Chunin Exams: Part 2!

Fujiki approaches on a cloud of sand, and Shihei simply jumps down from the platform. Once they reach the ground, they both bow to each other, and look at Mitsuki, who starts the match.

"Begin."

Fujiki remains motionless as Shihei runs at him at blinding speed. Before he even gets half way to his target, he is being blocked by Sand, and forced to retreat, realizing he needs to try and come up with another solution. Up on the platform, people are speculating, especially Daichi, who is arguing with another Sand Genin: Desuka Asuzu, who is implying that Fujiki will win.

"There's no way Fujiki can lose, be it at range or up close. His sand is way more versatile than a bunch of bugs. No one has ever landed a single hit on Fujiki with his sand at his disposal."

Daichi fires back at the young Genin.

"I guess you've never seen what the Aburame Clan can do. Trust me, Desuka. Shihei's got this."

Another Sand Genin interjects.

"You wish. The only chance that fool has of winning is to use those fancy Aburame Clan bugs. What are they called again? Kikaichū?"

Tsumira, who is standing nearby, hangs her head, and Shikadai says exactly what she is thinking.

"Much to his father and grandfather's dismay, Shihei can't use the Kikaichū Beetles. He can't even perform Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. Much like Rock Lee, who is his role model, he can only use Taijutsu. Over this last while, Shihei has grown very proficient in Taijutsu, even going as far as to ask for advice from Rock Lee, himself, as well as his sensei, Metal Lee. He has reached a level comparable to Rock Lee from when he took his own Chunin exams years and years ago. He might have actually surpassed a young Rock Lee by this point. I wouldn't underestimate him just yet. He might surprise you. Now, pay attention. I have a feeling this is about to get good."

All looking back at the match, they see Shihei dodging Fujiki's sand attacks almost effortlessly, but can't get close enough to land a strike of his own. It is, then, that Shihei's sensei, Metal Lee, calls down to him.

"Shihei! Go ahead and take them off! If the situation calls for it, only go up to 3. The strain will be too much for your body to handle until it's more developed!"

Shihei nods, and jumps up onto the hands in the formation of the Tiger Seal at the front of the room, and sit cross-legged as he fiddles with his leg bands. He slides them down to reveal weights, which he unbuckles, and stands up holding one set in each hand (Sound familiar?). Up on the Viewing Platform, Desuka begins running his mouth, again.

"What makes him think he can win just by dropping a few pounds of weight?"

Namaru, who has been silent most of the fight, finally speaks.

"That's not a few pounds of weight..."

Shihei drops the weights as Namaru continues, wide-eyed.

"...That's a few HUNDRED."

BOOOOMM! The room shakes, as the weights hit the floor, creating huge clouds of smoke. Everyone notices a blur shoot out of the smoke cloud, and dive straight for Fujiki. The only person who doesn't notice is Fujiki, himself, until Shihei is right on top of him, swinging a punch at his face. The next thing anyone sees is Fujiki flying about 10 feet from his position. Everyone, especially Fujiki and his squad members, are shocked to see that Shihei remains where Fujiki once stood, and Fujiki is clutching his face, where Shihei's fist made contact. It takes a second for Fujiki to regain his composure as his sand catches up to him. He immediately sends it flying at Shihei, who suddenly appears behind Fujiki, delivering a solid kick to the back of his head, sending him flying back in the direction he just came from. Fujiki stands up, absolutely livid, and begins weaving hand seals for the first time during the fight. While weaving hand seals, Fujiki sees something fall by his left side. He notices that it's a piece of his Sand Armor. He, suddenly, stops weaving Hand Seals, and begins chuckling...then laughing...maniacally.

"I can't believe I forgot about my Sand Armor. I just realized, no matter what you do to me, you will never harm my physical body through this dense sand. Whew! You actually had me scared for a second. No matter. This ends now."

Fujiki launches his sand at Shihei at even higher speeds that before, causing Shihei to be able to dodge less, and get hit here and there. Eventually, Shihei decides to with plan B, and begins gathering his chakra.

