Main World.
Summer, Konoha Year Twenty-Two.
Konoha, Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, holding a freshly drafted document. Several large words appeared on its cover-"Konoha Education System Reform Plan." His gaze moved slowly across the paper, a faint smile on his lips. This document was the product of repeated consultations with the major clans, and his first major political achievement as the Third Hokage.
Mitokado Homura stood beside him, holding a cup of hot tea, a trace of complex emotion on his face that he could hardly conceal.
"Third Hokage, the Elite School and the Commoner School... are they really going to be separate?"
"Separate."
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the document and leaned back in his chair.
"The major clans' children will receive their education at the Elite School. Commoners' children will receive theirs at the Commoner School. Each will get what they need, and each will have their place."
Mitokado Homura frowned slightly.
"But... wouldn't that be..."
"Wouldn't it be what? Unfair?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him.
"Homura, you need to understand something. In the Shinobi World, fairness is the greatest luxury. The major clans' children have bloodlines, resources, and inherited teachings. Commoners' children have nothing. Is putting them together fair? No. That would be unfair to the major clans."
Mitokado Homura fell silent.
"Besides, the Commoner School has its own advantages."
Hiruzen Sarutobi rose and walked to the window.
"The Commoner School's curriculum will focus on ideological education. Commoners' children will be steeped in the Will of Fire from childhood. They will become Konoha's most loyal 'believers.'"
He turned to look at Mitokado Homura.
"Believers don't need to be particularly strong. All they need is-faith."
Mitokado Homura's pupils contracted slightly.
"Faith..."
"Yes. Faith."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
"The Commoner School's minimum graduation requirement-faith in the Will of Fire."