88. Some lessons

The next day soon came and so the trio stood inside the fourth training ground waiting for their sensei to appear. Or so it would seem.

“Hinata, use your byakugan to scan the area. I doubt sensei would make us wait too long. In fact, I bet he is hiding somewhere around here.” Listening to Tomoka’s words Hinata did as instructed. She began to steadily scan the area until she found a tree that had a chakra signature.

“Over there, that tree has a chakra signature” Having found her target Hinata was about to deactivate her Byakugan but Tomoka stopped her. 

“Not yet, have you finished the full scan? It could be a clone after all” Tomoka was right and in fact she hadn’t finished the scan. A while later she detected another signature one hiding underground. 

“There is another one underground about five meters in front of us” 

“Remember Hinata. The greatest tool a ninja has is misdirection. Whenever you find something make sure it’s not a trap or your own senses will be your worst enemy.” Having said that Tomoka began walking towards the tree Hinata had pointed out first. 

It so happens that by walking straight towards the tree she would have to walk on top of the second signature first. As she did Nozomi was about to warn her but before she could Tomoka turned around and placed a finger on her own lips while winking. 

As soon as Tomoka stepped right on top of the underground signature a pair of hands broke through the ground grabbing her ankles. The next second Tomoka had been buried to the neck on the ground while Yamato jumped and stood in front of her. 

“Oh no, I am caught~” Hearing Tomoka’s nonchalant attitude Yamato felt like something was amiss. 

“Just kidding” The sound of Tomoka’s voice came from elsewhere inside the forest as she appeared from behind a tree.  

“As I said, misdirection is the key. We can’t be sure if this is the real Yamato-sensei or if the one on the tree is. For all we know neither of them is the real one. The same can now be applied to myself. Am I the real Tomoka?” 

“Or am I the real one” continued the one underground 

“Erm, what is going on?” Being lost Hinata had to ask as this situation was a bit too much for her. 

“Simply, our test started right when sensei told us we were dismissed. We had the entire day yesterday to prepare for the test and it would truly begin as soon as we walked inside this training ground. Am I missing something sensei?” Yamato had to admit he was impressed. However, he needed to keep it cool. 

“You are correct.” 

“Then why didn’t you tell us!?” Nozomi felt a bit betrayed since Tomoka could have told them and made thing easier for them. 

“I didn’t tell you because some lessons are better learnt through experience. This being one of them-” At that moment Tomoka’s easy going demeanor changed to a serious one.

“-Never let your guard down, ever. We are shinobi and the difference between us living and dying could be something as small as noticing a puddle of water or not. Who knows, a kiri-nin might be hiding in said puddle” Hearing Tomoka’s words the two girls began thinking. 

It was true. Were it not for Tomoka telling Hinata to scan the surroundings they wouldn’t have noticed the ambush at all. Were it not for her, Hinata wouldn't have continued her scan after finding their “target”. 

“There will be a time when we can’t cover for each other. When that time comes, I don’t want either of you dying because I stunted your growth by being overprotective.” Yamato almost smiled hearing Tomoka. He had been worried about that same thing. Part of the test was to look out for this very thing as well. 

“Well said Tomoka. Now let's begin the more normal part of the test.” The one who spoke this time was the Yamato that had been hiding in the tree.