DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
THE SISTER YAMANAKA
CHAPTER 8: SQUAD TEN
Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji gave Naru a wave as she left the classroom with her new team. The younger of the two sisters gave a sigh, before slowly trudging off behind Kiba and Shino, following Kurenai to where they would hold their first meeting. As they left, a slight chuckle escaped Shikamaru's mouth. Ino turned and looked at the boy curiously.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"That team will be…" Shikamaru replied. "I mean, Naru and Kiba have never really gotten along. In fact, more often than not they end up in an insult-fest or argument. Putting them on the same team? It's like mixing oil and water."
Ino frowned a bit, giving the boy an elbow. Although she knew he was right. She kind of felt a bit sorry for Kurenai. As much as she loved her sister, Ino knew Naru could be a handful, and when you add Kiba to the equation. Well… As Shikamaru would say, the whole thing just seemed troublesome. Ino was snapped out of her thoughts by Iruka clearing his throat once more, and picking up where he left off in the team assignments.
"Now then… Squad Nine is still in circulation from last year. This means that the final team will be Squad Ten. It will be led by Sarutobi Asuma, and it will of course consist of Akimichi Chouji, Yamanaka Ino, and Nara Shikamaru… Mainly because there isn't anyone else left." Iruka said.
"Sarutobi?" Chouji asked. "Why does that name sound so familiar?"
"It's the last name of the current Hokage, Chouji…" Shikamaru sighed.
"Wow… We're gonna be trained by someone who's related to the Hokage?!" Ino asked. "Naru's gonna be so jealous!"
At that moment, the door opened and a bearded Jounin walked in. He was wearing the standard shinobi attire: a blue jumpsuit with a green flack vest over top of it. His hitai-ate was styled like a bandana which he wore on his head. He kept his sleeves rolled up a bit too. He had a slightly… laid back appearance to him. He even went as far as to light up a cigarette while in the room. Needless to say, it kind of blew away the image Ino had of him.
"Squad Ten…" he said, looking up at the three. "Anyone up for some barbeque? My treat."
"Now that is my kind of sensei!" Chouji cheered as he stood out of his seat and ran to keep up with Asuma.
Shikamaru and Ino looked at each other and sighed, before heading out the door. Ino waved to Sakura as she went out the door. She along with Sasuke and Hinata were still waiting on Hatake Kakashi to come by and pick them up. As the three followed Asuma to the barbeque restaurant, Ino was wondering what the relation the Jounin had to the Hokage. She smiled as she picked up her pace and grinned at him.
"So… Sarutobi, huh?" Ino asked. "You must be related to the Hokage then, right? How so?"
"Well… If you really wanna know so bad… He's my old man." Asuma replied. "But… we can cover that later… I wanna get to know each of you, so I'd rather wait until we get to the barbeque place, then we can cover the intros, alright?"
"Oh… Sure. No problem." Ino replied, falling back a bit. She grinned more as she looked over at Shikamaru and Chouji, leaning in close to whisper. "His old man! This isn't just some distant relative or whatever! The Hokage is his tousan! Heh… Naru is gonna be so jealous…"
"I don't see where it's that big of a deal, Ino…" Shikamaru sighed. "Just because he's related to the Hokage doesn't mean he's strong or anything. For all we know he could be the weakest shinobi in the village."
"Well, it doesn't matter to me whether he's strong or weak." Chouji said. "Anyone who's willing to pay for a good lunch is good in my book!"
"Chouji, do you ever think with anything that isn't your stomach?" Ino asked.
"Of course!" Chouji replied. He paused for a moment as his stomach growled, a blush forming on his cheeks. "Just not when I'm hungry."
It wasn't much longer before the group arrived at the barbeque restaurant. Asuma immediately ordered as the team arrived, ordering the variety platter for the meal. As for drinks, he ordered tea for the three of the them and sake for himself. The three students sat on one side of the table, while Asuma sat at the other. He reached into his vest pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes, which he then followed by pulling one out and lighting it up. He took a slow drag and sighed, before looking at the three.
"Now while we're waiting for the grub, let's cover our intros." Asuma said. "Name, hobby, likes, dislikes, goals… I'm sure you get the idea. Let's start with you, the one with the lazy gaze."
"Fine…" Shikamaru sighed. "My name is Nara Shikamaru. My hobbies include watching clouds, taking naps, and shougi. My likes… I suppose my friends. I don't care much for loud or annoying things… Basically anything troublesome. As for a goal? I guess to one day have a wife and a family…"
"Alright then, how about you blondie?" Asuma asked, glancing at Ino.
"My name is Yamanaka Ino. My hobbies include flower arranging, helping my kaasan at our family's store, and being with my friends. My likes are flowers, my friends, and my family. I dislike those who hate someone for something that they may not have any control over…" Asuma's eyes widened, as he caught exactly what she meant. "My goal is to become a strong kunoichi and take over my family's store one day."
"Alright, and now for you." Asuma said, pointing at Chouji.
"My name is Akimichi Chouji. My hobbies are being with friends and eating a good meal. I like friends, hanging out with Shikamaru, and good food. I dislike people who judge only by outward appearances. My goal is to one day become the head of my clan… and become a strong shinobi."
