With a single command, Root's surveillance range expanded effortlessly from the village interior to the outskirts, asserting authority in one fell stroke. Koharu Utatane had to admit that her old friend's skill was impressive.
A week ago, during a four-person meeting, she had been stunned when Danzo requested temporary control over the Konoha Guard. Hiruzen Sarutobi had initially refused. Yet subsequent events surprised her—Uchiha Yama, head of the Uchiha clan, supported Danzo. Hiruzen had no choice but to relent. After all, the authority would be returned once Yama-sama returned.
Still, the move was unprecedented. For decades, no one outside the Uchiha had ever touched the guard. The Guard maintained order and security in Konoha, enforcing laws and arresting criminals or rogue ninjas. Its authority was immense, especially in wartime when Anbu were often deployed elsewhere.
Danzo had his reasons, whether to consolidate influence or expand Root's power. Koharu wondered what behind-the-scenes arrangements secured Uchiha Yama's consent. Some things in Konoha could not simply be refused—but how had he managed it?
Setting curiosity aside, she examined the document on the surface. After tasking many Jonin, her eyes finally settled on a name that mattered to her:
"Special Jonin Hayashi, assigned as captain of the Thirteenth Squad. Task: Escorting supplies to Akihabara."
Hayashi met Koharu's eyes briefly before looking away. No subordinate list had been assigned yet, but he trusted that his new teammates would be capable. Of course, if his subordinates were Orochimaru, Tsunade, or Sakada, he would be even less concerned. Such a lineup would be enough to face the Third Kazekage head-on.
"Any questions?" the Third Hokage asked, concluding the document review. His gaze swept the room, signaling the meeting's conclusion.
For most, it was tacit time to leave or attend to personal matters. Hayashi noticed Tsunade's eyes on him. She had perfectly timed her vigilance to the end of the meeting, her natural biological clock impeccable. Her stare was sharp, almost like a kunai aimed at him, unsettling yet impossible to ignore. Reluctantly, he rose under the scrutiny of everyone present.
"Third Hokage, I noticed numerous injured ninjas on the Land of Rain battlefield who could not receive timely medical care. I propose establishing a structured training system for medical ninjas," Hayashi stated.
He refrained from suggesting every team include a medical ninja—a radical step ahead of its time. Most villages neglected medical ninja training due to the difficulty and low probability of success. Chakra control, extensive knowledge, mental resilience, and practical application were all required. Time spent training a single medical ninja could easily train multiple competent Chunin.
The proposal caused a quiet shock among the Jonin. No one immediately objected, perhaps unsure if this was Tsunade's test or Hayashi's own initiative. Questioning him could be seen as contradicting her.
Still, Danzo spoke bluntly: "Now is wartime. How can we spare the effort to train medical ninjas?"
Hayashi expected resistance and did not flinch. He was surprised, however, at the absence of "Broken Brother"—someone he had promised this initiative to.
Kato Dan, sensing Hayashi's gaze, studied the table's pattern thoughtfully. Was it a gender bias? Hayashi wondered.
Tsunade watched the Third Hokage silently, disappointed that he offered no support. Though she claimed indifference, she cared deeply about this issue. No one, not even her teacher, sided with her.
With a huff, Tsunade rose, frustration clear, and left the room. The Jonin were stunned—this was a bold, almost theatrical maneuver. A test of everyone's perception, it seemed.
Danzo muttered under his breath: "Truly uncultured."
Yet with Tsunade gone, the atmosphere shifted. The meeting returned to routine politeness, everyone quietly resuming the charade of harmony.
---