Rasa's POV (Traversing - Land of Wind)
Rasa stood impassively as he flew through the air on a golden platform of moving sand. Below was a battalion of some of their strongest warriors. The first team of Genin was exceptional but unlikely to reach the finals. But the other team? Well, Temari and Kankuro were on another level. And his youngest son was another thing entirely.
"Gaara, you cannot kill on this journey," Rasa warned darkly, with Gaara floating on his cloud next to him. In some ways, his son had improved. He was rarely killed unless provoked and even seemed to finally understand that Shikaku was not the ghost of his mother. Yet he was still undeniably strange.
"I have no interest in killing impulsively anymore, Rasa. I merely come in hopes of meeting some like me." Gaara said dryly.
Rasa grunted at this. He didn't doubt his son's words, but admittedly, the idea of him looking for other Jinchuriki was also concerning. He would have to remain vigilant, or he was sure he was in for an international incident.
Killer Bee's POV (Traversing - Land of Lightning)
A large crowd of Cloud shinobi marched down a mountain. Mostly, they seemed like an organized group following their proud Raikage. But at the back sat a more… unique group.
"Going to the Chunin Exam~ They fear the moves I spam~ I am a killer bee~ The champion of the Clouds~ That's me~ Weeeee!" A significant buff, dark-skinned, white braided hair, sunglass-bearing man rapped and danced as they marched. He wore the standard uniform, the Hidden Cloud. He has a white scarf and two blue horns tattooed on his left cheek. He was one of two jinchuriki of the Cloud. The man, known as B, is half of the AB combo.
"Sensei, if you do that the whole way there, I'll kick your ass!" A red-haired, dark-skinned, lithe woman responded. She wore the same uniform, but her green under jacket was torn on the sleeves. As well as a bandana headband. Karui of Team B.
"But you can't. What if you try and get injured? Then we would have to drop out of the exams…" Omoi theorized worriedly. He was also part of Team B. He was similarly garbed as the other two, with short, spiky white hair. He somehow talked quickly with a lollipop in his mouth.
"You're all so uncool, " a tall, fair-skinned woman complained. She wore a simple gray low-cut blouse, armored with a hard corset, thigh-high sandals, and red wrapping on her wrist.
B ignored his unsupportive students for now. Perhaps they'd listen to the victory rap he had written when they won this thing.
Ikam's POV ( Border of Land of Iron)
Ikam knew secretly entering the Land of Iron was risky. The samurai were powerful and lawful men. But he had to attend once he had heard the Chunin Exams were to be held here. He had initially intended to come alone, but Leifazu and Mishio insisted on coming with him to ensure his safety. Ikam would never have had a chance to observe all five villages like this. Besides, he was sure it would find plenty of new targets. Eradicating the Uzumaki was a considerable amount of work.
He emerged from his thoughts as Mishio finished her scan. "It seems clear love." He smiled at the good news.
"Excellent; remember, we don't make any problems unless necessary." Ikam lectured. "Today is scouting, but worry not. If we have an easy shot at one of our accursed kin." Leifazu and Mishio both nodded at this. Ikam had always been decent at finding subordinates.Same Day - Just Outside Land of Fire
The silent yet lively forest of the Land of Fire was admired for its tranquil beauty. It was known for the enjoyable relaxed atmosphere, in the safe land run by the Leaf Village. This usual peace was slowly disturbed by a sound of swishing air and light taps among the branches. A deer cautiously stared ahead looking for the origin of the noise and debating retreating. It raised its ears to ensure it could sense what was approaching.
Before the deer could even react black streaks flew overhead. The streaks seemed to maneuver around the trees of the forest with faultless speed. The instinct of the deer told it to hide or attempt to run. But there was no point. This many predators moving this fast was an inescapable threat.
Nearby unrelated shinobi or chakra talented civilians in the Land of Fire spoke an immeasurable chakra wave. They report Leaf shinobi flying through the forest at absurd speeds. The ranks and identities varied wildly. First was reports of a ghostly Anbu unit. Never seen but felt by their powerful chakra. Others whispered of a devastating trio. Hiruzen the God of Shinobi flanked by the two remaining loyal Sannin. Others told of a hoard of Genin and Jounin. Their sure numbers terrifying those who walked by.
Some feared war was on the horizon. But those in the know were already aware. The Leaf were on their way to the Chunin Exams.
Shikamaru's POV (Traversing Land of Wind)
Many men in the world wished to travel and adventure. Personally he never truly understood it. He was a pragmatic man and his home seemed to provide everything he needed. Clear skies to observe clouds, plenty of shady trees to avoid the sun, peaceful animal life.
