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Neji struck his shoulder with a precise tap. "Hand over the scroll."
Within seconds, the Earth Scroll was handed over.
Team 3 regrouped, and Lee's expression was serious.
"That was… too easy," He muttered. "It feels wrong. These genin weren't even at our level."
"They weren't," Neji said. "They were bait."
"Bait?" Tenten narrowed her eyes. "Wait…"
From the shadows, chakra signatures flared.
Two more teams and five more ninjas, surrounding them.
"Tenten," Neji said, "Get us out of this clearing now."
With one fluid motion, she tossed down two smoke bombs and leapt high, throwing a flash tag into the brush.
"Go!"
Neji grabbed Lee's arm and vaulted into the trees. The flash bomb detonated, blinding their pursuers.
They regrouped on a higher branch, hidden by the dense foliage.
"We were marked," Tenten said, catching her breath. "They were waiting for a stronger team to beat the weaker one."
"And then ambush the victors while they're distracted," Neji finished. "Clever. But not clever enough."
Lee cracked his knuckles. "Then let us show them how foolish they were to follow us."
"No," Neji said calmly. "They're spread out. Their formation has gaps. We don't waste stamina on direct combat."
He turned his gaze toward the northeast. "There's a shallow cave by a stream. If we head there, we can lure one of the teams into terrain better suited for us."
Tenten nodded. "Ambush them instead of being ambushed. I like it."
They moved out quickly and silently, this time with extra traps left in their wake like explosive tags hidden in branches, wire traps strung across paths, and dummy chakra signatures made by chakra-infused leaves.
An hour passed, and then, finally, the prey came.
An enemy genin stepped into the stream, his eyes searching for the targets.
But he was too late to realize that he walked into a trap.
Lee dropped like a comet from above, his punch slamming into the boy's gut with such force that the shockwave cracked bark nearby.
Neji appeared on the other side, intercepting the second. His fingers struck with ruthless precision, silencing the boy's chakra network in four blows.
Tenten handled the third with ease, her twin blade strikes knocking him unconscious with surgical precision.
They had acquired another scroll and even successfully neutralized another threat.
As night fell, Team 3 set up camp in a large hollow near a stone ridge.
Lee sat by the fire, tending to his ankle, Tenten cleaned her blades, and Neji stood atop a high branch, his Byakugan active.
"We'll rest for now," Neji said. "We strike again at first light."
Lee clenched his fist. "By the end of this exam, I'll show them… even without ninjutsu, I am worthy."
"And I'll back you up, idiot," Tenten added with a small smile. "But don't get reckless."
------
And lastly, there was Team 10
The Forest of Death was a dense weave of branches and leaves, but pockets of fading daylight cut through, illuminating patches of moss and wet earth where Team 10 made their camp.
Ino paused by the crouched fire, golden pollen dancing on her shoulders. In the day's peril, she'd found a strange peace, a warm certainty she'd never admit but was born from her connection to Naruto.
She hummed to herself, retying her hair into a high ponytail. Outwardly, she was the same teasing blonde with soft smiles and bright banter.
But inside, her heart beat with something stronger... quiet loyalty and hidden resolve shaped by her secret training under Naruto's dominance and fierce pride in his influence.
"Chōji!" Ino, also known as the big-genin, examined mushrooms found in the grass. "Save the wild menu for later, yeah?"
Chōji winked at her. "Don't worry, Ino-tan. I know the difference between poisonous and nutritious. Just trust me."
Shikamaru, leaning against a thick oak, yawned widely.
"I'm telling you… This forest is far too troublesome. Can't we just skip to the last two kilometers?" He grumbled, rubbing his temple.
Ino tossed a berry into Chōji's pouch.
"Only if your pouch isn't exploding," She teased, glancing at him with faux innocence.
Her cheeks burned faintly, despite the playful tone. Couldn't let Naruto-sama down… Gotta keep the mood light.
Chōji noticed her quiet flush but didn't comment. He only offered. "Need anything? Snacks afterward, I'll save a few."
Shikamaru bit his lip. "Save it for after the tower. There's no room for slackers."
Ino tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Of course. We've got a mission." Her smile was convincing and bright, but in her mind, sparked by hidden loyalty:
I'll make you proud, Naruto-sama… even if you're not here.
They shook out the restlessness of standing.
Shikamaru drew a small map in the dirt with a stick.
"We're a hundred kakas from the center of the forest," He muttered.
"Strategy: I'll handle scouting the upper ridges. Chōji digs supply holes. Ino keeps us healed and informed, plus meh distractions."
Ino rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please, Shikamaru. My distractions?"
She flashed him a cheeky look, a flicker of loyalty in her eyes.
You'd distract any man, but you won't fool anyone who matters…
The three slipped silently into the dusk's final light.
Shikamaru crept forward, no chakra visible.
Chōji tested each patch of moss with a quiet crunch.
Ino murmured soft encouragements to her teammates
Suddenly, a rustle from above and shuriken flashed downward.
"MOVE!" Shikamaru shouted, dragging Chōji behind a low stone as killing blades ricocheted off the trees.
Ino tumbled on instinct, flipping around the trunk to draw her kunai. Her moves were practiced and strong. She was fast, confident, and her skills had been honed by Naruto.
Two enemies dropped from the branches, expecting prey but found resistance.
Ino landed before them, sharp eyes meeting their renewed surprise.
"Hi guys!" She said brightly. "Wrong target!"
Two kunai swung in tandem, one from Chōji's large fist, one from Ino's precision, both blocks landing with bone-cracking force.
Shikamaru flicked a finger, and two tags burst out, immobilizing the enemy's feet.
"Scatter!" He said, voice cold.
Ino pivoted behind them, eyes glinting.
"Need a healer?" She teased the second enemy with a lighthearted grin.
Instinctive chakra infused her palm, delivering a healing jolt to Chōji's arm within seconds. She closed her eyes only for the briefest moment before returning her grin to the enemy, stunning them.
They fled, and the forest fell silent again.
Ino's breath came in soft pants. She looked at Shikamaru, who'd resumed plotting their route.
Shikamaru's eyes flicked over his drawn map. "That's eighteen scroll teams gone. We're running a slight lead."
Chōji gave Ino a thumbs-up.
She nodded her head and smiled brightly
The team built a small shelter to survive the coming cold.
Shikamaru napped near the place, but his instincts were still sharp.
Chōji ate with gratitude, slowly.
And Ino sat at the tree's base, smiling outwardly, soft and flirty, but inside she was whispering:
'Naruto-sama... I wonder what you are doing at this time... Sometimes, I feel so jealous of that wide forehead as she was in your team...'
They slept under the hum of insects and distant croaks.
---- ✦ ✦ ✦ ----
Spoilers for the next three chapters!
Chapter 191: Naruto's Choice
Chapter 187: Another Gain
Chapter 188: A Dragon's Desires
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