Iruka's smile held a hint of anticipation as he stepped forward, his clipboard in hand. The morning sun streamed through the classroom's wide windows, casting warm light onto the well-worn wooden desks. The soft murmur of voices faded as Iruka cleared his throat, and the room settled into a hush.
"Today's exercise," he began, his voice steady and clear,
"is about trust and teamwork."
The words drew immediate reactions from the students. Naruto straightened in his seat, his usual grin spreading across his face.
"Oh yeah! This is gonna be awesome!" he declared, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Your mission is simple," Iruka continued, pacing slowly at the front of the room.
"You'll be divided into teams. Each team will have a base, and hidden somewhere in the forest will be the opposing team's scroll. Your goal: retrieve their scroll and bring it back to your base while protecting your own."
Naruto raised his hand high, waving it eagerly.
"Sensei! Does this mean we get to fight?"
Iruka chuckled, shaking his head.
"Only if you're smart about it, Naruto. This exercise isn't just about speed or strength—it's about teamwork. Charging in recklessly won't win you the day. You'll need to coordinate and trust each other to succeed."
The classroom buzzed with whispers as the students glanced around at their potential teammates. Sasuke leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable but his dark eyes sharp, while Sakura sat up straight, her hands folded neatly on her desk as she stole glances at Sasuke. Kiba muttered something to Akamaru, who barked softly in response, while Shikamaru let out an audible sigh, muttering,
"How troublesome."
"Listen carefully," Iruka said, his tone growing firm.
"The forest isn't a controlled classroom. There are natural obstacles—dense trees, uneven terrain, and even some wildlife. You'll need to use what you've learned to navigate, avoid detection, and think on your feet. And remember—this isn't a game. Shinobi must rely on one another to survive. The same applies here."
—
The forest behind the Academy was well-known to the students, a sprawling, natural training ground that generations of shinobi had used to hone their skills.
It wasn't just a forest of towering trees and dappled light—it was a living, unpredictable environment. Thick underbrush and tangled roots could trip up the unwary, and streams cutting through the landscape turned the ground slick and treacherous in places. Fallen logs created natural barriers, while large boulders and uneven hills made the terrain challenging to cross.
Small details hinted at its purpose as a training site: wooden dummies placed at irregular intervals, scorched patches of earth from previous lessons on Fire Release basics, and faded targets nailed to tree trunks. These subtle reminders reinforced the sense that this wasn't just a wild space but a place shaped by years of shinobi training.
Iruka gestured to a large map pinned to the chalkboard, showing the forest layout with clear boundaries marked for the exercise.
"Each team will have their own base, marked by flags. The opposing team's scroll will be hidden somewhere in their territory. You'll need to strategize—move quickly, but don't get careless. If you're spotted, you risk losing everything."
The students leaned forward, eager yet apprehensive. They could picture the challenges awaiting them: the thick canopy casting shifting shadows, the constant crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot threatening to give away their position, and the need to stay alert for their opponents.
"Also," Iruka added with a knowing smile,
"try not to get too lost."
Naruto shot his hand into the air again.
"Lost? Not me! I've got this, sensei!"
Iruka laughed softly, shaking his head.
"We'll see, Naruto. We'll see."
—
"Tomaru, Ino, and Choji—Group Three," Iruka announced, snapping Tomaru out of his thoughts.
He glanced up as Ino's voice cut through the low hum of the classroom.
"Well, well," she said, her grin as bright as ever,
"looks like I'm stuck with you again. Lucky me."
Tomaru raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but sharp.
"I wouldn't call it stuck. More like... strategically aligned."
Ino blinked before letting out a laugh, loud enough to draw a few curious looks from nearby students.
"Strategically aligned? That's the fanciest way of saying 'stuck with me' I've ever heard. What's next? Are you going to tell me this is a 'unique growth opportunity' for you?"
Tomaru's lips twitched faintly.
"Maybe. Or maybe I'm just testing how long it takes for your confidence to backfire."
"Careful," Ino shot back, flipping her hair over her shoulder,
"or I'll let your new nickname catch on."
Choji arrived just in time, his ever-present bag of chips in hand, to witness the exchange.
"You two bicker like an old married couple," he said, a grin spreading across his face.
"Should I be worried?"
"Worried?" Ino repeated, crossing her arms.
"Please, Choji. You're just jealous because you're not part of this high-level strategic alignment."
"Right," Choji said through a mouthful of chips,
"or maybe I'm just jealous that I don't get a front-row seat to your endless nagging."
Ino gasped, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense.
