The Land of Wave: The Chunin Exams Begin!

The wooden ship swayed lightly in the waves as it continued its voyage across the water. It had been two days since they had set out from port towards the island. The ship itself was far from the most luxurious choices to get to the city, but it was by far the cheapest. Several steam powered ships had well passed them along the way, easily making a trip that took nearly 2 full days only take 1/4th of the time to arrive. It was far from luxerious on the vessel as well, having rather small cabins used by the crew of the ship to sleep in sharing 2 people into a single cabin. For the price though, it was a steel hitching a ride on a cargo ship.

Renai stood quietly with her arms crossed. Her long black hair flowed behind her with the wind as the ship traveled forward. It shouldn't be long before they should see land, the fog lingering in the air making it difficult to see too far ahead. She tapped her fingers against her arm a bit impatient after having been passed by several ships already along the way. She could tell one of which seemed to be carrying Shinobi from another village as it slipped by.

A bell could be heard as the fog seemed to thin out. An outline could be seen, towering quite high up in the air. As the ship cleared the fog it was clear to see what appeared to be a port area. Several ships were docked, with many more spots left open. It was clear that it wasn't a place where ships tended to remain for so long, being the private port of Namigakure located at the back side of the island.

The actual village itself could be seen almost surreal in its design.buiilt along a river. It was as if you were looking at two seperate worlds staring across from one another. to the right side as they approached the old part of the village remained very similiar to its traditional look from long ago. Much of the historic architecture was still intacted, much of it having been redone and refurbished. It was the location where the village Shinobi were focused upon.

On the opposite side the residential side existed. More modern looking places were built up retaining the use of the maintain in its design. At one point Koseki had used the village as a basis for its design, something that Hidden Wave took back in part to create the newer section of the town. Unlike Koseki, it seemed to of been built with far more care. The sight of smog was non existent.



:"Namigakure, the place where the two worlds meet. They really pride themselves on their past. Its said their village was built as the last safe haven as the world was ending around them. As technology got better and ships began sailing further, the village was quick to find itself becoming more then just a Shinobi village but also a port to connect foreign worlds to our own. They eventually did build a port city on the other side of the island, although they still do gain a good amount of tourists wanting to see an interesting site before heading over to the mainland. It's probably that reason more then any they are so dedicated to retaining the look of the old village as it had once been as much as possible."

The ship finally reached the docks, touching down. The crew were quick to act, securing the ship in place and preparing to work to unload the cargo they had on board. Renai turned around heading down to grab her things. She suspected they wouldn't want them on the ship for long and suspected the young Genin in particular would be quite interested in exploring the new city before them.

"We shall meet at the Academy in a few hours. It shouldn't be hard to find, they should have signs up to point towards its location. Make sure to stick together, and most of all try and not cause trouble." She spoke up looking sternly towards Seji who gave a confused look as she passed by.

Seji looked rather puzzled in response, scratching his chin looking a little lost before sligning his bag over his shoulder preparing to get off the ship.

Ganryu Orikanyo KageYuuki One Mean Ghost Kinzu Hekmatyar @Red D3lmoniko

Another Day in the Land of Waves...
It was a gorgeous day out, the sun shining, birds chirping and the waves made a wonderous lullaby for the sunbathers on the sandy beaches. One of which was joro, dressed in nothing but his swimsuit he quietly sighed, looking content as can be in the bright sunlight. Forget training, forget it all... Just sit here and let the sun melt all the stress away... Who needs an exam, just stay here for a few and you'll feel like a whole new ninja.

He opened his eyes for a moment, forced to shield himself from the bright sun as he slowly knelt up from his towel. "Man! Sensei was right, this is just the stuff I need to recharge eheh!" he grinned, a smirk opening across his face as he searched around for his shades, placing them upon his face one more. "Suckers are coming into our City for the exams, sucks to be them, we'll be all ready and rested while they got all sea sick! hehe, dumbasses won't know what hit em!" he watched the ships roll in, spotting one or two dots on the bridge of the ships near the edges.

