Chapter 410 – Reform Proposal
"Kei… what exactly is this meeting about?"
The moment Kei sat down, Kakashi couldn't help but ask.
As the Hokage's disciple, he was completely in the dark. He hadn't received even the slightest hint about such a large-scale gathering.
But Kei?
Kakashi was certain Kei knew something. Given how close he was to Minato, there was no way he hadn't been informed.
Kenta also glanced at Kei.
He knew a little—but only vaguely. Kei had always spoken in half-truths, frustratingly ambiguous. And lately, Kenta had been drowning in administrative work, leaving him no time to pry for more details.
Still, he didn't worry too much.
He had seen the frontline reports.
It was only a matter of time before Kei headed to the battlefield.
Keeping someone like him in Konoha was a waste of overwhelming combat power. If he stayed behind, it had to be for a reason.
Perhaps today—
That reason would finally be revealed.
Kenta tilted his head slightly.
Compared to political maneuvering, he was more interested in going to war.
If Kei went to the frontlines, he would almost certainly follow as part of the same operational unit. Ayaka would likely go as well.
The battlefield, at least, was straightforward.
Unlike paperwork.
Kenta enjoyed authority—but executing policy was exhausting. He didn't want to lose opportunities for merit, either.
If there was a faster path to advancement—
The battlefield was it.
---
"It's not a bad thing," Kei said calmly, sitting back with Ayaka beside him, ignoring the curious glances directed at her.
"But for certain people… and certain clans… it may not feel like good news."
Kakashi sighed.
"That way of talking… Fine. If you support it, I suppose it's not harmful."
Kenta leaned in slightly.
"So—you're going to the front soon, right? The Third Hokage has returned severely injured. The frontline lacks command leadership. And you…"
"It'll probably be me," Kei replied after a moment's thought. "But you understand… if I go, things may escalate quickly. And right now, something more important needs to be stabilized first. Once that's settled, I'll leave."
Kenta understood immediately.
If I go, it ends.
That was what Kei meant.
And Kenta didn't doubt him.
But "stabilizing Konoha internally"…
That phrase made him more cautious.
Kei's ambitions might be far more… dangerous than he had imagined.
---
"Is everyone here?"
Minato stepped onto the platform.
The murmurs in the hall died instantly.
Over a hundred figures filled the chamber—clan heads, department ministers, elite jōnin.
The scale alone made clear:
This was no ordinary meeting.
"Very well. Since everyone is present, we'll begin."
Minato's voice was steady.
"First agenda item: The current heads of the ANBU and the Mission Department have formally requested retirement or reassignment."
He paused.
"They have submitted their recommendations. After a period of assessment, I believe it is time."
Kakashi and Kenta froze.
Their formal promotions had originally been scheduled for the end of last year—
But the war had intervened.
They hadn't expected the issue to resurface now.
The chamber stirred.
But after reflection, it made sense.
Despite their youth, both had proven competent.
And with Kei as precedent, resistance to young leadership had diminished considerably.
Moreover, they were Minato's own selections.
After months of performance evaluation—
They had earned their positions.
"With the frontline temporarily stabilized, this is the appropriate time to finalize these appointments," Minato concluded.
"Any objections?"
Silence.
Clan heads and ministers exchanged glances—
There was no reason to oppose.
Promoting capable successors signaled institutional stability.
It also marked a consolidation of Konoha's evolving internal structure.
For many, this meant opportunity.
Why resist?
As for the ordinary jōnin standing at the back—
They were simply stunned to be present.
Participating—even passively—in ministerial confirmation votes was unprecedented for them.
It gave them a strange sense of inclusion.
Though they understood—
Their influence here was minimal.
"Excellent."
Minato nodded, satisfied.
Then—
His expression hardened.
"Now, we move to the second agenda item."
---
"It's starting."
Kei leaned back in his chair.
He knew.
This was the real reason for today.
The promotions were merely the opening act.
What came next—
Would be explosive.
A bomb dropped into still water.
It could flush out hidden currents—
Or injure the one who lit the fuse.
Minato's gaze shifted briefly toward Kei.
There was tension there.
Kei met his eyes—
And gave a slight nod.
Unwavering support.
Minato inhaled deeply.
Then turned to face the entire assembly.
The room fell utterly silent.