"Nagging? Me? I'll have you know I am the *glue* that holds this team together. Without me, you two would be wandering the forest in circles!"
"Glue?" Tomaru said, his tone almost too serious.
"I was thinking more like duct tape—loud, inconvenient, but occasionally useful."
Choji choked on his chip, coughing as he tried to hold back laughter.
"Duct tape?!" Ino exclaimed, her hands on her hips.
"Alright, Strategically Aligned, I'll show you duct tape when I have to save your butt from falling into a pit trap!"
"Just make sure it's not one of the traps you trigger," Tomaru replied smoothly.
Choji doubled over with laughter, waving his hand as if to call for a timeout. "Stop—stop! You're killing me here."
Ino rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips.
"You know what? Fine. Keep it up, Tomaru. You're lucky I'm nice enough to carry you through this mission."
"I thought Choji was the muscle," Tomaru said, tilting his head.
"I am," Choji said, raising his hand with pride.
"But apparently, Ino's got all the charm and brains, so I guess you're just here to fill in the quiet guy quota."
Tomaru nodded once, his expression unchanging.
"Good. As long as we know our roles."
"Unbelievable," Ino muttered, shaking her head.
"It hasn't even started yet, and I already regret this team."
"You two can argue all you want. I'm just here for the mission—and maybe a snack." Choji quipped, popping another chip into his mouth.
Ino pointed at Choji, mock offense coloring her tone.
"Please. You should be worried that you've already eaten half that bag before we've even started."
Choji shrugged, pulling another chip from the bag.
"I need my energy. And besides, I have a second bag ready."
Tomaru's gaze shifted to Choji's pocket, where the crinkling edge of another chip bag was clearly visible.
"A second bag? Are we sure you're not the one slowing us down?"
Choji looked mildly offended, popping another chip into his mouth.
"Excuse me, but this is strategic snacking. You wouldn't understand."
"Strategic snacking?" Ino repeated, crossing her arms.
"Oh, please. You're going to leave a trail of crumbs that'll lead the enemy right to us."
Choji grinned, unbothered.
"Good luck finding any crumbs. I don't waste chips."
Tomaru tilted his head slightly.
"Impressive. Maybe we should build our strategy around your snack time. At least we know your hands will be too busy to trigger a trap."
Choji snorted with laughter, nearly dropping his bag.
"At least I'm not the one throwing around fancy phrases like 'strategically aligned.' Who even talks like that?"
"People who don't get distracted by food every five seconds," Tomaru replied smoothly, earning a loud laugh from Ino.
"Alright, alright," Ino said, waving a hand between the two.
"Let's focus. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Choji, try not to eat us into trouble."
Choji pulled another chip from his bag, pausing dramatically before putting it in his mouth.
"Don't worry. I'll chew quietly."
---
As the group moved toward the classroom's corner to review their assignment, Ino leaned closer to Tomaru, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Alright, real talk. What's your deal, Tomaru? How are you so calm all the time? Do you meditate or something?"
Tomaru raised an eyebrow at her sudden intensity. "I observe."
"Observe?" Ino echoed, tilting her head. "That's it? You just stand around and... watch people?"
"Pretty much," Tomaru replied. "You'd be surprised how much you can learn that way."
Ino smirked, narrowing her eyes. "Okay, so what've you learned about me, then?"
Tomaru hesitated, just long enough to make her squirm. "You talk a lot," he said finally.
"That's not even a secret!" Ino huffed, though she was grinning. "Come on, give me something better than that."
Tomaru glanced at her for a moment, considering. "You try harder than you let people see."
The grin on Ino's face faltered for a split second, replaced by something softer.
"Well... I mean... someone has to keep things interesting around here," she said, brushing off the moment with a flick of her hand.
Choji, still standing nearby, shook his head with a smile.
"Don't let her fool you, Tomaru. She's just fishing for compliments."
"And why not?" Ino retorted, spinning on her heel to face him.
"It's not like I get any from you!"
"You wouldn't need compliments," Tomaru said dryly,
"if you weren't already so busy complimenting yourself."
Ino let out a short laugh, shaking her head.
"Okay, okay. I'll admit it—your sarcasm is kind of impressive. But don't think that means I'll go easy on you if you mess this up."
Tomaru crossed his arms, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Noted."
Choji, as usual, had his bag of chips tucked securely under one arm while casually munching on another.
Ino glanced at him, her eyebrows raised. "You're not planning to bring that into the forest, are you?"
"Why not?" Choji replied, his tone casual as he reached for another chip.
"It's not like the enemy's going to smell potato chips from a mile away."
Ino groaned, placing her hand on her forehead.
