Genkai said
I'd like to see more missions prior to jumping into the Exams. I'd also like to see more training so there is a more even playing field among the kids in terms of skills. I'd also like to have people interact more, be it just talking or hanging out. I do hope the new style (be it military of sorts) allows for a casual sense of comradeship.

Definitely. It is going to be less professional military and more comrades in arms. I loved how canon focused on relationships and teamwork, but hated how it completely ignored the fact that they were a military organization comprised of ninja. So the goal is to really give a more realistic view, but not at the expense of the "funness" of the world.

Team 7 will have lots of fun in their training. I view the Academy as kind of like High school. Genin are college students spending some time learning the core and then specializing after a year or two. Chuunin would be skilled careers in the work force and Jounin would be Doctoral students. Kage would naturally be Doctorate level professors.

I don't want this focus on military to kill the fun that should be Naruto; I know we want more realism and all, but I don't want the characters to be way more serious in the process. Kakashi should still be easygoing, Naruto should still be hyperactive, etc. The focus on military already has me worried.

You brought up another point, JDLP, is it possible at all to "up" the ages a bit? I don't know if you mentioned it in your first post or not, but I do believe even changing them to 15 would make them a lot more used to the formal teaching of a military type of setting. I am aware some kids do crave structure but playing people so young and expecting them to have mental capacity for such hardship is a bit hard. Thoughts? If you're set on keeping their ages, I'd go along with it anyway but I thought I'd ask.

SoleAccord said
I don't want this focus on military to kill the fun that should be Naruto; I know we want more realism and all, but I don't want the characters to be way more serious in the process. Kakashi should still be easygoing, Naruto should still be hyperactive, etc. The focus on military already has me worried.

Rest assured this isn't going to be grimdark. The military focus is more things like actual roles in their military, chain of command being important, a less altruistic version of Konoha etc. Essentially, it's a subtle change to the world state and not the characters I'm wanting changed so much. Just trying to remove a lot of the deus ex machina plotlines and PIS of canon.

Edit: @Genkai, I'm open to it. What is everyone else's thoughts on the matter of upping the ages?

No one really did listen to the Hokage as much as they should have. >___>

If we up the ages then I'd probably rather have gone through Hinata's developmental changes already. What I mean is, no more Naruto panic attacks, her and Neji are fine, she's a seasoned Hyuga combatant, and she's still working towards earning the respect of her clan.

Kakashi ...no real changes to him.

I'm fine with it, we just need to decide on the power scaling. Unless people 15-16 are this weak still.

I assumed 15-16 and still beginning their training or at least out of the Academy? That's just me. *waves hands and laughs*

If we up the ages, I'm actually of the opinion that we up the Academy Graduation age. They will definitely be stronger though than their twelve year old selves. Hmm...I'm fine with upping their general skill level to canon high genin to low chuunin levels, but they wouldn't have any true combat experience. Also, I'm a little iffy on Neji and Hinata being fine. Without Naruto to knock sense into him, I don't see it happening that much.

Well it was the point of making Hinata more assertive and gradually less pathetic than she was. I'd rather not see her at 15 and still having this issue, but I guess I can work with it. I just think Naruto solving everyone's problems is probably one of the worst parts of the show in hindsight, since as Pierce said, him being Jesus Christ who can do no wrong and who changes everyone within an hour after over a decade of one belief isn't that entertaining.

Guess I'll try it..

SoleAccord said
Well it was the point of making Hinata more assertive and gradually less pathetic than she was. I'd rather not see her at 15 and still having this issue, but I guess I can work with it. I just think Naruto solving everyone's problems is probably one of the worst parts of the show in hindsight, since as Pierce said, him being Jesus Christ who can do no wrong and who changes everyone within an hour after over a decade of one belief isn't that entertaining.Guess I'll try it..

I'd definitely like to see a mentally stronger Hinata, my only concern was the Neji relationship. His issues require more of an outside force as opposed to just natural maturity in my humble opinion.

Guess I'll get Pierce right on that.

If we do up ages, I'd say one thing at a time. ^^

I mean making Hinata less of a wall flower is a good enough start I think Sole~

I can at least give Sakura some self assurance and possibly less isolation from Ino? She'd still think Naruto is annoying but not HORRIBLE and she'd still look up to Sasuke but not in the far fetched idea of wedding bells and such. If it would be a crush, she'd be able to step back and see it as just a fantasy and not a real event likely to happen.

As long as Naruto isn't a complete necessity to changing Neji's mind, I'll be fine.

*Nods* The thing with Neji's character is that that he naturally hates the main branch. Any attempts from the main branch is going to be met with a great deal of hostility. Hinata has definitely matured and doesn't have to be such a weak character in relation to Neji, but we are going into this with the world state and character histories being extremely similar to canon with just an extended academy time. So Neji has only been a genin for a year and is completely unaware of the truth of his father's actions.

One thing I could see is Hinata actively being nice to Neji and doing her best to change his worldview now that she is more self-assured. However that is something I'd love to see in the IC of the story. Even though they are all older they have not been through the same things as canon. Sasuke is still an obsessive jerk, but he actually tries to be friendly. Naruto is still a hyperactive deadlast, but he's not the son of God. Sakura still views Naruto as annoying and Sasuke as attractive, but she's not as insecure. Etc.

Anyway eheh. Are you still hoping to wait a few more days before we begin?

Genkai said
Anyway eheh. Are you still hoping to wait a few more days before we begin?

I'm good with starting soon...we just need a Sakura. I think someone mentioned something about doing a character sheet for her. :P I kid, I kid.

JDLPorsta said
Sorry!!! I can view RPguild at work, but I cannot reply at work. Crappy phone!Anyways, about the app. It looks decent and ties well into what I have planned. Essentially anything after the Pein fight can be considered useless to know so the whole Child of Prophecy thing is irrelevant. A couple questions! How do you see Naruto interacting with Sasuke, Kakashi, and Sakura? How well do you see him interacting with a more military styled Konoha?Also, this question applies to all, but what are some things you would all like to see occur in this RP?

I still plan to have Naruto view Sasuke as a rival, and someone that he can relate to since they both lost their family. heh, I'll still have him act like a jackass towards him, but I'd like to maintain that vibe that he really does care about him. As for Kakashi, seeing as he'll be his sensei he'll have some issues with him at first, Naruto has problems with authority after all. However, over time he'll begin to look up to him as a mentor. As for Sakura... hrmm... well, he won't have such a huge crush on her. I may have him try to show off around her to act impressive though. I want them to become close comrades.

Now about this talk of upping the ages. Honestly, it rubs me the wrong way. I believe we can rely on our suspension of disbelief and have them adjust to a more militarized Konoha, after all, we've already accepted that these kids are learning magic and how to murder people already, and I think that's the biggest hurdle right there. Also, this is a pivotal time in their lives, the age in which their ideals, morals, and personality are most subject to change. So I'd like to keep the ages where they are. (no disrespect to Genkai) x_x

Hmm...here's how we will do this in order to choose. Heads or tails. I'll whisper Soleaccord with the correct answer right now. Piercing you can call for it in order to determine which direction we go. I have no personal preference honestly. So we will leave it to chance if that is cool with everyone?

orrrr me and Genkai can have a reasonable debate about it, since there's still time until the RP starts. Whenever I leave something to chance I get screwed.

Alright, fair enough. Haha. I'll let you two sort it out. I may be GM, but my goal is for this to be a great writing experience for everyone. If y'all can come to a consensus by Friday, we're golden. Otherwise we will just use the coin.