Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 259 Nine-Year Compulsory Education

"In the past, ninja academies were indeed just places for training fighting machines."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, his voice steady and carrying a weighty sense of history: "From the moment they enter school, the children are instilled with how to kill enemies faster and stronger, how to complete missions. In their world, there are only shuriken, explosive tags, and ninjutsu."

"Is there something wrong with this?" Uzumaki Kyudai asked, somewhat puzzled.

"In the Warring States period, this was not wrong. In the First Shinobi World War, this was not wrong either. Because back then, survival was the top priority." Hiruzen Sarutobi affirmed the past pattern, then changed the subject.

"But times have changed, Ninth Generation. Wars always end, and peace will eventually come. If the future of a village consists entirely of machines that only know how to fight and kill, can that village still be called a home?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's question struck the heart of the Ninth Generation Uzumaki like a heavy hammer.

Home……

The Uzumaki clan is skilled in sealing techniques. Most of its members are gentle, but when faced with war, they have almost no other means of resistance besides constructing barriers and using sealing techniques.

They are experts in a single skill, yet they are so vulnerable in the face of the tides of time.

"The Konoha Ninja Academy is no longer just a training base for combat reserves."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued his explanation.

"I created some...new ideas and completely reformed them."

"Nowadays, children need to learn not only basic ninjutsu and taijutsu, but also culture."

"Culture?" Uzumaki Kyudai was completely dumbfounded.

"Yes, culture."

A smile unconsciously crept onto Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips—the kind of pleasure that comes from a modern soul delivering a devastating blow to a feudal era.

"They need to learn history, to know how our village was built from the flames of war, and to know what the Will of Fire is. They need to learn geography, to understand the mountains and rivers of the Land of Fire, and to understand the customs and cultures of other countries, which will be crucial in their future missions."

"They also need to learn basic arithmetic and logic, which will help them keep a clear head when dealing with mission rewards and analyzing intelligence. They even need to engage with literature to understand the complexities of human nature and cultivate empathy."

With each statement Hiruzen Sarutobi made, the Ninth Hokage Uzumaki's mouth opened wider.

History? Geography? Arithmetic? Literature?

Do these things... have anything to do with becoming a powerful ninja?

"Lord Hokage, forgive my bluntness,"

The Ninth Generation Uzumaki struggled to organize his thoughts, "Making children spend their precious training time learning this... isn't that putting the cart before the horse? Their strength..."

"Our strength will not decline; on the contrary, it will become even stronger."

Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him decisively.

"Who is stronger, the ninth generation, a brute who only knows how to wield a sword, or a general who understands military strategy and knows how to assess the situation?"

"Who has greater destructive power: a ninja who only knows how to destroy with brute force, or a ninja who calculates the angle of an explosion?"

"Would you rather fight alongside a tool that only executes orders, or a partner who understands the deeper meaning behind a task, can make independent judgments, and make the best choices?"

A series of rhetorical questions left the Ninth Generation Uzumaki speechless.

He had never thought about the problem from this perspective.

In his mind, a ninja was synonymous with strength, speed, and the power of ninjutsu.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi opened a completely new door for him.

Behind the door lay a completely new definition of a ninja, one he had never imagined before.

"What I want is not just to train a hundred Uchiha who can only use Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, nor a hundred Nara who can only use Shadow Imitation Technique."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to the Ninth Hokage Uzumaki's side, and gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Instead, they are developers who can create entirely new ninjutsu, and builders who can apply ninjutsu to people's livelihoods and enable all villagers to live a good life."

"And the foundation of all this is what I just mentioned: comprehensive education."

His words were filled with unwavering conviction and a fervent vision for the future.

The Ninth Generation of Uzumaki froze completely.

He felt that his worldview was being reshaped.

So... this is how you become the Hokage.

So this is how the future of a village can be planned.

He finally understood why Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to lead Konoha to such a glorious victory, and why even the legendary Madara Uchiha was willing to acknowledge him.

This Third Hokage of Konoha, his vision has already surpassed the entire ninja world!

"Therefore, I hope that the children of the Uzumaki clan can fully enter this system."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice pulled him back to reality from his shock.

"Let them and the children of Konoha start from scratch, learning together, growing together, playing together, and roughhousing together. Let them forge the deepest bond, a bond that no treaty or blood relation can compare to."

"When they grow up, the first identity they identify with is not that of the Uzumaki clan or Konoha villagers, but a shared identity—comrades. This is true integration."

After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi released his grip, returned to his seat, and quietly looked at him, awaiting his answer.

The command room was quiet, with only the sea breeze and children's laughter coming from outside the window.

After a long while, Ninth Generation Uzumaki finally let out a slow breath.

He stood up and bowed deeply, deeply to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This time, there was no restraint or formality, only heartfelt admiration and respect.

"Lord Hokage, I understand."

He raised his head, his once gentle face now filled with excitement and longing. "Your vision is beyond the reach of nine generations..."

"Well then..." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

"Of course!" the Ninth Hokage answered without hesitation. "I will send all the eligible children in the clan to the Ninja Academy!"

"very good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, and then he offered the last thing, the one that the Ninth Hokage Uzumaki could not refuse.

"As I mentioned before, in order to show respect for the Uzumaki clan's heritage and to make up for Konoha's weakness in the field of sealing techniques, I have decided to officially add sealing techniques as an elective course at the Ninja Academy."

Uzumaki Kyudai's heart skipped a beat.

"I hope that you, the patriarch of the Uzumaki clan, the second village chief of Uzumaki Village, the Ninth Uzumaki, will personally serve as the chief lecturer for this course."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became extremely solemn. "I will pass on the techniques that the Uzumaki clan is so proud of to the future pillars of Konoha."

These words struck the softest spot in Uzumaki Kyuudai's heart.

This is not just about respect; it elevates the Uzumaki clan's heritage to a position equal to, or even higher than, all the secret technique families of Konoha.

Let him, an outsider, guide the future of all the clans in Konoha.

What trust! What high regard!

All the previous worries and concerns vanished at this moment.

"Hokage-sama... I..." The Ninth Hokage was so excited that he was almost incoherent, feeling his blood boiling.

At this moment, he was willing to give everything for the man before him and for the grand vision he had envisioned!

"I...I'll go and compile a list of all eligible children right away!!"

Watching the Ninth Generation Uzumaki practically run away from the command room, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh of relief.

Get it done.

He picked up the tea that had gone cold from the table and drank it all in one gulp.

...This is actually quite effective.

He walked back to the window and looked at the carefree children on the deck.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts drifted away.

Soon, these children will all enter the ninja school that he has modified.

Perhaps, a few more children will stand out with their amazing talents.

A brand new, brilliant era seems to be beginning.

I wonder what kind of interesting commotion these new students will cause after they enroll.

A genuine smile curved the corners of his mouth.