The shift from monotonous labor to a genuine intelligence exercise was palpable. A nervous energy replaced the weary resignation that had defined Team 12 during their week of D-Ranks. Ren unfurled his test scroll, the others crowding around eagerly as he spread it carefully on the packed earth. The scroll displayed a stylized map of Training Ground 3 and the surrounding woodland, along with three sets of complex coordinates and a grid filled with substitution symbols – the cipher key.
"Okay," Ren began, automatically taking point, his mind already processing the information. "Three caches, three cipher pieces. We need all three to decode the message. Splitting up might be faster, but Genma-sensei is likely observing, and separation makes us vulnerable targets for his interference, even if he isn't supposed to attack directly in this test." Observe: Test Scroll Parameters - Opposition level unclear, assumes indirect observation/interference likely. He remembered Genma's comment about potential Genjutsu illusions. Staying together felt safer.
"Agreed," Akari nodded quickly. "He caught us easily when we separated before."
Kenji grunted assent. "Safer together. Which one first?"
Ren studied the coordinates. "Set Alpha looks closest, just inside the eastern treeline. Set Beta is deeper north, near the stream according to the map contours. Set Gamma... these coordinates put it somewhere high up, possibly in the canopy of the large oak tree area where we finished the flag exercise." He tapped the map. "Let's start with Alpha, seems like the easiest starting point to build momentum. Standard diamond formation, I'll take point and navigate using Observe on the terrain features described by the coordinates. Akari, left flank – focus on canopy and high ground threats. Kenji, right flank and rear guard – watch for ground disturbances, potential traps."
[Leadership (Basic) Lv. 2 applied - Clear directive increases Team Focus (+5%)]
They moved out, flag retrieval replaced by map coordinates. Ren led them carefully towards the eastern woods, matching terrain features on the scroll map with the actual environment, using Observe to confirm landmarks (Observe: [Jagged Rock Formation] - Matches Map Marker Alpha-3, Observe: [Forked Stream Tributary] - Matches Map Marker Alpha-4). His Environmental Awareness Lv. 1 helped pick out subtle details – an animal trail leading away from their target zone, a patch of unnaturally disturbed soil (which they carefully avoided).
[[Environmental Awareness] Proficiency Increased: +0.8% (Navigation Application)]
The coordinates led them to a small, overgrown gully choked with thick thorn bushes. Observe scan revealed nothing obvious. "The cache should be right here," Ren murmured, checking the scroll again. "Below ground? Or concealed within the bushes?"
"Those thorns look nasty," Akari observed nervously, eyeing the dense tangle.
"I can clear 'em," Kenji offered, stepping forward, already reaching to just rip the bushes out.
"Wait!" Ren stopped him. "Brute force might destroy the cache or trigger a trap. Look." He pointed, activating Observe. "See the base of that large bush? Observe: [Disturbed Soil Pattern - Recent?], Observe: [Faint Chakra Signature - Earth Element - Stabilizing Seal? - Low Power]. Someone's dug here recently, and there might be a minor seal involved, possibly just to keep the cache from degrading."
Kenji looked impressed Ren could see that. "So... what? We dig carefully?"
"Akari," Ren directed, "Use your kunai, carefully cut away the lower branches of that specific bush," he indicated the one with the faint signature, "Give us clear access without disturbing the surrounding thorns too much. Kenji, once she clears it, gently excavate the marked spot. Don't just yank."
Akari worked with surprising precision, her kunai slicing cleanly through the tough stems (Throwing Accuracy skill likely influencing close-quarters blade control). Kenji then used his hands and a sturdy kunai to carefully dig into the disturbed soil. After a few moments, his kunai struck something solid. Gently clearing the remaining earth, he unearthed a small, plain wooden box, no bigger than his fist. A simple earth-element stabilization seal was inscribed on the lid, already fading.
"Got it!" Kenji grinned, holding it up.
