[The problem is not with the size of the classroom,] indicated Jack. [The problem is that this unit was designed for personalized instruction and the 'genjutsu' method of accelerated development is limited by this unit's own capacity for such things. One or two extra students is possible, but stretches the capacity and will require greater rest periods.]
"So these are your own limitations," said the Hokage, sitting back in his chair.
[Correct.]
"Very well, Iruka?" asked the Hokage.
"I was surprised to learn that the orange gem thing was the source of Naruto's extra training," admitted Iruka. "But... if you're wanting to test the gem's capabilities of teaching, I think I can recommend two students for advanced studies."
Sakura Haruno, age six, walked into the room. "Hello? I was told I could get special training here?"
The room's walls had bookshelves, but in the center was a table and a bunch of chairs. That stupid blonde kid, who had been annoying until recently, was sitting at the table.
"This better not be another attempt to get me to date you," Sakura warned the boy.
"No, I'm just here to provide chakra," said Naruto in that quiet-yet-carried method he'd developed within the past couple of weeks.
"You?" asked Sakura, frowning as she approached the table and looked over the softly glowing orange gem. "What's that-"
The gem brightened in a pulse and the scene blurred and shifted.
"-supposed to be?" finished Sakura with her voice squeaking a bit in surprise.
An old man was now there, wearing some old-fashioned style of formal clothing. Had to be in his forties at least! Balding on top, thick beard and mustache drooping in place. [Good. You've come to the right place. First though, I need to know what it is you're wanting to be trained in.]
"What is this, a genjutsu?" asked Sakura, looking at the walls now decorated with scrolls.
[It's not entirely accurate, but a close approximation.] The old man looked her over. [You seem to be suited for genjutsu as far as your ability to multitask. Your chakra capacity is terrible, but you have excellent control. You could go with medical studies. You have an attention to detail and good hand-eye coordination. Those could play to your benefit in a number of skills, including weapon use.]
"Weapon use?" asked Sakura.
The old man held out a hand, which was suddenly filled with a staff. When he tapped it down, there was a ripple that went through the room and changed it.
Now there were weapons on the table. Training dummies were on one wall, a shooting range with targets on another. Weapons of various kinds filled the last two walls.
[What kind of role would you prefer? Up close against your foe? Picking enemies off at a distance? Perhaps something adaptable so that you can support your team?]
Sakura blinked as she considered that. "I already can use kunai and shuriken, so... ranged and supportive?" That way I can be useful to Sasuke, right?
The old man nodded and pointed to one weapon on the table. [This is a dokyu. This is a teppo-yumi. Choose one.]
Sakura blinked, considered the two, and decided to at least give this weird old teacher a try. "Let's go with this one."
[The stubby arrows are called 'bolts' - now if you pick up the belt with the quiver, we'll start with basic proficiency in its use. Later lessons will deal with sniping from cover, evasion, tactics, and the use of various enhancements to use on the bolts.]
"'Enhancements'?" asked Sakura.
[Drugs smeared on the bolt can disable targets. Use of explosive tags, smoke bombs, and similar payloads can also be added.]
Sakura blinked as she mulled over the possibility. If this works, it could give me a chance to outdo Ino. "Okay. What do I do?"
"It's been a week. Results?" asked the Hokage.
Kurenai Yuhi reached out, picked up the violin, and began to play.
"I see, or rather - I hear," said the Hokage.
"To progress further, I'd need some other source of instruction, but Jack was able to teach me the basics of two instruments and now I can play them well enough to pass as a wandering performer when I need to be undercover," said Kurenai as she set the musical instrument aside. "The other being the samisen. With a little work, I can incorporate a genjutsu with the music."
"Just the basics?" asked the Hokage, who thought she'd done a pretty good job even if music wasn't an area of expertise for him.
"Basic to intermediate," said Kurenai. "It is one of Jack's limitations that it has access to a lot of information, but lacks any advanced knowledge of any particular field."
"What of the other students?" asked the Hokage.
"Naruto's skill with survival, stealth, and spear fighting are all solid genin to low chunin level," said Kurenai. "He has begun using chakra nature change, with the element of wind. He is also well on his way to learning something called the Field Five jutsu, having a basic mastery of three of them."
"Which ones?" asked the Hokage.
"Fountain, Extinguish, and Camp Ward," answered Kurenai. "He is less capable with Ditch and hopeless at Phantom Light."
"Genjutsu does not appear to be his strength," noted the Hokage with a slight smile.
"No, likewise he can do Kawarimi and surprisingly Henge - but he's hopeless at Bunshin." Kurenai considered briefly. "He seems to do better at ninjutsu, so an alternative form of bunshin might do better for him."
"Perhaps. What of Sakura Haruno?" asked the Hokage.
"She's doing quite well, actually," admitted Kurenai. "She'll need to continue practicing as she grows, but she's rapidly learning basic stealth. She has some talents with tactics and picking out areas from which she can use her crossbow to snipe at targets. She understands how to gather the plants and distill out a paralytic poison she can use for her crossbow bolts. As I understand it, she is also undergoing some training in evasion and the use of fuuinjutsu to enhance her ammunition."
"Good," said the Hokage with a nod. "After her training is complete though - that's when her progress should be evaluated."
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(Posted Tue, 19 Jun 2012 04:16)
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