"You really think there's something to the intel?" asked Sinku. "Refugees from some distant land, something along the line of Kiri's bloodline purge? Dozens of kekkei genkai?"
"No doubt it's pretty badly exaggerated," admitted Basin, his eyes sweeping the assembled twelve ninja. A true strike force, they'd moved here with sealed orders and only now was he revealing the target and mission parameters. "Even if it is only HALF that - it's a resource that we need to grab. Now bury anything that can be used to identify us. You were ordered to leave anything like that behind, but I know you lot. Smokes, lighters, anything that can be used to identify us. We need to hit hard and fast and get back out."
"This wasn't the original mission," said Faaseto. "It was that summoner kid, wasn't it?"
"Secondary target," agreed Basin. "Same deal. Capture if possible, kill otherwise."
"Ara. Are you sure about this?" asked Miya.
"Yes. You are a formidable opponent. I would be honored if you would spar with me."
"Now now, Uzuki-san, I am simply a humble landlady seeking to take care of my adopted little brother," said Miya, lightly covering her mouth with one hand while the other held a broom. "Are you sure this would be proper behavior?"
"Miya-san, this is a ninja village," pointed out Yugao, not currently wearing a mask or visiting in her ANBU occupation. "This is entirely appropriate for such a location."
"Ah, well, if it would be considered normal within such," said Miya, cocking her head to the side. "Then I suppose I can set some time aside in my schedule."
"This is your final exam," said Iruka Umino, looking over the group of students. "Putting everything you know about your strengths and limitations on the line. This is an infiltration mission simulation. Survival is the bottom line. You will have one hour to hide. At that time, teams of ANBU and ANBU candidates will be trying to find you. If you are caught, you're out of the test."
"That's unfair!" exclaimed Ino Yamanaka. "ANBU are among the elite of the village! Putting them up against us when we haven't even graduated?!"
"I didn't say 'you fail'," pointed out Iruka. "The longer you are uncaptured - the better your score. All training grounds regular use have been suspended until the end of this test. It is very strongly suggested that you avoid Training Ground 44 - The Forest Of Death. However, if you see a set of three flares go up - that means there is an emergency and the test is suspended. Likewise the ANBU will begin rounding up everyone at that time. Sakura?"
"How is this 'infiltration'?" asked Sakura. "Sounds more like 'avoidance' or 'escape' to me."
"Both are necessary for infiltration to be successful," said Iruka. "There will also be extra points given for those who make it to the guardpost near the Hokage Tower. For those who make it past the patrols and checkpoints - that score will be used instead of the time-based one."
"Teams of three," said Mizuki, holding up a large box.
"Pfeh," indicated Sasuke.
"Genin teams are always three genin and a more experienced instructor, usually a jonin," said Iruka, reaching into the box. "Hinata Hyuga." Another grab. "Uzume." A third slip was pulled. "Mutsu. You're the first team."
The three looked very uncertain as they gathered near the teachers.
"Second team. Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura Haruno-"
"YES!"
"-and Hibiki. Third team. Chiyo. Yuna. Kujika."
Naruto glanced at his two partners for this test. One nodded back, the other just spent his time looking over the trees.
"Don't worry, Naruto-san," said Homura, letting fire dance around his fingers. "We can do this."
"Homura, your control over fire isn't that good. Not until we get old enough to get an Ashikabi," said the other. "Try not to set anything on fire. In fact, we're hiding - so best not to use it at all."
"I know that," said Homura, pulling a mask up to cover his lower face. "Just announcing intention."
The other nodded. "Number Nine. Tsukiumi. I shall show you, Naruto-sama, that I am the strongest of the Sekirei!"
"'sama'?" asked Naruto, curious.
"Th-th-that was a slip of the tongue," quickly corrected Tsukiumi. "As if I would accept a monkey like you as my Ashikabi! Ha! The very idea is ridiculous!"
"For a couple of years, at least," softly added Homura.
"Of course, I mean - WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!" asked Tsukiumi, rounding on Homura. "I am certainly NOT suggesting anything of the sort!"
"Oh, so you're interested in Sasuke Uchiha instead?" asked Homura. "By the way, the test has started."
"THAT SULLEN LITTLE SNIT?!" asked Tsukiumi. "Beyond unacceptable... 'started'?"
"Did she just call Sasuke a 'sullen little snit'?" asked Ino. "I've half a mind to go over there and slap her!"
"You've half a mind period," quipped Sakura, passing her friend as her team just went ahead and started running.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" yelled Ino.
