"Alright team, tomorrow you three are entering the Chunin exams," Aoba said, looking at them with a smile as they sat around the table in the Togusa clan dining room.
Tia had volunteered to make them a final team dinner before their big exams the next day. Although she had never been a ninja, she understood its importance. She also knew that Ryota had volunteered to be the proctor for the third part of the exam, which was the final section. Tia felt happy that her boys had found such a good teammate in Sakura and a good teacher in Aoba. She placed the plates on the table. She had made some curry with soba noodles. It was a bit spicy, but she had prepared a separate, spicier dish just for Ace and Ryota to enjoy. She also made a milder version for everyone else, knowing that few could keep up with the spiciness that Ace and Ryota could handle.
"Are you all ready for the exam? I hear that Ibiki is going to be the proctor of the first part. He loves to mess with people's heads, and Anko is going to be the proctor of the second one, so expect something crazy and wild in that section when you make it there," Ryota mused, having knowledge of both special jounin as he had worked with them before. "Then you have me as the third proctor, but that part is pretty straightforward, as you will see when you get there."
"Yes, Ryota is right on this one. You three just be ready for anything," Aoba said with a nod. He knew that the exam could be very unpredictable, with the wildest things sometimes happening in them.
"Of course, I think we can do this. I know that Sakura, Bro, and I have been putting in the work to get ready for this for a while, sensei, and we will do our best, I promise," Ace commented, his natural charisma shining through.
"Yes, we have each other's backs," Kaza said, backing up Ace.
"I know we have some strong opponents, but this is our chance to prove we are just as good as any of them," Sakura added firmly.
"Good, I look forward to seeing the good news and hearing about everything that happens," Tia said as she ate her curry, a small content smile on her lips.
"Alright, now for the plan. You three get a good night's sleep and meet up here tomorrow. Sakura, that means you come over first thing in the morning," Aoba said, looking at the three of them. "I can't be at the first couple of exams, so I will have to wish you good luck now. Take all your supplies and head out. Kaza, I am sure you have already made some type of deal to help out Ino in some way, knowing you. That is fine—use whatever friendships you have to help when you can in the first two parts of the exam, understood?"
"Heh…yeah, I guess that is true, but they are my friends. Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji are all good friends of ours," Kaza said, recalling how their last mission had strengthened the bond between Team Aoba and Team Asuma.
"Yeah, I'm sure we can work with anyone who is our friend, but we will be careful. Can't open ourselves up to too much trouble," Ace reasoned, knowing that while he wanted to help their friends, they had to prioritize their own success.
"Exactly. We'll help where we can, but we have to take care of ourselves first. And I'll be here first thing tomorrow," Sakura added, finishing her meal. "Thanks again for the meal, Ms. Togusa."
"You're very welcome, Sakura. You're always welcome over for a meal whenever you need it. And please, continue to keep an eye on my boys. They need a good gal like yourself to keep them in check," Tia replied with a smile, starting to collect the dishes to wash them.
A bit later, Ace walked Sakura to the door, feeling a mix of excitement and determination for the upcoming Chunin exams. As they reached the doorway, his hand instinctively reached down to take hers, offering a gentle squeeze. He had confidence in them thanks in part to seeing how much Sakura had already grown and improved. Her determination fueled his own confidence in their team.
"Thanks for tonight, Sakura. I know we can do this," Ace said, his voice filled with confidence, and an undercurrent of affection.
Sakura smiled back at him, returning the squeeze. "Of course we can. We've worked hard for this. See you first thing tomorrow."
Ace leaned over and gave the pink haired Kunoichi a soft peek on her cheek, "Good night, Sakura."
Sakura smiled blushing a little bit, "Good night, Ace," she said walking away with a happy smile on her lips.
As they had their fair well, Aoba, Kaza and Ryota were helping Tia with the table clearing things up, clearing things and washing things up as well. They were working to get the place ready for.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Kaza, Aoba, and Ryota were helping Tia clear and clean after the meal. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of anticipation and camaraderie, everyone eager to face the challenges ahead.
