This thread is specially for all members who either lost the exams, lost their match, watching the remaining matches, or gathering up with their squads.

Feel free to begin posting to just get the feel of things again.

Attention Jonin:
Some veteran players remain, however several squads did almost get a whole new squad.

Try to get acquainted.

Players that were moved from the game, their characters are presumed dead for the fact that the Chunin Exams are going on, so if a certain squad member is missing and was replaced, assume they died to keep the story going and to explain the new replacement.

He had been disappointed that he lost, believing he failed his sensei in more ways than one. He had really believed he was going to at least put up a fight, but his opponent was truly a tremendous threat and over-powered.

He was even more depressed about the situation when a taijutsu girl had beaten his opponent. She put up more of a fight than he did. He was failure as a team captain and he knew he did not deserve that ranking of Chunin. He still had a lot to learn and that is what exactly he was going to do once these exams were over.

He wanted his sensei to be more hard on him and be more stricter. With that, he knew he would learn. Kai knew his weaknesses and knew his strengths. He seemed to be better as smarts than strength. Perhaps Kazoro would lead the squad better, not Kai.

He watched the now death match behold.

It was between a member from the land of fire and the land of water.

The male had a unique kekkei genkai, one he had only heard of due to rumors. How was it possible to possess such a kekkei when all descendants had been extinct.

It was clearly one sided, but this crazed, blood-driver girl had the motivation to continue after getting sliced, stabbed, and obviously defeated. She agreed to a death match.

He had never seen a death match before. They were rare and sometimes forbidden, but apparently Kumogakure enjoys a good fight every now and then.

"I cannot believe this is still going on. doesn't this girl realize she is going to get herself killed. Does she not value life like we all do? Or is this pride?" he said aloud, anybody from the stands could chime in to strike up the conversation at this point.

"It's not like she doesn't value life but victory is just higher in her priorities. Quite common among those who grew up in Kirigakure." A soft voice spoke out from Kai's left side. A girl clad in long black coat was leaning on the railing and watching the match with somber look. The headband on her forehead identified her as Mist ninja.

Izumi wasn't sure how she should feel at the moment as she watched yet again one of her fellow genin from Kirigakure getting seriously hurt and possibly killed. How many of them had already perished in the span of these exams?

Part of her felt numb since none of those who died had been very close to her and everyone knew the risks while signing up to the chuunin exams but also a wave of sadness washed over her every time she saw another familiar name in the growing list of casualties. She might have been on that list if their team had not dropped out when both her other teammates had suffered serious injuries of their own. On her own Izumi was not much of a fighter since she specialised more on support and their leader had made the right decision in withdrawing while they were still alive. In that sense she respected their leader's bravery more than anything since in old times death would have been only option.

Just like it seemed to be for that girl in the ring. Izumi flinched lightly as Chisame was again and again slashed and pierced by her opponents disturbing techniques."Give up already, you fool..." She muttered as her grip around the railing tightened.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

Kotenzu walked up to observe the battle. However, once it was clear that it wasn't going to end pretty he turned his back on it. There was no point in watching a fight that had a clear outcome.

He walked over to his student Kuzuki Kai and place a hand on his shoulder. Hopefully, a comforting gesture. "To keep moving forward when pushed back, to get up when you are slammed to the ground, and to fight with everything you have. This is what makes a true warrior. A man be the best ninja in the world but, without the will to fight he is nothing. Don't let your loss bring you down, let it ignite the fire within and use that fire to hone your edge." He spoke to his student, before moving on to a short story.

"I'm proud of you and the team. Win or lose you came. These exams are rough, some of the hardest trails that a shinobi does before moving on. It is better to try and fail then never try at all." He paused for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I took this exam once. When I was much, much older than you. I had no belief in my own ability to compete, that I didn't even try. When I did it was clear that I could have won years ago. I'm proud of you for trying and failing. The best way to hone your craft is practice. There isn't much that compares to this and certainly nothing I would be allowed to give to could come close to matching the intensity of this training. That being said, if you want to practice hard, harder then ever before, as your teacher I can't deny you that.

Nori knew that as she was laying in the hospital bed that her battle was a close one. Honestly, she didn't know if whether or not she was going to lose. She put her blood and sweat into that battle and the result was her fractured leg and her battered body. She felt herself barely able to move. 'Those chains were a killer. I'm probably going to have bruises all over,' she thought silently to herself as she slowly lifted up one of her arms and saw the purple bruises on her skin. A sigh escaped her lips and she looked down to her leg that was bandaged. 'How the hell am I going to fight the next battle with this?' She felt herself wanting to cry. There was no way that she could fight with this. Her attacks were Taijutsu based. She needed her feet, she needed her body, to be in good condition. What was she going to do? Nori closed her eyes and pushed a hand through her hair, feeling a tear run down one side of her face. Somehow she was hoping that the doctor would give her clearance so that she could fight. She really needed to do this. She couldn't let her teammates, or her land, down. She would never be able to forgive herself if she did. She had to give this her all. Even if she had a fractured leg.

Nanami watched with an intense expression. As the fight between Sigmund and Chisame continued, it became harder and harder to watch "I just don't get the point.. Sure its better pay, and there is some prestige. But to stake your life on it.." She flinches as Sigmund blocks and strikes the girl again, a solemn look comes over Nanami. Her hair slowly starts changing from its deep red, to a midnight black in color "Tch... I'll go visit Nori, I can't watch anymore of this.." Nanami doesn't notice her new hair color.

The girl makes a handseal, and vanishes..

A few moments later she appears at the treatment area, finds where Nori is resting. When she does, she knocks and announces herself. She walks in with a smile "How are you holding up Nori-chan?"

In reply to Makinoe Izumi (msg # 3):

Kai looked over to the young girl who walked next to him on his left. It was another water genin. It wasn't to no surprise that she would respond that way, of course defending not only her land but her teammate down there. Kai gripped the railing too, watching the match be fold.

"Be as it may, no life is worth losing over a promotion like this. Not at our age. We have a lot to learn and death may be one of them, yes, but at this age and rank, we still have a lot to learn to just foolishly throw away our life," he muttered, adding onto the scene that was be folding. He knew the match was close to an end. there was no way that girl could last much longer.

That's when he was spooked by his own sensei, who had chimed in and joined him on the stands. His sensei knew him better than anyone, with his feeling of disappointment, grief, and complete idiotic way of thinking he could get through the exams.

He listened to his sensei thoroughly. he wasn't at all surprised his sensei passed the trials the first time he went in. yeah, he may have been a bit scared and skipped them for awhile, but he went in and conquered them like nothing. But it was also something his sensei regretted too. that's how his sensei was pointing out:
It was better to have tried and failed than to regret it later and not try at all.

But did Kai even try? Kai compared himself to the girl down below who was giving it her all, whereas Kai gave up knowing it was one-sided for him. "I want to train as hard as I ever could. I want to train like you did. You passed these exams the first time you went through, even though you waited as long as you did. The next time I get into these exams, I want to pass them. I want to make it further than I did today. I feel like I didn't give it my best," he replied, looking back at the battle. "I want to have that kind of motivation that would put my life on the line like a true shinobi should do. I know you're proud of me sensei and would much rather have me alive, then dead, but I want to be like that girl. Driven by passion, motivation to win, and to make not only myself proud, but my family, squad, and my land. I want to know what it takes to be a Shinobi from the Land of Wind," he proudly stated, looking back at his sensei. "No more fooling around," he stated.

Sakuya was silently watching the finals together with other genins that have not made it through the match. Though watching was merely what it looked like as the young girl was lost in her thoughts. In a span of the day, her other teammates have lost their lives due to their match against their opponents. Her parents kept her from seeing them, actually barring her entry to the medical section of the arena for the first time in her life.

Her gaze absentmindedly lowered to her lap and then her arms that were put into casts since the her match earlier that day. They promised to get through the exams together, and if not this exam, at least the next one. All of a sudden she was left by herself. Sakuya could only feel distraught at the moment, not knowing what she can do.

In reply to Nara Nanami (msg # 6):

Upon hearing a familiar voice come from outside the door, Nori lightly sniffled. "C-come in," she said and quickly dried her eyes with her bruised arm before she moved it away from her arms and saw Nanami standing there with a smile. Only...something about her was different. Her eyes went up and saw a head full of black hair instead of red. "Oh, um, Nanami. I'm okay. Just a fractured bone in my leg and a little bruised but should be good to good for the next battle." She slowly sat up in the bed, wincing slightly as she draped an arm across her stomach. "But...what happened to your hair? It's different. How did you get it to change like that?" she asked.

Nanami blinks, and pulls her ponytail into view. She blinks again "I didn't know it changed, maybe it changed because of my anger towards death matches being allowed. I didn't care for how Sigmund's match became a death-match, the girl he is fighting is losing pretty badly.. I mean there is always the next chunin exams, or requesting to take the ANBU test and gain rank that way. I mean look at Naruto, he was technically a genin until the great war ended. Where he became a Jonin."

Her eyes look down at Nori's leg "Your leg looks broken Nori, you are primarily a taijutsu user." She sighs "Your still going to fight aren't you? If I could fight for you I would, and I wouldn't hold back. But I know you want to fight." Nanami looks back at Nori "I don't want you to die.. You are my best friend!" The look on her face was intense.

Nori listened to what Nanami was saying about her hair changing because death matches were being allowed. She couldn't believe that Sigmund's fight was coming to that. She knew that he wanted to become a Chunin more than anything else, but would he really allow himself to resort to killing another person because of it? Then again, she knew that he would do whatever it took to achieve what he wanted to do. Maybe he would... "We...all knew the risks coming into these exams, right? I mean, I'm not saying that these death matches are right. I don't want anyone to die, either, but people are willing to do anything to make their dreams a reality. Even if they don't get to see them come true. At least they would die knowing that they gave it their all," she said as she lightly clasped her hands into her lap.

When Nanami mentioned her leg, it only caused her to clasp her hands tighter together. She knew the other was just concerned because she cared about her. Somehow it...it felt nice to know that someone was willing to fight for her in order for her to stay alive. "Thank you for being willing to fight for me, Nanami," she said as she reached out a hand and gently took hold of the other girl's in return. "And thank you for caring so much about my well being. You are an amazing friend and I appreciate your concern. I really do, but...but I have to give this my best shot. I mean, I can't just walk away if I know I am still capable of fighting. These exams are too important to me and if I don't give it every bit of my strength and energy then I won't be able to leave with my head held up high. Even if my leg is broken, I still have my fists and my one good leg left to fight with. I'll just be slowed down is all." She grinned, trying to make light of her words but didn't know if it was working or not. "And I...I am hoping that you will be in my corner, Nanami. I need you to be. I need your support. Can...can you do that for me? Please?" she asked softly.

