Nobody said a word.
Not even Naruto or Kiba made so much as a utterance.
Not even Shikamaru or Sakura dared to ask a single question despite their curiosity and insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Where were they?
None of them were sure they wanted the answer to that...
Deep underground the Village in a winding network of confusing passageways interwoven with seals, traps, and genjutsu, only accessible from a nondescript entry point hidden within the Hokage Mountain and coded to the Elder's chakra.
As they first started their descent, it began to feel more and more as though they were being led to their deaths...or worse.
Naruto had heard of the old legends and ghost stories passed down through the Orphanage.
Stories of children who had been spirited away by the shadows. Taken to be a part of the mummy's undead army. Never to be found. Never to return.
Growing up, he, like the rest of the orphans figured that's why Mother was so strict about curfew.
Nobody wanted to be spirited away. And nobody disobeyed Mother. So, like everyone else he followed curfew rules.
As he grew older he just brushed off the legends as stories. Untrue.
...But standing here. Standing in the bowels of a hidden shinobi network beneath the Village. A place where no one would know to look. Where you couldn't be sensed or tracked...A place where if taken you'd never be found...Led there by a man wrapped in bandages...like...like a mummy.
Suddenly those stories didn't seem so fake after all.
"Welcome. For the next twelve days your knowledge and skills will be tested. Nothing is off limits. Use everything at your disposal and hold nothing back. If you do, your proctors will know" Danzo pointedly warned.
Numbly the group nodded their understanding, nobody commenting on the fact they'd be trapped in what felt like a prison for the next two weeks.
With a flourish, Danzo took out a stack of cards from his pocket and with a flick of his wrist he used wind chakra to propel the cards with deadly accuracy to each of the intended recipients.
Curiously, each of them quickly took note of the information on the cards.
Name: Naruto Uzumaki
Room: 666
Cafeteria, Room 106: Breakfast 8:00 AM, Lunch 12:00 PM, Dinner 6:00 PM
Day 1: Health Exam, Room 100, 7:00AM
Assessor: Nono Yakushi
Chakra Testing, Room 103, 7:30 AM
Assessors: Shisui Uchiha, Iroha Hyuga, Gaku Inuzuka, and Santa Yamanaka
Day 2: Ninjutsu, Room 200, 9:00 AM
Proctors: Ebisu Mumei, Genma Shiranui, and Danzo Shimura
Day 3: Taijutsu & Physical Assessment, Room 250, 10:00 AM
Proctor: Maito Gai
Day 4: Weapons, Room 225, 1:00 PM
Proctors: Tessen Togeito and Hayate Gekko
Day 5: Genjutsu, Room 235, 3:30 PM
Proctor: Kurenai Yuhi
Day 6: Tracking, Room 300, 11:00 AM
Proctor: Tsume Inuzuka
Day 7: Survival, Room 301, 1:30 PM
Proctor: Shibi Aburame
Day 8: Medical Aptitude, Room 101, 7:00 PM
Proctor: Nono Yakushi
Day 9: Espionage, Room 310, 10:00 AM
Proctor: Anko Mitarashi
Day 10: Ninja Animals, Room 305, 5:00 PM
Proctors: Natori Namonaki and Hana Inuzuka
Day 11: Intelligence Testing, Room 110, 2:00 PM
Assessors: Shikaku Nara, Yurika Mumei, and Daikoku Funeno
Day 12: Psychological Exam, Room 115, 8:00 AM
Assessor: Inoichi Yamanaka and Ibiki Morino
Naruto fought the urge to snort over his room number.
666. Yeah. Like he'd never heard that reference before.
If these guys were trying to psych him out or giving him some weird test now that he knew about the Nine tailed Fox, then they were in for a hell of a surprise!
He wasn't going to let something as stupid as his room number distract him!
Besides, he recognized at least one of his Proctors' names. So that was a plus!
Before Naruto could lean over and ask Kiba what his card said, a sharp disorienting crack echoed through the cave walls, making them all feel as if the wooden bridge they stood on were swaying.
'Genjutsu?' Shikamaru wondered blearily as he tried to reorient himself, 'Probably trying to stop us from asking each other what our cards say'
"The rules are simple. When not being tested or attending meals you are to remain in your temporary living quarters. Meal times are not optional. From this point forward you are not to discuss anything regarding your evaluation with your fellow classmates. Should you attempt to do so, covertly or otherwise, you will be separated from your cohorts and further monitored to prevent cheating of any kind. Have I made myself clear?" Danzo inquired, his voice commanding and powerful as he stood almost eager as he awaited their answer.
