Battlefield Medic

Uchiha Kō completely ignored the strange looks everyone around him was giving him. With a serious, solemn expression, he said, "Lord Hokage, in my opinion, you must have rejected Lady Tsunade's proposal because you're concerned about the number of medical ninja and how well they'd perform in battle, aren't you?"

Tsunade was taken aback. She began to consider the matter.

That's right! How had I not thought of that? After all, not every medical ninja can charge into battle and kill enemies, then turn around and save lives with miraculous skill like me!

Most medical ninja were only good at healing. They knew next to nothing about combat.

At the head of the table, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded, agreeing with Uchiha Kō's assessment. "Kō is quite right. As you said, the overall combat strength of the medical ninja in Konoha is relatively low.

"Rather than sending medical ninja who aren't skilled in combat to the front lines with their squads to fight, it would be better to keep them in the rear, where they can focus on treating their injured comrades.

"That would not only do the most to protect our people's lives, but also allow the medical ninja to make full use of their skills."

Uchiha Kō nodded once more, then changed tack. "However, Lord Hokage, have you considered the following two possible scenarios?"

"Oh? Let's hear them," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with interest. He knew that the young Uchiha Kō was more than just clever and adept at handling people. What was truly astonishing was his extraordinary talent for tactical thinking.

Although Tsunade and the others had never told him the details of Uchiha Kō's battlefield command, there was no such thing as a secret that could never get out. And with Sarutobi Hiruzen's powerful intelligence network, how could the news possibly escape his notice?

Still, one important reason Sarutobi Hiruzen had kept quiet and never exposed the matter was that his beloved student Tsunade had benefited from it.

Besides, Uchiha Kō himself had already shown that he was fine with it, so there was no reason for Sarutobi Hiruzen to interfere.

Now, as Uchiha Kō began to speak, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened with rapt attention, not missing a word.

Uchiha Kō's expression was as calm as still water as he spoke slowly. "Let's start with the first possibility. A ninja is seriously injured, but can't reach a medical ninja in time for treatment. A wound that could have been healed with the Mystical Palm Technique worsens until amputation or some other drastic measure is the only way to save their life.

"Worse, some of our comrades who could have survived with timely treatment might end up beyond help because of the delay."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a slight nod of agreement. Situations like that were all too common on battlefields filled with smoke and bloodshed.

Even with his many years of battle experience, and his clear understanding of such circumstances, he was often helpless in the face of war's merciless reality.

"Now let's consider the second possibility. What if the enemy has no scruples? They launch a frontal assault as a feint, intending to draw away our main force, then seize the chance to lead a large force in a surprise attack on the position where our medical ninja are stationed.

"Think about it, everyone. Who would be able to step forward and withstand an attack of that magnitude?"

A deafening boom seemed to split the sky, and everyone felt their hearts jolt.

The first scenario was troublesome, but at least it was something they could anticipate. The second had never actually happened before. If it did, the consequences would be unimaginable—all the medical ninja might meet a terrible end and lose their lives.

Medical ninja were, after all, a crucial part of the entire combat system. They were responsible for treating the wounded and maintaining the army's fighting strength.

Without the protection and support of these white-robed angels, what sort of tragic fate would await the ninja fighting in the blood-soaked front lines?

The answer was obvious: even a minor injury could prove fatal if it wasn't treated promptly and effectively.

Then the enemy would only have to advance steadily and draw the fighting out into a war of attrition. No matter how powerful our army was or how skilled our tactics, we would eventually be driven into a desperate corner and suffer defeat!

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze. His eyes shone as he looked at Uchiha Kō. "Kō, are you saying Tsunade's proposal could address the risks posed by both these scenarios?"

Uchiha Kō smiled and nodded. "That's right. Medical ninja need protection from combat ninja because they can't fight. Assigning them to squads is the best solution."

"With their teammates protecting them, any injured teammate can receive timely treatment. That creates a cycle, and it lets the squad stay in the field longer!"

"Besides, if the medical ninja are spread among the different squads, we won't have to worry about raids on our camp." After speaking, Uchiha Kō glanced at Tsunade, winked at her, and smiled.

Tsunade's lips curled into a smile, and joy filled her heart. Kō stood up for me in front of all these people. And he's so clever, too!

Every ninja could understand what Uchiha Kō had said, and he had hit the nail on the head. Sarutobi Hiruzen, too, began to carefully consider the reasons Uchiha Kō had put forward.

The white-haired man off to the side in the corner froze. Seeing Uchiha Kō and Tsunade exchange smiles, he couldn't help regretting that he hadn't spoken up sooner.

That man was Dan Katō, the genius ninja who had mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique!

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward Uchiha Kō, then noticed him and Tsunade smiling at each other. His expression turned a little odd. "Kō, are you sure you're saying all this only because the proposal is practical?"

Could these two kids be in love? Tsk, tsk. A Senju and an Uchiha? Would Lady Mito approve? Sarutobi Hiruzen wondered.

Uchiha Kō was taken aback, then nodded. "That's right. I'm sure!" In the original story, Tsunade's proposal was still being used even in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, so it was entirely workable.

"Chiyo of Sunagakure is best known for surprise attacks. She might very well strike at our medical position in the rear," Uchiha Kō remarked casually.

In fact, Chiyo really had done something like that. It seemed to have happened during the Second Shinobi World War. That incident was also why, after the war ended, the village approved Tsunade's proposal and introduced a policy requiring every squad to include a medical ninja.

After some thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "All right. Although the two scenarios Kō described haven't happened before, we can't afford to be unprepared."

He then turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade, I want to see the complete regulations for the medical ninja program tomorrow."

Tsunade grinned. "Yes, Sensei!" She felt full of energy. I'll definitely get it all organized tonight! I can ask Kō for help, too.

Uchiha Kō smiled. It seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen had come around and was ready to put the policy into effect!