldn't that be better?
If the Daimyo reduced the funding allocated to ninja villages, then the villages would have to reduce their scale, whether they wanted to or not.
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment, then said, "It wouldn't hurt to bring up this matter at the Five Kage Summit, but it can't be the main topic… Reducing ninja forces isn't unfeasible. Aren't you establishing a new organization, 'Akakammuri,' dedicated to improving ninja quality? Let me see your results first. If you can truly increase Konoha's Jonin ratio, then reducing the scale of our ninja forces will be a natural consequence."
With that, the Third Hokage smiled.
"Damn it, you old fox," Habara cursed inwardly upon seeing this.
The conversation on this topic couldn't continue. The Third Hokage then returned to the matter of the medal system. He found the medal names Habara had come up with very interesting.
"The Second-Class medal, the Senju Clan of the Forest Honor Medal, primarily to encourage those ninja who have demonstrated sufficient individual ability in special operations, such as those who have played a prominent role in battles against Tailed Beasts…"
After the Third Hokage read this sentence aloud, Habara became a bit embarrassed… He had already said that these medal names were just random ideas.
The "Senju Clan of the Forest" was the only medal name that included a ninja clan's name. This was because the Senju Clan of the Forest no longer existed, so Habara didn't mind "commemorating" them. The reason for this medal's existence was simply Habara playing with a trope. Someone capable of fighting a Tailed Beast receiving the "Senju Medal" – wasn't that interesting? He hadn't specifically considered himself, because he hadn't thought the Hokage would actually use this set of medal names.
But with the Third Hokage reading this medal name aloud, it seemed like Habara had specifically created this medal for himself… Because Habara had not only sparred with the Nine-Tails, he'd also sparred with the Eight-Tails. In Konoha, there weren't many ninja who had engaged in such suicidal acts.
Habara smiled awkwardly and had to explain, "It's just to commend the individual bravery of some ninja. I've always admired the Senju Clan and the First Hokage."
Seeing this, the Third Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki exchanged a glance and then couldn't help but laugh together.
And perhaps because the Third Hokage's laugh was so unpleasant, someone immediately started crying.
Little Naruto started kicking and flailing, wailing loudly…
Laugh, my ass. Cry, all of you!
Just like I'm crying.
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