"Yes sir!"
"You will be led to your living quarters. Once there you may unpack your belongings. Each of your rooms contain a bed, dresser, lamp, table, chair, and desk. On the desk there will be a brief questionnaire regarding your personal hobbies, dietary preferences and any food restrictions we should be aware of. You are to fill out the questionnaire and upon its completion it will be sent directly to an attendant who will accommodate you as much as possible during your two week stay here" Danzo relayed, keeping a straight face at some of the confused, and more amusingly, suspicious stares.
The questionnaire served a dual purpose. It will help in alleviating the students' boredom during any lull phase, and most importantly, it would give Inoichi the first insight into their minds.
A lot can be gleaned from a person's personality and mental state by looking at what they choose to do in their spare time. And as any Akimichi will tell you, food is the way to the soul. Danzo just prayed to Tobirama-sensei that the rumors of dieting amongst the kunoichi hopefuls was just that, a rumor...
"Before I send you off however I would like to leave you all with one last thought" Danzo ominously proclaimed.
If possible the class tensed even further, uncertain and uneasy with what the enigma of a man would say to them.
"The Academy is the foundation for our military's very education. However the Academy was not just founded out of military necessity, but as a way to vanquish the fear and the centuries old learned hatred and mistrust between the clans born of blood, competition, and misunderstanding. From the time you were six years old you were taught the basic knowledge and skills needed to perform the grueling and often thankless tasks of protecting your home as its future frontline forces. You are the seeds of the future forest of the Village and yet the way the Academy is currently structured barely any of you are receiving the proper nutrients you need to survive. The curriculum is insufficient and the structure is biased. That is why you are here. You have been selected to partake in a radical experiment to not only fix the damage done, but to fix it for the generations after you as well" Danzo proclaimed, his breath almost catching at the sheer wonder and determination that was now burning within the embers of the students gazing back at him.
"Remember that and be sure to give it your all. Dismissed"
Day 1: Room 103, 7:43 AM
"Congratulations," Shisui exclaimed, his smile in contrast with the sweatdrop near visible on his head.
"On what?" Naruto inquired distractedly, Shisui-sensei's words barely registering in his periphery as they continued to gaze in amazement as Gaku-sensei began another colorful rant, muttering to himself words that even Naruto hadn't heard before.
"Oh I'm sure you'll find out soon enough" Shisui chuckled to himself, the shadows in his eyes in contrast to the amused smile on his face, as if he was laughing at some dark inside joke that Naruto didn't understand.
He probably was.
"Besides, he's angry at the Konoha Higher Ups and himself, not you" Shisui tried to assure the young genin hopeful.
"If you say so" Naruto muttered, uncertain if he should believe the jonin or not.
After all, Gaku-sensei's spike in anger had only occurred after he had used his nose to smell his chakra, and consequently, his scent.
Immediately after the Inuzuka Elder started giving him the second degree on his heritage and parents.
Naturally he didn't have any kind of an answer for him, which only seemed to piss the man off more.
After that Gaku-sensei started grumbling about how he'd "failed" his younger brother's legacy and dishonored his death, and proceeded to start cursing Gramps' name for "keeping the truth from him", and saying weird things like "How could I have been so blind?"
He knew his parents had been shinobi. But he'd always thought that they'd been heroes who died during the Nine Tails attack on the Village.
But now…
Maybe his parents hadn't been heroes...Maybe they'd been traitors and that's why he was chosen to contain the Ninetailed Fox? As a way to both punish his parent's sins and redeem them all in one shot. Two birds, one stone.
"While Santa tries to calm Gaku-senpai down, how about we test your elemental affinities?" Shisui offered, trying to distract the blond from whatever thoughts that were causing the frown to slowly develop on his face.
"Elemental affinity? Like fire or water?" Naruto inquired, his attention snapping back to the present, the eagerness clear in his eyes.
"You got it" Shisui proclaimed, giving Naruto a wink.
Iroha just gave an exasperated sigh.
"I'll get the chakra paper"
It was far too early for this.
Day 3: Room 250, 9:27 AM
"HAVE CONFIDENCE MY FAIR YOUNG MAIDEN! REVEL IN THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUR YOUTH AND COME AT ME WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE!"
Hinata wasn't sure if this man scared her more in some ways than her Father did.
But…
Maito Gai may be...eccentric.
But he was kind. Encouraging.
He wasn't overly harsh or critical. He didn't seem to look at her as if she was lesser when her attacks failed or she stumbled.
He wanted to bring out the best in her. To see her best and did not judge her for whatever it was.
