Year 28
The New Year's celebrations had faded into memory.
Senju Tobirama sat alone in his office surrounded by towers of parchment detailing decades of mission records.
He tapped his finger against his arm, deep in thought.
'This system is unsustainable. The Hokage personally assigning every mission? Ridiculous.'
Under Hashirama, Tobirama had handled this task as adjutant.
But he knew, he was the exception, not a model. He knew that if this burden fell to the next Hokage, the system might collapse.
Just as the Senju clan had once revolved around him as second-in-command, now the entire village bureaucracy did.
'We need structure. Missions must be graded by risk. Shinobi must be ranked by capability. And the system must be able to run without me. Also... it's time that we tally the shinobi population.'
The current census was a farce. Clans harbored unregistered shinobi – hidden forces tucked away like aces in a sleeve.
---
Meanwhile, in the adjacent desk side, Sarutobi Sasuke, Shimura Shien, and Nara Shikasuke sat pale faced at their desks.
They watched Tobirama tap his finger.
'Hiick! That look! He's thinking of something… evil!'
And by "evil," they meant more paperwork.
Since Tobirama became Hokage, Konoha had flourished.
But the Hokage Office had become a battlefield of ink and scrolls.
***
Two weeks later.
The Hokage office issued a sweeping decree:
The Mission Classification System.
No longer would missions be assigned directly by the Hokage.
Client must now declare if enemy shinobi were expected. If unexpected threats emerged, the mission grade will be adjusted, and no-compensation will be refunded to the client, even if the mission is aborted.
All missions will be ranked by risk level into five categories: D, C, B, A, and S.
D-Rank: assigned to Genin or Academy Graduates team – odd jobs with no combat risk, such as: farming babysitting, and searching lost pets – Mission fee ranges from 5,000 ~ 50,000 Ryo ($500~$5,000).
C-Rank: assigned to Chunin or Genin team – requires completion of at least five D-rank missions beforehand. – Assignments with minor combat against Bandits or thieves, and minor investigations – Mission fee ranges from 30,000 ~ 100,000 Ryo ($3,000~$10,000).
B-Rank: assigned to Jonin, Special jonin, or Chunin team – Assignments with shinobi threat such as espionage and assassinations – Mission fee ranges from 80,000 ~ 200,000 Ryo ($8,000~$20,000).
A-Rank: assigned to Jonin or a team lead by jonin after Hokage's review/approval – Village/state-level missions such as : VIP escort and subjugation missions – Mission fee ranges from 150,000 ~ 1,000,000 Ryo ($15,000~$100,000).
S-Rank: assigned by Hokage to Elite Jonin and jonin team – State-level confidential missions – Mission fee ranges from 1,000,000+ Ryo ($100,000+).
In all cases, except for the quota missions, 50% of mission fee would be contributed to the village.
To support this new system, a Mission Reception Building will be established between Hokage Tower and Academy.
– D to B rank missions could be accepted freely, but no one can take on more than one mission. To take on new mission, previous mission must be completed or forfeited. lower-risk A-rank missions could be taken by three or more chunins under jonin supervision.
Clan Mission Quotas.
Each year, the Hokage may assign up to three missions to each ninja clan. These quotas would not carry over if unused. Founding clans – Senju and Uchiha – were given five mission quotas annually, reflecting their status and responsibilities within the village.
Shinobi Ranking System.
Shinobi are generally ranked by Three distinct ranks of Genin, Chunin, and Jonin.
Genin:
– Entry-level ninja (including Academy graduates)
– Required to complete 1 D-rank mission annually, in which 75% of the mission reward goes to village.
– Eligible for C-rank missions after completing 5 D-rank missions.
– Granted access to D-rank jutsus from the Konoha jutsu repository.
– Academy graduates are any genin below the age of 13. Unless they are promoted to chunin, they will not be conscripted for war.
– Genin can be promoted to Chunin via Chunin Exam, which will be held every 2 years.
Chunin:
– Tactical leaders and village backbone.
– Required to complete 1 C-rank and 2 B-rank missions annually, in which 75% of mission reward goes to village.
– Granted access to C-rank and limited B-rank jutsus form the Konoha jutsu repository.
– Tokubetsu(special) Jonin: Chunin with Jonin-level expertise in specific areas.
– Mission quotas and requirements matches those of Chunin.
Jonin:
– Must be skilled in all core disciplines.
– Must master 2 elemental chakra natures.
– Promoted via Hokage's personal assessment.
– Required to complete 1 B-rank, 3 A-rank, and 1 S-rank missions annually.
– Cannot reject assigned missions if quotas are not met.
– Granted access to B & A-Rank jutsus from the Konoha Jutsu Repository.
– Granted access to S-Rank jutsu upon request after evaluation.
– Veteran Jonin or Elite Jonin: must have Kage-level capabilities or close to it.
– Candidates for Hokage succession in emergencies.
– Mission quotas and requirements Matches those of Jonin.
Existing known elite shinobis will be formally promoted next week.
Shinobi with 2+ years of service will undergo assessment over the next 3 months.
The first Chunin Exam next year.
Lastly, in future, Hokage will be chosen via Jonin Votes and all Jonin have single vote.
– Hokage Office : Senju Tobirama –
***
This reform wasn't just about efficiency and control.
It was about legacy.
Tobirama knew he wouldn't be Hokage forever.
He wanted a system that would endure.
A system where talent could rise, clans could contribute, and village could thrive with or without him and his brother.
***
The notice form the Hokage Office and the sweeping reforms introduced by Senju Tobirama sent shockwaves through Konoha.
The village stirred.
The clans grew restless.
And the air buzzed with speculation.
Though the reactions from other hidden villages would come later, the immediate impact within Konoha was undeniable. The new ranking system and mission structure had ignited a fire in every ninja clan.
They all share the same thought:
The clan that produces the most Jonin will rise above the rest.
It was foolish to hide the clan reserves.
It was no longer just about tradition or preservation.
It was about power and status.
---
The major clans, such as Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga, were already seen as untouchable.
But the others refused to be left behind.
"The Sarutobi clan must stand above the rest. We were the second to join after Senju and Uchiha!"
"The Shimura will be the fourth, after the big three!"
"Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka... our combined strength should surpass all but the top!"
Clan heads and elders convened in urgent meetings.
Scrolls were unfurled.
Names were listed.
Strategies were debated.
Who among their youth could reach Jonin level?
Who could be trained, guided, or accelerated?
The entire village entered a state of lively tension.
Even civilians joined the discourse, debating which clan would produce the most Jonin and dominate the new hierarchy.
---
The new clan-designated mission quotas stirred mixed reactions.
Middle and smaller clans accepted them without protest. They recognized it as a responsibility they must answer for the the privileges and minor autonomy they held within the village. Moreover, they sensed that the system was more so designed to target the Uchiha.
The Senju remained calm, confident, and silent.
Surprisingly, the Uchiha showed no outward anxiety or excitement.
Behind the closed doors, Uchiha Sosuke and the ten clan elders had already reached consensus.
They would not chase the Senju.
They would continue nurturing their youth as they always had.
As for the five mission quotas, which was clearly a pointed gesture, they chose not to resist.
Some even twisted the narrative claiming, "Five quotas mean we're stronger. More capable. And more trusted."
It was a self-deception.
A balm for wounded pride.
They licked their wounds and reframed defeat as superiority.
But the truth was bitter.
The clan head and elders knew it.
They clenched their fists.
Gritted their teeth.
And passed the burden of surpassing the Senju to the next generation.
Their own generation–
Was the generation of losers.
They accepted it with quiet remorse.
And helpless resolve.