Sunagakure's Ninja Academy, unlike more conventional schools, emphasized practical application, particularly for students in their final year.
Though some might not pass the formal graduation exam, they would still become Genin; their destination would simply be the Genin Corps.
Classroom instruction primarily focused on the necessity and usage of Jutsus, Chakra Control principles, and other fundamental concepts for aspiring ninja.
Although the practicality of these theoretical lessons was diminishing as graduation approached, the Academy continued to provide them, preparing the village's future ninja.
Kazeo, their Ninjutsu instructor, delivered the first lecture. Many students in the class, like Kaiji, had struggled to master the D-rank Ninjutsu taught at the Academy.
As classes progressed, the initial lessons remained purely instructional, with no practical demonstration.
Kazeo also informed them that those who felt unsuited for combat ninja roles could apply to other shinobi departments within the village.
He listed various departments the trainees could join, excluding only the Anbu department.
This was obvious, as Anbu operated in secrecy, and revealing details to Academy students was strictly forbidden.
Kazeo specifically advised those with low chakra reserves but good chakra control to consider the Medical or Sealing Departments, as these roles focused less on direct combat.
He also mentioned that students interested in puppetry could try to join the Puppet Brigade after achieving Genin rank.
'What about me?' Kaiji thought internally. 'I have neither good chakra reserves nor good chakra control. Which department do I join? The Genin Corps?'
He shook his head. The Genin Corps was the last place he wanted to be.
But with his current level of strength, it seemed like his most probable destination.
Classroom lessons continued until noon. Then came Takeshi, another Chunin instructor, responsible for Taijutsu and Bukijutsu.
Takeshi entered the classroom, and everyone offered a greeting.
He then led the students to the Academy's Training Field.
Kaiji noted how Sunagakure also took its Academy trainees into the surrounding deserts for sparring sessions.
This served a vital purpose, ensuring all trainees understood and adapted to their home environment.
Such familiarity provided a significant advantage in potential conflicts within Sunagakure's territory.
Just as Kirigakure possessed an advantage in water-based environments, Sunagakure utilized its deserts.
Every trainee in Kaiji's class had sparred in the desert numerous times and possessed a solid understanding of basic navigation around the village.
He contrasted this with Konoha's Ninja Academy as he remembered it from the anime, which seemed comparatively less focused on comprehensive combat training.
When Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke became official Genin, they had only been taught basic E-rank Ninjutsu, fundamental Shuriken and Kunai techniques, and basic Taijutsu, perhaps with a little basic Genjutsu.
Only Sasuke knew the C-rank Fireball Jutsu, which he learned from his clan, and the Uchiha's Shurikenjutsu.
In contrast, Sunagakure taught its students not only the basics covered in Konoha's Academy but also all Wind Nature D-rank Ninjutsu, other D-rank techniques like Body Flicker, and Shadow Shuriken Clone.
The Genjutsu and Taijutsu instruction also went beyond Konoha's reported curriculum.
As all sixty-eight trainees arrived at the Training Field, Takeshi announced, "Today we will have basic one-versus-one spars. Everyone ready?"
All the trainees responded in unison, "Yes!"
Sunagakure's Academy conducted Taijutsu spars in various settings – sometimes on the Academy's Training Field, sometimes in the surrounding deserts.
The format varied between one-on-one and three-man team versus three-man team spars.
Unlike Konoha's basic Taijutsu spars, here the trainees were permitted to use Kunai, Shuriken, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu.
If situation became dangerous, the instructor would intervene.
Takeshi, being their instructor, was aware of their individual strengths and abilities.
He paired students accordingly, matching strong trainees against strong ones and weak trainees against weak ones.
The first match was between Ren and Sayo.
Ren was proficient in Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, while Sayo, another student in Kaiji's class, was better at Bukijutsu and Taijutsu.
They engaged, and Ren's superior proficiency in Taijutsu allowed him to overwhelm Sayo. Ren emerged victorious.
Matches continued in succession. After several bouts, it was Kaiji's turn.
Takeshi called out, "Next match is Kaiji versus Mukade."
Hiroshi gave Kaiji a light push. "Go, Kaiji," he said encouragingly, "and win this time."
Ren added, "Best of luck."
In their current class, the TOP 5 students from bottom are, one obviously Kaiji, and other are Shin, Daiki, Mukade, and Sakura.
Kaiji walked forward and stood opposite Mukade, a Kunai held ready in his right hand.
Mukade was also prepared, holding a Kunai and Shuriken, awaiting Takeshi Sensei's signal.
As Kaiji looked at Mukade, who wasn't particularly handsome and whose hair looked unwashed for weeks, a thought flickered through his mind.
'Why do I feel like I heard Mukade's name in the anime as well?' he wondered. 'Did he has done something major during the Konoha Crush arc or maybe the Fourth Shinobi War?'
Kaiji pushed these thoughts aside, deciding to discuss them later to himself.
Takeshi observed them, saw they were ready, and gave the command
"Start!"
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