Nanami smiles a bit and grips Nori's hand tightly "Of course I will be, but promise me you won't risk your life for this." She shivers a little and then takes a deep breath "Since I didn't use much chakra in my matches. I can at the very least replenish your chakra a bit. Interesting thing about my bow. Its a great conductor for chakra. I can use the same technique that I use to create my healing arrows, and just channel it through the bow into you. Its the least I can do. It will take care of all the bruising and inflamation, but won't do anything for the break in the bone.."

She rests her bow across Nori abs "May the goddess of the divine provide healing and providence to you." Nanami's hands and bow start to glow white. Nori would feel a lot of the pain start to fade as well as some of the bruising and swelling. Then she would feel her chakra levels improve. This takes ten or so minutes. Nanami stops, she is sweating quite a bit "I am at my limit for now. This is the best I can do. I will get better at this." Her breathing was rapid, but slowly returning to normal.

In reply to Yamada Nori (msg # 11):

The curtain had been drawn around the other hospital bed in the room since before Nori had been wheeled in by the hospital staff.  Silent on the other side of the curtain, Kensuke stood with his elbows resting on the bed, curled over the body of a young girl, his eyes closed to hold back the tears and stifled sobs.  Hikari was gone.

Sometimes the dark-haired boy thought his Kekkei Genkai was a blessing, but in this circumstance it was most definitely a curse.  Other people were blessed that they could not see the exact moment that a person died.  In Kensuke's case, he could hear her heartbeat begin to slow in that freezing cave at the same time as her speech started to slur and slow down.  It was only a short while later that she began to fall from lack of coordination.  Their team had dropped out in order to prevent her from dying from hypothermia, but he could already sense her heartbeat slowing to dangerous levels.  After the medical team had come to the hospital room, he watched them do everything they could before calling her time of death and placing a white cloth over her face.  And now, Kensuke's sight showed him the blood in her vessels in stasis and clotting--a sure sign that her body was no longer functional.

The true sign of death was not the death rattle expiration or even the moment at which the heart stopped beating.  It was the moment that the blood stood still and began to harden.  And he could see it all.

The last vivid memory of Hikari flashed through his mind from before the exam.

---

Hikari had always been a cheerful girl, if a little clumsy and naive.  Still, she had the dream of being in the ANBU for the Kage of their village.  When Kensuke had asked her why one day while they were training together, she simply grinned at him and asked, "Well, don't you think they just look really cool?  And they protect the Tsuchikage!"

"Well, why don't you shoot for being the Tsuchikage then?" he replied with a confused quirked eyebrow.

"Let's be honest, I'm not the smartest cookie in the bakery," he said, her grin widening.  "That's why you make all our team plans.  Hey, why don't you be the Tsuchikage then, Kensuke-kun?  That way I'll be able to protect you!"  She thrust her index finger into the air at the idea and lowered it to point it at him.  "Think you can handle it?" she asked with a wink.

Kensuke had simply snorted and thrown his hands up in exasperation in response.

---

While he had most definitely been the brains of their team, Hikari, like the Light she was named for, was certainly the heart.  She kept them motivated and moving forward, pushing the emerald-eyed boy to find new solutions to problems when he got stuck with ones that wouldn't work.  Or even throwing herself headlong into a problem to help the team push their way to a solution.  She was always the first one to laugh and the first one to cry.

And now that heart was dead.

He had already cried.  Beaten the bed with his fists.  Screamed at her about the fact that she was supposed to be the ANBU to his Tsuchikage.  He knew logically that it wouldn't bring her back, but it was an emotional response not a rational one.  The process had long since been finished before Nori was admitted to the room, but he could not bring himself to leave Hikari's side even though she was no longer in that body.

It was the sound of a female voice talking about going back out into the Exam with a broken leg that roused him from his stupor.  With his Shingan activated, he could sense the heartbeats in the room earlier, but he had ignored them in his concentration to find one shred of life from Hikari.  Letting the Doujutsu go, his pupils began the process of constricting back to normal from their dilated sate, the crimson of his eyes subsiding to their usual emerald green once more.  Leaning up from the bed to stand, he slid open the curtain to reveal both himself and the bed with Hikari's body behind him.

"It is easy to risk your life when you don't know the reality of the alternative," he interjected into the two girls' conversation, his voice choked with grief slicing into their words like a hot knife through butter.  "Many of us came to the Chuunin Exams in peak condition and still died.  Yet, you think you can keep going in the condition you are in?  This isn't a sparring match.  Don't expect the opponent to give you time to recover.  They will target that leg until it is a bloody mess and then tear out what is left of you."

"Don't underestimate the exam," he said, gripping the curtain tightly in his hand, trying to support himself emotionally.  Looking over his shoulder pointedly at Hikari's dead body behind him, he continued in a soft voice.  "Don't...end up like us."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

Like some of the other genin, Yuuka was still confined to a hospital bed.  The damage to her shoulders would require extensive work to repair, so she certainly wasn't going to be fighting again any time soon.  Or even moving her own wheelchair, if they let her have one.  She had asked about her team-mates as soon as she had regained consciousness and had been relieved to hear that they were both okay.  Now though...  She fidgeted nervously in her hospital bed.  She'd been worrying about Kurochi since she had heard that he was going to be fighting again today, but overhearing that the genin were fighting in death matches...

"Ex-excuse me..."  She trailed off nervously.  "Did... did you say death match?"  She didn't want to intrude, but this girl seemed to know something about what was going on in the exams.

Nanami frowned as he heard the cheering and such, a sad look comes over her "Looks like Sigmund won.."

The girl walks over to Yuuka "It will only happen if both contestants agree to it. It happens when one of the entrants is beaten to a point where they at a disadvantage against their opponent. If they choose to continue it becomes to the death at that point. So many talented Shinobi died this year."

Nanami walks back to Nori "You know that means you will be fighting Sigmund, and then you still have Kotatsu to go through, and he is on a different level. I could feel the killing intent the moment I walked into the arena for my match with him. That boy won't hesitate to kill. I kind of wish I had a chance to fight him in a match again though. I don't know why, I feel like I could have bounced back in that match."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

Giving an approving nod towards the interference by the proctor Izumi let out breath she had been unconsciously holding for few seconds now. Looks like her fellow Mist genin got to live and see another day despite how hell bent she had been on going down with a fight. The said girl was beaten up and bleeding more than Izumi thought was physically possible and still had that blood lust in her eyes. Just how much stamina she had and when would it run out?

Izumi pushed herself away from the railing and made a face as more medical ninjas rushed towards the aftermath of the mach.

To be honest Izumi was shaken how brutal the final matches had been. There casualty rate had sky rocketed and none of the matches had ended without at least one contestant getting injured seriously. She clicked her tongue and dug her hands deep inside her pockets, wondering how bad it would get during the upper-tier matches. Would it be like revisiting the old era of Bloody Mist academy exams where only the most powerful emerged victorious and weak left dead. At least that Kotatsu guy gave her creeps even though she had only caught glimpse of him few times.

Kotatsu had watched the entire match be fold. He was into these kinds of matches. It proved who was the strongest and who didn't deserve to be alive and become a Shinobi. When the proctor interrupted the fight, Kotatsu practically pouted in the stands. "Absurd! They agreed to the death match! Let them finish it!" he shouted from the stands, gripping the railing and gritted his teeth.

He was merely disappointed that the match had been cut short. He wanted to see a blood bath. His matches have been nothing but death matches. They happen so quickly, the proctor couldn't stop him.

The only opponent that was left alive was Nanami, who gave the match up willingly.when he saw the next match ups, he was pleased.

Two teammates would be pinned against each other and the winner of that match got to face him in a death match. He couldn't wait.

He then noticed a girl who pushed herself away from the railing. he smirked. "I didn't see you down there. Took weak to fight?" he asked Izumi. He had only seen her from the first exam in the very beginning, presumed to have been dropped since then, but he wasn't sure. He didn't pay attention much to anybody here except for the matches.

Speak of the devil. Izumi felt cold shiver run along her spine when she heard Kotatsu talking to her and saw his smirk. Even though every cell in her body screamed her to back away slowly she met his gaze calmly."Possibly, but what is that to you?" She forced the words out of her mouth as she went against the instinct to take a step back.

She had watched matches since there was nothing better to do with her team out of commission. Out of all them Kotatsu's matches had disturbed Izumi the most. He had made quick work of every single opponent and what worse, seemed to be enjoying every second of it. Everybody knew of this surprise dark horse from the Land of Snow by now and rumors were flying everywhere. Still it was completely different being face to face with him only few feet between them.

The way he had let his true feelings show when he had shouted his disagreement with the proctor stepping in completed Izumi's opinion of him as dangerous individual.

He smirked again at the young girl before him. she did look awfully weak. He definitely could be feel that she was scared and shaken up with just his presence alone. In a battle, he knew she couldn't hang and defend herself. "It is every right of my business when I become the new champion. Then I can full fill my dreams," he told her, and gave a small laugh.

"Now out of my way. I have a death match to prepare for. Try not to miss it, doll," he laughed as he walked passed her and then vanished, leaving behind a dark, pitch black cloud. It was the type of puff cloud that all ninja usually left behind, however his was different. It had a type of evil and hate in it, with its thickness lingering longer than usual and than it finally disappeared.

Saori turned from where she'd been watching the battles, having heard a bit of that conversation.  She hadn't pushed away when the medical ninja rushed in.  Maybe it was the trainwreck effect, where one was compelled to see what happened.  It was a lesson, perhaps, that Saori could use one day herself.

"Lovely specimen, that one," the girl commented to Izumi with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.  It was one thing to be confident about your abilities.  It was an entirely different thing to be flaunt one's ego that much.  She hadn't fought herself, for reasons of her own.

Kurochi walked out of the infirmary in crutches, with bandages wrapped around his legs, even though the healers healed him up, his legs were still a bit messed up from his last match. He was hoping that his teammates made it out alright, he didn't hear much about how there matches went, but all the same he hoped that they were in better shape than he was. However one thing suprised him was that Senju, the guy he faced had died, he was sure that his opponent would have made it farther.

Sighing Kurochi thought of the worst, moving along a bit faster, now hoping to find Kai and Yukka. He hoped that they didn't die before he could make it up to them, after what had happened during the first half of the Chunin exams.

Upon making it the others, Kurochi smiled as he saw their sensei and Kai. Moving over to them, Kurochi sighed in relief, and started chuckling at how dumb he reacted. He should have known they would have made it out alright. "Kai, glad you are alright, how did your matches go?" he said, curious about who Kai vsed in the exams. "Also where is Yukka?" Kurochi asked, wondering where there other teammate was, now that he noticed that she wasn't with them, slightly worried.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

In reply to Kazoro Kurochi (msg # 21):

Kai had watched their sensei walk away, after muttering something to him before Kazoro walked up to him, in crutches none the less. Kai felt bad for him though. He was hurt more than him and Yuuka, however last he heard Yuuka had been in the infirmary after her match though. He had paid a small visit to her before coming to watch the remaining matches.

