Fujin replied, "Off the top of my mind, I can think of two changes. The first one is rather simple, that is, specialization. I recall that we were introduced to various specializations in the Academy. However, nothing was taught regarding it. In addition, it was only mentioned to elite batches while the normal batches weren't introduced to this.
We could add additional classes where students are taught about specific specializations, like Genjutsu, Taijutsu, Fuinjutsu, Medical Ninjutsu, Sensor, Tracking and Investigation, Scouting, Elemental Ninjutsus and so on.
Though I haven't seen how Konoha was in the past, considering the various clans in the village, the clans covered most of these bases without the village needing to put any effort into it. However, the same doesn't apply to students from civilian backgrounds. They have to learn just the basics taught in the academy. If they don't take the initiative to learn about it, they will never know these options.
By introducing specializations, we may find that some students who seem ordinary at the basics taught in the academy might have hidden talent or extreme interest in one of these fields. While this may not produce Elite Jounins, it does have a scope to produce a high number of Special Jounins from civilian backgrounds. Their numbers might even touch a hundred every year. In the future, they might become the backbone of our army.
We could introduce these specialization classes in the second half of the third year as most of the students would have good chakra control due to learning tree climbing and water walking by then. In the fourth year, we can make these classes optional, so that everyone just attends the specialization that interests them.
In the final two years, when the students have chosen their specialization, we can segregate them into different batches based on their specialization with teachers that have the same specialization. Perhaps we could even arrange for some retired ninjas to show up once in a while to assist the teachers with their knowledge and experience or inspire the students with their stories.
Of course, not every student should be segregated as per specializations. If there are some students who don't want to specialize in anything, they can continue in normal classes. And, there will also be students who want to specialize in several fields and have the talent and determination to do so. We can include such students in Elite batches and focus on trying to make every student in that batch at least a Jounin."
Fujin looked around the room and added, "That said, such a change will increase workload a lot in the short term. The Academy will need to hire more teachers and build more classrooms. However, in the long term, this workload can be decreased with the second change, that is, creating clubs.
We can create student-only clubs in the school with each club in a particular field just like the specializations. For instance, there can be a Fuinjutsu club or a Genjutsu club and so on. Each club will have one teacher to handle any issues, but the role and interference of the teacher have to be minimal.
Instead, the work will be done by students themselves. The senior students will be responsible for guiding the junior students. For instance, if someone in the first or second year of the academy takes an interest in Fuinjutsu and decides to join the Fuinjutsu club, then the fifth and sixth-year students could help them with the basics about how to become a SealMaster. Their guidance could even be better than a teacher's as the students might feel more comfortable talking with other students and the senior students would have just finished learning what they would teach the juniors.
With several clubs, many students will be interested in seeing what their seniors are teaching and understand several specializations by themselves. This will make the task of teachers very easy as in the future the students will realize what they want to specialize in by themselves and will also learn the basics of it.
We can amplify the effect further by making the clubs compete with each other. However, considering the diverse nature of the clubs, deciding on a common ground for competition will be difficult.
Perhaps we can go with something along the lines of the number of students in each club so that the seniors feel the urge to recruit and teach more juniors. And, we could create new levels of mastery for each club that are achievable by Academy students. We could promote a healthy competition among the clubs to have the most number of students at the higher levels of mastery."
Fujin's words surprised the council members. Every ninja in the room fell into a deep thought. While several of them had thought about Fujin's previous suggestions, no one had remotely thought about introducing specializations to the academy. As for clubs, that was something brand new for them. None of them had heard about such a thing before. Even Danzo was surprised by the suggestions and pondered their implications.
Fujin sat in his chair with an awkward expression on his face as he looked around the room. He thought, 'The hell? They just all begin thinking without a single word? Even Danzo is quiet! It's been over five minutes, how long will you fellows keep thinking?'
Another 5 minutes passed with no words being spoken. Finally, some of the ninjas began looking at Fujin. However, the look in their eyes was completely different. They no longer looked at him as if he was just a junior. Instead, they admired him for bringing up such an idea. At the same time, some vigilance formed in their hearts.
Hiruzen looked at Fujin and thought, 'Incredible! His analysis is on point. Thanks to the clans, we never had to worry about specialization. We only needed to consider something that no clan specialized in, like Medical Ninjutsu. But with the number of ninjas in clans reducing, specialization has become very critical. Otherwise, a lot of potential will be wasted among the civilian students.
As for the clubs, I have never heard of anything like that in any village. If it works like how he portrayed it, then it might be the best thing for the village after sensei's decision to create an Academy!'
Hiruzen was extremely pleased with his decision to forcefully include Fujin in the Council. At the same time, Shikaku also saw Fujin in a new light. He thought, 'Such innovative thinking… No wonder he keeps wrecking trouble no matter where he goes. Though this plan has one major flaw, if we overlook it, then the village will be completely transformed in a decade or two.'
Shikaku felt someone staring at him. He looked around and noticed Hiruzen staring at him. Suddenly, he had a bad feeling. He cursed, 'Shit! Hiruzen will throw the work of modifying the academy on my head! How does this brat still keep getting me in trouble? This thing is almost as troublesome as that issue with Suna!'
Though Fujin meant well, he overlooked one major issue with his suggestion. An issue that everyone else noticed. However, no one brought it up as it wouldn't have looked good.
Danzo observed the clan leaders as he analyzed, 'Good plan indeed. It will transform the structure of Konoha's forces. However, he is directly intruding into the interests of the clans. Right now, most specialization is done by ninjas from clans. They get the Special Jounin ranks while most of the Civilian ninjas stay at Genin or Chunin ranks.
If these suggestions are implemented, the clans might not be pleased and might view it as a threat.'
Danzo immediately sensed an opportunity. However, he knew that it wasn't the best time to make use of that flaw. Instead, he patiently waited for Hiruzen's decision.
Since Danzo could see the flaw and understand the implications, Hiruzen could as well. Hiruzen looked at the clan leaders and observed their expressions. After a couple of minutes, he said, "Your ideas are very impressive, Fujin. They have the potential to revolutionize the ninja academy.
However, implementing it will be difficult. We need to figure out what specializations to include, who to hire and how the clubs should be formed. We will also need to decide whether it will be safe for students in clubs to teach their juniors. In addition, we will also need to figure out what to do if one specialization gets a lot of students while the rest don't."
Fujin nodded. Hiruzen's concerns were valid. Hiruzen added, "Since such a move will also require students to have good chakra control, we won't implement it this year. Instead, we will move forward with Fujin's earlier suggestions and implement them as soon as the academy starts.
This year, we will finalize all the details regarding specializations and clubs and decide how to implement them starting the next year. Does anyone have an issue with this or any better suggestions?"
No one answered. Hiruzen said, "Good."
His expression hardened as he looked around the room. In a serious tone, he instructed, "This goes without saying, but nothing we discussed today should be leaked outside. Once we implement these changes, it is inevitable that other villages will find out and try to replicate it.
However, they will need several years to understand the implications behind these actions. That will allow Konoha to get an edge over the other villages. If we pull it properly, then our armies will be far stronger than any other village for quite some time. Hence, nothing should get out of this room. Is that clear?"
Everyone nodded in response. Hiruzen looked around the room and said, "We will end this council meeting here. Unless something comes up, the next meeting will be as per the normal schedule."
