Medical Ninja Reform

"I proposed changing all three-man ninja squads into four-man squads, with the additional member serving as a medical ninja. All combat operations would also revolve around the medical ninja. I believed such an arrangement would greatly improve every ninja squad's battlefield survival rate. Based on this strategy, I proposed three principles. First, before a teammate died, a medical ninja must never give up treatment. Second, a medical ninja must never stand on the very front line of battle. Third, a medical ninja must never die before any member of the squad. That was my proposal. The specific details were in the report before you all. I hoped the committee members would approve it."

After Tsunade finished speaking, she dropped into the chair at the hearing seat, crossed her legs, took a sip of the tea before her, and waited for everyone's questions with a confident smile.

Jing Hang had undoubtedly been bold in his appointments. Whether it was Maki in Moon Lake New District, Garukei in the Construction Corps, or Rasa and Yura in the Hourglass Group, all were promising young Jonin. As for a vital position such as the Medical Unit, he had directly handed it to the "outsider" Tsunade. Not only that, Jing Hang had directly elevated the Medical Unit into the Medical Department. Though, to balance the opinions of the village's upper ranks, he had given Elder Chiyo the title of "Minister of the Medical Department," everyone knew that Chiyo was mainly occupied with the Intelligence Bureau and ANBU. The real authority rested in the hands of the deputy minister and hospital director—Tsunade.

Jing Hang scoffed at the objections. Insider or outsider, what mattered was using the right talent. He had gone to great lengths to invite Tsunade from the Hidden Leaf Village. They objected? Fine. Could they find someone as capable as her? Could they find someone better suited to the position? If not, they should shut up. Besides, wouldn't the talents Tsunade cultivated in Sunagakure's Medical Department and hospital remain in Sunagakure? The meat was still in the pot—could they not do that math? Stop yammering and get lost!

Tsunade had not disappointed Jing Hang's trust. Though she had held a noble status in the Hidden Leaf Village—after all, she was the First Hokage's granddaughter—her seniority had ultimately been insufficient, and many of her ideas and proposals had not been recognized or implemented. Sunagakure was different. Jing Hang gave her absolute trust and authority. A blank sheet of paper could naturally be painted into the most beautiful picture. Building hospitals, training medical ninja, establishing laboratories, even setting up medicinal gardens outside the Hidden Sand Village and in Moon Lake New District—her sweeping construction efforts had greatly improved the Hidden Sand Village's medical environment in barely half a year. As a result, Tsunade had earned recognition from all the village's factions.

Tsunade had actually raised similar views in the Hidden Leaf Village before, but the Third Hokage had rejected them due to insufficient manpower and technology at the time. Raising them again was merely an attempt to see if they could work.

As for the Hearing Committee, it was something new. It had evolved from the Elders' Advisory Council established by Shamon, the Second Kazekage, and was also a product of Jing Hang's governmental reforms. He had deliberately distributed a portion of power to the elders of each clan and the representatives of each family. Naturally, this move won the support of Sunagakure's upper ranks. Every new reform policy the village intended to introduce would be brought before the Hearing Committee for consultation and questioning, ensuring the policy's feasibility while reducing resistance to its implementation. This policy also allowed all of Sunagakure's factions to participate in decision-making and prevented Jing Hang himself from becoming dictatorial or arbitrary. (In truth, Jing Hang was mainly lazy and did not want to handle every matter personally, so he found something for the village's Elders' Council to do.) However, when the Hearing Committee was first established, Jing Hang set the tone—every decision would be judged only by right and wrong, only by benefit and harm. There would be no talk of factions and no prejudice. Suggestions were welcome, but they had to be genuine suggestions. Trying to win by shouting louder or stirring up the crowd would not work. This made the entire Hearing Committee practical, efficient, and focused.

"I have a question. I hope Deputy Minister Tsunade can answer it." Elder Uekusa, the Minister of the Personnel Department, raised his hand.

"Please." Tsunade smiled calmly and gestured for him to continue.

"I have no doubt that adding a medical ninja to the traditional three-man combat squad and turning it into a four-man squad would improve battlefield survivability. But would the squad's combat strength decrease?"