Ren took the box, running Observe. Observe: [Cache Box Alpha]. Contents: [Cipher Piece Alpha]. Traps: None Detected. Seal Status: Degrading (Passive). He carefully opened it. Inside lay a small, rolled piece of parchment – Cipher Piece Alpha. "One down," Ren confirmed, tucking it securely into a pouch. "Good teamwork on that one. Precision over force." Akari looked pleased; Kenji gave a satisfied grunt.
[Team Tactics & Formations Proficiency Increased: +0.6% (Successful Coordinated Retrieval)]
"Next cache, Beta. Deeper north, near the stream." They reformed the diamond and pressed onwards, Ren navigating. The terrain became denser, the trees taller. They moved cautiously, aware that Genma could be anywhere. Ren's Observe detected faint footprints that didn't match their own boots near the stream bank indicated by the coordinates.
"Hold," Ren signaled, pointing to the tracks. "Someone's been here. Recently. Approach carefully." The coordinates pointed towards a hollow log lying partially submerged at the stream's edge.
Observe: [Hollow Log]. Potential Hiding Place: Confirmed. Faint Chakra Signature Detected: [Water Element - Concealment/Minor Illusion?]. WARNING: Potential Water Trap adjacent. Ren spotted a section of the stream bed near the log that looked subtly too still.
"Okay, plan," Ren whispered quickly. "Log is likely location. Might be a basic illusion hiding it, and possibly a simple water trap nearby – pressure plate triggering a water jet, maybe? Kenji, check the log itself, carefully prod it first, look for seams or compartments. Akari, provide overwatch, scan the opposite bank for observation points Genma might be using. I'll focus Observe on this potential trap area, try to confirm."
Kenji cautiously approached the log, poking it with a kunai. Akari scanned the far bank, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Ren focused Observe intently on the still water patch (Cost: 3 CP/sec for focused analysis). Observe Analysis: Faint chakra lines detected under substrate - Linked to trigger mechanism (Pressure sensitive). Confirmed: Basic Water Jet Trap. Low Power.
"Trap confirmed," Ren relayed quietly. "Pressure trigger right in front of the log's opening. Don't step there, Kenji."
Kenji carefully maneuvered around the trigger zone and began examining the log. He found a cleverly disguised seam near the base. Prying it open revealed another small wooden box. "Got Beta!"
As Kenji reached for it, Akari suddenly hissed, "Movement! Far bank, high branches!"
Ren instantly activated Observe in that direction. Target Acquired: [Genma Shiranui - Concealed Observation Post]. Intent: Monitor Team Progress. Reaction: Preparing minor disruptive action? Before Ren could warn them, a volley of senbon shot from the distant treeline – not aimed to hit, but to distract, several splashing into the water near Kenji, making him jump back instinctively, nearly hitting the pressure plate Ren had warned him about.
"Ignore it! Grab the cache, Kenji! Akari, suppressive fire, far bank!" Ren commanded. Kenji snatched the box while Akari, reacting much faster this time, launched several kunai towards Genma's suspected position. They clattered harmlessly through the leaves, achieving nothing offensively, but demonstrating responsiveness. Genma vanished from sight again.
[[Observe] Level Up! Lv. 5 -> 6!]
- Increased Information Yield: Can now better analyze complex/layered chakra signatures, deduce more specific Skill Levels (e.g., Adept+, Expert-), gain clearer insight into intentions/emotional states, and potentially detect low-level Genjutsu passively.
- Passive Perception slightly enhanced.
- Cost: 1 CP per use (Scan); 2-4 CP/sec (Focused Analysis).
The Level Up was timely. Ren quickly checked the second cache – Cipher Piece Beta secured. "Two down. Let's move. Gamma cache, highest point."
The final coordinates led them to the towering oak tree from the flag exercise. Ren scanned upwards with his newly enhanced Observe Lv. 6. The higher branches were thick with leaves, making visual confirmation difficult. He focused, pushing more chakra into the scan.
Observe (Focused Analysis): Scanning target area... Anomaly detected - Branch cluster near apex (~20m height). Subtle distortion in surrounding air - Visual distortion consistent with **Low-Level Genjutsu (Concealment Type)**. Faint External Chakra Signature present - Matches Genma Shiranui.
