The heart of the issue is that, in order to best utilize the bond between the Nara twins, they have to be separated.
Synchronized battle rhythms could be trained; compounded shadow jutsu, while impressive, cannot compare to the strategic value of instantaneous intel.
For the benefit of Konoha, the twins would have to be separated.
More than that, one of them would have to be on a frontline team.
The question is which one?
—
Their first two years at the Academy, very few adults think Shikako will make the cut.
She is certainly intelligent enough, unusual determination aside, and that’s not even including her bond with her brother. The problem, of course, is the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of her atypical chakra system.
Chakra exercises don’t come up until third year, but already the side affects are seen. Physically, she can’t match her classmates. Every so often, her coils burn or her levels drop worryingly low with no real predictable pattern.
Absences from classes aren’t a problem–twin bond keeping her up to date on lessons–but it’s a not a promising trait in a potential soldier. Unreliable and sickly and unable to keep up.
Perhaps its for the best, though, some of the teachers think, a future Jounin Commander who can be in two places at once–on the field and in the village both–relaying information and troop movements in real time.
A glorified messenger hawk.
Fortunately for Shikako, she has an epiphany on her chakra.
Unfortunately for Shikamaru, his sister has an epiphany on her chakra.
—
The twins are tested.
Or perhaps that is not the correct term.
They are assessed and observed accordingly to properly place them into teams.
Which is not to say the rest of their Academy class–or, at least, the elites of the class–do not also get the attention of the teachers. Genin team formations are not something to be taken lightly.
But for the twins, extra care is taken. Or perhaps extra criteria are considered.
Ino-Shika-Cho of course, but for which twin? And what to do with the other twin…
A support team or a heavy hitter combat team? Maybe a revival of the apprenticeship system: but with a jounin firmly grounded in the Intel Division or one who travels to foreign lands?
What should be done with the Nara twins?
~
A/N: Some more based on @donapoetrypassion’s response for what the adults think of the Nara twins’ genin team placement.
I don’t think I’ll stray too far from canon!DoS since… well… why would I? But I kind of like to bring up the possibilities of different avenues.
Can you imagine Shikako having a formal apprenticeship with Aoba (he is a jounin, after all)? Or, Shinigami forbid, Ibiki?
And, you know, it’d be pretty smart to keep one of the twins in the village at all times if they’re really going to lean into the twin bond. Either medic nin or intel nin could work for that…
JackSGreyson Says 