As expected, the vote passed smoothly with an overwhelming majority in favor and a few abstentions. However, compared to the content of the ninja education reform, what most regular jonin were more concerned about was the appendix titled "Manual for Dealing with Evil Organizations."
After all, ninjas rely on their own strength, and the education they receive is mostly combat-oriented. Rather than vague policies, they care more about powerful foes.
In this document, the Third Hokage thoughtfully included a few case studies simulating failed battles between Konoha jonin and members of Akatsuki, hoping it would serve as a warning for future encounters.
The jonin looked over the document and began to discuss it animatedly.
"Ame has been taken over by an evil organization? But aren't they sending someone to participate in the Chunin Exams? Is this part of some scheme?"
"Itachi joined this organization too," one jonin murmured, a complex expression flickering across his face. "Truly a wicked organization. A hideout for S-class missing-nin, huh."
"Kurenai versus Itachi?" someone flipped to a page in the manual and couldn't help but laugh, "Knocked out in one glance? That OP? Kurenai, what do you think?"
Kurenai, who was named, looked speechless and gave an awkward smile. "Why did the Hokage use me as an example? The Sharingan is really powerful, I'm not entirely confident in countering it."
"So you're just not confident, haha." Laughter broke out in the room.
"Well, if I'm immune to genjutsu, doesn't he become useless?" a Hyūga clan ninja chimed in confidently. "I've got the Byakugan, pretty high resistance to illusions."
"I worked briefly with Itachi before he defected," another jonin said in a low voice. "Even aside from his Sharingan, he was terrifyingly strong in every way. His combat intelligence and jutsu application were top-tier."
"But according to the data, he is technically a 'normal' ninja, just happens to be better than average in genjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu, mostly thanks to the Sharingan. The other members all have unique abilities. Makes our Konoha defectors seem kind of unimpressive."
"When you put it that way, he sounds pretty ordinary."
Hiruzen clearly hadn't revealed the intel about Itachi being a deep-cover operative with the Mangekyō, probably out of respect, Itachi had always shown great regard for him.
"Ugh, what's the point of comparing missing-nin anyway? And let's not forget one of the former members is Orochimaru. Now he has unique skills, his snake ninjutsu is one-of-a-kind."
"So that makes two S-class baddies from Konoha, huh? The Land of Lightning doesn't have any missing-nin joining these groups."
"That's cause they're weak."
Suddenly, the conversation took a weird competitive turn.
"Here's a simulation of Asuma being solo-killed by Hidan." Someone flipped to another page. "Asuma, any thoughts?"
Asuma, chewing on a cigarette, replied irritably. "Huh? That old man really looks down on me. Immortality might be troublesome, but I'm not that easy to kill, okay?"
"That's 'cause you're an idiot. If it were Kakashi, he'd use a shadow clone to scout for intel first."
"I can do that too!" Asuma shot back defensively while flipping to his own page. Though in his mind, he admitted his father had some insight. They hadn't talked much in recent years, but he really understood his combat habits.
"Bullshit, you're all about close-up blade fights."
"This organization is incredibly diverse in abilities," another jonin sighed. "Without prior intel, running into them would be fatal."
"Eh, I don't think so!" Guy suddenly interjected, eyes shining with passion. "So many strong opponents to defeat, I feel my youth burning even brighter! Let's all pick a rival, I'll take Kisame!"
"So fired up, as expected from you." A nearby ninja laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"The rest are manageable, but what's the deal with the leader on the last page? The Rinnegan?" someone asked, flipping to the final entry, brows furrowed. "Isn't that thing just a myth?"
"His power level is totally off the charts," another jonin sighed.
"Eh, but I think that mysterious killer is scarier. Seems to have a space-time jutsu like the Fourth Hokage. You don't even get a chance to run." Everyone had their own opinions when it came to hypothetical battles.
"Chibaku Tensei, how do you even deal with something like that? Its weakness is the core before it fully forms, and you'd need at least Tailed Beast Ball-level power to break it. Alright, let's say you've got a whole squad of ANBU, no, three squads. What's your strategy?"
"I'm just a regular intel-type jonin. You're the combat specialist here."
"This is intelligence you all must be mindful of going forward. This organization is anti-human, anti-social, and utterly inhumane! If you happen to encounter them on a mission, don't act recklessly, retreat immediately and call for backup!"
Hiruzen was in a great mood after his Konoha Academy City plan passed unanimously. Cheerfully, he showed his concern for his talented subordinates:
"You are all Konoha's most precious assets. The future of our village depends on you."
As expected of the Hokage, he even knew how many ninjas there were in the S-class missing-nin hideout. He must have planted an undercover agent. But who could it be? Hard to guess...
Everyone praised his brilliance and his visionary leadership.
The meeting lasted until the evening; they even ate lunch in the conference room. The elite ninjas voiced their opinions freely and thoroughly familiarized themselves with the Hokage's policy to strengthen the nation through education and raise the standard of Konoha's ninja. Once again, they delved deep into the Will of Fire.
Now it was time for everyone to perform their respective duties, the daimyō to provide funding, and the village to begin large-scale infrastructure work.
---
After the meeting ended, Hiruzen returned to his office. Sitting in his chair, he took a long puff from his pipe, only now did he feel a trace of fatigue.
Having his peak strength and constitution again really was a joy. From capturing Danzō alive last night, to leading the suppression of Root, to writing up materials all morning and hosting a day-long meeting, he hadn't rested at all. Yet he only now began to feel tired.
He decided to work a little more, finish writing One Piece up to Luffy's fight with Morgan and then hand it off to Sai for editing. Sigh, he really didn't want to be a plagiarist, but for the sake of sharing intel across the shinobi world, he had to make a personal sacrifice.
If he could return tonight to that space where the concept of time didn't exist, he would study everything. Then head back to the Naruto forum for another online argument. He'd even thought of a title for his new thread: "How could you all slander an old man who's fought for Konoha his whole life?"
Looking up at the familiar decorations in his office, he thought it all looked too old-fashioned and bland. Not that it mattered for an old guy like him, but would the future Fifth Hokage be able to tolerate this?
"Ahem."
Swish—
The ANBU on duty appeared. Still the same two: Kitsu and Saru.
"Change up the office decor tomorrow. Hang up portraits of the past Hokage on that wall. Stock some 'manga' on that bookshelf over there for Konohamaru. And put a snack rack in that corner. Go buy some trendy snacks and drinks from the market, he might actually eat them. This office shouldn't just have tea, it needs something like soda too."
---
That night, Kitsu and Saru could vaguely hear the Hokage muttering in his sleep.
In the first half of the night, it was things like:
"How could you summon Obelisk, Slifer and Ra in one round?"
And in the second half...
"How can you smear a man's name like that? It was obviously all Danzō's doing."
"The Naruto's milk expired because I bought too much, I swear."
"You all need to stick to the original manga as canon!"
It seemed that even though the Hokage had dealt with Danzō without showing any outward emotion, he still bore heavy psychological pressure. But thinking about the Hokage's reforms in education, perhaps the next generation of ninjas really would turn out better.
The two loyal ANBU silently gave their Hokage a thumbs-up, for his courage and resolve.