Hiruzen listened intently as the discussion continued. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, but there was something in the air—an opportunity for reform, a shift toward something more balanced. As one of the village leaders, he who had been pondering deeply, finally stood up and suggested,
"The current system of the village while functional, is far from perfect. There's room for improvement, and we must strive to make the system as fair and efficient as possible. To avoid bias, I believe it is time for a change."
He took a deep breath, his voice firm yet measured, "The Hokage, though powerful, cannot manage all affairs alone. It is unrealistic to expect one individual to oversee everything. There are simply too many responsibilities, and mistakes are inevitable. Therefore, I propose a solution that ensures the village develops in a healthier, more balanced way."
The room quieted as all eyes turned toward the speaker.
"I propose that the village select nine individuals—chosen for their strength, attitude, and unwavering belief in the ninja way—who meet the village's requirements. These nine will form the Konoha Village Political Affairs Committee, or simply the Village Committee. All significant decisions regarding the village's future, from major policies to everyday matters, will be decided by the Village Committee through a vote."
The idea seemed radical, but many were intrigued.
"From this group of nine, we will select a Hokage who will act as the highest leader of the village, holding supreme power over the committee. Alongside the Hokage, we will designate one or two individuals as Vice-Kage. Their role will be to assist the Hokage, stepping in when the Hokage is away, ill, or unable to fulfill his duties due to unforeseen circumstances—such as death in battle. The Vice-Kage will wield authority second only to the Hokage. In case of emergency, they can serve as the leader of the village."
He paused, ensuring that everyone understood the gravity of his proposal.
"As for the remaining members of the Village Committee, they will be selected from the heads of various departments within the village. This ensures that each major aspect of the village is represented and that decisions are made with a comprehensive understanding of all sectors."
There were murmurs of agreement, but the speaker wasn't done.
"I believe the village's current structure needs refinement. The Security Department has grown too large, hindering its effectiveness. To address this, we must reorganize it into smaller, specialized divisions."
° The Customs Department will guard the Land of Fire's borders, preventing rogue ninjas and spies from infiltrating.
° The Patrol Department will oversee security within Konoha and allied territories, ensuring stability and swift response to threats.
° The Guard Department will focus on internal safety, investigating crimes and maintaining peace within our village.
"With this restructuring, each unit can fulfill its duty with greater focus and efficiency."
He looked around the room, seeing his suggestion taking root.
"Furthermore, no village can function without proper intelligence. The Anbu's intelligence team and the government's intelligence department should be merged to form a unified Intelligence Department. This department will be responsible for gathering and analyzing all relevant intelligence from the ninja world to keep Konoha informed of any changes in the political or military landscape."
The suggestion seemed to be welcomed by many, but the speaker continued, "In addition, I propose the creation of a Foreign Ministry. This department will oversee Konoha's foreign relations, managing diplomatic affairs and resolving international disputes with other countries and villages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ensure that Konoha's stance is clearly communicated to the outside world, promoting peace and understanding."
He paused again, his gaze sweeping across the room. "These changes, when implemented, will streamline the village's operations, create fairer distribution of power, and ensure that Konoha can face the future with unity and strength. I believe this is the path forward."
The room fell silent, and Hiruzen, though thoughtful, couldn't help but feel that the village was on the verge of something transformative.
As the discussions continued, the tone became more serious.Hiruzen, his face solemn, spoke up once again, his voice carrying the weight of his words.
"Though war has faded into memory, its scars remain. Too many of our comrades have fallen—not from the battlefield alone, but from the absence of aid when they needed it most. Those who survived carry wounds that could have been healed, yet instead, they endure a lifetime of suffering. When I think of the sacrifices our ninjas have made, giving everything for this village only to be left in pain, my heart aches. This is not the future we should accept—this must change."
He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing, "To ensure that our ninjas are cared for, I propose the establishment of a Medical Department. This department will oversee Konoha Hospital, ensuring that both ninjas and villagers receive timely and adequate medical care when they are injured or fall ill. We must protect the health of those who protect our village."
