"Report to the Deputy Commander?"
Yōkō asked, "Do Root ninjas need to report missions to other high-ranking officials?"
It wasn't that Yōkō was making a fuss; Root belonged solely to the Hokage. The Hokage was too busy, so he delegated most tasks directly to the Root Commander.
Root was only responsible to the Hokage and the Root Commander.
Yellow Dog said, "The Frontline Command has the right to know all intelligence. The reason the Hokage sent us here is also to win the war. However, don't mention the part about the Shimura clan Chūnin. Just say they were ordinary prisoners. When I first joined Root as a regular member, Squadron Leader Sakumo was my Battalion Commander. It's hard for me to refuse his reasonable requests."
Hatake Sakumo was the youngest and strongest Battalion Commander in Root during the Second Hokage's era.
"I understand," Yōkō said. "Battalion Commander, my squadron suffered many sacrifices on this mission. To pose as prisoners, my subordinates genuinely self-harmed. Some broke their own legs, others have scars crisscrossing their heads enough to play Shogi on. I'd like to request a few jutsu for my subordinates. Do you think that's possible?"
Yellow Dog said, "Agreed. Four B-Rank jutsu. You distribute them."
Yōkō felt it was too little internally but didn't ask for more.
The recommendation-based system for ninja positions and the recommendation-based system for jutsu allocation were the two primary means by which the village higher-ups controlled the ninjas. The higher-ups would never loosen this restriction.
The tightening of jutsu allocation targeted civilian ninjas more than anyone else.
Clan ninjas weren't as constrained in this aspect, as they had their own Family Jutsu or Secret Techniques.
Yōkō calculated internally which of his Earth and Water Release jutsu could be revealed.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Rising Spears and Water Release: Water Formation Wall – these two jutsu could also be taken out as rewards for his subordinates.
Coupled with the four B-Rank jutsu, if he selected some Fire, Wind, and Lightning Release ones, he could barely manage to put together a round of rewards.
Yōkō left the Root tent and headed towards the command tent.
After passing a message through the medical station, Hatake Sakumo used an official order to summon Yōkō for a report.
Hatake Sakumo believed this method was more open and aboveboard; Root couldn't complain, as Nara Rokaku often met with Yellow Dog for inquiries and discussions.
Upon entering Hatake Sakumo's tent, Yōkō saw that Sakumo was alone.
Hatake Sakumo said, "Fox, don't worry. I summoned you under the pretext of inquiring about the mission. There's no one around, and no one will eavesdrop."
Yōkō felt relieved internally. Hatake Sakumo also came from Root and understood the importance of confidentiality.
Hatake Sakumo said, "Earlier at the medical station, I heard you say you support the assessment system. What are your thoughts on the assessment system?"
Shinna had previously told Sakumo that a Root ninja wearing a fox mask saved him and asked Shinna to relay a message for Sakumo to be careful of the higher-ups, who were already wary of the supporters gathering around him.
Yōkō said, "Lord Sakumo, implementing an assessment system for ninja positions is extremely difficult. For a Genin to participate in the Chūnin Exams, they need a recommendation from their team leader. For a Chūnin to be promoted to Special Jōnin, they need a Jōnin's recommendation. For a Special Jōnin to be promoted to Jōnin, they need a recommendation from the higher-ups. It's a chain of interlocking rings, the basic framework of the higher-ups' control over the village. Even clan heads, wanting more Jōnin within their clans, have to bow their heads before the higher-ups. Lord Sakumo, you are too impatient. The village has many ways to easily sabotage the assessment system. Head Commander Nara Rokaku relies on your combat strength, so his methods are relatively mild. If the village higher-ups themselves intervened, they wouldn't handle it so gently."
Hatake Sakumo was inwardly startled. This Root ninja had clearly outlined his predicament in just a few sentences.
He wanted to promote the ninja position assessment system but faced numerous difficulties. He had just started and had already hit snags, both in front of the Third Hokage and at the frontline with the Head Commander.
"Fox, then what do you think I should do now?"
Yōkō said, "Lord Sakumo, the resistance to the ninja position assessment system is too great. However, the resistance to a jutsu assessment system would be much smaller. For the village, jutsu are an important means of controlling civilian ninjas, but their importance is far less than that of ninja positions. Jutsu can be extracted from enemy village prisoners through interrogation, learned from friends, or taught by squad leaders. The Uchiha clan can even copy thousands of jutsu using the Sharingan. Lord Sakumo, you could start by lowering the threshold for jutsu acquisition, allowing more and more civilian ninjas to master more jutsu and enhance their strength. With your strength and influence, it's possible to push for a jutsu assessment system. Once the assessment system gains widespread adoption, more people will begin to wonder why the village can't implement assessment systems in other areas instead of sticking solely to the recommendation system. It's a seed. It might grow slowly, but it will eventually sprout."
Hatake Sakumo's eyes lit up.
Yes, he could start with a jutsu assessment system. Granting B-Rank and A-Rank jutsu after completing a certain number of missions would still be a form of progress.
It's a pity the village would never include S-Rank or Forbidden Jutsu in the assessment rewards.
Yōkō added, "Battalion Commander Yellow Dog said you summoned me under the pretext of learning about the prisoner exchange mission. I've written the details of the prisoner exchange mission on this scroll. Lord Sakumo, you understand Root. I hope you can keep this conversation confidential for me."
Yōkō trusted Hatake Sakumo's integrity. This man had a strong sense of morality, unlike certain anthropomorphic creatures in the village.
"Alright, Fox. No third person will know the true nature of our conversation."
Yōkō said, "Lord Sakumo, in the future, it's best to minimize summoning me like this under the pretext of mission inquiries. It could arouse Root's suspicion."
"Understood. Unless absolutely necessary, I won't summon you."
Yōkō left the command tent.
In the original story, Hatake Sakumo committed suicide after his faith collapsed. This man had principles and beliefs.
His heartfelt analysis should make Hatake Sakumo view him as a comrade.
During Hatake Sakumo's push for the jutsu assessment system, many civilian ninjas desperately needing jutsu would unite around him, slowly forming a new faction.
Power isn't only top-down; it's also bottom-up. With enough followers, even the higher-ups would have to yield.
The Senju clan controlled the medical system. If Hatake Sakumo could unite the civilian ninjas, the control of the Konoha higher-ups would weaken further.
Hatake Zhaoda, you need to work hard! If you don't work hard, how can I help you 'add a layer of clothing'?
After Fox left, Hatake Sakumo's mind was in turmoil.
Back at the medical station tent, Hatake Sakumo had recognized that the prisoners were a Shimura clansman, a Nara clansman, and one unlucky civilian ninja.
The staff officers at the command headquarters all came from the five Hokage-aligned clans.
Anyone not from these five clans wouldn't have been aware of his disagreement with Head Commander Rokaku.
Hatake Sakumo guessed that this rescue mission was primarily to save those two clan ninjas.
During the Second Hokage's tenure, the culture within Root wasn't like this.
Back then, Root would never assign a mission specifically to rescue Senju clansmen.
To avoid the appearance of bias, the Second Hokage would even emphasize prioritizing the rescue of other ninjas first, leaving Senju clansmen for last.
Nowadays, Root, under the guise of answering only to the Hokage, had become a tool for the Hokage alone, rather than the village's most covert and sharpest kunai.
Sakumo believed that Root ninjas were people too. Perhaps there were also ninjas within Root who were dissatisfied with the current situation.
Hatake Sakumo decided to draft a proposal for a jutsu assessment system.
This time, even if Nara Rokaku opposed it, he would resolutely push it through.
***
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