Shikamaru's POV (Team Eight's Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Village)
Life was never a simple matter. There were countless factors at play, at all times, angles the likes of which one would never consider may lash out unexpectedly. In the chaotic mess of life, it was not a simple matter to live a simplistic, easy life. Such was the very reason Shikamaru was so diligent in the cause, which was a constant struggle.
With that in mind, Shikamaru had plenty of people in mind for his Genin team. It was no secret that one's Genin squad would heavily affect their future. How they trained, the missions they received, and how he would progress forward.
Choji, Shino, and even Kiba and Naruto were good candidates then. Choji and Shino knew what he was about and were unlikely to bother him. Kiba and Naruto were less forgiving of his proclivities but were otherwise stand-up guys. Perhaps even an Ino or Sakura if need be. He had gotten none of them, in fact Sai the stranger was a known weirdo, how fortunate.
So it was an unpleasant surprise when his team was announced. Shikamaru Nara is paired with Sai and Tenten's duo. He didn't know the two. In fact, he couldn't even remember seeing Sai in the Academy. But he supposed they were alright. If not the oddest duo he had ever seen.
Tenten was a kunoichi Shikamaru if younger would've balked at. Driven, skilled, and focused, she often tried her hardest during training and diligently applied each lesson. She also seemed close to Sai, which was a headache of his own and was seemingly making an earnest effort to grow closer to him. Yet Shikamaru sensed she was hiding something and was too prone to bond and not share. It made his mind wander, and it bred suspicion when your mind worked like his.
If Tenten was somewhat suspicious, Sai was outright shifty. The man spoke like an alien, foreign to emotion and any social context normal humans used. He always wore an odd, creepy smile, cracked insulting and mistimed jokes, and kept calling him "Pineapple." Shikamaru was uncertain what to make of the man, and like Tenten, his withdrawn nature only increased his skepticism.
Luckily, his sensei was one team member Shikamaru was sure he understood. Asuma Sarutobi was a pseudo-celebrity within the village. Being the son of the Hokage and the former personal guard of the Fire Daimyo, he was well-known in the Land of Fire. So, it was certain the man was experienced and skilled. He talked and acted in an informal and laid-back way, their training being loose and structured. In fact, Shikamaru was quite sure that the Jounin was a perfect match for him.
So here they were at the end of Team Eight's first official meeting. They had started their day with a loose set of training meant to showcase their movements and potential to each other.
Shikamaru himself was openly a slacker when it came to his training. When it came to the mental parts of the shinobi lifestyle, he excelled, being heralded for his incredible IQ. However, he never intended to be a great shinobi and, therefore, half-assed the training and physical part. His Taijustu was mediocre and more geared towards evasion, his Ninjutsu of his clan was impressive but relatively low-end, and he could defend Genjutsu but could not utilize it. He was a mid-range support fighter, surprisingly fitting well with the team.
Tenten and Sai were much more balanced and more skilled than he was. Both were experts in some level of close-range combat, Tenten having a mastery of most melee weapons and Sai's Kenjutsu being well above the level of a Genin. Both were huge threats at range; Tenten could hurl weapons from sealing scrolls with absurd accuracy, and Sai somehow utilized ink to create drawings that could attack or bind his foes. Both were a jack of all trades, and he was sure he would've wiped the floor with him in a fight.
Shikamaru, however, had only been more perplexed by his team as they trained. Asuma (much to his pleasant surprise) seemed to be a regular player of Shogi and had the entire squad play it all. Believing the game built up a healthy mind. This had been the only task Shikamaru hadn't mind, being certain he would outshine the group comfortably.
But to his pleasant surprise, each member of the team proved a worthy challenge. Asuma, with his experience, had sharp instincts. He couldn't be bluffed or easily tricked and would take an opportunity presented. The man-made him work for it.
Tenten was much of the same, being surprisingly diligent in offense and showing a surprising consideration for each move. Sai took a more risky approach, sacrificing pieces left and right as he went on. They were confounding at all times.
Luckily, the man hadn't dragged them through training late into the night. Seeing the three Genin slowing down, the man had them stop at a BBQ restaurant to unwind and perhaps grow closer.
"I still can't believe none of us beat you, Shikamaru." Asuma chimed in with a smile. "Never seen someone play a game like that save for your father."
"He makes me look like a novice." Shikamaru deflected with ease. "Shogi isn't the most popular game, so I'm surprised all four of us play it."
"It's not dissimilar from plotting a battle plan in war," Sai remarked evenly.
"Except the lives are worth much more than the pieces." Tenten chimed in. "In a real battle, we could scarcely afford to play so brazenly." Shikamaru nodded along with her. She was right, but it almost felt like she was covering for Sai's odd answer. "You play Shogi often, Shikamaru?"
"Oh yeah, he does," Asuma said with a smile. "I play the occasional game with his father from time to time. The man is somehow even more cunning and skilled than his son."
"It's mostly a game of memorizing moves. For years, the game has been studied and perfected; there's only so many ways to play." Shikamaru explained.
"Pineapple here is humble," Sai said with a fake laugh.
"Okay," Shikamaru sighed heavily. "I'll bite; why do you keep calling me Pineapple?"
"Your hair and head resemble the shape of a Pineapple," Sai answered simply as Asuma and Tenten choked on laughter.
"Fine, let's say it does. What's the point of bringing it up?" Shikamaru said, feeling the beginning of a headache start to form. "Are you trying to upset me?"
"Of course not," Sai answered earnestly. "I've read in this book that the best way to grow closer to one's comrades is to have some light ribbing and banter. Using unique nicknames and personal traits is even better, or I dub you Pineapple." The pale-skinned man held up the book in question to make his point. Asuma casually snatches it from the man and throws it away.
"Oh, come on… Pineapple…" Tenten choked out between quiet laughter. "He's trying to grow close to you…"
"Don't worry, Panda," Sai replied with a bigger smile. "I wasn't so careless as to leave you hanging."
"And now I'm pissed," Tenten said with a frown, making Shikamaru crack a smile.
"What would be my nickname?" Asuma asked Sai curiously.
"Smokey the Bear," Sai responded blandly.
"Bigger guy with a beard who smokes." Asuma nodded along as he thought it over. "You're surprisingly good at this."
The whole day seemed troublesome, and his team had a headache, yet Shikamaru could admit he was already somewhat fond of this team. At the very least, they could coexist… if only Shikamaru could lose the suspicion the two other Genin were hiding something…