The office had finally calmed after the Academy discussion when Uchiha Soren leaned back in the Hokage's chair, thoughtful. Then he lifted a hand.
"Send in the two former ANBU captains."
Moments later, two men entered. Their masks and cloaks were gone, replaced with standard shinobi uniforms. Yet the sharpness honed by years of undercover work still clung to them like shadows.
They bowed deeply.
"Hokage-sama."
Unno Karui and Mizuki Hana — elite, veteran operatives who had served in ANBU long before Soren came to power.
Soren studied them with quiet approval.
"How are you adjusting? Civilian streets must feel strange after ANBU's darkness."
Karui answered first, his tone respectful but steady:
"Hokage-sama, it is… quiet. Too quiet. I'm not used to being awake during the day."
Hana offered a faint, wry smile.
"Walking openly… feels unfamiliar. But not unpleasant."
Soren nodded.
"Good. Listen carefully. The Uchiha clan values fairness above all. No empty ranks. Strength decides position. And you two—"
He pointed a finger at them.
"—are rare kage-tier shinobi. You deserve to stand above ordinary jōnin."
A subtle shock ran through the two former captains. Even Mito and Minako looked at the Hokage with new respect.
Soren continued:
"Konoha has seven major departments: ANBU, Administration, Education, Analysis, Interrogation, Police, Medical. I am excluding ANBU — I want you two out of that hellhole. Choose anywhere else. Your rank qualifies you to compete for any minister's post."
Karui and Hana exchanged glances before kneeling deeply.
"Hokage-sama… allow us to return to ANBU. Ten years in the shadows — we can still serve. Even as instructors."
Soren waved them up immediately.
"I don't deal in regrets. If you don't choose — I'll choose for you."
He tapped his desk.
"Analysis and Interrogation belong to the Yamanaka heritage. Medical requires specialized training. Police work wastes your potential. Administration is comfortable but pointless for men of your caliber."
He smiled faintly.
"That leaves the Education Department — the most difficult job in the whole village."
Minako readied her pen.
"Minako. This becomes new policy."
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
Soren stood and looked at all three of them.
"We're remolding Konoha from the foundation."
The Education Reform
"Right now, Konoha has one central Academy. That will change."
He drew three rectangles across a parchment map.
"We will establish two new six-year elementary academies — North and South.
The current Academy becomes a three-year upper school."
Mito inhaled sharply. Funding this would strain the village's recovering coffers — but Soren's gaze held no hesitation.
He continued:
"Admission opens for all children age six. I want every civilian child to have a chance — shinobi or not."
Minako nodded vigorously; she understood the long-term implications.
Three Required SubjectsWill of Fire
"The new Konoha must grow from unity — not fear."
Basic Ninja Skills
"Chakra control, substitution, transformation, kunai handling."
Civilian Sciences
"Agriculture, engineering, construction, biology — the backbone of national strength."
The last category puzzled the two ex-ANBU.
"Konoha lacks engineers, inventors, builders," Soren explained.
"We train shinobi well — but not the ones who build roads, develop medicines, design weapons, or improve our defenses.
The next era is not won by brute strength alone."
Karui and Hana bowed, deeply moved by the vision.
Two Paths After Graduation
"After finishing elementary school, every child chooses one of two tracks."
1 — Combat Track
Three-year upper Academy
Jōnin-led practical training
Battlefield simulations
Weapon proficiency
Most graduates reach chunin level
2 — Science Track
Specialists from across the Land of Fire
Researchers, engineers, medics, strategists
Foundation for the future Institute of Science
Mito's eyes widened. Such a structure would change the entire foundation of the ninja world.
Recruiting Specialists
"If Konoha has no expert in a field — we hire one.
If Fire Country lacks one — we take one from elsewhere.
With proper contracts."
Mito half-smiled.
"If the daimyo hesitates?"
Soren shrugged with dangerous cheerfulness.
"Then the Uchiha will… persuade him."
Karui and Hana both stiffened, then bowed instinctively.
"Hokage-sama — we will take charge of the Education Department."
Soren inclined his head.
"Good. Teach discipline — but also heart.
The old ANBU sacrificed comrades mindlessly.
This new era will not repeat that insanity."
Karui, Hana, Minako, and even Mito felt something stir inside them.
A new Konoha was taking shape.
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