We met up with Rina, who was with two of her friends: Akari and Chika.
Akari was tall, like, way too tall, like her ninken. While Chika was too advanced in certain areas of development for her age of 13, if you know what I mean. Both had the standard Inuzuka markings and brown hair. After introductions and random stuff about the exams, we made our way to Ichiraku.
Before entering, I surveyed the land. I noticed a large empty area nearby, and this neighborhood hadn't developed too much yet. It was perfect. The prices would be down. As we entered, there was no Ayame. Of course, there wasn't. Teuchi-san was a strapping young lad right now. He politely took our order. The shop didn't seem to be doing so well. Makes sense. It had just opened.
I was just excited to have the legendary Ramen.
So, Ren-kun. Are you and Rina going out or something? Chika made weird eyebrows as I spit out my food, coughing violently. What? No! Why would you think that?
Yeah, I know. I just realized the mistake. I was used to treating them all as friends or kids. And romancing a 13-year-old girl was not on my bucket list. I know I was now in the body of a thirteen-year-old, and I should start acting like that soon. But still, 13, eww. But Rina didn't know all that stuff. She didn't say anything. But I knew those words had hurt her. I had seen those sneaky looks she always sent me.
Ah—I just mean—no! We're just teammates, I stammered, forcing a laugh that sounded like it wanted to die. Right, Rina?
She smiled. It wasn't her usual one — not the small, warm smile she had when she was proud of a mission well done, or the smug one she got when she beat me at target practice. This one was practiced. Thin. The kind that says I'm fine while the eyes say I wish you hadn't said that.
Yeah, she said finally, stirring her ramen. Just teammates.
Akari chuckled awkwardly, trying to diffuse the tension. Wow, you two are such drama daimyōs. We just wanted to know if you were dating, not start a war.
Relax, Akari, Chika said, still grinning like she lived off chaos. If Ren keeps reacting like that, Rina might actually start dating him just to shut him up.
I coughed again, and Rina snorted — quietly, but enough to break the mood. Teuchi-san glanced at us with a faint, nostalgic smile, as if saying Aah! Youth!
The Second Task
We traded jokes for half an hour more before a snot-nosed brat ran in screaming, Neechan! Neechan! Neechan! It was one of Souta's numerous cousins, Kotaro. He came in running and smashed right into Souta. I saw your name, your team passed.
You read it? Since when can you read? Souta raised an eyebrow, picking him up. The little kid gave off an impression of guilt like a caught criminal. Aya-ni told me. He usually tried to act smart to impress Souta for some reason.
Hmm. Thought so, Souta commented while smiling. So team. Second round it is.
So it is. Cheers.
We stood at the starting line along with all the other teams. The task had been issued. There were scrolls hidden in the forest. Each team had to submit as many scrolls as they had team members at the central tower in the Forest of Death.
This weird rule was to allow the participation of solos and duos. But I guess the villages wanted to recover as soon as possible. There had been no pre-match incidents to raise tensions. But I guess us not screaming that we will crush them all like Naruto helped.
The examiner blew an explosion tag, and the race began.
Shinobi from all villages were throwing shuriken and kunai as they tried to be the fastest to enter and injure enemies. But the group scattered as soon as we broke into the forest.
Soon, we found a safe spot to strategize. So what's the plan? Rina questioned.
I use my Byakugan to find the tags. We will have an advantage in speed. Then we rush to the tower. Plain and simple.
I suggested my alternative. Let's rush to the tower, full speed ahead.
They both waited for an explanation. We pick whatever scrolls we find on the way, and fight the new arrivals for theirs.
But doesn't Souta's idea have less chance of combat. Not that I'm afraid. But I don't want to take unnecessary risks.
Really, you think I'm the only one with that idea? If we searched first, we'd have to fight while searching, then break through the others. We're considering searching because we have sensors. The teams without sensors are only thinking of the fight.
We paused for five more minutes. When no better plan formed, we moved out.
Surprisingly, we found one tag. And we were still the first to get to the tower. I began setting traps. Shortly after, another team arrived. We were preparing for battle when that heavy Kumo guy asked, How many? It took me a moment to realize what he was asking. One, you?
Same!
I relaxed. Stay far enough. He nodded, and his team settled onto nearby trees.
Rina and Shiro gave me the same confused expression. What's happening?
They have one tag, we have one. Instead of completely exhausting ourselves against one squad, only to prepare for another fight, it's better if it's a three-way. But keep an eye on them. They might be lying.
Just like Sensei always says,We three completed that sentence in unison. Never trust your enemy. The man had taught us well.
We waited in tense silence. Souta was using Byakugan ever so often. Half an hour later, he finally got a hit. Three enemies north north-northwest. One kilometer out. We sprang to action, as did the Kumo guys, seeing us.
I looked at the other leader at the same time his gaze found me. An unsaid understanding passed between us. We take the coming ones first.
An Iwa squad broke through the treeline. I spotted a scroll in each of their hands. Bingo. We moved as one.