Team 10 — The Troublesome Trio
Ino's scream echoed across the training field.
"I CAN'T FOCUS WITH DIRT UNDER MY NAILS, SHIKAMARU!"
Shikamaru yawned.
"It's just the Chūnin Exams. Troublesome stuff."
Chōji crunched louder on his chips.
"I heard someone dies every year," he said between bites.
Ino went pale. "You're kidding."
"Pretty sure," Shikamaru muttered.
Probably.
Their sensei, Asuma, chuckled from the sidelines. "You three better get it together. You're up against real teams now."
Ino clenched her fists. "Bring it on. I'll crush forehead-girl Sakura and impress Sasuke-kun!"
Shikamaru sighed.
"…So troublesome."
---
Team 8 — The Quiet Hunters
Kiba was flexing in a pond.
"Check this out, Akamaru. This is peak combat form."
Akamaru barked once, unimpressed.
Hinata was quietly practicing gentle palm strikes, her Byakugan flaring faintly.
She glanced over at Kiba. Then at the pond. Then back down.
"I-I hope Naruto-kun doesn't think I look weird when I fight…"
Shino adjusted his sunglasses.
"Statistically, Naruto is unlikely to notice anyone's technique. He is... chaotic."
Kurenai, their calm and sharp-eyed sensei, nodded approvingly. "You'll need that edge. Use your strengths. Work as one. The Exams aren't about flash—they're about control."
Hinata nodded.
Kiba bellyflopped.
Akamaru sighed.
---
Team Gai — The Loud Ones
"YOUTH!!!" Lee shouted, doing handstand pushups off a tree branch.
Tenten rubbed her forehead.
"Lee, we're supposed to be preparing for written tests."
"This is also preparation!" he yelled. "In case we must write while upside-down!"
Neji sat in perfect stillness, eyes closed.
He opened them slowly.
"They'll fail in the first round."
"Who?" Tenten asked.
"Everyone but us."
"Wow," she said dryly. "Thanks for the team morale boost."
Might Guy appeared in a swirl of leaves and tears.
"MY SPLENDID STUDENTS! THE EXAMS APPROACH! LET US BURN BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN ITSELF!"
Lee burst into flame.
Figuratively.
Probably.
---
Elsewhere — The Sand Arrives
Three figures stood atop a tall building, overlooking the Leaf.
Temari twirled her fan lazily.
"I hate trees."
Kankuro muttered something behind his puppet.
And Gaara?
He didn't speak.
He didn't move.
He just stared.
Down toward the village.
Down toward the Academy.
His voice, when it finally came, was soft and cold:
"I'll kill them all if I have to."
---
Back at Team 7's Side
Naruto was bouncing in place.
Michio was meditating upside-down.
Sasuke was training quietly in the shade.
Kakashi closed his book, just for a second.
"Big players are arriving," he said. "Keep your eyes open."
Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"Good. Let's give 'em a show."
---
Journal Entry 9:
> They're coming.
Every team. Every rival.
We're not just nobodies anymore.
And I don't think the village is ready for what we're about to unleash.