Chapter 311: Ninja Rank Reform, Sky Fortress Design Nears Completion
Day 18, Month 6, Year 1 of the Great Unification.
After planting the Sage Cursed Seal, Uchiha Obito bid farewell to Kakashi and Nohara Rin and left Konoha.
However, instead of using the teleportation platform to go to the South Sage Continent, he decided to travel with a merchant ship, crossing the oceans and hemispheres to tour the South Sage Continent.
More than two months have passed, and Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage, A, have finally returned.
In a wooden house under the Sage Tree in the Sage Domain.
Sarutobi Asuma sat at the table, looking at the documents in his hands. Opposite him were Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage, A.
The two had been busy previously, integrating the Allied Shinobi Forces.
This was a necessary step for unification. If shinobi from the various villages remained in their respective villages as before, the unification would only be in name.
Of course.
Even with unification, it had to be done step by step.
The first step was a detailed census and statistical survey of all major villages, including samurai.
The alliance needed to possess detailed information on every shinobi.
This task was extensive, but with a sufficient number of staff, it wasn't particularly troublesome.
The second step was to begin, in a planned manner, integrating shinobi squads from different villages to cooperate on missions.
For example, in the Land of Rain and Land of Rivers, there were shinobi from the former major villages, with squads combining with other squads.
Of course, the ideal state would be to completely break down the regional distinctions of the original villages and form new teams.
However, the conditions for that were clearly not yet met.
This would at least require the widespread popularization of large-scale Space-Time Teleportation Arrays, established in each major village, allowing for rapid and unimpeded travel between them.
Furthermore, the establishment of an alliance headquarters and an efficient communication system that could cover the entire Ninja World was also necessary.
At that time, even if members of the same squad resided in Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, they could receive mission instructions simultaneously, then travel to the alliance headquarters via teleportation platforms, and depart together for the mission.
Currently, Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage had completed the preliminary work for the major integration of shinobi from all villages. Namikaze Minato had even directed the Fuinjutsu and Sealing Jutsu squads to construct teleportation platforms in each village, as well as large-scale, and even super-large-scale, Space-Time Teleportation Arrays that could only be activated by the Sage Tree.
Once the alliance headquarters was established and the communication system was in place, the work of rebuilding shinobi squads could begin.
However.
The documents Sarutobi Asuma was currently reviewing were not for all shinobi in the alliance, but for the units planned to be established.
The first was the Ninja World's Special Rapid Response Force.
As the name suggested, this was a combat unit specifically designed to handle sudden, dangerous, and emergency situations.
This unit was planned to be stationed at the alliance headquarters in the future. Once powerful enemies appeared, it would be the first to use Space-Time Teleportation Arrays to reach the affected area and carry out its mission.
Therefore, the personnel for this unit had to be the elite of the elite.
The list submitted by Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage, A, named A, the Fourth Raikage himself, as the commander-in-chief.
In addition, there were candidates for nine squad captains.
Jōnin Darui, Jōnin Kitsuchi, Jōnin Uchiha Shisui, Jōnin Sarutobi Shinya, Jōnin Uchiha Kōta, Jōnin Baki...
Sarutobi Asuma read through the names one by one, thinking, "Yes, they can indeed be called the elite of the elite."
Any one of these individuals could absolutely be considered an elite Jōnin.
However, he still felt that, with the exception of a few individuals, the rest were not qualified to be squad leaders.
After all, if the Fourth Raikage, A, was the commander-in-chief, it meant that most of the time, squads would be deployed, led by squad leaders.
Therefore, Sarutobi Asuma believed that these squad leaders should, at the very least, possess Kage-level strength at this point.
And in the future, they should be able to contend with members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Of course, he knew that this requirement was a bit too high.
Currently, there were very few individuals in the entire Ninja World who could meet it.
He suspected that the positions would be filled entirely by people from Konoha.
Truly breaking down regional perceptions was, after all, an ideal state.
Therefore, Sarutobi Asuma looked up and said, "Brother Minato, Elder A, I have no objections to the personnel list."
"However, I believe the current ninja rank system is no longer adequate for our needs."
Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage, A, were both taken aback. The latter asked, "What does the Alliance Leader mean?"
"Genin, Chunin, Special Jōnin, Jōnin, Elite Jōnin... I feel these ranks are insufficient because our enemies are extraordinary."
"Based on the intelligence we currently have on the Ōtsutsuki, even the non-main members of this clan are at least equivalent to the Kage of the former major villages."
Sarutobi Asuma was not exaggerating.
Namikaze Minato immediately understood Sarutobi Asuma's meaning and said, "Are you suggesting using 'Kage,' which originally denoted status, as a ninja rank?"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, "Precisely."
"Not just Kage, but Super Kage, Quasi-Six Paths, and Six Paths Level."