That subtle exchange between Minato and Kei did not go unnoticed.
Figures like Nara Shikaku and Hyūga Hiashi caught it immediately.
And both came to the same conclusion:
This is not going to be simple.
---
"Now that the ministerial positions have been formally confirmed," Minato continued clearly, "and with all clan heads, department heads, and the jōnin currently stationed in the village present—"
He paused briefly.
"I will outline my proposal."
The hall fell completely silent.
"As everyone knows, a year and a half ago, after extensive deliberation and consultation with Head Kei and Head Shikaku, I introduced a reform proposal."
"That proposal restructured the ranks of genin and chūnin, and abolished the position of Special Jōnin. I believe everyone here is familiar with it?"
Heads nodded throughout the chamber.
Of course they were familiar.
At the time, the reform had caused considerable uproar—especially the removal of the Special Jōnin classification.
But in the end, Minato had "offered enough" in compensation and incentives to quell opposition.
Then the Kirigakure incident had shifted attention outward, allowing the controversy to gradually subside.
And in hindsight—
The reform had worked.
It brought undeniable benefits to Konoha.
Some clan members who lacked raw combat strength but possessed sharp intellect had flourished under the new system.
Civilian-born ninja who once faced prejudice—sometimes even exclusion from advancement—received structured, specialized education under the revised policies.
Many of them had grown into capable, productive shinobi.
Yes.
The reforms were expensive.
They consumed administrative effort and village funds.
But that funding came from village coffers—not individual clans.
So few truly objected.
That said—
Genin and chūnin now received resources nearly comparable to jōnin.
That fact had quietly stirred dissatisfaction among some elites.
And now Minato was bringing it up again.
Which meant—
Was he planning to reform the jōnin system?
That thought immediately crossed many minds.
If so—
It would not be easy.
Because if standards and benefits for lower ranks had already risen so dramatically—
What more could be offered to jōnin?
Money?
Konoha wasn't short on funds.
Resources?
That was more complicated.
Powerful techniques were not trivial commodities.
Konoha possessed a vast arsenal of ninjutsu—
But most fell into two categories:
• Basic techniques taught through the Academy system
• Forbidden or dangerous techniques sealed within the Scroll of Seals
Intermediate high-level techniques were tightly controlled and granted only after careful evaluation and mission performance.
So what exactly could the Fourth Hokage offer?
---
Minato's voice grew firmer.
"The reform of genin and chūnin has been completed—and proven successful."
He looked around the room.
"Which leads me to ask… Is it not time to reform our jōnin as well?"
As expected.
The room remained attentive.
Now it came down to substance.
What would he propose?
Kenta, meanwhile, glanced at Kei.
He remembered clearly—
Kei had once advised them to secure promotion to jōnin as early as possible.
At the time, it had seemed unnecessary.
Now?
It was obvious Kei had been involved in planning this.
---
"So I have decided," Minato declared decisively, "to improve the welfare system for jōnin."
The words struck the room like a stone dropped into water.
"Jōnin represent the highest standard within our shinobi hierarchy. They are the backbone of Konoha's leadership pipeline. Every individual here is an elite of this village."
His gaze swept across the chamber.
"Yet even jōnin face hardships."
"Many lack sufficient funds to sustain long-term training, replace damaged equipment, or recover from mission-related losses."
"Therefore—"
He raised a finger.
"First: We will increase jōnin welfare."
"From now on, every registered Konoha jōnin will receive a fixed monthly stipend issued directly by the village."
The room stirred.
"This stipend will be substantial. It will not interfere with mission rewards. It is guaranteed."
"With this support, our jōnin can train and operate without financial anxiety."
---
Money.
Simple.
Effective.
Without funds—
How do you upgrade equipment?
Purchase medical supplies?
Invest in training?
Yes, high-level missions paid well.
But jōnin did more than take elite contracts.
They led teams.
They mentored genin.
They ensured the survival and growth of the next generation.
That meant accepting lower-paying assignments.
Training new shinobi.
Protecting inexperienced genin during dangerous operations.
The income from such missions was modest.
In some cases, barely covering expenses.
A team leader jōnin was not necessarily wealthy.
Minato's first reform point alone—
Was enough to make many unaffiliated jōnin's eyes light up.
And this—
Was only the beginning.