"First Gate: Gate of Opening. Open!"

Shihei keeps charging his chakra.

"Second Gate: Gate of Healing. Open!"

Shihei begins his assault again, moving faster than ever before, this time striking Fujiki in his upper torso, severely cracking a portion of his Sand Armor. Much to Shihei's dismay, Fujiki doesn't move. He's bound himself to the ground using his sand. Suddenly, Shihei appears above Fujiki, and delivers a rear kick to the back of Fujiki's head, causing his sand to move to cushion the blow of Fujiki's head hitting the ground with a thud. Shihei flickers several feet in front of Fujiki, and smirks. Fujiki stands up, and more of his Sand Armor falls off. It seems his sand wasn't quick enough to absorb the impact. Fujiki, then, begins to smirk, himself.

"You're going to have to do better than that."

This comment surprises Shihei for a moment, before he gets serious again, and begins charging more chakra.

"Fine, I will. 3rd Gate: Gate of Life. Open!"

Shihei's skin now has turned red. and his pupils have completely disappeared. Opening the 3rd Gate, Shuhei has wind pushing away from him, creating such a strong force, that everyone needs to defend themselves against flying debris. Once the wind subsides a bit, Shikadai looks down at Shihei in utter fear and amazement.

"He's opened the 3rd Gate. The last Genin to do that was Rock Lee."

Metal Lee walks up and begins speaking, himself.

"He can go even further, too, but I have forbidden him from doing so, until his body is more refined, and can take the stress. Just watch. This fight is over."

Shihei leaps toward Fujiki with a single bound destroying the ground beneath him. Within a fraction of a second, Shihei is kicking Fujiki in the chin, and high into the air. Fujiki's eyes close for a moment. When he opens them, he sees Shihei leaping off of the arena ceiling at blinding speed. Shihei delivers a devastating punch to Fujiki's face, then jumps off in another direction, hitting Fujiki again...and again...and again. Shihei goes on for several moments, hitting Fujiki from all directions, trying to get through Fujiki's Sand Armor. Shihei sends Fujiki up into the air once more, preparing to deliver the final blow. He appears above Fujiki, sending his fist in Fujiki's direction.

"Hidden Lotus!"

Fujiki is sent flying toward the ground at blinding speed, creating a loud boom and a giant smoke cloud on impact. Shihei lands on the ground, exhausted, and he closes his Gates. He walks toward where Fujiki landed. Upon looking down into the small crater that was created, Shihei sees an extremely damaged layer of Sand Armor, which he thinks Fujiki is inside of. Suddenly, everyone hears the voice of Fujiki from all directions.

"That was amusing. I enjoyed watching you beat up an empty shell."

Shihei looks down into the crater, and the Sand Armor collapses in on itself. Fujiki continues speaking.

"You opening the 3rd Gate created a dust cloud, and left me an opening. I decided to leave my Sand Armor empty, and turned my body into sand to blend in with the surrounding piles of sand. Didn't you notice none of my sand moved to defend me? It's because I'm down here."

Sand immediately begins wrapping around Shihei's feet, and travelling up his legs toward his torso. Within a matter of seconds, Shihei is completely coated in sand, except for his head. From the remaining sand on the ground, in front of Shihei, forms Fujiki.

"And now I'm here. You know, a ninja who can't perform Ninjutsu or Genjutsu is no ninja at all, and is never meant to be one."

Fujiki extends his hand, and the sand shifts from Shihei's chest and back, and onto his arms and legs. Fujiki balls his hand, and Shihei's arms and legs are all crushed simultaneously as he lets out an agonizing scream. Fujiki's sand disperses, and Shihei falls to the ground, nearly unable to move. He can barely even lift his head as he hears Fujiki speak once more.

"You should've kept the 3rd Gate open, instead of underestimating your opponent."

Fujiki, then turns to Metal Lee.

"You were right. The fight was over...before it ever began. Your student never stood a chance."

