The next day.
Morning sunlight bathed the Konoha training grounds.
Several hundred shinobi stood in orderly lines.
They ranged from newly graduated Genin to experienced Chūnin, with even several outstanding representatives from the Ninja Academy among them.
All of them stood solemnly, waiting for the assessment to begin.
Uchiha Chiya stood on an elevated platform and swept his gaze across the crowd.
“The assessment today has only one requirement—chakra control!”
“Anyone who passes will be eligible to enter Konoha’s temporary medical-ninja training program!”
As soon as Chiya finished speaking, Tsunade stepped forward.
She pointed toward a huge training area in the distance that had been temporarily constructed using Earth Release and Water Release.
The training ground contained pools of water, wooden posts of varying heights, balance beams, and water-filled balloons suspended by thin strings.
Every part of the course had been specifically designed by Tsunade to test the precision of chakra control.
“The rules are simple.”
Tsunade crossed her arms.
Her voice was cold and clear.
“First test: walk across the water and remain standing for ten seconds without falling.”
“Second test: use your chakra to manipulate the water inside a balloon and shape it into a designated form.”
“Third test: stand on the wooden posts and perform a simulated incision using a chakra scalpel.”
She scanned the crowd, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
“If you can’t do it, you can withdraw now.”
The shinobi below exchanged glances.
But soon, the first group of candidates stepped forward.
Knowing that hundreds of people would be participating, Chiya had already applied to the Uchiha clan for assistance.
He requested that members of the Military Police Force be dispatched to maintain order.
After all, this was an important public event.
There was no way the Uchiha could afford to miss the opportunity to demonstrate their involvement in the village.
The clan agreed almost immediately.
At Chiya’s signal, one Uchiha after another began maintaining order around the training grounds.
Each of them wore a somewhat stiff smile.
The smiles were there because of a command Chiya had given them that very morning.
Law enforcement with humanity had to be put into practice.
The medical-ninja training program was a major event, and Chiya knew countless eyes would be watching.
What would people think if every member of the Uchiha Military Police walked around looking like they had lost a fortune?
Wouldn’t that just give everyone an excuse to criticize them?
The young Uchiha shinobi maintaining order were particularly noticeable among the crowd.
The Uchiha, who had once been known for their aloofness, were now actively participating in village affairs while wearing stiff smiles on their faces.
Many villagers and shinobi from other clans were surprised.
“Have you heard?”
“Apparently, the Uchiha Military Police have actually started helping elderly people carry things during patrols.”
“Yeah. Last time my kid got lost, it was an Uchiha shinobi who brought him home.”
“The Uchiha really do seem different from before…”
“…”
Whispers spread throughout the crowd.
Not far away, a young black-haired girl with dark eyes stood among the spectators.
Uchiha Mikoto looked toward Chiya on the platform.
Her eyes were filled with warmth, and her face carried unmistakable pride.
Beside her stood a red-haired girl.
Kushina Uzumaki noticed the change in her best friend’s expression.
Curiosity immediately filled her eyes.
She followed Mikoto’s gaze.
When she saw Uchiha Chiya, Kushina froze.
Isn’t that the Uchiha Chiya Lady Tsunade has been talking about so often lately?
Could he be the person Mikoto cares about?!
While the young girl was letting her imagination run wild, the first group of candidates stepped onto the surface of the water.
Three seconds later—
Splash!
More than half of them fell into the water, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
“Anyone who falls is disqualified.”
“Next group!”
Tsunade, the chief examiner, waved her hand without mercy.
The second group performed somewhat better.
However, many still failed to control their chakra precisely enough.
Under their manipulation, the water-filled balloons suddenly burst.
Water splashed everywhere.
“Medical ninjas need finer chakra control than combat-oriented shinobi!”
Tsunade’s voice was cold.
“On the battlefield, every bit of chakra you use could determine whether your comrade lives or dies!”
Finally, several young medical-ninja candidates from the third group successfully passed the assessment.
“Good.”
Chiya nodded.
“Those who passed will begin formal training tomorrow!”
By the time the assessment ended, several hundred candidates had been reduced to fewer than forty.
Once the various clans received the news, they began sending supplies.
The Senju clan provided a large quantity of valuable medicinal herbs.
The Hyūga clan contributed detailed chakra-network diagrams.
And the Uchiha clan went even further.
They opened their own medical-equipment reserves to the program.
They even dispatched several shinobi skilled in Fire Release to assist with disinfection and high-temperature sterilization.
“I never expected the Uchiha to cooperate this much…”
A medical-department shinobi spoke quietly.
Hearing that, Chiya sighed helplessly.
Damn.
How did the Uchiha end up with such a reputation?
He shook off his distracting thoughts.
Standing beside the stacks of supplies, he watched everyone working together.
A sense of satisfaction filled his heart.
“Looks like your efforts haven’t been wasted.”
Tsunade had somehow appeared beside him.
Her voice was calm.
Chiya smiled.
“This is everyone’s achievement.”
Tsunade gave a soft snort, though a hint of approval flashed through her eyes.
“However, the training program has only just begun.”
“Don’t celebrate too early.”
“With Lady Tsunade here, I’m very confident.”
Chiya winked.
“Smooth talker.”
Tsunade turned her face away.
But the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
That evening.
Inside the Hokage’s Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked through the report in his hands and nodded with satisfaction.
“The medical-ninja training program has officially begun.”
“And all the major clans are cooperating.”
“Chiya, you and Tsunade have done well.”
Chiya bowed slightly.
“That is thanks to Lord Hokage’s excellent decision-making.”
“From this point onward, the training needs to accelerate.”
Hiruzen’s voice became solemn.
“The situation at the front lines is becoming increasingly tense.”
“We need to train more medical ninjas.”
“Yes!”
Chiya answered firmly.
“Old Man.”
Tsunade was much more casual.
She took out the classification plan she and Chiya had prepared and handed it to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen quickly looked through it.
The general principle was straightforward:
Prioritize medical ninjas suited for wartime deployment.
There were three priorities.
First, prioritize training medical ninjas who are suited for battlefield operations.
Second, prioritize allocating medical resources to those best suited for battlefield operations.
Third, prioritize graduating those medical ninjas who are best prepared for battlefield service.
Hiruzen nodded.
“Fine.”
“Proceed according to this three-priority strategy.”
“Tsunade, you will personally oversee the medical-ninja training program.”
“Got it.”
“If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving.”
Tsunade seemed to have expected Hiruzen to assign the responsibility to her.
She spoke impatiently as she prepared to leave.
We’ll?
Hiruzen’s brow instinctively furrowed.
“Tsunade, you stay.”
“What is it?”
“Is there something else?”
Tsunade paused and looked at the serious expression on Hiruzen’s face.
Hiruzen said nothing.
Chiya understood immediately that Hiruzen wanted to speak with Tsunade privately.
He bowed slightly and left the office.
Once Chiya had gone, Hiruzen finally spoke.
“How has Lady Mito’s health been recently?”
The moment Tsunade heard him mention her grandmother, her casual expression disappeared.
A trace of seriousness replaced it.
“Grandmother is still in fairly good health.”
“But…”
“She is getting old.”
“She has been feeling tired quite often lately.”
Hiruzen sighed.
A trace of melancholy appeared in his eyes.
“Once I’ve finished dealing with the work at hand in the next couple of days…”
“I’ll pay her a personal visit.”