Chapter 6: Team 10 Vs Asuma
A/N: We've reached our goal, so you guys will get a double release next Monday. New target is to get the story to 150 powerstones by Sunday. This story will only continue if it gets enough support e.g. Powerstones. New goal 150 powerstones!
The sun blazed down on four figures as they stepped into the training grounds. Seated on a rock, Asuma awaited their arrival. Taking a puff of his cigarette, he shifted his gaze to his students and asked, "Are you four ready to get things in motion?"
Shikamaru held his nose, looking at Asuma with disgust written all over his face. "Do you always have to smoke? What kind of Sensei smokes on the job?" he pressed.
Asuma threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. "Today, you four will undergo an exam. This exam will determine whether you're fit to continue as Genin or if you need to be sent back to the academy. Your goal in this exam is to land a clean blow on me."
'This is a test of teamwork, so we shouldn't have much trouble. I'll make sure to inform them of the real intent of the exam, that way, we'll have no chance of failing.'
Hearing the consequences of failure made Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru tense up. Goro, determined not to fail, forced them into a huddle. "I believe this exam is testing our teamwork. If we can demonstrate good coordination, we should be fine," Goro revealed.
Snapping back to his senses, Shikamaru nodded in agreement. "That's right. Expecting us to land a blow on a Jonin is far too excessive for Genin like us. There has to be something else they're assessing. I've got a plan," Shikamaru explained.
'Shikamaru is quite the reliable ally. To have already devised a plan…'
"We need to start. What's the hold-up?" Asuma asked, jumping to his feet.
"I'll be brief. What are you each capable of?" Shikamaru questioned.
"I can do the Mind Transfer Jutsu. I'm sure you already know the details. The limit is that I can only use it once without being exhausted," Ino answered.
"I can do the Body Expansion Jutsu. Like Ino said, you know the details. I can manage three attacks before I'm drained," Choji added.
"And I have my Shadow Possession Jutsu. I can't hold it for long, but I can use it more than once. If we can catch Asuma for just a few seconds, the battle is as good as done," Shikamaru speculated.
The group turned their gaze to Goro.
'I don't think it's wise to reveal all my abilities. It would raise suspicion as to how the worst in the class improved so quickly. I'll just mention that I can perform Fireball Jutsu.'
"I'm fairly good at hand-to-hand combat, and I can perform Fireball Jutsu," Goro noted.
Goro's teammates stood speechless, their jaws dropping and eyes widening in sheer shock.
"You c-can d-do WHAT?!" Ino screamed. Asuma tilted his head to the side, trying to figure out what the commotion was about.
"I've been practicing for a while. I hated being left behind. That's why I was always tired in class," Goro lied.
'Good thing I never mentioned my other abilities… I should keep them under wraps for now and reveal my skills gradually, so they don't think I learned it all at once.'
Regaining his composure, Shikamaru cleared his throat and explained, "Ino, you'll be in the rear, looking for an opening to land your Mind Transfer Jutsu. Asuma didn't say he wouldn't go on the offensive, so our job is to protect you. If you land the jutsu, it's as good as over, but if you fail, he'll have to get through us first."
'That's smart. Ino's strength isn't in combat, so keeping her in the rear is crucial. Her abilities are best used in support.'
"Choji, your Body Expansion Jutsu will be easy for Asuma Sensei to dodge, so you'll serve more as a decoy for my Shadow Possession. I'll hide my shadow behind your attack. As for you, Goro, you don't really fit into this plan of mine," Shikamaru said bluntly.
'Then what was the point of asking what I could do? I'm sure I could fit somewhere.'
[Incorrect. If you were a chess piece, you'd be the queen. You're free to move as you wish. Your objective should be to adapt to the movements of your teammates and step in when things don't go according to plan.]
'And if things do go according to plan?'
[You'll be redundant.]
'...'
Growing impatient, Asuma made the first move, throwing a shuriken at Goro. Sensing the attack, Goro dodged by leaping back.
'He deliberately missed. Even though I could've dodged a serious attack, the shuriken would've only grazed me if I stayed still.'
The four of them split up, with Goro and Choji hiding in trees while Ino and Shikamaru took cover in the bushes.
Choji was the first to strike, jumping out of a tree and activating his Body Expansion Jutsu.
"Show me what you're made of, Choji," Asuma said, waiting for the attack.
As Choji expanded to his full size, he barreled toward Asuma, gathering speed with every meter he covered. Meanwhile, Shikamaru seized the opportunity, dashing from his hiding spot under the cover of Choji's massive form.
Asuma easily dodged the oncoming Choji, causing him to crash into the tree behind. However, Asuma didn't notice the shadow creeping toward him.
'He's got him!'
[Negative.]
At the last second, Asuma spotted the shadow and quickly threw a kunai at the ground to stop it from advancing further.
There was no time to rest; Ino had entered the fray, launching her Mind Transfer Jutsu at him while he was momentarily still. The jutsu successfully landed.
"Yes!" Ino, now inside Asuma, yelled in victory, jumping up and down.
Shikamaru placed a hand on his hip and remarked, "Not too bad."
'No, it's not over yet. If Sakura could break free against a stronger Ino, then this should be a piece of cake for—'
Ino, whose body had gone limp from successfully performing the jutsu, suddenly came back to life.
"You're right, Shikamaru. Not bad. Not too bad at all," Asuma said, lighting another cigarette.
Above him, the sound of rampant flames crackling filled the air. Startled by the intense noise, Asuma looked up, seeing his life flash before his eyes. It was as if the sun had fallen from the sky. The sheer size of the fireball descending upon him made his heart skip a beat.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Goro roared.
Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji stumbled back in fear.
"Wha—what on earth…" Shikamaru muttered, the words barely escaping his mouth.
Choji, who was closest to the fireball, trembled all over, fear evident in his eyes.
'Shit! I didn't expect it to be this big!'
[If you fail to consciously control the size of the fireball, it is unleashed at full strength.]
'The x2 increased its power this much?!'
Returning to his senses, Asuma quickly drew his signature Chakra blades and infused them with wind nature, slicing the fireball into multiple tiny pieces.
'If he had died, I could've copied his skills, but it would've given me a bad reputation.'
"Sensei! Are you okay?!" Goro yelled, feigning guilt. Although killing Asuma wasn't his intention, Goro wouldn't have minded that outcome. He stood to gain either way.
The tips of Asuma's hair smoldered, and he had sustained minor burns on his hands, but nothing serious.
The Genin collectively exhaled a sigh of relief.
'This can't be the same student Iruka told me about… He's a prodigy! I should probably scold him for using such a large jutsu, but I don't want to stunt his growth by imposing restrictions,' Asuma mused.
Brushing himself off, Asuma gathered his students around. "You've all passed. Good work!"
Choji and Ino danced joyfully until suddenly, Ino collapsed to the ground. Goro and the rest of the team rushed over to make sure she was okay.
"I'm just exhausted from my jutsu," Ino explained, using Goro for support as she tried to stand.
"Goro, you help Ino get home. Shikamaru, Choji, you're both dismissed," Asuma announced before disappearing.
'Argh. This has to be revenge for what I did earlier. Whatever, I'll just use the Body Flicker to take her back.'
"Ino, get on my—" Goro's legs buckled as he dropped to the ground, having exerted too much chakra.
"Goro!" Shikamaru yelled.
'Ugh… I really need to increase my chakra reserves...'
Reminder: We've reached our goal, so you guys will get a double release next Monday. New target is to get the story to 150 powerstones by Sunday. This story will only continue if it gets enough support e.g. Powerstones. New goal 150 powerstones!
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