Becoming the Hokage for over twenty years, from the moment of being appointed in the midst of crisis during the First War, hastily ascending to the position, to now firmly holding power and having a stable status.
Setting aside his formidable strength, the discernment and strategic acumen of the Third Hokage, were exceptional.
Precisely because of this, when he heard Kizaru propose the reform of a class-based system, he immediately understood the superiority of this system.
However, despite its superiority, Hiruzen had his own concerns and hesitations.
Just as Kizaru said, implementing a class-based selection and training system in ninja academies would indeed significantly increase Konoha's future medical and scientific ninja capabilities, thereby enhancing the village's overall strength.
But at the same time, such a reform also brought about a significant problem: a decrease in the number of available ninjas for missions.
The reason Konoha became the strongest ninja village in the ninja world was not only because of its powerful top-tier combatants but also because Konoha possessed the largest number of ninjas in the entire ninja world.
And Konoha could afford to maintain the largest number of ninjas in the ninja world mainly due to two reasons.
Firstly, Konoha was located in the Land of Fire, situated in the central region of the continent, with fertile land, abundant resources, and a wealthy national treasury, which could provide substantial annual funding to Konoha.
Secondly, the reputation of being the strongest ninja village established since the First Hokage, coupled with the positive image and large-scale ninja population, allowed Konoha to dominate a significant portion of the mission commissioning market in the ninja world.
The funds and support from the Daimyo could only ensure the village's smooth operation.
The core reason why Konoha could afford to support the largest number of ninjas in the ninja world every year was that Konoha could accept the most mission commissions from the ninja world.
The largest and strongest ninja population in the ninja world enabled Konoha not only to seize the most mission commissions but also to complete them with high quality.
High-quality service brought more mission commissions, which in turn allowed the village to train more ninjas and cultivate more talents.
Such a virtuous cycle was the solid foundation for Konoha to maintain its status as the strongest ninja village.
This was also why, when news of Konoha's Jonin Hatake Sakumo sacrificing an important mission to save his comrades leaked out, he faced widespread criticism from the entire village.
The reason for the villagers' anger and condemnation was not solely because Sakumo's failure in this mission led to significant losses for the village, but because such actions would damage the village's reputation in the mission commissioning market.
And once the reputation was tarnished, it would affect the village's competitiveness in the mission commissioning market, leading to a decrease in the number of mission commissions that could be undertaken.
And the decline in the number of mission commissions would affect the interests of the numerous ordinary ninjas who relied on taking missions to earn a living.
It was precisely because it affected the livelihoods of the majority that Sakumo was subjected to the village's public opinion attack and ultimately committed suicide.
Of course, the fundamental reason for Sakumo's disappointment and suicide was the actions of the village elders who, in order to suppress Sakumo's growing reputation, indirectly contributed to his downfall.
From this future tragedy, one could see the importance of mission commissions to a ninja village.
Therefore, if the village were to adopt the system reform proposed by Kizaru, it would indeed allow some ninjas with average combat abilities to shine in the fields of medicine and scientific research, greatly enhancing the village's warfare potential.
But it would also bring a problem: a reduction in the number of ordinary Chunin and Jonin available for missions in the future.
The decline in the number of ordinary ninjas would inevitably lead to Konoha's inability to maintain its current share of the mission commissioning market.
Once Konoha's ability to undertake mission commissions declined, it would shift to other ninja villages, indirectly strengthening the power of those villages.
It was out of such considerations that Hiruzen remained silent for a long time after hearing Orochimaru's proposed reform.
Mission commissions were the economic lifeline of every ninja village, and Hiruzen couldn't decide whether Kizaru's proposed reform would be good or bad for the village's future.
Should the village prioritize cultivating a group of outstanding medical and scientific ninjas to enhance its foundation, or should it maintain the status quo and continue to train a large number of ordinary Chunin and Jonin?
This disciple Kizaru had indeed presented him with a dilemma!
"Old man, why don't you speak up! I think Kizaru's proposal is excellent, I agree! Jiraiya, Orochimaru, what about you?" Hiruzen had remained silent, prompting Tsunade, who was straightforward and outspoken, to speak out.
