Uchiha Chiya followed the Anbu ninja to the door of the Hokage's office and knocked lightly.
"Come in."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's steady voice came from within.
Chiya pushed the door open and walked in. He saw the Third Hokage seated at his desk, a scroll in hand, brow slightly furrowed, as if turning something over in his mind.
"Lord Hokage."
Chiya bowed respectfully.
"Sit down."
Hiruzen raised his head, gestured toward the sofa nearby, then lowered his gaze back to the scroll in his hand.
Chiya said nothing and sat quietly on the sofa to wait.
For a moment the office held nothing but the soft rustle of the scroll being turned and the occasional birdsong drifting in from outside the window.
He took the opportunity to look around. The Hokage's office was simply and solemnly furnished. Portraits of the Hokage from each generation hung on the walls. The shelves were filled with scrolls and books, and a faint smell of tobacco hung in the air.
After a moment, Hiruzen finally set the scroll down and rubbed the space between his brows.
He then looked toward Chiya, his gaze deep and warm.
"Chiya, I called you here today to talk about the medical ninja training."
He came straight to the point.
Chiya felt a subtle tightening in his chest, but his expression stayed calm.
"Please go ahead, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen picked up the pipe from his desk and lit it lightly. After a slow draw, he spoke.
"The medical ninja proposal has been approved, but the specific training plan still needs to be worked out in more detail. What are your thoughts on that?"
Chiya considered briefly, then spoke.
"The medical ninja training can be broken into three stages. Basic theory, hands-on practice, and battlefield adaptation."
"Oh?"
A flicker of interest passed through Hiruzen's eyes.
"Tell me more."
Chiya gathered his thoughts and continued.
"The first stage, basic theory, requires us to put together a systematic set of teaching materials covering the structure of the human body, chakra control, and the treatment of common injuries. This stage can be taught by experienced medical ninja to make sure students grasp the necessary theoretical knowledge. On top of that, a simplified version could be added to the Academy curriculum as an elective."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Theory is important, but during wartime we need medical ninja who can be put into action quickly."
Chiya smiled slightly.
"That is precisely the purpose of the second stage. In the hands-on practice stage, students would carry out actual treatment under supervision, working up from simple wound care to more complex internal injury repair. We can set up simulated battlefield environments so students practice under pressure, which would shorten the time needed to get them ready."
Hiruzen's furrowed brow relaxed.
"A simulated battlefield environment. That is a good idea."
Chiya continued.
"The final stage is battlefield adaptation. Through squad coordination drills, medical ninja would learn how to protect themselves and treat their comrades during actual combat. This stage can be done in cooperation with existing ninja squads, so they can work out how to function together."
Hiruzen thought quietly for a moment, then a look of approval crossed his face.
"Your thinking is clear. It seems you have put serious thought into the medical system."
Chiya replied modestly.
"I have simply reflected on it a bit more than most. I would also suggest establishing a tiered ranking system, classifying students into junior, intermediate, and senior medical ninja based on their ability and performance, with different assignments and resources allocated accordingly."
A trace of surprise flickered through Hiruzen's eyes.
"A tiered ranking system. That is a fresh idea."
Chiya nodded.
"It would make the best use of limited resources, and also give students the drive to keep improving."
Hiruzen drew deeply from his pipe and let the smoke out slowly. It curled and drifted in the sunlight.
He was quiet for a moment, then asked suddenly.
"Chiya, what do you believe the Will of Fire is?"
Chiya was briefly caught off guard. He had not expected the subject to shift like that.
But he recovered quickly, and spoke with a steady voice.
"The Will of Fire is the spiritual legacy left behind by the First Hokage. It stands for the belief in protecting one's comrades and guarding the village. It is the foundation of every Konoha ninja. Where the leaves dance, the fire burns without end. The light of that fire illuminates the village, and lets the new leaves grow."
Hiruzen's gaze shifted slightly, as if touched by Chiya's answer.
"You have said it well... it reminds me of someone from the Uchiha, an old friend."
Something stirred in Chiya's chest. He had a quiet sense of who Hiruzen meant, but he said nothing to reveal it.
Hiruzen let out a sigh, a trace of remembrance in his eyes.
"Kagami was once like you, carrying the future of the village in his heart."
Kagami, of course, referred to Uchiha Kagami.
Chiya lowered his head. His tone was sincere.
"Senior Kagami is a pride of the Uchiha, and someone I look up to."
Hiruzen looked steadily at Chiya, as if trying to read something in his eyes.
After a moment, he asked slowly.
"Chiya, how do you see the Uchiha clan?"
Chiya raised his head. His gaze was open and steady.
"The Uchiha have always been Konoha's Uchiha. I was born in Konoha and grew up in Konoha. The prosperity of the village is the prosperity of the Uchiha.
There may have been some misunderstanding and distance in the past. But I believe that as long as we hold to the Will of Fire, the Uchiha and the village can move forward together."
A look of quiet satisfaction crossed Hiruzen's eyes. He nodded gently.
"Very good... very good."
He rose from his seat and walked to the window, speaking with his back to Chiya.
"The medical ninja training will be placed in your hands and Tsunade's. Begin the trial run of the plan as you described it. I hope you can produce trained medical ninja as soon as possible."
A quiet joy rose in Chiya's chest, but he kept his composure.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will not fail what you have entrusted to me."
Hiruzen handed the scroll to Chiya, a warm smile on his face.
"Go. I trust you can do this well."
Chiya stood, bowed, took the scroll, and turned to leave.
Once outside the Hokage's office, he let out a long breath.
'I did not expect it to go this smoothly.'
What he did not know, however, was that after he left, Hiruzen remained standing at the window, his gaze reaching far into the distance.
"Kagami, among the younger generation of your Uchiha, someone like you has finally appeared again..."
He murmured quietly, a complicated feeling passing through his eyes.
"Hiruzen, you must not let your guard down."
From the shadows nearby, Danzo stepped forward.
"You heard what was said just now. Tell me what you think."
Hiruzen concealed what was in his eyes and glanced at Danzo.
"Fine words are easy to say. Who can know what the Uchiha are doing when no one is watching?"
Danzo gave a cold snort.
As Hokage advisor and head of Root, he understood exactly what Hiruzen meant.
Acknowledge someone from the Uchiha clan?
Not a chance.
"Hiruzen, the situation over at Amegakure is fierce. I intend to go there myself."
Hearing that Danzo wanted to go to the battlefield, Hiruzen's brow furrowed slightly.
"How many ninja will you take?"
"I do not need anyone from your Anbu. My Root forces will be enough. The situation in Konoha lately has been unfavorable. I cannot just sit back and watch."
Danzo's words were firm and decided. Hiruzen looked at him, unable to read his intent.
"Very well."
Thinking of the front line intelligence he had recently received, Hiruzen nodded and agreed.
Danzo had only taken two steps toward the door when he suddenly stopped.
He turned and looked at Hiruzen. A contemptuous light flickered in his eyes.
"Hiruzen, there is really no need to go through so much trouble to test Uchiha Chiya. Just send him to the battlefield and see what he is made of."
With that, Danzo turned and left the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen watched Danzo's retreating figure. His eyes flickered, and the furrow in his brow deepened.