A few heads nodded in agreement, and it was clear that the need for such a department was undeniable.
Hiruzen pressed on, "Next, there is the matter of Konoha's future ninjas. The Ninja Academy has always been the cradle of our reserve ninjas, and education must be a top priority. To ensure a steady stream of capable ninjas, we need a Ministry of Education to oversee the Ninja School and ensure that we are adequately training our next generation of ninja talent."
The room remained quiet, but it was evident that everyone recognized the importance of investing in the future.
"There is also the issue of missions," Hiruzen continued.
"Currently, many of our ninjas face dangerous and unclear mission assignments. There is no clear grading system, and intelligence about the mission's risks is often lacking. This results in unnecessary danger for our ninjas. Therefore, I propose the creation of a Mission Department, which will oversee mission assignments, ensuring clarity, safety, and proper grading of missions. No ninja should be sent on a mission without understanding the risks involved."
At this point, the room began to buzz with agreement. Many of the clan leaders knew firsthand how dangerous poorly graded missions could be for their own families' ninjas.
"I don't need to explain the Administrative Department," Hiruzen said with a small smile, knowing that everyone understood its role. "It will be responsible for all the comprehensive affairs of Konoha, including the Hokage Office and the Hokage Secretary."
The Anbu, which had previously served as a special forces unit, would now be under the Hokage's direct command, with the department's responsibilities outlined in detail.
"The final department I want to mention," Hiruzen said, his voice firm, "Is the Assessment Department. Initially, I did not see the need for such a department. But after the Fire Trade Company incident, it became clear that we must have a dedicated body to assess the rank and abilities of our ninjas. Ninjas who fail to meet the necessary standards must not be promoted. We must ensure that only capable ninjas are given higher ranks."
With this, he concluded, "These eleven departments—
° Customs Department
° Patrol Department
° Guard Department
° Foreign Affairs Department
° Medical Department
° Administrative Department
° Intelligence Department
° Mission Department
° Education Department
° Anbu Department
° Assessment Department
—will be responsible for managing all aspects of the village."
As the plan was laid out, Hiruzen took a moment to reflect. The structure he proposed was much more complex than what he had originally envisioned. He had hoped for a simpler, higher-level Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but after weighing the needs of the village, it became clear that this approach was necessary to maintain balance.
However, there was a downside. Having so many departments could lead to inefficiency and strain on the village's resources. Ultimately, there would likely need to be some reductions in the number of departments as time went on. For now, though, the new structure would address the immediate needs and spread out the responsibilities more evenly.
As Hiruzen finished speaking, many of the clan leaders were smiling. In the past, all village matters had been under the Hokage's control, and the clans had little say in the management of the village. Now, however, each department would have real power, and the leaders of each department would have a significant role in decision-making. Even though the ultimate authority would lie with the nine-member Village Committee, this shift in power was seen as a step in the right direction. It was a welcome change from the current situation, where everything depended on the Hokage's office and a select few.
Hiruzen could sense the shift in the room. He had successfully outlined a plan that would reshape Konoha for the better, distributing power more fairly while maintaining order. The next steps would require careful execution, but for now, the village had a clearer path forward.
Hiruzen, after hearing the voice, calmly set his pipe aside and adjusted his posture to give a clear and deliberate response. His gaze moved from the document in front of him to the clan leader who had spoken up. He took a moment to ensure that everyone's attention was focused before addressing the question.
"Of course, I understand that these reforms may seem a bit complicated at first glance," Hiruzen began, his tone steady but thoughtful. "The essence of what I am proposing here is a redistribution of power among the key departments of Konoha. Rather than having all decisions centralized in the Hokage's office, I want to create a more balanced approach. Each of the 11 departments will have their own department heads, with real authority over their respective areas."
He continued, looking around the room at the clan leaders, "This shift allows for greater involvement from the clan heads and ensures that the village's operations are run more efficiently and with a wider range of input. As I mentioned earlier, each department head will be selected based on merit, strength, and belief in the ninja way. We will create a Village Committee that will help guide the most critical decisions, ensuring that no one person holds all the power."