Yes.
She would show this man everything she was made of!
And maybe for once that would be good enough.
Day 4: Room 225, 7:13 AM
"...Ever use a bow and arrow before, kid?" Tessen inquired, trying to keep the uneasy tension out of his voice.
He'd been watching the Uchiha kid stare the bow and arrow propped up on the wall for the last five minutes. His expression a kaleidoscope of mixed emotions.
None of which made him particularly comfortable.
"...Not since I was almost eight" Sasuke replied, his voice sounding distant even to his own ears as he glared up at the sleek midnight black offending weapon. The curvature of the bow tempting him.
Tessen was glad that the kid had his back to him, unable to see his wince at the information.
'Not since the massacre' Tessen's mind filled in.
"You don't have to use it if you don't want to," Tessen informed him, pleading to the gods that the kid didn't think he was pitying him.
Sasuke just continued to stare accusingly at the weapon as if it had done him a personal wrong.
Then just as suddenly, he reached out and grabbed the bow with such speed Tessen was sure he would drop it.
But Sasuke's punishing grip held firm.
He strapped the quivers to his back and took aim.
"I won't miss" Sasuke promised, his voice almost haunting, darkened with ghosts Tessen had no knowledge of.
As the first arrow fired, his hands steady, Tessen believed him.
Day 5: Room 235, 1:23 PM
"Would you like a break?" Kurenai asked, crouching down to where Shikamaru was bent over the floor in gasps, desperately trying to hold back his dry heaves.
'I'd like to be laying out in the sun in my clan's forests watching the clouds pass by. Not fighting to keep down my lunch after yet another round of genjutsu disorienting my senses' Shikamaru mentally growled.
"No. I'm good. Just mentally cursing whoever had the bright idea to schedule Genjutsu after lunch" Shikamaru groaned, forcing himself to get back up on his feet.
This wasn't like tests or spars at the Academy.
He couldn't just calculate the bare minimum he needed to score in order to skate by and graduate.
This wasn't about just about getting a passing score.
This was about his worth.
Whether or not he should be allowed to keep his headband.
"Let's go again" Shikamaru proclaimed, a lazy drall to his words, his stance nonchalant.
Though Kurenai could see the embers of determination in his eyes.
He wasn't going to throw in the towel yet, even though she could tell that a part of him wanted to take the easy way out and just have this test be over with already.
"I think we've done enough with visual illusions for now. How about we move on to something a little different?" Kurenai suggested, a sharp challenging glint in her eyes.
Before Shikamaru could question her as to which type of genjutsu she was planning on torturing him with next, the smell of poppies filled his nose.
Day 6: Room 300, 11:47 AM
Ino was about ready to start screaming.
Her image and poise as the Yamanaka clan heiress be damned!
She has been running around this accursed maze for what has felt like hours (really it's probably only been like forty-five minutes) trying to track down her "kidnapped ally" and "rescue" them.
Pushing herself she is able to sense her "ally's" chakra, so she knows what general direction they're in.
She knows to look super closely at her surroundings for things like misplaced dirt, broken twigs, scuff marks, smudges and swiped dust, and the paths of birds.
And yet, she still hasn't found them.
Stupid sadistic white-haired sensei.
She knows he purposely misled her with that dumby trail for the sole purpose of ruining her hair and clothes in that mud pit.
She will get him back for this.
She knows his name.
And that's all she needs in order to start gathering the information she requires to enact her revenge.
But plotting can wait.
She needed to find a damn bird to use her Mind Transfer jutsu on first!
Day 7: Room 301, 4:35 PM
"You are very knowledgeable with what plants and organisms are safe for consumption...As expected of a member of the Akimichi clan" Shibi praised, genuinely impressed by the boy's expansive knowledge base on the subject.
Choji let out a sigh of relief, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
From the moment this test had started he felt as if he'd tripped up on every part.
Of course he felt that way for every other test before this one too, but he supposed that wasn't the point.
He wouldn't be much of an Akimichi if he didn't know how to start a fire, or what was edible.
Calories were literally their lifeblood. Their jutsu literally revolved around food.
At least with this he knew he excelled.
At least in this his Father wouldn't be completely disappointed in him.
Day 8: Room 101, 3:17 PM
"You don't see the point of this do you?" Kabuto stated.
It wasn't a question.
"The test is to evaluate whether or not I have any latent talent for medical ninjutsu" Shino retorted, watching as his senpai disposed of the fish carcass.
"That's a part of it for sure" Kabuto allowed, giving Shino an indulgent grin, "But not what I meant"
"..."
