Kiba Inuzuka took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation stirring in his chest.
Although it annoyed him, Kiba had to admit—Shikamaru Nara's insight into his intentions, reasoning, and even the broader benefits of cooperation was spot-on.
Kiba wasn't sure what trials would come next, but it was unlikely any would favor Team 8 as much as the current Scroll Battle. So whether for personal gain or the team's future prospects—or simply to deal with the increasingly brazen foreign genin—the smartest move was to form an alliance and use their numbers to pick off other teams. That would set the stage for the exams to come.
But if the team they partnered with couldn't be trusted, they'd be forced to divide attention between fighting the enemy and watching their so-called allies—hardly ideal. In that case, it might even be safer to work alone.
When he really thought about it, Team 8 had very few trustworthy options.
The older genin in Konoha had hardly interacted with the nine rookie teams. Most of them looked down on the newcomers or resented their rapid progress—especially those who had failed the Chūnin Exams multiple times already. If a rookie passed while they remained stuck, it would only highlight their own inadequacies. That bitter rivalry made the rookies unwelcome in most circles.
Among the rookie trio of teams, Team 7 (with Naruto and Sasuke) had always had a rocky relationship with Kiba and Shino back in the Academy. That left only Team 10, whose bond with Team 8 was the most solid—thanks to familiarity, training partnerships, and mutual respect. Not to mention, Choji and Ino followed Shikamaru's lead without question, making him an ideal person to work with.
All things considered, there really wasn't a better match.
All Shikamaru had done was use that knowledge to leave behind a subtle breadcrumb trail for them to follow.
"Heh…" Kiba rubbed his nose awkwardly with his index finger and muttered, "You even predicted we'd come looking for you? Don't tell me there's someone in this exam you're actually worried about?"
"Of course," Shikamaru replied without hesitation.
Shino's brows furrowed behind his shades. "Is it Neji Hyuga? Are you planning to use this opportunity to take him out?"
The question wasn't random.
Both Neji and Shikamaru were regarded as standout prodigies in the Leaf. It was common knowledge across the village—and even within their respective clans—that the two were often compared. While Neji was a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, his talent was undeniable. His grades and combat ability had earned him high praise from instructors and elders alike, and though he'd skipped the previous year's Chūnin Exams, his reputation had only grown stronger since.
The Nara clan, by contrast, specialized in support techniques and medicinal knowledge. Though respected, they didn't have the prestige or the bloodline fame of the Hyuga. Shikamaru's recognition had only really begun after the Land of Waves mission, when his clan started loudly promoting his talents.
With both "genius genin" participating in the same Chūnin Exams, many in the village viewed this as a showdown. The Nara hoped their heir would finally bring them glory by defeating Neji, while the Hyuga—especially those from the Branch and even some from the Main Family—saw Neji as a rising star who could vindicate their name.
Whether they wanted to or not, Shikamaru and Neji had become symbolic rivals, carrying the expectations of their clans on their shoulders.
Everyone knew it. Shino knew it. That's why he assumed Neji was Shikamaru's target.
With Team 10 and Team 8 working together, even Neji might not be able to withstand the pressure.
But Shikamaru shook his head slowly, denying Shino's assumption.
"It's not Neji," he said plainly. "I'll deal with him myself when the time comes. I don't need your help for that."
Shikamaru wasn't lying.
His real concern wasn't Neji, but someone far more dangerous—an opponent whose strength exceeded that of most genin. Someone potentially operating at the chūnin, or even jōnin level. Against such an enemy, the combined strength of Team 10 and Team 8—six capable genin, each with a specific skill set—would be essential.
With Kiba's heightened senses and Hinata's Byakugan, they could detect threats from a safe distance, giving Shikamaru time to prepare the battlefield. A carefully coordinated ambush could be their best shot at success.
Just then, a sharp, high-pitched screech cut through the forest air. A gray shadow dove from the sky like a missile, then spread its wings and broke its descent before landing gently on Shikamaru's shoulder.
It was the sparrowhawk that Ino had been controlling earlier.
"Looks like it's a little early to be discussing plans," Shikamaru muttered, quickly tying the bird's legs with a thin rope he'd prepared in advance. Then, turning to the six teammates, he continued, "We've found two teams locked in a fight not far from here. How about we go clean up the leftovers? One of them might even have the scroll you're looking for."
"You don't have to worry about our scroll," Kiba replied with a smirk. "We're good at tracking, remember? What scroll do you have, anyway?"
"Earth Scroll," Shikamaru replied casually. "Which just so happens to be the one you're looking for."
Ino had identified all the scrolls during her earlier surveillance. Naturally, she'd recognized which scrolls Teams 7 and 8 had received—but since they were fellow rookies, they hadn't targeted them first.
"…" Kiba frowned slightly at how Shikamaru knew that, but then remembered that it was Shikamaru's suggestion that had inspired Shino's own scroll reconnaissance plan earlier. So he let it go.
Kiba reached into his gear pouch, pulled out a scroll, and tossed it lightly to Shikamaru.
"We just got this one," he said. "Same type as ours—another Heaven Scroll. Some team with a death wish came at us. We took it off them. Can't use it ourselves, so if we're teaming up, it's yours now. But from here on, we go after our targets first."
"You're not worried we'll take it and betray you?" Shikamaru asked with a sly smile, flipping the scroll in his hand.
Kiba snorted. "In this forest? Where are you gonna run? You think you can escape our tracking? Besides, with just the two of you, you wouldn't last long in a fight."
Shikamaru chuckled but didn't answer, tightening his grip on the struggling hawk.
Just then, Hinata's eyes narrowed as she looked toward the tree hollow Shikamaru had emerged from. Her Byakugan activated again.
A teasing voice rang out before she could speak.
"Who said we were only two?" came a light, crisp voice. Ino Yamanaka emerged from the tree hollow, stretching with a sly smile. "Kiba, don't tell me you've forgotten how to count since the Academy?"
As Ino stepped forward, Choji also pushed through the bushes nearby. The two of them flanked Shikamaru, facing the three members of Team 8 together.
Kiba turned to Hinata, puzzled. She merely shook her head—clearly, she didn't know how Ino had concealed herself so completely either.
"Enough," Shino interjected flatly. Then, addressing Shikamaru, he added, "You know as well as I do—arguing semantics is pointless. The rules are relaxed in this stage. It's the perfect opportunity to thin the competition. If you have a better team to work with, I'd love to hear it."
"Fine," Shikamaru shrugged. "Let's cooperate. We'll move according to your targets for now—but if I spot my target, we go after them first. That's non-negotiable."
"…Who exactly is your target?" Kiba asked impatiently. He was dying to know—just who had Shikamaru so tense and guarded that he was treating them as a top-tier threat, something even he wouldn't tackle alone?
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