Aoba waved goodbye as he left, his confidence in his team evident. "Later, kids. You're going to do great tomorrow, I just know it," he called out, feeling a deep sense of pride in his talented and hardworking students.
Ryota turned to his sons with a firm but caring tone. "Kaza, Ace, head to bed. It's already getting late. I'll be out when you wake up in the morning, and your mom will make you breakfast. Kick butt and do great."
Tia smiled warmly, adding, "Ryota is right. We are both very happy to have you as our children and couldn't be prouder of the pair of you. You are the greatest blessings of my life."
The two brothers nodded, both felt supported, and loved by their parents, and their sensei as well. It was like they had their little family and both of them loved that sense of belonging and purpose that having them gave.
The next morning, the two boys sat on the large wooden bench on the porch, enjoying the cool morning air. Between them were four onigiri. Ace had one in his hands, eating it contentedly, while Kaza held another. The remaining two were wrapped up, one ready to be handed out and one for later.
They waited in silence until Sakura approached in her usual outfit. "Good morning," she called out, her voice tinged with both excitement and nerves. The upcoming exams were a big deal, and while she believed in her teammates and their abilities, the anticipation was still daunting.
"Breakfast?" Ace said, extending one of the remaining onigiri to Sakura.
Sakura accepted it eagerly, knowing Tia's reputation as an excellent cook. She paused as she noticed something. "Um, who is the fourth onigiri for?"
"Do you even have to ask? We're meeting those three on the way to the center. And that one wasn't made by Mom," Ace replied with a grin. "Little brother woke up early to make it for you-know-who."
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure she will enjoy it," Sakura said with a knowing smile, glancing at the brothers. Kaza blushed slightly at being found out so easily.
"Well, I figured it was the thought that counts. But we'll see. Um, let's get going. I'm ready to get this exam started," Kaza said, trying to change the subject. He had indeed woken up before sunrise to make the onigiri, specifically for Ino. He had also communicated with her telepathically to arrange a meeting with Team Asuma so they could walk together to the exam building.
As the group walked, they all felt the same feelings of anticipation, they were all looking forward to the challenges. They were all hopeful they would be able to show just how much they learned and how ready they were for the future. This was a test of their teamwork, abilities to adapt, work together, and of course their individual growth.
As they walked, they encountered Team Asuma: Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino. Ino led the group, holding a small box in her hands, her nervousness evident in her steps. Behind her, Choji munched on a bag of potato chips, and Shikamaru strolled with his hands behind his neck, looking as laid-back as ever. Like Team Aoba, Asuma wasn't with them, trusting his team to handle getting to the exam and the first test without any issues.
Ino and Kaza exchanged awkward glances as they approached each other. Kaza held out the onigiri and smiled. "Ino, um, this is for you. I made it this morning. You can eat it while we wait for the exam or, um, whenever you want," he said softly.
Ino's eyes lit up with surprise and delight. "Thank you, Kaza," she replied, taking the onigiri from him. She then handed him the small box she had been carrying. "And, um, this is for you. I thought you might like it."
Kaza opened the box and found a simple metal chain with a flower pendant inside. He looked up at Ino, his eyes wide with appreciation. "Ino, this is beautiful. Thank you."
Choji and Shikamaru exchanged knowing looks but didn't say anything, while Ace and Sakura stood nearby, smiling at the exchange. All four of them very much knew the relationship between Ino and Kaza and were happy for the pair.
"Well, shall we head to the exam building together?" Sakura suggested, breaking the moment and bringing everyone's focus back to the task at hand.
"Yeah, let's go," Shikamaru said, stretching lazily. "Might as well get this troublesome exam over with."
The six of them walked together, fully aware that they could become competitors in different parts of the exam. Despite being on opposing teams, they were committed to supporting and assisting each other until that moment arrived, much like they had cooperated during their second C-ranked mission to the coast.
Inside the exam venue, they scanned the surroundings, spotting familiar faces from their graduating class at the academy. Ino settled down next to Sakura, both reflecting on their journey that brought them back as friends rather than rivals vying for Sasuke's attention.
