Uchiha Xiao completely ignored the strange looks everyone around him was giving him. With a grave and earnest expression, he said, "Lord Hokage, in my opinion, the reason you rejected Lady Tsunade's proposal must be that you're worried about the number of medical ninja and how well they would actually perform in battle, isn't that right?"
Hearing this, Tsunade paused, then began to ponder.
That's right! Why hadn't she thought of that? After all, not every medical ninja was like her, able to charge into battle and kill enemies while also saving lives with her healing skills!
The vast majority of medical ninja were only good at treatment. When it came to fighting, they knew next to nothing.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated at the head of the table, slowly nodded to show that he agreed with Uchiha Xiao's point. He replied, "Young Xiao is absolutely right. As you said, the overall combat strength of the medical ninja in Konoha is indeed relatively weak.
"Rather than having these medical ninja, who are unskilled in combat, accompany squads to the front lines to fight the enemy, it would be better to keep them in the rear, where they could focus on treating their wounded 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 expertise."
Uchiha Xiao nodded once more, then changed tack. "However, Lord Hokage, I wonder if you've considered the following two possible scenarios..."
"Oh? Let's hear them," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with interest. He knew full well that young Uchiha Xiao was more than just intelligent and adept at handling people. What impressed him most was Xiao's extraordinary tactical mind.
Though Tsunade and the others had never told him the details of Uchiha Xiao's battlefield command, there was no such thing as a perfectly sealed wall—and that was especially true for Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had a powerful intelligence network. How could such information escape his notice?
However, one important reason Sarutobi Hiruzen had kept silent and never exposed what he knew was that his beloved student, Tsunade, had benefited from the incident.
Besides, since Uchiha Xiao himself had already indicated that he didn't object, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no reason to interfere.
Now, as Uchiha Xiao began to speak, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened intently, not missing a single word.
Uchiha Xiao's expression was as calm as still water as he spoke slowly. "Let's begin with the first possibility. A badly wounded shinobi might not reach a medical ninja in time for treatment. A wound that could have been healed with nothing more than the Mystical Palm Technique could worsen until amputation became the only way to save their life;
"Even worse, some of our comrades who could have survived with prompt treatment might be left beyond help because care arrived too late."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a slight nod of agreement. Situations like this were all too common on a battlefield filled with smoke and the clash of life and death.
Even with his extensive battle experience and full awareness of these circumstances, he often felt powerless in the face of the merciless realities of war.
"Next, let's consider the second possibility. What if the enemy has no regard for the rules and launches a frontal assault that's really just a feint, meant to draw away our main forces, before taking the opportunity to send a large force to attack the position where our medical ninja are stationed?
"Think about it, everyone: who would be able to step forward and withstand an assault like a thunderbolt from the heavens?"
A tremendous boom rang out, as if a bolt of thunder had split the sky, and everyone's hearts jolted.
The first scenario was difficult, but at least it was something they could anticipate. The second had never actually happened before. If it did, the consequences would be unthinkable—all the medical ninja would likely meet a terrible end.
After all, medical ninja were a vital part of the entire combat system. They bore the responsibility of treating the wounded and maintaining the force's fighting strength.
Without these guardians in white to protect and support them, what terrible fate would await the shinobi fighting with their lives on the front lines?
The answer was obvious: even a minor wound could prove fatal if it didn't receive prompt and effective treatment.
Then the enemy would only need to advance steadily and wage a drawn-out war of attrition against them. No matter how strong their forces were or how refined their tactics, they would eventually be driven into a desperate situation and suffer defeat!
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned. He looked at Uchiha Xiao, his eyes shining. "Young Xiao, are you saying that Tsunade's proposal can address the risks posed by both scenarios?"
Uchiha Xiao 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, the wounded can receive timely treatment too. That creates a cycle, and the squads can stay in the field longer!"
"Also, if the medical ninja are spread across the different squads, there's no need to worry about raids on the camp." When Uchiha Xiao finished speaking, he glanced at Tsunade, winked at her, and smiled.
Tsunade's lips curled up, and her heart brimmed with happiness. Young Xiao had stood up for her in front of so many people! And he was so clever, too!
Every shinobi could understand what Uchiha Xiao had said, and he had hit the nail on the head. Sarutobi Hiruzen, too, began to carefully consider the reasons Xiao had given.
The white-haired man sitting off in a corner froze when he saw Uchiha Xiao and Tsunade exchange smiles. He couldn't help regretting that he hadn't stood up a little sooner.
This man was Dan Katō, the gifted shinobi who had mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique!
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at Uchiha Xiao, only to find him exchanging a smile with Tsunade. His expression grew a little odd. "Xiao, are you sure you're saying all this simply because you think the proposal is practical?"
Those two kids weren't falling in love, were they? Tsk, tsk. A Senju and a Uchiha? Would Lady Mito approve? Sarutobi Hiruzen wondered.
Uchiha Xiao paused, 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 definitely practical.
"Chiyo of Sunagakure is best known for her surprise attacks. She might try to raid our medical camp in the rear," Uchiha Xiao remarked casually.
In fact, Chiyo really had done something like that—it seemed to have happened during the Second Shinobi World War. And because of that incident, after the war ended, the village had adopted Tsunade's proposal and established a system requiring every squad to include a medical ninja.
After a moment of thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "All right. Even if the two scenarios Xiao mentioned haven't happened before, we can't afford to be unprepared."
Then Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade, I want to see a complete set of regulations for the medical ninja corps by tomorrow."
Tsunade grinned. "Yes, sensei!" She felt full of energy. She would definitely get it all organized tonight! She could ask Young Xiao for help, too.
Uchiha Xiao smiled. It seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen had come around and was ready to put the system in place!