By this last year of the Academy, the number had been almost halved. Most dropped out due to just not being able to develop the chakra level or stamina needed. Some due to the allure of the ninja life being revealed as less than glamorous. Some finally due to finding some other career option that appealed more to them. They would go on to perfectly normal civilian lives.
Part of the reason for the attrition was deliberate on the part of the teachers. There were no wars and the market for ninja was not terribly great at any given time. Having all the would-be genin graduate would cause available work to be difficult to spread around.
Such options as dropping out were not available to those who were clan heirs, as Shikamaru well knew.
That there were now over thirty students made being near dead-last more difficult, which was a concern for Shikamaru. Be the dead-last in the class, and his mother would prove to be ever so tiresome about it. Entirely too much competition and bother if he were anywhere near the top of the class.
Which left him just a little competition. Naruto Uzumaki was a genius at fuuinjutsu, uninspired everywhere else, but usually in last place or close to it. If he stayed awake during class, instead of spending late nights trying to work out new problems with fuuinjutsu - he might be even more trouble to stay ahead of. Instead, Naruto did spend a lot of time in physical training and studied and experimented with fuuinjutsu besides that - which meant he was usually dragging himself into class in the morning and performing less and less able as the day dragged on.
Shikamaru considered Naruto's chance of failing actually very small though. His fuuinjutsu skills were considerable, and his 'Rescue Girls' scroll showed that he had considerable promise. If Naruto failed the Academy, he'd probably be approached for a noncombat role within the ninja forces just so that he would be able to continue working on such projects.
"Yo, what are you working on now?" asked Shikamaru, his assessments having taken the time from Naruto entering the room to shuffling to his usual seat.
"Explosive tags that don't just explode," said Naruto, flopping down into his chair.
"Explosive tags that don't explode?" asked Choji, making a face at the idea.
"Yeah," groaned Naruto. "Can't get wind and water to combine to form ice to freeze an area solid. Can't get earth and water to combine for a mud trap. Can't get fire and water to combine for steam."
There was a moment when all the kids looked at Naruto.
"Why would you want a mud trap?" asked Choji.
"What if you want to take prisoners or just prank someone?" asked Naruto, his face dropping down towards the desktop. "What if someone's concealed in a room and you can't find 'em? You could just activate the seal, toss it into a room, and 'boom' - mud everywhere."
"Oh," said Choji as everyone else in the room got thoughtful expressions as they considered what the ice and steam tags might be useful for.
"Well, duh," said Sakura, waving off the idea that Naruto wasn't an idiot. After all, Naruto was an idiot and Sasuke was cool and brilliant. If she started thinking of Naruto as NOT being an idiot, it might hurt her chances with Sasuke. "You'd need a kekkei genkai to be able to combine chakra types like that."
Naruto began snoring.
Shikamaru nodded. His class standing was secure, but he thought Sakura had it wrong. In order to combine chakra types like Wind and Water into Ice, sure you needed a kekkei genkai. With fuuinjutsu though - it might simply require both elements be present at the time of invocation.
Oh well, here was Mizuki-sensei.
The brat was asleep again.
Mizuki suppressed a shudder of disgust and annoyance with the experience of long practice.
Not only the Fox, but all those freaks he'd called up. Those rabbit-girls with the deformed feet and claw-like nails. Those cattish girls who were always nattering about something or other. Stuck-up elves and such. Mizuki nearly frowned at one of the dark elves, remembering how he'd tried to flirt with one such adult and been arrogantly rejected.
Well, he had his plans - bigger plans and dreams than could be contained here by THIS little village. Tonight would be the time to put things in motion.
Mizuki dragged the last girl into a barrel, after having bound her securely and gagging her thoroughly. He'd planned this out and if any of them woke up, there were several points where they'd be likely to draw unwanted attention.
Without killing them, reducing their potential value, he wouldn't be able to simply seal them away in a scroll. So having them bound, stuffed in barrels he'd obtained from a dry goods store, and then he could simply leave on business - transporting goods from the store to a client.
Mizuki grinned into the gathering darkness. It was almost unbearably easy. Tell them there's a way for them to help their 'precious savior' and they practically leapt at the chance. Hah. As if I'd help that fox-brat!
"Mizuki-sensei?" asked a familiar voice.
Mizuki quickly wiped the expression from his face, turning to regard one of those he'd not thought gullible enough to fall for this. Of course, he was one of their precious teachers - so perhaps he could manage it anyway? "Yes, Tokine?"
"I heard that you could help Naruto-dono," said Tokine softly, looking away from him and the wagon.
"Ah well, I'm currently on a mission to deliver some supplies," said Mizuki, falling back on his cover. "It's late now."
"I - I wish to help Naruto," said Tokine. "Is there any way that he can still graduate?"
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(Posted Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:32)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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