Amaya Uzumaki POV
As soon as the sensei started the test, I put as much distance between us as I could. My mind was racing, all my thoughts jumbled, and I hadn't managed to come up with a way to get one of Shikaku's bells right away.
I still can't believe I was placed on the same team as Shisui, I thought. And our sensei is the same jounin who intervened during my graduation exam. Was he watching the test because he knew I'd be assigned to him?
I quickly ran up a tree away from the training field, focusing chakra in my feet. Because of the winter, almost no trees had leaves. Luckily, the pine trees kept their foliage even in the cold.
I stayed hidden in the thickest part of the pine tree, completely silent and alert to the sounds around me. I focused for a moment to conceal my chakra.
Shisui had taught me that during our training sessions. He said my chakra was too strong, it easily drew attention and always gave away my position. Okay, I relaxed a bit after hiding my chakra, now I need to organize my thoughts.
I pushed aside all random thoughts that didn't involve the survival test. There's no way to go against a jounin without a strategy, I reasoned. Especially Shikaku, someone whose fighting style I don't really know...
I remembered how he restrained Takafumi. It's a dangerous jutsu. The slightest carelessness can get a person caught by it. I'm not sure what kind of jutsu it is exactly, but the two times I saw it, it seemed like that shadow always originated from the Nara himself.
A jutsu that involves the user's shadow..., I pondered for a moment. If that's really it, he must need light to create that black blanket. But is that all?
I heard the sound of trees swaying in the wind and looked to my left, where a few leaves were slowly falling from one of the trees.
But my attention was immediately drawn to the sound of footsteps below me. I saw the sensei walking calmly there, glancing briefly around, but not showing much concern. He wouldn't have his guard down that much...
At that same moment, I saw someone approaching quickly through the trees to my right, jumping from them to the ground, landing in front of Shikaku. A frontal attack. Is Takafumi good enough to go in like that?
– I had a feeling you'd be the first to come at me – Shikaku commented, sounding almost bored – Alright then... Ninja Technique number one: Taijutsu. Let's start with that.
Without waiting, the boy charged towards the sensei. Takafumi started by trying to hit Shikaku, but when he saw that the man was defending himself without any effort, he focused his attacks on trying to forcibly take the bells from the Nara.
The sensei didn't even seem to be putting any effort into defending himself against the Uchiha. Takafumi is really good at taijutsu, I noted as I closely watched his movements. But he's too impulsive, he's just attacking without trying any strategy. If he'd at least try to create an opening in Shikaku's guard... Then he'd have a real chance of taking the bells.
– What's wrong, Takafumi? – The Nara asked provocatively as he fought the boy – Weren't you going to take the bells from me? Or have you already decided to go back to the Academy?
The Uchiha's expression grew even more irritated from the frustration of not having managed to get close to the bells yet. He moved away from the sensei for a moment and his eyes took on a vivid red hue.
The sharingan... Just like Shisui, he can already use it. The boy charged at Shikaku once more, but this time he managed to avoid all of the sensei's strikes.
One of the sharingan's properties is to allow the user to somehow predict the opponent's movements, I recalled Shisui's explanations about it. It's a very useful ability in a fight. Takafumi had also gained an advantage in the fight against the sensei, pressuring him more and more.
As soon as Shikaku retreated from one of Takafumi's blows, his eyes still fixed on the Uchiha, the boy joined his hands forming the rat seal. At that same moment, the sensei stopped.
– Ninja Technique number two – the boy said with a satisfied smile – Genjutsu.
He used the sharingan for that genjutsu. Even though he has the sharingan, it seems he still relies on hand seals. He's strong in taijutsu, but average in Illusion Techniques.
The Uchiha approached the sensei and when his hand was inches from the bells, I heard the sound of someone moving near me. From the tree where I had seen the leaves falling earlier, Shisui shot out towards Takafumi and Shikaku.
– Takafumi, it's a trap! – My brother shouted to the other Uchiha.
When I looked back at the sensei and Takafumi, I saw a faint smile on Shikaku's expression. The jounin joined his hands at the same moment, also forming the rat seal and slapping one of his hands on the ground. Several black shadows emerged from his feet.
Takafumi took on a worried expression and tried to retreat to escape the sensei's attack, but it was too late.
Shisui charged at Shikaku, but the jounin was already prepared. Some of the black shadows that weren't holding Takafumi captive began to chase Shisui, preventing him from reaching the Uchiha.
– Ninja Technique number three – Shikaku said as he pursued Shisui, who was quickly dodging the black shadows – Ninjutsu.
Shisui also activated his sharingan, allowing him to move even faster than before to escape the Nara's attacks. Shisui wants to help Takafumi, I pondered for a bit. But Shikaku isn't going to give him any chance for that.
I stood up on the branch I was on. I'll create an opening so he can rescue Takafumi, and we can get away from the sensei. It seems like we won't be able to get the bells from Shikaku alone, I finally determined.
I jumped down from the tree I was in, landing as quietly as possible. I quickly advanced from behind where Shikaku was. I noticed that Shisui realized where I was, thanks to the sharingan.