"hey, glad you're holding up. My last match I gave it up. It was one-sided, kinda like the one down there. I had no chance. But shortly after, my opponent faced a taijutsu girl, who nearly won, but he passed because of chakra exhaustion. his body couldn't handle the strain he put on his body," he began to explain until he noticed Kazoro's dimener changed when asking about Yuuka.

"Yukka's fine actually. she took a good beating though. she's recovering in the infirmary. I'm surprised you didn't know or didn't see her when leaving the infirmary yourself. you should go see as soon as possible. She's probably worried about you. Excuse me though, I have something to do," he informed him before patting his teammate's shoulder, for good luck, a job well done, and thankful he was still alive.

Kai eventually disappeared after that, seeking out his sensei once more. He desperately needed to speak with him.

 Shun seemed to appear out of nowhere, softly shuffling in as that odd one vanished in a puff of smoke. She had not been in the Chunin Exams thinking she wanted more time to learn, and hone her skills before wanting to test them. Observing the crowd, she walked up near the edge, seeing the end of the previous battle. The tall girl face looked more blank, though her eyes seemed to be red and puffy from crying.  She didn't know her team much but it was still a big loss to know she didn't have the option to get to know them now.

Though she did chuckle at Saito's quip, it was low and somewhat breathy.

Kurochi watched as Kai walked off, it seemed as though his teammate had a lot of things on his mind. Although he was suprised that Kai had patted him on the shoulder, usually it seemed as though Kai and him didn't get along. 'Maybe things aren't so bad' he thought as he turned around and headed to the infrimary planning on visiting Yukka.

Once he arrived at the infirmary again, he slowly moved passed the medical ninja, although it was hard to move since the crutches limited his movement. He hated the jutsu that imobilized him and injurded his legs, although it is not as bad as having a broken leg, Senju still messed them up.

 Noticing Yuuka, Kurochi smiled and walked up to his teammate, glad that she too was alright. "Hey Yukka, how are you feeling?" he asked, wondering what she had to go through to get that badly injured.

In reply to Nara Nanami (msg # 12):

Nori grew silent at hearing Nanami tell her not to risk her life for all of this. She did want to give this her best shot. She would be willing to give her life, but she didn't know what her chances would be in this next fight she would have to go through. If it all came down to a life or death match, would she really be willing to die? She was scared, but there were other things she was even more scared of. She wouldn't be able to walk out of this arena admitting defeat, but...but if it came to that then she would want to know that she gave her opponent everything she got and not just because of her injuries. "I don't know what is going to happen to me out there, but whatever does, I don't want to leave here knowing that I didn't give it everything I got. If I did, I think that's even more of a disgrace. I want to do you proud, Nanami. Sigmund, too. Even if I lose, I want to be seen as a person that didn't give up. Not even to her last breath," she said with a subtle yet solemn look on her face. She knew that just by what Nanami said that the girl didn't win her matches, but was still willing to help her with her injuries. "Thank you, Nanami. Just knowing that I will feel better because of you only reassures me that you are going to be apart of me. If I win, we'll win it together, okay?"

Nori watched as she rested her brow against her abs and said a chant before her hands and bow start to glow. She could slowly feel a warmth take over her. The parts of her body that were aching and throbbing in pain were no longer hurting her. She felt...renewed. Replenished. Like she was getting a clean slate. After minutes passed, the glowing started to fade. She smiled a little and brought up a hand to gently place on top of her friend's head. "This is more than enough. Thank you. I feel much much better. I appreciate it," she said. It was after saying those words that she saw the curtain of the bed from beside her slowly open up and reveal another genin with jet black hair on the other side. She listened carefully to his words, remaining silent all the while before her eyes turned to the body behind him. A girl. Lifeless. Cold. That must have been his friend. He sounded so hurt and in pain. Nori felt a sadness wash over her. "I...I'm sorry about your friend. I really am. I meant, no disrespect to her or to you. I know these exams are not to be taken lightly. I know what I am risking and I...I'm hoping that going into this next fight that I can give it all I have until the end even if I do lose. Having a broken arm or a broken leg is nothing if I can't do myself, my team, or my village proud." She bowed her head slightly and looked down to the ground. "I know pride is a sorry excuse for wanting to continue on in these exams. It's selfish, too, but I have a lot to prove. Not just to my teammates or my village. But myself. If I lose, I'll still be a winner. I know that I'll have given it everything I got and feel accomplished of everything I achieved in these exams. If I'm not meant to be a Chunin right away, then that's just the way it is. Maybe I'm not ready, but there's no way of knowing that unless I try. I have to. I owe it to myself to find out."

Upon hearing the cheering and Sima announcing the winner, Nori slowly turned her head and looked over in the direction of the distant noise. "Looks like you're right, Nami," she said before she looked back in the direction of her friend. "And Sigmund's certainly not going to take it easy on me, either. He wants this more than anything is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. He's gotten this far and he's not going to let anything stop him, including me. I will have to give it my best shot," she said with a small smile. "Kotatsu must be pretty tough if you lost to him, but I know if you would have gotten that second time at him, I know you would have kicked his ass. If I even get that far, I will fight for you, too. I promise you that."

Nanami nodded to her words "I hope you will forgive me for saying this.. If Sigmund killed you, I would.. No, I never could forgive him. If Kotatsu did, I would kill him." She huffs a bit.

The girl sits down next to Nori "Much like my mother will never be disappointed in me for not becoming a Chunin the first time. We only get one life, maybe two if you learn a forbidden jutsu." She laughs lightly.. "My mother, and father who are both prominent ninja in their villages. They always tell me to come home safe. Albeit training, or these exams. Do your parents want this so badly they would want you to possibly die?"

Nanami swivels and rests her head next to Nori's "Sorry I am just a bit emotional.. Anger, proud, more anger, and the worst feeling of all, fear of loss.. I don't know why, lately my outlook on things has changed a bit."

Nori knew that Nanami was concerned about her and it was nice to know that people other than her parents actually cared about her well being. She wanted to do whatever she could to reassure her friend about what would happen after this next battle with Sigmund, but even she didn't know what was going to happen. She knew he wasn't going to be easy on her. Even with this broken leg. "I hate to say this, but even if you didn't forgive him, I honestly don't think he would care all that much. Don't get me wrong, Sigmund is...well, he's a good person deep down. I've always known that since we were kids. He protected me and was my friend through a lot, but..." she began to say before she looked down to her lap and clasped her hands in front of her stomach. "...but that was a long time ago. He's different and we've grown apart. It happens when you grow up, right? I guess I just need to stop living in the past and start focusing more on the present. He's not my friend anymore and I'll just have to find a way to accept that."

Nori turned her head and looked over at Nanami as she laid her head beside her's, prompting her to lightly pat Nanami's head in a caring and affectionate way. "My parents support me no matter what. They always have. My mom always tells me it's okay to fail sometimes and make mistakes. Everybody does. I guess I just...have been afraid of failing and letting people down. There is more to me than this, Nanami. I was careless in getting my leg broken like this, but I swear to you, I am stronger than this. I just haven't had the chance to show it yet, but I will. As much as I care about becoming a Chunin and moving on to the next stage, it's just a title. I think it's kinda dumb to be labeled solely based on what your abilities are. People care more about the qualities that make up and represent a person. At least that's what I think. I don't care if anyone remembers what jutsu's I know or what moves I do. That's not what's really important. I just want people to remember me, that's all. Just Nori." She smiled softly. "I bet that sounds kinda cheesy, huh?" she said with a light laugh.

In reply to Kotatsu (msg # 19):

Izumi chose to remain silent while Kotatsu gloated even though she felt disgusted by him. It was obvious he was goading her into giving a reason for another fight but she wouldn't give him the pleasure, not now. Better to have him underestimate her than getting caught in petty argument which could turn out lethal very quickly. Individuals like him didn't last very long in the end. Either they met a force stronger than them or got overconfident and somebody a lot weaker did them in.

After Kotatsu had vanished Izumi let the contempt show in her face and she nodded at Saori's comment."Truly. Individuals like him make me wonder why everybody always blames us from Mist being ruthless."

It's true the village held their traditions of favoring raw power over other things but a lot had changed in the time of peace. The fifth Mizukage had done wonders for their academy system as well political relation with other countries but Mist ninjas were still regarded as ruffians by some older folks.

Turning to look at the scene down at the arena Izumi sighed with half amused smile. That Chisame girl did very little to change the way people thought.

Cunom sat there taking it all in and noting the strategies and tactics of varying fighters and the styles of other villages. Some had skills and abilities that rivaled even that of fables. He was decent in his own right but after witnessing the events of the matches, Cunom knew he had just a few skilled he still had to hone.

 He felt sorry for the Kunoichi clinging to life in the battle below. His thoughts were interrupted by Kotatsu. He got up and moved closer to the rail. "I'd say fortune favors the bold, but that guy is just asking for it. I guess every village has one." He said to the group of ninja standing next to him."The worst of it is when people like that are put in charge then that could bring a whole village down. I suspect that is what might have happened in the Mist. If the rumor are to be believed" He bowed slightly to Izumi in a manner that suggested that he meant no offense." Sorry if my comment seems overly familiar, but where my manners. I'm Mihuzani Cunom from the village hidden in the clouds. A pleasure to meet you all." He then turned his yellow eyes to the others in the group.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:24, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

The girl's words did little to ease Yuuka's concerns.  If anything, her comment about a lot of shinobi dying had the opposite effect.  I hope Kurochi's okay...  Being stuck in bed gave her little to do but read or worry and she was too worried to read.

She felt a chill when she heard the cheering from the arena and the other girl commented that the fight was over.  Does that mean someone just died?  Are they cheering someone's death?  I wonder who it was?

Fortunately some of her concerns were soon removed with the arrival of her team-mate.  She sighed in relief when she saw Kurochi was still alive, although he did appear to be injured.

"Hi Kurochi."  Yuuka smiled at her team-mate.  "I'm okay."  She blushed.  "Wh... what happened to your legs?"

"He'll earn whatever he deserves eventually, if he keeps on like that," Saori said to Izumi.  She also glanced in the direction of where the other girl had just finished her fight.  Or rather, had her fight called.  That wasn't going to sit well with more than just Kotatsu.  "Some of us embody that more than others," she added.  She suspected the other woman would be alright, eventually.  The medical ninja were talented at what they did.

The girl then turned to face Cunom. "Forgiven.  I am Saito Saori from the village Hidden in the Mist."  At least that's where she was these days.  The surname wasn't one that somebody would likely recognize though.  "It is a pleasure to meet you.  I do not believe that I observed you down there today either.  You observing the matches as well today?" she asked.