"Who would've thought we'd be back here so soon, and as allies this time, not rivals fighting over Sasuke," Ino remarked, glancing over at Sasuke who stood with Naruto Uzumaki and Shizuka, a green-haired girl whom neither Sakura nor Ino knew very well. Shizuka was known for her quiet demeanor and unique abilities.
"Yeah, I don't feel the need to go all fangirl over Sasuke anymore," Sakura replied, observing him with a sense of detachment from her former crush. She realized she had moved past those days.
Ino leaned back slightly, crossing her legs as she continued, her tone light yet reflective. "Seriously, those days seem like a lifetime ago, huh? It's nice to just be here, focused on proving ourselves without all the drama." She glanced around at the other participants, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Though, I wouldn't mind showing off a bit in front of Sasuke, just to remind him what he missed out on."
"So Ino, um how is that Onigiri that Kaza got for you," Sakura asked as she looked over at Ino curious. "I am sure knowing him he put a lot of time and effort into making something unique for you," Sakura added with a laugh looking over at her two teammates who were currently focused talking with Shikamaru and Choji.
Ino smiled warmly as she responded to Sakura's inquiry, her eyes briefly flickering with appreciation. "Oh, it was actually really good! Surprisingly thoughtful of him," she admitted, her tone a mix of amusement and genuine appreciation. "He even packed it up nicely in this cute little box. I guess he's got some hidden talents besides fighting." She chuckled softly, glancing over at Kaza with a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"Those brothers are something else," Sakura said with a smile on her lips. Her eyes looked at the more charismatic of the pair for a moment. "So, you and Kaza came up with a plan to get through the first exam, um…the written part..I was told."
"Yep, Kaza and Shikamaru will figure out the answers, I will get the answer from them telepathically and then I will share them with everyone else," she explained quietly so no one heard her. "No risk of being caught that way."
Sakura nodded in understanding; her expression serious as she considered their strategy. "Smart move. It's all about teamwork in these exams. Looks like you've got it all figured out," she remarked quietly, acknowledging the coordinated effort between Kaza and Shikamaru. "And Kaza seems really focused today. I think he's determined to prove himself," she added, casting a brief glance towards Kaza who was deep in conversation with Shikamaru. "Also, I bet Kaza really wants to show off for you, Ino."
Ino blushed a bit more as she smiled, "Yeah, talk about never seeing, when I had that big fight with him and all. I never thought I would end up like this in a relationship with him," she said with a smile, "I don't mind at all. I really feel this warmth around him that is special," she said before walking over and taking Kaza's arm into hers causing Kaza to turn multiple shades of red right away.
"Hey Sakura, how are you doing," She heard a moment later as Naruto figured out where she was. "How is your team with those two brothers Base and Kaze, was it?" Naruto said, trying to remember who Sakura's teammates were.
Sakura smiled at Naruto's enthusiastic greeting, amused by his mix-up of names. "Hey Naruto, it's Ace and Kaza," she corrected with a chuckle. "And we're doing good. Ace is his usual confident self, and Kaza seems pretty focused today," she replied, glancing over at Kaza who was still blushing from Ino's earlier gesture.
"Yeah, we're all set for the exams. How about your team? Ready to give it your best shot?" Sakura asked, genuinely interested in how Naruto and his team were feeling about the Chunin exams.
"Yeah, Sasuke is still annoying, but I can deal with that and all. Then there Shizuka, she was quiet, but she is really strong, and pretty smart too, she is way more than meets the eyes, she even has these vine things that she can fight with. It is wild," Naruto exclaimed as loud as normal. "Plus Kakashi, well sensei is also odd, but he means well and teaches us really well too. I can't wait to see how much you have grown Sakura."
She smiled at Naruto's enthusiasm about seeing her progress. "Thanks, Naruto. We've all been working hard, so I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone does in the exams," she replied warmly, feeling a surge of determination. "It's going to be a challenging day, but I think we're all ready for it."