"I believe in the future, the Ninja World will still have to face existences comparable to the Sage of Six Paths, or even stronger."
"After all, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who merely ate one Chakra Fruit, is already so formidable. The Ōtsutsuki Clan has a long history of plundering across the universe, so there must be powerful beings who have consumed more than one Chakra Fruit."
"Perhaps they are beings that surpass the Six Paths Level!"
Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage both broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this.
"In that case, it truly is necessary to categorize power levels."
Namikaze Minato wiped his sweat and forced a smile, "However, wouldn't the previous assessment systems be unsuitable for levels like Kage and Super Kage?"
The Fourth Raikage nodded in agreement.
Genin typically advanced to Chunin by passing the Chunin Exams.
While the assessment methods might have differed among the major ninja villages in the past, they were largely similar.
Take Konoha, for example.
One was theoretical knowledge, which likely accounted for the lowest portion.
Next was individual strength.
Then came teamwork.
All three were considered comprehensively, with the latter two holding particular importance.
For instance, Uchiha Obito had to take the exam twice to be promoted to Chunin.
His individual strength wasn't bad, but his teamwork was abysmal, and there were various accidents during his exams. He was initially disqualified by Might Guy in the first one.
As for promotion from Chunin to Jonin, it depended on mission experience.
The number of high-difficulty missions completed and performance during them often represented one's ability to handle things independently.
But for ranks above that, such as Kage or even Super Kage, there weren't many missions to use as evaluation criteria.
Were they going to use "defeating the Ōtsutsuki Clan" as the standard?
Sarutobi Shinya stroked his chin and said, "For the Kage level, the former Kage of the major ninja villages can serve as a reference."
Namikaze Minato replied, "Assessing elite Jonin aiming for promotion based on the former Kage of the major ninja villages is indeed a viable method."
"Gaining recognition from the Kage would essentially mean they possess Kage-level strength."
"And if they surpass that, then they are at the Super Kage level."
The Fourth Raikage said gravely, "The former Kage will eventually grow old and die. Even so, their strength was not static."
Namikaze Minato nodded, glanced at Sarutobi Shinya, and then said, "That's not a problem either; the Reanimation Jutsu can solve it."
The Fourth Raikage's expression changed slightly, but after a moment's thought, he didn't object.
While the Reanimation Jutsu was indeed a technique that manipulated souls, it wasn't entirely unacceptable if used for righteous purposes.
Moreover, with technologies like cloning, there wouldn't be a need to sacrifice anyone's life.
It was likely that deceased Kage would be pleased to see their successors grow.
Sarutobi Shinya continued, "For the Quasi-Six Paths level, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, will conduct the assessment."
Upon hearing this, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but give a wry smile, "Right now, in the entire Ninja World, besides you, Asuma, I suspect only Naruto and Sasuke are qualified to fight against the First Hokage."
Indeed.
Uchiha Sasuke needed no further mention. As for Naruto, even if the Six Paths Yang Power given by the Sage of Six Paths was depleted, he still had Sage Fox Mode, which would allow him to hold his own against Senju Hashirama, who wielded the Kekkei Tōta Wood Release and Truth-Seeking Balls.
Furthermore, Naruto was only in his teens, and his future growth potential was vast.
Others, like Uchiha Shisui and his peers who had awakened the Mangekyo, would likely be unable to contend directly, except perhaps for Uchiha Obito who could maneuver with the special abilities of Kamui.
After all, once the Great Buddha was unleashed, even a Perfect Susanoo could be destroyed.
Seeing Namikaze Minato's wry smile, Sarutobi Shinya chuckled, "Brother Minato, you are in the prime of your life."
Being in his forties certainly qualified as the prime of his life!
"For ordinary ninjas to reach the Super Kage or even Quasi-Six Paths level, there are three paths."
Sarutobi Shinya stated.
The Fourth Raikage quickly asked, "What are the three paths?"
Sarutobi Shinya smiled and said, "The first path, similar to Elder A, is to commit to one path to its extreme."
"The Lightning Style Chakra Mode, when pushed to its limit, can also lead to becoming a Super Kage or even a Quasi-Six Paths."
Cultivating the Lightning Style Chakra Mode to System evaluation levels 9 or 10 would undoubtedly grant Quasi-Six Paths and Six Paths Level strength.
Of course, this would likely be extremely difficult.
It would require an exceptionally strong foundation in Chakra Control and Chakra Nature Transformation.
Otherwise, the current Fourth Raikage would essentially be at the ceiling.
However, with sufficiently powerful Chakra Control, one could cultivate his Lightning Style Chakra Mode to level 9 without issue.
Furthermore, with sufficiently powerful Lightning Style Chakra Nature Transformation, the power of Lightning Style would be enhanced, with significant improvements in temperature and speed, reaching level 10.
