Uchiha Chiya followed the Anbu shinobi to the entrance of the Hokage’s Office and gently knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s steady voice came from inside.
Chiya pushed open the door.
The Third Hokage was sitting behind his desk, a scroll in his hands and a slight frown on his face, as though he were deep in thought.
“Lord Hokage.”
Chiya respectfully bowed.
“Have a seat.”
Hiruzen raised his head and gestured toward the sofa nearby before lowering his gaze back to the scroll.
Chiya said nothing and quietly sat down.
For a while, the only sounds in the office were the rustling of the scroll and the occasional chirping of birds outside the window.
Chiya took the opportunity to observe his surroundings.
The Hokage’s Office was simple yet dignified.
Portraits of the previous Hokage hung on the walls.
The bookshelves were packed with scrolls and books, and a faint smell of tobacco lingered in the air.
After a while, Hiruzen finally put down the scroll and rubbed his temples.
He looked toward Chiya.
His gaze was deep but gentle.
“Chiya, I called you here today because I want to discuss the medical-ninja training program.”
He got straight to the point.
Chiya’s heart tightened slightly, but his expression remained calm.
“Please go ahead, Lord Hokage.”
Hiruzen picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a slow puff before speaking.
“The medical-ninja proposal has been approved.”
“But the actual training program still needs to be worked out in greater detail.”
“What are your thoughts?”
Chiya considered it briefly before answering.
“The training of medical ninjas can be divided into three stages.”
“Basic theory, practical training, and battlefield adaptation.”
“Oh?”
A flicker of interest appeared in Hiruzen’s eyes.
“Go on.”
Chiya organized his thoughts and continued.
“First is the basic theory stage.”
“We need to develop a systematic curriculum covering human anatomy, chakra control, treatment of common injuries, and other essential medical knowledge.”
“Experienced medical ninjas can teach these subjects to ensure that the trainees acquire the necessary theoretical foundation.”
“We could also introduce simpler versions of these lessons as supplementary courses at the Ninja Academy.”
Hiruzen nodded.
“Theory is certainly important.”
“But during wartime, what we need are medical ninjas who can be deployed quickly.”
Chiya smiled slightly.
“That is precisely the purpose of the second stage.”
“During practical training, the students would perform actual medical procedures under supervision.”
“They would gradually progress from treating simple wounds to handling more complicated internal injuries.”
“We could also establish simulated battlefield environments so that trainees can practice under high-pressure conditions.”
“That would shorten the time they need to adapt to actual combat.”
Hiruzen’s brow relaxed.
“A simulated battlefield?”
“That’s a good idea.”
Chiya continued.
“Finally, there is the battlefield-adaptation stage.”
“Through squad-based exercises, medical ninjas would learn how to protect themselves while treating their comrades during combat.”
“This stage could be conducted alongside existing shinobi squads so that both sides can learn how to cooperate.”
Hiruzen pondered his words for a moment before a hint of approval appeared on his face.
“Your plan is very clear.”
“It seems you’ve put considerable thought into the medical system.”
Chiya answered modestly.
“I’ve simply spent some time thinking about it.”
“There’s one more thing I’d recommend.”
“We should establish a ranking system based on each trainee’s abilities and performance.”
“They could be divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced medical-ninja levels, with different missions and resources assigned to each.”
A trace of surprise appeared in Hiruzen’s eyes.
“A ranking system?”
“That is certainly novel.”
Chiya nodded.
“It would allow us to make the best possible use of our limited resources.”
“It would also motivate the trainees to continue improving.”
Hiruzen took another deep breath from his pipe and slowly exhaled.
Smoke curled through the sunlight.
He remained silent for a moment.
Then he suddenly asked:
“Chiya…”
“What do you believe the Will of Fire is?”
Chiya froze slightly.
He hadn’t expected the conversation to suddenly turn in that direction.
But he quickly composed himself.
His voice was firm.
“The Will of Fire is the spiritual legacy left behind by the First Hokage.”
