---
The morning air in Konoha carried the crisp scent of dew and earth. But the academy grounds felt different today—charged, expectant.
I didn't need the system to tell me something was coming. Still, it did.
> [System Quest Unlocked]
Survival Trial – Academy Assessment
Objective: Endure and succeed in the survival test.
Rewards: +100 EXP, Bond Points, Hidden Bonus (based on performance).
My stomach tightened. A survival trial? At this stage?
---
The Announcement
Iruka-sensei's predecessor, an older chūnin named Daichi, stood at the front of the class. His presence carried a quiet weight.
"Today," Daichi began, "you won't be practicing in the classroom. You'll be sent into Training Ground Eleven for a survival exercise. Your goal is simple: work as a team, secure your objective, and return before sunset."
The whispers started immediately. Some students looked excited. Others looked terrified.
Obito clenched his fists. "Finally! A real chance to prove myself."
Kakashi sat still, unmoved, though I caught the flicker of interest in his eye. Rin bit her lip nervously.
Daichi's gaze sharpened. "And remember—this is a team exercise. If you fail to work together, you fail."
The system chimed again.
> [Secondary Condition Added]
Objective: Maintain team cohesion.
Penalty: -50 EXP if bond drops.
Great. So it wasn't just about surviving—it was about keeping us together.
---
Into the Wild
The forest swallowed us whole. Tall trees blotted out the sky, their branches casting shadows across the damp earth.
Our mission was straightforward: reach a flagged post two kilometers into the woods, retrieve a scroll, and bring it back. Simple—on paper.
Obito pushed forward immediately. "Come on, if we move fast, we'll get there first!"
"Idiot," Kakashi muttered. "Running in blindly will just get us caught in traps."
"What traps? It's just training!" Obito shot back.
"Exactly. Which means they'll set traps," Kakashi countered coolly, scanning the ground.
Rin looked at me helplessly, caught between them. I sighed. "Both of you are right. We should move, but carefully. Let's combine speed with caution."
Obito huffed but didn't argue further.
The system flickered.
> [Bond Mediation Successful]
Obito +1, Kakashi +1, Rin +1
---
The First Trap
We hadn't gone far when the forest struck back. A hidden tripwire snapped, releasing a barrage of kunai from the trees.
"Down!" I shouted, pulling Rin low. Kakashi leapt aside effortlessly, deflecting two kunai mid-air with his own. Obito yelped, tumbling but somehow avoiding the worst of it.
The barrage ended as quickly as it began, the kunai quivering in the earth around us.
Obito sat up, face red. "See? Totally fine!"
"You nearly lost your head," Kakashi said flatly.
I helped Rin up, heart pounding. "This is just the beginning. Stay sharp."
> [Survival Instinct +1]
---
Midway Tensions
Hours passed as we wound deeper into the forest. Traps grew more elaborate—pits, wire snares, even genjutsu illusions meant to disorient us.
Through it all, Kakashi was sharp and unrelenting, Obito loud but determined, Rin the glue holding us together. And me? I tried to balance them, guiding us forward.
But tension simmered. Obito lagged, panting. "This is insane. Who even sets up traps like this for students?"
Kakashi didn't slow. "Shinobi who want you alive tomorrow."
"Easy for you to say," Obito snapped. "Not everyone's a genius like you!"
The silence was heavy. I stepped between them. "Argue later. Right now, we need to focus if we're going to make it."
Both scowled, but they moved.
> [Bond Check Successful – Crisis Defused]
---
The Ambush
We reached the flagged post near sunset—but we weren't alone. A squad of older academy students blocked the way, smirking.
"Figures you brats would show up," their leader sneered. "If you want the scroll, you'll have to go through us."
Obito growled. "Bring it on!"
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Idiots. They'll just waste our time."
Rin looked at me, worry plain on her face. "What do we do?"
The system chimed.
> [Choice Event: Confrontation]
1. Fight head-on.
2. Use stealth to bypass.
3. Negotiate and trick them.
I weighed the options quickly. Fighting would drain us. Stealth risked detection. Negotiation… maybe.
I stepped forward, feigning calm. "You want the scroll? Fine. But think about it—if we fight here, none of us will make it back before sunset. The teachers will fail everyone."
The leader hesitated. His smirk faltered. "Tch… fine. Take it. But next time, you won't be so lucky."
They backed off, disappearing into the trees.
Obito blinked. "Wait—we actually scared them off?"
Kakashi gave me a sidelong look. "…Not bad."
> [Choice Resolution: Negotiation Success]
Reward: +20 Willpower, +2 Bond Points (Team)
---
Return to the Academy
We returned just as the sun dipped below the horizon, scroll in hand. Daichi stood waiting, arms crossed.
"Well," he said, taking the scroll, "you completed the task. Barely." His lips twitched in the faintest hint of approval. "But you kept your team together. That matters more than speed."
Obito grinned despite himself. Rin exhaled in relief. Kakashi gave the faintest nod.
And me? My system glowed with rewards.
> [Mission Complete: Survival Trial]
EXP +100
Bond Points: Kakashi +2, Obito +2, Rin +2
Hidden Bonus Unlocked: New Skill – Team Awareness (Passive)
Effect: Minor boost to detection and reaction speed when fighting alongside allies.
---
The Quiet Victory
That night, lying in bed, exhaustion weighed on me like a blanket. But beneath it was something else—something warm.
We'd survived. Together.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, I believed we could face what was coming. Not just as individuals. But as a team.
---
---
Author's Note
Hey everyone! 👋
Chapter 8 takes us into the Survival Trial—a big step beyond classroom lessons. This wasn't just about fighting, but about teamwork, strategy, and keeping bonds strong under pressure.
Key highlights:
The system gave multiple choice paths, and the MC chose negotiation over direct combat—showing brains over brute force.
We saw more of the team dynamic: Kakashi's cold logic, Obito's fiery spirit, Rin's steady support, and the MC's role as the mediator.
A new passive skill unlocked: Team Awareness, which will play a huge role in future missions.
💬 Let's talk in the comments!
If you were in the MC's shoes, would you have chosen to fight, sneak, or negotiate?
Which teammate stood out the most to you this chapter?
Thanks for sticking with the journey! Each chapter, the bonds grow stronger, and the challenges get tougher. The ninja world doesn't forgive mistakes—but together, they might just survive it.