"I see...You meant that I do not see the purpose in myself testing for such an aptitude" Shino corrected, realization dawning on him.
"Am I wrong?" Kabuto inquired, raising an eyebrow at him as he folded his arms across his chest.
"You are not" Shino confirmed, his tone casual and matter of fact, "Medical ninjutsu is not a practice I am interested in undertaking"
Kabuto merely gave him a consideratory hum, eyeing him like he was an amusingly naive child.
Shino fought to calm his rising hackles.
"You disagree," Shino proclaimed.
It wasn't a question.
"There seems to be a general misconception that healers can't be killers" Kabuto stated wistfully, casually picking up a scalpel from the tray next to him.
"But who knows the human body better than a medic?" Kabuto challenged, his eyes glinting sharper then the shine of the metal, a tingle running up Shino's spine as he quickly deduced that the medic in question was likely aligning the scalpel with a vital point in his neck.
"Being a medical ninja involves a lot more than just learning medical ninjutsu and memorizing a book on anatomy" Kabuto informed him, the glint in his eyes gone, replaced with one of self-satisfaction at having gotten his point across.
"Shall we move onto poisons next?"
Day 11: Room 110, 5:51 PM
Kiba was ready to bang his head against the table.
He swore if someone asked him one more time how he was doing he was going to use them as target practice!
Math. History. Geography. Codes. Puzzles. Rules. Laws. This test, that test. Test, test, test!
Why can't they just ask him these questions out loud like they had him do with all those open ended 'What if' scenarios? Or do more of that hands-on stuff? Like making those smoke bombs, or having to come up with different ways to escape a room with only a chair, paperclip, cup, and string?
That stuff had actually been fun. Unlike the headache inducing stuff he was doing now.
Hell he'd much much rather draw, play shogi, or do those memory games and stack those dumb blocks again.
But this?
This was killing him.
Suddenly the door opened gingerly once more, revealing Daikoku-sensei's encouraging smile.
"How are you doing?"
Needless to say his pencil was stuck point first in the door.
Day 12: Room 115, 10:06 AM
Inoichi had to admit, when Sakura first walked into the temporary office he'd been supplied with in the former Root Headquarters, he'd very nearly done a double-take at her appearance.
Her long red qipao-like dress and capris that she had been favoring as her 'ninja outfit' this year was gone, replaced with long black leggings and a short white and red battle kimono-like dress that he'd never seen her wear before that had the words 'willpower' surrounded in flames on the back.
If that wasn't enough of a surprise, the kimono was clearly off-white and dirty, her long cherry blossom pink hair was in a ponytail, and the make up and sea foam colored nail polish she had begun wearing this year had been removed as well.
If Inoichi had to guess Anko was to blame for the last one.
The Kunoichi likely took immense glee in informing Sakura just what wearing nail polish in the shinobi profession meant.
If she had, then he wasn't surprised that Sakura had immediately removed it.
Frankly, from what he saw so far, not just in her clothing style, but in the exhaustion and wariness in her eyes, an exhaustion that still held flickers of determination as she gazed at him with a soft familiarity, and as if he was yet another obstacle she needed and would overcome.
He could see that she had changed.
And for that alone he wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.
Even though she and his daughter had broken off their friendship to be "love rivals" (insert sigh here) when they were ten, he was still in occasional contact with Sakura's parents since they, in fact, were still friendly regardless of whatever had gone down between their children (even if there was still a disconnect due to the difference in their lifestyles and culture).
He was worried that Sakura wouldn't be ready for actual shinobi life when she graduated.
That she would quickly become just another statistic on the Memorial Stone.
He didn't know which part of this exam had given her a wake-up call, but he supposed it was his job to find out.
That, and he needed to follow up on some notes by Captain Yakushi, Santa, Shisui, and Gai regarding suspicions they picked up during their testing...
Day 13: Academy Classroom 140, 7:41 PM
"As for Teams 4 and 9, I am curious as to why you recommended switching the members?" Iruka inquired, having formulated his own theories as to why but wanted to hear them confirmed.
"Shinta Nohara expressed personal interest in becoming a member of the Corpse Analysis Unit. The Tobitake possesses high information gathering and sensory skills and looks up to his cousin who is a member of the Analysis Team. And the orphan girl, Shiho Namonaki, was discovered to have an impressively high latent talent for puzzles and code-breaking, making her an excellent candidate for the Cryptanalysis Unit" Danzo detailed, having already memorized each of the candidates files forwards backwards and sideways.
