Chapter 313: Return and Anticipation! Proposal on Adding Medical Ninjas!
Konoha.
Due to the war, most of the Village's Ninja were deployed to the front lines.
Even the Uchiha Clan, unable to withstand the pressure from the Third Hokage and the major Shinobi Clans, successively dispatched two hundred of its members to the battlefields in the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers.
Now, the streets of Konoha Village, not to mention the prosperity of several years ago, even compared to when Fujiwara Tetsuya left Konoha for the Land of Iron, seem to have become more desolate.
"Then, Tetsuya-sama, we will escort you this far."
"Please also make sure to report to Hokage-sama as soon as you enter the Village."
Looking at the heavily guarded Konoha Village gate ahead, the ANBU Squad, after a brief instruction to Fujiwara Tetsuya, quickly disappeared into the dense forest nearby.
"Mikoto, Ryoui, are you two coming with me to the Hokage Building?"
Gazing at the familiar scene ahead, Fujiwara Tetsuya turned to look at Uchiha Mikoto and Torune Ryoui.
This feeling of returning from vacation only to go straight to work… it's really a bit hard to get used to.
"Uh~ Tetsuya-kun, I'll pass. I'll go report to the Medical Division first. As for Hokage-sama, I won't go."
Hooking her arm through Fujiwara Tetsuya's left arm, Torune Ryoui playfully stuck out her tongue, clearly not wanting to face… Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaningful gaze.
"Mikoto… what about you?"
"I… won't go either. I'll go back to the Clan first, and then I'll come find you tomorrow morning."
"Alright then! But… I won't be able to see you two back today. Hokage-sama must be… getting impatient by now."
After verifying their identities and entering the Village.
Looking at the departing figures of Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto, and Torune Ryoui, the Konoha Ninja and Villagers along the way couldn't help but whisper, a hint of excitement flashing in their eyes.
Undoubtedly, in the eyes of ordinary Konoha Villagers and lower-ranking Ninja, Fujiwara Tetsuya's strength… was beyond question.
Fujiwara Tetsuya's return was destined to add an extremely powerful combat force to the current Konoha.
Perhaps it would recreate the glory of the Land of Rivers, Kong Ninja Village, Land of Rain, and Frost Shadow Village… Hokage Office.
When Fujiwara Tetsuya adjusted his expression and entered the room, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, there were also many Higher-Ups like Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and Tsunade, as well as the Clan Heads and Elders of dozens of Konoha Ninja Clans, including Uchiha, Senju, and Hyuga.
"Hm~ It seems I've come at a bad time. Should I wait outside?"
His gaze shifted slightly, and after a quick scan of everyone, Fujiwara Tetsuya looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Cough~ Tetsuya, since you're back, find a seat."
"It's a good opportunity for you to understand the current situation of the Village…"
Seeing Fujiwara Tetsuya return, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips relaxed, and his heavy expression… seemed to hold a hint of a smile.
"Yes! Then I apologize for the intrusion."
Looking at the empty spaces on both sides, Fujiwara Tetsuya's gaze finally settled next to Tsunade, whether due to Tsunade's status or some other reason.
In this spacious room, apart from the "tail-end" seat, only the space next to Tsunade was relatively roomy.
"Senior Tsunade, you wouldn't mind if I sit next to you, would you?"
Despite saying so, Fujiwara Tetsuya gave Tsunade no chance to refuse… He slightly sheathed his katana and sat down directly.
"Kid… normally it wouldn't matter, but today, the seat next to me isn't so easy to take."
Looking at Tsunade's meaningful smile… Fujiwara Tetsuya's heart tightened, and as he looked up, he met a series of profound gazes.
He had been careless!
Thinking about it, it made sense; such a grand occasion surely involved important discussions.
And the initiator of this matter was, without a doubt, Tsunade herself.
Judging by the current seating arrangement in the room and everyone's expressions, it seemed that the Konoha Higher-Ups, including Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, and the Clan Heads and Elders of many Shinobi Clans, were most likely opposed to it.
"Cough~ Then I will continue discussing Tsunade's recent proposal regarding strengthening medical system reform, increasing investment in Medical Ninja training and Medical Ninjutsu research and development, and equipping each squad with a Medical Ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's repetition was clearly meant for Fujiwara Tetsuya.
Now, Fujiwara Tetsuya finally understood why the atmosphere in the room was so strange.
Tsunade's proposal, for the grassroots Ninja, was undoubtedly an excellent policy.
If implemented properly, it would definitely increase the survival rate of the entire Ninja squad and elevate Konoha Village's medical system to a new level.
However… this was from the perspective of grassroots Ninja.
From the perspective of those in power, such a proposal might be good, but it required significant investment, and the training period for Medical Ninja was much longer than that for ordinary Ninja, which would greatly increase the Village's financial burden.
Moreover, given the current training mechanism of the Konoha Ninja Academy, this system… would, to some extent, reduce the combat power of the entire squad.
A lack of combat power meant a decrease in mission completion rates.
This was an issue that the Konoha Higher-Ups had to take seriously, no matter what.
Furthermore, given the current war situation, Konoha faced significant shortages in both finances and personnel, making it impossible to implement this… "Hiruzen, I object!"
As everyone remained silent, waiting for someone to speak up, Utatane Koharu unhesitatingly stood up.
"Right now, the most important thing for the Village is to end the war with Sunagakure and Iwagakure as soon as possible, to prevent the conflict from further escalating and spreading. Moreover… with the Village's existing resources, Tsunade's impractical ideas cannot be realized at all."
"Therefore, I believe there is no need to discuss this matter at all."
"Instead of wasting time on such things, we should focus on how to deal with the situation on the front lines."
"Hiruzen, I think Koharu makes a good point. I agree with Koharu's view."
"Tsunade, as a core combat force of the Village, you should focus on how to win the war against Sunagakure and Iwagakure, and not consider… things that will only increase the Village's burden."
As he spoke, Homura Mitokado also stood up.
And everyone present, seeing the Konoha Advisors Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado express their stance, also chimed in with their agreement.
A shift in finances still meant a reduction in the vested interests of these Shinobi Clans.
If it weren't for Tsunade's status and position, the Clan Heads and Elders of these Shinobi Clans would probably have already stood up and refuted her.
"You… you guys…"
Looking at the figures cheering for Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, Tsunade's face completely darkened.
Compared to the many opponents, she only had a few Higher-Ups from the Senju Clan and the Medical Division behind her.
It could truly be described as being outnumbered… in a position of being crushed.
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