"Found it," Ren announced. "Third cache is hidden high up, about twenty meters, concealed by a basic Genjutsu."
"Genjutsu?" Akari breathed, looking intimidated. "How do we...?"
"My Observe can partially see through it now," Ren explained briefly. "But reaching it is the problem. It's high, and the branches look thin up there." He looked at Kenji. "Too high for you to just climb." He glanced at Akari – too risky for her alone. He looked at his own CP (CP: 170 -> 110 after scans and trap analysis). He could potentially use Surface Walking Lv. 1 to run up the trunk, but the Genjutsu might interfere, and the drain would leave him low.
"Okay, team effort," Ren decided. "Kenji, you're the base. Give me a boost up the first few meters of the trunk. Akari, once I'm climbing, watch my back relentlessly. Warn me of any interference from Sensei. I'll handle the Genjutsu disruption and retrieval."
Kenji nodded, cupping his hands. Akari drew a kunai, eyes scanning the surroundings fiercely. Ren took a breath, focused, and used Kenji's powerful boost to gain purchase high on the massive trunk, then began climbing rapidly, using chakra bursts for adhesion (Basic Chakra Control Lv. 11) where handholds were scarce. As he neared the indicated branch cluster, the air shimmered unnaturally. He pushed more chakra into Observe and his own nascent Genjutsu Resistance. The illusion wavered, revealing a small, dark wooden box tied securely to a branch behind the shimmering effect.
System Alert: Low-Level Genjutsu (Concealment) identified and partially negated via high-level Observe & passive resistance! [Genjutsu Resistance (Basic)] Proficiency +5%!]
Just as he reached for the box, a single senbon whipped out from the foliage below him, aimed not to hit him, but to sever the rope holding the box. Akari screamed a warning, "Below!" Ren twisted, grabbing the box just as the senbon sliced through the rope. He nearly lost his grip but held fast. Cache Gamma secured.
He climbed down carefully, dropping the last few meters lightly. All three cipher pieces obtained. They gathered around as Ren unrolled the three small parchments. They contained seemingly random strings of symbols. He then consulted the cipher key matrix on the main scroll.
"Okay, basic substitution cipher," Ren explained, pointing to the key. "This symbol means 'A', this one 'B', and so on. Let's decode this." Akari's eye for detail proved helpful, quickly matching symbols Ren pointed out. Kenji watched, contributing occasional confirmations. It took them several minutes of careful work.
[New Skill Seed Detected: [Cryptography (Basic)] - Proficiency Gained through successful decoding.]
Finally, the message emerged:
"FUNDAMENTALS ARE THE KEY. MASTERY BEFORE ADVANCEMENT. PROCEED TO STREAM BANK NORTH. G.S."
Simple, direct, echoing Genma's training philosophy. "Let's report," Ren said, rolling the scroll and cipher pieces back up.
They found Genma sitting calmly by the stream, seemingly unsurprised by their arrival. Ren stepped forward, presenting the decoded message. Genma took it, glanced at it, then looked up at them, his expression unchanging.
"Time elapsed: One hour, forty-two minutes," he stated. "Acceptable margin. Cache Alpha retrieval showed good coordination and precision application. Cache Beta exposed weaknesses in situational awareness but ended with correct prioritization. Cache Gamma required leveraging individual strengths and demonstrated improved team communication under duress." He paused. "Minimal standards met."
Coming from Genma, that felt like high praise.
"Consider the intelligence portion of your initial assessment complete," Genma concluded. "Tomorrow, we resume D-Ranks. Do not assume this means training intensity will decrease during missions." His eyes lingered on Ren again before he gave a curt nod. "Dismissed."
As Team 12 walked back towards the village, weary but with a shared sense of accomplishment utterly absent from their D-Rank experiences, Ren felt a corner had been turned. They were still rough, still deeply flawed, but they had functioned as a team, overcome challenges using their respective (albeit limited) skills, and succeeded. And Ren had leveled Observe again, acquired a vital defensive pulse, gained new skill seeds, and confirmed Genma was deliberately testing his specific abilities. The path forward remained daunting, but less solitary.