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It was believed that with clan ninja leading the teams, the casualty rate among the new genin could be suppressed.
"Izumi, send someone to notify the various clans and have them come to my office."
"Yes, Lord Advisor."
Izumi hurried with quick, small steps to the doorway and instructed the Anbu ninja stationed there to act promptly.
Upon receiving the Anbu's notification, representatives from the various clans all made their way to the Hokage's office.
Kazuki hadn't even excluded clans like Sarutobi and Shimura.
Apart from those minor clans that were almost extinct, existing in name only with barely any ninja left, any clan with some capability was basically within the scope of the notification.
"Lord Advisor, is the notification about the war?"
On the way, members of the various clans met up and proceeded together to the Hokage Building.
Everyone instinctively looked towards Fugaku and Hiashi. If there was any latest news, the Hyūga and Uchiha would definitely be the first to know.
Kazuki was from the Uchiha clan and also had deep ties with the Hyūga clan.
Facing their inquiring gazes, Hiashi couldn't be bothered to respond, and Fugaku also remained silent.
In truth, they themselves weren't clear why Kazuki had summoned them, let alone have any latest news.
Among the group, members of clans like Sarutobi and Shimura felt somewhat nervous and apprehensive.
Ever since Kazuki became the Hokage's Advisor, any good developments in the village basically never reached them.
Fortunately, there was no deliberate targeting either, which allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief. Even if they couldn't gain benefits, at least they wouldn't be inexplicably singled out.
But this time, they had been notified unusually.
"Really no latest news?" Shikaku walked up to Fugaku with a chuckle and asked in a joking tone.
Fugaku glanced at him and said irritably,
"The Commander of the Jōnin Battalion would ask such a question?"
Ahem! Ahem!
With that one remark, Shikaku immediately felt embarrassed, causing many clansmen to laugh.
Fortunately, since both the question and the retort were delivered in a joking manner, no one took offense, and everyone laughed it off.
"Lord Advisor."
The group entered the office, slightly bowing their heads in greeting.
Kazuki, who had still been reviewing documents, looked up, closed the file, and clasped his hands together.
"The reason the Anbu notified you to come is regarding the matter of team leaders for the newly graduating genin. Starting from this graduating class, the selection and review of teachers for new graduates from the Ninja Academy will no longer be the same as before. Apart from selecting some suitable civilian ninja, each clan also needs to put forward some suitable candidates."
"Uchiha, select ten teachers: two jōnin, three special jōnin, and five elite chūnin. Any problems?"
Good grief, direct assignment!!!
Everyone in the office widened their eyes. In the past, teacher selections were made by meticulously reviewing profiles.
To put it bluntly, if you weren't close enough to the Hokage, even if you were qualified and capable, you wouldn't get the chance to lead students.
Now the model was changing.
Apart from selecting a portion of outstanding civilian ninja, each clan needed to contribute.
The larger the clan and the stronger its overall strength, the more people it would provide.
The model of favoring civilian ninja was being broken.
Kazuki had never quite understood: supporting civilian ninja was fine, but why were even important tasks like leading students prioritized for civilian ninja?
Were clan ninja incapable?
"No problem!!"
It wasn't that the Uchiha didn't want to participate in certain things; they just didn't have the qualification.
Now that they had the chance, how could Fugaku possibly refuse?
Just two jōnin and three special jōnin?
The Uchiha could select them in an instant.
As for chūnin, that went without saying—the Uchiha had plenty.
"Hyūga clan: two jōnin, two special jōnin, and five qualified chūnin. Can you manage that?"
"No problem."
The Hyūga's allocation was slightly less than the Uchiha's, but Hyūga Hiashi could accept it.
"The Ino–Shika–Chō trio, same as the Hyūga."
"The others..."
As the assignments went down the list of clans, the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other such clans began to grow anxious.
Don't mistakenly think that leading new genin is a troublesome task. In fact, being allowed to lead new students meant that the Hokage trusted you.
All the other clans had received their assignments, yet there was still no movement for them. It was hard not to feel anxious.
"Clans like Sarutobi and Shimura: twenty slots in total. As for the strength level of the team-leading ninja, you can decide amongst yourselves; I won't impose excessive requirements. I hope you won't disappoint me. My intention is to reduce the number of civilian ninja teachers and increase the number of clan ninja, all for the purpose of reducing casualties among Konoha's new generation."
Between civilian ninja and clan ninja, barring a few exceptional cases, anyone could figure out with their toes who was generally stronger.
To reduce the casualty rate among new graduates, extensively employing clan ninja and having them serve as team leaders was an inevitable outcome.
"Lord Advisor, rest assured, we will definitely not disappoint you, nor the village."
Although they weren't assigned slots individually, having a general collective allocation still represented an opening.
This signified that Kazuki was beginning to employ clans like theirs that were previously sidelined.
"Save the promises. Ensuring the survival rate of the new graduates and reducing casualties is the best guarantee. Alright, all of you return and prepare. Select the most suitable candidates. Don't put forward people with problematic personalities or flaws, otherwise they will only bring trouble upon your clans."
"Dismissed."
The clan representatives left, some filled with doubts, others overjoyed.
Never mind the others, even traditionally reserved figures like Hiashi and Fugau couldn't help but smile.
Being allowed into this circle meant their clan was gradually stepping into a more central position.
Furthermore, the ninja selected to lead the new graduates would also find it easier to catch the attention of the higher-ups.
This was solidly good news; in the past, such benefits never reached them.
But now it was different. The model had changed.
Kazuki's attitude was clear: as long as you have the ability, as long as you have the skill, and you handle matters properly for me, I will employ people from your clan.
If the group led by a particular clan suffers a high casualty rate, then don't blame me for questioning you.
For the first time in several years, members of the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other such clans gathered together again.
The Third Hokage was a bit stunned.
"So, this year's graduates will finish early, and Kazuki has decided to increase the proportion of clan ninja serving as team leaders?"
This was the complete opposite extreme of the model he used to employ.
In the past, team leaders were mostly civilian ninja; now it was completely reversed.
Civilian ninja would only make up a small portion, while the remainder would be handled by ninja selected from the various clans.
Even though clans like Sarutobi and Shimura were being utilized again, the Third Hokage still couldn't feel happy about it.
The change in model meant that the achievements he had worked hard for over many years were being overturned.