"An Intelligence Team" Iruka muttered, having suspected as much, placing his hand to his chin, "The question now is who their sensei would be..."
"Aoba Yamashiro has already graciously volunteered to step in and take the reins," Danzo proclaimed, sitting back in the chair.
Iruka's eyebrows hit his hairline and promptly were shot off into orbit.
"Aoba...Agreed to take on a squad?" Iruka stated skeptically.
Aoba, while a skilled Special Jonin who possessed a wide array of skills and was admittedly well suited to teaching the squad in question, was a busy man who spent a lot of time between the Intelligence Division under Inoichi-sama and commanding units out in the field.
"He was...persuaded to undertake the task" Danzo worded carefully.
Iruka didn't want to know.
"I'm assuming that means you're making Team 4 a...Village Patrol Unit? One based around defense and capture?" Iruka continued, taking a deep breath in as he pinched the bridge of his nose in poorly concealed exasperated frustration.
Danzo nodded, not particularly caring either way how the teacher saw or interpreted his actions.
Though considering Iruka seemed to be one of the more competent professors he may consider revising that. He needed the man on his side if he was going to make the necessary changes to the Academy's curriculum.
"The Itoi girl has her Family's hair binding jutsu, Kota Kokubo was discovered to have a strong latent talent for barrier techniques in addition to being one of the physically strongest members of his class, and the civilian boy Tobio has an interest in traps and joining the Konoha Aviary" Danzo recited from memory.
"And you recommended Maen Nara as their jonin sensei?" Iruka inquired curiously.
"He is a skilled war veteran. He would do well to teach them strategy and his shadow techniques would aid them in capturing invaders" Danzo justified, "The remaining teams, barring Team 6, are formless. Their strengths and weaknesses were noted as well as potential areas they could specialize in. Though most of the remaining nine candidates didn't have a particular proclivity for a specific skill set"
Iruka nodded slowly, his expression growing almost grave as he swallowed his pride and personal opinions to do something he never thought he'd ever do willingly.
"I owe you an apology" Iruka exclaimed, his tone sincere as he closed the final assessment folder.
Truth be told he had been very...leary in allowing the Elder to assess his students.
He'd heard the rumors. They all had.
How the older man would circumvent the Hokage's orders and plot missions of his own outside the Village's knowledge and normal parameters.
The...conditioning the man had put children through in order to rid them of their emotions.
Had he been the Hokage, he would've had Danzo Shimura arrested or executed long ago.
But he wasn't Hokage, nor was he a member of the Police Force or Konoha Shinobi Court System.
He was a clanless shinobi-born ninja with no prestige, wealth, or political clout.
Regardless of his accolades as a teacher, what he thought mattered very little in the long run.
So naturally when the Third Hokage told him that Danzo Shimura would be using his students as his personal guinea pigs he'd immediately voiced his...concerns.
However his complaints fell on deaf ears and he had to bite his tongue as his precious students were herded underground into the former Root headquarters for two weeks worth of testing, imagining the worst when he found out that shinobi like Ibiki and Anko would be the testing officials.
And Gai.
He only prayed that when he saw Naruto two days from now he wouldn't be wearing a green spandex bodysuit.
However, regardless of his concerns and personal feelings toward the man, he couldn't argue with the results.
Each and every assessment had been flawless.
Even his own reports were nowhere near as detailed as the ones placed in front of him.
No.
That wasn't entirely correct.
His own reports were not a fraction of how detailed the Elder's were for the sheer solitary reason that he would never have been allowed to get away with saying half the things Danzo had put in his reports.
But Danzo had the one thing he didn't.
Power.
Political power.
Danzo was a member of the near extinct Shimura clan. One of the first two clans to join Konoha after it was founded. A former direct subordinate of the Second Hokage. Advisor and counsel to the Third Hokage. A veteran of three Wars and former General of a branch of the Anbu.
He was as respected and feared as much as he was hated and mistrusted.
Grudgingly respected. But respected nonetheless.
Danzo had the political backing to do what he couldn't.
Challenge the clans.
And for that alone Danzo Shimura had his respect.
"Your words are unnecessary. If you truly have acknowledged the evidence I've put forward for you then I expect to see actions taken instead" Danzo casually dismissed.
"You want me to back your Plans to reform the Academy"
It wasn't a question.
"You will do what is best for your students. Even if that means working with the devil" Danzo pointedly exclaimed, using his cane as leverage to lift himself up out of the chair.
"I never said you were anything of the sort" Iruka rebuked, folding his hands in front of him.
Danzo merely gave him an incredulous glare before turning to walk out of the classroom.
