Tsunade believed Uchiha Gen would be directly promoted to Jonin by special exception.
How many other Jonin could achieve what Uchiha Gen had?
Engaging Chiyo and Kakuzu consecutively in the same battle and emerging unscathed was enough to prove his worth.
How many Jonin in all of Konoha dared to say they could do that?
Aside from top powerhouses like Orochimaru and Sakumo Hatake, even other Elite Jonin wouldn't dare claim they could do better than Uchiha Gen.
Other Jonin needed missions of sufficient value to prove they deserved the rank, but Uchiha Gen was different. If even he couldn't be promoted to Jonin, it would make people suspect favoritism in the Village's Jonin selection process.
So-called seniority was no obstacle in the face of absolute achievements. Hindering him because of it would only invite gossip.
"So, when will Sandaime likely return to the Village? And what preparations do we need to make in advance?"
Uchiha Gen asked Tsunade.
Tsunade was stunned.
"Preparations? Shouldn't I just bring it up at the meeting, and you all support me? Then if other Jonin also vote for it..."
Uchiha Gen covered his forehead.
So, you haven't prepared anything, Big Sister.
No wonder in the original timeline's Jonin Conference, out of all the Jonin in the entire Village, only Kato Dan, who was infatuated with you, voted along.
"Aren't you planning to use the Senju Clan's connections? Aren't you going to contact other friendly Jonin in advance? Even if it's just to start, we don't need to talk about exchanging benefits, but what about other things? There must be quite a few Jonin you've saved, right?"
Tsunade was utterly dumbfounded.
"I'm just bringing this up at the Jonin meeting, is it necessary to go to such great lengths?"
"Lady Tsunade, this must be your first time actively speaking and proposing such a formal suggestion at a Jonin meeting, right?"
"Yes."
Tsunade nodded decisively.
Uchiha Gen couldn't help but sigh.
Although Tsunade was an excellent Ninja and not unintelligent, she was not yet like her future self two or three decades later in the original timeline, having endured multiple setbacks and the vicissitudes of life, possessing the capacity and political wisdom to shoulder the burden of Hokage.
Born into nobility, with two Hokage grandfathers and a Hokage teacher from a young age, these political matters simply didn't concern her.
In this regard, the current Tsunade was probably even more naive than Haku.
"Then, aside from those of us who have made arrangements with you, I'm afraid you won't find anyone at the Jonin Conference who will support you. If you do, you should suspect that person has ulterior motives."
Tsunade looked at Uchiha Gen suspiciously.
"Are you really sure I'll make a fool of myself at the Jonin Conference?"
"What you're doing isn't some minor task of patching up deficiencies, but becoming a founding master like Mon-zaemon, directly establishing an entirely new Ninja profession. It's an undertaking that requires the Village's full effort to promote, a cause that could change the Ninja World.
Even in peacetime, this would be a major matter requiring careful deliberation before implementation, let alone now, when the Ninja World War is in full swing and all internal affairs demand stability, with no easy major changes.
Every Jonin understands the Village's current situation and will not make any moves without concrete, relevant information."
Tsunade stroked her smooth chin, nodding thoughtfully.
"That makes some sense."
"And the impact isn't just that," Uchiha Gen continued.
"These things were also told to me by the Great Elder. When the Uchiha Clan or the Police Force has important public matters to propose, they always prepare in advance, ensuring that other Jonin and the Sandaime cannot refuse before formally presenting them.
The Clan believes that the Jonin Conference, the highest-level meeting in the entire Village, is a time to demonstrate the prestige and influence of each department and Ninja Clan. While I don't fully agree with this, it does hold some truth."
At this point, Uchiha Gen paused.
It was only natural for the higher-ups to be displeased with the Clan's way of doing things.
The Sandaime Hokage and other Konoha higher-ups' dislike for the Uchiha was primarily influenced by Senju Tobirama, but the Uchiha Clan's consistent conduct was also a significant reason for their discomfort.
Their core still operated according to the customs of the Sengoku period.
Although some high-ranking members of the Clan were not unaware of the changing times, they were too concerned with titles like'strongest noble clan in the Ninja World' and 'clan honor,' which trapped them and exacerbated conflicts with Konoha's higher-ups.
Certain clan traditions prevented them from abandoning their high-profile style when they should have been low-key.
Pushing aside these irrelevant thoughts, Uchiha Gen continued: "Since Lady Mito's passing, Tsunade-sensei, you are the representative of the Senju Clan in the current Ninja World. Although all branches of the Senju Clan are now in seclusion and the older generation is dying out, the Senju Clan is still the Senju Clan. If your first proposal at a place like the Jonin Conference is met with a cold reception, while it won't cause any substantial harm, many people will inevitably believe that the Senju have declined and lost their influence in the Village.
Then many things that accompanied the Senju Clan's transcendent status will also gradually fade away."
Regarding this point, Tsunade waved her hand indifferently, saying: "The Senju's decline and retreat are undeniable facts; there's no need to worry about such things. The Senju will always be the Senju. As long as Konoha exists, some things will endure from beginning to end.
The key now is how to promote the establishment of the medical system. Other matters are not important."
Uchiha Gen said: "Then you just need to tell Orochimaru-sensei what needs to be said, and he can handle everything.
Even if it can't be officially passed at the first Jonin Conference, it can still create enough buzz. Considering the changes we made on the Land of Rain battlefield, as long as the Sandaime still cares about Konoha's well-being, he will definitely agree to a partial trial run.
When the war ends, or when the fighting eases, there will be a greater chance of it passing, and a better talent base to promote the establishment of this system."
Orochimaru still had good political abilities, but his foundation was a bit shallow, and with greater ambitions, his heart was often not in these matters.
However, Orochimaru was invested in this matter and would certainly handle it diligently. Any lack of political foundation could be compensated for by Tsunade's connections within the Senju Clan.
"Alright, then I'll leave it to Orochimaru! But there's one more thing you absolutely must help with."