Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

"Uwa! So many people!", Naruto look at the endless lines of people lining up to register as new students.

'It's natural', Tanya didn't elaborate more.

"I can't wait to learn cool jutsu! I am so excited!".

Naruto is being his usual restless self as they move step by step following the lines. 

…

Naruto looked around, seeing most of the kids his age all had parents accompanying them. 

Naruto felt a little sadness tugged in his chest. He wished his parents were here… he wonders what it felt like to have parents.

But at least, Tsu-chan is here.

Naruto smiled, looking at his sister who always had a bored look on her face. Naruto realised he had never heard Tanya laugh for real. At most, he had seen Tanya smile in amusement and let out some short chuckle at best instead of actual laughs. But that's her little sister alright.

"Hihi…".

Naruto has a bad idea brewing in his head. He went to move his hand and tickle Tanya's sides.

…

Tanya glances coldly at Naruto, unaffected, and doesn't even flinch, as if asking what he is trying to do.

…

"Doesn't it feel ticklish at all?".

'Not enough', Tanya just smiled a little shortly. Already used to his antics.

"Tch…", Naruto grumbled, playing with his goggles, kicking the rock nearby, and doing small little actions to curb his restlessness.

Finally the registration is done. The children are led by a male Shinobi instructor with eyes that are silver-white.

"Good morning everyone! I am sure all of you are very excited to join the academy! But as per requirement, I will first test each of your chakra volumes. Unfortunately, those who don't meet the minimum requirement wouldn't be able to join the academy".

Some of the children murmured among each other, anxious that they would get kicked out.

"But even if your path as a Shinobi is cut short, there are always other paths. So don't worry too much. Okay, everyone line up according to your assigned number!"

Everyone roughly lined up. Just then, the instructor made a hand seal.

"Byakugan!".

Some of the children are startled, quite scared seeing the veins and how scary the instructor looks right now.

Interesting… I can feel he's seeing through me.

"Uwa! It's like his eyes are going to pop out", Naruto commented.

'Show respect to the instructor Naruto…'.

So this is the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan. 

The instructor walks casually, looking intently at each of them while writing scores on the name list he's holding. His gaze stays a little longer on the siblings, seeing the above average chakra volume.

"Fail. Pass… F-Pass… Fail. Pass. Pass. Pass …".

The failed children went out of the line, ready to return to their parents in disappointment.

Tanya has to say, it seems quite subjective. Or did he have a method to quantify the chakra amount? Or just his experience.

After the ones passed are gathered, the next few tests are done.

But the most important one is the test for talent to mold chakra. The instructor injects chakra into the student for them to 'feel' it first, for them to grasp the concept of chakra. Ever since Tanya felt the energy flowing into her, she can feel that she can instinctually create it herself inside her body. 

She gave it a try and got it instantly, probably due to her last life as mage. The energy felt like mana… as if it had its own circulatory system in her body flowing throughout her limbs. But she can't mold much, only very little. She can tell it will take practice.

Those that can feel something at all pass immediately. While those that tried hard within many tries and still failed had to give up.

***

"Yosha! We passed Tsu-chan! And we are in same class too!".

Tanya observes their classmates and can figure out the children of big and small clans within the village are all gathered in their class. Hyuga, Nara, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Uchiha… It's definitely a good class to make connections.

As for me and Naruto, both of us bear the name Uzumaki, a clan that once were an ally to Konoha. The spiral symbol on the vest on the shinobi of Konoha pays homage to the clan and that shows how significant the clan name is and their own bloodline potential as a shinobi.

The students gathered together, having their first homeroom meeting.

"Good morning everyone. I'm Iruka Umino, and I'll be your homeroom teacher throughout your stay in the academy. First of all, congratulations to all of you for making it to this point…".

"Now who would like to introduce themselves first?". Iruka look at the excited students.

Naruto stood up, standing on his seat proudly.

'I am Uzumaki Naruto! I like ramen and I will become the Hokage! And everyone will look up to me! Believe it!'. 

The other students murmur, some snort, some don't care, some nod inwardly, also wanting to be the cool Hokage. A lot think he's obnoxious, wanting attention.

"That's a great dream Naruto. But becoming Hokage requires hard work". Iruka replied politely. 

And connections, Tanya added inwardly.

"Next, the one next to Naruto?".

Tanya stood, her voice polite but not overbearing.

'I am Uzumaki Tsuyu. Naruto's twin sister. I like reading books in my free time along with hot coffee. I want to become an excellent shinobi that can contribute to the village's peace and protection'.