"I agree!" Jiraiya's agreement wasn't just lip service; he genuinely believed Orochimaru's proposal was excellent.
"I agree!" Naturally, Orochimaru supported it as long as it benefited his scientific research endeavors.
Hearing the voices of his three disciples, Hiruzen snapped out of his contemplation.
Putting down his pipe, Hiruzen looked at the four disciples before him, representing the future of the village in their youth, and spoke with emotion, expressing his concerns.
After listening to Hiruzen's concerns, before the others could react, Tsunade slammed her hand forcefully on the wooden table in front of her.
Due to her emotional outburst, Tsunade, with considerable strength, directly cracked the wooden table in several places.
"Old man, are you willing to let those children be improperly trained for the sake of so-called missions, wasting their talents and becoming cannon fodder sacrifices?"
"Are you unwilling to sacrifice some missions for a better future for those children?"
"Is this what you call the Will of Fire that you preach every day?"
Looking at Tsunade, who appeared like an angry little lion in front of him, Hiruzen was momentarily speechless.
Having been the Hokage for over twenty years, some of the ideals and qualities of his youth had gradually drifted away from Hiruzen.
But at this moment, looking at the several disciples in front of him, Hiruzen seemed to see his younger self and Danzo again.
Perhaps he really had grown old!
Not yet fifty years old, Hiruzen, who was in his prime as a ninja, for the first time entertained the thought of growing old.
"How lively it is!" With a grin, Kizaru interrupted the tense atmosphere between Tsunade and Hiruzen, half jesting and half sarcastic, "Hey, do you think there's a possibility that I haven't finished explaining my proposal?"
Upon hearing Kizaru's words, Hiruzen, who was given a mouthful by Tsunade, couldn't help but show a wry smile.
Picking up his pipe again, Hiruzen looked at Kizaru expectantly.
"Actually, the core problem that Sensei just mentioned lies in funding."
"According to the village's current operating system, ordinary medical and research ninjas, their main income comes from the monthly salaries provided by the village."
"That is to say, compared to ordinary ninjas who complete missions on a daily basis, these medical and research ninjas not only do not bring direct financial income to the village but instead have been consuming the village's financial reserves."
Listening to this, Hiruzen nodded with emotion and said, "That's also what I'm worried about. If the number of ninjas undertaking missions decreases while the number of medical and research ninjas increases, it will greatly affect the village's financial balance."
"Sensei, you've fallen into a misconception!" Kizaru pointed out the problem incisively.
"Oh! What is it?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
"Firstly, according to Tsunade's proposal, not all medical ninjas will directly enter the village's hospital without undertaking missions."
"On the contrary, Tsunade's real proposal is to equip each three-man squad with a ninja possessing medical abilities."
"Therefore, the reform of the medical department will not have a significant impact on the village's ability to undertake mission commissions."
"At the same time, both you and the other village elders have seriously overlooked one issue, which is that medical and research ninjas can also generate significant financial income."
"How can they generate income?" Hiruzen was becoming more and more interested.
"Because of Tsunade's existence, we now possess advanced medical techniques that surpass the entire ninja world." Praising Tsunade, Orochimaru specifically looked at her.
"Based on such technological advantages, we can expand the scope of services and accept patients from other villages, charging them for treatment."
"Even for some diseases that only we can treat, we can set high treatment fees for guests from other villages."
"What if it's ninjas from other villages who need treatment?" Hiruzen asked.
"Wouldn't that be even better?" Kizaru found that perhaps due to not reading much, most of the ninjas in this world were relatively crude and naive in their political maneuvering between nations and villages.
Even Hiruzen, who had been the Hokage for over twenty years, was the same.
With a trump card like "Medical Saint" Tsunade, Konoha could play many tricks between nations and villages.
But the village elders of Konoha only saw Tsunade as a powerful battlefield medic, which was simply a waste.
"We can completely establish a friendly relationship list, updated regularly every year. As long as the ninjas from other villages are on the list, they will be received for treatment."
His eyes lit up. Although not as far-sighted and innovative as Orochimaru, the experienced Hiruzen immediately understood the intention behind Orochimaru's proposal.
Wasn't this friendly list just a disguised ninja village alliance?
And with the strongest strength and core technology in hand, Konoha would be the leader of the alliance!
