The desert sun still hung high as the final effects of the Chakra Induction Paper tests faded from the students' minds. Even as paper fragments fluttered to the ground, the instructors were already issuing new orders.
"Report to your assigned tents. Your specialization evaluations will begin now."
There was no break. No time to celebrate or sulk.
Every tent that was spread out on the training ground reflected a fundamental shinobi art in Sunagakure's system: Puppetry, Sealing, Medical & Poison Handling, and Bukijutsu/Taijutsu, with one far-off tent for Fan-Based Wind Combat.
Students had been given the choice of trying three different specializations, which gave them some measure of choice in their learning experience.
However the instructors and the Council, in an unofficial capacity, would be watching the students closely for any show of ability that was beyond their early expectations.
What this exercise was not was a simple test of personal skill set or aptitude. Instead, it was a filter, and it was a silent evaluation that could potentially impact and mold the future careers of the students before they had even achieved the much-coveted forehead protectors denoting their graduation.
The air buzzed with tension, as murmurs and shifting sandals on sand filled the space between orders.
Daiana's eyes swiftly turned toward the Medical and Poison tent, her interest instantly drawn to the tent.
Shira, in sharp contrast to Daiana's sudden motion, took a slow and purposeful step in the direction of the puppetry tent.
Isan glanced out across the field, searching each tent. He spotted Temari already walking toward the Fan Combat tent, her direction was clear. So was Daiana's. As for Shira, he didn't know why Shira wasn't going directly to the Taijutsu arena and Baki, but he had other matters. To be more specific, what tent, what area, should he choose?
He hesitated. No direction called to him completely. Then a notion struck, absurd and clear.
What if I don't focus on one?
From Baki, he could gain more than Taijutsu: field tactics, battle experience, and weaponry expertise; all of it would be incredibly useful and increase his power.
From the Sealing arts, he could unlock versatile jutsu and tools, the simple concept of creating and implementing seals similar to explosive tags; had both brilliant and explosive utility to the mix. Not to mention the sheer and pure utility of seals later on, where sometimes it was the only solution. Thinking of this he couldn't help but think of a certain Rabbit Goddess that should be currently sealed away.
And, finally, from the Puppetry arts, he wanted one and just only one thing more than anything else: Chakra Threads. The tactical potential and usefulness of such technique that increased with experience and chakra control, was simply boundless and unlimited.
The only main issue was that focusing on so many areas would disperse his focus and attention, in other words, It would be demanding.
The Puppetry Tent was darkened, as it was meant to safeguard the visibility of chakra threads. The proctors observed in silence, tiny notebooks held in their hands. In front of each student was a simple wooden puppet with padded limbs and stiff joints.
"Create a chakra thread.", said one of the proctors. "You will not continue without success."
Isan began to concentrate, his eyes closed, and he started to concentrate fiercely, directing his energy to form the chakra thread that slowly materialized from the tip of his right index finger. The fine thread glistened subtly in the air around him, looking tense and carefully controlled as it floated suspended.
"Thread visible. Stable structure. Pass."
"Move the dummy. Raise its arms, walk it three steps, rotate the torso."
Isan breathed in, carefully threading his chakra into the puppet. The limbs jerked… then moved. Not with fluidity, but they responded. Arms lifted. Feet dropped. The puppet pivoted stiffly.
"Average. Pass."
"Maintain a sequence for sixty seconds. Walk, turn, crouch."
Isan focused harder. Sweat pricked his temple. The puppet moved in rhythm, halting but coordinated. A slight falter at 53 seconds made the instructor frown, but he steadied it.
"Control: Developing. Moderate mental strain noted."
"Now, face off. Your puppet will engage one controlled by us. One clean hit or block required."
The puppet of the instructor moved forward, slow and cumbersome. Isan shifted his threads, attempted a parry but failed. The next few seconds weren't any better since he couldn't manage to do anything.
"Failed. Still you have good talent to be a good Puppet Master."
Although he failed to overcome the final challenge, Isan was not disappointed. He had never wished to become a Puppet Master, primarily because he did not believe he had the temperament for it.
Then there was the Medical and Poison Tent. The air inside this tent was slightly scented with alcohol and crushed herbs. A medic-nin was stationed at a table covered with mock test kits. There were no actual poisons today, just simulated reactions to test for chakra sensitivity and general identification.
Daiana sat across from a wrinkled medic-nin who had once trained under Lady Chiyo herself. On her table were fake vials, some herbal, others with slight toxin residues (recreated for practice).
It was an easy exercise to begin with, one that they had done countless times.
Balance a leaf on one' forehead with flowing chakra for one minute.
Daiana's leaf hardly trembled. The teacher nodded.
"Excellent base control. Minimal fluctuation."
Then the instructor pointed to a bandaged rabbit with a small simulated wound.
Daiana disinfected the wound, wrapped it again. Although it was somewhat clumsy, she was still the best of all of the trainees.
Right after, the medical-nin in the tent demonstrated the basic healing jutsu to Daiana, as the final test was for Daiana to attempt and try to do it without prior training and information.
It was both to see the talent a trainee had in Medical Jutsu and, also, check their affinity with Yang release. A rare affinity that wouldn't show in the previous test the lot of them had conducted till now.
A weak green glow ignited at her palm. Unstable but present, nonetheless.
"Good."
At the center was the Taijutsu zone, where Baki watched overseeing hand-to-hand sparring and speed drills.
Here Isan tried his hardest and was able to keep the spar going with Baki for 5 minutes, which was already the best, surpassing the rest of the class, including Temari and Daiana.
Then Shira arrived, appearing with an air of expectation. Even though he knew there was basically no possibility at all that he would find any sort of success in the other tents, he still went ahead and attempted it anyway. This decision ended up causing him to arrive late at the Taijutsu/Bukijutsu tent.
The fight was indeed a wonderful and fascinating exhibition of Taijutsu, with Shira keeping to a defensive stance throughout the battle. Yet, even while on the defensive, he showed amazing potential and talent, and he was eventually able to create an opening. The culmination of this was when he was able to break through Baki's defenses and land a good and solid hit straight to his chest using his fist.