"That's good Tsuyu. You seem very different from your brother…".

'Yes, Iruka-sensei'. She replied shortly, not commenting on the obvious.

While the rest of the classmates introduce themselves, Naruto turns his head to the side to chat and try to make friends.

Tanya is taking mental notes in her mind whenever the children of those big clans introduce themselves.

Suddenly she felt something moving and grinding at her feet. Her first thought is Naruto is disturbing her for no reason but her brows tighten seeing a small dog that's wagging its small tail and looking at her.

A stray? 

She is annoyed, and planning to throw it out. But the dog decided to jump and stay on her lap instead.

Tch. I wonder if this village has stray animal control.

'Heeyyy… Tanya-chan right?', a male with a hoodie on called out to her.

Tanya looked to the side, seeing the male sitting on the next table calling her. It's the son of the Inuzuka clan's matriarch, Kiba Inuzuka.

Tanya put on a slightly more friendly posture and smile seeing it's someone from a big clan.

"Yes. I am Tanya. It's a pleasure to know you, Kiba-san".

Kiba rubbed the back of his neck, seeming sheepish. Tanya almost thought he had a blush on his face, but maybe it's just her imagination.

'Oh! You know my name! Haha…'. Kiba is happy, probably thinking Tanya actually pays special attention to him to remember his introduction. He's trying hard to control his expression right now.

Tanya is unaware that she is one of the prettiest girls in class - with fair skin, light blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And add to the fact that this is her first time to be in a school among kids her age. In her previous life, she was directly enlisted as soldiers as a child among adults so she was never given attention in that regard and she did not notice. This is something completely new that never it didn't registered in her mind.

'Sorry about my dog. He rarely is friendly to strangers you know! Akamaru… come back here…'.

Kiba calls out to Akamaru, but the dog is reluctant to move. Tanya politely grabbed it and handed it over to him.

'Thanks. My dog seems to like you... S-so… umm ha-'

"Hey! Why are you bringing a dog to class!". Naruto noticed the interaction, and his eyes glared at Kiba. He can see what he's trying to do and he doesn't like it at all! 

'Huh. I am given special permission. We of the Inuzuka clan all have ninja dog companions!'.

"But what if he peed on someone!".

'Ha!? My dog isn't so-!".

"Naruto, stay quiet-", Tanya is about to stop him.

"Naruto! Kiba!", Iruka slammed the table, gaining their attention.

"Stop disturbing the class. The others are still introducing themselves. This isn't a playground. I won't give any punishment since it's the first day. But next time, there will be punishment, understand? And I am saying this to all of you as well".

'Yes Iruka-sensei…', the two troublemakers replied sheepishly. But the two managed to exchange a glare as if blaming each other.

Tanya didn't think much of it, thinking Naruto is acting like himself. But she will have to step in if he ever crossed too many lines when it comes to disobeying the rules and order, she thought.

"Alright class! I will continue to explain the curriculum and what you will learn in your first year in the academy". Iruka sensei continued.

The days in the academy are mostly the same, with lectures on basic elementary subjects and with subjects specific to being a shinobi. 

Tanya pays attention especially for class regarding the basis of chakra, the practice methods to improve amount and control, and etc. They also had field practice to build stamina and the body. Practice on shuriken-jutsu and taijutsu.

She's told that for medical ninjutsu high understanding of the human body and theoretical knowledge is essential; and she planned to learn it as well in the future. Knowing more is always better.

As for ninjutsu, in the first year they would be only learning the major hand seals and to practice the chakra molding corresponding to it. Unless they are from big clans or have shinobi parents who had taught them earlier, civilian students wouldn't be able to do their first ninjutsu in the first year normally unless they are a genius.

There is a lot of knowledge that needs to be learned and practiced. From what she knows generally, those that manage to graduate early all had training and supplementary materials even before they attend the academy due to having shinobi parents that can teach them.

But this does not stop Tanya from planning her future. She decided to graduate as early as possible. Proving herself as a genius is also a kind of merit, and being a genius means to be noticed - and increase the chances of forming the connection with people that had status and power that would rub it onto her.

Unlike in her previous life where merit is more important than personal connection to climb the ladder; the world of shinobi instead requires connection more than merit. Because individual powers, knowledge and skills are highly fluctuated. A single Kage level shinobi for example can handle 10 elite jonin and kill chunin like flies. In her previous life, such a situation only happen if Being X or possibly other deities provide their so called 'blessings' but it will not be too outrageous compared to what's possible in this world.

Therefore, personal connection matters most for Tanya now. And she has to appear as a genius and graduate early.

***