A timid Sakura followed closely behind her newfound friend Ino as they entered the classroom. It marked the beginning of their second year in the academy, and they were both filled with anticipation for their first Kunoichi-only class. Whispers spread among the girls, their curiosity piqued as they speculated about the special jutsu or techniques they would be taught, giving them an edge over the clueless boys.
As an unfamiliar woman positioned herself at the front of the class, the girls' excitement surged, their voices hushed as the door slammed shut, startling them into silence.
"Class!" the woman declared, forcefully slapping the desk in front of her, instantly commanding their attention. "This is the first in a series of Kunoichi classes I will be conducting over the next three years. We will delve into the subjects of anatomy, chemistry, and physiology." A collective groan resonated throughout the room, reflecting the disappointment of the eager girls.
"I had hoped we would learn impressive jutsu," a girl from the back piped up, her remark enticing other girls to join in. Sensing their restlessness, the woman raised her hand, silencing them. "Enough! In this class, you will be initiated into one of the most closely guarded secrets of the shinobi world. A secret that must remain concealed from civilians at all costs." A small smile graced the teacher's face, reassured by the undivided attention she now commanded.
"But before we delve into that," the teacher continued, "we must first understand how the human body functions and the pivotal role of chakra in every living being." Over the next semester, the girls discovered that the boys were taking classes focused on the human body as well. However, their classes seemed more inclined toward preserving life rather than honing lethal techniques.
Sakura found great delight in these lessons, displaying an insatiable curiosity and asking more questions than the entire class combined. Despite being teased as the teacher's pet, she remained undeterred, immersing herself in the study of every aspect of the body's workings. It was during the second semester that the topic of chakra and its impact on the body was introduced. Sakura found it utterly fascinating how the male and female bodies responded to chakra in distinct ways. She couldn't help but feel sympathy for the boys, who often required substantial rest periods between missions due to their chakra consumption. The girls found this amusing and would use it as fodder for friendly taunting whenever the opportunity arose.
As the semester drew to a close after enduring five long months of in-depth exploration into the body's mechanisms, the girls now possessed a wealth of knowledge about the intricacies of bodily functions. The week dedicated to the study of urine remained a perpetual source of jests among the boys, who incorporated it into their banter during taijutsu training matches.
As the girls filed into the classroom, they noticed that Sensei had made some unique arrangements. A projection screen stood proudly in front of the chalkboard, and a mysterious cubicle occupied one corner of the room.
"Today's lesson," Sensei announced, "will delve into the male reproductive organs and their connection to the release of Uzine." Just as she spoke, a loud thud echoed from the back row as Hinata stumbled and landed next to her chair. Concerned voices called out for smelling salts to revive her. A fellow classmate swiftly volunteered, "I'll get the smelling salts. Hang in there, Hinata!"
Seizing the opportunity, Sensei skillfully employed a Chakra string Jutsu to close the window blinds, gradually casting the room into semi-darkness. The dim light added an air of intrigue to the forthcoming lesson, capturing the attention of all the kunoichi present.
As the projection screen came to life, the girls were suddenly confronted with the full-frontal image of a naked shinobi, his face fortunately concealed. The shocking sight caused yet another thud, as someone in the back row lost their balance. Frustration welled up within Sensei, and she muttered, "Damn it, I'm going to tie her to a chair if that doesn't stop."
However, despite the initial shock, the class proceeded with a series of slides and a thorough hour-long discussion on the intricate mechanics of the male reproductive system and the correlation with the release of Uzine. Sensei meticulously explained the cause-and-effect relationships, leaving no detail unaddressed.
Throughout the lesson, the kunoichi-in-training sat in a sea of embarrassment, their faces flushed with crimson hues. The explicit nature of the material had rendered them motionless, still grappling with the lingering shock. Even Hinata managed to stay awake for most of the lesson, thanks to her resourceful seatmate who had resorted to shoving a vial of salt up her nose, resulting in a sudden burst of energy that cleared a row of seats around them.
Finally, Sensei concluded the presentation and switched off the projector, allowing the lights to illuminate the room once again. The kunoichi remained in their seats, trying to recover from the onslaught of knowledge and the lingering awkwardness that pervaded the air. Yet, amidst the embarrassment, there was an underlying sense of growth and a realization that they were edging closer to adulthood and the responsibilities that came with it.
"Now, ladies, you're 14 and will be graduating next year as adults in the shinobi forces. It's time to unveil the S-rank secret I mentioned at the beginning of this year," Sensei declared, her words carrying an air of gravity that commanded the full attention of every girl in the room.
She paused momentarily, allowing the weight of her statement to sink in before continuing. "This secret is of such paramount importance that anyone outside the realm of shinobi who learns of it is to be dealt with swiftly and fatally. Do you grasp the immense gravity of the situation? By revealing this secret to others, even your own non-shinobi family members, you would essentially be signing their death warrant."
Sensei's words hung in the air, each syllable resonating with the weight of responsibility. It was a sobering realization for the young kunoichi, reminding them of the sacrifices and the secrecy that came with their chosen path. The room fell into a heavy silence as the girls absorbed the magnitude of what was being conveyed.
Breaking the silence, Sensei walked purposefully towards the classroom door and swung it open, revealing a world outside brimming with life and obliviousness to the secrets they held within. The symbolic gesture served as a stark reminder that they were now entrusted with knowledge that demanded the utmost caution and secrecy.
"Remember, from this moment onward, the safety and well-being of those you hold dear depend on your ability to keep this secret guarded. You are the protectors, the guardians of the hidden truths that lie within the world of shinobi," Sensei solemnly affirmed, her gaze fixed on each of her students, emphasizing the weight of their newfound responsibility.
