So far, Mitarashi Anko appreciated Daimaru's performance, while Morino Ibiki held a neutral reservation. Hatake Kakashi and Gekko Hayate didn't approve much, and the opinions of other members qualified to speak were difficult to unify.
"There's really a judging panel? I thought Lord Third was just talking nonsense to comfort the candidates!" Yamanaka Ino asked in surprise. "Isn't being strong and winning to advance enough to prove the point?"
"It's not that simple. By the way, originally Shikamaru, Aburame Shino, and the Sand Ninja Temari were the most favored candidates for promotion to Chunin. Unfortunately, Shikamaru stopped at the Forest of Death. Missing the performance in the third test arena, the hope is definitely slim."
"Asuma-sensei, please don't tell me intelligence that makes me feel worse knowing it than not knowing it!" Shikamaru waved his hand with a bitter smile. "It's not that I didn't try hard; it's just that female Sand Ninja was too crazy. She wanted to take me down even if it meant mutual destruction. You can think highly of me, but don't make things difficult for me; I'm helpless too."
Her hands and feet were broken, yet she held on to stand up, eventually winning against the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan. Even when her body was controlled and defeat was certain, she relentlessly triggered a massive explosion to kill eight hundred enemies while losing a thousand of her own. Running into such a guy was just bad luck.
"Don't exaggerate. Sand Ninjas are flesh and blood too; they hurt when injured. If you don't believe me, look."
Asuma gestured with his chin. The three Genin of Team 10 looked out the window. Daimaru, wrapped in bandages and sitting in a wheelchair while shopping, appeared in their view.
"Puppet Technique is really convenient; you can enjoy gourmet food just by moving your fingers."
Other things aside, this was the only point that made Akimichi Choji endlessly envious.
"Tch, he's injured, and no teammates are helping push the wheelchair. He has to do it himself. Shopping alone too... what a tragic scene. This guy probably doesn't have any friends..."
"No, this morning, apart from the four Sand Ninja candidates who advanced, the other Genin from Sunagakure have already gone back."
"They aren't staying to cheer for their teammates?" Shikamaru asked, puzzled. "Is the camaraderie between compatriots that thin?"
"That's not it, Shikamaru. Sand Ninjas are different from Konoha ninjas. They aren't that leisurely. They can't afford to waste a month's time." Asuma explained.
The living environments of ninjas from different villages were too different. It was excusable for ninjas born in Konoha not to understand the hardships of the Land of Wind.
As for the reasons causing this situation in Sunagakure, as a Konoha Jonin, some things were hard to explain in depth. "Anyway, don't be too rude when interacting in the future!"
"Got it!"
For irrelevant matters, the trouble-averse Shikamaru didn't want to ask too much. "Looks like he snuck out! Does no one care?"
"He's a ninja, after all. A little willfulness doesn't matter; he bears the consequences himself anyway."
Then again, a ninja like a puppeteer might be quite popular in Konoha. Children loved that kind of puppet trick the most.
"Wait, isn't that Sakura? Why is she arguing with that Daimaru?"
Yamanaka Ino looked at her childhood friend who had suddenly appeared and couldn't help but worry.
"Private fights are prohibited in the village. What can happen on a busy street?" Shikamaru said indifferently. "Are you underestimating Sakura? No matter what, that Daimaru is heavily injured right now. Even if they fight, she won't lose that quickly. There are plenty of Konoha ninjas nearby to stop them..."
"True, but I feel like I'm forgetting something..."
Tilting her head to think, Ino suddenly stood up. "Crap! For the sake of the barbecue Asuma-sensei is treating us to, I almost forgot I had an appointment with Sakura..."
"Is that so..." Shikamaru sighed for his noisy teammate, picking up the little remaining barbecue and stuffing it into his mouth. "Tastes good."
"Not talking to you guys anymore, I'm leaving first! Call me next time you treat us!"
"To forget an appointment made long ago... it really is a plastic friendship; it can't withstand any turmoil!" The bearded man lamented inexplicably. Mitarashi Anko also seemed to frequently forget her drinking appointments with Yuuhi Kurenai. If asked why Sarutobi Asuma knew, it could only be said that he was a victim of it.
"If you ask me, the unity of our Team 10 is even more worrying. It was a rare get-together, yet she threw us aside for that friendship which can't stand a test. Isn't that more chilling?"
Shikamaru rarely teased jokingly. Beside him, Akimichi Choji, no matter what was said, nodded in agreement while wolfing down the barbecue, though it was unclear if he heard his teammate's words clearly.
After the bustling Yamanaka Ino had left, and Asuma saw there were no idlers around, he lowered his voice and said, "There's something I want to ask for your consent on, Shikamaru!"
"What is it, so mysterious?"
"Originally, I should have waited until after the Chunin Exam to decide, but since you've already been eliminated, I'm telling you in advance. I've recommended you for an internship at the Cipher Corps..."
"Why so sudden?" Shikamaru asked, puzzled.
"If you had passed the Chunin Exam and been promoted to Chunin, you would have become the captain of Team 10. Naturally, I wouldn't have brought it up, and the recommendation would be void. But now that the hope for promotion is slim, I can tell you in advance so you can be mentally prepared..."
"Can I refuse?"
"It's not impossible, but I still hope you'll give it a try!"
"Let me think..."
"Mm! No matter what, I hope you don't feel burdened. The village needs the contribution of new-generation ninjas like you, but it hasn't reached the point of forcing you to carry the main beam. After all, we aren't old yet..."
"Then... I accept!"
"So fast! You won't think about it more?"
"This is a very good opportunity. I want to try it too."
"Alright then. Rest up and wait for the notice; I'll arrange the rest."
"Sorry to trouble you, Asuma-sensei!" Shikamaru thanked him sincerely.
"Don't mention it, I am your jonin instructor!" Being a ninjutsu teacher and a life mentor, planning the future for his students was only natural.
Two days later, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were taken away by their teacher, Baki, and left Konoha.
Before leaving, Temari and Kankuro specially came to visit Daimaru. aside from that, during these two days, the siblings tacitly did not seek Daimaru out for small talk, and Daimaru tactfully did not bother them.
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