The sun's rays shone warming up the crowd that stood around the academy building in Konohagakure. Today was the entrance test for upcoming students, there were two main types of students at the academy. Ninja students and normal students, normal students did not need to be tested but ninja students were tested in a physical test, mainly running a series of laps around the academy ground.
It was intensive enough to weed out the elite, normal and lazy type. The Tanehiko family showed up 30 minutes before the test. "Dad look! So many people." Kudo astonished ran around his parents giggling, Ina looked at him adoringly and felt uncomfortable at her baby boy becoming a shinobi. She had discussed it at length with Murata but it seemed in this dangerous world this was the only path.
In the body of the bubbly Kudo was chakra flowing calmly as he ran around. Kudo was 5 years old and his chakra like clan kids had been awakened at 4 years of age. Murata had wanted to do it earlier but had been warned it was not safe for children at a lower age.
25 minutes later…
"Children. Gather up!" A voice laced with chakra cut though the noise commanding attention. Within a minute a mass of children stood before a line. "Now, you have only one objective. Run as many laps as you can. Begin!"
While some children we a bit bewildered at first, they soon began running, cheers came from the parents as they observed their kids joyful as they overtook other kids.
"Ibiki san, is such a simple test enough?" A ninja standing along side Ibiki, the head proctor asked, over in the field multiple proctors were observing the kids jotting down notes.
"It is enough. What do you think is the objective of this test Miya san?" Ibiki asked, Manabe Miya was taken aback, still she answered, "Are we noting how many laps they finish and how long they took relative to other kids." Manabe said uncertain. "Yes, those among other things." Ibiki answered evasively.
"What other things Ibiki san?" Hojo Naokane asked, "Judgement, composure and spirit. Stamina is reflected in the number of laps and time taken. Judgement in the pacing a child sets for themselves as they run, because the objective is the number of laps not how fast. Composure in that many kids will be faster due to build or training; can you maintain pace as they get past you or will you throw it all way in brashness. Finally spirit, after your best, with nothing left in the tank some kids are still running do you stop or do you drag your legs to keep on running even then judgement comes in again, do you run till self-harm or do you know when to stop?" Ibiki's voice resounded in the now quiet crowd, the parents absorbing his words. Looks of clarity flashed in their eyes as they had thought it too easy to test the children with a simple run.
Meanwhile, 'As expected of Shikaku, the Nara are exceptional indeed even such a simple test can have far reaching information if analysed correctly.' Ibiki thought.
Over in the distance, children from the clans had yet to fall but some civilian kids were gradually falling and leaving the field but the parents were not worried, if their child did their best, it was possible to enter the ninja class. While the life of a shinobi was dangerous, not being able to protect yourself made you a sinner. That is why academy applications had surged for the ninja class in the previous 5 years.
After half an hour, the 1600 children that started, only 700 were still running urged on by the cheers of their parents.
After 2 hours, only 300 or so were still running. Among them was Kudo Tanehiko, his steps were firm and breath steady. In the crowd Murata nodded his head, his son was dedicated but lazy something he had battle to overcome to instill consistency in his son.
At 4 hours in, the test was over. Kudo had long given up at the 3 h15 minute mark, by then only 25 children were running excluding him. His dropping out received several frowns as clearly; he could still run further.
By 14 pm families were coming back to see the results. There were 10 divisions of ninja students, the elite class boasting 30 students including Kudo Tanehiko, though many wanted to exclude him, his performance was remarkable.
Surprisingly Naruto Uzumaki had made the cut, his endless stamina led to him being stopped midway at close to the 4-hour mark, he was the only one running. His results brough murmurs from the crowd but nothing gazes from the ninjas couldn't silence.
Sasuke Uchiha, Kiba Inazuka and many other had all entered the elite class including another exceptional civilian Sakura Haruno.
The other 9 classes boasted 100 students per class with the 1st division rated lower than the elite class. The lowest division was the 10th class. 930 students were a lot for the academy, clearly there were quality concerns regarding teaching but now an elimination system was in place taking place starting from the current new class.
Every quarter, if a student's efforts are found lacking and they rank with the worst 20 students twice in a class, they would be transferred to the normal class. For the elite class ranking within the worst 5 students 3 times in 3 quarters booted you to the lower class. Exceptional students were allowed to climb up to higher ranked classes if they showed promise.
Konoha had a large Genin reserve and it need a huge upgrade in the quality of Genin within.
Preparations for the next shinobi war were underway and any village caught with lacking shinobi might face annihilation.
Kudo Tanehiko slept soundly with a smile, he had made his dad proud today something he rarely achieved.
Murata sat in his comfort chair, sake in hand, 'Now it begins.' He thought deeply.