"Sucks sensei couldn't be here... Stepping up his brother? Never knew he had a brother." he scrunched up his face, wondering just what his brother was like. Obviously not as cool, that's for certain.

"Not like he ever talks about his family," his teammate Yukari spoke up, not bothering to look up from the book she was 'reading.' She always enjoyed spending days off by the beach. Never a shortage of beachgoers to watch and her dark sunglasses easily masked her Byakugan.

"I wonder why... Huh... You talk about your family non-stop. Especially when you're in a bad mood." he chuckled slightly. "Which is pretty much every hour of the day." he snickered slightly before standing up once more. "Do you think there will be strong people there? Or will they all be chumps? They are foreigners, so it's probably likely." his arms crossed as he stared at the many ships dropping people off.

"Most of them should be pretty strong, usually are." Granted, the only part of the exams she'd actually seen was the finals. By then it was the best of the best that remained. "Rumor has it they're allowing some village... Kemuri I think... to participate for the first time since before the Great War. Not sure what to expect from them, not really enough to even qualify as a village if you ask me."

"That right? A village of mercenaries right? they probably have seen a lot of fights... heheheh..." the man snickered, he couldn't wait to be able to pound in some new faces. "I know what you're thinking, though, probably can't wait to perv up the new people coming into town." he snorted, watching her out of the corner of his eye as a group of four handsome young men rushed into the water nearby. One of them was holding a camera, huh, wouldn't that be bad to lose in the water?

A slight smirk crossed Yukari's lips. "Well the exam always does bring in so many fine examples of shinobi, how could I not?" Her face may have been tilted down towards the book in her hands, but she didn't need to move to see everything around her.

"Well at least you don't deny it..." the young man scratched his head, not that it was a good thing really, but at least she knew it. "Though in the end, none will be able to defeat me, for I am... THE TERROR OF NAMIKAGURE! there is nothing that can possibly stand in my way." he chuckled with a prideful grin on his face. "Yep ain't nothin' can top me, especially with this new and DEVASTATING technique in my hands~!" he began to clutch his fists together with excitement.

"I'll be like 'DIE YOU INSIGNIFICANT FOOLS!' and they'll be like 'Nooo don't hurt me.' yep, this is gonna be awesome."

He could no doubt practically feel his teammate rolling her eyes. "If you say so." She clicked her tongue, noting a few bruises that still hadn't faded from her arms. "At least you enjoy your training... Damn senbon sparring."

Joro looked over to his partner in crime giving her a once over... Not staring too long... largely because that was impolite! And he was a gentleman of course! "Yeah, must be tough, but the tougher it is the better I say!" he himself has had quite the... rough training session on occasion. granted he imagined every battle as a training session, so he had multiple to deal with.

"Though I have to care less about bruises and stuff, I can get myself fit as a fiddle without a single issue~!" he chirped, happy as can be. "Though... never done senbon sparring before... Don't really like using them really. Too tiny and not enough punch..." he didn't really care for the little things like that, of course, he didn't use any big ass sword or nothing, he loved the feeling of punching people too much...

The Kusarigama was also fun too, mainly because of how versatile it was... and how you could spin it~!

Plus he looked cool with it.

"...Soooo? What're ya reading? More from that rabbit guy right?"

"We weren't sparring with senbon, idiot. It's one of the clan's stupid training rituals. My father and I had to spar one thousand times in a row..." She shook her head, finally marking her page and closing the book. "Yeah, been a little while since he's published anything, though... wonder why."

"Probably will say something at that weird end thing, if that's the most recent one," he said with a stunning rush of common sense considering who he was. He took a moment to think about the last time he really spent time to read something that wasn't a jutsu scroll and gave a small shrug. "Who knows maybe the author will be coming here for the exam! Pfft, yea, like you'd have any chance." he waved it off.

"OH! I know what we should do! We totally gotta do this Pervy, it's gonna be sick." he had a mischevious grin across his face as he called her the only nickname he's been able to come up with. "We should totally spy on the newcomers, see what were up aginst! maybe even get a fight out of em!" he snickered a bit, relishing the thought.

