Beginning the Selection: Three Priorities

At Konoha's Training Ground, the morning sunlight shone down as several hundred ninja stood in neat ranks.

These ninja ranged from newly graduated genin to experienced chunin, with even a few outstanding representatives from the Ninja Academy among them. All wore solemn expressions as they waited for the assessment to begin.

Chiyo Uchiha stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he called out loudly.

"Today's assessment has only one test—Chakra Control!

"Anyone who passes may enter Konoha's temporary Medical Ninja Training Class!"

As soon as his voice fell, Tsunade, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward.

She pointed toward a massive Training Ground in the distance, temporarily constructed with Earth Release, Water Release, and other techniques.

The Training Ground contained pools of water, uneven wooden posts, balance beams, water balloons suspended by thin strings, and every other kind of facility.

This was a site Tsunade had specifically designed for the assessment, with every test targeting the precision of Chakra Control.

"The rules are simple."

Tsunade folded her arms, her voice cool.

"The first round: walk on water and remain standing for ten seconds.

"The second round: use chakra to condense the water inside a water balloon into a specified shape.

"The third round: perform a simulated cut with a Chakra Scalpel on wooden posts."

She swept her gaze across the crowd, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

"If you can't do it, you may withdraw now."

The people below exchanged looks, but before long, the first group of examinees stepped forward.

Knowing that many people would be taking the assessment today,

Chiyo had applied to the clan in advance.

He had dispatched members of the Guard Unit to maintain order.

After all, his own clan naturally could not miss out on such a chance to show its face.

As a result, the matter had gone exceptionally smoothly.

At Chiyo's signal, one Uchiha after another began maintaining order with stiff smiles on their faces.

The reason they were smiling was because of Chiyo's order that morning.

Warm-hearted law enforcement naturally had to be carried through.

With something as important as the Medical Ninja Training Class, who knew how many eyes were watching this place?

What were the Uchiha Clan's Guard Unit members trying to show everyone by wearing sour expressions?

Wouldn't that just give people something to criticize?

Among the crowd, the young Uchiha ninja maintaining order were especially conspicuous.

The once-proud Uchiha were now actively participating in village affairs, even wearing stiff smiles.

This surprised many villagers and ninja from other clans.

"Have you heard? Recently, the Uchiha Guard Unit has actually been taking the initiative to help Old Men carry things while enforcing the law..."

"Yeah, the last time my child got lost, it was an Uchiha who brought him home..."

"The Uchiha really seem different from before..."

"..."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

In the distance, Mikoto Uchiha, a delicate young woman with black hair and black eyes, looked toward Chiyo on the platform with tender affection, her face full of pride.

Beside her, the Red-haired Girl Kushina Uzumaki noticed the change in her best friend Mikoto's gaze. Filled with curiosity, she followed her line of sight.

When she saw that it was Chiyo Uchiha,

Kushina froze. Wasn't this the Chiyo Uchiha Lady Tsunade had been mentioning so often lately?

Could he be the person Mikoto cared about?!

While the girl's thoughts ran wild,

the first group of ninja stepped onto the water. Yet in only three seconds, more than half of them fell into the water with a SPLASH, looking thoroughly miserable.

"Anyone who falls into the water fails. Next group!"

Chief examiner Tsunade waved her hand without mercy.

The second group performed slightly better, but many still could not control their chakra precisely. Under their control, the water balloons burst directly, spraying water everywhere.

"A Medical Ninja's Chakra Control must be more precise than that of a combat ninja!"

Tsunade said coldly.

"On the battlefield, every trace of your chakra may determine whether your comrades live or die!"

Finally, among the third group of ninja, several young Medical Ninja successfully passed the assessment.

"Very good."

Chiyo nodded.

"Those who passed will begin formal training tomorrow!"

After the assessment ended, out of the several hundred participants, fewer than forty remained.

Once the major clans received the news, they all sent supplies.

The Senju Clan provided large quantities of precious medicinal herbs, the Hyuga Clan contributed detailed chakra meridian charts, while the Uchiha Clan directly opened its stores of medical equipment. They even sent several ninja skilled in Fire Style to assist with disinfection and high-temperature sterilization.

"I never expected the Uchiha to cooperate so readily..."

A ninja from the Medical Department spoke in a low voice.

Hearing this, Chiyo let out a helpless sigh.

Damn it, how had the Uchiha ended up like this?

Chiyo cast aside his messy thoughts. Standing by the supply piles and watching everyone work busily, he felt gratified.

"Looks like your efforts weren't wasted."

At some point, Tsunade had walked to his side and spoken lightly.

Chiyo smiled.

"This is everyone's achievement."

Tsunade gave a soft snort, but a trace of approval flashed through her eyes.

"Still, the Training Class has only just begun. Don't celebrate too early."

"With Lady Tsunade here, I'm very confident."

Chiyo blinked.

"Smooth talker."

Tsunade turned her face away, but the corner of her mouth curved upward slightly.

That night, inside the Hokage's Office,

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked over the report in his hands and nodded in satisfaction.

"The Medical Ninja Training Class has begun, and all the major clans have been so cooperative. Chiyo, you and Tsunade have done very well."

Chiyo bowed slightly.

"This is thanks to Lord Hokage's wise decisions."

"Next, the training must proceed faster."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly.

"The situation on the front lines is tense. We need to train more Medical Ninja."

"Yes!"

Chiyo answered seriously.

"Old man, this is the plan for training Medical Ninja!"

Tsunade was much more casual. She took out the tiered plan she and Chiyo had drafted from her robes and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave it a quick look.

The general idea was to adopt a wartime Medical Ninja priority strategy.

Three "priorities."

Prioritize training Medical Ninja suited for the battlefield, prioritize supplying medical resources to Medical Ninja suited for the battlefield, and prioritize graduating Medical Ninja suited for the battlefield.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"Very well. Begin according to this priority strategy! Tsunade, you will personally handle the Medical Ninja Training."

"Got it!"

"If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving first!"

Tsunade seemed to have already known Hiruzen Sarutobi would assign her this task, and she spoke impatiently.

We?

Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively frowned slightly.

"Tsunade, stay behind."

"What is it? Is there something else?"

Tsunade was stunned when she saw the seriousness on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing.

Knowing that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to speak with Tsunade alone, Chiyo bowed slightly and turned to leave.

Watching Chiyo leave,

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke and asked,

"How has Lord Mito been lately?"

When Tsunade heard him mention her grandmother, her casual expression gradually faded and was replaced by seriousness.

"Grandmother is still fairly strong, but... she is old, after all. She has been tired often lately."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, his eyes filling with melancholy.

"In a few days, once I finish the work at hand, I'll pay her a visit myself."