Team Asuma heads straight into the desert, trying to put some distance between themselves and the other teams before the 24 hour mark. They travel until the sun gets too hot and they are forced to stop.
"We will continue as soon as the temperature begins to drop again," says Shin. "It would be best to get as close to the tower as we can before the 24 hour mark. If we can get into the tower before the other teams, we will have a better chance of getting out with a scroll."
"Look!" says Choji, pointing skywards. "There goes Naruto's group!"
"Are they flying pigs?" says Ino, sounding far from impressed. "And I thought Stupid wasn't contagious."
"Stupid has always been contagious," says Shin, feeling the need to set the record straight. "Only one in a thousand people are immune to it. Ironically, Madara Uchiha and Tobirama Senju were two such people. Although Madara often referred to it as 'Senji Stupid'. He left the village out of fear his immunity would break down like the rest of his clan's did."
"You're making that up right?" says Ino, sounding surprised and annoyed.
"Of course not," says Shin. "Part of Root Training involves being diagnosed for Senju Stupid. I am not immune, nor is Sai. We both caught it after leaving the training arena to live amongst regular shinobi. It is more than likely both of you also have the Senju Stupid. It seems to be hereditary as well as contagious."
"That explains my parents' behaviour," says Choji, nodding.
Once the air and ground starts to cool again, Team Asuma makes a break for the tower. They make good time, being careful to keep as much distance between them and the other teams as they can.
Once night falls, they stop and make camp. Shin takes note of how many campfires spring up around them. Eighteen. "Team Kakashi is still at the tower," he tells Ino and Choji. "They will most likely stay there for the night and leave once the flare goes off. What is the likelyhood they are trapping the tower and relocating the scrolls?"
"Very, very likely," says Choji around a mouthful of chips. "They're probably relaxing and having a good time. This test is too easy for those guys. Sai is lucky he is with them."
"Sai is the reason they are at the tower already," points out Shin.
"I doubt it," says Ino. "Naruto can summon giant toads. They would be there by now either way, trust me."
The next morning they set out before the sun is truly over the horizon. They make good time before -
"Look!" yells Choji, pointing skyward. "There's the flare!"
"And there's that tough looking team from the Stone!" adds Ino.
Shin turns to look. There is a team there; the standard two boys and a girl. The girl seems to be in charge. "If you are thinking of attacking us, please don't," says Shin. "We could help you when you make it to the tower."
"Why are you bargaining with them!" hisses Ino. "We can take these guys!"
"I highly doubt that!" snaps back Shin. "You three can barely take me in a fight! I can't fight them on my own."
"Can we at least know your names before you pummel us?" asks Choji.
"I'm not giving my name," says one of the male members of the Stone team.
"Neither am I," concurrs the other.
"Well, I'll give my name," say the girl. "I am Kurotsuchi."
"Nice to meet you," says Choji. "I'm Choji Akimichi."
"Can we stop talking and pummel these guys?" asks one of the Stone boys.
"Of course," says Kurotsuchi.
Shin draws his katana and plants himself in front of his teammates. "Leave us, we are hardly worth your time."
"I'll decide who is worth my time," says Kurotsuchi. She sends an earth style attack at them, knocking Ino and Choji to the ground.
Shin jumps up and attacks one of the Stone boys. The boy easily deflects his attack, following through with one of his own.
Shin is vaguely aware of Ino and Choji trying to defend themselves from the other Stone genin. They are being beaten to the ground.
"Shin!" Ino shouts. "These guys are too strong for us!" she lets out a yelp as she is knocked down by Kurotsuchi.
"INO!" Choji shouts "Expansion jutsu! Human boulder!"
Shin is knocked back, landing beside Ino.
Soon Choji joins him, knocked thoroughly unconscious.
The tree Stone genin advance towards him. "Sorry for being so rough on your teammates," say Kurotsuchi. "But we have to knock out all the competition we can." She prepares to attack Shin.
Shin looks sadly at his comrades. They need medical attention, and fast. "I'm sorry, you guys," he whispers. Then he reaches into his pouch and pulls out his flare. He aims it skywards.
"Is that all you've got?" asks Kurotsuchi. "You could still put up a fight, you know."
"Maybe," says Shin. "But they need medical attention, and how am I to know if any of us will wake up in time to send up a flare before we die of dehydration, blood loss or trauma?"
"Good point," says Kurotsuchi. "I hope you make it next time. You are the sort of ally I would gladly fight beside."
"Good luck on the exam," says Shin, setting off his flare.
The Stone genin leave and soon the Kazekage arrives.
"Hello," says Shin. "I wish to withdraw my team. Those two need medical attention as soon as possible."
"Combat so soon after the 24 hour mark," drones Gaara. "I am not surprised." he lifts up the sand underneath Team Asuma and flies out of the desert with them. He takes them back to the starting point where Asuma sensei is waiting for them.
"You did the right thing, Shin," says Asuma sensei when he sees the state of Ino and Choji. "Who could have done this much damage?"
"A team from the Stone," says Shin as his teammates are tended to by the medical team on standby.
"Did you get their names?" asks one of the jounin from the Stone.
"Only one gave her name: Kurotsuchi," replies Shin.
"I'm surprised she didn't flatten you as well," says the jounin.
"Who is she?" asks Asuma sensei.
"The Tsuchikage's granddaughter."
Omake
Immunity has its Benefits.
Dedicated to the guest saiyan hatake who thinks Tobi is a Hyuuga. Of course he's not, he's the one person who would be a 'challenging opponent' for Naruto. But that's not what the dedications for: no, this omake is dedicated to the comment about Lee with rainbow hair and a pink jumpsuit.
Hiashi Hyuuga is having an excellent day. Today is the day he will announce his plans to the Hyuuga clan. If anyone tries to resist, he will Eight Trigrams 64 Punchline them into the stratosphere. He may need to do it too, considering that he is planning to ban the usage of the Caged Bird Seal.
He is on his way to collect his children to take them to the meeting. They don't know about it yet. After all, he only just called it. Hiding his excitement, Hiashi knocks on Hinata's bedroom door. The Parenting book he got from the mail order catalogue he nicked from the mission desk told him always to knock on your children's bedroom doors or they will hate you forever.
Which reminds him: he needs to return that mail order catalogue.
"C-come in!" says Hinata.
Hiashi opens the door and stops short.
Hinata is putting makeup on Neji while Hanabi ties a pink ribbon in his hair. Neji is dressed in what looks suspiciously like an Ouran Academy girls' uniform. He also looks miserable.
And - "Neji, you have never looked better," says Hiashi, giving his children a thumbs up.
"Why me?" laments Neji.
"I'm next," says Hiashi. "I want a makeover too."
"Yes Touchan!" says Hanabi. "I have just the outfit for you!"
Once Hiashi has had his makeover, he and his children head to the clan meeting. When they enter the meeting house, all eyes turn to stare at them.
Neji blushes furiously. The girls wouldn't let him change for the meeting, so he still looks like Renge Houshakuji.
"Hiashi sama," says one of the clansmen. "Why are you dressed like Lucius Malfoy?"
"Why not?" asks Hiashi, twirling his cane.
"You are a disgrace to the Hyuuga clan," says Hiashi's father.
"Bitch please," says Hiashi. "I look amazing."
"If this is what the Senji Stupid does to people, I'm so glad I'm immune."
