Chapter Text
Yoroi adjusted his gloves as they stepped past the stupid genjutsu trap from the two who always heckled the team at the gate. Orders weren’t to seek Sasuke out, let Kabuto test him, and when the time was right it would be obvious.
The first exam wouldn’t be combat based anyway. Any fighting would likely not be allowed far enough to be worthwhile.
“Samel as usual,” Yoroi said. “Do you think they’ll reuse the same test from last year?”
“Maybe,” Kabuto said. “Not many repeat takers.’
Yoroi looked over the room, trying to find any old rivals and came up with nothing. Even the Ame kid, who’d never forgiven them, seemed to have either passed or abstained.
“Oh? Looks like Lord Orochimaru sent us a wildcard,” Misumi said, nodding into the crowd.
Yoroi spotted the trio easily, all wearing Otogakure headbands. Kids, younger even than the Sound Four. They had a cocky air about them for being brats too beneath notice for Lord Orochimaru to bother mentioning.
He leaned down to Kabuto. “Looks like there’s a backup plan if you fly off the handle again.”
Kabuto tensed, eyes narrowing at the trio, and Yoroi had to resist laughing.
“Your targets,” Misumi said, nodding at the door.
The only one Yoroi cared about was Sasuke. He was young, round faced, and despite the serious look in his eye, Yoroi couldn’t imagine he’d been in many scrapes. Sure, there was the night of his family’s death, but if Lord Orochimaru couldn’t beat Itachi could this kid surviving his brother be counted as a fight?
“He doesn’t look like anything special,” Yoroi said. When the time came, he couldn’t imagine losing to the greenhorn.
“Not our place to judge,” Kabuto said, getting to his feet.
He weaved through the crowd, approaching the trio. Yoroi couldn’t have guessed what Kabuto’s approach would be, but he would have been wrong if he had. Insults were his opener?
Yoroi decided to ignore that Kabuto’s plan somehow seemed to be working. “Think we can talk our way into an actual promotion this round?”
“You want a vest?” Misumi asked.
He didn’t think he’d look half bad in a chunin vest, especially the darker colored ones from Otogakure. He could steal one during the invasion too though. Surely there'd be a couple extras laying around after. Maybe off those obnoxious guys at the gates who kept teasing them…
“Maybe.”
Kabuto must have said something because the other Otogakure trio started moving. Were they actually–?
He had to take back his thoughts about fights not being able to go anywhere interesting. Yoroi watched Kabuto narrowly dodge a swipe from the one with the fluffy hood, in amazement.
He was actually getting to watch Kabuto get what was coming to him. He couldn’t hold back a laugh as Kabuto’s glasses shattered, and he doubled over.
Misumi shook his head, eyes narrow like he was smiling. “That’s oto’s finest for you.”