Chasing After You || Itachi

Ch. 6 - The Beginning of the End

From the time they were formed, Team F spent everyday together. If they weren't on a mission, they were training together. If they weren't training, they were shopping or eating. Hayama engraved in their minds that they should know each other like the back of their hand. Quirks, habits, likes, dislikes, etc. A few years had passed since they became genin and the trio were nothing short of a family.

With the help of Tekuno, Team F was trained to specialize in tracking and ambush. The genin learned to set up effective traps, camouflage themselves, and move quickly in stealth and silence. They also participated in individualized training. While Izumi focused on Sharingan training within her family, Hayama had Koji expand on his chakra control by learning medical ninjutsu and barrier ninjutsu. Tora continued to study with her mother and the Inuzukas and improved on her taijutsu while specializing in short and mid-range attacks using shuriken, kunai, and senbon. The trusting bond between the trio was seen and praised throughout the ranks.

"Team F has returned from their C-rank mission of tracking down and capturing a minor threat to Konohagakure. The mission went smoothly and was successful, Lord Hokage. All of the details are explained in this scroll." Hayama spoke as he placed the mission scroll in the Third's hands and stepped back away from the desk.

"Excellent." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled at the three genin in front of him. "Your teamwork never ceases to amaze me. I believe you three are more than ready to take the chunin exams. The genin are dismissed. Hayama, I would like to speak to you for a moment."

The trio bowed and exited the room as their sensei stayed. The moment they stepped outside of the Academy, Tora grinned and punched the air excitedly. "We're finally going to get promoted! Dinner's on me tonight!"

"You better study your ass off for those exams then." Koji smirked. "I heard the written exam is no joke and if one person fails, the whole team fails. Izumi and I had pretty good scores in school, but you were barely average."

"I still passed and that's all that matters." Tora rolled her eyes. "Keep yapping and you'll be paying for dinner."

Izumi giggled and took her teammates' hands, leading down the pathway. "Let's go stuff our faces with barbeque and worry about this later. We deserve it after all."

The genin sat at the local barbeque restaurant and enjoyed each other's company as Koji grilled the meat and Izumi and Tora handled the vegetables. Tekuno and Hayama joined them a little later and the group ate well. Tora laughed as Tekuno and Koji fought over the last two skewers of meat. Meanwhile, Izumi and Hayama had a light-hearted conversation as they sipped their tea. In the moment, Tora reflected on their time together. In the beginning, she was disheartened and a little wary of her team members, but now they had become her second family. It was moments like these that she wished lasted forever.

"Alright, I'm going to call it a night. You can rest tomorrow and we'll start up training again the next day." Hayama stood up. "Good night."

"I heard Lord Hokage was very pleased with you three." Tekuno gave the children a thumbs up. "Hayama's really proud of you, even if he doesn't say it, and so am I."

Koji blinked and stood up. "Hayama-sensei, I have something to ask you so I'll go with you."

After the three males said their goodbyes and left, Tora and Izumi sat together and ate the rest of the grilled vegetables. They started out having idle chit-chat, talking about how they've grown and what their ultimate goals were, until Izumi quieted down. Tora watched her teammate's actions for a moment before frowning. "What's wrong, Izumi?"

"Hm?" Izumi raised her head with a forced smile. "What do you mean?"

Tora pointed a vegetable skewer at her with the roll of her eyes. "You know what I mean. I've been trained to know you like the back of my hand so spit it out."