Chapter 125: Ninjutsu Assessment System
“Report to the Deputy Commander?”
Yoru asked: “Do Anbu Ninjas still need to report missions to other high-ranking officials?”
It was not surprising that Yoru was making a fuss; Anbu only belongs to the Hokage. The Hokage is too busy, so most missions are directly handled by the Anbu Minister.
Anbu is only responsible to the Hokage and the Anbu Minister.
Kiiroinu said:
“The front line headquarters has the right to know all intelligence. The purpose of the Hokage sending us here is also to win the war.
However, do not mention the Shimura Clan Chunin matter; just say they are ordinary prisoners.
When I first joined Anbu as an ordinary team member, the Captain was Lord Sakumo. His reasonable request is hard for me to refuse.”
Hatake Sakumo was the youngest and strongest Captain in Anbu during the Second Hokage’s tenure.
“I understand.” Yoru said:
“Captain, many in my squad sacrificed during this mission.
To disguise as prisoners, my subordinates really self-harmed; some broke their legs, some have knife scars crisscrossing their heads where you could play Go.
I want to apply for a few Ninjutsu for my subordinates. Do you think that’s okay?”
Kiiroinu said: “Yes, 4 B-rank Ninjutsu, you allocate them.”
Yoru felt it was too few in his heart but did not ask for more.
The recommendation-based Ninja Position System and recommendation-based Ninjutsu granting are the two hands the village high command uses to control Ninjas; the village high command will never loosen this grip.
The tightening of Ninjutsu granting is mostly targeted at Civilian Ninjas.
Ninja Clan Ninjas face less restriction in this regard; they have inherited family Ninjutsu or Secret Jutsu.
Yoru pondered in his heart which of his Earth Release and Water Style Ninjutsu could see the light of day.
Earth Release: Earth Spear, Water Style: Water Wall Jutsu—these two techniques could also be brought out as rewards for subordinates.
Plus 4 B-rank Ninjutsu, selecting some Fire Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, it could barely make up a batch of rewards.
Yoru left the Anbu tent and headed to the headquarters tent.
After passing a message at the medical bay, Hatake Sakumo used a formal order to have Yoru come report.
Hatake Sakumo thought this was more aboveboard, so Anbu would not say anything, and Nara Shikaku often meets Kiiroinu to inquire and discuss.
After entering Hatake Sakumo’s tent, Yoru saw that only Hatake Sakumo was inside the tent.
Hatake Sakumo said: “Fox, no need to worry. I called you under the pretext of inquiring about the mission; there is no one around, no one will eavesdrop.”
Yoru breathed a sigh of relief in his heart; Hatake Sakumo was also from Anbu origins and knew the importance of confidentiality.
Hatake Sakumo said:
“Just now at the medical bay, I heard you say you support the examination system. What are your thoughts on the examination system?”
Xinming had once told Sakumo that a certain Anbu Ninja saved him and asked Xinming to pass a message, telling him to be careful of the high command, as the high command was already wary of supporters around Hatake Sakumo.
The Anbu Ninja who saved Niimin also wore a Fox Mask.
Yoru said:
“Lord Sakumo, the Ninja Position Examination System is extremely difficult to promote.
Genin wanting to take the Chunin Exam need a squad leader’s recommendation.
Chunin wanting to promote to Special Jonin need a Jonin’s recommendation. Special Jonin wanting to promote to Jonin need a high-ranking official’s recommendation.
One ring links to another; it is the basic framework of Konoha High Command’s rule over the village.
Even clan heads of Ninja Clans, to have more Jonin within their families, have to bow their heads before the high command.
Lord Sakumo, you are too hasty.
The village has many ways to easily sabotage the assessment system.
Nara Shikaku, the Commander-in-Chief, relies on your combat power, so his methods are relatively mild. If the village high command comes, it will not be so lenient.”
Hatake Sakumo was secretly startled; this Anbu said his dilemma clearly in a few words.
