Specialisation

"Looks like everyone is present." Iruka gave the list of students a recheck and nodded tat everyone was present today.

"Bushy eyebrows is not here, Iruka-sensei!", shouted Naruto with a raised hand.

Iruka looked at him. "Oh, you mean Lee? Well, from today onword he is going to be a class above you. He was a special case that was admitted to the academy in the first place. And he was older than most of you. So now that he caught up with most of the basics, he went ahead to his proper age group."

Putting the list aside on the table next to him, Iruka continued on. "In the first 3 years you all got taught very basic things and from today onward you will start being taught more ninjutsu theory. We will slowly see who really is suited to be a shinobi. But don't be too afraid. Whoever is not suited will be able to go to different paths that are not that different. I hope that everyone here can still continue doing their best."

Now even Kaito was intrigued. He also raised his hand to question Iruka. "Sensei, what different paths are those?"

"This academy is actually primarily built for education and secondary for training shinobi. Not all people are suited for a life as a ninja. And maybe some are not even suited for the military. We are after all still an organization that deals with things that normal civilians cant do. Keep that in mind. Therefore after 3 years of basics, we will now come to the specializations."

Iruka smiled and looked at a few individuals like Shikamaru. "Some of you are more suited for coming up with plans..." His gaze went to Kiba "Some may be better in sensory jobs..." Then he came back to Naruto "...And others...may actually become the backbone for others to rely on. It all depends on your individuality and talent. Even if you do not show any special talent in being an elite shinobi, you can still come to bloom in a team."

"The village can't just give the most talented people every little job there is. Not because they are too valuable or too good for the jobs but because they would run thin and weaken themselves. There are also, of course, bigger threats that elite shinobi can deal better than inexperienced ones."

"To answer your question, those of you who don't have the luck to pass can still start a career as a military police officer for example. It may not be much at the start but that is not the end. And if you actually show your strength later you may even become an elite anyway."

"Just look at me. I may not be a Jounin and only rank as a Chunin. But I am still a strong force of Konoha. And besides that, I also love my job as a teacher here at the academy. I am proud of teaching newer generations."

Kaito thought about that. "So whoever here graduates as a Genin will be a valuable special unit? Then why was Lee put into a higher class?", he asked.

"Special in the field they are excelling, yes.", nodded Iruka. "Lee is very talented in Taijutsu. Every one of you should know that by now. No one beat him in that department after all." A smile appeared on Iruka´s face. "But sadly he has a body condition that does not let him use chakra. Therefore having him still this year would be useless."

Kaito frowned now. "How is he going to pass then? Is the exam tailored to each individual?" Now that he thought about it he wondered how Lee even ended up a Genin. He cant use chakra so how did he pass the exams?

"That is correct. Every one of you will take a specified exam in your field that you will chose this year. But besides that, generally, most of you will still be judged on the same criteria. You can choose between a few subjects. There are Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, Sensory and lastly the pretty new Medical specialization. Be mindful that you will have to at least choose one subject and can do up to 2 of them."

After Iruka told them some more specified information the class starter discussing their own

choices.

"Hey, bro. What do are you going to choose?", asked Naruto now.

"Hmm...I think I will go for Medical and Genjutsu. I can probably get the most out of those classes."

"Huh? Really?" Naruto seemed to contemplate something.

Kaito just smiled. "You don't need to follow me. Just choose something you like."

After Naruto heard that he grinned. "Then its gotta be Ninjutsu!"

"The idiot still chooses his worst subject.", commented Sasuke from the side.

"What was that!?", gritted Naruto his teeth.

´Here we go again.´ Kaito only sighed and went over to Shikamaru´s group. "What about you guys? Know already what subject you will pick? Hmm, is that you, Ino?" When he noticed Ino he was a little bit surprised.

"Yes? Who else am I supposed to be?", answered the blonde girl.

"Well, your hair is somewhat longer. You let it grow over the vacation?" Kaito actually noticed that immediately

Ino heard that and became all smiles. "Yeah, what do you think? Does it suit me?"

"Not at all. Is it for Sasuke? You know he won't say yes even if you do that.", deadpanned Kaito and Ino got a shocked expression. Kaito actually let that slip his mouth without thinking.

Shikamaru saw how Ino became angry and started to sweat. Why the hell did Kaito have to mention that time when they saw Ino getting dumped by Sasuke. "Oi...", he mumbled to him.

"What the! Hmpf, go to hell! It´s not like you need to like it!", she raged now after being hurt.

Kaito also became somewhat nervous. Her rage was something to be careful about "Wait! I didn't mean it like that. I mean why do you still bother about him. I know him long enough to say that he is not interested in relationships right now. And what I meant to say was that your shorter hair was much cuter." He tried to weasel himself out somehow. And he did say the truth because he really liked her shorter hair a lot better.

He still remembered the first time he saw her. He was practically speechless. At first, he never paid much attention but now with some of his memories back he always had those pictures of them in his mind that he changed and now put a lot more attention on everyone. And seeing Ino with shorter hair was a very pleasing surprise to him.

"Huh?" Ino was actually surprised by his words now "Really...? Well, I will still let them grow...None of your business." She just looked away after that answer.

Shikamaru sighed. "Nice safe..."

"Looks like I won't get an answer from her...