With the Konoha Hero Monument completed, it now stood tall within the village, becoming a symbolic structure that carried the emotions and spirit of the people. A spirit that would last forever.
With the monument finished, Hui was summoned to Tobirama Senju's office to discuss the implementation of a new merit-based system.
"I've gone through your detailed plan. It's quite bold," Tobirama said, tapping a finger lightly on his desk as he regarded Hui with a bright intensity in his gaze.
This plan had genuinely impressed him; it aligned perfectly with his ideals.
"Bold, yes. But isn't it also incredibly effective?" Hui replied confidently.
"It is effective. But there are considerable risks," Tobirama said, nodding in agreement.
"However with someone like you in konha—someone who might very well become the greatest shinobi—those risks are no longer a concern."
"Don't worry. I've given this plan a lot of thought," Hui said assuredly.
He had full confidence that even if techniques from the Scroll of Seals were exchanged for merits, it wouldn't pose a threat. The shinobi world's true strength lay in its people, not its jutsu.
Of course, while certain techniques could be made available for merit exchange, Hui had no intention of allowing access to dangerous ones like Reaper Death Seal. Instead, most of the techniques available for exchange would be his own creations.
These included techniques like Heaven's Calamity and Divine Judgment, or staples such as Rasengan and Chidori.
Even so, only basic versions such as Rasengan or its slightly enhanced version Great Ball Rasengan would be available for exchange, while advanced variations like Rasen Shuriken were excluded.
The same applied to Chidori; advanced techniques like Chidori Current wouldn't be available for exchange.
In addition to ninjutsu, Hui planned to include some of his self-developed kenjutsu techniques in the exchange pool.
Unlike complex ninjutsu, releasing these wouldn't pose muc h foreseen consequences. For someone of Hui's caliber, creating even more powerful techniques was always an option.
"Besides," Hui added, "the risks wouldn't matter even if I weren't around. In peacetime, earning merits would be extraordinarily difficult. And in wartime, it doesn't matter how many merits they accumulate.
"Moreover, learning these high-level techniques doesn't guarantee their mastery. The higher the rank of the technique, the harder it is to learn. To use them effectively, they still need to develop the necessary skills."
This was another layer of his strategy.
In the years of peace that lay ahead, obtaining enough merit for the strongest techniques would be nearly impossible.
And even if they could, mastering those techniques was another story altogether.
For most ordinary shinobi, the highest they could manage were B-rank or A-rank techniques—levels of jutsus that the great shinobi clans didn't lack.
What they truly craved were the far more potent and challenging S-rank forbidden techniques.
"Did you include Heaven's Calamity and Divine Judgment for the Uchiha clan?" Tobirama asked with a knowing smile.
These two techniques, which controlled natural lightning, required acute perception of and synchronization with the energy of the natural world. To achieve this, an extraordinary pair of eyes was essential.
"Indeed. These techniques are better suited for the Uchiha," Hui admitted. Both techniques were inspired by the Lightning Style: Kirin, originally developed by Uchiha Sasuke utilizing the Sharingan's unique capabilities.
"Aren't you worried about the potential risks?" Tobirama pressed, his fingers drumming against the desk.
"I'm not, because I am Mochizuki Hui," Hui declared. With him in Konoha, the Uchiha clan could never create chaos.
"Very well. In that case, let's proceed with its implementation," Tobirama decided. He could already envision the waves this system would create among Konoha's shinobi.
"Understood."
…
That very afternoon, Konoha's largest meeting hall was filled with high-ranking leaders and elite shinobi.
"This is the proposed merit system and the list of techniques currently available for exchange. Please review it," Tobirama began without preamble, instructing Sakumo to distribute the documents.
As the current head of the Anbu, Hatake was Tobirama's closest confidant, though everyone present knew that Mochizuki Hui's position in Tobirama's eyes was unmatched.
Excited whispers filled the room as attendees eagerly opened the documents.
Soon, the only sound in the room was the rustling of papers.
A few minutes later, some of them began to exclaim in astonishment.
Their attention was caught by the section listing the exchangeable techniques, which ranged from D-rank to S-rank jutsu. Just the index stretched across several pages, listing over a hundred techniques.
While the D-rank and C-rank techniques didn't interest them, the B-rank, A-rank, and S-rank ones certainly did—especially the higher-ranking ones.
Examples of notable techniques included:
-A-rank Ninjutsu: Rasengan
-A-rank Ninjutsu: Chidori
-A-rank Kenjutsu: Silver Moon (converted into chakra-infused sword energy)
-S-rank Taijutsu: Eight Gates
-S-rank Kenjutsu: Mountain Cleaver
-S-rank Ninjutsu: Heaven's Calamity
-S-rank Ninjutsu: Divine Judgment
Techniques that had once been legendary now felt within their reach, and their excitement was palpable.
For civilian-born elite shinobi, who had climbed the ranks through sheer talent and self-developed techniques, this list was especially enticing.
Their eyes burned with determination.
Merits! They needed to earn more merits!
One elite shinobi exclaimed in joy, "Even my previous missions count? Based on my record, I can already afford an S-rank technique!"
"I can too!" another chimed in excitedly.
"Lucky you. I can only afford an A-rank."
"A-rank is amazing! That's still a high-level jutsu!"
The room buzzed with excitement, with many debating over which technique to choose.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Tobirama spoke, bringing them back to focus. "It seems you've all reviewed the proposal. Does anyone have any objections?"
"None at all!"
"I fully support it!"
"This is perfect!"
Voices of agreement echoed unanimously. Not a single dissent was heard.
"Good. In that case, the awards ceremony will take place in ten days," Tobirama announced.
"During this time, the village will verify everyone's contributions to ensure their legitimacy. Those eligible for special honors will have their merits evaluated. Please prepare your applications accordingly."
With that, the merit system was officially implemented.
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