"Let's not start the cornerstone of our future professional relationship with lies Iruka"
Day 13: Shimura Compound, 10:57 PM
Danzo resisted the urge to let out a sigh of unadulterated relief as he signed the final submission document for his Academy Reform Plan.
He had spent the last two weeks not only assisting in the evaluation and team placement of Iruka's twenty-seven graduates, but going over every document and lesson plan utilized from the class's admission to the Academy to their final graduation exam, and personally observing the teaching standards of the Academy teachers.
And it was worse than he had feared.
To say that the standards of the institution had fallen would be a gross understatement.
He understood that these are times of relative peace, but history has proven time and time again that it was no excuse to become lax.
And that is exactly what the Academy has become.
Looking through the Academy's budget and school wide curriculum planning and standards, he discovered that the Academy underwent significant changes in order to accommodate the civilian-borns that did not have family to train them at home.
And as a direct result of the decreased standards the only students who had a chance at being competent genin anymore were the Clan children or individuals who had shinobi relatives to help guide them.
Which brought up another issue altogether.
The entire graduating class usually consisted of five classes of around twenty-one to thirty students making a grand total of around 105-150 Academy graduates. Currently, the recorded success rate of newly graduated genin however, was (at best) usually thirty-three percent. The remaining 71-100 graduates who failed were then sent back to the Academy for a remedial year where they would try again once more to graduate. If they failed a second time they were either dropped from the shinobi program altogether or reassigned to one of the other Corps if they showed enough promise. And, surprise surprise, the recorded pass rate for the remedial classes was still 33%.
It was sickening.
During the Third Shinobi World War graduation rates were at 100%. And while one could argue the extenuating circumstances of the times, even in the years after the War's conclusion graduation rates still possessed an average pass rate of 80% per class.
Now?
Now they count themselves lucky if 33% of their classes succeed to make it to genin.
Disgraceful.
And on top of that, the ones who usually failed were civilian-born. In fact, unless there was a shortage of Clan children and those from Shinobi Families in the classes, very few civilian-born children would graduate on their first attempt.
While he believed without a doubt that civilian-borns are more than capable of becoming a successful shinobi equal or greater to his or her clan-born peers, the statistics do not lie. Out of the 33% of those that graduate all, if not most of them, are from a clan or have some degree of significant shinobi heritage. The rest are civilian-borns or orphans who've had no Shinobi relative to assist and support them. Naturally after their remedial year some of the civilian-borns are able to graduate, but even then statistics are still at a 33% graduation rate
Umino's specific class was a prime example.
Out of the twenty-seven students, nine of them were from Clans, five of them were from Shinobi Families, and one came from a civilian clan where the one parent is able to use chakra but wasn't a ninja. Consequently, those fifteen students were originally all grouped together on teams. Since only three squads were generally expected to pass and officially become genin, Iruka had expected (hoped) squads 7, 8, and 10 to pass, seeing as those teams contained a mixture of first and secondary clan heirs, while the remaining squads containing civilian-borns and the children from Shinobi Families would not.
Frankly it was appalling.
When he had created ROOT as his experiment to create the perfect Shinobi, true Shinobi, many of the members in the beginning had been clanless orphans, who, under the proper guidance, stood tall next to their clan-born peers in strength.
To see the Academy teachers toss aside potential just because the student didn't have a significant heritage, not yet have a specialty, or because they didn't fit into the Academy's mold was disgusting and just plain lazy.
Sure some of the clanless children were able to officially become genin at thirteen, but the fact that clanless children were almost intentionally set up to fail showed that the curriculum change was merely a political move more than anything else, and that teachers made sure that the children from Clans and Shinobi Families took priority in passing.
Willing himself not to (angrily) lecture Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu on allowing such travesty to occur, he mentally reviewed the (non-optional) curriculum reform he'd concocted.
First and foremost, reintroducing chakra control studies into the Ninjutsu class.
Students would begin learning the Leaf Concentration Method when they first enrolled, and as they got older they would then be taught the Tree Walking Method, and finally the Water Walking Method before graduation.
Secondly, from this point forward, in their final year of studies students will be taught the methods on how to break free of genjutsu, and have to demonstrate a practical application of the skill.
Complex shinobi art or not, merely being taught the theories behind the art, and recognizing when trapped within an illusion is not sufficient enough by his standards for a student to qualify for graduation.
His third major change involved expanding the Shurikenjutsu and Gym class to include specialized kenjutsu and bukijutsu classes for those that were interested.