With that, she closed the door, shutting out the outside world and leaving the young kunoichi to contemplate the profound task that lay before them. The classroom became a sanctuary of whispers, as the girls whispered among themselves, sharing a silent vow to protect the secret with their lives, as true shinobi were bound to do.
"Now is the moment you face a crucial decision, one that marks your transition into adulthood," Sensei proclaimed, her voice resonating with authority. Her eyes swept across the room as she continued, "You have two options before you: Stay and shoulder the responsibility, potentially putting your families and civilian friends at risk with a single slip of the tongue, or leave."
With a theatrical gesture, she pointed towards the open door, symbolizing the path of departure. "If you choose to leave, you will be transferred to a civilian school, forever departing from the ranks of the shinobi forces that safeguard our village. The choice is yours!"
Emotions ran high within the classroom. A girl couldn't contain her tears any longer and hastily fled the room, followed by two others who walked away with a sense of shame etched upon their faces. Sensei's gaze remained fixed on the remaining students, awaiting their response.
Suddenly, all eyes turned towards Ino as she rose from her seat, a determined look on her face. Asserting herself with a resolute voice, she declared, "I can keep a secret if I want to!" before defiantly resuming her seat, radiating determination.
Sensei, satisfied with Ino's commitment, dramatically slammed the door shut, adding an extra touch of intensity to the already heightened atmosphere. With purposeful strides, she made her way to the cubicle situated in the corner of the classroom. Retrieving a clipboard, she deliberately scanned through the names, locating those who had chosen to leave. One by one, she marked their names with a bold red marker, symbolizing their departure from the path of the shinobi.
The act carried a weight of finality, emphasizing the significance of their decision and the irreversible consequences it entailed. The remaining kunoichi watched in silence, fully aware that their fate had been sealed, and the burden of the S-rank secret now rested solely on their shoulders.
With the names marked and the room engulfed in a charged silence, Sensei's presence radiated a mix of solemnity and expectation. It was a pivotal moment in their training, a juncture that separated them from ordinary civilians and bound them together as protectors of the hidden truths within the world of shinobi.
"When I call your name, you are to come down here and take a seat," Sensei instructed, pointing towards the cubicle. "Once done, you will return to your seat without uttering a word. Understood?" The classroom filled with a chorus of "Yes, Sensei," and the first name was called.
Sakura observed as the girls went back and forth from the cubicle, each spending no more than a couple of minutes inside. They emerged with puzzled expressions, but none seemed shocked or visibly upset. Curiosity filled Sakura's mind as she awaited her turn.
"Sakura Haruno," her name was called, prompting her to make her way towards the cubicle. Inside, another woman with a disinterested demeanor awaited her. "State your name for the record," the woman monotoned, marking it on a pre-printed list. "Stand next to me," she commanded. Without further explanation, Sakura had to make a decision. Thinking quickly, she replied, "Front," hoping to have a clearer view of whatever was about to unfold.
The woman retrieved a brush and inkpot, then ordered Sakura to lift her shirt. Standing there, Sakura watched in awe as the woman skillfully traced a complex seal across her exposed belly. The intricate design covered most of the area, capturing Sakura's attention. Without hesitation, the woman swiftly performed a series of hand signs and infused chakra into the seal, causing it to shrink into a small black circle positioned just above her belly button.
"Okay, next!" the woman called out abruptly. With the same bewildered expression she had seen on the other girls, Sakura walked back to her seat, contemplating the significance of the seal and the mysterious process she had just undergone.
When everyone had returned to their seats, the fatigued woman in the cubicle left, her chakra reserves depleted. Sensei stood behind her desk, assessing the girls with a stern gaze.
"The seal of service, that's its official name," Sensei began. "You'll hear various other names for it as you interact with more experienced kunoichi. This seal serves two purposes: to prevent you from discussing what you learn here today and to act as a contraceptive." The mention of contraception seemed to unsettle some of the girls, prompting Sensei to wonder about their plans after graduation.
"Now, you may be wondering why there's always one female on every team, with a few rare exceptions," Sensei continued.
She proceeded to reveal the secret of the Leaf Village, shedding light on why it was the most powerful among the hidden villages and why its ninjas were the most feared. Reading between the lines, Sakura grasped the underlying reason for the village's formidable reputation, which made her wrinkle her nose in discomfort. As the time for team assignments approached, she found herself wincing at the male names being called, hoping to avoid being paired with some of the less desirable boys in her class.
There were no exceptions to the rule. All-female ninjas were obligated to assist their male counterparts when needed, under certain conditions. The most common condition that would remove a woman from duty was marriage. Additionally, if a kunoichi became pregnant, the seal could be deactivated, leading to her removal from active service. Lastly, reaching a high rank in the shinobi hierarchy, such as Jonin or special Jonin, would excuse a kunoichi from performing such duties.
Sakura couldn't help but feel a deep sense of injustice and disgust. The idea that female ninjas were expected to fulfill such roles was entirely wrong in her eyes. If she hadn't made a promise to her parents when she was younger to complete the academy, she might have been tempted to run out the door like the other girls. It was a secret that remained hidden from the civilian population, and when witnessing awe-inspiring combination jutsu performed by a team, the admired female kunoichi was likely nothing more than a sex object for her male squadmates' pleasure. The village attempted to justify it, but Sakura couldn't find any justification for such practices.
Despite her disillusionment, Sakura became even more determined to rise through the ranks and become a Jonin.