Of course, they might be at the bottom rung of Six Paths Level.
Especially when facing the Ōtsutsuki Clan, who could absorb chakra at will, it would be a significant disadvantage.
"The second path is developing Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, and Kekkei Mōra, layer by layer."
Sarutobi Asuma stated, "The third path is to master seven Chakra Nature Transformations, learn Yin-Yang Release, and fuse the seven Chakra Nature Transformations to master Truth-Seeking Balls!"
"Of course, these three paths are not mutually exclusive; they can be pursued simultaneously, which would make things much easier."
Undoubtedly, none of these paths were simple.
The vast majority of ninjas would never be able to achieve them.
Only individuals with exceptionally outstanding talent, like Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Shisui, would have a chance to follow through.
However, the path of cultivation has always been like a pyramid; the fewer people there are at the top.
"Brother Minato, you have already mastered Ice Release. This Kekkei Genkai has immense potential and can be continuously developed, leading to Kekkei Tōta and Kekkei Mōra."
Sarutobi Asuma suggested.
Namikaze Minato nodded, as this was indeed his plan.
Instead of developing other Kekkei Genkai from scratch, it was better to focus on Ice Release.
He felt that Ice Release also suited his combat style well.
Sarutobi Asuma pondered for a moment and said, "Let's open another Super Kage special training class, a Six Paths training class!"
"By drawing people into a dreamscape with Genjutsu, we can train their Chakra Control, Chakra Nature Transformation, and even develop Kekkei powers, achieving results similar to training with Shadow Clones."
To fight against the Ōtsutsuki Clan, the more powerful individuals there were, the better.
Secondly, everyone's talents were different, and each person had their own unique aptitude.
The more talented individuals there were, the more he could gain.
After all, his Chakra Control had already reached a level where he could edit genes.
One person's wisdom is limited, but many people's wisdom is abundant!
Namikaze Minato smiled and said, "Of course, there are no problems. I don't think anyone will object."
The Fourth Raikage then asked, "Can we also participate?"
"Of course!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, "Elder A, your Lightning Style Chakra Mode can still be improved."
With that, the matter was settled, and Namikaze Minato and the Fourth Raikage went to make their arrangements.
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled to himself, "I really am a workaholic..."
"But in the future, the strong ninjas of the Ninja World can all be considered my disciples and their disciples!"
Tsk, this feels pretty good!
The next day.
The matter of Ninja Rank Reform was submitted by the Alliance Secretariat and unanimously approved by the Elder Council, quickly spreading throughout the entire Ninja World, to hundreds of thousands of ninjas.
Land of Rain.
Naruto, upon hearing the news, couldn't help but laugh, "Speaking of which, if that's the case, then Sasuke and I should both be Six Paths Level ninjas, right?"
Haruno Sakura scoffed, "Naruto, you're still a Chunin!"
"According to the rules, you need to be promoted to Jonin first, then Elite Jonin, and then qualify to become a Kage, Super Kage, Quasi-Six Paths, and finally Six Paths."
"Ah?"
"Does it need to be this complicated?"
Naruto clutched his head and cried out, then indignantly said, "Sasuke and I are probably the strongest in the Ninja World, besides Uncle Asuma!"
Haruno Sakura said expressionlessly, "Rules are rules!"
Naruto's face fell, and he nervously asked, "Speaking of which, for the Jonin exam, it... it probably won't have a written test, right?"
Upon hearing this, Haruno Sakura couldn't help but laugh heartily, hands on her hips.
Beside them, Uchiha Sasuke didn't even open his eyes.
To him, discussing these matters was a complete waste of time; it was better to cultivate more.
His goal was Lord Asuma, the strongest in the Ninja World!
...
Time passed quickly, and the integration of the Alliance proceeded step by step in an orderly fashion.
The three major projects newly established by the Alliance were also progressing in a positive direction.
However, the fastest progress was in the design and construction of the Alliance Headquarters.
July 16th.
Good news has finally arrived from the Land of Rain; the first prototype of the Alliance Headquarters' Sky Fortress has been preliminarily completed.
Upon receiving the news, Sarutobi Asuma, who was in the Sage Domain, traveled directly to the Land of Rain.
At this moment, the hemispherical platform had begun floating again.
Furthermore, within the original perimeter wall, buildings resembling water towers had been erected.
After Sarutobi Asuma arrived, Konan explained, "We've tested it, and the designed water circulation system is completely functional."
"Also, we've discussed it: if we build floating fortresses as the Alliance Headquarters in the future, this surface layer, aside from these water towers and defensive/offensive facilities, could be used for cultivation."
"The Alliance's true headquarters will be located underground."
-----------
Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
Read 1400+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: www.randomtranslator.com