I gestured for him to try to get close to Takafumi again and he nodded. Shisui advanced towards the Uchiha and Shikaku directed the black shadows towards my brother.
I got as close as I could to Shikaku and the jounin looked in my direction when he finally noticed me. Just as he thought I would attack him, I slammed my hands on the ground.
– Earth Style: Earth Wall! – I said quickly.
Different from the usual use of the jutsu, I didn't use it to protect myself, but rather Shisui and Takafumi. The black shadows of Shikaku were broken by the earth walls that emerged from the ground.
Shikaku joined his hands again to use the black shadows, this time in my direction, but I retreated and ran as far away from him as I could. I can't risk attacking him now. And I hope Shisui managed to escape with Takafumi.
As I moved away, I heard the sound of branches shaking near me. I stopped for a moment, recognizing the chakra of the person approaching.
– Shisui... – I said when I saw him, and noticed Takafumi was with him too.
– Thanks for the help – my brother thanked me with a faint smile.
– I was so close... – Takafumi muttered under his breath.
– How did Shikaku-sensei break the sharingan's genjutsu so quickly? – I asked Shisui.
– It has to do with the Yin release – he explained promptly, and I looked at him.
– Yin release is mainly related to genjutsu – I commented, and my brother nodded.
– Yes, and also with the technique the sensei uses – he continued – His jutsu is specialized in Shadow Manipulation, and it shows a great control over Yin release, making the user almost completely immune to genjutsu – Shisui looked at Takafumi – How could you forget that? We've seen the sensei fight so many times.
– I forgot, okay? – the Uchiha replied half-heartedly – I just got excited because I was so close to getting the bells – My brother let out a low sigh.
– Shikaku's strength is really something else – I said, and Shisui looked at me – What should we do?
– We? – Takafumi asked and stared at me – You think we're going to work together?
– Amaya's suggestion is valid – My brother said – Shikaku-sensei didn't show any weakness while fighting you.
– Have you forgotten what's at stake, Shisui? – Takafumi asked, slightly irritated – There are only two bells, and one of us goes back to the Academy. If the three of us work together, who's going to give up their spot on the team?
– If we don't work together, our chances of getting even one bell will be almost zero – Shisui argued with the Uchiha in front of him.
The two of them started arguing about whether we should work together or not. While they were discussing, another question that had been bothering me before came back to my mind.
– What's the point of this test? – I suddenly voiced my own question, making the two Uchihas stop talking.
– What do you think? – Takafumi said curtly – To choose who stays on the team – I shook my head slightly.
– It can't be... – I said – It doesn't seem like just that.
– If it were just that, Shikaku-sensei wouldn't need to do a survival test – Shisui commented, and we looked at him – He could just test Amaya, since he already knows how the two of us fight – He pointed to himself and Takafumi, and I agreed.
– Then what would it be? – The Uchiha asked, crossing his arms.
– Maybe the reason they put us on a team – my brother suggested – Teamwork.
– What? – Takafumi continued, visibly not understanding.
– It makes sense – I agreed with Shisui's point – It even gives meaning to what Shikaku-sensei said before starting the test, about you having a difficult personality, Takafumi-san – The boy looked at me, lost on the subject.
– What do you mean? – He asked.
– You always try to do things on your own – Shisui explained to his friend, who stared at him – The goal of the test is for us to help each other to get the bells.
– But why would it be about teamwork when there are only two bells? – Takafumi asked – Even if we worked together, one of us would fail. That just brings us back to the situation we were arguing about before!
– If the goal really is to make us work together, then this test making us fight amongst ourselves makes sense – The Uchihas stared at me – It might just be my view, but it seems like all of this is to see who, even at the risk of going back to the Academy, would sacrifice their own interests and work as a team.
Takafumi lowered his eyes for a moment, probably in internal conflict. He must be pondering my theory, but he also doesn't seem willing to consider the idea of fighting together with me, I thought.
– Well... Given what I know about you, your theory is probably right – Shisui said nonchalantly and I looked at him – So I'll help you. What about you, Takafumi?
The Uchiha stared at Shisui for a moment with an empty expression, neither good nor bad, and let out a faint sigh.
– You're always so annoying... – He complained – Fine, let's work together – Shisui smiled victoriously – But that doesn't mean I accept her – He pointed at me and I nodded.
– I feel the same – I replied in the same tone and heard a low chuckle from my brother.
– So... Have you started thinking of a strategy? – Shisui asked next and I gave a slight nod.
– Yes. But I need to know a few things about the sensei, since you two have seen him fight before – They agreed.
– As long as we take the bells and wipe that smug smile off Shikaku-sensei's face, I'm in for anything – Takafumi commented.
– I told you that temper of yours is going to make you age faster – Shisui laughed at his friend, who gave him a sulky look, but soon looked back with a mocking smile.
– At least I won't have diabetes problems, you sugar addict – My brother put his hand on his chest, as if offended.
I gave a soft laugh at the two of them. They're good friends, I thought. It would be great to be on the same team as them. But with the bell condition, it seems like that's not going to happen...
– What I thought we could do is the following... – I started explaining the plan, regaining the attention of the two Uchihas.