We get to the approximate center of our territory before I stop them. "We should strategize." The statement is blunt, but the others look at me as if that just occurred to them.

I exhale. "Alright. Boar never said we couldn't hide the flag on people. Sea Green? Gai said something about you being able to hide your chakra. You should take the flag and find somewhere to lie low and pick our opponents off if you have the chance. We need at least another person on defense/decoys."

Neon Yellow raises their hand. "I've got an earth nature, so I specialize in defensive jutsus."

"Great, you're with Sea Green. Anyone else?" I ask.

Teal sighs. "I'm not much of a head to head fighter. My specialty is distraction and sabotage."

A positively chilling grin creeps across my face. "Well, you're our decoy. Have fun!" I chirp. "My training fits search and destroy tactics, so I can probably find their flag. Orange, your job is to ensure we get the flag to our territory. Also, if anyone is good at traps, set those up."

Orange gives me a sharp nod. Sea Green, Teal, and Neon Yellow split. Orange and I make our way to the river in anticipation of the test's start. I summon the lynxes. Orange looks in my direction as l list off orders. "Sawagi, stay on this side of the river. Keep an eye on my teammates and report if anything bad happens. Arashi and Rai, you two are looking for a flag."

Sawagi nods then disappears into the underbrush. Rai shoots me a cheeky grin. "You got it!" She and Arashi then leap to the other side of the river.

Orange snorts. "Wow, you're definitely pretty decent at this plan thing."

I let out an offended gasp. "Pretty decent? I'd like to think I'm a fucking brilliant strategist."

Orange snickers. "Sure," he concedes.

Boar's voice booms throughout the forest, "Begin." I nod to Orange, then take off into the woods. I keep my ears trained for any sound out of the ordinary. Orange stalks along side of me, quiet as death.

A rustle. I cock my head to the side. There, to my left. I throw a kunai. Then, the tell-tale puff of smoke that heralds a replacement jutsu. I smirk beneath my mask as a sky blue mask appears out of the cloud. I hit them with Discharge, and they go down like a rock. "Do you happen to have rope?" I ask Orange.

Orange sighs, then unseals a coil. "Thanks," I say cheerfully. I tie Sky Blue's arms and hands together, so they can't do jutsu to escape, then their legs.

I stand up, dusting my hands off, as Orange pilfers through Sky Blue's pockets. "Nothing useful," he says gruffly. I eye him as he slips their wallet into his pocket. Well, if they're stupid enough to bring a wallet to ANBU initiation, they kind of deserve it.

We wander around ineffectually for a while, Sawagi reports back that Teal, Neon Yellow, and Sea Green have captured Magenta and Lime Green. "Three down, two to go!" He says before he runs back to Passion Fruit territory.

Rai returns to me dripping wet. "They hid their flag at the bottom of a tributary to the boundary river," she hisses. "The last two Strawberry-Banana Smoothie members are guarding it."

"Orange," I say, "Can we take them ourselves or should we call for back-up?"

Orange hums. "We can probably take them, but better safe than sorry. I'd say bring Neon Yellow."

I nod. "Ok. Rai, find Neon Yellow and lead him to us." She nods and runs off.

Orange and I find the flag. Periwinkle and Electric Blue aren't happy about it. I summon Arashi, and he runs for the flag. Periwinkle makes a noise of frustration and summons a badger to counter Arashi. Periwinkle then shoots a ball of flames at my face. Which, rude. Orange and Electric Blue are facing off now, Orange using his absolutely brutal Taijutsu and Electric Blue using superior speed.

I'm avoiding using clan techniques, so I retaliate against Periwinkle with Electric kunai. While they're distracted, I form a lightning clone, then surreptitiously slip the shadows around me. If they don't see me use a clan technique, it doesn't really matter, I figure.

Periwinkle continues to fight my clone as I slip out of the fight and into the stream. I dive under, searching for the flag. I see a flash of red fabric and grin. I grab the flag, then swim toward the opposite bank. I allow my lightning clone to disperse in Periwinkle's masked face. Sweet revenge for the fireball!

When I reach the opposite bank, I take off into a shunshin to my territory. Orange catches up a few seconds later. "Well, Hot Pink," he says completely deadpan, "that was pretty fun."

"Winner, Team Passion Fruit," calls Boar's monotonous voice.

The five members of Team Passion Fruit gather in front of Boar. "Well, you five are officially in ANBU. Congratulations. You'll receive your real mask, permanent gear, and team assignments in a week. So, report back." He disappears in a swirl of leaves.

When I get home, I collapse onto my bed with a groan. A tug on my chakra heralds the presence of my summons. I groan louder. "So, Yoru," needles Rai, "how're you going to make up for the fact that I had to SWIM?"

"Yeah, and I had to fight a fucking badger," Arashi adds his two cents.

Sawagi, at this point the only summon I truly like anymore, just says "I thought the exercise was fun."

Rai turns on him. "Yeah, because you got the easy job. Yoru, Yoru. Don't you dare fall asleep on us. We want reparations."

Arashi nibbles on my finger. "I'm thinking my weight in fish for each of us." That's it, I decide, I'm getting new summons, besides Sawagi. Sawagi is an angel. I still scream into my pillow though.