While most ninja use some form of kunai, many other countries utilize swords or other kinds of weapons. The Mist and Cloud Villages extensively trained with swords, while the Sand Village tended to use puppets and combat fans. So including an additional kenjutsu training class in his opinion was necessary. The only problem now was finding a competent instructor...
The fourth significant change was the addition of several new classes and extracurriculars, including a Basic Survival class, specialized courses in medical ninjutsu, poison crafting, traps, torture, tracking, and cryptology, and he replaced the blatantly sexist and frankly useless "Kunoichi class" with a Stealth and Information Gathering Skills course geared towards all students.
He wanted to meet the moron who decided that men didn't need to learn seduction and punch said moron in the nose on behalf of all kunoichi everywhere.
Better yet he wanted to throttle any and all the Academy Instructors who allowed the worst plague upon the Academy student body to continue to spread untreated.
Fangirlism.
Danzo resisted the urge to shudder.
Fangirlism is a disease that should have been long since slaughtered without prejudice!
His generation at the Academy was the first to truly begin welcoming Kunoichi into the ranks of the Shinobi Corps. Prior to that Kunoichi were scarce seeing as the women were needed first and foremost to bear the children being slaughtered left and right.
The fact that the Academy teachers actually allowed fangirlism to exist was an insult to the Kunoichi of his time who had fought tooth and nail to be regarded as equal to their male Shinobi counterparts!
Mizuki in particular had only perpetrated the issue. Seeing his opportunity to sabotage many of the civilian-born Kunoichi in training by taking advantage of their civilian roots and culture, subtly implying that anyone who captured the Uchiha's attention, and subsequently his heart, would elevate their status and prestige, essentially becoming a shinobi version of a princess.
Over the years Mizuki had spread countless rumors amongst the female population of the class, eventually seeing to it that all the girls had been pitted against each other in one form or another and subtly sabotaging their training with little subliminal commentaries that preyed upon their insecurities.
He had half a mind to find a way to revive the scumball and let the Kunoichi of the Village have their way with him.
Willing his blood pressure to lessen Danzo tried to distract himself with the rest of his outlined reform plan.
The issue of fangirlism would be properly dealt with soon enough anyway.
As for the other subjects, he left the Ninjutsu curriculum mostly as it was. The students would still learn the Clone, Substitution, Transformation, Escape, and Unsealing techniques, and how to activate paper bombs. However, he also included teaching the students on how to use simple barrier tags, and adapted the curriculum to include subjects about fuinjutsu, jujutsu, and juinjutsu.
The reaction on the teacher's faces when he had asked why those subjects weren't covered was almost priceless. They actually believed that if they taught jujutsu and juinjutsu it would "taint their impressionable minds".
He barely managed to keep from rolling his eyes at such nonsense.
He also left the First Aid class alone, was fairly pleased with the Art classes, though he centered the curricula more on drawing maps, people of interest, and layouts.
He adjusted the Math and Science classes to include practical application, demonstration, and labs rather than just focusing on teaching theoretical principles and merely stating why they were relevant to the physical aspects of the shinobi.
That in turn brings him to his fifth point of reform. The History and Geography classes.
To put it frankly he set quite a lot of textbooks on fire.
Hiruzen was not amused.
Regardless of the Academy teachers' personal opinions, the history of the Warring States Era will be taught.
How else are future generations expected to learn from past mistakes if they don't even know what they were?
The current generation knows nothing of the struggles of their ancestors, and as such, they are unappreciative and ignorant of the peace they have always known.
A fact he will ensure is changed.
Effective immediately.
In addition, any and all information previously censored (cough Uzumaki clan cough) would be reviewed and considered for re-mention.
Yes he had agreed with the rest of the Council that Naruto's heritage should be made an S-class secret.
He did not agree with Hiruzen's complete overhaul and removal of any mention, written or otherwise, of the entire Uzumaki clan itself on the sheer off chance an enemy shinobi may make the connection between the current jinchuriki and the former.
And Hiruzen has the gall to call him paranoid.
There is a proper way to censor and alter information to work to your advantage and then there is just unnecessary overkill.
But that's a lecture for another time.
Even if the current history books didn't censor the impact the Uzumaki clan had in the beginnings of the Village's development, the children these days are wholly ignorant of the clans that are their very neighbors (the sole exception being the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans for obvious reasons).
In order to combat this issue he included Clan studies within the History class as a way for the students to learn more about each of the Clans and prominent Families within the Village, and the impact they have within it.
It was his hope that in learning more about the Clans of their fellow classmates that it would consequently reduce the frankly concerning level of bullying and amnesty that seemed to be rampant within the Academy.