Eikitsu had arrived together with Izumi. Like Izumi, he was easily identified as a shinobi of Mist by the forehead protector he wore on his forehead. There was a slight departure from the norm in his attire this day however, for an object best described as a large barrel wrapped in white linen cloth was secured to his back firmly by two brown leather shoulder straps. It was noticeably similar to how novice puppeteers were known to transport their puppets, but the object didn't seem the correct shape for a puppet because it wasn't humanoid. So, perhaps it wasn't a puppet? Where Izumi had taken to socializing with the other shinobi gathered during the final preliminary fight of the Chuunin Exam, Eikitsu focused intensely on Chisame and Sigmund's bloody, one-sided battle. From beginning to end, he remained eerily quiet and still in his private little corner overlooking the battlefield and absorbed every detail of Chisame and Sigmund that he could. When the battle concluded with Sigmund's victory, he continued monitoring the battlefield until the medical shinobi took Chisame away for treatment. With no more data to be gathered, he searched for Izumi in the crowd.

"Mizukage-sama will not be pleased," Eikitsu thought privately as he located Izumi in the crowd mostly composed of genin who'd already failed the Chuunin Exam then pushed off from his corner with both hands. He danced around the crowds of shinobi for Izumi rather effortlessly, even with the large barrel on his back, and found himself standing at her left side in short order, mere moments after Kotatsu had vanished in a cloud of baleful black smoke. "Please forgive my interruption, Makinoe-san." Eikitsu looked from Izumi to Saori then added, "Saito-san." After addressing Saori, his attention returned to Izumi. "I will return shortly." His words were spoken softly and supported by a calm and polite demeanor at all times. This was always the case with him in Izumi's experience though. It was if someone had ripped out his heart and left behind a walking mass of intellect. Consequently, his politeness was far from sincere. In truth, he didn't really understand why one's tone or choice of words could be so disarming for others, he only knew that they could. With this realization came focused study on politeness, which he saw as a means to avoid unnecessary conflict. Unnecessary conflict was wasteful in his view.

Although Eikitsu's words were vague about the reason for his departure, as well as his destination, neither was terribly difficult to figure out. After all, a Mist shinobi had just sustained critical injuries. That did beg the question of exactly what he could do to help however. Since, he didn't have any training as a medical shinobi as far as Izumi knew. If Izumi intended to inquire further, she had her opportunity as Eikitsu stood by for her to acknowledge receipt of his message.

In reply to Yamada Nori (msg # 27):

Sigmund had been brought into the infirmary by himself, checking himself in to get healed properly. His body was exhausted. He did know though that his next opponent was Nori herself. His rival. his long time friend, well...use to be anyways.

   Upon getting into his room, he walked passed Nori's room, stepping back and poked his head in. He heard the last of the conversation between her and Nanami. He heard about the part of Sigmund wanting to kill Nori for the title.

   All he could do was merely smirk at the idea. Death matches were not his thing. Not in the slightest. Killing Nori wouldn't really prove anything but that he was a blood-driven killer of a genin. He didn't want to be known as that.

   He walked into the room, knocking on the door to make his presence known. His face was emotionless as he walked in. He looked quiet exhausted and of course a bit beat up. His neck had already been bandaged up and taken care of.

   "I'm insulted that both of you would believe I would kill either of you for these exams," he interrupted as he sat down in one of the chairs, sighing of relief to be off his feet for awhile. He was certain they heard about his recent win, but wasn't sure if they knew it was a death match and that he won because the proctor interrupted, not because he killed the girl.

   "Nanami, I want to apologize. I had promised you to drop out if my life was in danger. I broke that promise today and that I apologize for. For the record, I didn't kill her. I didn't kill Chisame. I had no intention to kill her from the beginning," he explained to them both. He was known for his determination and ruthlessness when he did, however for his teammates to believe that he would take an innocent life for his dreams, was a bit too much.

Nanami nods to Sigmund and listens "With how things have gone, and I am the only one to escpae kotatsu alive. I didn't really believe you would kill either of us. I just despise the amount of life lost in these exams. I will be rooting for you both. You are both my friends, even though we do have some massive differences in view points. But when we aren't put on the spot like this, we actual act pretty normal. We all have our ideals, and our ambitions, and I know a time will come when really hard decisions will have to be made. Hopefully we will still be a team, and be able to make them."

Hearing the announcement "Your match will be soon.." She pulls Sigmund aside for a moment [Private to Akitoki Sigmund: "I am rooting for her, but part of me wants you to win, because if she faces Kotatsu, in her condition, he would probably kill Nori. I also ask if you face Kotatsu, kill him if able. But don't die, because then I will make it my mission to kill him." Her eyes were as serious as they could be.]

Nanami takes an arrow from her quiver, snaps it in half "I want both pieces back after your match, I will be watching and rooting you two on. Either way I will be proud of both of your efforts.."She hands a piece of the arrow to each of them.

Shun turned at bit to see the guy introducing himself, realizing this was someone she would have to befriend since they were in the same village, probably as new to everything as herself. "Ishikawa Shun. I don't believe we have officially met... Or at least spoke often to each other."

Her situation was known to most of the village though most seemed to be baffled by her choice and how firm she stuck with it. Most kids seemed to be somewhat afraid, as her more aggressive traits of stubbornness and her sometimes difficult behavior known throughout.

Sigmund, when pulled to the side, just remained quiet. As he did, he noticed another individual in the room from afar with jet black hair and sported the Land of Earth headband. He paid attention to Nanami before he and Nori were handed half of the arrow as Nori was handed the other.

"You'll get it back, I promise," he told her before locking eyes with the fellow in the back. He wondered how long that boy had been standing there. With his exhaustion, he really didn't pay too much attention when he entered the room, but he did however feel the presence of another being within the room, silently waiting.

From the looks of it, he didn't look beaten up. It was an indication that this genin either never fought to begin with, gave up the match, or was eliminated early on in the exams. However he looked pained. He must've lost someone in the matches. It was sad really. Teammates were dying left and right, the biggest death rate in the chunin exams in history. It was dreadful. He was just relieved his team was alive still.

Sigmund paid no attention to him at this point. He seemed to be of an odd character, however all the genin from other villages seemed weird to him.

He sighed, remaining quiet.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

All players who are posting that they are in the infirmary, please post in the other thread.

The rest of you are posting as if you were watching the matches.

The other kunoichi had almost read her mind and Izumi nodded briefly to Saito before turning to Cunom. Although she always had healthy distrust towards people from different villages Izumi saw no harm in simple socialising with other genin who had gathered here to watch the match. She offered him a polite smile."No offence taken. The bloody past our village has is something we live with and can learn from. And since introducing seems to be what we are doing, I'm Makinoe Izumi from the Village of Hidden Mist. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Suddenly Izumi heard Eikitsu's voice from her left making her wonder when he had appeared there. They had arrived together but the enigmatic boy had went his own way almost instantly after more people had started to pour in. Sometimes she wondered how he did that whole presence concealing thing. It was almost like his body let out less signs of life than normal.

"Eikitsu." Izumi acknowledged Eikitsu's presence with a single word, neither rude nor extremely friendly either. The relationship between them could be described as very professional since the academy. Izumi couldn't describe it but something in Eikitsu's demeanour made her uneasy, like he was interacting with others just for the sake of it without any real feeling behind.

As he spoke of his intention of leaving, Izumi gestured him to wait for a moment. She almost could guess where he was going to go and she too had intended to visit the infirmary soon after. Might as well go together.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

"Eikitsu-san," Saori responded politely.  She gave the boy an easy nod.  She was pretty sure where he was planning on going.  "If you are going to the infirmary, I will join you shortly, but do not wait for me," the girl commented.  This was a rare chance to get to know some people from outside their village, and she didn't want to completely pass it up.  She wanted to check on the injured member from their village, but she wasn't sure how long it would be before Chisame would actually be up to things like talking.

Or if the medical ninjas would even let them in and see her right now.  She had taken a right beating in that last fight.

She turned back to Cunom.  "I did not see you fight either.  I hope you have not encountered any kickback from some of the others as well," she said to the boy from the land of Lightning.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

Eikitsu had what he needed from Izumi and now prepared to depart the stadium. He hadn't granted Izumi the ability to alter his plans. So, why did she believe she could? Rather than leave abruptly, he remembered his studies in politeness and took a slightly different approach to the situation. "Forgive me, Makinoe-san, but this matter can not wait." Eikitsu relied on his hollow politeness to hopefully remain on favorable terms with Izumi despite denying her request. It would not serve Mist nor the Mizukage for Mist-nin to argue or fight among themselves in the presence of rival shinobi, so he sought to avoid that situation. "You are welcome to join me once your business here has concluded however." Eikitsu turned his attention to Saori and locked her eyes with her briefly, but no other words escaped his lips. Instead, he simply flickered away.

---

>>> to "Chapter 2.8: Infirmary"

Kaji looked around for his team. He holds several files in his hand "It will be a pain to find them in this ruckus of a crowd." He listened to kotatsu "I'll keep an eye on that one, but I don't need to worry about him going anywhere, seeing as an arrogant boy like that wouldn't miss his shot at the finals for anything." He looks around for any of the earth ninja. He runs into a few and hands them each a folder "I need you to find these four Genin and have them meet me at that gate." He looks to the entrance behind him.

Kaji hops back to his sitting spot above the same gate that he was having the Genin Summoned to "Teammates fighting one another, this should be fun to watch. Barring any outside interference." Which is what he was keeping an eye out for.

A warm smile washed over his face as he realized the pair of Mist ninjas, Saori & Izumi, were not only sensible but willing to chit chat with other shinobi outside their village. "I wasn't able to compete this time around, but like everyone else, I'm here to scope out the competition. I'm sure we will all pick up some new tactics." The cloud shinobi looked back and forth from one to the next as he spoke. "Let's not forget the most important reason we are all here,  the fostering of relation with other villages. To that end,  I invite you all to the Scroll & Tea Emporium, my families shop, here in cloud village after the matches are done." Cunom reached into his pack and pulled out a few colorful flyers with the symbol of a blue oar with a crescent moon behind it and handed them over.

"Think of it as a place you can enjoy some tea in comfy chairs, read up on what's going on,  and relax. But don't relax too much the place will be crawling with shinobi from every nation as well." He gave a little chortle at his simple joke. Cunom didn't want to come off as some salesman so he thought it best if he explained the cause a little better."Not to worry everything is discounted for shinobi since it was probably a long expensive trip getting here. So my families shop won't be making a fortune off anyone. He informed the group sincerely

Shun looked to the others in the group, somewhat grinning smugly. "How come this is supposed to strengthen ties if all we do is fight and kill each other?" This was clearly a rhetorical question, more of an accusation if anything. Glancing at the people getting ready to fight below, she continued. "Why do we try to name it something else? It's just measuring to see is a village is falling behind, or another is improving too fast. To check the balances I thought?"

Then looking at Saori and Izumi, "I mean you guys are good, but isn't this somewhat contradictory?"

Izumi just shrugged as Eikitsu vanished, most likely heading to the infirmary to see Chisame. It's not like she was his keeper although she slightly wondered what he was up to.

