Chapter 117: Second year exam (4)

- Look over there! (Sakura)

Sakura was pointing at a section of a large tree for Homura to look at and search in.

He then got close to the assigned location and started searching for something but he could not find it.

-…Are you sure? I don't see anything…

- Yes, it says near " Where the winds of seasons bring forth new life." This is the only tree that bears fruits in this open field. It should be around here. (Sakura)

- Sure…

A bored Homura went back to searching they wasted enough time bickering and other things so they were a bit pressed for time.

-(I am not good at riddles but it seems a bit too easy for me to believe. We are training to be shinobi, so shouldn't it be something more in line with that?)

So Homura continued to look around the tree on the open field.

They managed to scale the cliff once again. Since Homura was the fastest of the 3, he was able to scale the cliff faster, but it was mostly because Gekkou seemed to be frozen with fear, by the time Homura passed him by.

So their plan to get ahead failed.

They had to plan a way to get to Gekkou who was unresponsive to anything they had tried to tell him do.

Following Sakura's climb up the cliff and devising a plan to rescue Gekkou, and then going through the process of actually saving him.

They wasted so much time that they would be lucky if they don't end up dead last.

Homura was fuming inside for a short moment since he could not get Sakura's DNA, he did get a few strands of hair and skin tissue but it wasn't clearly enough.

However, he couldn't stay mad for a long time because he genuinely afraid for Gekkou, his situation could have turned way worse if they were to not properly coordinate among themselves.

Thus he was truly relieved and tried his best to save him, it seems after failing to save the people he cared about, Homura, became more overprotective. 

As if he was somehow stuck the reliving the feelings he experienced that tragic day close to a year ago.

After that, they ran at full speed toward the location shown on the map and they managed to arrive at a section of the forest; where the wind was at its strongest.

Since it was Sakura who had the map, with the instructions who ultimately made the call of where they should go.

So now, they were trying to find the next scroll for the next portion of the exam.

Sakura deduced that it was probably hidden in an almost open field section of the forest and that they should look for the scroll next to one of the trees. She guessed that it had to be next to one of the trees, they had been searching for a while, and now they were stuck looking around the largest tree.

But it had already been about 15 minutes they were looking around that said tree.

The tree itself was big, very big.

Trees in Konohagakure, or even this world; tended to be quite big.

Perhaps gigantic would be more appropriate to call them.

Homura thought they grew to ridiculous sizes either because of natural energy or chakra.

Because it would not make much sense otherwise, the soil around those trees would have been much more barren.

Some forests were so thick with vegetation and large trees that it became almost impossible to see the light of the sun or the sky itself.

According to the Otsutsuki, this planet was rich with natural energy, perhaps more than Homura's former version of Earth.

Though he no doubt that it was, the air was pleasant and the night sky outright beautiful at night.

So perhaps the lack of overwhelming pollution and the mystical energy of the planet was the reason as to why everything grew so big.

That would explain in part as to why certain insects and animals tended to be quite big.

Bigger, than they had any right to be; and stronger too.

Even normal animals could grow weirdly large, it was just odd as to why some were like that and some weren't. Then again, some people could turn into a fog and some could grow bones bigger than their entire body.

And any creature that knew ninjutsu could technically turn into anything and change their entire body to match almost any element.

Even different pairs of clothing or several things.

Genetics and physics in this world were obviously not completely normal.

From a person from Earth's perspective.

- Hmm…(Winds…new life…trees…Trees?! )

Homura looked up and realized something.

- Gekkou can you make strong winds?

-…I don't need to relieve myself right now…nor would I show such a shameless thing…It would tarnish the honor of my clan. (Gekkou)

- That's gross… You're gross Homura! (This punk! If he doesn't stop messing around I am going to seriously murder him! )

She tried to sound cute but her face gave away her true feelings

Sakura looked at Homura in a condescending way, as if she was about to beat him.

Which Homura immediately tried to avoid such unfounded statements…or having to fight her, she was starting to make him scared of her.

- (What the!? This girl is a ticking time bomb!) I-I never asked you to do that! Can you use that technique with your sword that makes strong winds?

- Ah!…I guess, it can't be helped. I will then demonstrate my strongest technique. (Gekkou)

Gekkou grabbed his sword and started patting, the lower part of the handle as if it were some kind of pet.

- Sure. (This idiotic samurai wannabe, just get on with it.)

For the first time since Homura had met Gekkou, he had a look on his face that almost reflected joy….at least to some very minute degree…it didn't even last 5 seconds before his face went back to its usual composed demeanor.

