Chapter 19 – More Ribbons?

Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters do not belong to me

Previously on Secret Keeper: Team 7 have now completed the first two challenges of the Genin Trials! What will the third Challenge bring, and when will they stop for lunch? It's hungry work, competing for Library Access...

As it turned out, it was rather hard to take the Hokage – and the instructors – seriously when they were all blue. This was especially an issue for those genin not involved in the process. Said Hokage, however, was under no illusions as to the culprit. In fact, he'd already made himself a note to meet with the perpetrator.

The same sadly couldn't be said for Iwana, who was glaring at any non-blue genin, Naruto in particular. This, naturally, led to Sasuke glaring back on his teammate's behalf.

Just because Naruto had a reputation for pranks, didn't mean he was behind every single prank in the Village. Sasuke gladly sneered at the idiot. Honestly. Catching on, Sakura huffed and crossed her arms, adding her own glare, to Kakashi's amusement.

It didn't take long under the Uchiha-StareTM for Iwana to back down. Naruto snorted, eyes darting off to the side briefly.

"Yes, well," Daikoku attempted, pausing to rub his blue chin.

Anko snorted, rolling her eyes.

"If it were up to me, I'd be giving fifty points to whoever managed to turn Hokage-sama blue." she grinned, before shrugging. "Alas, it's not my call to make. Team 7 – you were first to arrive with all the correct items, so you each get three points. Team 3 – you also get three points!" she beamed. "Team 5, you were just over the half hour mark, so both you and Team 8 gain two points. Better luck next time, and all that." she waved a hand dismissively.

Sarutobi coughed discreetly, causing Anko to sigh, before revealing a small, wooden box.

"For your next task, I need each of you to pull a piece of paper from the box. To make it more fun, there's fifteen options." her eyes gleamed. "This will assign each of you a colour. Now, this, ah, game, has a few objectives, just so we're clear. All fifteen colour options are active across the Village, so the extras will become bonus points. You will gain one point for returning with your own colour. No points will be awarded if you fail to return with your assigned colour – including no bonus points. Although they won't gain you any points, please feel free to obtain your opponent's colours." Anko's grin sharpened, becoming more predatory. "I think that's it...oh! Almost forgot – you will be going after moving targets, I've, um, enlisted some help to carry them round the Village. Some are in the possession of civilians, so please try not to scare them too much. I think one is with a jounin, and the rest should be with chunin." she shrugged. "Any questions?"

The assembled genin blinked at her, before Tenten slowly raised a hand.

"Umm, what, exactly, are we meant to be obtaining, Sensei?"

Anko frowned.

"Huh. Did I not say? Guess not." she hummed, before shrugging. "Coloured ribbons. Next?"

When no more questions arose, Anko nodded.

"Right. Seeing as we can't go in point order, let's go...alphabetical! So, first up's Aburame Shino. Come and get your colour!" she grinned brightly.

Shino walked over calmly, and pulled out a slip of paper. He then turned and walked back to his teammates without looking at it.

Anko smirked.

"Well, suppose that's Aburames for ya. Next up, Haruno Sakura!"

Sakura jerked, before hurrying over, eyeing the box thoughtfully. As soon as she had a paper, Sakura copied Shino and scurried back to her team.

Anko huffed.

"No fun. Higurashi Tenten!"

Tenten practically jumped over for her paper, before taking the time to read it there and then.

"I got red!" she smiled at her teammates, hurrying back to them.

Anko nodded.

"That's more like it! Hyuga Hinata, come on over!"

Hinata squeaked in surprise, causing Sasuke to frown. Did she forget she was next?

"I-I-I've got, um, yellow." she stuttered, blushing.

Neji didn't wait, and walked over, quickly retrieving his paper and returning.

Anko raised an eyebrow, before shrugging.

"Next, Inuzaka Kiba!"

Kiba whooped, bounding over and shoving his hand into the box.

"Alright! Pink!? You gotta be kidding me! Can I change?"

Anko shook her head.

"No can do, kiddo. Ito Hiroki!"

Hiroki snorted.

"Guess dog-boy's all bark and no bite. Grey." he added, holding up his paper.

Kiba growled.

"You wanna go?"

"Oi, enough, you'll have time for that later." Anko huffed. "Nigoshi Risa!"

Risa rolled her eyes.

"Oh, shut up Hiroki. Save it. If you want, we'll just get his ribbon. It's simple. I've got black."

Anko nodded happily.

"Let's keep it moving, people! Rock Lee!"

"YES! GAI-SENSEI!" Lee cried, jumping over.

Said sensei was crying.

"GO LEE, AND CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY!"

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENS-"

"ENOUGH!" Anko yelled angrily. "Just take your paper already!"

"YOSH! GOLD! GAI-SENSEI-"

"SHIMIZU TAKUM!" Anko yelled over the excitable genin.

"Tch. Honestly, call yourself a shinobi. Light blue." Takum snorted.

"Good, good. Uchiha Sasuke!" Anko nodded happily.

Back straight, Sasuke practically marched over, retrieved his paper, nodded, and returned, clapping Naruto's shoulder when he passed by. Naruto grinned and raced over, eagerly grabbing his paper and returning.

"Right!" Anko clapped her hands. "Game runs for two hours. There's no early finish or time-out, and you need to meet us back here...on time. Happy hunting!" she waved.