The team made their way to the training forest behind the Academy. This forest was a landmark for young shinobi, its towering trees and sprawling greenery having borne witness to generations of students learning the fundamentals of survival. It wasn't simply a natural space—it was a crafted arena where Konoha's future protectors first tested their limits.
The trees stood tall and ancient, their bark weathered with grooves and marks from countless training sessions. Roots twisted and snaked through the ground, forming natural obstacles, while thick underbrush concealed pitfalls and traps. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns on the mossy ground. Every step seemed to hold the promise of a hidden challenge.
Small wooden bridges crossed shallow streams that trickled softly, their surfaces reflecting fragments of sunlight. The air was thick with the mingling scents of damp earth, pine, and the faint aroma of flowers that bloomed in shaded patches. Occasional scorch marks on tree trunks hinted at Fire Release lessons gone awry, while smooth grooves carved into branches suggested countless kunai strikes.
Ahead, a faint trail led deeper into the forest. It was barely visible beneath layers of fallen leaves, but the way it twisted and curved hinted at a path used by shinobi long before.
Iruka-sensei's voice broke the silence as he gathered the teams near a clearing. "Each team will start at their base. Your base is marked by a flag—defend it at all costs. Somewhere in the forest is the opposing team's scroll, hidden within their territory. Your mission is to retrieve their scroll while ensuring yours remains secure."
He gestured toward a wooden platform raised slightly above the ground, where a red flag fluttered lazily in the breeze. Similar platforms were scattered deeper into the forest, each marked with a different-colored flag for the respective teams.
"Keep in mind," Iruka added,
"this isn't just about speed. Use your surroundings to your advantage. Move quietly. Think carefully before you act. And remember—this forest isn't just a place to train; it's a place to learn."
Tomaru's gaze swept over the forest, taking in every detail. It wasn't just the natural beauty that caught his attention, but the way the terrain seemed to invite strategy. The underbrush would make excellent cover for stealth, but the uneven ground could easily trip up the careless. The streams provided clear landmarks but were sure to slow anyone who crossed them unprepared.
"What do you think, Strategically Aligned?" Ino asked, nudging him as they reached their base.
Tomaru looked at her and then back at the forest.
"It's... intricate."
Choji leaned against a nearby tree, opening another bag of chips.
"Intricate or not, we're gonna need snacks if we're running around in there."
Ino rolled her eyes.
"Choji, if you start a crumb trail, the other teams will find us in no time."
Choji grinned, holding up a chip.
"Then they'd better be fast, because these chips are disappearing before anyone can follow."
Tomaru glanced at the flag marking their base, then back at the forest's twisting paths.
"We'll need to move carefully. The other teams will probably set up ambushes, and the terrain favors stealth over speed."
"Sounds fun," Ino said.
"I've always wanted to see how good I am at sneaking around."
Choji laughed.
"You? Sneaky? The whole forest's going to hear you coming from a mile away."
Tomaru allowed himself the faintest smirk.
"At least we'll have a distraction."
Ino shot them both a mock glare but quickly turned her attention to the forest.
"Alright, let's get this over with. I'm ready to show everyone why we're the best team out here."
—
The group stepped off their platform and into the forest's shadowy depths. The air felt heavier under the thick canopy, muffling the distant sounds of other teams moving through their own zones.
Twigs snapped beneath their feet as they moved cautiously, Choji trailing slightly behind to finish his chips. The soft rustle of leaves above seemed to shift constantly, creating the illusion that something—or someone—was watching them.
Tomaru stopped abruptly, raising his hand to signal the others. He crouched low, his eyes scanning the ground ahead.
"Tripwire," he said quietly, pointing to a thin line barely visible under the leaves.
Ino knelt beside him, her sharp eyes following his direction.
"Good catch. What's it connected to?"
Tomaru traced the line to a set of rocks balanced precariously on a tree branch.
"A falling trap. It would've made a lot of noise."
"Loud enough to bring everyone running," Ino muttered, stepping carefully over the wire. She paused to glance at Tomaru.
"So, are you always this observant, or do you save it for these kinds of moments?"
"Depends on whether I'm working with people who might set off a trap," Tomaru replied evenly.
Choji laughed softly as he stepped over the wire, bag of chips in hand.