The boy then took a stance and readied himself to draw his blade.

Seeing Gekkou's readying himself Homura wondered why was Gekkou allowed to bring such a weapon to the academy, that was a real sword.

Students aren't even allowed to bring kunai and shuriken to the academy.

Everything there was provided by the academy.

Somehow a weirdo like Gekkou was bringing a sword that could slash them in half, luckily for them he wasn't allowed to draw it without permission.

So this was among one of the few times Homura could actually see Gekkou's full talent on display.

And it was quite the sight to behold.

- Haaaa!!!! (Gekkou)

As Gekkou drew his blade, strong winds blew all over the area from him unsheathing his blade at high speed.

-(Impressive. This is not what I expected. He's stronger than I thought…How many hours of practice does it take to perform a feat like that? If I take him on my own…I have to remember to not use a weapon and attack him from afar as my main strategy.)

Seeing the strong winds blow away almost all the leaves in the area, Homura protected himself from the specks of dirt within the wind as he looked high above, to see if his hunch was correct.

Tied to a tree branch and was previously hidden by the number of leaves the tree next to them had at their disposal; Homura used a kunai tied to a wire to propel himself and land on the tree branch it was tied to before untying the scroll.

He then proceeded to toss it to Sakura, before landing next to her.

-…I see, the next is… pretty simple. All we have to do is gather those 3 ingredients but… (Sakura)

- But, what?- said Homura as he wondered what was so complicated.

- Look. The scroll only shows us 4 locations, 1 is the next checkpoint, and those 3 other locations. The map given to us doesn't really say if the three types of flowers we have to gather are in just one location or if each of the flowers we have to gather can only be found in each location provided. (Sakura)

- I see, Locations 1 and 2 are really close to each other, but location 3 is about twice the distance to get there…if we decide to check them all…we'll definitely end up being one of the last teams…If the others don't have something similar task assigned to them.

- Or we can find everything in those 2 locations, these two types of plants are often grown together. If we are lucky, maybe we will find everything in those two locations alone. There will be no need to check location number 3. (Sakura)

- Or we will end up wasting more time. The manual says that we have to check every possibility in order to perform our mission; that includes independent action if the need arises. Separating into different parties is the most efficient method at this moment.

- You want each of us to go on our separate ways and check each location? (Sakura)

Homura then pointed at the map shown inside the scroll.

- No. As you said, locations 1 and 2 are quite close to each other, so two can go there easily. But this location is too far and could be a dud. The instructions don't say that each of the 3 types of plants we need to gather is on each of the spots on the map; as you said. For all we know, it could all be found in just one location. Since I am the fastest one here, I will go to this location alone while the two of you will check these two spots together. Then we can meet up at the next checkpoint.

- I am against it, I think we should stick together, but if we want to have a chance at finishing faster, this may be the only way. (Sakura)

- So…

- But since we are a team…we have to decide it as a team. (Sakura)

Both Homura and Sakura looked at their silent third companion.

As always, the boy hardly ever talked unless he was asked something, he was just too serious and but more likely he had just trouble expressing himself.

- Huh? M-me? *Cough*…Right…Homura is strong if he believes he can do better on his own as a warrior. I can support that… (Gekkou)

Gekkou nodded after delivering his answer.

As if he was trying to reassure to himself that his answer made sense and was well thought-out.

- That's not really *sigh* (Sakura)

Sakura gave up any thought at trying to persuade Gekkou.

His answer gave away that he wasn't thinking like a ninja at all, the ninja manual says that ninjas have to complete their mission no matter what the cost.

However, what Gekkou had said was complete utter nonsense that wasn't applicable in this situation.

Normally the mission leader would have the final say, but she wasn't the mission leader.

-(Hm? I am just going there to pick up flowers. Why is he acting like I am going there to face a powerful foe?…Well, with the kind of life we lead, that may actually happen.)

- Then I guess it is decided…I will draw you a map so that you won't get lost or if you want to come back ahead of time. (Sakura)

-(The hell? Is she my mother or something?…Well I guess it is normal. Somewhat… ) No need, I have it all memorized already- said Homura as he got up and put on his backpack.

He then proceeded to check his equipment real quickly.

- If I don't rejoin you in time and you have all the materials gathered, go ahead of me to the checkpoint; I will join you guys there. - as Homura said those words, he jumped towards a tree branch nearby and did the same thing until he was no longer in the presence of the other two.

- He's gone. - said Sakura.

- Indeed. - Replied Gekkou while nodding.

Chapter end.