More than one Shinobi Clan saw this selection as a crucial chance to rise. The Shimura were far from alone.
The Kurama Clan was determined to claim a place as well.
The clan was almost invisible in Konoha, but it was undeniably one of the village's oldest Shinobi Clans.
In its early years, the clan had long been active in the Konoha High Command. Its Kekkei Genkai, Five Senses Manipulation, was said to rival that of the Uchiha.
Unfortunately, the Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai was extremely difficult to awaken. At some point, awakened members had stopped appearing altogether.
Not a single Ninja had awakened Five Senses Manipulation since the Third Hokage took office.
Without its Kekkei Genkai, the clan's Ninjutsu and accumulated knowledge had become little more than useless scraps of paper.
The Kurama Clan began to decline rapidly.
All the clan's inherited Secret Techniques revolved around Five Senses Manipulation. With no one awakening its Kekkei Genkai, the Kurama Clan lost the advantage its heritage had given it.
Compared with ordinary Ninja, its members had little advantage.
The Kurama Clan tried every method it could think of, but still no one awakened the clan's Kekkei Genkai.
Eventually, its members despaired and were forced to consider changing course: becoming an ordinary Shinobi Clan rather than a Kekkei Genkai clan.
What they wanted from this selection was not merely a place in Kazan's personal unit, serving the man destined to become the Fifth Hokage, and a chance to return to the Konoha High Command.
They also hoped that, through contact with Kazan, they might learn a trick or two to solve the problem of their clan's Kekkei Genkai being so difficult to awaken.
"Someone from the Kurama Clan?"
In the central stands, Kazan raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Has she awakened her Kekkei