"Careful, Ino. I think that was his way of saying he's keeping an eye on you."
"Good," Ino said with a smirk.
"Someone needs to appreciate my genius."
Tomaru didn't reply, but the faint glint in his eyes hinted at amusement as they moved deeper into the forest.
—
The team crouched behind a dense thicket, the low branches casting dappled shadows across their faces. The forest felt alive around them—leaves rustling faintly in the breeze, the distant gurgle of a stream mingling with the occasional chirp of unseen birds. Every sound seemed amplified in the quiet, making the forest feel both vast and suffocating.
Ahead, the clearing where the opposing team's scroll was hidden came into view. A large tree stood at its center, its sprawling roots curling through the earth like the tendrils of a slumbering beast. The scroll was perched in plain sight atop a flat rock near the tree's base, its position deceptively simple.
Tomaru's sharp eyes caught the faint signs of movement among the brush on the far side of the clearing. He pointed subtly with two fingers.
"They're guarding it. Kiba and Akamaru are stationed to the left. Shino's further back, keeping to the shadows."
Ino leaned closer, squinting through the foliage.
"How do you even see that?" she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Tomaru didn't look at her, his voice calm.
"You can spot them if you watch the patterns in the leaves. The movements are just a little off from the wind."
Ino rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath.
"Show-off."
Choji, sitting cross-legged behind them with his bag of chips, nodded toward the tree.
"It looks way too easy. There's gotta be a trap."
Tomaru studied the area, noting the way the leaves around the scroll's base seemed unnaturally undisturbed.
"You're right. There's probably a tripwire or a trigger plate hidden near the roots. We'll need to be careful."
Ino leaned closer, squinting at the wire.
"You're like a human magnifying glass, Tomaru. I can barely see anything."
Tomaru glanced at her briefly.
"Observation is half the battle."
—
The team crouched in the dense underbrush, the clearing just ahead bathed in uneven sunlight. The scroll sat at the base of a large tree, its position too obvious to be anything but a trap. Tomaru's sharp gaze swept the area, noting the faint glint of a tripwire near the roots and the subtle movements of their opponents in the shadows.
"Alright," Ino whispered, leaning in as she brushed her ponytail over her shoulder.
"Here's the plan."
Tomaru raised an eyebrow but gestured for her to continue.
"We distract Kiba first. Choji, that's your job," she began, pointing at him.
"Then, Tomaru, you'll engage Shino directly. Keep him busy while I sneak around and grab the scroll. Once I've got it, we regroup and head back to base."
Choji nodded thoughtfully, his hand halfway to his chip bag.
"Sounds solid."
Tomaru, however, felt a quiet wave of unease settle over him. The idea of fighting Shino—a ninja who specialized in controlling swarms of insects—was the last thing he wanted to do. He could already imagine the bugs swarming toward him, and the thought made his skin crawl.
"What's wrong, Tomaru?" Ino asked, noticing the faint shift in his expression.
"Nothing," Tomaru replied, his tone calm and neutral. He decided against voicing his objections.
Instead, he rationalized it to himself:
*Maybe this could be a mental exercise for her. If the plan works, great. If it doesn't, she'll learn something valuable.*
"Alright, then," Ino said with a satisfied nod.
"Let's move."
—
As Choji created a loud distraction, Kiba and Akamaru rushed toward him, barking commands to each other. Ino gave Tomaru a quick thumbs-up before darting toward the clearing's edge, her movements surprisingly quiet for someone so outspoken.
Tomaru sighed inwardly and stepped forward into the open, his gaze locking on Shino. The quiet boy barely reacted, though Tomaru could already sense the faint hum of insects gathering beneath Shino's coat.
*This is going to be unpleasant,* Tomaru thought.
"Let's get this over with," Shino said, his voice as emotionless as ever.
Before Tomaru could reply, Ino's voice echoed from the shadows.
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
Tomaru watched as Shino froze mid-movement, his body stiffening unnaturally. Ino's consciousness had taken hold, just as planned.
Or so he thought.
—
As her consciousness settled into Shino's body, Ino was instantly overwhelmed by a crawling sensation across her skin. Or rather... his skin.
"What is this?!" Ino thought, her mental voice shrill as she realized the truth.
