Kitagawa's words sent Tsunade into deep thought.
She had to admit—this method sounded quite good. Currently, it wouldn't impose much burden on the village.
Perhaps initially, few medical ninja with talent and interest would be cultivated.
But over time, in 10 years, the numbers would surely increase significantly.
"This plan could work without me. You could submit it directly."
Tsunade said after her contemplation.
Kitagawa shook his head. "Tsunade-sama, don't underestimate your own influence."
"You're the ninja world's strongest medical ninja. You have absolute authority in the medical field, and many children idolize you."
"Having you involved makes it extraordinary."
Tsunade heard this and her lips almost curled up. She quickly snorted, "Just meaningless flattery."
Kitagawa spoke sincerely, "Even if it's flattery, who could match your medical expertise?"
"Of course, as you said, even without you, I would submit this plan to the Third Hokage."
"But with you, it becomes truly significant."
"Tsunade-sama, I became a school teacher because I wanted to cultivate more talented people."
"I can't do everything alone, but I can train talented individuals who can accomplish what I cannot."
"Perhaps this was also one of the Second Hokage's original intentions in establishing the ninja academy."
Shizune listened and looked at Tsunade, whispering, "Tsunade-sama~"
Tsunade came back to herself and said flatly, "I'll consider it."
With that, she stood and left.
Kitagawa showed a smile.
If she's considering it, her heart has already said yes.
However, he still hadn't gotten her hair!
So Kitagawa pulled out a strand with the follicle and gave it to Shizune to take back to Tsunade.
After settling the bill and returning home, Kitagawa showered then sat cross-legged on a carpet in his study.
Now to try Wood Release Bloodline Limit!
Possessing a bloodline limit was one thing. Using it required personal development.
The Leaf Village had Wood Release jutsu. Obtaining it would help him master Wood Release faster. But such jutsu weren't easy to acquire.
If he mastered it first, he could claim he'd developed it through researching the First Hokage's heirloom.
Order mattered greatly.
He pressed his hands together, closing his eyes, attempting to fuse his Earth and Water nature transformations to birth Wood Release chakra.
Time passed unnoticed into the night.
Accompanied by the sound of wooden floorboards crackling and splitting, a small sprout broke through beside Kitagawa.
Kitagawa opened his eyes, wiped sweat from his brow, and looked at the finger-height sprout with a satisfied smile.
Success!
Though Kitagawa understood clearly—with his current chakra reserves, even mastering Wood Release would place him at Yamato's level.
But he was cheating!
Kitagawa was confident he'd eventually become a chakra phenomenon!
"Time for sleep!"
He stood up.
Once more proficient, he could showcase Wood Release to Tsunade or the Third Hokage to obtain Wood Release jutsu left by the First Hokage.
Two days later.
After classes that afternoon, Kitagawa and Shizune came to Tsunade's house.
Tsunade sat at a desk reviewing a ninjutsu scroll. Upon hearing movement, she looked up.
Entering, Kitagawa placed the plan document he'd written before her.
Tsunade glanced at Kitagawa, then picked up the document and flipped through it.
She finished quickly, then looked up. "Already submitted?"
Kitagawa shook his head. "Not yet. Waiting for Tsunade-sama's response before submitting tomorrow."
Tsunade set down the document and said flatly, "Anyway, I have nothing better to do. Might as well give it a try."
Shizune happily cheered, "Yay!"
Tsunade's smile flashed briefly, then she said, "However, if they don't approve, I'm helpless."
Would the Third refuse?
Kitagawa had absolute confidence he wouldn't.
This plan wouldn't impose significant expense, and the Third was surely thinking how to keep Tsunade.
Even with her hemophobia, was she useless?
The position Kitagawa offered was absolutely the best current arrangement for Tsunade.
As for solving hemophobia—that required time.
Once her psychological block was resolved, Tsunade's hemophobia could disappear without treatment.
Saturday morning the next day.
Kitagawa came to the Hokage's office and handed the Third two documents.
The first was the medical ninja cultivation plan. The Third opened it and read quickly, continuously evaluating.
Very good plan, the Third thought, pleasantly surprised.
But upon seeing the signature at the document's end, he froze, then looked up. "Kitagawa, Tsunade participated too?"
Kitagawa nodded. "Yes, Third Hokage-sama. This plan was discussed with Tsunade-sama."
"Tsunade-sama is the plan's director. After all, in medical technology, she's the most authoritative."
The Third nodded, looking gratified. "Very good."
"Old man approves this plan."
"Additionally, funding will be allocated to support it."
The Third made a decisive decision.
If this could pull Tsunade from despair, nothing better.
Besides, the plan itself was excellent. Even without Tsunade, he'd be willing to try implementing it.
Then the Third picked up the second document and opened it, his expression quickly becoming serious.
Because this was a similar cultivation plan—except for regular ninja instead.
The core: for students capable of early graduation, provide further teaching rather than letting them become genin prematurely.
This plan had actually germinated when Kitagawa convinced Kakashi to abandon early graduation.
Together, these two plans represented massive changes to the ninja academy system.
First—basic ninja education, then streaming. Students with medical talent entered a specially established medical class for further training.
Other excellent students streamed into the experimental class mentioned in Kitagawa's plan.
This approach wouldn't affect the academy's original function while cultivating more and better talent.
Excellent!
The Third immediately grasped the benefits, especially since the Leaf Village had passed through wartime. Timing was perfect.
During wartime, or when tensions were high and war could erupt anytime, this would be inappropriate.
"The plan is excellent. But Kitagawa, have you considered how to teach the experimental class?"
The Third pointed at the core issue. "Early graduation means already possessing basic genin abilities."
"Especially since many students come from ninja clans, mastering various secret family jutsu."