Mitsuki announces Fujiki as the winner, and Shihei is carried away on a stretcher. Mitsuki calls up the next two oppenents: Shikazuru Nara and Aino Rinore. The two approach and face each other. Mitsuki, once again, hold his right hand straight up into the air.

"Let round 5 of the Chunin Exam Preliminaries begin."

Before Aino can even attempt to move, she's already trapped in a Shadow Possession. Shikazuru begins speaking.

"You weren't nearly quick enough. Either that, or I was far too responsive. Regardless, this is over."

Aino can't do anything but speak as her hand, slowly, lifts into the air.

"Wait! No! I'm not the one doing this!"

Mitsuki ignores her pleas as he names Shikazuru the winner by forfeit. Both competitors return to their original positions, as Mitsuki calls up the next two. On the walk away Aino turns to Shikazuru.

"Why did you end that so quickly, and with a Shadow Possession of all things? Surely you have more than that?"

Shikazuru chuckles to himself as he responds.

"You're right. I also have superior intellect. Regardless, I don't hit girls. I have morals. It's because of these morals that I ended the match so quickly. I also didn't what this whole thing to become a bother. Drawn-out fights are a drag."

Aino scoffs and walks away to meet up with her teammates. By the time she reaches them, the next two opponents are facing each other down below: Chomada Akimichi and Detake Saigi. Mitsuki, once again, hold his right hand straight up into the air.

"Let round 6 of the Chunin Exam Preliminaries begin."

Chomada immediately charges Detake.

"Partial Expansion Jutsu: Right Arm!"

Chomada swings a right hook toward Detake, who blocks it with ease. He, then, kicks Chomada in the gut, sending his rolling backward. Chomada lays there, on his back, for a second, before getting up just in time to hear Detake speak.

"I thought your first attack would be stronger. Looks like I can't expect too much from someone like you."

Chomada gives Detake a stare.

"What do you mean 'Someone like me?'"

Detake gestures toward Chomada with a response.

"You know. Weak, insignificant, and above all, fat."

Chomada, now, looks angry.

"I know you didn't just call me fat.

Detake, smirks.

"I'm pretty sure I just did...fatso."

Chomada becomes enraged, and he's now screaming.

"THAT'S IT! NOW, YOU'RE DONE!"

Chomada weaves two hand seals, one of them being unrecognizable.

"Ninja Art: Expansion Jutsu!"

Chomada's arms, legs, and head all recede into the round appearance of his body at will.

"Human Boulder!"

Chomada rolls toward Detake at a high speed. Detake dodges perfectly. Chomada turns around on a dime, and charges again. Almost effortlessly, Detake dodges again. Chomada rolls straight into the wall, but recovers quickly. Before Chomada has the chance to move, Detake uses a jutsu familiar to everyone.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

A thick mist rolls in, filling much of the arena. From within the fog, Detake begins weaving a long series of hand seals. The mist begins to gather inward, swirling around Detake, and turning into water.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

The mist takes the form of a giant dragon and charges at Chomada, who is too slow to dodge it. Chomada is hit, dead on, with the Water Dragon and is sent flying into the wall, and knocked unconscious. Mitsuki declares the match over.

"Chomada is unable to fight. Detake wins."

Medical ninja arrive and carry a deflated Chomada away on a stretcher. Detake returns to the stands, and the next two are called down by Mitsuki.

"Next round, Arigi Sadaki from the Sand against Aria Koharu from the Mist. Both parties, please approach."

Arigi floats down on a giant fan similar to Temari while a thick mist falls from the stands, Aria forming from it. Mitsuki holds his hand up, once more.

"Begin."

Arigi opens up by talking.

"I will tell you something right now. My fan has 5 moons on it. You don't want me to get to the last one. Otherwise, you're in deep trouble."

Aria waves off the young mans warnings.

"Whatever. This battle won't last long enough for that."

Arigi scoffs as he opens up his fan to an image of a purple circle with a white center, and casts his first attack.

"Ninja Art! Path of the Full Moon: Silence!"

