Akio's characteristic smile grew as he saw that his friend Keniwa had finally arrived, as well as Sennin Nao, the one shinobi that the adolescent Senju had grown to look up to the most out of anyone in the entire village apart from perhaps his beloved grandfather. "Hey Keni! Good luck!!" The boy said with a bright smile, then looked over at his future branch leader and added, "Hiya Nao-sennin! I won't let you down today! Remember? It was a promise!" Akio had meant those words that he'd said to the leader of clan Sakurako when the Sennin had decided him worthy of maintaining his own garden within the Konoha Byoin. And the young man was determined to make right on them. After all, today he felt stronger than he ever had before.
Another student caught the young Senju's eye, clad in a relatively simple all-black ensemble, the boy moved with grace and strength that belied his youthful appearance. Something about the boy's aura seemed different from the rest, despite his attempt to hide in plain sight. However, as the Hokage stepped forward and began to speak, the thought quickly fled the sunny Senju's mind. "Good morning, everyone. Well, that day is upon us, of course nervous? Be surprised if you were not. Determined, well looking at each of you I can see that will of fire burning today." The words struck true. Even if Akio didn't realize it himself, he was definitely nervous, but even truer than that was the fact that he was determined. The Will of Fire did burn, deep within his soul, and the look in his bright-eyed greens and overflowing golden natural energy that exuded from the boy was proof purchase of it. As Takeshi continued, explaining the details of the exam, how they'd each have to get a bell by the end, that Nao, Yuki, and himself would be trying to prevent it, and that they'd be split into three teams, Akio's mind already began to race. Which of the exam's proctors would he be assigned to? Would he, Keni, and Kiri get paired as the team that they already were beginning to see themselves as? And most importantly, how would they overcome the challenge set before them. Only one thing was sure in Akio's mind: 'It's all or nothing. I won't be the kind of shinobi who leaves his teammates behind.'
Akio brimmed with excitement as Takeshi began to read out the groups. "Red Team. Team Leader, Shusuke, Team Members, Otakemaru, Mitsuha, Aria. Area confined to...well look at that Forest of Death, Grab your bags and get yourselves prepared." 'They're gonna do great!' He thought, remembering Shusuke's quick mind and genjutsu prowess, Take's fiery determination, Mitsuha's unique bloodline, and of course Aria being a Senju like himself.
"Green Team, Team Leader, Toshi, Team Members. Keni and Nova, Area assigned Maple Town." It was here that Akio's eyes went wide. Keni had been paired up with fellow-fox-lover Nova on a team led by that black-clad boy he'd seen before, and not only that, but he and Kiriyomi hadn't been assigned with him. 'Good luck Keni! I know you'll do awesome!' He thought silently, giving his Kyoujouran friend a smile and a big thumbs up. With how shy Keni tended to be, he hoped this would instill him with a little confidence about his prospects with his new teammates.
Finally, the Hokage continued and listed off the members of the last group. "Blue Team, Team Leader: Akio" If Akio's eyes had been wide before, the expression had paled in comparison to how shocked he appeared now. It wasn't that he didn't have confidence in his abilities. He did. But walking into the exam today, he never expected to be leading a team, much less competing with Sennin Nao for his team's chance at passing the exam. It was the most pressure the young man had faced outside his rigorous training with Kazan. "Team Members. Kiriyomi, Jinzo. Assigned Area, Oak District" As his team members were listed off, his first friend Kiriyomi among them, that expression of surprise was wiped clean off his face and was replaced by a look that shone with determination, an anticipatory grin making his cheeks rise and bright green eyes narrow. Not only was his friend Kiriyomi counting on him, but this would be his opportunity to make good on his promise and prove to his future branch leader that he had what it took to follow in his footsteps and someday be a great Med-nin just like him. He thought a mental affirmation to himself before regarding his two new teammates. 'No matter what, I'm not givin' up.'
Akio had already been heading over to meet Jinzo, the one teammate he hadn't had a chance to yet, waving Kiriyomi over as well, when Takeshi continued with his final stipulation. "Oh I forgot......you need to hold onto your bells if you get them, they can be taken back. Any team missing a bell at the end...well you already know. Any questions before we begin?" The sunny and determined young Senju looked to his teammates then back over to the Hokage and replied. "None from me! We've got this Hokage-sama!" Within moments the group huddled up to confer, strategizing the kind of approach they'd take for the task at hand. They each had their own unique talents: Akio was an Archsage, capable of wielding natural energy and shaping the world around him, and was a ninjutsu specialist with focuses in barriers, healing, clones, and elemental techniques. Kiriyomi was an Aburame genjutsu expert with a powerful seal, an army of insect allies, and some dark secrets hidden within as well. And Jinzo was adept in ranged Taijutsu and was a Battlesmith, a mechanical genius who capable of creating and altering all sorts of items. They made a formidable and diverse team, and it didn't take long for the three to come up with a plan that was unique to them and that relied on all three of their talents used in conjunction. "Sounds like a plan! If we work together, even Sennin Nao won't be able to stop us from getting those bells!" Akio said with a smile and a nod to his two allies. The boy's aura was bright, absolutely brimming with optimism, determination, and most importantly, confidence in his team. That teamwork would prove invaluable in the days to come. After all, Sennin Nao was a formidable opponent, and snatching bells from an S-Rank shinobi would be no easy task. Time was ticking, so with that, the three rushed off to the Oak District in pursuit of the Medical Leader of Leaf.
[Topic Left Unless Stopped]
Shusuke would slowly make his way towards the Exams location. He was wearing his standard clothing of a white button shirt and a plaid tie underneath an all black cloak. Normally the boy wouldn't be seen carrying a weapon, but today was an exception. The last time he was here he was sparring his friend Take-kun, but was interrupted by some outside force. Letting out a sigh as he approached he held onto the handle of the scythe that now rested on his shoulder. His eyes looked over the area. He raised an eyebrow at the assortment of bags before approaching Otakemaru.
