53 Asuma's Test (2)

"You're outta luck, he left like an hour ago." The barkeep answered, nonchalantly wiping down a glass.

"Crap." I cursed while my teammates looked slightly dejected.

"Sorry Shinji-kun, I thought that his self-introduction contained some clues to where he was going to be. I must've been wrong." Hinata self-deprecatingly apologised.

I waved away her apology, "You weren't wrong. It was a good catch. We just didn't think he was going to be moving all over the place. Check if he is in the immediate vicinity with your Byakuugan. Shino, let your kikaichuu track down his chakra signature."

After wandering around for some time, Hinata had realized Asuma possibly could have intentionally left us some clues when he had been talking to us. We went to the hot springs first since he had mentioned liking baths in hot springs. Asking Hinata to scan through the bath where presumably fully naked grown men were bathing seemed inappropriate, so we had Shino search the area with his kikaichuu. There were remnants of his chakra signature, but not the man himself.

Next, we came to the bar where we were at now, only to receive the news that he had been here but already left.

I thought back to everything he had said at the yakiniku place. Ever since I got my INT up to a hundred, the perk that I received worked brilliantly in sharpening my mental acuity. [Quicken Thoughts] functionally improved my memory and increased the speed at which I could formulate ideas, process information and even strengthening my cognitive stamina. Meaning not only could I think faster, but my brain also wouldn't be as tired during mentally draining situations.

It was a perk that proved crazy useful in fights. Firstly, it augmented my Sharingan's incredible dynamic vision by letting my mind keep up with what I was looking at. Second, I could very quickly form strategies against enemies while I was fighting them. It even applied to situations outside of combat, namely times like right now when I had to think my way out of a deceptively simple task.

"Wait, he mentioned he had his own graduation exercise at training ground thirteen when he was a genin! I bet that's where he is now!" I exclaimed, remembering Asuma's words when he had been sharing about his genin times.

"But training ground thirteen is outside of Konoha's walls. Asuma-sensei said he would stay inside the village boundaries, he wouldn't have lied, right?" Hinata refuted.

Shino adjusted his shades, "I agree. It would be illogical for the squad leader to lie to his own team."

I gave a knowing smile, "We as shinobi engage in deception and subterfuge daily. Expect the unexpected right? We're not in the academy anymore, we can't expect everyone to be playing by the rules. There are no more rules. I wouldn't be surprised if every other information he volunteered were just red herrings while the truth was hidden underneath a lie. Besides, training ground thirteen isn't far. At most it's a dead end and we come back to the village to look for other clues."

Hinata and Shino looked at each other, unable to refute my logic.

"Well, the chakra signature does lead in the direction of training ground thirteen…" Shino hesitantly offered.

"Then it's decided! Come on!"

--------

As we sped through the forest, approaching the clearing of training ground thirteen, Hinata suddenly spoke, the veins around her eyes bulging in the tell-tale sign of her doujutsu being activated, "I see him. In the middle of the training ground."

I smiled at my theory being proven right before griding to a halt along with the other two who stopped as well. "Wait. Before we go in half-cocked and reckless, we should formulate a plan."

Shino nodded, "That only seems logical."

Hinata looked taken aback, "A plan? What for?"

"Remember what he said. We either have to steal the amulet or take it from him. Both would require some planning. Seeing as how this is a test, I'm pretty sure he's not going to just hand it over if we asked nicely." I explained.

"Indeed. We are three genins against an elite jounin," Shino added, "If we were to succeed, thorough planning is necessary."

She hesitantly agreed, "Oh, okay… then what should we do?"

"For now we need to be familiar with what each of us can do. Only after taking our strengths and weaknesses into account can we formulate a fool proof plan of action." I suggested.

"Uhm, I am proficient in my clan's Gentle Fist style. I can inflict internal damage by attacking the chakra's pathway system using my Byakuugan. Other than that, I am also confident in my shurikenjutsu. As for ninjutsu… other than the basic three I am unfortunately lacking. " Hinata offered first, before shyly looking away as though embarrassed by her admittedly sparse skillset.

"I too am proficient in my clan's unique techniques. My kikaichuu is primarily used for reconnaissance but can also be utilized for both offensive and defensive purposes. They can consume a target's chakra upon making contact, although it will take quite awhile to complete deplete their reserves unless a large enough swarm descends upon them. Apart from three basic academy jutsus, I can utilize perform the insect clone technique which is formed by a mass of thousands of kikaichuu. However I can only make one of them. My hive is not yet large enough to support more than one clone without leaving me defenseless." Shino volunteered, before looking at me, silently prompting me to go next.

I took a moment to formulate my thoughts, wondering just how much to tell them. But there was no point in hiding everything that I could do now. We were going to be a team, so I had no reason to continue hiding my abilities from them. Not that I would ever reveal the gamer system and its associated abilities; I would only show them what they needed to know. I was sure Asuma already knew that I was holding back in the Academy, so it wasn't like I could continue pretending. It would only be more suspicious if I did.

"Thank you for sharing, Hinata, Shino. As for me, I can be… considered to be well versed in ninjutsu, taijutsu and limited genjutsu." I started, struggling to share what I could do without seeming like I was trying to brag. "I know several katon jutsus, and as for taijutsu, well I am pretty fast."

Shino shifted in place. It was a subtle gesture, but I knew him well enough to know that it was meant to convey dissatisfaction. "From what we saw in the restaurant, Shiji-san, you have been holding back during taijutsu spars." He accused in the same monotone voice as always.

I winced at the accusation. It wasn't like Shino to so openly express displeasure. He must be pretty vexed for so much emotion to show. "Yes… we don't really have time to get into all that right now, I promise to explain further once this is over."

The Aburame didn't seem content with the non-answer, but took a step back in reluctant acceptance before glancing at Hinata, "Hinata-san, you don't seem surprised?"

The Hyuuga oddly flinched before waving out her hands in denial, "H-huh? I mean, what, you have been hiding your abilities, Shinji-kun?!"

I looked at her weirdly, unsure of what to make of that but ultimately just wrote it off as the girl behaving strangely as usual. "I apologize for the deception, but for now let's come up with a plan first before proceeding."

"Very well. What do you suggest, Shinji-san." Shino asked calmly, but the agitation in his voice was discernible.

"I thank the both of you for your understanding. Alright, here's what I would suggest: I will go in alone first to draw his attention. He will be holding back, so I should be able to distract him for some time. After awhile, Shino, you will send in your insect clone. But not openly, make it appear as though you are trying to ambush him. Make it believable. He will think that there is our trap, but that's where he will be wrong."

"He will definitely predict we would try to trap with him with your kikaichuu insect clone, and that's where you will come in, Hinata. While the insect clone and I are keeping him busy, I want you to sneak up on Asuma-sensei and strike him while he is distracted. Of course, you will probably fail, and that's fine, a jounin won't be caught with just that. But while you are doing that, the real Shino will come in with his own sneak attack. Cover your shuriken or kunai with your kikaichuu and throw them from afar."

"At that point I will try to hold Asuma-sensei down so that your projectiles or kikaichuu can land. It's a multi-layered strategy with contingencies after contingencies. What do you think?"

Shino raised an eyebrow, "Seems awfully complicated, Shinji-san. Are all those steps really necessary?"

"Against a jounin, no amount of preparation will be sufficient." I firmly insisted.

Thankfully, Hinata seemed supportive of the plan.

"I agree with Shinji-kun." She added.

Shino went silent for a moment before nodding, "It seems I am outvoted. Very well then, we will go with that plan. Shall we begin?"