Konohagakure
Hokage Building
Jōnin class meetings are typically held once a year.
Within the many institutions of Konohagakure, the Jōnin Class functions like a parliamentary body. Most major policies are brought to this forum for discussion and consensus.
Every Jōnin is a valuable asset, no matter the country.
But especially in Konoha, Jōnin are not just elite—they represent the pinnacle of shinobi capability. Among the Five Great Nations, the Jōnin of the Hidden Leaf stands above the rest in terms of quality and strength.
Inside a hall-shaped conference room, over a hundred shinobi gathered. Most were in their prime—young or middle-aged—with a few elders and even fewer teenagers.
Among the 120 or so present, 36 were from the Uchiha clan alone. It was no wonder the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, feared their influence.
Any leader would be wary of a clan with such power.
The Uchiha were not alone in their might. Seated nearby were the Hyūga clan members, boasting 30 Jōnin of their own.
If the Uchiha and Hyūga clans were to form their own villages, they could easily rise to the status of Great Nations in their own right.
On the stage sat Sarutobi Hiruzen, flanked by his advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. As always, Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Once, the Senju clan was just as powerful—but due to failed policies and reckless experimentation with Wood Release, they had declined.
Shimura Danzō, a product of the once-great Shimura clan, had chosen to dissolve his family identity, modelling himself after his teacher, Senju Tobirama. He retreated into the shadows, forming Root, and integrated into Konoha's civil faction, allowing him to ruthlessly suppress other clans.
The Sarutobi clan, however, remained strong. With more than a dozen Jōnin, they were effectively Konoha's third-largest clan. During Hiruzen's tenure, the clan expanded rapidly under his influence.
Most other clans had only one or two Jōnin—usually the clan head or a prominent elite.
And yet, one Uchiha could match ten ordinary shinobi.
This was even though Hiruzen had actively limited the Uchiha's Jōnin quotas. If he hadn't, even more, would have awakened the Sharingan and reached Jōnin-level strength without needing years of experience.
A light cough from Utatane Koharu pulled Hiruzen back from his thoughts.
He puffed on his pipe and said calmly, "Elites of the Leaf, welcome to the annual Jōnin Class Meeting. Here, we discuss proposals, departmental reports, and village affairs. Your concerns will be heard."
His tone was neutral, but everyone could sense the charisma layered in his chakra-infused voice. It was a skill, not every shinobi possessed.
Among the Uchiha Jōnin sat Uchiha Fugaku. This time, he had come on behalf of Uchiha Naraku. Fugaku turned to Naraku, who gave a small nod.
Understanding the cue, Fugaku stood.
"Hokage-sama, the Konoha Military Police Force is underfunded. Our members work tirelessly, but the current budget fails to meet basic operational needs. I request a 30% increase in funding to ensure our duties can be carried out properly."
"I support that."
"I support that."
The voices came quickly—mostly from Uchiha Jōnin.
The police force was critically underfunded. Naraku himself could barely afford to hire an extra Genin, let alone conduct investigations or support research. Every initiative was blocked by a lack of funding.
"Well said, Fugaku-dono," Hiruzen replied with a calm smile. "The Military Police Force is vital to Konoha's order. We will take your request seriously and assess the proposal after the meeting."
A textbook non-committal reply. Hiruzen was a master of political evasion.
Uchiha Naraku's expression stiffened slightly, but Fugaku gave a respectful bow and sat down.
Next, Tsunade Senju stood.
"Hokage-sama, I propose a 50% increase in the Medical Corps' funding," she said. "Training medical-nin is time-consuming and costly. But as seen during the Second Shinobi World War, our medical-nin dramatically reduced casualties. Every team should have one. We need to invest now."
"I support that."
"I second Tsunade-sama!"
Hands flew up. Almost all the Jōnin agreed.
Thanks to Tsunade's efforts, Konoha pioneered the integration of medical-nin into field squads. Other villages had followed suit after witnessing the drastic reduction in Leaf casualties.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand trembled as he set his pipe aside and wiped the sweat from his brow. Tsunade's demands were steep, and though beneficial, they strained Konoha's budget.
"We understand, Tsunade," Hiruzen said finally. "The Medical Corps' importance is without question. We'll study the numbers and respond after consultation."
"Typical," Tsunade muttered, frowning. She knew the Third Hokage well. He wouldn't approve 50% without stalling first.
Reports continued to pour in—border skirmishes, infiltrated squads, delayed pensions, and training requests. The meeting hall buzzed with activity.
Naraku rarely attended these gatherings unless absolutely necessary. Usually, he sent Uchiha representatives in his stead. But now, as things died down, he rose from his seat.
Hiruzen straightened slightly.
Naraku had sent Fugaku to make the first move. Now he was going in himself. The Third Hokage was curious.
"Hokage-sama," Naraku began, his voice steady, "I propose we increase the medical department's funding and create a Mental Rehabilitation Division."
"In the last six months, the Police Force has detained 21 shinobi for violent outbreaks. All were war veterans—shinobi who served Konoha with distinction. But after suffering loss, trauma, and psychological stress, many became mentally unstable."
"The Mental Rehabilitation Division would serve as a refuge—a place to heal not the body, but the mind. A spiritual sanatorium, if you will, for those who've sacrificed everything for this village."
A quiet wave of murmurs passed through the crowd. Many shinobi looked thoughtful.
"I second!"
"Seconded!"
"I support the proposal!"
Hands shot up across the room—Uchiha and non-Uchiha alike. Even the Uzumaki clan's Jōnin representatives, normally silent, raised their hands to support their ally.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. This was her first time hearing such a proposal. A place to treat mental wounds? It struck a chord. She had suffered immense trauma after Nawaki's death—and had developed hemophobia, crippling her medical skills.
She understood Naraku's intent—and raised her hand in support.
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly as he observed the votes. A majority had already backed Naraku's suggestion.
It was an admirable idea—one Hiruzen had never considered in such structured terms. He had always relied on the Will of Fire to guide the wounded hearts of Konoha's shinobi.
But a formal institution? That had never crossed his mind.
His advisors, Koharu and Homura, exchanged glances.
"If only it weren't Naraku who proposed this…" they both thought.
Still, public sentiment was undeniable.
Blowing out a smoke ring, Hiruzen finally spoke, "Uchiha Naraku, your suggestion is both thoughtful and necessary. The majority here supports it, and so do I. Please submit a written proposal outlining the details for constructing this new division."
It was impossible to deny the will of the people.
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