"I guess that makes sense with the name."

"It's a bit convenient, how the names can give you a clue of common specialties and all."

"I dunno, I'd develop more sand-based techniques if I lived in a desert than if I lived in a forest, I don't think it's a huge coincidence."

"There are reasons - wasn't saying it's a coincidence, just that it makes remembering things easier."

"Oh, fair enough. Tetsuma mentioned something about elemental natures and I couldn't find anything about that in the books, can you explain it?"

"There's five - fire, wind, water, earth, lightning. Everyone can use all of them, but most people are better at one and it's hard to master more than one. Some bloodlines make you good at multiple as part. Tetsuma's is a blend of or between earth and water."

"Huh. That's interesting."

"Different where you're from?"

"I've literally never heard of anything like it...but on the other hand, I don't think most of our techniques could be reasonably said to fall into one of those categories. Even the Hiryu Shoten Ha doesn't involve directly manipulating wind."

"Eggheads will be excited, if you're ever pointed at R and D."

"Is there a way to find out which one you are?"

"Modern way's channeling chakra through this specially prepared paper."

"Can I try?"

"Sure. I'll see about getting a hold of some."

"Thank you!"

"Need anything else?"

"Not right now, I don't think."

He nods. "Should have the paper tomorrow, then."

"Cool." 

She moseys off to investigate the fiction. 

Romances about people in court, stories about spirits and dragons and magic, a mystery about a woman trying to find out who killed her lover...

She reads the mystery. 

The woman suspects shinobi were hired for the deed. She has no such advantages, being the daughter of a courtesan - but she's learned a lot over the years, and she's able to investigate the physical evidence, talk to witnesses, and unravel a conspiracy threatening her nation. The happy ending is when she has the killers executed, and is rewarded for her service.

What kind of stuff does the book depict shinobi as being able to do?

Vanish without a trace, leave no tracks, move through walls, twist people's minds and perceptions...

Sounds legit. 

It's late. She goes to bed.