Chapter 217: Ninja Academy Reform
"Today is a day to be happy," Kawakaze began.
"We have been replenished with fresh blood in Konoha. From today, you will have a new identity."
"However, being a ninja is never an easy profession, and you may have to pay the price with your lives. Genin is just the beginning—you are still very weak."
He paused briefly, letting his words sink in before continuing.
"Today, I have an important announcement to make."
At this, Kawakaze paused again, giving the crowd time to react.
Ei Onoda, standing to the side, suddenly felt uneasy. Something about Kawakaze's tone suggested that he was about to propose something unprecedented. The children in the audience had already started murmuring among themselves, some turning to Kushina for answers. Her classmates assumed she had insider information, but in truth, even she had no idea what Kawakaze was planning. This was entirely a whim of his.
"I have decided to set up advanced courses," Kawakaze announced. "These will be divided into four classes: combat, interrogation, command, and medical. Participation is not compulsory, but those who graduate from these classes will undoubtedly have better futures."
Kawakaze finished outlining his idea, waiting for the crowd to absorb the information.
Ei Onoda, an experienced educator who had served as vice-principal since the time of the Second Hokage, was taken aback. In all his years, even Hiruzen Sarutobi had never attempted something so radical. Training talent wasn't inherently bad, but the scale of Kawakaze's proposal implied a massive increase in expenses and personnel.
Konohagakure was not wealthy enough to support such an initiative easily, and allocating resources for it would be a challenge. From Kawakaze's description, it was clear these classes weren't meant for Genin-level graduates. The expectation seemed to be producing Chūnin or even Jōnin graduates. The costs—both financial and logistical—would be immense.