Excited I stood next to my team in front of the huge forest area and listened to Anko. So, this is where the next test would take place. Something better could not have happened to us. Even if there should be more dangerous creatures here, that was no reason to be afraid of this task. However, we should not take this too loosely. Because the first test had already shown that it was really serious.
And when I looked at all the teams that we could run into, then the grass ninjas was at the top of my fears. Then followed Team Gaara. No wonder actually. In my estimation, all three were very strong, although I still didn't know what Temari's abilities were, but we would surely find out. Hopefully from a distance.
Because just the fact that Gaara was able to control Sand and Kankuro could use puppets made me have a great respect for this team. And the grass ninjas...well. I was just bad at sizing them up. Especially since that one with the long tongue was really scary to me. Nah... best we didn't run into either of those two teams. Once we were in the forest, I would first give my team a head up and then there was also time to plan what to do next.
We still had a little time before we could get our part. So, I sat down a little away from the other teams and took out a thin bowstring from one of my weapon pouches. I would make my own bow in the forest. There were certainly enough branches that would be suitable for it. In a strange way, I was also looking forward to this test. Maybe because now, I could prove to Kakashi, Genma and Kurenai what I had learned. Yes. They should be proud of me after all of this.
They should be proud of me after the exam.
Maybe I would even be able to use a few of the newly learned jutsus, but that was just situation dependent again.
„What do you have there?"
I flinched and looked up. Kankuro leaned down to me. A grin spread across the taller man's face. I was grateful for his company, after all, but still I wondered why he was here with me. A genin from Konoha. Where he should not make friends with me, as Gaara had said. Why this was so, I still asked myself.
Because these examinations served surely not only alone for the training of new Chunin. In my opinion, this would also be a good way to strengthen the alliances between the depending countries. At least Kurenai had once mentioned something in this regard. But then I didn't understand why we genin weren't allowed to get to know each other and become friends. That made no sense at all.
Silently I held the string out to Kankuro. With narrowed eyes he looked at it and pulled it slightly. Finally, he gave it back to me. Either he couldn't do anything with it or he didn't want to reveal his thoughts. As with his younger brother, it was hard to read emotions from his face when he didn't want to reveal them.
When Anko called us to gather in front of the tent where the scrolls were given out, I slowly straightened up. Kankuros gaze was fixed on Gaara, who was standing some distance away, looking over at us. I wonder what his problem was. A small bead of sweat ran down Kankuros forehead before he shook his head and approached me. Unexpectedly, he put his hand on my shoulder and looked at me with an honest grin.
„I wish you good luck Tora," he said and turned to go to his team.
Perplexed by his sudden action, I stood in the same spot for some time before heading back to the others myself. I studiously ignored Kiba's and Shino's suspicious looks and got in line behind Hinata.
„How do you do it Tora?" she asked softly.
Confused, I raised my eyebrow. What did she mean by how I did what? Said just smiled and looked ahead again.
„Well. Naruto's told me quite a bit about this Kankuro. And I didn't think he'd even talk to anyone...but to you..." She hesitated and looked to the ground.
I gulped, not knowing the answer to that myself. Actually, I hadn't done anything. Had been or remained normal. Simply myself.
When I didn't answer, Hinata left it at that, and we entered the tent.
Impatiently we stood before the entrance of the forest assigned to us. The sky scroll had stowed away invisibly in the bag. This would definitely cause confusion among our opponents. Kiba threw suspicious glances at me from time to time. Actually, I could not blame him for meeting me in this way. After all, I had talked with one of our opponents. But hopefully he would not accuse me of exchanging information with him. No... even he wouldn't think that of me, would he?
All at once the gates opened and I waited tensely for Anko to give us the starting signal. Briefly my eyes flitted to Naruto and Shikamaru. Both caught it and nodded to me. I grinned. Let's get going, then.
„Okay. Let's get to it then. The second test starts now," Anko called, and we shot through the gate.
Pure adrenaline coursed through my veins as I ran between Kiba and Hinata through the forest. We would make it. For sure.
It didn't seem long before our group slowly stopped. Kiba guided us to a large tree with spreading roots and a wide trunk. Small bushes and shrubs covered the small hollows. We would all easily fit down there. A good hiding place. Especially to discuss certain tactics. Here no one would find us so quickly.
Without wasting large words, we hid ourselves all in it. Now we would be able to plan in peace. But before that, I would have to clarify something.
„In case you're interested Kiba. I didn't tell Kankuro anything about our team or abilities. I only know him because I once saved his neck and so I actually get along with him well," I said. The Inuzukas eyes narrowed slightly.
„But, getting along with him doesn't mean I trust him," I added and the brown-haired one nodded.
„You're my team, and I know we've had our share of arguments at times. But never would I betray you, you can believe that."
Hinata and Shino nodded. When Kiba finally joined the two as well, I breathed an inaudible sigh of relief. The Inuzuka grinned slightly and shook his head.
„I trust you Tora," he finally said, and I felt warm at these words, because if something like that came out of his mouth, then he definitely meant it. A good condition for the coming days. Maybe this would also ease the tension between the two of us, once and for all.
„Does anyone have any suggestions on how we could take the role away from our opponents?" asked Hinata cautiously into the round.
Thoughtfully, I looked at my teammates. If I had memorized our surroundings correctly, this would actually be the perfect place to set a trap for our next opponent. Or at least to deceive them. That's when the thief came back to me, who knew exactly how to best shake off or surprise his opponents or pursuers. I grinned. Maybe the others would accept my suggestion. Let's see.
„I have an idea," I said with a raised voice.
Without further ado, I grabbed a thin twig, knelt on the earthy ground, and began to draw a rough sketch of my plan.