Arigi waves his fan, and nothing. Dead Calm. Even the screams of the spectators are completely drawn out. Everything is soundless. Arigi stands there, a smirk plastered on his face.

"Can't hear them, can you?"

Aria looks mildly scared.

"I-I can't hear anything but you."

Arigi smirks before responding.

"Exactly. That's just the first move. It guarantees no one can give you outside information. Now, for the second."

Arigi opens his fan to the second moon.

"Ninja Art! Path of the Full Moon: Waxing Crescent!"

Arigi holds his fan to his right, and swings it. 3 gusts of wind shaped like crescents fly from the fan, and right at Aria, who just stands there. She smirks as the wind blasts pass right through her, cutting directly through her body. To everyone's amazement, her body reforms.

Aria chuckles.

"Those cheap tricks won't work on me. You see, I can turn my entire body into mist. Nothing can cut me."

Arigi seems amused.

"Heh. We'll see about that."

Arigi swings the fan 3 more times, sending 9 more wind blasts at Aria. She does nothing as the blasts, once again, pass right through her.

"Weak. My turn."

Aria completely disappears, her entire body turning into a thick mist. It's almost as if she used a Hidden Mist Jutsu. She begins to speak, and her voice is heard all around the arena.

"I already tried telling you... You can't hit me."

Arigi scoffs.

"You did, but remember what I said? We'll see about that."

Arigi opens his fan straight to the 5th moon.

"Ninja Art! Path of the Full Moon: Gaze!"

The mist, suddenly, freezes and begins to twist, twirl and reform back into Aria. As soon as she's reformed, she collapses on her face in a daze. Arigi closes his fan which cancels the first moon,, allowing noise to fill the room, once more. He walks toward Aria and flips her over with his foot. Looking at her unconscious body, Arigi begins to speak, unaware that she can hear him.

"I knew you still had optical function when you were mist. You still have to see, after all. The 5th moon of my fan is a Genjutsu. Honestly, you were foolish to think you could beat me. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can see through my Genjutsu..."

Arigi looks up at Namaru and continues.

"...Not even the Sharingan."

Mitsuki speaks up, raising his right arm into the air.

"Aria is unable to battle. The winner is Arigi by way of knockout."

Medics rush in and load Aria onto a stretcher before carrying her away. Arigi returns to where he once stood up on the viewing platform. Once the Arena floor is cleared, Mitsuki looks up at the remaining Genin up on the viewing platform, thinking to himself.

'Today's Genin are even stronger than when I was a kid. This is insane.'

After several minutes, he opens his mouth to continue speaking.

"Let's continue. Next up is Takesugi Dojuro from the Stone and Desuka Sabaku from the Sand. Both parties, please step forward."

Takesugi drops from the platform creating a crack in the ground as he lands. He appears to be a very tall and muscular teenager. Desuka, on the other hand, creates chakra strings and wraps them around the railing in front if him, lowering himself to the ground, calmly. Both of the young men approach each other and bow, respectfully. They step back as Mitsuki raises his hand in the air and speaks.

"Let the 8th round of the Chunin Exams...begin!"

Both of them take their battle stances, and Takesugi begins speaking.

"Sabaku, huh? You must be related to that armored freak."

Desuka nods before reaching behind him and grabbing a scroll. He rolls it out on the floor and summons a puppet. It takes the form of a giant bird. After a moment, Desuka speaks.

"This is my Hawk. I have two more other puppets, but I shouldn't need them."

Takesugi begins to laugh maniacally, which carries on for a few seconds before he speaks again.

"You think a pile of wood can stop me? You're absolutely hilarious and delusional. But, whatever. Let's do this so you can leave on a stretcher, already."

Takesugi weaves a series of hand seals and punches the ground.

"Earth Style: Rock Trail!"

A long series of rocks erupts from the ground and heads straight for Desuka, who scoffs. He moves his hands and the Hawk puppet rears back and claps its wings clap together, creating a powerful gust of wind that splits right through the rocks and hits Takesugi, cutting him multiple times. Takesugi falls on the ground, screaming in pain. Desuka approaches and begins speaking.