Returning her attention to the Kumo-nins Izumi accepted the leaflet offered to her by the one who had introduced himself as Cunom. She turned the  leaflet around in her hands few times before pocketing it."Thank you for the kind offer, we're sure to keep it in mind." She gave him nod but the smile on her face became strained at Shun's words.

"That's one way to look at it since it is inevitable some intelligence gathering is going to take a place when all the Villages get together but I like to disagree. Chuunin exams are perfect example how all countries still have same standards for their forces which prevents some countries getting more powerful than the others. As you said, checking the balance also helps to maintain it." Izumi spoke softly but with serious expression."While I agree death match are wasteful everybody knew the risks when they signed the Chuunin exam participation."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Shun seemed to think about these words, and after a bit nodded. "Yeah strengthening of the ties of the villages themselves seem more appropriate wording for these..gatherings. Because I'd rather want more productive teamwork or alliances if they expect-" She motioned to the rest of the genin, "us to actually form any bonds. Even now. We are watching people fight and only thinking about how we can beat them in a later date if need be."

He listened to his fellow kumogakure shinobi and Izumi exchange before considering their words. He gestured a hand over to Ishikawa Shun as if to introduce her to the other nonCloud ninjas. "Shun, there is a measure of accountability to it all no matter how forlorn it may be. This is the politics of the shinobi world, such as it is." He glanced down at the next combatants as though deep in thought about more than just the happening of the day." It will always be this way or at least till our feudal Lords decree otherwise. I trust you will be at my shop later as well Shun, I know how much you like our baked sweets." The yellow eyed shinobi said with a hint of humor in his tone.

Shun seemed to be a little put off by what Cunom said, a somewhat annoyed expression on her face. "I'll respect politics when they make sense and are practical. But I'd say most of the time politics are just ways of complicating and adding accessaries and art to something to disguise truth. Plus this is a debate, not vomiting the words adults use so we don't question anything farther. What do you honestly think of it?"

Then at the mention of sweets Shun tried to huff in some manner so her childish reaction wouldn't be seen. "You know I only go in for the mochi... and my mom is banning me from eating it. She's convinced I eat too much of it and that I should eat better so I don't lose any muscle mass.."

His eyes glittered as he tried to hide his smile about her love of sweets from her. " We do have pork buns too, so you won't lose muscle mass. I"ll even throw in a complmenty Mochi. Plus you'll miss out on any intelligence gathering or useful intel.

Saori accepted one of the flyers as well.  "Thank you," the girl said to Cunom.  She then fell quiet while the debate about the exams and politics started up.

"Well, I'm originally from an otherwise uninhabited island, so I'll admit politics isn't something I was exactly born into.  But I agree that while death matches are mostly a waste of potential, we do sign up knowing about them.  I suppose that's part of the training though, being willing to literally put your life on the line," the girl said.

She glanced over at Shun.  "Politics is a lot of things, from what I've seen.  A way to complicate things, sure, but a way to get two sides to agree on something too.  I'd much rather know people I'm working with than get tossed in with no familiarity, so I'm all for the getting to know each other and seeing what the other villages currently have to offer.  Though I expect that not everything is on display here.  Plenty of techniques are never showcased here, and those not shown tend to be the most powerful.  The exams do show us, however, that everyone has a certain minimum level of competency that is being passed through the ranks.  There is value in making sure everyone is maintaining certain standards."

The reactions of the crowd towards the decision to end the match by decision brought Sakuya out from her private thoughts. The genin looked up to see how things went by, absently grateful that her sensei interrupted the match before anyone got killed any further. Looking around, she noticed new faces amidst old ones. Where they replacements to those who were lost?

Taking a deep breath, Sakuya figured she find something else to do aside from pondering on the loss of her friends for the moment. The arena's atmosphere did not exactly help in sorting out her feelings, and she needed to get in touch with Fujii-sensei to see what she can do with the current situation.

Standing up was a little difficult to do with both arms still in casts - Sakuya had to use her legs and abdominal strength to stand up instead of using her hands to pull herself up. If it were not for her training, walking without the use of her arms would have been a difficult task.

"Excuse me..." Sakuya excused herself as she started to make her way down the stairs. Some of the genins were along the stairway down, some vaguely familiar, others new.

Shun smirked. "What intel am I going to get there? Gossip?"A glint appearing in her eye, along with little chuckles. With Saito's input she nodded. It's seemed like she was content with Saito's answer, not trying to probe any farther. "Though I do want to ask: Do you guys think you would ever want to fight a deathmatch here? Do you think you could?"

"Politics are a necessary evil." The mist kunoichi commented offhandedly. The discussion bounced between topics like politics and baked sweets, a perfectly normal small talk until Shun said something which made Izumi once again turn serious.

She raised her eyebrows at Shun. Despite her cheerful demeanor this girl really saw the exams in negative light, didn't she. Deciding to humor her the mist kunoichi shrugged before answering."It's not my favourite way of doing things but if they refused to give up, it wouldn't be unthinkable. You wanted honesty so let me put it this way: the techniques every genin learns during training, they're not exactly for resolving conflicts peacefully. They're for neutralizing your opponent. Killing them. Sometimes we have to." She said in a matter of fact tone.

Letting her words hang in the air Izumi pocketed her hands and after a while gave a small smile."But I don't think that is very likely to happen, right? Death match is only the last resort if neither side is ready to give up." There was some finality in her words as she didn't really enjoy these heavy topics unless she was perfectly comfortable with the people she was with.

A somewhat meek voice took Izumi's attention and she noticed they were blocking over half of the stairway. She stepped to side with apologetic look meant for Sakuya."Sorry, didn't mean to stop you."

"You are most welcome" He spoke as he handed Saori the flyer with a smile. The cloud shinobi remained ever listening to the Kunoichi's discussion, as his eyes darted back and forth in turn while one spoke after the other. He found himself nodding in agreement with some points more than others. So focused was he that he almost didn't here Sakuya.

"Hmmm.. oh sorry I didn't see you there, Sakuya. Care to throw in your opinion as well about our debate? Though at this point I think we should save it for the shop." he seemed mildly amused. "What say we table this till we get to the Scroll & Tea Emporium."

Shun offhandedly said 'sorry' to Sakuya, moved for more room though you could tell she was really absorbed into the discussion. "I didn't mean necessarily that I believe that killing shouldn't be a last resort, more of... What conditions do you think you would need to fill before you ended a life and not completely regret it? Because while killing or hurting on the job or just simple sparing I have no problem, though I doubt my ability to kill someone that I don't believe is a threat. It's one thing trying to make someone give up, and roughing them up a bit though just that but I honestly don't know if I could do permanent damage to anyone. I might just be too nice but have you ever thought about it before?"

Then after her long monologue she heard Cunom. "Oh." Then after a bit of silence. "Yeah, you're right. This'll go on forever. "

"Thank you very much..." Sakuya replied with a quick bow and was about to proceed when someone familiar asked her if she wanted to offer her thoughts about the opinions they exchanged with. She quickly lowered her head to avoid making eye contact, realizing that she may have been crying and had no way to wipe her tears without help.

"Ah? Cunom... I'm sorry, but I don't feel like it..." she managed a reply as she lowered her head a little more before hurrying on ahead of them. Once entering the halls, Sakuya ducked into a corner and slumped her back against the wall. She breathed a sigh of temporary relief, daring a peek over the corner before collecting herself. She then looked at both of her arms, still stuck in the casts applied by her parents. It will take a day or two before they can remove it, preferring to allow the injuries from her fight to heal on their own rather force the recovery with healing jutsu.

In reply to Harusame Sakuya (msg # 55):

The matches had been tough this year. In the history of Chunin exams, he hadn't seen this much bloodshed since before he was even born. As a proctor of these exams, he tried to intervene as much as possible, but to no avail. One particular individual sparked his interested: Kotatsu from the Land of Snow. Every match that supposedly "Genin," has been involved in, none of his opponents have survived except for the Konaha Genin, Nanami. He even disposed of his own team.

Grief washed over the all mighty powerful Jonin. He even lost some of his squad in these exams. The Land of Snow was suppose to be peaceful natured people, however their Genin squads are showing otherwise. He couldn't help but blame himself for his squad's failure. Two out of three were killed. Sakuya was his lone survivor. She had been sent to the infirmary, just like everybody else participating in the exams.

This was his break, having some time to spare while the next semi-final match was to be begin. He had made his way to the infirmary, wanting to help send his condolences to his only Genin apprentice. After checking in with the front desk, he was directed to a particular room where Sakuya had been but he room deemed empty.

After just poking his head out, he wondered the halls in hopes of finding her, in which he did after a five minute walk around the premesis. He had found her back at the stadium instead, by herself. She was slumped into a corner, a look of grief and a tear-stained face revealed her emotions strongly. Sima had approached her slowly, making his presence obvious in a respectful manner. "Sakuya," he said softly in that rugged deep voice of his.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:14, Mon 30 Jan 2017.

Sakuya tensed up a bit when she heard someone call her name, taking a deep breath when she recognized it as her sensei's. She slowly got up from the floor, using the wall to support herself with her back to finally stand up. She was hesitant to look up, with tears already streaming down her cheeks and her face probably stricken with grief of seeing her teammates lose their life in the chuunin exams' one-on-one matches.

"K-Katsumi... and Jhinsokyo..." Sakuya tried to speak up in between sobs, trying her best to not just cry out from the feelings pent up within her, "They promised... we'll see it through together... but... but..."

The young genin couldn't help it any longer as her tears started dripping on the floor. She couldn't even use her hands right now to cover her face, falling to her knees instead as her cries become more audible.

"I... I couldn't do anything..." Sakuya finally said as she continued to cry on the floor in front of her sensei.

Saori gave an easy nod at Izumi's explanation.  That fit well enough with Saori's line of thinking that she didn't feel compeled to add anything else, especially when Cunom suggested they table that discussion.  She also moved out of Sakuya's way to let the other girl pass.  "Fair enough.  Though if you'll pardon me, I'm going to go see how Hikawa-san is doing," Saroi offered.

The girl gave a polite incline of her head.  "It was good meeting all of you."  Then she turned and exited, heading towards the infirmary.

To: Chapter 2.8: Infirmary
This message was last edited by the player at 12:28, Mon 30 Jan 2017.

As Sakuya opted not to stick for conversation and pushed past the group, Izumi narrowed her eyes briefly.

Sighing softly, she wondered why Shun was so intently pressing this topic."It is inevitable one thinks about these things when they decide to walk the path of shinobi. Some of us have killed already, others not. I believe I said it already: if somebody refuses to give up or continues to hinder me until they are dead. Otherwise wanton killing is just a different show of weakness." Izumi gave a brief glance at Saori and then looked back to the group, making and apologetic gesture.

"Afraid I'm going to stop by the infirmary too but keep the seats free. We might join you later." Following close behind Saori, Izumi stopped quickly beside Cunom and spoke in low tone."You might want to extend your invitation to that girl who passed us earlier. She could need company." With those final words she exited the arena.

to Chapter 2.8: Infirmary ---->
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Tue 31 Jan 2017.