"Hmm… Not a bad team I got here…" Asuma mused. "Well, as Iruka told you, my name is Sarutobi Asuma. My hobbies include training, having a good smoke, and playing shougi. So there's something we have in common, Shikamaru. Anyways, I like those who are willing to work hard and those who don't give up. My dislikes… Well I hate judgmental people and those who don't try. I don't care much for lateness either. As for a goal… Well, I suppose that would be to train you guys into a successful team."
He paused as their meal and drinks were served. Chouji wasted no time in grabbing some food, to which Asuma chuckled a bit. The Akimichi reminded him much of Chouza, as did Shikamaru remind him of Shikaku. He finished off his cigarette before continuing.
"As you may know, this team is based off another one in Konoha's past." Asuma said.
"You mean touan's old one." Ino said. "He worked along side of Shikamaru and Chouji's."
"Hai, that's right. My old man figured that the combo back then worked well, so he decided to make it again this year." Asuma continued. "However, it's not going to happen just yet."
"I don't understand? Why not?" Chouji asked, while swallowing some of his food.
"Well, before we can get to the training, I unfortunately have to give you guys a test." Asuma replied.
"A test?" Shikamaru asked. "Troublesome… We've just become Genin, and we're already getting tested."
"Well, that's the catch, Shikamaru." Asuma said. "You guys technically aren't Genin… At least not yet."
"Nani?!" Ino replied. "Then, what was the point of the exam Iruka-sensei gave us back at the academy?"
"To be honest, it was merely to get rid of the useless students. That ways, only the ones that showed us true potential would be left." Asuma explained. "I suppose an easier way to think of it, would be to consider the Genin exam to be a two-parter. You guys managed to pass the first portion, so now you need to do the second part of the test."
"Great…" Shikamaru sighed. "So, what is this second part going to be?"
"Well… I've been thinking about that for a bit. And I think I've come up with just the thing." Asuma replied. "Just meet me at Training Ground #10 in about an hour."
The three Genin watched as the Jounin's smile grew a bit. He slowly rose from the table, and lit yet another cigarette. He turned back to the group and gave an approving nod, before heading out of the restaurant. Chouji, Ino, and Shikamaru all three turned and looked at each other.
"Does anyone have the feeling this is going to be really annoying?" Shikamaru asked.
"He just likes building up suspense, that's all!" Ino reassured the lazy boy.
"Man… Why did he have to tell us about a test though?" Chouji asked with a sigh. "My stomach feels like it's going to be sick.
Of course, this didn't stop the boy from snatching up the last of the barbeque. Ino giggled a bit, and the group soon made their way to the ordered meeting place. However when the team arrived there, they found themselves not to be the only ones there. In fact, it appeared as if another entire team had already gathered there. Three other shinobi were all standing about the field talking to one another, and beside them a taller, older man stood.
He was one that Ino and her teammates could only assume to be a Jounin instructor. However, he didn't dress like one. Rather that the standard navy blue jumpsuit and green vest combo, he wore a pair of tight, green spandex, though he did keep the vest. Around his ankles was a pair of orange leg warmers that extended up to his knees. His hitai-ate was tied around his waist like a belt rather than around his forehead, and it had a red cloth behind it instead of a blue one. He had monstrous, fuzzy eyebrows and a bowl cut for a hairdo. He smiled brightly as Squad Ten came closer. Shikamaru winced a bit, swearing he saw the sun reflecting in the man's teeth.
"YOSH! I can see it from here, Asuma! The Flames of Youth are burning brightly within them all!" the unknown man shouted.
"Calm down, Gai… You're going to scare them away before this even gets started…" Asuma sighed. He walked forward, meeting his team halfway to the other one. "Good to see you all got here on time. I hope you're all ready for your test?"
"I guess so…" Chouji answered. "But, Asuma-sensei… Who are all these guys?"
"Them? Oh, they're just some friends of mine." the Jounin sensei answered, only to be cut off by the one known as Gai.
He ran forward dynamically, and stopped with a wide smile on his face. His teeth began to shine once more, and he gave the team a thumbs-up.
"It's an honor to meet you all! Allow me the honor of introducing us to you! My name is Maito Gai, and behind me stands my team, Squad Nine! Also known as Team Gai!" the loud man proclaimed. He stood to the side and smiled. "Introduce yourselves to them!"
The first member of the team leapt forward immediately. He honestly looked exactly like Gai, only smaller. The only difference between the two, was the boy was shorter, he didn't wear a vest, and he had bandages wrapped around his arms. As he came to a stop, he immediately gave a fierce salute to the team and smiled.
"My name is Rock Lee, the Green Beast of Konoha! It is an honor to meet you all!" the boy stated. He stared about the three for a moment, eyeing them carefully. However, a small pause was noticed when his eyes fell to Ino. He smiled a bit, and immediately bowed forward. "You must be Ino…"
"H-Hai, that's right." Ino replied, eyeing the boy strangely as he introduced himself.
"After this test, it would be an honor if you would go out with me." he stated.
