Hiruzen also didn't know what kind of changes Tsunade's aggressive attitude would bring to Konoha if she were to become the Fifth Hokage in the future.
Whether good or bad, it was completely unknown.
This was a dilemma in his heart.
"If we follow Tsunade's approach, the one country one village system painstakingly established by the First Hokage could collapse, and the major nations might undergo terrifying civil wars. Neither we nor the Daimyo want to see such things happen."
The balance of the one country one village system is maintained because the Daimyo and the ninja villages counterbalance each other.
But according to Tsunade's approach, it would completely unbalance the one country one village system, leading to civil wars within the great nations.
This not only infringes on the interests of the Daimyo and the nobility, but also the internal interests of the ninja clans.
Especially in Konoha, this is even more difficult.
The ninja clans in Konoha have strong influence and have always been leaders in the village.
All high-ranking individuals who can participate in Konoha's decision-making are from ninja clans, with family shares behind them.
When the Ninja School was established, it took a lot of effort. Although the ninja clans recognized the Ninja School, they did not open their family's ninja techniques data, choosing instead 'family' education.
Civilians always receive only the basics.
The education of ninja clans, however, extends from basic education to strengthen their family members.
A step ahead, every step leads ahead.
Therefore, among the thousands of Konoha Ninja, only a very few civilians stand out, with most backed by the influence of ninja clans.
This, Hiruzen understands, and so does Shikaku.
Even Chiba Hakushi from the Land of Demons was only able to rise with the power of the Uchiha Clan.
In the ranking of ninja clans, after the decline of the Senju Clan, the Uchiha Clan has long held the first position.
Their contacts, resources, ninja techniques—all are things that a civilian as an individual can hardly surpass in a lifetime.
The wealth accumulated from a thousand-year legacy is not simply calculable with just money.
That is a kekkeigenkai ninja clan with a history older than the Five Great Nations.
With the establishment of ninja villages, ninja clans occupied most power within, which could not, and cannot, be changed.
It was they who made great sacrifices to form the village and were naturally granted the position and interests they deserved, otherwise, the ninja village would lose the loyalty of the ninja clans.
Without the inclusion of ninja clan power, Konoha could not have repeatedly repelled strong enemies in the past.
Therefore, the power of ninja clans is the cornerstone of the ninja village, and on a larger scale, one of the foundations for the implementation of the one country one village system.
If this part of the interests is undermined, neither Hiruzen nor Shikaku can imagine what the consequences might be.
"Now is not the right time for reform; the current international environment does not permit it."
After thinking for a moment, Shikaku gave his suggestion.
It's not that he doesn't want Konoha to reform, but now is not the time to make changes.
International diplomatic instability, the Daimyo's Mansion mired in the quagmire of the Land of Rain's war, and the Land of Lightning and Land of Demons eyeing them fiercely—these external environment problems have not yet been resolved. If we rashly reform and these external forces attack the Land of Fire, Konoha would collapse on its own.
Such reform is not as simple as medical reform, as it doesn't touch most interest groups.
If Konoha lacks a safe international environment, implementing such reform would quickly lead to demise.
The suggestion is good, but the timing is wrong.
Konoha has no time.
Most importantly, there are too many uncertain factors.
Any reform can only be used for reference, not imitation.
The reform in the Land of Demons provides high reference value but lacks practical significance.
Unless...all class barriers are broken, and a new order is established.
But how is that possible?
Even the Land of Demons would probably not dare to do that.
Doing so would offend all Daimyo and nobles of other countries, and the powers of ninja villages, except for the Land of Demons.
"To reject Tsunade's proposal?"
Hiruzen asked.
"It's just not the right time now. As for the future, no one can say what will happen. Perhaps, this is also a test from Lady Tsunade."
Shikaku said meaningfully.
Hiruzen understood.
He had already conveyed his intention to make her the Fifth Hokage to Tsunade via Jiraiya.
If such a thing makes Tsunade dissatisfied with Konoha, it would be too great a loss.
Moreover, he also saw the benefits of reform to Konoha. In the long run, it is beneficial to Konoha.
But what's beneficial to Konoha isn't necessarily beneficial to the Land of Fire.
The two powerful regimes of the Daimyo's Mansion and Konoha cannot be reconciled.
Therefore, the specifics can only be analyzed case by case.
He believes there is no lack of such talent within Konoha.
On the foundation of the one country one village system, a way that satisfies civilians, the Daimyo and nobility, and reassures the ninja clans might exist.
"Shikaku, I'll leave this matter to the Nara Clan. Whatever documents or materials you need, I'll have them all dispatched."
Hiruzen said.
"Yes. I didn't expect that I would have to brush up on Ninja Realm history one day."
Shikaku said with a wry smile.
The reform proposed by Tsunade indeed touched on his blind spots of knowledge.
Despite his intelligence, most of what he learned from a young age was how to manage the village, command ninja squads, and assist the Hokage in balancing the internal situation of the ninja village.
Therefore, the reform proposed by Tsunade was something he rarely, or had never, encountered before.