KONOHAMARU SHIPPUDEN

The training ground was quiet in the early morning, the soft rustle of leaves blending with the faint sound of the wind. I stood at the edge of the clearing, observing the scene before me. The test to determine whether we were ready to officially become Genin was about to begin

Their sensei, Ebisu, stood several meters away, his arms crossed as he surveyed his three students with a sharp gaze.

"Today's test," Ebisu began, his voice carrying authority, "is to determine whether you're ready to officially become Genin. Your objective is simple: retrieve this scroll from me by any means necessary."

He held up a scroll tied with red string before tucking it securely into his flak jacket.

Shibi glanced at his teammates. Konohamaru was bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, his tail flicking back and forth in anticipation. Sai stood poised, his expression unreadable as he idly twirled a brush between his fingers.

Shibi analyzed the situation quickly. Ebisu-sensei is a jonin, experienced and disciplined. Konohamaru has the raw speed and agility to close the gap, while Sai's ink jutsu offers range and flexibility. My role will be to observe, adapt, and exploit openings created by their attacks.

"Ready?" Ebisu asked, his voice calm but firm.

The three nodded.

"Then let's begin!"

Konohamaru didn't wait. With a burst of speed, he shot toward Ebisu, his tail flicking behind him as he closed the distance in an instant. His movements were fluid, almost animalistic, as he darted left and right to confuse his opponent.

Ebisu sidestepped the first punch, then ducked under a spinning kick. "Impressive speed, Konohamaru," he said, blocking another strike with his forearm. "But speed alone won't win this."

Konohamaru grinned. "Good thing I've got more than speed!"

He pivoted on his heel, using his tail to sweep at Ebisu's legs. Ebisu jumped to avoid the attack, but the moment he landed, Sai was already in motion.

"Ink Style: Great Hawk Formation!" Sai called, slashing his brush across the air. A large ink hawk burst from the paper and dove toward Ebisu, forcing him to retreat.

Shibi observed the exchange, his kikaichū swarming just beneath his skin. Konohamaru's relentless attacks are keeping Ebisu-sensei on the defensive, while Sai's jutsu limits his movement. This creates an opening for me to act.

Ebisu deflected the hawk with a well-aimed kunai, but before he could regain his footing, Shibi's kikaichū surged forward, forming a black cloud that surrounded him.

"Using kikaichū to disrupt my vision?" Ebisu said, his tone approving. "Smart."

Ebisu formed a series of hand seals. "Wind Style: Gale Palm!"

A powerful gust of wind scattered the kikaichū, forcing them to retreat. But the distraction had served its purpose—Konohamaru was already behind him.

Shibi watched intently as Konohamaru launched a barrage of strikes. His movements were unpredictable, blending traditional taijutsu with acrobatic flips and spins. He used his tail as both a weapon and a tool, striking at Ebisu's blind spots while simultaneously propelling himself into the air.

What stood out most to Shibi, however, was how Konohamaru utilized his heightened senses. His large ears twitched subtly, picking up even the faintest sounds of Ebisu's movements. His nose flared, detecting the shifts in the wind caused by Ebisu's jutsu.

He's not just fast, Shibi thought. He's reading Ebisu-sensei's every move.

"Nice try!" Ebisu said, dodging a kick and countering with a palm strike aimed at Konohamaru's chest.

But Konohamaru twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the attack. He landed on all fours, his tail flicking dust into Ebisu's face before darting away.

"That tail is more versatile than I expected," Shibi muttered to himself.

Sai didn't let up, summoning a series of ink beasts to pressure Ebisu from all sides. Tigers, birds, and serpents moved in fluid unison, their ink forms shimmering in the sunlight.

"Your timing is impeccable, Sai," Shibi said, stepping beside him.

"I aim for efficiency," Sai replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "Shibi, can your kikaichū block his next jutsu?"

Shibi nodded. "Leave it to me."

As Ebisu prepared another Wind Style technique, Shibi's kikaichū surged forward, latching onto Ebisu's arms and disrupting his chakra flow.

"Impressive teamwork," Ebisu admitted, shaking off the insects with a burst of chakra.

With Ebisu momentarily slowed, Konohamaru seized the opportunity. He dashed forward, weaving between the ink beasts as they faded back into Sai's scroll.

"Gotcha!" Konohamaru shouted, leaping into the air.

Ebisu smirked. "Not yet."

He sidestepped Konohamaru's attack, aiming a kunai at his exposed side. But Konohamaru twisted mid-air, grabbing the kunai with his tail and flinging it into the ground.

Shibi's kikaichū swarmed in again, covering Ebisu's legs and restricting his movement.

"Now, Sai!" Shibi called.

Sai's brush moved in a blur. "Ink Style: Binding Vines!"

Black tendrils shot out from the scroll, wrapping around Ebisu's arms and legs.

Before Ebisu could react, my kikaichū swarmed out from his jacket, carrying the scroll with them. They buzzed toward me, depositing the scroll into my waiting hand.

Konohamaru landed gracefully in front of him, smirking. "Looks like we win, Sensei."

Ebisu chuckled, shaking his head. "Well done, all of you. Your coordination, adaptability, and individual strengths are remarkable. You've exceeded my expectations."

As they regrouped, Shibi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their performance.

"Your instincts are sharper than I anticipated," Shibi said to Konohamaru.

Konohamaru grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Thanks. And you're, like, a tactical genius, Shibi. Seriously. And you too Sai, you are efficient with using your jutsu."

Sai remained quiet, but there was a faint hint of satisfaction in his usually blank expression.

"You've proven yourselves capable,"sensei, Ebisu said, his tone firm but proud. "From this moment forward, you are officially Genin. Congratulations."

Konohamaru tied his headband around his arms, his grin wider than ever. "We are awesome guys!"

Sai nodded quietly, his expression unreadable as he tucked his headband into his pouch.

I adjusted my sunglasses, allowing myself a rare moment of satisfaction. This team has potential, I thought. With proper guidance, we may become something exceptional.

As we left the training ground, Konohamaru turned to Sai and me, his tail swishing behind him. "You know," he said with a mischievous grin, "I think we're gonna make a pretty badass team."

Sai tilted his head slightly. "Perhaps."

I didn't reply, but the faint hum of my kikaichū echoed my agreement.."

As Shibi tied his headband around his forehead, he couldn't help but think of the journey ahead.