Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 150 The Solidification of Class Structure Among the Nine Clans of Konoha

This might solve the current predicament—in a sense, Konoha doesn't need too many 'ninja clans'.

The Second Hokage once advocated for the vigorous development of civilian ninjas in order to concentrate power more centrally and benefit Konoha's future.

Redefining the ninja clan is a way to indirectly increase the number of civilian ninjas, and the problem that has been troubling him for days may also be solved at the same time.

After a moment's thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally nodded and said, "The standards can be discussed. In your names, first solicit opinions on this draft from representatives of various clans and the Jonin Council."

He didn't fully agree, but allowing it into the discussion process was itself a tacit consent.

The two advisors exchanged a glance, knowing that things had taken a turn for the better.

Their two families have fewer than fifty active ninjas, and only the two of them are true Jonin; the rest are just Special Jonin and are not counted.

Therefore, the Mitomon clan was not a ninja clan, nor was the Utatane clan; they were simply ninja families among commoners.

To be on the safe side, they would also hand over some of their family's inherited techniques, such as the Mitokado clan's ninja tool sealing techniques, and some of the Utatane clan's sealing techniques and medical ninjutsu.

These techniques are outdated in power, and whether they are used or not will have little impact on the clan. What they want is to preserve the title of "commoner ninja" so that they can compete for the position of the new elder.

Soon after, this draft of the new definition of the ninja clan circulated in a small circle under the name of the advisory office, and quickly caused a great uproar.

Those small and medium-sized ninja clans that were excluded by the new standards were the first to cause an uproar.

In the meeting room, the family representatives were furious:

"What do you mean? Our Kurama clan has been around for hundreds of years, yet we're not considered a ninja clan?"

Koharu quickly stepped forward to persuade them: "Clan Chief Kurama, please calm down. First of all, your bloodline limit inheritance is not stable; secondly, the clan's genjutsu is not without the ability to be copied. Of course, if you can train two Jonin within the stipulated time and have more than fifty ninjas serving in Konoha, you can still be considered a ninja clan."

The old clan chief of Anma was so angry he laughed.

It's not that being a commoner ninja is bad; on the contrary, you can get some of the benefits of being a commoner ninja.

But the ninja clan cannot be bullied, and the clan's honor cannot be betrayed!

He does not allow anyone to define the saddle horse clan.

"I don't think the meeting needs to continue." The clan chief of Kurama was the first to stand up, slamming the door and leaving, showing no respect to the Third Hokage.

As for handing over fifty clan ninjas, two of whom must pass the Jonin exam, isn't this Konoha indirectly asking the ninja clans to contribute their strength?

No one expected the current patriarch of the Kurama family to be so courageous. This was clearly a good thing, as long as he put aside his pride, he would have a chance to compete for the remaining three elder positions.

So sometimes they forget that for some families, honor is more important than life itself, and that so-called rights and interests are nothing compared to the pride in their hearts.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say much, only sighed slightly.

In terms of ability, the current patriarch of the Kurama family is qualified to serve as an elder, but unfortunately he gave it up.

The departure of the clan chief of the Kurama clan did not affect the progress of the meeting.

Those powerful clans that meet all the criteria are even less interested, since this campaign is specifically targeting those mediocre clans.

"Two Jonin, fifty active ninjas? What a joke! Our clan may not be large, but we've had elite Jonin generation after generation, and our mission completion rate is among the best in the village. Does that mean we're not a ninja clan?"

The Moonlight Clan Chief smiled, but felt a chill in his heart.

He glanced at the Third Hokage, then at the four elders who had already been chosen: the young Fugaku Uchiha, the young Hiashi Hyuga, and Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, who had been redefined as commoners.

All I can say is, Konoha's higher-ups, you've played yourselves pretty well!

The promised rewards based on merit have all turned out to be empty words.

"I never imagined we'd become commoners. Since that's the case, we're no longer qualified to participate in this meeting. Hokage, I'm too old to fight anymore. Here, take this Konoha headband back. I'm retiring now, time to go back and raise my grandson."

"Moonlight Jonin..." Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, still trying to persuade him to stay: "Actually, you still have a chance to compete..."

"No need." Old Moonlight Jonin waved his hand, his expression calm: "Let's save some dignity, Hiruzen Sarutobi."

The reactions of ordinary ninjas were even more complex.

Some people saw through the trickery and felt increasingly desolate, realizing that all their previous efforts seemed to have been a joke.

Ultimately, two more elders were selected: the Akimichi clan, originally chosen, was replaced by the Nara clan, with a senior member of the clan serving as the new elder.

However, this doesn't have much of an impact. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio are all one family, so it doesn't matter who takes the position.

But the choice of the last commoner ninja is intriguing – Mitarai Shinji.

His name may be unknown to most, but he has a granddaughter named Mitarashi Anko.

The Mitarai clan are now considered commoner ninjas because they do not meet any of the three criteria mentioned above. In addition, since they are a clan that rose to prominence in the late Sengoku period, it is reasonable for them to be defined as a "ninja clan".

With the elders' positions settled, the commoners, suppressing their tempers, left the venue.

They promised to give ordinary people opportunities, but instead, they used a single rule to further block the upward mobility of those truly from the bottom.

If all clan secret techniques are eventually fully understood, will those clans no longer be considered ninja clans? Then what exactly are ninja clans?

There's nothing we can do; they hold the power of discourse and the power to define things.

With the selection of elders finalized, the new ninja clan was also redefined.

The power dynamics in Konoha have shifted, and the Konoha ninja clans:

Two powerful clans: Hyuga and Uchiha.

The Five Secret Techniques: Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Inuzuka.

And the Shimura and Sarutobi clans, whose strength is determined by the number of ninjas.

There are nine clans in total, but there is actually a hidden tenth clan, which is the Kurama clan, which has never acknowledged this division.

Their family crests still hung high, but the family ninjas and their residence were removed from the inner circle.

Aburame Shisei, far away in the Land of Snow, was in his laboratory when he learned of this news and was also shocked by Konoha's bizarre actions.

He never expected that Konoha would still have such a powerful fighter after Shimura Danzo was imprisoned!

"Let's keep researching," he muttered to himself, putting his rubber gloves back on. "Celestial arts, genes, ancient viruses—those are the real issues."

In fact, when people reach a certain level of strength, they will think about another thing: to extend their existence as much as possible, that is, their lifespan.

The commotion in Konoha Village gradually subsided.

A new daimyo has taken office, and order is being restored in the Land of Fire; everything seems to be back on track.

But everyone knows that some things have changed completely.

What exactly is the bottom line?

Perhaps no one can truly say for sure.