“It represents the belief that we must protect our comrades and safeguard our village.”
“It is the foundation of every Konoha shinobi.”
“Where the leaves dance, fire burns.”
“The flames illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout.”
Hiruzen’s eyes flickered.
Chiya’s answer seemed to strike something within him.
“You’ve answered well…”
“You remind me of an old friend from the Uchiha clan.”
Chiya’s heart stirred.
He had a pretty good idea who Hiruzen meant, but he didn’t say anything.
Hiruzen sighed, nostalgia appearing in his eyes.
“Kagami was once just like you.”
“He cared deeply about the future of the village.”
Kagami.
He was naturally referring to Uchiha Kagami.
Chiya lowered his head and answered sincerely.
“Senior Kagami was a pride of the Uchiha clan.”
“He’s also someone I look up to.”
Hiruzen stared at Chiya, as though trying to see through his eyes.
After a moment, he slowly asked:
“Chiya…”
“What do you think of the Uchiha clan?”
Chiya raised his head.
His expression was calm and open.
“The Uchiha will always be Konoha’s Uchiha.”
“I was born in Konoha.”
“I grew up in Konoha.”
“The prosperity of the village is the prosperity of the Uchiha.”
“There may have been misunderstandings and divisions in the past.”
“But I believe that as long as we embrace the Will of Fire, the Uchiha and the village can move forward together.”
A trace of relief appeared in Hiruzen’s eyes.
He gently nodded.
“Very good…”
“Very good.”
He stood and walked toward the window, turning his back to Chiya.
“As for the medical-ninja training program…”
“You and Tsunade will be responsible for it.”
“Begin implementing the plan according to what you’ve proposed.”
“I hope you can train a group of qualified medical ninjas as quickly as possible.”
Chiya was delighted inside, but he maintained his composure.
“Yes, Lord Hokage.”
“I won’t let you down.”
Hiruzen handed the scroll to Chiya.
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
“Go.”
“I believe you’ll do well.”
Chiya stood, bowed respectfully, and left with the scroll.
Once he stepped out of the Hokage’s Office, he let out a long breath.
“I didn’t expect it to go this smoothly!”
However, Chiya didn’t know that after he left, Hiruzen remained standing by the window.
His gaze was distant.
“Kagami…”
“Among your Uchiha descendants, another person like you has finally appeared…”
His voice was quiet.
A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes.
“Don’t let your guard down, Hiruzen.”
A figure emerged from the shadows nearby.
It was Danzō.
“You heard what he said.”
“Tell me what you think.”
Hiruzen concealed the emotions in his eyes and glanced at Danzō.
“He certainly knows how to say the right things.”
“But who knows what the Uchiha will actually do behind closed doors?”
Danzō snorted coldly.
As a Hokage adviser and the leader of Root, he understood perfectly well what Hiruzen was thinking.
You want me to approve of an Uchiha?
Dream on.
“Hiruzen…”
“The fighting around Amegakure has intensified.”
“I’m going to the battlefield personally.”
Hiruzen’s brow furrowed when he heard that.
“How many shinobi are you taking?”
“I don’t need any of your Anbu.”
“I’ll take Root with me.”
“Konoha’s situation has been increasingly unfavorable lately.”
“I can’t simply sit back and do nothing.”
Danzō’s tone was decisive.
Hiruzen stared at him, unable to determine his true intentions.
“Fine.”
After considering the latest intelligence from the front lines, Hiruzen finally nodded.
Danzō turned toward the door.
He had taken only a couple of steps when he suddenly stopped.
He looked back at Hiruzen.
A mocking glint appeared in his eye.
“Hiruzen…”
“There’s no need to make testing Uchiha Chiya so complicated.”
“Just send him to the battlefield and let him experience it for himself.”
With that, Danzō turned around and left the Hokage’s Office.
Hiruzen watched his departing figure.
His eyes flickered.
His brow furrowed even more deeply.