"It's really difficult but suuper interesting. I'm really glad we have Mariko as our sensei, especially since she was Jiraiya's student and the Fourth Hokage's teammate."

"Was the Fourth Hokage a fuinjutsu specialist too?"

"I think so. Didn't he help win the Third War with seals? Like with the Hiraishin."

"Yes. I don't think he created it himself though, I think I remember reading that it was the Second Hokage's technique? The Fourth did use it to win the war though, for sure."

"Cool! I haven't read much about the Third War. Mama gets sad whenever it's brought up."

"Yeah, I remember reading that the fighting was really terrible. We almost lost, probably would've without the Fourth."

"I wonder how the Fourth got a hold of the Hiraishin. Like, is it in the Hokage's library or did the Senju give it to him."

"Probably in the Hokage's library, I'd say, but I don't really know."

"Do you think we should show up early tomorrow and train together before the test? That way we can work together as a team!"

She might be laying it in a little thick here. Maybe as if she'd just had a big 'teamwork' lecture from someone...

"That sounds great! It'll be a good idea to get familiar with each others' styles, even if the test isn't combat-oriented."

"I still feel really unprepared. I'm very used to having a plan, or even the outline of a plan. I do not like surprises."

"It can't be that difficult! If it was... wouldn't we of had heard of a regular cycle of graduating ninja returning to the Academy after they failed?"

"Didn't Mariko-sensei say that only a third of teams pass? And I'm not sure why we haven't, actually... Maybe the remedial training is in another building?"

"I guess that makes sense? Ugh. This secrecy stuff is annoying."

Sayuri giggles. "We're ninja. Secrets are a part of our trade."

"Yeah, but this really isn't a consequential secret. There's no reason not to tell us, and plenty of reasons to."

"Maybe they want to see how we adapt to situations on short notice?"

"I suppose that is something we need to get used to."

"Ugh. Yeah. That does make sense."

"We can go into my training area! Mama set it up for me when I first started the Academy."

"That sounds good to me."

Sora nods and follows Sayuri into the back yard.

...it's kind of awesome.

And kind of ridiculous. The training area is outfitted with a lot. Everything looks brand new and in perfect condition. All lined up in neat rows was everything you could possible need to train with and more.

"Every time I did well in the Academy she added something new." She blushes a bit. "It's a lot. And a lot of the stuff I've only ever used once. But mama hires ninja every now and then to train me in something new."

"Wow. This should be great for training. ...Do you know how to use those swords?"

"I know how to use them, yeah! But I'm not very good right now. Compared to mama, anyway. She trains me with them herself. And she's really good."