Chapter 765 : The Dawn of a New Era!

Immediately, everyone looked at Shikaku with a deadpan expression. It didn't matter whether it was slightly higher than 1 medical ninja per hundred ninjas or lower, the fact remained that it was very low. It was important to remember that Tsunade had once proposed having a medical ninja in every squad to ensure prompt medical attention.

However, Shikaku wasn't bothered by their gazes and explained, "Even though you are going out, you don't have to face any strong enemies. It's just bandits and rogue ninjas.

The medical ninjas are more for healing the injured civilians and assure them that Konoha is looking after them. So, you won't need any more. On the contrary, they are more needed in the village to heal the ninjas injured yesterday. Of course, I'll keep some medical ninjas available to reinforce you in case you end up facing a decent enemy."

Hearing his explanation, everyone was about to nod when Fujin asked, "What about Orochimaru's bases in the Land of Rice? We'll need more medical ninjas to deal with whatever shenanigans he has set up in those bases."

Shikaku seriously answered, "I meant it when I said a few bases. You can have some fun, but don't overstretch yourself and the army. Only target the bases that are easy to find and eliminate.

Orochimaru treats his subordinates as expendable. It won't matter much even if we destroy all the bases in the Land of Rice. He'll keep his important subordinates with him and hide from us. The only way to truly hurt him is to directly kill him. However, an army will be too slow to achieve that. It will require a targeted operation to eliminate him, and even then the chances would be low. Keep that in mind."

Fujin sighed and muttered, "You're no fun…"

Illumi and Konomi looked at Fujin with a hint of surprise while Hoka and Renjiro shook their heads. Shikaku smirked and said, "Of course, if you want to go all-out, then you'll need to create Shadow Clones and have them act as Medical Ninjas. However, I wouldn't recommend it."

Fujin just shot a glance at Shikaku. Needless to say, he had no intention of doing so. In fact, he had no intention of using medical ninjutsu even with his main body unless it was essential. After all, he was the only rank S ninja in the army. If he wasted his chakra healing others, the army would be doomed if faced with real danger. It was very essential for the Commander-in-chief to stay in top condition.

Shikaku was aware of this. Had it been someone else, he would have never suggested it. However, he was well aware that Fujin would never do something like that.

Fujin asked, "So, what is the army composition like?"

Fujin's question confused Hoka, who wondered, 'Didn't he just explain it?'

Konomi had similar doubts while Renjiro and Illumi weren't surprised. Shikaku answered, "The army is primarily composed of civilian ninjas. 2,250 ninjas are from the civilian background and only 750 are from ninja clans."

Illumi asked in surprise, "So few clan ninjas?"

Shikaku nodded and replied, "Yes, while planning the defense of Konoha, I had deployed the clan ninjas on the forefront and in the hot zones. So, most of the injured ninjas are from the clans. So, this is the only way."

He paused for a moment before looking at Fujin and thought, 'While Lord Third wanted Fujin to be in the council and created the seat for his sake, he must have already foreseen this situation as well. I thought of it too, but I didn't think it'd be this inevitable…'

Fujin noticed Shikaku's gaze and wondered, 'Hmm… What is he thinking so deeply about?'

Shikaku suddenly said, "Actually, going forward, the composition of armies would be similar to this. During the First Great Ninja War, Konoha's army was almost entirely made up of the ninja clans. Though the number of ninjas from the civilian background increased over the next decades, the situation was quite similar in the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.

However, those three wars inflicted deep wounds on every ninja clan. Several clans lost their status as major clans. A few even went extinct. Even though we had more than a decade of peace, the clans still haven't recovered. Yesterday's conflict shows that every new battle will inflict even more losses on the clans.

So, in the future, Konoha's armies will have a composition similar to this army. The civilian ninjas will make up the core of the army while the clan ninjas take up specialist roles. In a way, this training exercise is the dawn of a new era for Konoha.