Shun waited until Sakuya left, then put her hands up to cover her eyes with the heels of her palms. "Oh my that was insensitive. How could I forget?" After this show of concern, she put her hands by her side. "Come on Cunom, she's one of our own. I've seen her around before. We have to help her out." Grabbing his arm, and following down the stairs to where she watched Sakuya left, pause at a turn to listen for anything and continuing to move.

Seeing her in front of a teacher, Shun paused. Somewhat wondering if it was okay to move forward. She didn't know them much, but the least she could do was offer her condolences.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Tue 31 Jan 2017.

He waved to Saori as she made her way to the infirmary. His focus went to Izumi and Shun as they concluded their heated debate."Take it easy Izumi and tell your friends about the shop as well."

With the conversations over he thought about the menu for that afternoon. Well, that's the end of that till we all get settled in the shop. I wonder if mom remembered to make the Daifuku rice cakes. The last batch of red bean paste was way to swee... his thoughts were interrupted by, Izumi speaking quickly to him in hushed tones in concern for his fellow cloud shinobi. Cunom gestured in appreciation.

Moments later his friend Shun later realized they were both being a little insensitive. As they stood down the hall from Sakuya and a teacher, Cunom murmured in his childhood friend's ear. "Shun I feel bad for her too. Didn't she lose her team in the exam. I was so preoccupied with the events that I didn't connect all the dots. We should give them a moment before we try anything" He said in a hushed tone as they clung to the shadows.

He remained emotionless to the situation but felt responsible, guilty, and empathized with her. Today they both lost people close to them. When she fell to her knees, sobbing loudly in the hallway, he kneeled down, scooping her up in his arms. He cradled her and held her close to him, her head laying on his shoulder as she cried.

"This is not your fault. None of this is your fault," he whispered, trying to reassure her. "This is my fault. I didn't train either of you strong enough. I didn't push you three pass your limits. I sent you all to your death," he admitted, letting out his own frustrating thoughts. "I failed you all, but I promise you I will not let that happen again, Sakuya. None of this is your fault," he finished, closing his eyes and just allowing her to cry in his arms.

Sima wasn't one to be known to have a soft side, however when dealing with female squad mates, they normally brought out the best of him for the greater good. They always showed him compassion and that it was okay to actually feel something instead of bottling it all up.

Shun backed up once she saw them crying together. "You're right. It would just be stupid of us to insert ourselves in this now." Then turning around, bringing her fist up to her face she leaned in, "But we can't forget this now. I have to apologize later." Poking her headband with her finger like that might actually do something. Though for Cunom this abnormal gesturing had been become the norm, if not comical.

The taller ninja walked back to the stairs, if not a little skip-like. She wanted to get away from such a private moment, it wasn't something she believed she had the right to see.

The young genin felt the warmth of her sensei's arms around her, giving her some comfort amidst what has happened today. Her tears were still flowing, but at least her breathing has somehow calmed down.

"I'll work harder from now on..." Sakuya managed a reply as she closed her eyes, resting her head on Fujii-sensei's shoulder. With all the stress of the day finally let out, exhaustion finally set in on her. As sleep finally crept on to her consciousness, Sakuya decided that she would put her efforts at training seriously to ensure something like this would not happen again. She would be doing this for the sake of her teammates that couldn't make it.

Sima would soon feel Sakuya relax against him, having fallen asleep on his shoulder.

Jin watched the Genin battling each other with an unreadable expression on his face whilst leaning against the observation railings. He watched the genin fight until some or both were carried away by the medical nin that were standing by, some of them might recover, some were already dead. Jin did not particularly approve of fighting to the death as part of the chunin exams but he understood how effective the method was, he just didn't like thinking about the wasted potential. As he watched the fights he noted the abilities of the genin and remembered a few of particular interest though he paid closer attention to the genin that he was possibly going to be assigned too. Providing they all survived the exam. So far he had been impressed with the hidden leaf genin and looked forward to training with them. After watching sigmund head to the infirmary he decided to follow and perhaps see what the genin were like outside of battle. Jin removed his arms off of the railing and stretched his arms and back with a wide yawn before adjusting his prayer beads and vanishing with a sudden and small cloud of leaves.

-------->To Infirmary

He remained quiet as she had continued to cry in his arms. Eventually she uttered something under her breath and then fell asleep in his arms. He looked at the time, knowing he had to get the next match going at this point in time.

He had carried Sakuya all the way to the infirmary and found her assigned room away from everybody. There seemed to be a bit of a commotion going on with several Mist genin and the remainder Konoha genin as well.

He paid no attention; He had other matters to attend to. He laid Sakuya on the medical bed, covering her up with blanket before he exited he room, leaving behind a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the room. She was exhausted; she needed to rest.

He made his way out of the infirmary and back to the stadium, getting ready for the next match.

He fled with Shun once they saw what was going on."At this point the only thing left to do is is go back and watch the last match." He murmured as they moved quickly and quietly in lock step. "Besides I'm curious to see the outcome and what new tricks or kekkei genkai the others might have. You never know when you might run into that particular one in the future. It's best to study it now, learn its counter and its limits from a safe distance. " He said once they were now at a safe distance.

Once back at the exams he took a very close seat that he might study the happenings first hand. Cunom made more than just a few mental notes."So if you were a gambler who would you put your coin on Shun?" He idly said gazing down at the fighters.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Fri 03 Feb 2017.

Shun let out a huff. "Come on, it's doubtful we'd remember much. I know I'll only remember some details if any of about one or two people and by the next exams they'll improve or change so I don't think it'd be any use to get too into learning their style." Then she shrugged. "Plus, I barely remember anything of this sort. Though! Isn't the taijutsu girl in this injured? I mean it's obvious she's going to lose, or at least it's very likely."

Shun didn't look like she was trying too hard to notice anything, because sure she was still studying them, but she doubted she would be able to remember any of them in a month's time.

From the stadium:
Sima made his way to the center of the stadium, staring at the Kages one by one from down below. "Will the two contestants make their way to the stadium. The last semi-final match is about to begin," he announced, with a microphone in hand. His message could be heard from the infirmary as well.

Cunom arched  an  eyebrow at Shun with a knowing look as a slight grin washed over his face. "So you have been fooling me this whole time,and here I thought you girls were the smarter ones. At any rate it's good for my research. What I can"t remember I write. It's lucky I have a mind like a steal trap." A scroll was then in his hands. The yellow eyed shinobi held it up to show her the info he recorded with great detail. He continued to write as they spoke all the while his eyes never left the match.

Shun make something similar to a huff, though it sounded oddly like a bark, crossing her hands to show her somewhat false anger. "I'm not stupid! I'm just saying I'm not going to remember all of them! Or everything about them. I'm going to remember their personalities and fighting style if anything. Plus that would be cheating, I'd rather be caught by surprise and still be able to destroy them." Now it seems like she made her point, turning to eye the two that came into view. "Broken chromosome. Stupid taking notes that will definitely change."

Her pouting stopped as she saw the scroll, eyes going wide and leaning heavily on his shoulder to try to read it all as he wrote. "Dang, you're dedicated." Shun said, somewhat amazed, her previous little burst of emotion gone.

Nanami slings her bow over her shoulder. Her gaze watches her teammates leave. Watching Nori limp out caused Nanami to sigh to herself. She exits to the area outside of the infirmary. She didn't seem to be in much of a rush at the moment. Her mind was thinking back on their training. Even though her and Sigmund never really got along, he was always dependable though.Her thoughts drift to Nori. Nanami smiled as she recalled her friendship with Nori. Since the day they first met, they have been friends. Their first days training led to them gaining one another's trust. In her eyes the three of them had formed a strong bond, even if Sigmund planned to leave their team, even before they undertook a mission together "I wish he would stay on with us.." She says to herself.

The girl looks up to the gates that led to the Arena, a gust of wind tussles her hair. Nanami looks up as the crowd cheers "It must be about to start.."

Another gust of wind blows by her. This wind feels ominous to her. She enters the gate and makes her way to the front row, then makes her way to where her father would be, most likely near the hokage. Nanami finds the railing near the kage and finds a place to stand. She waves to her parents and then turns her attention to the fight that was abot to take place "Good luck Nori-chan, and Sigmund-Kun!"

A black cloud of darkness has traveled its way to the stands within the stadium. It migrated to the edge of the stands, before Kotatsu emerged from the dark cloud. He sat on the edge of rail, scanning the area below, examining the fight before him. He didn't pay much attention to the other genin in the stands, the losers, he referred them too. The ones who weren't strong enough to handle a death match. There was something different about him this time though than when the last time everyone saw him.

His eye color had changed to a blood red. the darkness lingered, whispering off of his body, especially his shoulders, hands, and legs. He wore complete black with a cloak, his eye patch still in tact. "Well, well...the two Konoha ninja. This should be interesting," he uttered, whether the other heard him or not, he simply did not care. All he cared about was who was going to win this match and who he would get to kill next in front of all the Kages, included his own Daimyo.

In amidst her cheering, she heard a voice that has stuck in her head. A voice she wished she had never heard. Its not fear, but disdain for a person who enjoys killing. Nanami turned her head to see Kotatsu sitting near her. She wasn't quite sure if she should even take note of him or not. But those words he just uttered annoyed her further. She knew just in that fight that something was off about his attacks.. The way they felt were not in line with any Kekkai or jutsu she had heard of.

Nanami glanced over him. Then she noticed the difference in his eyes, in the way he looked, and the darkness that seemed to dance around him. The girl sat there thinking for a moment. Then things started falling into place, well at least in her mind. If she was right, it would make sense as to why he wanted all matches to end in death, and why his jutsu felt wrong. She walks the few steps to be standing near him "You know, I am starting to understand your Kekkai some. The way your jutsu tugged at me, and numbed my arm a bit. Then I see the subtle changes in you. Killing is not only required as fuel for your Kekkai. Killing also increases its power, I am not sure if its permanent or a limited time increase. But its something like that.."

Nanami then walks back to where she had been standing previously.. She didn't care if he responded or not, as it would most likely be a taunt or saying he was going to kill whichever teammate fought him. Which Nanami dreaded more then any other outcome.

In reply to Hikawa Chisame (msg # 43):

---> from Chapter 2.8: Infirmary

"Hikawa-san, it hurts me how little you remember us from the academy but I guess it's been long time and you are just being yourself. As for who are fighting, it's the leaf genin you lost to and apparently the other competitor is his teammate." Izumi answered in calm tone to Chisame's barrage of questions, or at least those she thought were actually worth answering while she was navigating through the crowd. Finally she found her way to the railing where she had last time watched as well. The match had already started and the first shots were already being fired.

As expected both sides were just testing the other and no real effort was put into the attacks at this point. Izumi also noted both leaf genin were injured and frowned lightly. Even if they survived this confrontation unscathed whoever won the fight would be in terrible disadvantage against Kotatsu.

