20 Befuddling A Nara, An Achievement!

We went onwards to the center of the forest, passing by a few deers on the way.

The deers that went by us could be seen halting their steps for a few seconds, before moving on their way, with their noses twitching.

Seems like the acorns are working pretty well so far!

As the Nara forest predominantly only consists of deers the size of average horses, and not gargantuan sized beasts like those in the Forest of Death, the trees, foliage, and area are denser.

Which is why it took us shinobi's (even if just genin) around fifteen minutes to make our way through to near the center. As unlike the Nara's who would have already mapped out the area, we are just visitors.

Just in front of our eyes, light spilled out through the crack of the tall trees.

It looks like we are nearing the clearing where the deers reside in.

I stopped deafening my footsteps, to alert the deers of our presence, and hopefully lessen their probable weariness. As no matter how much trust they placed in their Nara keepers, we, who are not of the Nara clan, are outsiders.

The two next to me noticed my change in stance and walk, and decided to follow along.

When we broke through into the clearing, pairs of eyes belonging to the adult deers greeted us.

The sight is a welcome to our eyes which had spent the past half hour staring at green trees and brown bark and soil.

An unorganized orchard of apples is displayed, with the apple fragrance lingering in the air, as the deers chomped down on the fruit.

Naori spoke up. "Any idea which one we should trade with?"

"The largest one, with the most branched out or biggest antlers", I answered. "That's the leader we're looking for."

We scanned through the herd, when Ko noted, "Ah. There. Is that the one?"

Me and Naori turned our heads to where Ko is facing.

A deer taller than the ones around it stared back at us. It's antlers are majestic, as it branched out with a mixture of harmony and wildness.

I looked at it in the eyes, to see it staring back.

I gave a small bow to it, and it cocked its head for a moment, before trotting in out direction.

When it stopped in front of us, I realized that the distance was fooling us before.

Ignoring the additional height that it's antlers provide, just it's snout is above my forehead.

I gathered my wits, and spoke to the buck. "Hello, it's nice to meet you. We are the students of Nara Shikaku."

I noticed then, that a light of acknowledgement shone in its eyes.

I tugged the bags forward, then opened one. "May we have three of your apples in turn for these bags of acorns?"

It looked down at it, and I was pulled back by Ko just in time to avoid the huge antlers crashing down on my head.

Phew.

I looked to Ko and mouthed a thanks to him.

Back to the buck, I tried not to laugh as it sniffed about the acorns and looked back at me with a soft bellow, it's front hooves lightly prodding the bags.

I nod back at it. "Three apples for everything in the two bags."

The buck turned its head to its herd behind, and gave a bellow.

Bleats from the deers around us sounded.

The buck returned its gaze to us, and gave us a slight nod, before returning to its previous spot.

Of course, not before biting the two bags and bringing it along with it.

"I guess ... we can pluck the apples ourselves?"

We blinked at that, and inched towards the nearest apple tree.

Ko took the initiative to jump up, and grab all three apples, before jumping back down, and passing us one each.

I turned back to the herd and bowed to the leader in thanks.

Seeing me, both Ko and Naori did so as well.

Thus, with the test dealt with, we hurried our way back to sensei.

•

Nara Shikaku faced the three kids.

His eyes went to the apples in their hands, which were in their perfect shape, back to their faces.

Kanako's expression was colorful as she grinned back, seemingly emitting rainbows from her aura.

Naori's stance was even, as she looked patient while waiting for a verdict.

Ko's eyes were as blank as always, but his hands clenched behind him gave away his nervousness.

So Shikaku's eyes went back to the unmarred apples, and back to their faces.

'THAT WAS FAST'.

Needless to say, he had kept an eye on his team while they underwent the test.

While he did know and expected them to pass, the way they would go about it was unknown.

He had expected either a theft with a lookout, Huyga-style, or a camouflage genjutsu, Uchiha-style.

Of course he did not expect a Senju-style (or rather, Tsunade-style) bash-and-break-in, as it goes against the rules.

So maybe a Wood Release manipulation to get the apples?

But oh, no.

A trade.

A barter.

A transection!

That he did not expect!

He coughed into his fist. "Well, that was some good thinking there. Good going on noticing the purpose of this test, Hime-chan."

Naori and Ko looked towards her, and Kanako could only smile which scratching her neck.

"Honestly, despite the other ways you could go about getting the apples, I admit I had not anticipated you tree to go the passive route. But nonetheless, impressive."

Shikaku nod with that thought, but sighed internally.

Initially meant to be an assault team, but now with thinkers.

'Your planning has made a crazy team, Minato.'

"From now on, you are officially Team 7!"