"I propose changing all three-man ninja squads into four-man squads, with the additional member serving as a medical ninja. All combat operations should also be organized around the medical ninja. I believe this arrangement will greatly improve every ninja squad's ability to survive on the battlefield. Based on this strategy, I propose the following three principles. First, a medical ninja must never give up treatment before a teammate has died. Second, a medical ninja must never stand at the very front of the battlefield. Third, a medical ninja must never die before any member of the squad. That is my proposal. The specific details are in the report before you. I hope the members of the committee will adopt it."
After Tsunade finished speaking, she dropped into the chair at the hearing table, crossed her legs, took a sip of the tea in front of her, and waited for everyone's questions with a confident smile on her lips.
Keiko was undoubtedly bold in his appointments. Whether it was Baki in Moon Lake New District, Garukei in the Construction Corps, or Rasa and Yura in the Hourglass Group, all of them were promising young Jonin. He had even handed such an important position as the medical unit directly to the "outsider," Tsunade. Not only that, Keiko had promoted the medical unit directly into the Medical Department. Although, in order 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 power rested in the hands of Tsunade, the vice minister and hospital director.
Keiko dismissed the objections with contempt. What insiders and outsiders? Using the right talent was what mattered. He had gone to great lengths to invite Tsunade from the Konoha. You objected? Fine. Could you find someone whose abilities matched hers? Could you find someone more suitable for the position? If not, shut up. Besides, wouldn't the talents Tsunade trained in Sunagakure's Medical Department and hospitals still remain in Sunagakure? The meat was still in the pot. Couldn't you figure out that much? Stop yammering and get lost!
Tsunade had not disappointed Keiko's trust. Although she had held a distinguished status in the Konoha—come on, she was the First Hokage's granddaughter—her seniority had ultimately not been high enough. Many of her ideas and suggestions had not been acknowledged or implemented. Things were different in Sunagakure. Keiko gave her absolute trust and authority. On a blank sheet of paper, one could naturally paint the most beautiful picture. Building hospitals, training medical ninja, establishing laboratories, even setting up herb gardens in the outskirts of Sunagakure and Moon Lake New District—her sweeping reforms greatly improved Sunagakure's medical environment in just half a year. Tsunade consequently won recognition from every faction in the village.
Tsunade had actually proposed similar ideas in the Konoha before, but the Third Hokage had rejected them because of insufficient personnel and technology at the time. Raising the matter again was merely an attempt to give it another try.
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 Keiko's political reforms. He had deliberately distributed part of his authority among the elders of the various clans and representatives of the major families. Naturally, this won the support of Sunagakure's upper ranks. Every new reform policy the village was preparing 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 allowed all of Sunagakure's factions to participate in decision-making and also prevented Keiko himself from becoming dictatorial or arbitrarily exercising power. (In truth, Keiko was mainly lazy. He did not want to handle every matter personally, so he found some work for the village's Elders' Council.) However, from the very beginning of the Hearing Committee, Keiko had set the tone—every decision would be judged only by right and wrong, only by gains and losses. There would be no talk of factions and no prejudice. You could offer suggestions, but you had to present them properly. Trying to win by shouting louder or whipping up the crowd would not work. This made the entire Hearing Committee pragmatic, efficient, and focused.
"I have a question. I hope Vice Minister Tsunade can answer it." Elder Uekusa, Minister of the Personnel Department, raised his hand.
"Please." Tsunade smiled calmly and gestured with her hand.
"Adding a medical ninja to the traditional three-man combat squad and turning it into a four-man squad will improve battlefield survivability. I have no doubt about that. But will the squad's combat strength decline?"
"I do not believe so. Please turn to page three of my report. It clearly states that the medical ninja assigned to a combat squad is not merely a medical ninja. They possess combat ability as well and can be deployed in battle. It is simply that a medical ninja's primary role is not combat, but providing medical support for the other combat-oriented ninja, allowing the squad's fighting strength to endure longer."
"I have no further questions." Elder Uekusa carefully read the relevant passage before replying.
"I have a question. I hope Vice Minister Tsunade can answer it." Elder Chiyo raised her hand.
"Please."
"According to Vice Minister Tsunade's plan, all tactical squads in Sunagakure will need to be reorganized. This will involve more than three thousand combat squads and nearly ten thousand people. But after making a rough estimate just now, it seems Sunagakure does not have that many medical ninja. How does Vice Minister Tsunade intend to solve this problem?"
Tsunade thought for a moment before saying, "Elder Chiyo's question actually concerns another issue: the training of medical ninja. I do have some ideas regarding this matter, but some of the specifics have not yet been finalized, 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 ideas."
Tsunade lifted her teacup and took a sip. The staff member beside her immediately refilled it.
"Of course the reorganization must proceed, but a force of nearly ten thousand people cannot simply be disbanded and rebuilt from scratch. There is certainly a shortage of medical ninja in the current squads, so my plan will proceed in three steps. First, we will consolidate existing resources, create unified records for all current medical ninja, and allocate them reasonably. For example, if Squad A already has a ninja capable of serving as a medical ninja, then it will only need to add one combat ninja. But if Squad B has no ninja capable of serving as a medical ninja, then it will need to be assigned a new medical ninja. Naturally, these medical ninja must undergo new standardized training and instruction. They may take up their positions only after passing.
Second, to address the current shortage of medical ninja, we will train those in each combat squad who have both the aptitude and willingness to become medical ninja, thereby making up the deficiency.
Third, the Ninja Academy must establish specialized divisions and programs for training medical ninja. Once this becomes standard practice, the problem will naturally be resolved. I wonder whether Elder Chiyo is satisfied with my answer."
The Hearing Committee fell silent as everyone considered Tsunade's words.
"This will not be cheap. The cost of reorganization, the cost of training, and the cost to the Ninja Academy. Added together, it will be at least fifty million ryo." Shangshui Liuyun, Minister of the Finance Department, spoke up.
"Let me say something." Keiko finally opened his mouth.
"My view is that as long as it can improve ninja combat strength, these expenses are worthwhile. We cannot be petty in how we conduct ourselves or handle affairs." Keiko paused and pointed at Tsunade.
"I have a feeling that the proposal put forward by Vice Minister Tsunade represents a future trend on the battlefields of the Shinobi World. This reform conforms to 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!"
Keiko raised the green placard beside him. Under Hearing Committee rules, green signified approval, red opposition, and white abstention. Any proposal receiving more than half the votes would pass.
"Twenty-five votes in total. Seventeen in favor, three abstentions, and five opposed. I hereby announce that Proposal No. 97 has passed." The vote caller immediately announced the result. Applause broke out throughout the room.
"Next, I will announce several policies related to this proposal. Regarding the reorganization of the new ninja squads, Minister Uekusa and Minister Shangshuiliu are to immediately prepare a reorganization plan and budget."
"Yes."
"Minister Ebizo, the Ninja Academy must also prepare a plan for establishing the Medical Academy."
"Yes."
Keiko flipped through the calendar in front of 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, that will be all for today. Go carry out your duties. Meeting adjourned."
"Hold on, I have a question." Chiyo raised her hand.
"What question?" Keiko looked somewhat puzzled.
With an amused expression, Chiyo snapped her fingers. Pakura pushed in a three-tier cream cake.
"Happy birthday, Lord Kazekage!"
Before you continue