Inspired by other people's works in Kishimoto's world of Naruto this is my first attempt at writing since school days... Hope it's enjoyable!


Chapter 1: Beginnings


Even during these times of relative peace, the hospital was a flurry of activity, with ninja constantly requiring treatment for injuries or overexertion sustained in the name of training. Being a prominent ninja village, the strength and health of the ninja population was literally the lifeblood of their security, reputation and consequent was heavily subsidised for active ninja - not so for the civilians. Of course the ninja had signed their life and service over to the village during genin registration, but the fact remained that unless a civilian's ailment was obviously in need of the superior chakra healing offered at the hospital, civilians would barely present.

Yuri Matsugu knew that her work in the hospital was of great contribution to Konoha. With her deft dealings in paperwork, the nurses and medics could get on with actually healing the patients and sending them on their way, keeping the village functional and active. However, it was on her regular summer rotation in the Shogakku enrolments office where Yuri felt she was really furthering the future of Konoha.

It was the custom that over the summer, any potential student to Shogakku, the civilian elementary school, would attend the office with their parent or guardian to enrol. There they would undergo a complementary medical check up, sometimes the first that these children had had since their discharge from the hospital at birth. Ostensibly, the health check was a routine part of school enrollment, in reality the examination allowed for those with active chakra coils to be identified and 'recommended' to enrol at the academy. In addition to this, some were offered the option of having their chakra coils stimulated to enable their entrance into the academy.

It was important for the future of village that as many children as possible become loyal and competent ninja, to swell the ranks that had greatly diminished due to the war and Kyuubi attack. From the data, she knew that this year's cohort had the most potential. They were the children born the year of the Kyuubi attack, and thus those most affected by the bijuu chakra exposure during the attack. The pervasive chakra of the Kyuubi had been felt by everyone in the vicinity and had had a peculiar effect on the very young, forcibly activating or enlarging their chakra coils. Those that had survived the onslaught had a substantial boost to the early development of their coils which in turn increased their inherent maximum limitations. Given ample opportunity and training, she knew this year's cohort could become Konoha's greatest shinobi by far.

Yuri felt privileged to be part of the team that guided their crucial first step, convincing potential students and their parents of the benefits of becoming a shinobi. She heard footsteps in the hall and raised her eyes to see the entrance of a blonde lady with green eyes, trailed closely by a small shy girl with pink hair…