"I do not believe it would. Please turn to page three of my report. It clearly states that the medical ninja assigned to a combat squad would not be merely a medical ninja. They would also possess combat capability and could take part in battle. It is simply that a medical ninja's primary function is not combat, but providing medical support to other combat-oriented ninja, allowing the ninja squad's combat strength to last longer."

"I have no further questions." Elder Uekusa carefully read the relevant section and answered.

"I have a question. I hope Deputy Minister Tsunade can answer it." Elder Chiyo raised her hand.

"Please."

"According to Deputy Minister Tsunade's plan, all tactical squads in the Hidden Sand Village would have to be reorganized. This would involve more than three thousand combat squads and nearly ten thousand people. But after making a rough estimate just now, it seems the Hidden Sand Village does not have that many medical ninja. How does Deputy Minister Tsunade intend to solve this problem?"

Tsunade considered it for a moment. "Elder Chiyo's question actually concerns another issue: the training of medical ninja. I do have some ideas regarding this matter, but I have not yet refined certain specific details, so I have not put them into writing. However, since Lord Kazekage and all the representatives are here, I can briefly explain some of my thoughts."

Tsunade lifted her teacup and took a sip. The staff member beside her immediately refilled it.

"Reorganization is naturally necessary, but we cannot simply break apart and rebuild a force of nearly ten thousand people. Moreover, there is certainly a shortage of medical ninja in the current squads. My plan has three steps. First, consolidate existing resources. We would create unified records for all existing medical ninja and distribute them appropriately. For example, if Squad A already has a ninja capable of serving as a medical ninja, then it would only need one additional combat ninja. But if Squad B has no ninja capable of serving as a medical ninja, then it would need to be assigned a new medical ninja. Naturally, these medical ninja would have to undergo new, standardized training before taking up their posts.

Second, to address the current shortage of medical ninja, we would train those within each combat squad who had both the ability and willingness to become medical ninja, thereby filling the gaps.

Third, the Ninja Academy would establish specialized divisions and departments for training medical ninja. Once this became standard practice, the problem would naturally be resolved. I wonder if Elder Chiyo is satisfied with my answer."

The Hearing Committee fell into silence as everyone digested Tsunade's words.

"That would not be cheap. There are the reorganization costs, the training costs, and the Ninja Academy costs. By this calculation, it would require at least fifty million ryo." Shangshui Liuyun, the Minister of the Finance Department, said.

"Let me say something." Jing Hang finally spoke.

"My view is that as long as it can improve the ninja's combat strength, these expenses are worthwhile. We cannot be stingy in how we conduct ourselves or handle matters." Jing Hang paused and pointed at Tsunade.

"I have a feeling that the proposal Deputy Minister Tsunade raised is a future trend on the shinobi battlefield. This reform accords with objective reality. And let me remind everyone of one thing: the earlier reforms like this are pushed forward, the lower the cost and the better the results. All right, enough talk. Let's vote!"

Jing Hang raised the green placard at his side. Under Hearing Committee rules, green meant approval, red meant opposition, and white meant abstention. Any proposal with more than half the votes would pass.

"Twenty-five votes total. Seventeen in favor, three abstentions, five against. I declare Proposal No. 97 passed." The vote recorder immediately announced the result. Applause broke out across the room.

"Next, I will announce several policies related to this proposal. Regarding the reorganization of the new ninja squads, Minister Uekusa and Minister Shangshui must immediately produce a reorganization plan and budget."

"Yes."

"Minister Ebizo, the Ninja Academy must also produce a plan for establishing the Medical Academy."

"Yes."

Jing Hang flipped through the calendar before him and said,

"Today is March 10. Can all the plans be completed within two days?"

"The Finance Department has no problem!" "The Personnel Department has no problem!" "The Ministry of Education has no problem!"

"Good. If there are no problems, we will end here for today. Go carry out your duties. Meeting adjourned."

"Wait, I have a question." Chiyo raised her hand.

"What is it?" Jing Hang was somewhat puzzled.

With an amused expression, Chiyo snapped her fingers. Pakura wheeled in a three-tier cream cake.

"Happy birthday, Lord Kazekage!"