Hiruzen paused for a moment to let the words settle in. He could see that some of the clan leaders were processing the changes, while others were still unsure about the potential competition for the department head positions.
"The main difference between this and the old way of doing things is that these departments will now compete for resources, influence, and leadership. It's no longer just about the Hokage making all the decisions. These departments, while having their own autonomy, will be interdependent. The competition for leadership in these departments will be between clan heads and their representatives. It will foster healthy competition, cooperation, and, most importantly, accountability."
He shifted slightly in his chair, looking directly at Shikatsu, who had been lost in his thoughts a moment ago.
"I realize this may be a shift for those who are used to the older ways of doing things, but these changes are necessary for Konoha to thrive in the long term. The Ministry of Government Affairs, for example, will no longer be solely dependent on the Hokage's personal involvement. It will be its own entity, led by someone competent and driven to handle the village's administrative needs."
Turning back to the room as a whole, Hiruzen added, "As for the competition for the department head roles, I believe that it will give the village's clans a real stake in its development. The leaders of the clans will need to choose wisely, and the competition will naturally bring out the best candidates. This approach will not only decentralize power but will also lead to a more efficient and effective village system."
He took a breath, knowing the weight of his words. "We will also ensure that these changes are implemented gradually. The idea is not to overwhelm anyone or make the transition too abrupt, but to ensure that the village is structured in a way that can endure, grow, and thrive."
He glanced over the documents again. "Now, I'm happy to take any more questions or suggestions. Let's make sure that everyone understands the full scope of these reforms before we proceed to a vote."
Hiruzen's calm but decisive demeanor seemed to put many of the clan leaders at ease. Still, there was a certain air of anticipation, as the implications of this new system would reshape Konoha's future.
As the discussions continued, the atmosphere in the room grew more serious. Hiruzen's proposal had clearly struck a chord, and the village leaders were now considering the full impact of the reforms. Hiruzen's voice grew more impassioned as he spoke, driven by the desire to build a stronger, more efficient Konoha.
"The changes we're discussing today are not just for the present, but for Konoha's future," he said. "We must learn from the past mistakes and ensure that no one in this village suffers because of a lack of support or proper infrastructure. Our ninjas, our villagers, and our future generations deserve better."
There was a quiet agreement in the room as many of the clan leaders exchanged looks. For the first time, the responsibility for the village's operations was being shared more equitably, and Hiruzen's plan offered an opportunity to balance power and ensure that key decisions were not left to a single individual or a small group.
Hiruzen continued, detailing the responsibilities of the various departments. Each department would be led by a head who would hold real power, competing for influence, resources, and leadership, ensuring that every aspect of the village's operations was overseen by a capable and qualified individual.
"The competition between the departments will drive progress," he explained. "It will create an environment where every leader is accountable, and where their decisions are directly tied to the success or failure of their department. This decentralization of power will not only prevent the Hokage from being overwhelmed but will also give every clan leader a stake in the future of Konoha."
He gave a small smile, sensing the shift in the room. It was a moment of transformation. The clan leaders, once solely reliant on the Hokage, were now being empowered to shape the future of the village. There was still apprehension, but there was also a sense of optimism.
Hiruzen's voice softened as he added, "Change is never easy. It requires time, patience, and trust. I am asking for that trust from all of you. These reforms will not happen overnight, but I believe they are the path forward. Let's work together to make Konoha stronger, healthier, and more united than ever."
He paused, taking in the expressions around the room. The clan leaders were deep in thought, some nodding in agreement, others still unsure. He could tell that the impact of the reforms was settling in, and there were likely many more questions to come.
"I'm happy to answer any further questions or clarify anything about these proposed changes. Please, don't hesitate to speak up."
Hiruzen's words hung in the air, the weight of them underscoring the importance of the moment. As the village stood on the brink of a new era, the future of Konoha was being redefined. Now, it was up to the leaders of the clans to decide how they would move forward together.