At the Academy, in the teachers' office.
The teaching staff had a routine meeting, and Shinji was listening to a report on the graduating students.
"Kubo, how are the overall grades of this graduating class?" Shinji asked an elder Chunin teacher, Kubo, who was in charge of the senior grades.
"Shinji, there aren't any major problems." Kubo replied. He was already middle-aged and very familiar with teaching.
After a few years at the Academy, for some graduating students, there was nothing more to teach.
Aside from the basic three basic techniques, any other Ninjutsu had to be taught by an elder in their own clan. Otherwise, they could only exchange mission quotas for Ninjutsu step by step.
Of course, there were other methods, such as a Jonin Instructor genuinely willing to teach them.
But nowadays, where would one find such Jonin willing to do so?
After all, most of Konoha's Jonin were almost the highest combat power of their respective clans.
They barely had enough time to train their own clan members, so how could they care about these Genin who might only be under their command for less than a year?
Shinji pondered for a long time before looking up at Kubo beside him and saying, "Kubo, please compile a list of the graduating students for me."
"No problem, I'll have it ready in a moment." Although Kubo was curious why Shinji wanted the list, he still nodded in response.
—
"You mean to have the graduating students participate in D-rank missions within the village for practical training?"
Hiruzen put down the documents in his hand, clasped his hands, rested his chin on them, and looked at Shinji, who was sitting on the sofa, asking.
The document on the desk clearly read 'Konoha Sprout Nurturing Plan'.
Shinji nodded and said, "That's right, sensei."
Hiruzen smiled and spoke to Shinji, "Tell me about the detailed plan and its goals."
Shinji stood up, walked to the desk, and began explaining the plan to Hiruzen, "The purpose of this plan is to accurately identify students' true talents and avoid subjective biases in traditional class assignments based on grades and performance."
"Sensei, you know that Jonin instruction is crucial for the growth of graduating Genin."
"If they encounter a good Jonin, they might improve rapidly, but if they encounter an average one, they might die during missions."
"This has also severely led to a significant shortage in Konoha's ninja reserves."
Hiruzen asked, puzzled, "But ninjas who have been tempered in this way can almost stand on their own as Chunin. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
Shinji fell silent. Indeed, this was the cruelty of the Ninja World.
Newly graduated Genin could be quickly eliminated through missions, weeding out many who were not up to par. In this sense, it was indeed the most efficient and cost-effective method.
Even though Konoha occupied the wealthiest area of the Land of Fire, it still faced financial strain.
Coupled with being surrounded by major Ninja Villages, a war almost always meant Konoha fighting the four great nations alone.
Shinji shook his head and said, "Sensei, the utilization of talent has multiple facets. If a Genin happens to have the talent of a Medical Ninja, but dies during a mission due to insufficient strength, it would be a pity."
"If we had known from the beginning that this Genin possessed such talent and transferred him out, wouldn't we have been able to prevent this from happening?"
He didn't deny Hiruzen's approach. But the application of survival of the fittest was too extreme.
Hiruzen fell silent. He understood the reasoning Shinji was presenting.
Just like when Tsunade argued vehemently, leading to Konoha formally establishing a systematic medical training program.
She promoted the 'medical priority' combat philosophy, changing the traditional ninja's mindset of trading lives for lives, gradually triggering the importance of teamwork and tactical retreat.
How did Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, die?
Because he abandoned a mission when his comrades were severely injured, which led to rumors and gossip within the village.
The ninja Sakumo saved also questioned his decision. After all, if he didn't stand with the majority, Sakumo's predicament would be what he would face next.
So, why not push all the blame onto Sakumo?
The question is, was Sakumo wrong to do what he did?
From the perspective of a Jonin leading a team at the time, concerning his subordinates, Sakumo was not wrong. But from the perspective of the higher-ups, it was a mission failure caused by the life of one ninja. The losses caused by such an incident were extremely disproportionate.
"Continue." Hiruzen said, biting his pipe, signaling Shinji to continue.
Shinji said, "Besides accurately identifying true talents, we can also use dynamic assessments to pre-screen talents for special departments like Anbu and the Medical Squad."
"Even, to identify ninja unsuitable for frontline combat in advance, reducing the probability of casualties on the battlefield."
"And for these ninjas unsuitable for frontline combat, if they have other strengths, we can arrange them accordingly."
"I believe they always possess their inherent talents, and if not, advising them to give up in advance is also a good method."
"What about funding?" Hiruzen asked.
To implement this step, the financial preparation would be considerable, and it wouldn't just be for this graduating class, but for every class thereafter. Preparing the assessment personnel would be the most difficult step. Currently, almost all ninjas within Konoha have missions.
"No funding is needed. For the initial assessments, let the major clans within the village form the teams, and sensei, you just need to oversee the general direction."
"In a few years, the ninjas selected from these initial batches can become the assessors for these selections."
Hiruzen was stunned. His disciple intended to get something for nothing.
"Tell me, how will you get the clans in the village to agree to such a thing?"
An increase in civilian ninjas means that the environment for clan ninjas will gradually diminish. Their influence will also gradually decrease, and the clans will slowly decline.
How could these clans possibly agree to such a thing?
Shinji said, hinting, to Hiruzen, "Hasn't the Hyuga clan always been dissatisfied with the Uchiha occupying too many positions in the Police Force? The Byakugan is more suitable for police patrols."
"I think Fugaku would prefer his clan members to enter Anbu or other positions more than positions in the Police Force."
"You brat, are you eyeing my Hokage Anbu funds?" Hiruzen was a bit amused and angered.
It seemed Shinji was eyeing his private coffers.
The Hokage Anbu Guard Corps, since the Second Hokage, has been supplied by the Hokage's own funds, not participating in Konoha's financial flow.
Shinji didn't refute but continued with the plan, "If the two major clans agree, for the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, I think if we just explain that they will get a larger share in future medicinal material bidding, I believe Shikaku will understand what you mean."
"Once these five clans agree, even if the other clans want to object, they'll have to see if they have the strength to do so."