It was impossible to keep Ninja from fighting altogether.
That was especially true when they faced pressure from outside.
This was, after all, a world where the strong preyed on the weak. Keeping Ninja off the battlefield and stopping them from taking missions was impossible.
But giving Ninja enough time to grow, so they would not have to fight as children, had always been Hashirama Senju's goal. When he founded Konoha, he had not truly expected to bring lasting peace to the entire Shinobi World. More than anything, he had wanted to give children a safe haven and a place where they could grow up.
That was why Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha had founded Konoha together.
"Isn't this a little rushed?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "If we introduce nine years of schooling all at once, it will affect Konoha's development. There still aren't enough qualified people in the Land of Fire.
"Besides, we're going to make moves against the smaller countries around us and the Land of Wind. A nine-year education system would lengthen the time needed for expansion by at least half."
"Students certainly can't learn everything they need at the Ninja Academy.
"Konoha pairs veterans with newcomers. Outstanding students receive guidance from Jonin team leaders, while ordinary students carry out missions under Chunin. The point is to teach them practical skills in the field. If we extend their schooling, though, it may interfere with other matters." Tobirama Senju did not entirely agree with Uchiha Yi's idea either.
"What if we split them into a field track and an administration track?" Uchiha Yi asked, raising an eyebrow. "One would focus on management and academic study, while the other would focus on combat.
"Of course, both tracks would study the basics, including the Three Basic Techniques.
"They would have other