He wanted to promote the Ninja Position Assessment System, facing heavy difficulties. He had just started, and whether in front of the Third Hokage, or at the front line and before the Commander-in-Chief, he had hit nails.
“Fox, then what do you think I should do now?”
Yoru said:
“Lord Sakumo, the Ninja Position Examination System faces too much resistance. However, the Ninjutsu Assessment System will face much less resistance.
For the village, Ninjutsu is an important means to control Civilian Ninjas, but its importance is far less than Ninja positions.
Ninjutsu can be interrogated from enemy village prisoners, learned from friends, taught by squad leaders.
The Uchiha Clan can even copy thousands of Ninjutsu relying on the Sharingan.
Lord Sakumo, you can first lower the threshold for Ninjutsu granting, letting more and more Civilian Ninjas master more Ninjutsu and increase their strength.
With your strength and influence, it is possible to promote the Ninjutsu Assessment System.
Once the assessment system is promoted, more and more people will think in the future: why can’t the village implement the assessment system in other aspects instead of the recommendation system.
This is a seed; although slow, it will eventually sprout one day.”
Hatake Sakumo’s eyes lit up.
Yes, starting from the Ninjutsu Assessment System—after completing a certain number of missions, granting B-rank Ninjutsu and A-rank Ninjutsu— that would also be a kind of progress.
Unfortunately, the village will not include S-rank Forbidden Jutsu in the assessment rewards.
Yoru added:
“Kiiroinu Captain said you called me under the pretext of understanding the prisoner exchange mission. I wrote the prisoner exchange mission in this scroll.
Lord Sakumo, you understand Anbu. I hope you can keep this conversation confidential for me.”
Yoru believed in Hatake Sakumo’s integrity; this person has a high sense of morality, unlike certain anthropomorphic creatures in the village.
“Good, Fox. Our real conversation will not be known to a third person.”
Yoru said: “Lord Sakumo, in the future, summoning me under the pretext of inquiring about missions should be done less, otherwise it will arouse Anbu’s suspicion.”
“Good, I understand. I won’t summon you unless necessary.”
Yoru left the headquarters tent.
In the original story, Hatake Sakumo committed suicide due to the collapse of his faith; this person has a bottom line and faith.
His heartfelt analysis should make Hatake Sakumo regard him as a companion.
In the process of Hatake Sakumo promoting the Ninjutsu Assessment System, many Civilian Ninjas in urgent need of Ninjutsu will unite around Hatake Sakumo, slowly forming a new force.
Power flows not only top-down but also bottom-up; as long as there are enough followers, the high command has to yield.
The Senju Clan controls the medical system; if Hatake Sakumo can unite Civilian Ninjas, the Konoha High Command’s control will further weaken.
Hatake Zhaoda, you have to work hard. If you don’t work hard, how can I give you a piece of clothing?
After the Fox left, Hatake Sakumo was lost in thought.
In the medical bay tent, Hatake Sakumo had already seen that the prisoners were one Shimura Ninja, one Nara Ninja, and one unlucky Civilian Ninja.
The strategists in the headquarters all come from the Five Great Clans of the Hokage lineage.
Those not from these Five Great Clans cannot inquire about the disagreements between him and Shikaku, the Commander-in-Chief.
Hatake Sakumo guessed that this rescue mission for prisoners was mainly to save those two Ninja Clan Ninjas.
During the Second Hokage’s tenure, Anbu’s atmosphere was not like this.
At that time, Anbu would never assign a mission specifically to rescue Senju Ninjas.
To avoid suspicion, the Second Hokage would even emphasize prioritizing saving other Ninjas, and Senju Ninjas last.
The current Anbu, under the name of being responsible only to the Hokage, has become the Hokage’s personal tool, rather than the village’s most secretive and sharpest kunai.
Sakumo believed that Anbu Ninjas are also people; perhaps there are Ninjas in Anbu dissatisfied with the status quo.
Hatake Sakumo prepared to come up with a Ninjutsu Assessment System scheme.
This time, even if Nara Shikaku opposes it, he will resolutely promote it.
