The jonin meeting room was noisy with discussions.
The news of Danzō's arrest had spread, and it was the Hokage himself who made the move. Those present were all jonin, some were even clan leaders who had long suffered under Danzō.
Good news was good news, but none of the jonin could understand how this happened. How did the indecisive Third Hokage suddenly become so authoritative?
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen's own son, Sarutobi Asuma, was confused.
"No, Kurenai, if you ask me, I don't know either. You know I haven't lived at the old house for a long time. The last time I talked to the old man as father and son was the last time."
"Gai, you ask who Danzō is? You've met him before, that one-eyed elder."
"Shikaku, you tell me. What do you mean you don't know either, impossible, how could you not know."
Nara Shikaku, recognized as the smartest person in the room, turned to his friends and said, "Just wait, the Hokage will arrive soon. For such an urgently called jonin meeting, I think something big is happening. We just need to support the Hokage's decision." After saying this, he stopped talking.
"Are we going to war?" Suddenly a greenhorn spoke up.
Silence.
After a few seconds, someone from the intelligence department hesitantly said, "No way, it's been pretty peaceful recently."
"Yeah yeah, the international situation is great."
"Right right, we're preparing for the Chunin Exams right now."
"Exactly, no way."
"It can't be that we're making the first move, hahaha just kidding." The greenhorn felt the awkward atmosphere and started dry laughing.
No one responded. It became quiet.
Maybe they didn't want to respond, or maybe it was because the Hokage's footsteps could already be heard.
The Konoha F4 minus one entered the meeting room. Everyone saw that the elders Koharu and Homura looked terrible, as if they hadn't slept last night, while the Third Hokage looked energetic and refreshed, as if he had slept very well.
He even seemed decades younger. No, he actually looked decades younger.
If this happened to anyone else, suddenly looking decades younger, whether out of envy or curiosity, it might invite probing and greed. But Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage, so everyone only showed curiosity.
The Hokage didn't need to explain himself. Everyone just thought maybe the Third Hokage had used some secret technique.
Normally, meetings would start with proposals from Konoha elders or jonin commander Shikaku, followed by discussions, and finally the Hokage's decision.
This time was different. The Hokage spoke directly.
"Elites of Konoha, I've urgently called you here to announce a few matters." The Third Hokage spoke with vigor.
"First, the rogue ninja Shimura Danzō has surrendered. The criminal organization 'Root' is disbanded. Clan leaders can retrieve members who were lured into joining."
This matter had been known for a night, but the formal announcement was to emphasize the Hokage's authority.
The jonin were suspicious. Such a high-profile Third Hokage was unheard of.
"Second, during this Chunin Exam period, all jonin will suspend outside missions. Prepare combat tools. Postpone accepted missions. Ensure the exam goes smoothly, and be mentally prepared for unlimited combat."
Oh no, did the greenhorn actually predict it? The jonin complained internally.
"Oh, Ibiki, the written exam content needs changes. Although your design is innovative, the test of the Will of Fire is insufficient. Increase the proportion of Will of Fire content."
Other villages also test the Will of Fire? Though they complained internally, Ibiki agreed and said he'd redesign it.
"Third, the Ninja Academy will reform. The campus will expand. Enrollment will extend to the entire Land of Fire. Use invitation letters to recruit children with ninja potential, similar to the way Hogwarts does. Allow limited quotas from other countries as exchange students. Extend schooling to 9-12 years. Gradually open all ninjutsu permissions. Only allow graduation with at least chunin-level skills."
"This plan is codenamed 'Konoha City Academy Urban Plan'!"
So big? What are Hogwarts invitation letters? Today's Hokage is so unfamiliar.
The jonin looked at each other, worried about the future and surprised by the Hokage's sudden changes.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was always known for being gentle and cautious, but today he seemed decisive and assertive, even aggressive, spouting unfamiliar new terms.
"Hokage-sama, I have something to say." Hyūga Hiashi, head of the largest clan and a major donor, finally spoke. "Not that I don't support you, but this plan's funding..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.
"Don't worry too much about money. The Daimyo has agreed to ten times the funding. Of course, clan leaders must still contribute to education, for Konoha's future."
This was a bluff. But with proper negotiation, the Daimyo would agree. He feared Danzō so much, and I'm even scarier than Danzō. If not, there's always Kotoamatsukami.
"Such big reforms may alert other villages. Especially expanding enrollment to the entire Land of Fire and allowing foreign students. Could this cause international disputes?" A more strategic jonin asked.
"If they cooperate, we welcome it. If they oppose, we're not afraid."
My fists are very strong now.
"Shikaku, distribute the reform documents and the 'Evil Organization Countermeasures Manual' appendix. After reading, we'll vote. Those with objections can submit detailed opinions later."
Under his friends' 'you knew all along' gazes, Shikaku handed out the prepared documents.
Jonin commander Nara Shikaku had clearly seen the documents first and immediately supported the Hokage's plan. The Ino-Shika-Chō tradition was always to support the legitimate Hokage.
The room filled with page-turning and quiet discussions. The Hokage lit his pipe and took a satisfied puff.
Elder Homura said quietly, "Hiruzen, you're being too rash. You didn't even discuss with us."
The two elders had seen the documents with Shikaku but had no chance to object.
"You mean Danzō or the reforms?"
"Both. You're too radical. Even Namikaze wasn't this bold." Elder Koharu whispered. "Danzō's arrest has made many uneasy. With these reforms, I fear backlash."
"Cut the Gordian knot. If we debate endlessly like before, nothing will get done." Sarutobi Hiruzen said seriously.
"No more."
Actually, it wasn't always endless debates. Danzō often acted alone, creating facts that forced Hiruzen to accept, like the Uchiha incident. Now without Danzō, light and dark are one. I must act myself.
"Of course, you've always been my most trusted partners, unlike the rogue Danzō. Please support me as always."