CHAPTER 5

Asami was seated beneath a gazebo in her garden, conducting a solemn tea ceremony with her doll. Dressed in her finest kimono, she gracefully poured hot water into a small ceramic cup that she had prepared earlier. Her delicate fingers lifted the cup of green tea and offered it to her silent companion.

Her doll, of course, did not respond. Asami pretended it graciously accepted the offering, even complimenting her on her tea-making skills. But reality remained unchanged. The tea remained untouched before the doll, its steam slowly vanishing into the breeze. Dolls did not drink. Dolls did not speak. Dolls did not live. Sadly…

The sound of a sliding door abruptly broke the serenity of the ceremony. Asami turned her head, spotting Okaa-san standing in the doorway, holding an envelope with the village insignia. "Asami-chan, could you come inside for a moment? There is something we need to talk about. The village has sent a letter."

Asami frowned, hesitant to interrupt her tea ritual. "Is it important, Okaa-san?"

Her mother nodded, her expression serious. "Yes. It is."

"I understand." Asami gently turned to her doll. "Wait for me. I'll be back soon."

"..." As expected, her doll remained still. A perfect little lady.

Asami entered the house. "What's the matter, Okaa-san?"

Her mother hesitated briefly. "The village has sent a letter. They've informed us that you'll need to undergo your medical examination next week…"

Asami raised an eyebrow. "Medical examination?" Why now? What was the village's intent?

Okaa-san smiled softly, attempting to soothe her daughter's confusion. "Yes, your annual medical examination. Don't worry, it's standard procedure. All children between the ages of six and fourteen are required to undergo it. It's mandatory."

"..." Asami didn't find that particularly comforting. That didn't sound suspicious at all… "And why exactly?"

"Well," her mother explained, "the examination assesses your physical fitness. Those who pass the required benchmarks are then invited to participate in the entrance exam for the academy and potentially join the ninja ranks."

"Invited?" The word unsettled Asami. It carried an implicit weight, one she didn't like.

Okaa-san noticed her daughter's lack of enthusiasm. "...Well, it's less an invitation and more a strong encouragement. Refusal is not exactly... acceptable."

"Otherwise what?"

Okaa-san wore a strained smile. "Let's just say clan children would never refuse. Civilian children and their families, however... they might face repercussions if they decline."

"..." Asami fell silent. This reeked of forced conscription under the guise of tradition.

"But don't worry, Asami-chan," her mother added, her tone overly cheerful, "given your delicate constitution, there's a good chance you'll fail. Just like I did when I was your age."

"... ... ..." Asami was unconvinced. She was well aware that her considerable chakra reserves were far from ordinary—and not so easily overlooked.

As Okaa-san had stated, they were soon instructed to report to the nearest hospital for the required examination. Sitting atop her mother's lap in the waiting area, Asami observed her surroundings with mild boredom. The doctor had yet to return, and they had already been waiting for some time. Efficiency clearly wasn't a hospital priority.

Eventually, the door opened and the doctor returned. Asami barely suppressed her laughter. How could these medical-nin not realize how ridiculous they looked in their white gowns? The garments were stiff and ill-fitting—utterly laughable.

The iryo-nin took a seat and began flipping through a thick medical file with haste. It was obvious he had a long list of children to examine today. The hospital halls echoed with noise and chatter as children—boys and girls of varying ages—were summoned one by one. Despite the peace that currently blanketed the Land of Fire, the Hidden Leaf Village always prepared for war, its hunger for new ninja recruits never truly abating. Even among the youngest, Konoha sought future shinobi.

The doctor finally folded his hands and looked up. "I'll be brief, Kurano-san. Your daughter's results are... intriguing. Very much so."

Okaa-san tilted her head. "Intriguing?"

"Yes," the doctor replied. "Her constitution is mediocre—frankly, it's below standard. But her chakra reserves… I didn't expect anything like this. Her chakra levels are astronomical. Far beyond what is typical for a child her age or background. Even among clan offspring, her results are… extraordinary. Though I must note, her chakra composition is unusually yin-heavy."

"..." Asami's back straightened slightly. She had underestimated the sensitivity of the tests. Apparently, her attempt to suppress her chakra had not gone as unnoticed as she'd hoped.

Okaa-san's expression grew concerned. "And what does that mean, exactly?"

The doctor leaned back, folding his arms. "You see, chakra is composed of two energies—yin and yang. Yin represents spiritual energy, while yang corresponds to physical energy. Most people display a relatively balanced ratio between the two—about fifty-fifty. However, there are exceptions. Some clans—like the Uchiha and the Nara—are known for their heavy yin alignment."

He tapped the file thoughtfully. "But this is the first time I've seen such extreme yin dominance. Her chakra is almost entirely yin. That would explain her underdeveloped physicality. The imbalance hinders her physical growth. Her body lacks sufficient yang energy to complement her strong spiritual chakra. It's no wonder her constitution appears so frail."

"Does that mean she can't enter the academy?" Okaa-san asked, her voice low and cautious.

The doctor paused before replying. "...On the contrary. She's an ideal candidate. Her physical condition may be subpar, yes, but talent like hers is rare. I am required to report her case to the village council. Konoha cannot afford to let such potential slip away. Your daughter must serve the village."

He continued, "Her chakra control is already exceptional for her age. I believe she'd excel in ninjutsu, genjutsu, and especially medical ninjutsu if trained properly. She is, by all metrics, naturally gifted. I'm confident she will achieve remarkable things as a kunoichi."

"I understand…" Okaa-san replied softly, her tone far from pleased.