Yet as he marched through the endless trees the country of Fire was known for Shikamaru had to admit he felt out of place among the large group of shinobi. Even with his remarkable mind it was completely unexpected that they would be traveling with such a strong group. Despite the Jounin giving them the adequate amount of space, the energy exuded by them was almost suffocating even if they seemed almost nonchalant. The Jounin formed a loose circle around the Genin. It was almost like they were babysitting them. Not to mention that the untraceable ANBU watching their every move like hawks was a little unnerving even if they were all supposed to be allies.
The group was covering a large amount of ground. It was impressive considering how big of a group they were, without even a single person being out of place. Being a bit spread out allowed them to flank any attackers. To their back was a triangle of Anbu who acted as both the flank watch and extra protection from them. Shikamaru could feel latent chakra just from the Jounin surrounding them. But the Anbu seemed to have no chakra signal. They moved utterly silently, not even a word being uttered as they traversed and scouted the area around them. If the Jounin were the shining stars traversing with them then the Anbu were like abyssal night.
Their Kage somehow displayed both characteristics. He traversed the trees easier than any Jounin. His large chakra dwarfed any person within the vicinity regardless of their position or power. A subtle sign of their Hokage's strength. He by himself would be intimidating. But flanked by two of the Sannin the very air around them seemed to vibrate. Clearly the best Anbu had been sent from the front. They somehow both buzzed with latent power while being utterly silent. Shikamaru would observe them travel but be shocked when they would seemingly disappear before his very eyes. Before he would spot them again feeling their power as he did. To think this was a small battalion. He was definitely feeling inadequate but the fact that the hokage and two of the Sannin personally came for their protection somehow endeared the hokage to him more than ever. It clearly showed how much he cared for them even if they meant nothing in his armada. He decided to change the topic. Being surrounded by so many notable figures was giving him a mental crisis.
Shikamaru never considered himself much nor did he want to be. He wasn't innately talented such as Sasuke or Neji. He wasn't the most determined, that would go to the absurd try hard like Naruto or Lee. His personality left a lot to be desired as Ino or his mother would say. The point was that the young lazy man knew his role. He was to follow orders and perform as expected. He was an intelligent man. Not in arrogance but merely in measurement. When he was young Iruka tricked him into taking an IQ test. Shikamaru had scored higher than even his genius father. That was when his life had shifted. Before the discovery, all he had to worry about was doing right by his clan. After the discovery though, everyone seemed to expect greatness from him.
Shikamaru didn't mind, but it was admittedly disappointing for them when he didn't achieve it or according to some didn't want to achieve it. Shikamaru knew he was lazy, but he preferred it that way. In his experience guys who cared more than he, often suffered more for it. He had met people who were different from him yet relaxed. They didn't treat him too differently which was nice. Choji, a kind man, is soft and measured compared to his combat style. Shino, a man who was similar to him. Well except for the bugs anyway. Kiba didn't think much of the Nara, valuing strength overall. They were all easy friends, comfortable ones. Then he met Naruto Uzumaki. The man was widely disliked by the general public. He and his mother truly. The reason was unknown but it never got too far out of line. As such Naruto suffered.
Shikamaru did not know why. But the guilt of leaving him alone became unbearable. So he offered to sit with him. It had been a small act of kindness, maybe even pity, a measly kindness. But he still remembered the happiness the blonde had shown that day. As if he was shocked by being treated as a human being. Shikamaru had hesitantly decided to help the guy out.
He had introduced him to his friends. Had him hang out with his crew outside the academy. The whole nine yards. But he was shocked when he realized he genuinely enjoyed Naruto despite how he seemed to involve him in all sorts of mess. He had an unshakable confidence, an endless drive, and genuinely seemed to love people. An extrovert who surely would've been popular if he was a better shinobi or had a better reputation. Choji had always been his best friend and he still was. But Naruto had gained the rank as well. It was troublesome having him as a friend. But Shikamaru truly didn't mind.
He still didn't. He supposed some part of him should be upset to be doing extra work. Especially one that seemed to be a village secret of some kind. But he had a soft heart. When it was his friends, he tended to put effort in…..much to his own dismay. Which led to him walking side by side with Asuma. The two smoked as they strolled. A habit Asuma had accidentally bestowed upon the Nara as he liked to say, much to the disappointment of his mother.
"Asuma-sensei," Shikamaru started as mind settled in for the task at hand.
"Do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Hmm?" Asuma hummed as he puffed.