Changes In The Medical Department

"Now, I officially announce that Aizen will take over as the captain of the Konoha Medical Corps!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on a temporary platform set up in front of the Konoha Medical Department, addressing the crowd with a solemn expression.

Then, a figure clad in white, with a gentle and friendly smile, stepped up to the front of the stage, greeting the gathered crowd with a polite nod and smile. It was Aizen.

This year, Aizen was around 18 years old, bearing the appearance of a young adult. With his tall, slender build, handsome face, and refined demeanor, he exuded a charisma that captivated all the medical ninjas below.

As for his attire, it retained his usual style, but he had added a white haori-like cloak on top. The "5" symbol embroidered on the back was a specific request Aizen had made to a skilled tailor in the village, subtly referencing his admiration for the look of the character he was inspired by.

Beyond indulging his personal taste, Aizen had chosen this attire to mark his elevation as the head of the medical unit. After all, he was now a senior leader in Konoha, and he believed it fitting to wear something reflecting his newfound rank rather than his usual training attire. It was similar to how Namikaze Minato had donned the Hokage cloak after his promotion.

In this white haori, Aizen's appearance took on a new, dignified edge. The medical ninjas below applauded enthusiastically, celebrating their new leader.

In a quiet corner of the audience, Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku watched with smiles, clapping as they acknowledged Aizen's promotion and congratulating him silently.

Both Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku had matured into distinguished shinobi and experienced significant status changes in Konoha since the events of three years prior.

In particular, Minato had risen rapidly in influence. Following the complete dismantling of the New Faction three years ago, Hiruzen had reorganized Anbu, using a core group of members under his direct command. He integrated Orochimaru's followers from Root, forming a new Anbu structure, with Orochimaru appointed as the vice-captain. However, Orochimaru's influence within Root had considerably weakened, and he struggled to contend with Shimura Danzō's control over the organization.

Simultaneously, the Anbu units led by Minato and Aizen were disbanded, with many members leaving Anbu. This reorganization wasn't entirely Hiruzen's doing; part of his original intent in forming the units had been to empower Minato and Aizen, fostering a network of relationships.

The Hyūga brothers, Aburame Shibi, Akimichi Chōza, and others hailed from prominent Konoha clans and were among the top geniuses of their respective lineages. 

It was unthinkable for them to spend their entire lives in the Anbu. For shinobi of their caliber, their time in Anbu was merely a stepping stone in their careers. It was a phase meant to refine their skills and expand their experience, not a permanent position.

As a result, the teams led by Aizen and Namikaze Minato were never destined to last long.

Following Aizen's complete separation from Anbu to focus on managing the Medical Corps, Minato was promoted. Sarutobi Hiruzen appointed him as Anbu's vice-captain and, shortly thereafter, elevated him further. Just days before a high-level council meeting, Minato was officially named the deputy commander of the Shinobi Forces, overseeing thousands of ninja.

This appointment caused a significant uproar among the village's leadership. Many prominent figures objected, highlighting the gravity of the Shinobi Forces' importance.

Though often overlooked in public discussions, the Shinobi Forces were Konoha's most critical and powerful department. They were responsible for the management of all ninjas in the village and answered directly to the Hokage. This department served as the core of Konoha's military strength and was a central battleground for power struggles between the village's factions.

While the Hokage technically had ultimate authority over the Shinobi Forces, practical governance often required navigating political tensions. For instance, clans such as the Hyūga, Uchiha, and Aburame wielded substantial influence within specific units like intelligence and reconnaissance. When orders from the Hokage clashed with clan interests, the loyalty of these ninjas could become uncertain.

Outright disobedience was rare, but passive resistance—such as delaying tasks or undermining missions—was a subtle yet common issue. This dynamic made it clear that the power within the Shinobi Forces was not monopolized by any one individual or group. Every significant decision emerged from compromises between the village's various factions.

Securing the role of deputy commander for Minato was no small feat. It required not only Sarutobi Hiruzen's unwavering support but also the strategic influence of Aizen. 

Over the past three years, Aizen had established himself as a force of progress within Konoha. Beyond his personal training, he had introduced sweeping reforms in the Medical Corps that left a lasting impact on the village.

Aizen's first major initiative was the establishment of formal medical training classes at the ninja academy. This program aimed to systematically train medical ninjas from a young age. Furthermore, Aizen opened training opportunities to the general public, allowing villagers with the aptitude for medical ninjutsu to receive formal education within the Medical Corps.

In just two years, this initiative led to a doubling in the number of trainee medical ninjas in the village. The program's success was undeniable, but it came with its challenges.

While similar proposals had been considered by previous administrations, they were abandoned due to a significant obstacle: funding.

Training a medical ninja required an enormous investment of resources. Medical ninjutsu, advanced equipment, medicinal herbs, experimental research, and the salaries of medical staff all contributed to a staggering financial burden.

Even with two major sources of revenue—Konoha Hospital and Konoha Pharmaceuticals—these funds could only sustain the previous medical division at its existing scale. Expanding or enhancing its operations required significant additional resources.

To address this persistent funding issue, Aizen introduced a second key reform initiative: the development and sale of medical scrolls.

Before implementing this reform, Aizen invested considerable effort into developing these medical scrolls, utilizing his intelligence and countless hours of work alongside his Shadow Clones. By combining advanced sealing techniques with medical ninjutsu, the scrolls became revolutionary tools for the medical field.

The primary function of these scrolls was to store pre-prepared medical ninjutsu. Depending on the level of the scroll, it could contain anything from basic healing and detoxification techniques to advanced Healing Jutsu.

The creation of these scrolls required not only intricate craftsmanship but also the participation of skilled medical ninjas. Each scroll had to be infused with medical ninjutsu through a specific sealing method. The effectiveness and complexity of the scroll depended on the skill and expertise of the medical ninja who created it. For example:

Basic scrolls contained widely used healing and detoxification techniques. 

Advanced scrolls could store high-level Healing Jutsu, capable of treating severe injuries.

This design ensured that the scrolls' effectiveness matched the expertise of the medical ninja creating them.

Once Aizen introduced these medical scrolls to the Medical Department and began selling finished products, they caused a massive surge in demand across Konoha. The scrolls became highly sought after, as their ability to save lives during critical moments made them indispensable tools for shinobi.

Given the limited number of trained medical ninjas, the scrolls became a vital solution for Konoha's ninja teams. Despite efforts to recruit more medical ninjas and train them, the demand far exceeded supply. Only elite teams were typically assigned dedicated medical ninja support, leaving most squads without access to such expertise.

...

You can upto 30 chapter ahead at patreon.com/Lil674