[Shimura Clan]
The sun was rising on the horizon. In front of me, there stood roughly one hundred genins. All had graduated from the academy, and retired from their teams or corps they originally belonged to.
A month had passed since I had launched this policy. Each one of those youths had been evaluated and put into a specific 'division' of the clan.
Physically talented were specialized in the [Shimura Kenjutsu Corps]. They amounted to 25.
Chakra-gifted were specialized in the [Shimura Wind Corps]. As part of the Shimura clan, they all possessed futon elemental proficiency. Those who were talented in other elements did not qualify in those corps, for harmonization's sake. They were the most common, and amounted to 40.
As for the 35 remaining ones, they did not qualify in either of the corps, and received more personal training on genjutsu, fuinjutsu and medical jutsu depending on their individual talents.
Although the elders were doubtful at first, the progress was evident. Competition within a corps blossomed with rivalry and raised the individual growth rate of its members. For instance, many slackers were now displaying decent progress in the Shimura Kenjutsu Art, which had been evaluated by Tobirama-sama to be a B-rank kenjutsu art.
As for those who already showed talent, they were now showing promise.
"Good. I acknowledge your training. As a reward, I will allow you to form teams and complete missions under the Shimura Mansion's hall. Most of these missions are lower than your strength standards, but keep in mind that failures will not be tolerated. This is not Konohagakure's standards, but the Shimura clan's standards. Each mission will then be met with a report so that the clan's elders can give you feedback after their completion, to enhance your strength and correct any weakness you may have. The Shimura clan does not possess a bloodline limit, but specialization with shortcomings show short of balance. This is our clan's motto: Strength in Balance."
It was soon followed by a chant in unison: "Strength in Balance"
Dismissing the genins, Danzo summoned the rest of the jonins and the elders to discuss their next steps. Elders were in charge of training and allocating the teams. Although they were retired, they refused to give up their political standing. Naturally, Danzo was not against it, and welcomed their help. He needed time to train, so delegating troublesome tasks to them was only natural.
"Why the sudden summoning?", an elder spoke. Once a jonin, he could barely fight anymore. He was of the same generation as Danzo's grandfather, who died on the battlefield. Still, his insights proved particularly strong, and he had contributed massively to the clan's survival over the years.
"Despite his promise to let me grow the clan in silence, Hiruzen is facing difficulty in the Iwagakure battlefield. The Second Shinobi War is far from dying down. The Hatake clan is doing a great job on the Eastern front against Kumogakure, but with a threat on the Western front growing, Hiruzen cannot fully commit to any battlefield, or risk Konohagakure being flanked"
"The Hokage's command is absolute...What a shame, if our clan-"
"The Hokage command is not absolute. My decisions are. Never forget it", I spoke, letting his aura flicker in the room, showing to everyone how strong he had become.
The past month had not been all for show. I possessed knowledge from the show, and more importantly, limitless funds to express my modern, chemically-expert, scientific mind. Unlike Konohagakure, I had invested massively in a chemistry laboratory. Studying regents, reaction time, and refining the chakra tools at my disposal, I had made immense progress in my studies.
Though incomplete, I had suceeded in making an elixir capable of raising chakra reserves. The downside was the body building resistance to it, but if used in cycles, it could prove to be extremely beneficial to raise one's potential.
The Shimura Wind Corps' extraordinary progress did not stem from their spirit alone, or the policies' effect, and much less the elders' teaching. I had been sneaking in giving them injections of the elixir to study the side-effects and progress.
I still had much to do to make it perfect, but even at my level, it was beneficial. The progress were abysmal, but still, at this level any chakra improvement was worth celebrating. Quantity and quality. These were the two fundamental characteristics of chakra. The equivalent of stamina and strength. On the battlefield, both were necessary to blossom.
What I needed was time and resources, and building a laboratory had a severe strain on the Shimura Clan's finances, despite the generous fundings from the Hokage.
"100 Million Ryôs. Hiruzen asked me to stabilize the Iwagakure's battlefield, by striking one of their supply routes. The Ino-Shika-Clan will face their main army, while we basically cripple their injured and reinforcements. If they retreat, they will face two armies at the same time and be crushed. If the stalemates continues, they will eventually fall", I explained
The elders frowned: "Hokage-sama truly is wise...I see no flaw in this strategy. Lord First would have probably ordered us to charge in the front without being reasoned..."
I smiled: "I accept the compliment. Hiruzen is no strategist. He asked me to become the commander of the Iwagakure front. I naturally proposed this strategy, and he agreed to it. This will reduce casualties in our ranks to a minimal, while providing the clan with an incredible opportunity to gain experience. What do you think?"
Yukiko, slightly trembling, spoke: "What if we encounter the Iwagakure Jinchuriki, or worse, the Tsuchikage?"
I nodded. For once, my subordinates gave sound remarks: "The Tsuchikage is facing internal conflicts on his own. I confirmed this through the ANBU spies planted in Iwagakure. Going to the front would not match his impatience and fear of losing his seat. As for the jinchuriki, I believe I will be able to take care of him. He is not at kage-level just yet, and even if I can't defeat him, I will be able to stall him long enough for the rest of the clan to complete the mission"
An elder laughed: "Congratulations, Danzo...I must say we were slightly apprehensive at first by your decision, but it seems like you are a fine leader"
Another continued: "Not a fine one, the finest the Shimura clan has ever witnessed! STRENGTH IN BALANCE"
"STRENGTH IN BALANCE"