"Why does it feel like I'm surrounded by a million little bugs?!"
She glanced down through Shino's eyes and immediately regretted it. From her perspective, the world seemed... alive. A faint, shimmering movement crawled at the edges of her vision. She could feel them, tiny legs skittering just beneath the surface, their presence humming like an unsettling background noise.
"This is disgusting! How does he live like this?!"
Her focus wavered as she fought the urge to scream, but she forced herself to move Shino's body, stumbling awkwardly into Kiba's path to block him.
Meanwhile, back in her own body, her teammates noticed something was off.
"Is she okay in there?" Choji asked, glancing at Ino's motionless form. Her face twitched, her expression an odd mix of concentration and revulsion.
Tomaru paused as he secured the scroll, his voice calm but questioning.
"She looks... uncomfortable."
"I'm dying!" Ino's voice suddenly rang out as she released the jutsu and snapped back into her body. She nearly fell over, clutching her arms and shivering dramatically.
"Oh my gosh! I can feel them! I can still feel them!"
"What happened?" Choji asked, blinking in confusion.
Ino glared at him, her voice rising with indignation.
"What happened? I was *inside Shino's body*! Do you know what it's like to feel bugs crawling all over you from the inside?!"
Choji's face scrunched in discomfort.
"Uh... no. And I don't want to."
Tomaru, still crouched by the scroll, looked at her with his usual calm demeanor.
"So... is it worse than falling into a pit trap?"
"Worse?!" Ino shouted, gesturing wildly.
"It's like living in a *hive*! They're everywhere! I could feel them moving, crawling, *breathing*!"
Choji took a cautious step back, holding his chips protectively.
"That sounds... intense."
"I need a shower," Ino muttered, brushing at her arms as though she could physically remove the sensation.
"No, *ten* showers. Maybe a bath in disinfectant."
—
As the team made their way back through the forest, Ino continued to mutter complaints under her breath about the "trauma" of her experience. Choji, still snacking, tried to hide his laughter but failed miserably.
Tomaru walked ahead of them, the faintest smirk lingering on his face as he listened.
"Ino, are you okay?" Tomaru asked, glancing at her as she slumped back into her own body with a shudder.
"No!" Ino exclaimed, her voice trembling as she clutched her arms.
"I am *not* okay! That was the most disgusting thing I've ever experienced!"
"It was beyond awful," Ino continued, shivering as though she could still feel the insects skittering across her.
"It was like being buried alive, but instead of dirt, it was *bugs!*"
Tomaru crouched nearby, his expression calm but his thoughts conflicted. *I knew this was a bad idea. But saying 'I told you so' isn't going to help.*
He stood, brushing dirt off his knees, and walked over to her.
"It's over now," he said simply, his tone even.
Ino glared up at him.
"That's easy for you to say! You didn't just live through the *ultimate nightmare!*"
Tomaru hesitated, then sighed.
"You did well. The plan worked."
Ino blinked, clearly not expecting the compliment.
"I... I guess it did," she muttered, brushing at her arms again.
"But never again. Next time, I'm possessing Kiba. At least all I'll have to deal with is dog breath!"
"Or even Choji. Anything but bugs."
"Hey!" Choji protested, clutching his chips protectively.
"Leave me out of this!"
Ino shot him a glare.
"You can't even fight without snacks. Don't tempt me."
Choji took a cautious step back.
"I'm starting to think Shino was the better option."
Tomaru couldn't stop the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. *This is what happens when you deal with girls. They make the mess, and you have to clean it up.*
He extended a hand to help Ino up, which she took begrudgingly.
"You owe me for this," she said, narrowing her eyes at him.
"For what?" Tomaru asked, his tone unreadable.
"For not throwing up and ruining the mission!" Ino snapped, though the corner of her mouth twitched with the hint of a smile.
"I'll take it under consideration," Tomaru replied dryly.
Choji chuckled as the three of them made their way back through the forest.
"You two are something else."
"Something *amazing*," Ino corrected, flipping her hair dramatically.
"But if anyone asks, you're explaining why I'm traumatized, Tomaru."
Tomaru glanced at her, his smirk returning.
"I'll keep it simple: mental exercise."
"You're impossible!" Ino groaned, but her laugh betrayed her exasperation.