Speaking of which she caught a sight of the intimidating boy at the edge of the stands having a "chat" with the third member of the leaf squad. He looked the same yet somehow different. If possible, more ominous. Izumi tore her eyes off from the snow genin and focused on the ongoing match. If possible, she wanted as little to do with Kotatsu as possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

---> from Chapter 2.8: Infirmary

Izumi had already answered the questions that Saori would have answered.  Though she smiled slightly at Chisame's series of questions.  "It is good to see that some things never change, Hikawa-san.  Though you did always enjoy our spars at the Academy," Saori added.

Though it did occur to her there was another question of Chisame's to answer.  "No, we are not fighting any further today," Saori added.  She expected that to be of some disappointment.  "But there are plenty of snacks for sale," she added.  "If you're going to watch a match, best do it with something to eat, right?"

The girl ultimately ended up near Izumi at the railing.  She looked out at the combatant, watching.  "Looks like we just missed the opening attacks."  The taijitsu user watched Nori's attack with interest, wincing a little.  "That leg injury is robbing her of her power.  Keeping her weight off it is going to tire her out more quickly than normal," the girl observed quietly to the other Mist ninjas.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

He looked over to Shun "Well it seems these two have no trouble fighting each other despite the fact that they're from the same village, sounds like they have their priorities in order. I wonder how the shinobi of there village feel about possibly permintly losing one of there own, to one of there own. Let's hope it doesn't come to that." They all knew the risk but is one truly emotionally prepared for such a things, he  pondered to himself .

Shun shot Cunom a "look." "Really? I don't think I could honestly fight you and seriously injure you... But to let you win?... I can't do that either. Ugh this is hard." She took off her hat to scratch her head and put it back on, now just watching the fight in stead of his notes. "That would be difficult. I don't like hurting friends, but to give up is just not an option. I guess that's what's going on in their heads too. It's sucks but you can't just give up for them. Too much self worth and respect."

 He nodded his head and agreement as he continued to jot down notes. ".. And thus the trials of the shinobi begins a new.  We have the same line of thinking as I imagine most friends and fellow shinobi do.  Nobody really wants to fight their own friends unless there is long standing rivalry or they have something to prove.   Now that I think about it though, I have heard of shinobi vying  for the attention of a kunoichi. At that point all bets are off."  His eyes went back to the match as he let out a slight chortle.

Shun snorted. "That's why boys are stupid. I mean, sure it's impressive but it's not going to make or break anything." After a few seconds of tapping on her own head band, she said. "Do you think kunoichi do the same thing? I think if I liked someone I would want to impress them like that but... How far would you go? It's one thing to want to look strong, but another to look like a jerk. I've seen some boys who don't know the difference."

Cunom stopped writing for a few moments to give Shun his full attention."I'm so positive kunoichi do the exact same thing that I'd bet you a week's worth of mochi. Don't tell your mom" He quickly looked around in a conspiratorial way as if her mom might be nearby."It's just that you all don't seem to fight fair, girls take the fight beyond the sparring fields and seem to get quite creative. I'm sure the girls in other villages could agree," he gestured over to some of the other kunoichis sitting not too far from them. "All is fair in love and war."

Shun chuckled a bit at the mom comment. "I guess it would depend on the girl. I would love to personally destroy someone with my own strength... Or at least out smart them. Because being petty really won't get you anywhere. Or do you guys think it's cool?" Shun still watched the fight mostly but glanced over multiple times so as to look like she was listening.

"Though I don't know if it would be fair. Some relationships are awful..."

Seeing a group of mist gennin, Riki silently joined their ranks. Taking a seat, he looked forward without interest, or general coherence really. He hadn't been left to his own devices in quite some time, and the transition was a bit jarring. Thankfully few paid him any mind, as few could recognize his face. The fight below also acted as a wonderful distraction from his person. He had been reassigned to a team after the fix, and Riki wasn't looking to give any second doubts to his family along the way.

There was only one hiccup. A crimson haired woman from his old squad.

"Chisame."

Riki said aloud without realising it at first. It wasn't a beckon or a call, but more of a label, as if he'd read the side of a cereal box with her name on it. Riki wondered if the old team assumed he died after his disappearance. Riki also wondered if things would've been better of if he had. He quickly buried the thoughts as this line of thinking often made his head hurt more than anything else.

[Private to Hikawa Chisame: I made an assumption that you were here after your last post, let me know if I was wrong!]

Eikitsu had arrived with his angels…erm, with the Mist kunoichi. Where Izumi and Saori conversed with Chisame, he remained silent for now. There was valuable intelligence to be gathered on Nori and Sigmund, and he refused to allowed unnecessary distractions to interfere with his current objective. Unfortunately, something, rather someone did distract him from Nori and Sigmund's battle, albeit only momentarily. That person was Riki, who had spoken Chisame's name casually.

Eikitsu cut his eyes at Riki. The young man's name flared to life in his mind. He recalled Riki from the Academy. From his limited experiences with Riki, he recounted mentally that he was brash and excitable. People like Riki were troublesome in Eikitsu's opinion because they were irrational and reckless. Clearly the Academy instructors knew something more about Riki if he'd been allowed to participate in the Chuunin Exam. For a few moments, Eikitsu casually wondered what revelation they had discovered before he returned his attention to Nori and Sigmund's battle. "Hikawa-san, it appears that Kalameet-san would like a word with you."

Chisame was visibly wilted by the time she arrived back at the stadium following her fellow Mist genin.  Healing was all very well, but what she really needed at the moment was rest.  And, in typical Chisame fashion, she was probably going to get it after literally collapsing at some point. snacks.  Looking around, everybody seemed to be watching the bony guy try to beat up another girl.  The fight didn't look particularly interesting and Chisame was casting her gaze around for the promised snacks, when she heard her name.

"Hi."  She waved at Riki.  "Do you have ice-cream?  Or peanuts?  I don't really like peanuts.  Do you like peanuts?  Are you here to watch the fight?  Did you fight?  I fought that bony guy."  She pointed down into the arena.

"Oh...no. I didn't-"

Riki began, too late to stop the man's words as he called Chisame over. He'd only said her name because it was the first clear memory he'd had in quite some time. Irregardless, there was now a former team mate addressing him, so Riki did his best to answer her concerns.

"I am here to wait, but I was given no food. Apologies."

The way he talks is passive, devoid of any vigor one might remember Riki having. He doesn't even look Chisame in the eye when he talks, only in her general direction with an unchanging expression on his face. He behaved much like a whipped dog, a man with no fight left in him.

"Congratulations on your fight."

He said finally, turning back to his general stare towards the fight below.

Izumi hummed in agreement with Saito, who had voiced what she had been thinking. Down at the arena the match had been going surprisingly even although the edge the boy had started to show eventually. Since the girl was apparently focused on taijutsu the injury she had sustained limited her much more than the boy's injury did him.

"It's a valiant effort she's putting up out there but it doesn't look very good for her." Izumi spoke in bored tone while sluggishly leaning on the railing. As the match proceeded down at the arena several different discussions were going on around her and she had to say their tones and topics varied greatly.

On one side the cloud genin they had met just before visiting the infirmary were discussing about relationships. The other conversation included Chisame and apparently an old teammate whom Izumi hazily remembered from academy days. Then there was Kotatsu and Nanami.

Izumi wondered idly how easy going they were, even envying them for that kind of attitude. On the other end of the rope was Eikitsu who had been staring at the match almost non-stop, probably making notes inside his mind about everything.

"I guess that's it, then." The tattooed kunoichi declared as Nori made her last effort attack against Sigmund. While she respected Nori's determination it was just too unlikely Sigmund couldn't counter that attack and Nori looked like she would keel over any second now.

Saori had been watching the match with perhaps a little more interest than Izumi.  It seemed to be a little bit of a blowout in some respects, as Sigmund had blocked or dodged everything that Nori threw at him.  Still, it was giving Saori a chance to watch their techniques.

"The girl is the better taijutsu practitioner," Saori said in response.  "If they were fighting this match uninjured, I'd put my money on her.  The leg injury is really impacting her attacks though.  I'm not sure the guy can block some of these attacks normally.  Just getting them off with a messed up leg is difficult," she pointed out as Sigmund used his ability to defend against the kick.  "But his neck injury seems to be something he can work through with pain management better than her leg injury.  His attacks have all been executed well, but none of his limbs are injured."

The girl had vaguely heard some of the other conversations around them, but was content not to butt into them for the time being.  She didn't really know Riki all that much either.

"Yes, that's probably the end of it.  She'll be a tough fight next go around.  She's an excellent taijutsu practitioner," Saori commented.  It was just bad luck on her draw of opponent in this case, Saori figured.

"Having superior skill over an opponent in just one school of the shinobi arts does not make one a superior shinobi, Saito-san," Eikitsu began coolly without interrupting his observation of the battle between Nori and Sigmund. "Consider your strengths versus mine or Makinoe-san's. Based on that information alone, are you truly certain who would prevail in a battle to the death?" Eikitsu's attention moved from Nori and Sigmund to Sima when Sigmund moved to carve up Nori once again. Would the proctor allow this match to end with a death, or would he intervene once again? "Also, you should be more careful with your money, Saito-san. Even if Yamada-san had been in perfect health, she was unlikely to defeat Akitoki-san, assuming he too was uninjured. Did you not notice the physical changes Akitoki-san underwent during the battle? Without more information or the proper resources to study Akitoki-san, I can't begin to know the effect of those changes on him, but I suspect he held back a great deal against Yamada-san, whether he realizes it or not. What do you think, Makinoe-san?" He didn't bother asking Chisame's opinion on things because she was preoccupied with both Riki and her hunger and thus unlikely to have been paying attention.

Kotatsu kept his eye on the prize the entire time of the match: Sigmund. He was worthy of a fight and knew all too well how this boy worked. That kekkei of his was awfully deadly, but he wouldn't stand a chance again Kotatsu himself. He had observed Sigmund the entire time. His foot movement, his quick wits of executing substitution jutsus and even clone jutsus. Sigmund to Kotatsu's eye, would put up one hell of a fight, but after observing him, Sigmund was bound  lose.

"I guess that's it then. Looks like it is my turn," he uttered as he disappeared almost instantly. Kotatsu had vanished out of thin air and all the way down to the fight.

Kotatsu redirected his attention to the proctor. "Nobody lays a hand on me!" he uttered before grabbing the proctor's hand with his own, a dark ball engulfing his own hand. Bones could be heard snapping and breaking as the proctor did not see this move coming. He had the proctor on his knees before Kotatsu sent him flying to the stadium walls with a dark blast. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he declared as a hundred shadow clones appeared of Kotatsu. They took up most of the battle field and the stadium stands as well.

