—Genin Graduation Day—
Konoha shone proud as a new batch of warriors, heros and fodder ascended into the ranks of shinobi. As was tradition this day was one of hope, joy, and shattered dreams for those lucky enough to make it to graduation day. While Konoha was seen by the Elemental Nations as the soft hearted and naive village there was a reason they were undefeated after 3 world wars. Teamwork. A simple yet brutally effective thing when used to it's full potential, and Konoha was the top dog for a reason. Those accepted into the shinobi academy were taken from their home, be it civilian or shinobi and entrusted into the Will of Fire the home of future shinobi.
Training is hard but effective, children are taught in stages what it means to be a proud shinobi of the leaf. First is basic history, math, geography, calligraphy along side flexibility and basic chakra control. As the bodies and mind mature the physical aspect of training intensifies until each day is harder than the previous ones but not enough to break them, a broken tool has no use after all. Katas and weapons training, tests and mock missions are introduced and children begin to be placed into groups depending on their aptitude. ROOT, TRUNK, LEAF.
Members of ROOT are those that have shown excellence in intelligence gathering, sabotage, infiltration, counter intelligence, interrogation. They are the spies and saboteurs that keep Konoha one step ahead of her enemies.
TRUNK members are those keep Konoha moving, the medics, RD, administrators, those that show superior intellect and ability to understand and apply more abstract ideas into tangiable action. They are responsible for keeping Konoha as the hub of inovation and technological advances.
And finally LEAF, the public face of Konoha. These shinobi are charismatic, have strong social skills, adept at combat and overall the image Konoha projects to the world. A strong, dependable and more importantly... 'What a bunch of bullshit' thought Naruto as he read the packet provided to all those accepted into the Will of Fire.
At 7 years old Naruto was well aware how Konoha really worked, the strong decide what to do with the weak. The law of the jungle, kill or be killed. Not in the literal sense of course they weren't the Bloody Mist, but in a more metaphorical way. Either you command or you are used, those on top and those on bottom. Naruto knew he had no choice but to follow 'not for long' thought the blond. As the new Genin were paraded in front of the newest academy students Naruto couldn't help but wonder how many of them would be dead by next week, it was no secret that the skirmishes along the Kiri border were escalating and more bodies were needed to secure the border.
"You are the future of our nation, without you we are nothing. You will succeed, Konoha will succeed!! For no matter the challenge you will be victorious!!" Roared the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Genin places their right fist over their heart, the symbol of the Will of Fire.