"If we lose because of your chips, I'm making you buy me lunch for a month."
Tomaru glanced between them, his expression neutral.
"If we win, does that mean we get a share of the chips?"
Choji paused mid-bite, narrowing his eyes.
"That depends. Do you want chips because you're hungry, or because you're trying to distract me?"
Tomaru's lips twitched, the faintest hint of amusement breaking through.
"Maybe both."
Ino smirked, leaning closer to Choji.
"You know, now that he mentions it, you could stand to share a little. Aren't we supposed to be working as a team?"
Choji clutched his bag protectively, his tone dramatic.
"These chips are my power source. If I run out, we're doomed!"
Tomaru's voice remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with subtle humor.
"Good to know. I'll make sure to ration your strength if things get desperate."
Ino laughed, shaking her head.
"Unbelievable. My team consists of a snack addict and a walking thesaurus."
"Better than a loudmouth leader who can't stop bragging," Tomaru replied without missing a beat.
"Excuse me?" Ino said, pointing at him.
"I'll have you know I'm the only reason this team is going to survive."
"And Choji's chips," Tomaru added, earning another laugh from Choji.
"Obviously," Choji agreed, popping another chip into his mouth.
Ino threw her hands in the air.
"You know what? Fine. Let's just hope the chips don't weigh us down when we're running for our lives."
Choji grinned as he held up his second bag.
"I'm not running anywhere without these."
Tomaru tilted his head slightly, his expression neutral.
"Is it really that good?"
Choji froze mid-bite, his eyes widening as though Tomaru had just asked the most important question in the world.
"Have you... never had potato chips before?"
"No," Tomaru said simply, his curiosity piqued.
Ino gasped, clutching her chest like she'd been personally offended.
"Never?! What kind of life have you been living?"
"One without constant snacking," Tomaru replied, glancing at Choji.
"Are they really worth all this fuss?"
Choji looked at him, solemn as a monk imparting sacred wisdom.
"Tomaru, you don't just *eat* potato chips. You *experience* them."
—
As they reviewed their mission plan, Choji continued munching on his chips, savoring each one like it was a gourmet meal. The sound of crunching filled the air as Tomaru's gaze lingered on the bag.
Finally, Tomaru broke the silence.
"So, what do they taste like?"
Choji paused, holding up a single chip like it was a priceless artifact.
"They're salty, crispy, and perfect. You'll never want to stop after the first one."
"Let him try one!" Ino urged, her grin mischievous.
Choji hesitated, clutching the bag protectively.
"I don't know... This is my favorite flavor."
"It's one chip," Ino said, rolling her eyes.
"Don't be stingy, Choji!"
Reluctantly, Choji reached into the bag and handed a chip to Tomaru, who examined it with quiet curiosity. He took a small bite, his expression unreadable as he chewed.
"Well?" Ino prompted, leaning closer.
Tomaru swallowed and tilted his head thoughtfully.
"It's... good. I can see why you like them."
Choji beamed, clearly satisfied.
"See? I told you! Chips are the best snack ever!"
Before long, the three of them were sharing the bag—though Choji kept muttering about how he had to be careful not to let them eat too much.
"Relax," Ino said, grabbing another chip.
"It's not like we're going to eat the whole bag."
That was when Tomaru reached in and pulled out the last chip.
Choji's eyes widened in horror, and before Tomaru could so much as lift it to his mouth, Choji *burst*. His speed startled both Tomaru and Ino as he reappeared in front of them, grabbing the chip from Tomaru's hand with all the precision of a trained shinobi.
"The last chip is sacred!" Choji exclaimed, holding it up like a prize.
"I can't let anyone else eat it!"
Tomaru blinked, clearly unsure if Choji was joking or serious.
"You... ran across for one chip?"
"Not just *one chip,*" Choji corrected, his voice dramatic.
"*The last chip.* It's a tradition. The last one always goes to the rightful owner of the bag."
Ino doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach.
"Choji, you're insane! You looked like you were about to use a jutsu just to save that chip!"
"Don't mock the sacred chip," Choji said, popping it into his mouth with a satisfied crunch.
"This is why I don't share my snacks."
Tomaru let out a soft chuckle, surprising them both.
"You're more protective of those chips than Ino is of her hair."
"Hey!" Ino protested, but she was laughing again within seconds.
Choji grinned, patting his pocket where the backup bag of chips rested.
"That's because chips are serious business. And if you ever want to experience the sacred last chip for yourself, you'll have to buy your own bag."
Tomaru shook his head, a faint smirk lingering on his lips.
"I'll keep that in mind."