Training 2

"Phase two is over. Rest for ten minutes," Aburame Shio said. "Then, phase three: teamwork and intelligence analysis."

During the break, Guy wrung the water from his clothes while loudly reviewing his own mistakes. Narong sat against a tree with his eyes closed, resting, seeming to be recovering chakra, and seeming to be thinking as well. Amamiya Ren silently practiced controlling her chakra threads.

Ten minutes later, Aburame Shio called the three of them over.

"For the next training exercise, you'll need to work together to complete it." He took out three scrolls. "Mission objective: within a three-kilometer area on the outskirts of the Forest of Death, find and 'retrieve' these three specific scrolls I placed in advance. I will release my swarm to disrupt and pursue you. Rules: one, you may not seriously damage the forest environment; two, the scrolls must be retrieved intact; three, all members must reach the finish line at the same time. Time limit: before sunset."

This was a comprehensive mission, testing reconnaissance, counter-tracking, teamwork, and stamina.

"Before the mission begins, I need a more detailed understanding of your abilities. Narong, besides Fire Release and Wind Release, what else are you good at? Guy, where are the limits of your taijutsu? Ren, what level has your medical ninjutsu reached? Also, Narong, has your Sharingan awakened?"

Aburame Shio's questions were direct and crucial. Guy immediately shouted out his various taijutsu moves. Amamiya Ren also quietly explained the healing techniques she currently knew and her basic ability to identify poisons.

When it was Narong's turn, he fell silent for a moment before answering, "I've also grasped some fundamentals of genjutsu. As for the Sharingan... it has not awakened yet." He chose to conceal it. This was his trump card, and also a secret he did not want to reveal lightly. As for genjutsu, mentioning a little of the Uchiha Clan's talent would not arouse too much suspicion.

Aburame Shio nodded and did not press him about the Sharingan. "Very good. Mission begins. Remember, teamwork. One person's mistake can lead to the whole team's failure."

He formed a hand seal, and a large number of Destruction Bugs surged out of his body, giving off a heart-stopping buzzing as they scattered and flew into the forest.

"Move out!"

The three exchanged a look, then charged into the Forest of Death in an instant.

At first, Guy relied on his speed to rush ahead, trying to find the scrolls quickly. Narong stayed in the middle, responsible for observation and vigilance. Amamiya Ren followed at the back, struggling somewhat. Soon, the swarm's vanguard appeared. They came surging in from all directions. Although they were not lethally aggressive, getting tangled up by them would greatly drain chakra and stamina.

"Guy! Slow down! We'll get separated!" Narong shouted.

Hearing him, Guy immediately slowed and kept pace with the team.

"Ren, watch your feet and the air! The bugs could come from any direction!" Narong reminded her again.

"Yes!" Amamiya Ren focused her mind and tried hard to keep up.

Narong displayed an excellent tactical mind. "We can't search blindly. When Shio-sensei placed the scrolls, he must have chosen distinctive locations. Pay attention to unusual terrain, or traces of residual chakra."

He took the lead in changing their strategy. They no longer advanced quickly, but began carefully searching possible landmarks, such as enormous tree hollows and strange rocks.

Guy was responsible for using taijutsu up ahead to briefly clear away the approaching swarm, creating space for the search. Amamiya Ren began trying to sense the surrounding environment with chakra. Although she was still very inexperienced, it did provide some early warning.

The first scroll was hidden in a cave behind a waterfall and was discovered by Narong through the slight chakra disturbance in the flow of the water. Guy forced his way through the curtain of water and obtained the scroll.

The second scroll was at the top of an ancient tree, disguised by a bird's nest. This time, with Amamiya Ren's chakra threads acting like climbing ropes, Narong was able to retrieve it easily.

The search for the third scroll was the hardest. The swarm's encirclement grew denser and denser. Aburame Shio was clearly adjusting the pressure according to their progress. All three of their stamina was declining, especially Guy and Amamiya Ren, whose chakra control was comparatively weaker.

"This won't work!" Guy panted. "There are too many bugs!"

Narong observed their surroundings, then suddenly said, "Guy, use your strength to make a big commotion in the clearing ahead and draw the swarm's attention. Ren, you and I will circle around from the side. The scroll is very likely under the giant rock in the center of that clearing."

"A feint?" Guy's eyes lit up. "Leave it to me!"

Narong said to Amamiya Ren, "Come with me. Keep your presence hidden."

The plan began. Guy roared as he charged into the clearing, unleashing Leaf Whirlwind and Great Whirlwind, kicking up dust and fallen leaves. Sure enough, it drew most of the swarm. Narong and Amamiya Ren used that opening to silently sneak to the giant rock, where they indeed found the third scroll.

But the instant they took the scroll, even more bugs surged out from underground and surrounded them in a flash. Guy was also forced back step by step by the swarm.

"Guy! Ren! Close in on me!" Narong shouted.

The three stood back to back, trapped in the swarm's encirclement.

"What do we do?" Amamiya Ren's voice was anxious.

Narong thought quickly. "Charging through by force won't work. Guy, do you still have enough stamina for one powerful breakthrough? Toward the finish line."

"Of course! Youth does not allow me to say no!" Although Guy was exhausted, his fighting spirit was high.

"Ren, prepare your chakra threads. Once Guy opens a gap, use the threads to connect the three of us and keep anyone from falling behind during the sprint!"

"Understood!"

"Then... charge!"

Guy burst out with the last of his strength and used his special move, "Dynamic Prelude." The powerful straight-line impact temporarily tore open a gap in the swarm. Narong and Amamiya Ren followed close behind, and Amamiya Ren's chakra threads connected their wrists just in time.

The three sprinted all the way, with the swarm chasing closely behind. Amamiya Ren, who had the weakest stamina, slowed down, and Narong and Guy practically supported her from left and right as they sprinted.

Finally, at the very last moment before sunset, the three dragged their utterly exhausted bodies out of the edge of the Forest of Death and returned to the Third Training Ground. Aburame Shio was already waiting there.

The three almost collapsed to the ground at the same time, gasping for breath, but the three scrolls were placed intact before Aburame Shio.

Aburame Shio looked at the three of them, disheveled but having completed the mission, and nodded slightly.

"Mission complete. Evaluation: pass."

"Early-stage coordination was clumsy, nearly everyone fighting on their own. In the middle and later stages, you were able to make basic use of tactics and bring out your individual strengths. The final-stage breakthrough decision was correct and executed decisively. A basic awareness of teamwork was displayed."

His evaluation was still concise.

"Today's training is over. Assemble tomorrow at the same time. Content: reinforced training for the weaknesses exposed today. Especially team formations and real-time communication."

After speaking, his figure vanished soundlessly once more.

The three were left lying on the training ground. Though their whole bodies ached and their chakra was almost exhausted, they felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment in their hearts. For the first time in the true sense, they had completed a difficult mission together as "Team Six."

Uchiha Narong looked at the sky and thought to himself, This jonin instructor has sharp eyes, and his training methods are extremely targeted. Hiding my strength doesn't seem like it'll be easy. Still, that's what makes it interesting. He glanced at Guy beside him, who had already gotten up and started doing push-ups while declaring that he would make up for today's shortcomings, and at Amamiya Ren, who, though exhausted, had a serious look in her eyes as she summarized her experience with chakra control.