The crowd had panicked and began screaming once a dead body was discovered from the stands. The body was identified as the Land of Fire, a Jonin leader: Kenji Akuma, Sigmund, Nori, and Nanami's leader. He was killed in cold blood with multiple stab wounds to the neck from Kotatsu's clones. "Ladies and gentleman of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, Konohagakure, and Tsukigakure. We, the land of Snow, will declare this our land and to start, take a look at your leaders!" he said pointing to all of the Kages, including the land of snow's own Daimyo.

They were surrounded by a mysterious man in a cloak. The entire audience was blocked from entering a black vortex that surrounded all of the kages. "We are a revolution who will rule this world, one land at a time! To start, please, enjoy the Daimyo of the land of snow as we be head him, the same fate as the rest of the Kages will face in the near future!"

Daimyo Minato had a look of panick, horror, and most of freight on his face. His hands were bind by some kind of black chakra, unbreakable from his hands. The black vortex that surrounded him and the other 5 kages could see nothing but pitch black. On the outside of the vortex though, was clear to the rest of the people of Kumogakure and everyone else in the stands. A mysterious man with a black hood held a perfectly sharp blade, made from the same black chakra that bind his hands behind his back. "Please don't! I have a family! I gave you my land. I gave you everything I had! Please don't kill me!" he had cried out in agony as he pleaded with the cloaked man.

He held the blade closer to the Daimyo's neck. He watched as the events grew. He watched every battle, chatted with every kage and his lower ranking officers. He had made a trip to all 5 lands prior to the Chunin Exams in Kumogakure. Every land and village was so welcoming. Nobody regulated their gates. They allowed anybody to enter their city. It was foolish of them really. His plan was perfect and now Kumogakure would become his. The Land of Snow had already been his for years now and nobody even knew the disaster that became of that tragic land. Everyone almost completely forgot about them after the incident with Naruto and his friends many, many years ago.

"The Land of Snow is ours. We ask all of you to bow down now, or one by one will each kage suffer the same consequences as dear 'ol Minato here," he announced as he drove the blade across Daimyo Minato's neck, cutting open his neck as blood gushed from his neck. Minato struggled, gasping for air, making gurgling noises. As the man pushed the daimyo down to the ground from within the vortex, a blast of darkness shot right up to the sky, directing to the sun.

The sun was then drowned in pitch black darkness. Even the sun was no directly of course hit, the planet's atmosphere was covered in the same darkness that he used and Kotatsu used. "I am searching for a certain individual. A person of interest and one by one will I capture, interrogate, and destroy every village until I find them. And we will start with you!" he pointed directly towards Sigmund, who was in no shape to even defend himself if it came down to it.

That the Land of Snow was up to something wasn't a surprise to Eikitsu given everything that had transpired with Kotatsu during the Chuunin Exam; however, he didn't expect such an overt declaration of war against the shinobi lands. Kotatsu and the mysterious man were either very powerful or very foolish. Unfortunately, he hadn't the luxury of waiting to find out which was the case. With the Mizukage's life threatened, Eikitsu shifted his blood into its curative state which caused his chakra level to surge momentarily. Afterward, he deftly formed a series of hand seals with both hands which culminated in his skin on his left shoulder wriggling about wildly moments before it slithered down his left arm and onto the floor beside him only to then grow from a puddle on the floor into a duplicate of Eikitsu. With its newfound existence, Copy Eikitsu attempted to flicker down to the arena near both Nori and Sigmund while Eikitsu calmly addressed Chisame, Izumi, Riki, and Saori, his eyes never leaving the Mizukage's prison.

"Our priority is to rescue Mizukage-sama. We should begin by analyzing the prison. Given its strength and the number of shinobi opposing it, it is probable that it requires constant maintenance. I will attempt to tend to Akitoki-san and Yamada-san. It is likely that we will need every able-bodied shinobi, even rival ones."

Her academy instructors always said that a ninja had to be ready for anything at anytime. Nakano guessed they'd been right. The moment chaos filled the stadium, her first thoughts were of her family. They'd gone for food only a few moments ago, leaving her to hold their seats. Only her younger brother was any good in a fight and he wasn't even out of the academy. She searched the now churning stands for any sign of them, the crowed surged and pushed against her, forcing her away from her search.

Nakano opened her mouth to call out to her family, but a disturbing presence drew her attention and froze her voice. She recognized Kotatsu from the exams. Even though this was just one of his clones, the blood lust she could sense was greater than any she'd felt before. Readying herself, Nakano knew she'd have to keep herself alive before she could start looking for her family. She couldn't afford any distractions during this fight, but it was hard to forget that their lives might hang in the balance.

Saori had a perfect reply already to go for Eikitsu's analysis of the fight.  Really, she did.  Then Kotatsu had to go and start having people killed and attempting to take over.  Though none of that actually really passed in Saori's mind for more than a microsecond, as the rebuttal was forgotten as the tall girl started analyzing the situation.

So far there weren't that many real enemies.  There was Kotatsu, of course, and his hundred or so clones.  Only one was real though.  Hiding in a sea of clones was a classic ninja trick.  Then there was the mysterious man who was blotting out the sun.  That was of no concern to Saori, however.  The darkness was as much her ally as it was anyone else's.

She listened to Eikitsu's plan.  She wasn't sure about this one.  But with the clones filling up the stadium's stands, she said nothing yet.  She wished not to be overheard, and the only sign Eikitsu might pick up on was a very slight movement of her eyes in the direction of the nearest clone.

For the moment, the girl kept analyzing the area, getting a read on how the clones were positioned and what areas they seemed to be shoring up defensively the most.  She expected the prison to be guarded with clones, but she expected there would be other areas heavily guarded.

Cunom looked on as the match drew to a close and put his scroll away. When he saw Kotatsu land in the ring prematurely, he assumed that the fool was just too eager for the next fight. "Will ya look at this guy, I guess fools really do rush in." Moments later he watched in sheer disbelief as Sima-dono got blasted into the stadium wall, by some ominous technique he had yet to discern. In one fluid motion, the sharp yellow-eyed shinobi was on his feet.

The crowds trampled toward the exit with reckless abandonment leavening overturn food and drinks in their wake. He was about to leap down into the pit to aid Sima-dono when he saw a small crying child separated from her family and leapt to her before she fell underfoot by the fleeing audience. By the time he got her to safety he was nowhere near his front row seating or Shun. When he saw the Kotatsu clones now in the stands he knew this was bigger than his village.

 "All Shinobi defend the civilians and push the invaders back." Cunom saw a Kunoichi, a  Konohagakure shinobi by the look of her forehead protector. "Hey Leaf, let's take the snow  shinobi's village idiot down a peg." He yelled as he pointed at the Kotatsu clone. "I just knew I didn't like you", he mused at the snow ninja

Chisame hadn't been paying much attention to the goings on in the arena, being primarily occupied with thoughts of food.  As such, the events transpiring didn't really register with her.  In the ensuing chaos, she rushed to rescue as many snacks as possible before they were trampled underfoot.

She emerged from the mob with her mouth and arms filled with food in time to see fights breaking out across the stadium between various people and clones of some guy.  "'Ow 'a's 'us' 'reegy," she mumbled around her newly acquired snacks.  "'Ow um 'e 'e's a fige erryun?"

Izumi had already readied herself to leave the stadium when the unexpected events took place. However when the kunoichi noticed the perperators she would have liked to act surprised but couldn't. The signs had been there: unusually strong team from the land of snow, one bloodthirsty genin above everyone else. That Kotatsu had always given her creeps but to be after world domination sounded so clichèd. How disappointing, he was just a normal goon of a villain after all.

Watching as the clones of Kotatsu started wreaking havoc and chaos engulfed the arena Izumi prepared to act, grabbin a kunai from her holster."A sound plan, Eikitsu-san but we really need to deal with these clones first if we wish to get near that vortex. The jonin are probably on it already." Her first though was to locate her fellow mist shinobi and work in tandem with them but everybody had their hands full with fending off the attackers(or food in Chisame's case).

Izumi dodged a passing civilian and found herself bumbing in to somebody's back. A look over shoulder confirmed it to be the cloud kunoichi they had talked earlier about killing. A mirthful smirk appeared on her face as she adressed Shun.

"How about it, Ishikawa-san? Care to be my partner for this dance?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

"Time again already?"

Riki said quietly, standing up calmly in contrast to the crowd. He looked at Chisame with passing thought before looking outward. He couldn't understand what she was saying, but she didn't sound too worried either. He couldn't figure out what, but he felt as though he was forgetting something. His nose began to bleed...

Eikitsu's initial test of the situation ended in failure when his doppelganger was torn apart by a hail of kunai and shuriken from the Kotatsu horde. "It can't be avoided then," he muttered while he watched the blood rain down on the stadium's battlefield in the wake of his clone's destruction. The ideal situation of rescuing the Mizukage and leaving the shinobi from rival villages to fend for themselves against Kotatsu and his mysterious ally had passed. Now, the path before him was to thin the Kotatsu herd while the jounin occupied Kotatsu's ally and possibly Kotatsu himself. With his task clear, Eikitsu reached behind his back with his right hand and undid a hidden clasp on the barrel-like object he carried on his back. It was an action that seemed innocent enough until the white linens that bound the barrel unraveled to reveal a second Eikitsu inside with his head and knees buried into his chest. The second Eikitsu (Eikitsu B) unfolded his body and landed on the ground behind the first Eikitsu (Eikitsu A). Back-to-back with each other, both Eikitsus drew kunai from within their weapon holsters into their left hands then began navigating the chaos in the stadium with each one covering the other's six.

"Makinoe-san, Sai…," yelled Eikitsu B above the ruckus only to fall silent abruptly when he noticed that he and Eikitsu A had gotten separated from the others. After both Eikitsus literally knocked and tossed aside several panicked civilians who threatened to barrel into them, Eikitsu A's eyes fell upon a nearby Leaf shinobi similarly navigating the chaos. "You, Leaf shinobi-san," Eikitsu A pointed at Kurochi with his right index finger, "I believe we can be of assistance to each other." His tone was firmer than usual but retained much of the insincere friendliness and politeness he was known for.

---

10:08, Today: Eikitsu rolled 75 using 1d100.  Will the Real Eikitsu Please Stand Up?
Private to GM [Private to GM: Per the results of the roll, Eikitsu A is the real Eikitsu. An odd result meant Eikitsu A is the real one, while an even result meant Eikitsu B is the real one.]

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Shun walked the fight with some interest, but mostly she could tell this would not be really remembered later. Though as everything seemed to be falling apart, she was somewhat scared, not for herself, but for everyone else in the Exams. As battle instincts took over, anger and bloodlust washed over her like waves. Nodding at Cunom's comment, she was somewhat worried for him when he disappeared in the crowd. She dodged more people hoping to rush out, backing up and bumping into Makinoe.

Quickly she swerved with a kunai in her hand, ready to deal some serious damage but stopped at seeing the one she recognized from earlier. Relaxing, she gave a mischievous grin back, holding her kunai as if to hide her grin, "Aw Makinoe-san, thought you'd never ask!"