"My Hawk can use Wind Style techniques developed during training. That one, I call Razor Wind. You never stood a chance against me, and you should have known."

Takesugi punches the ground, his hand going through it. His arm begins to glow as all of his wounds heal. Desuka is impressed, but isn't able to move as Takesugi stands up and punches the puppet with a stone-covered fist, breaking it into pieces. He moved so quickly, Desuka didn't even see it until it was happening. Takesugi covers his other hand in stone, as well, and thrusts it into Desuka's torso, sending the puppet user flying backward into the wall. Upon impact with the surface, he coughs up blood, and slumps to the floor, seemingly unconscious. Takesugi scoffs and walks toward him, speaking as he does.

"I told you that piece of wood wouldn't stop me. My Kekkei Genkai allows me to draw nutrients out of the ground and heal myself like a plant. Any damage you do to me, I can heal in an instant."

Takesugi reaches down, grabs Desuka and lifts him by his shirt. Suddenly, a scroll falls out of Desuka's hand the onto the floor, rolling open in the process. Takesugi has to jump back, quickly, to avoid the puppet that appears from the scroll. This puppet, in particular, looks like a giant bug. Desuka slowly stands to his feet before speaking.

"It seems I have underestimated you. Prepare to meet my Mantis."

Desuka raises his hand toward the Hawk puppet, and speaks.

"Reform and fight."

Takesugi watches in amazement and horror as the Hawk reassembles itself and joins Desuka and the Mantis. Desuka speaks more.

"I guess you didn't know that these 'piles of wood' can reassemble themselves and fight for me as long as I am alive, huh? Now that you've made me summon the Mantis, you're in for a world of trouble."

Before Takesugi can react, Desuka sends the Hawk toward him for an attack. As expected, Takesugi punches straight through it with minimal effort. Once he does, however, the Mantis is gone. There's a flash in the corner of Takesugi's right eye as his arm is rendered numb and useless by the Mantis. The arm falls to Takesugi's side as the puppet turns around behind him, ready to finish the job. Takesugi swings around and goes to punch the puppet, but as soon as he does, it's gone. Takesugi turns around to see both puppets, in tact, standing on either side of Desuka, who is wearing a wicked grin.

"I sure hope you can move a little faster than that. You may be able to keep up with the Hawk, but you're no where near as fast as the Mantis."

Takesugi wastes no time burying his left arm into the ground to absorb nutrients and heal his right arm. As soon as he does, something grabs him and pulls his arm further into the ground, holding him there and keeping his arm in its mouth to avoid him using his Kekkei Genkai. Takesugi looks at Desuka in horror, screaming.

"What have you done to me?!"

Desuka chuckles before responding.

"While you were distracted by the Mantis, I released my Beetle. This puppet prefers to fight underground. I noticed you're left-handed, so I used the Mantis to numb your right arm, knowing you'd do exactly what you did and end up exactly where you are. Now, that your right arm is paralyzed and your left arm is immobilized, you may as well give up while you have the chance. Otherwise, I'll let the Mantis finish you off."

Takesugi scowls with a response.

"I'd rather die."

Desuka shrugs and controls the Mantis, sending it right for Takesugi's throat. Right as it's about to cut through Takesugi, he screams.

"I surrender! You win, puppet man."

Desuka calls off all of his puppets and they turn back into scrolls. He loads them onto his back as Mitsuki declares him the winner. Takesugi falls over, nearly unconscious. Desuka looks back over his shoulder at Takesugi before speaking.

"I forgot to mention the Beetle feeds on chakra similar to the Kikaichū of the Aburame Clan. You'll be down for a while."

A team of medics carries Takesugi away on a stretcher as Desuka returns to his spot up on the platform with the rest of his squad. Mitsuki, then, calls the next two.

"Next is Nagarata Isorei from the Cloud and Ogane Tadisashi from the Mist. Both parties, please step forward."

