"Wait!" Sasuke stepped forward when he heard Shikamaru suggest voting on their two plans.
"Sasuke? Do you have another suggestion?" Shikamaru asked, looking at Sasuke as he stepped out.
"Make whatever plans you want. I don't need some bullshit plan to pass the assessment, so I'll form a team on my own! I'll challenge one of the Konoha 12 and beat him! Then I'll qualify to pass!" Sasuke declared haughtily.
Sasuke's words left both Shikamaru and Naruto stunned. Wasn't he getting a little too full of himself? Still, neither of them could change his mind.
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.
"Fine! Then you don't need to vote! You'll be a team of one! Does anyone else want to team up with Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked helplessly.
Everyone shook their heads. There were no other brave souls willing to take on the previous Konoha 12 head-on!
Seeing that no one stepped forward, Shikamaru addressed the nine below him. "The nine of you, stand on the left if you agree with my plan, and on the right if you support Naruto's!"
As soon as Shikamaru finished speaking, Choji, Ino, and Hinata were the first to move.
Choji and Ino naturally supported Shikamaru unconditionally, while Hinata supported Naruto.
The others considered the two plans, then began moving as well!
On the left stood Choji, Ino, Rock Lee, and Tenten.
On the right stood Hinata, Neji, Sakura, and Kiba.
Each side now had four people, leaving only Shino Aburame, whose presence was easy to overlook.
Shino remained where he was, still torn. He muttered something under his breath, and every so often, a few insects crawled across his skin.
Shikamaru was rather surprised by everyone's choices. He had been absolutely confident in his leadership and thought most