"This is so very troublesome," said Shikamaru. "Choji? Good luck."
"You too," said Choji, offering a chip to one of his team. Yashima considered the bag for a moment as if she was wondering if something was going to leap out at her.
Team Sasuke:
"I don't suppose either of you are good with Earth Release?" asked Hibiki.
"'Earth Release'?" asked Ino.
"No. Fire Release." Sasuke continued walking.
"Well, I'm 'Lightning', but I'm only half-strength without Hikari."
"Useless," indicated Sasuke.
crackle-zap!
Sasuke looked at the smouldering patch of grass directly in front of him. He considered that and appended his statement slightly. "Mostly useless."
"Yeah, right," said Hibiki. "We'll see. In the meantime they'll be coming. How do we avoid them? You got any stealth jutsu, pinkie?"
"Sakura," corrected Sakura. "No. Do you?"
"Not until I'm older," indicated Hibiki. "I'm an elemental-type, not a taijutsu-type, so I'll get faster and stronger but not to that degree."
"Whatever," said Sasuke, frowning as they continued on. "That pink-haired girl."
"Benitsubasa? The gal who beat you like a taiko drum at a festival?"
Sasuke GLARED at Hibiki.
"You can't talk like that to Sasuke!" indicated Sakura.
Hibiki caught the glare shifting to Sakura before Sasuke composed himself.
"Yeah, she's a 'taijutsu type' I guess you'd call her," said Hibiki. "So, any ideas on how to proceed? Like maybe we should get off the path?"
Sasuke considered the trail they were following. "Don't need you or anyone."
"Fine, fine," said Hibiki. "You know what? I'm gonna see if I can find Hikari. You two lovebirds have fun."
"Kyaa! 'Lovebirds'? Well, I certainly wouldn't say that," said Sakura, momentarily lost in a world of young romance.
Sasuke slipped off during that period. Alone - his chances of avoiding patrols would be much greater.
Team Mutsu:
The sword thumped once on the ground and the earth split.
"Not big enough to hide in," noted Uzume.
"I can't see anyone nearby," said Hinata, letting her Byakugan fade.
"That's pretty handy," said Uzume. "Can't keep it going for long though, huh?"
"No, gomen nasai," apologized Hinata.
"Don't apologize," said Uzume, showing a bit of irritation. "A little warning is a lot better than no warning at all."
Team Naruto:
"Yahooo!" exclaimed Naruto as the three of them made another leap that seemed almost ready to defy gravity completely.
"Almost there," said Homura as they left the training grounds altogether. That's the plan. Get as close to the Hokage Tower as we can before the ANBU are set to chase us. Repeatedly mentioning the hiding and avoidance part was just to mislead those not paying attention. The real goal is reaching that guardpost.
"How much time?" asked Tsukiume as they switched from leaping to just flat out running with Naruto piggy-back on Homura.
Naruto checked his watch. "Five minutes."
"Three teams figured out they could just go directly for the goal," noted the Hokage as he watched from the window.
"Naruto's among them," noted Iruka.
"Four teams have broken up already," noted the Hokage.
"It was bound to happen with some, they just seem mutually antagonistic," noted Iruka.
"Yes," said the Hokage. "About that."
Shikamaru stopped to catch his breath despite being practically dragged along.
"There's another team, maybe we should stop them."
"It's not a contest. Not a race," managed Shikamaru.
"You're way too lazy about all this," said the Sekirei. "Ready for the last big push yet?"
"Yes," admitted Shikamaru. "Let's get this over with."
"Where," said Choji, running behind a tree, "was it said we had to fight EACH OTHER?!"
"They didn't forbid it did they?! Come back here and die like a man!"
"I think," said Choji, ducking and rolling under an attack that sliced into the wood, "it would be a lot better to LIVE as one instead! A little help here!"
"Aye sir!" said Yashima. "Gravity Hammer!"
"Too slow!" declared Yomi, switching targets immediately.
"Number Eighty-two, Hari!" said Choji's other team member for this test.
"Why are you two standing around?!" demanded Yomi. "Get them!"
"Uhm," said Tobio. "They got a point. We don't have to fight each other."
"Can't we just be friends?" asked Oshino.
"No! You guys are NO help," answered Yomi. Her scythe cut through Choji without any sensation of resistance. "What?!"
"HUMAN BOULDER!" came from a branch above her just before a large spherical mass crashed down onto her.
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(Posted Sat, 24 May 2014 17:09)
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