Both jump down from the platform in the same fashion. They approach the center of the arena and stare each other down, saying nothing. Mitsuki raises his hand and speaks.

"Let round 9 of the Chunin Preliminary Battles...begin!"

Nagarata wastes no time coating her body in lightning release and dashing toward Ogane, who turns her body into water and disappears, causing Nagarata to miss her. Ogane reforms on the other side of the arena and weaves a series of hand seals. Nagarata turns around just in time to see Ogane cast her jutsu.

"Water Style: Exploding Water Shock Wave!"

A giant wave of water is sent hurling toward Nagarata, who braces herself for impact. As the wave hits her, she is swept off her feet into the wall. Ogane wastes no time walking toward Nagarata, ready to finish her off. As soon as Ogane is within range, Nagarata releases a jutsu into the massive puddle left in the room.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Eel!"

Lightning is released from Nagarata's body into he surrounding water, electrocuting Ogane. Before she ends up killing Ogane, Nagarata cancels the technique, and Ogane falls, unconscious. Mitsuki holds his hand up and speaks.

"Ogane Tadisashi is unable to battle. The winner is Nagarata Isorei. Next up will be our last two fighters, Inoyori Yamanaka and Namaru Uchiha, both from the Leaf. Once the floor is clear, both parties please step forward."

The Mist Village team Sensei absorbs the water from the floor as Ogane is carried out on a stretcher and Nagarata returns to her position in the stands. Afterward, Inoyori jumps down from the platform and Namaru calmly walks down the staircase to reach the battle floor. Both parties face each other, Inoyori kind of looking scared. Mitsuki hold his hand up.

"Let the final match of the Chunin Preliminaries begin!"

Inoyori starts be speaking.

"There's no chance of you going easy on me, is there?"

Namaru stands there and blankly stares at her. Inoyori immediately goes for her special Clan Jutsu.

"Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

Right as she executes the technique, Namaru disappears. Inoyori looks around and hears a voice behind her.

"I'm over here."

Inoyori turns around, slowly and fearfully, to see Namaru standing there, his Sharingan active. Namaru holds his right hand up and forms a ball of chakra in it. He walks up to Inoyori, who is frozen with fear, and plants it into her chest.

"Rasengan..."

Inoyori is sent flying as she screams. She flies into the wall and is immediately knocked unconscious. Namaru simply shakes his head and returns to the stands as Mitsuki makes his announcement.

"The winner of round 10 is Namaru Uchiha. This concludes the preliminary rounds. The Hokage will announce the match-ups for the Finals."

Sarada calls the remaining ninja down from the platform and has them line up by village. She, then starts rattling off who will fight who. As she does so, their names appear up on the board, once again.

Round 1 - Tsumira Hyuga (Leaf) vs. Shikazuru Nara (Leaf)

Round 2 - Arekkusu Tsurara (Leaf) vs. Arigi Sadaki (Sand)

Round 3 - Desuka Sabaku (Sand) vs. Daichi Uzumaki (Leaf)

Round 4 - Detake Saigi (Mist) vs. Nagarata Isorei (Cloud)

Round 5 - Namaru Uchiha (Leaf) vs. Fujiki Sabaku (Sand)

The Genin all look shocked to see who they're fighting as Sarada continues.

"The Finals will take place one month from today. This will give you all time to recuperate and prepare for your battles. They will be held in stages, as well. The winners of rounds 1 and 2 will fight, as will 3 and 4. Then, those two will fight for the opportunity to fight the winner of round 5. The winner of that fight will be sure to be promoted to Chunin. Please, go with your Sensei's and I will see you all back here in 1 month. Dismissed."

Everyone leaves with their Sensei's, and go to prepare for the month. Tsumira goes to her mother, Daichi goes to Himawari, Chino travels back to the Cloud village to find his father to train with him, the Sand trio go back to the Sand village to train separately, Shikazuru trains with Shikadai, Detake and Nagarata go back to their respective villages to train, and Namaru goes off to do his own thing.