"Excellent!" Hiruzen agreed.
"At the same time, with our advanced medical technology, we can let Tsunade lead the medical ninjas to develop related medicines and medical ninja tools.
As long as we can develop good medicines and ninja tools, we can produce them ourselves and then delegate the sales rights to the nobles within the Land of Fire who have friendly relations with us, sharing the profits together."
Kizaru suggested delegating to the nobles not only to woo the nobles' influence within the Land of Fire but also to leverage the network of relationships among the nobles to better sell the products to other countries.
Looking at his disciples who were different from their usual laziness, talking confidently, Hiruzen once again praised Kizaru in his heart.
Not only did he propose groundbreaking ideas, but he also considered balancing various forces.
"Truly remarkable! Kizaru!"
In Orochimaru, Hiruzen felt like he saw the shadows of both the First and Second Hokages.
The strength of the First and the intelligence of the Second were both embodied in Kizaru.
Such a presence was simply the perfect Hokage!
"I've learned!" Looking at Kizaru, Hiruzen said sincerely, "I will convene a high-level meeting as soon as possible, and you will be responsible for explaining it then."
"It's such a hassle, so I'll leave it to you, Hiruzen-sensei!" Kizaru instantly lost his spirits at the thought of having to argue with the fools in the meeting.
Chuckling, Hiruzen shook his head, and Kizaru's response made Hiruzen feel like his familiar disciple had returned.
"Then prepare a detailed plan for me, and I'll present it at the meeting to convince everyone!" Hiruzen lowered his demand.
Without directly answering, Kizaru turned to look at Tsunade beside him, the implication clear.
Pointing to herself, Tsunade quickly shook her head.
"Tsunade-senpai, isn't this your proposal? Don't you want it to be approved?" Kizaru asked with a smirk.
"I... Fine! I'll write it up!" Thinking that Kizaru had already done so much for her, although she didn't like dealing with these things, Tsunade still agreed.
After agreeing, Tsunade glared at Kizaru with irritation. Just the thought of spending the next few days writing documents made her feel like she had lost all her energy!
With the first issue resolved, Kizaru turned to the eagerly waiting Orochimaru.
After exchanging glances, Kizaru spoke again in Orochimaru's anticipation.
"The research institution proposed by Orochimaru and the revenue reform of medical ninjas I just mentioned are similar. I believe with Orochimaru's leadership, as long as the village provides enough support, the newly established research institution will definitely produce many high-quality results. These results can be used to strengthen the village's power and can also be transformed into commodities for sale, generating profits!"
"Yes!" Confident, Orochimaru directly guaranteed for the research funding.
"And in this newly established research institution, we can also implement a project system to reduce the village's investment," Kizaru continued.
"A project system?" Hiruzen became curious again.
"Before starting a research project, we can hold a seminar in the research institution and invite ninjas from the village with sufficient financial resources to attend. If these ninjas are interested in the future research results, they can provide funding to participate in the project. Once the research is successful, the investing ninjas can share the results with the researchers! In other words, let the ninjas pay for it, hire some research ninjas to conduct specialized research, and then share the risks and results together!"
Kizaru explained the project system in simple and straightforward terms.
Listening to Kizaru's explanation, Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
He felt that his junior brother was really talented!
Following Kizaru's thinking, even if the village did not pass his proposal, Orochimaru had confidence in getting a lot of funding through this so-called project system.
"What if the ninjas are unwilling to invest?" Hiruzen raised a question.
"So, initial investment from the village is needed. As long as Orochimaru leads the research institution with the support of the village and produces some results, I think the leaders of the ninja clans in the village will be willing to invest in Orochimaru!"
Nodding, Hiruzen approved of Kizaru's answer.
"I agree to the research institution!"
Before Orochimaru could show joy, worried about some confidential information leaking, Hiruzen added, "But, some research involving secrets cannot be made public. All research projects must be approved by me before the seminar is held!"
After saying that, Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru.
Feeling acceptable, Orochimaru nodded lightly to indicate understanding.
With all three proposals approved, Kizaru, who completely dominated this visit, showed a satisfied smile.
If both reforms were implemented, the future development of Konoha would surely become very interesting!