Ino's eyes widened as she heard this. There was not one moment's hesitation as Lee asked her out. To make matters worse, the boy also quickly rose up and gave her a wink. She watched in slight horror as the boy put his bandaged wrapped hand up to his lips, and quickly blew her a kiss. It was almost as if she could see a pair of lips flying through the air in her direction. Ino quickly jumped to the ground, narrowly ducking underneath the lips.
"That's enough, Lee… You can flirt later!" a girl and fellow teammate of Lee told him.
"Gomen, Tenten. You are right…" Lee replied.
The boy bowed and backed away, looking back at Gai as he did so. Gai smiled brightly once more, giving the boy another thumbs-up, which Rock Lee immediately returned. The scary thing about it was that Lee had a similar shine to his teeth. It was like watching a clone. Tenten sighed, and stepped forward.
"Anyways… As you probably already know by now, my name is Tenten! It's nice to meet you all." the girl of Gai's team announced.
Tenten was about Ino's height, maybe a bit taller. She wore a pink, sleeveless shirt with red lining, and a pair of green shinobi pants. Her hair was brown, and done up in the style of two matching buns. Her eyes were brown as well. Tenten also kept her hitai-ate around her forehead. What was odd about the girl, was the way she kept balancing a kunai on her index finger by the tip of the blade. She seemed to notice Ino and the others watching her do this like it was nothing, and smiled brightly.
"Oh, don't worry! I'm a bit of a weapon's expert if I do say so myself!" the girl explained. "I won't hurt myself!"
A sigh was heard from amongst the group shortly after that. Everyone looked around, and noticed the final member of Gai's group standing off at a distance. His arms were crossed, and his eyes remained closed in a calm, relaxed manner. He was wearing a pair of brown shorts, and a beige colored, short-sleeved shirt. He had incredibly long, brown hair; which he kept pulled back at the very end of it. Like the Tenten, his hitai-ate was tied around his forehead. Tenten sighed and walked over to the boy, pulling him forward some.
"Come on, Neji! At least tell them your name." Tenten urged.
"You already did." the boy sighed. Tenten gave an annoyed groan. "Fine… My name is Hyuuga Neji…"
Ino and the others gasped a bit as the boy faced them and opened his eyes. They looked very familiar, if only because they were without pupils. Also, they had a distinct, yet faint lavender hue.
"Hyuuga… Hey, I bet he's related to that girl in our class!" Ino exclaimed.
"Hinata…" Shikamaru sighed. "Her name is Hinata."
"I knew her name!" Ino remarked.
The two paused as they felt a rather cold glare coming on them. Both of them turned to see a very annoyed look on Neji's face. The boy simply sighed and turned his back to the two. Ino tilted her head and glared at him.
"What's his problem?" Ino sighed. "All I did was mention a classmate of ours… No reason to turn into a jerk."
"It's a bit complicated…" Tenten answered the girl. "You see…"
"Tenten." Neji interrupted. "That's enough."
"R-Right… Gomen, Neji." Tenten said.
Chouji, Ino, and Shikamaru both looked at each other with confused glances. Ino and Chouji just shrugged it off, but Shikamaru couldn't just yet. Something about that was just… odd. He thought about thinking about the subject some more, but decided the whole thing was just way too troublesome.
"Well now that introductions are out of the way, let's get on with the test." Asuma suggested.
"Right… The test." Shikamaru sighed. "How exciting…"
"Oh! His eyes are shining with youth!" Gai exclaimed. He ran up to Shikamaru and grabbed the boy in a deep hug. "Asuma-san, this shinobi is amazing!"
"Calm down, Gai… And please let my student go?" Asuma sighed. Gai obeyed, and Asuma continued with a small smirk. "Besides, none of these guys are official shinobi just yet. They have to pass the test first…"
"So, what is this test?" Chouji asked. He paused and reached into his pocket, pulling out a handful of chips. "It's not going to be too hard is it?"
"I suppose that depends on your skill." Asuma replied. He paused and reached into his pocket, pulling out two flags. One was a bright yellow, and the other was a bright pink. He held them out for both groups to see. "As you can see, I have to flags here. The test is simple really. You must protect your flag, while trying to take this one. The one among you who manages to steal the flag belonging to Gai's team will be come a Genin. However, if Gai's team manages to get the other flag… Well, then you all fail."
He paused for a moment, passing the flags out to the others. He gave the pink one to Gai's team, and the yellow one to Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji. Ino thought about the rules in her head, and suddenly her eyes widened.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" the Yamanaka exclaimed. "You mean only one of us can become a Genin?"
"Pretty much." Asuma replied simply. "So, I guess you better make sure you're the one to get the flag from the other team, huh?"
The three of them looked slightly worried. Even Shikamaru looked a bit concerned. Asuma just smiled as he lit a cigarette and took a deep puff.
"So, it's everyone for themselves?" Chouji asked, just trying to make sure.
"Well, except for our team." Tenten replied. "After all, we're already Genin, so we are all against you."
"Bingo." Asuma said. "Now, if they're aren't any other questions… You have exactly two hours for this test. Best of luck, all…"
