The next morning was filled with silence as the three boys arrived at the training ground early. Shikamaru looked more awake this particular morning and had rolled up his pant legs sighing loudly. Shino looked away from both parties and let loose a swarm of insects heading off into the woods as Naruto began climbing one of the farthest trees south of both of them.
Shikamaru took his place by the nearest tree, which happened to give him a clear view of Naruto and Shino. Shino's sea green jacket helped him blend into the bushes and trees around them. Shikamaru had managed to convince Naruto to wear a less light color like a navy blue t-shirt with finger less gloves instead of his usual clothing. All three boys waited for Asuma, who appeared exactly at 9:00.
Shikamaru and the others watched Asuma survey the area as he only spotted one of his future students. "Where are the others?" Shikamaru shrugged.
Asuma shrugged his shoulders in return, taking a deep breath. "The goal of this test is for one of you three to get this. The test ends at eleven." Pulling out a timer,he placed it on the nearest stump. Asuma held up two packs of cigarettes as the boys sweat dropped.
"If you can get this, then you'll pass. If you fail, you will be forced back to the academy to try again next year." Asuma did not miss how Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and stiffened at his words. Asuma raised his hand, "Begin!"
Asuma was not disappointed as Shikamaru charged at him, while Naruto and Shino stayed in the shadows. Shikamaru threw a few kunai at Asuma's feet each of them exploding shortly. When the smoke cleared Shikamaru was gone, but so was Asuma.
Asuma cleared his throat as he spotted Naruto hiding behind the farthest tree. Appearing before the former academy student, Asuma's eyes widened as Naruto grinned at him as he turned in smoke as shuriken came out in every direction. Asuma dodged each shuriken but did not see the foot coming until it connected with his face.
"Why aren't you guys sneaky?" Shikamaru and Naruto glanced at each other, as Asuma charged at both of them. Asuma smirked as Naruto ran away as Shikamaru engaged him again, drawing more kunai.
"Not falling for that same trick again!" Asuma pulled Shikamaru's arm and flipped him over, but not before Shikamaru tapped his shoulder. Naruto charged towards Asuma, but was knocked out when he threw Shikamaru into him.
"You guys just can't charge and me and think I'm going to fall for it."
"Quite true. Why you ask? We thought of something else." Said a calm voice.
Asuma's head turned behind him as he watched Shino stare at him with his hands in his pocket. Asuma was about to question him, when he felt it. He began squirming as his whole body began to feel on fire. Shino shook his head as Asuma began shaking off the bugs but did not notice the small tap in his pants.
Asuma was held still as Shikamaru smiled at him. "Not bad, but-"
RRRRIIINNNGGGG!
All four heads looked towards the timer as it went off. "You don't have the packs."
"Quite the contrary Asuma-sensei. We have both." Asuma felt his pockets as Naruto cracked his knuckles and neck in front of him.
"You should be more careful Asuma-sensei." Naruto held out two cigarettes packs in his hands waving them in his face.
"How did you-" Shikamaru took a deep breath.
"While we were eating yesterday at Ramen Ichiraku we came up with a plan. We figured that you were going to focus on one of us at a time, so we built the plan around that. Since Shino is quieter than a church mouse, we had him use his insects to creep on you while we distracted you. When I tapped you on your shoulder, I left a very small Naruto on your shoulder."
"The other Naruto's that you were fighting were clones. When Shino came out and distracted you, I grabbed the packs. Smart huh?"
Asuma rubbed his neck as the boys smirked at him, even Shino. "There are only two packs though. One of you is going to be sent back to the academy. Decide. Now."
"That's highly improbable. Why you ask? Teams usually work better in groups of three. Splitting us up would be highly improbable." Shino stated. Naruto and Shikamaru nodded.
Asuma signed. He has been doing a lot of that lately. "Fine. I guess all I have to say is….YOU PASS!"
"What a drag." Naruto and Shino sweat dropped as Asuma chuckled at Shikamaru.
"Shino was right. This test was about teamwork and that's something many people forget about. I'll meet you guys here tomorrow for our real team meeting. Ja né!" Asuma shunshin out the clearing.
"Why can't he walk out like a normal person?" Asked Naruto.
The Hokage was an old man. He was wise for his age. A veteran shinobi. That did not mean he wanted to be responsible for every little thing that went wrong. Or the paperwork. Luckily, he had Iruka helping him out, since the academy was closed for the summer.
Hiruzen lifted his head as Asuma and the other jonin reported in for the upcoming meeting.
"Team 1?"
"Failed."
"Team 2?"
"Failed."
"Team 3?"
"Failed."
"Team 4?"
"Failed."
"Team 5?"
"Failed."
"Team 6?"
"Failed."
"Team 7?"
"Passed."
Silence ranged through the room. Kakashi lifted his head, repeating his answer, before looking at his Icha Icha book again.
"Team 8?"
"Passed."
Everyone gave Asuma another glance as he repeated his answer. "What? The three of them worked well together."
"Moving on, Team 9 is still rotation, so we'll continue to Team 10."
"Passed."
Hiruzen smiled at hearing the results. Granted he wished more students had passed, but if they were not ready…then there was no need to push them any further. Hiruzen nodded to everyone as they were dismissed. Things were starting to get interesting.
Chapter 3 is done.
