[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/654438713455149084/665377278007574559/image0.png[/img][/center][hr][sub]Earlier...[/sub]

"Ey Yo Bushbaby!"

Yosuke kept walking. They always did this, and they knew what today was for him. He wasn't going to humor them this time. He was determined to be there early, as would be fitting for a worker commissioned to a task. To fit the reputation Team 7 earned. He had recommended his teammates do similarly but it wasn't out of place if they just did their own thing. Yo as of this moment in time, however, was avoiding his cousins; Korajo, Midare, and Noboru.

Three 'exemplary' chunin of the Hinoiki that had graduated a little while before him. It was the trio of brothers that were often on his back the most, only being three years older than he was. To call them bullies would be an understatement, as they were almost singlehandedly responsible for his hardships growing up. They were also responsible for the unwanted nickname 'bushbaby'...Yosuke [i]hated[/i] that name, thus he never answered to it.

"C'mon now Yosuke, we got somethin for ya." Stated Noboru; followed by Korajo:

"From the clan."

The young swordsman stopped and eyed the ground with a sigh. Something told him he was going to regret this. Despite their odds, he couldn't deny their status as chunin who passed the exams. Maybe for once, he'd learn something helpful from them. So, Yosuke turned around, and past his developing mane, his stern gaze turned upward.

[color=cb6f36]"What?"[/color]

Korajo pulled a small, wooden cylinder coiled object from behind his back. Upon further inspection, it looked sort of like a snake, and the clear gap in the middle looked like it was meant to be placed around something. He extended it for Yo to take. The kid's lips flattened and he looked back up to their goofy faces.

[color=cb6f36]"What is this supposed to be...?"[/color]

"You get through the exams wit that on, you a real one." Noboru replied. Yosuke, examined each of their faces. Midare expression didn't seem to move from a straight face, though Korajo had something of a crooked smile. He couldn't see either of their eyes behind shaded glasses. From the looks of this, he felt like he was confronted by a three-headed devil trying to make a deal with him. He mentally debated, but in that small pocket of time, Midare spoke.

"Look like you really ain't shit after all. No wonder the clan don't like you." He stated frankly, holding the denotation of disappointment in his voice. Noboru shrugged and Korajo was retracting his hand, but Yo took the thing. 

[color=cb6f36]"Fine."[/color] He replied, quickly sliding his left arm through the looping snake cuff. Korajo chuckled a little bit and glanced at his brothers.

"Maybe the kid finally learning."

"We'll see." 

"Remember, you gotta keep it on through all the exams. You do, you'll have our respect movin forward." Korajo explained. 

Yosuke's golden eye bounced between the three of them again. It was really hard to believe, but after all these years, this might have been the one time they meant those words. It wasn't normal for Midare to even say anything to him, so, that clearly was some kind of sign. Yo rolled his shoulders, but nodded his head in understanding.

Turning back on track again, he started walking again. Following after him, he heard Korajo's voice chase after him.

"This is your test. Good luck Bushbaby! You'll need it."[hr][sub]Present || [@Bluetommy], [@Sunbather], [@Haruharara][/sub]

Yosuke still managed to make it to the site earlier than most. So, his position ended up somewhere near the front. He was sat on the heels of his feet, with his hands on his knees. His head was aimed down and eyes closed. His father's sword, named "Hakai", laid horizontally parallel in front of him. It was always before top priority tasks that his father taught him to meditate first. To bring his emotions to a controlled place, to focus his thoughts, and ready himself for the task ahead. 

To some he probably looked ridiculous, but Yosuke didn't care how they thought he looked. When Hokage Kaminari came in and made her speech, Yosuke opened his eyes and watched attentively. It seemed his meditation was warranted. As very soon, those who were not of his own squad, were to become enemies. Very well too, that death was a serious possibility. Whether it be due to the trials, or to each other, Yosuke wasn't sure yet. Still, it likely was in his best interests to find his team.

This was their first true test. 

His eye clipped the wooden ornament on his bicep as he picked up Hakai. Yosuke stood up and threw the blade over his shoulder and finally took notice of the crowd that developed. His view sifted through the faces and noticed cream-colored hair; Yachiyo. He felt air get caught in his lungs as though there was a net inside, feeling a little colder outwardly. He wasn't sure why that happened, but he ignored it for now. 

Navigating through, he took note of some faces he'd seen in passing, such as his little cousin Yasu with his team. He thought about going over to him to check on things, considering his teammate just headbutted some other random genin. He found no necessity in that though, and thus kept walking. 

It was as he did though, that he took notice of Kurimi, seemingly looking around for her team as well. His head tipped to the side in something akin to fondness, gently placing a hand on her shoulder as he passed her by. He kept his pace forward though, as the two of them were never the sort to exchange many words. Just a touch in hope of cloud-haired girl's good will during the exams, yet also not at his squad's expense.

As it seemed, Shunji managed to find his way to her as well. Made things all the easier. As he approached, he nodded in acknowledgement to each of them. 

[color=cb6f36]"Hey Yachi, Hirameki. What's up...?"[/color]