So, even though you don't have an enemy, the significance of this training exercise is far more than you have guessed. It is not only to send a message to our enemies but also a preparation for the new chapter of Konoha."

Hoka and the others became serious upon hearing Shikaku's words. None of them had imagined that the training exercise would be so important despite the lack of opponents. Only Fujin had some idea, but he hadn't bothered to think much about this matter. After all, Konoha's future wasn't much dependent on its army. Instead, it'd be defined by ninjas that had surpassed the rank S. While the army could still play a role, it would be far less important than those individuals.

Konomi nodded and said with seriousness, "We won't let you down, Commander."

Hoka and Illumi said the same while Renjiro just nodded.

A serious expression was visible on Fujin's face as well as he said, "I hadn't thought of this so deeply. As expected of you, Shikaku-san. You're always thinking dozens of steps ahead. Perhaps I should have put forth your name for the Fifth Hokage when Lord Daimyo asked. I'm sure Jiraiya-sama wouldn't have minded."

Fujin's words shocked the ones around him. They began considering the ramifications of such a move. Even Renjiro was thinking seriously. The only one who wasn't was Shikaku, who just stared at Fujin in disbelief. Poor guy could only sigh and think, 'I knew it! This brat keeps getting more troublesome… Not only did he make me the Acting Hokage, but he also wants to force me onto that seat! I'll forever lose my afternoon nap!'

Shikaku said tiredly, "Don't joke around. Focus on the matter at hand."

Shikaku glanced towards the army as he spoke. The others followed his gaze and realized that the army was standing in a proper formation. Even though it was just a military exercise, the normal ninjas weren't aware of it. According to them, they were marching to a war. Every single one of them was serious.

Shikaku glanced at Fujin and said, "Every campaign must start with a motivational speech by the Commander-in-chief. The army is waiting to hear from you."

Fujin nodded and took a step forward. Realizing he would be addressing them, the Konoha ninjas immediately became excited. While they were almost sure that Fujin would lead them, it had become official now! They waited in anticipation to hear what their young but powerful Commander-in-chief would say.

Fujin's eyes moved through the ranks of the army. Nearly everyone felt like they had exchanged eye glances with Fujin. After a minute of silence, Fujin spoke in a loud but calm voice, "Yesterday, we were attacked by the combined forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure. Many of our comrades and innocent civilians died. Our infrastructure was damaged too. However, Sunagakure and Otogakure paid the price for underestimating us. A price that they won't forget for a long time.

However, several other hidden villages have the same delusional belief. They think that we are easy targets to bully. Several cowardly rogue ninjas also think that we are weakened by the attack."

Fujin paused as he let the Konoha ninjas realize the gravity of the situation. If everyone had the same thought and kept attacking Konoha, then they would suffer even if they keep winning. Perhaps, they would be the ones to die the next time. Everyone was feeling a bit grim when they were surprised. A small smile appeared on Fujin's face. Several wondered, 'Why is the Commander-in-chief smiling?'

Fujin suddenly raised his voice by a level and roared, "It's time to remind everyone why Konoha is the strongest village. It's time to remind everyone of the consequences of antagonizing us! Prepare to march! Let me see who dares to mess with our village!"

Fujin's confident roar ignited a fire within them which dispelled the dark clouds in their hearts. After all, in front of them was a youngster who forced Orochimaru to withdraw and contained several rank S ninjas! They had no reason to be afraid. Instead, it was the enemies of Konoha who should be cowering in fear!

Their morale rose drastically before the entire army exploded in a roar! The air buzzed with energy as three thousand Konoha ninjas roared at the same time. Their roar was heard for kilometers as several people in Konoha glanced towards the training ground with curiosity.

Shikaku smiled and thought, 'As expected, he came prepared. However, I didn't expect him to go with such a simple approach. Sigh, that's the luxury the strong have. Their presence alone lifts the spirits and morale of any army!'

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