Therefore, at Shinichi's suggestion, all prospective members voted to elect five representatives to manage organizational affairs before the society's official establishment.
As expected, Shinichi received the most votes and was elected as the temporary President.
The runner-up, however, was Minato Namikaze.
Although Minato had not been among the first group interested in joining the society, in the Shinobi World, great strength itself was the strongest calling card.
Not to mention that Minato already enjoyed an excellent reputation and widespread popularity within the village. It was hardly surprising that many people voted for him.
In the end, the five representatives were finalized.
Besides the five representatives, three female ninja were also present: Kushina Uzumaki, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shizune. They sat at the side recording table, responsible for documenting and organizing the meeting records.
There was no need to mention Kurenai and Shizune; they were Shinichi's classmates and companions, as well as among the earliest people interested in joining the society.
As for Kushina Uzumaki, she had signed up even earlier than Minato. Back when the medical scrolls were being developed, she learned from Shizune that Shinichi intended to establish a society dedicated to exploring new paths for ninja. Ever since then, she had constantly insisted on joining.
This time, when she heard that secretaries and record keepers were needed for the meeting, she was the first to volunteer.
"Excellent! I think this declaration is extremely well written!"
Minato Namikaze put down the document in his hands and was the first to express his opinion.
What he was reading was the Ninja Declaration, personally drafted by Shinichi.
Of course, it was a revised and abridged version, and many passages with overly radical wording had been crossed out by Shinichi himself; to this day, only he knows the contents of the complete version.
"Look at this, a heroic Spirit named the Sage of Six Paths, for a thousand years, the gaze of this Ancestor of Ninjas has continuously wandered across this Shinobi World..."
After reading the opening lines aloud, Minato's eyes were filled with admiration.
"This opening carries tremendous weight. It not only declares that our society inherits the will of the Sage of Six Paths, the founder of the Ninja Creed, and embarks on this path of exploration under his watchful gaze, taking the completion of his unfinished work as our goal, but also serves as a reminder to every member that the founder's eyes are always upon us."
"I agree as well."
Shinku Yuhi picked up the conversation and said, "Directly tracing the society's purpose back to the Sage of Six Paths as a shared symbol is very clever. Making the founder's gaze the central image throughout the declaration serves both as the source of our society's ideology and as a form of self-discipline for every member."
"Agreed."
Shibi Aburame adjusted his sunglasses, as concise as ever.
Ren Inuzuka slapped the table and spoke in his booming voice.
"Anything written by Captain Shinichi can't possibly be wrong!"
"Representative Ren Inuzuka, please use the organizational titles during internal meetings!"
Shizune at the recording table could not help reminding him.
"Oh, right, right. I forgot. Sorry."
Ren Inuzuka scratched his head awkwardly.
"Anyway, I support the declaration written by President Shinichi. Everything in it is excellent."
"I think it's excellent too!"
Kushina Uzumaki leaned over from the recording table and said, "It really gets your blood pumping. President Shinichi, let me copy a version to take home later!"
"The meeting minutes aren't finished yet, Kushina."
Minato reminded her helplessly with a smile.
"I know, I know. I'll copy it after the meeting!"
Kushina stuck out her tongue and pulled her head back.
Kurenai and Shizune exchanged smiles as well, and the originally serious atmosphere in the conference room quietly relaxed a little.
Minato carefully placed the document on the table and looked at Shinichi seriously.
"I believe that once this declaration is read aloud at the founding ceremony, more people will truly understand the significance of our society."
"I hope so."
Shinichi nodded lightly.
"Since none of you have any objections, this Ninja Declaration shall be considered approved."
Seeing everyone nod, Shinichi immediately continued,
"We still have many matters that need to be settled. The declaration is only the first step. The society's position, organizational structure, membership regulations, and the specific procedures for the founding ceremony all need preliminary plans finalized today."
"Then, which issue shall we start with?"
Minato Namikaze looked at Shinichi and asked.
As though he had anticipated the question, Shinichi answered directly, "Let's begin with the most fundamental issue. The position of our society is a return to the essence of what it means to be a ninja. This is the core and most fundamental stance of the society. Today's discussion doesn't need to produce complete conclusions immediately, but at the very least, we need to establish a rough framework for the matters we intend to advance later..."
Thus, Shinichi began with the society's ideological position before moving on to topics such as organizational structure and membership regulations.
Although it was called a discussion, Shinichi did most of the talking, while the others were mainly responsible for nodding in agreement.
The situation left Shinichi both amused and helpless. Holding all the authority certainly felt efficient, but without any meaningful debate, it was also rather dull.
After finishing his explanation regarding full members and probationary members, Ren Inuzuka could not help raising his hand.
"Captain Shinichi..."
"Representative Ren Inuzuka, please use organizational titles within the society."
Shizune reminded him again.
"Look at my memory."
Ren Inuzuka slapped his forehead and grinned.
"President, I understand why there needs to be a distinction between full members and probationary members. After all, joining should require some kind of threshold, but at the beginning, even if you are only a probationary member, after the society is established, there won't be a single full member in it. Isn't that... A bit strange? How can even the President be on probation?"
As soon as he spoke, the others in the conference room also set down their documents and looked at Shinichi. Clearly, they shared the same question.
"Representative Ren, the issue you've raised is precisely the most important aspect of the entire membership system."
Shinichi placed the document in his hand on the table and swept his gaze across those present.
"Before I answer, let me ask all of you a question. In the Shinobi World, what does a Ninja Academy Student need to do before putting on a forehead protector and becoming an official ninja?"
Ren Inuzuka answered without hesitation.
"Pass the graduation exam."
"And what does a Genin need in order to become a Chunin?"
"Pass the Chunin exams, or accumulate enough achievements through missions to receive a promotion recommendation."
Minato Namikaze took over the answer.
"Exactly."
Shinichi nodded at their answers.