While the Geography class was okay, he added lessons about the Clans and Families of the other Villages as well as their country's layouts for strategy purposes.
Knowledge was power after all. And being aware of the techniques and terrain of another nation could very well one day save their lives.
The second to last change was his experiment in trying to increase the percentage of graduates that remained genin.
The inclusion of more Three-Man Team Exercises to the Gym classes.
His long term goal is to both improve the quality of the educational standards at the Academy, and to most importantly, increase the number of graduating students.
The point of the Academy is to increase the Leaf Village's military force after all (not creating an army of semi-competent chakra using civilians).
It was his hope that by having the students partake in more team exercises, and emphasizing the importance of teamwork, that it will inadvertently increase the number of squads that remained genin post-graduation.
And lastly, his final recommendation (read: non-optional demand) was the elimination of the Academy's public ranking system.
He swore, whoever the idiot was that came up with such a moronic idea was currently being endlessly hunted down by Tobirama-sensei in the Pure Lands.
By implementing a public ranking system, for six years you have students competing in what has now become a cutthroat competition to prove who is best, and who is worthless. Those at the top are awarded more leeway and praise from the teachers, and prestige amongst the student body. Consequently, those at the bottom are left ostracized and scolded for every mistake they make. And camaraderie is almost non-existent outside of temporary 'alliances' during group activities (basically a modern day schoolhouse rendition of the Warring States Era).
Naturally those with better ranking are coveted partners, and they more often than not have the first pick and choose others who are of a similar rank to their own as to not drag their own scores down.
To top it all off, bullying is rampant amongst the student population. Those who possess distinctive features, traditions, or traits outside the norm are more often than not ridiculed by their peers from both civilian and clan backgrounds alike. In addition, those from clan backgrounds traditionally have a tendency to look down on those in their class they deem inferior no matter their class standing. And anyone struggling in their studies may as well have a target painted on their backs.
Sadly, once upon a time he would have approved of such a system.
Hell, he likely would have used the system to his benefit, kidnapping orphans and civilian-borns who showed any promise and inducting them into his personal forces after they had been chewed up and spat out by the system.
Though if he was being honest with himself he probably wouldn't have waited.
He would've nabbed them the first chance he got. And gotten away with it too. After all, who cares if an orphan or two goes missing? If a civilian child disappears?
Records can be fudged. People silenced. Trails ran cold. Eventually everyone stops looking.
And with all the clans keeping to themselves...
A house divided was easier to conquer and manipulate into one's own vision after all.
But alas, that didn't mean his vision had been the correct one.
Hiruzen was too lax. And he'd been too extreme.
In the past there had been no middle ground between the two of them, and that was what needed to change, lest they have another potential civil war and massacre on their hands.
Danzo let out a heavy sigh.
He was beyond exhausted, but...He was happy.
When Hiruzen had ensured that Root was thoroughly and utterly dismantled after the Third World War he had been...listless. Purposeless.
Like a ghost trapped in the in-between. Unable to move on after their life had come to an end.
His life's work had been destroyed.
He had nothing.
No purpose.
No use.
As such he began looking back into Tobirama-sensei's old journals for enlightenment.
And despite his retirement and philosophical exile, the flames of his true inner drive and passion had never died.
Protect Konoha.
And through Tobirama-sensei's journals he determined that the best way to do that was facilitating the next generations to come.
This Academy reform would be his legacy.
Not Root.
Not the underhanded tactics, secretive international assasination plots, and shady dealings he undertook in the Village's name and dishonor.
Not how his interference in Ame led to the criminal iteration of Akatsuki.
Not how he exacerbated the creation of the monster that Orochimaru was now.
Not his choice to use the jinchuriki as a scapegoat to try and better a clan's public image.
Not how he went behind Hiruzen's back and convinced Itachi to murder a majority of his rebeling clan.
This.
This was how he wanted to be remembered.
Now how about that for a revelation?
He had spent so much time in the shadows. Convinced that the dredges of the shinobi profession was where he belonged.
That Hiruzen was the leaves bathing in the sun, and that he was the roots that grew in the dark.
He had spent so much time in the shadows that he had forgotten what it was like to bask in the warmth of the sunlight.
Nearly losing himself to the void, smothering the growth of the tree with his conservative views and Warring States Era mindset.
He didn't want to scurry about the shadows anymore.
He wanted to watch as the tree flourished from above.
He wanted to stand in the light of day.
And he wanted the next generations to come to do so as well.
But for that to happen, problems had to be fixed.
Starting with the one in front of him.
Sigh.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.