Standing, Yukari gave him a swift smack to the back of his head. "Remember what sensei told you? Picking unsanctioned fights with them will get you disqualified." That, and it'd likely stir up more trouble than anyone really wanted to deal with. "Still, they are in our village... no one said we couldn't gather some extra intel."

Yelping from her slap the young man's lip trembled as he forced himself not to cry again. "Y-y-yeah! that's what I meant!" he affirmed, hoping she'd believe it. "Just... come on! We gotta get ready!" he collected his stuff and rushed off to the changing rooms. Hoping that he didn't look like he was gonna cry.

Ayumu walked a bit quietly off the boat. He thought Ryu was annoying, but that was before spending a cramped boat ride with him bragging about being surrounded by water for 2 days. He sighed. Ryu had told him that he'd never worked a day in his life, apparently training all day with the element of your choice was new to him.

Oh well, he was free, free as a bird. Now he had work to do.

"I'm off to make a few fabulous friends. This city, tsk, lacks in fashion. I will show them my ways."

He waved backhandedly to his teammates. In truth, he had one very important mission. They were expressly forbidden to attack other genin before the exams. However, that only extended to proof. How would they prove an illusion only they could see? How many would notice? How good were these other chunnin exams participants at the art? He was going to find out.

Info was power.

"Hoooooly crap, HOOOOOOOOLY CRAP!!!" the young woman was quite literally flipping her shit. It was time, the city was so close and all this time waiting would be completely worth it! She only needed to wait for the docking and she'd be off like a bullet!! the whole trip she had been on her best behavior, kinda, she only bugged Aki once when she was bored. Though she has spent most of her time on the deck, occasionally taking a nap, watching the sea, stealing a fish that boy on the water sends up.

What was she doing with said fish?

Well, sometimes it was good to have her insects eat something more tangible for a change, especially her new brood. Nasty little buggers, much larger jaws then normal, and give one hell of a snip. They still eat chakra mind, but are much more... voracious with it~! Also seem to like to dig... which was quite disconcerting to those watching her feed them as they dug into the fresh flesh of the dieing fish. Drones she called them, larger and better at fighting, but sadly they were unable to breed themselves, taken from the large populace of females she had she figured they should be better suited to a purpose.

Tossing yet another fish skeleton into the sea she recalled he lovely little death bugs as they finally pulled into port.

And with that, Ago was off.... Kinda..

She was about to dash off to mainland but stopped herself and went to find Tsubaki, she had some questions to ask first... "Umm, Sensei. Do you know this city at all?" she asked looking to atleast get an understanding of the place, she didn't want to get lost after all!

"...The sea... it has a great deal of time since I have last had the pleasure of smelling this air..." he stood motionless upon the deck, letting his body take in all it could. the smell of the salt, the cool splash of the occasional wave hitting the boat sending drops in the air, the sight of endless blue... He missed it, he just never knew how much he had missed it. The sight of the blue, the smell of the ocean, the sounds of the never ending waves....

Yes...

He was home again....

"I wonder if the house is still standing... He likely tore it down by accident, the idiot..." he sighed, before smiling once more. "..Perhaps he has changed, it has been a few years. Perhaps becoming a jonin has settled him down, let him grow beyond his foolishness." he mused to himself as he watched the city close in, his heart skipped a beat at the sight of it all. It was so long ago since he set foot there, he could barely believe he was coming back home, and for the Chuunin exams no less.

"....Well Saizo... I'm home again..."

Tsubaki Mifune
Yuuki Mifune
How time flies... seemed like a lifetime ago when she was last in the Land of Waves. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's been rebuilt at least once." Tsubaki spoke as she stood beside Kazou, "Wonder how much has changed around here... Think Granny Anda's still running that ryokan?"

She studied the large city as the group stepped off the boat onto the docks. "A little bit," She replied to her student, noting her brother happily escaping the boat to solid ground. "Been a good few years since I was last here, but I know where a few things are at least."

She and her student moved off the docks and out of the way of the crew trying to work. "Anything in particular you want to do?"

"Ugh, sensei, why's it feel like the ground's shifting?" Yuuki muttered to Kazou, still feeling woozy from the trip. Instead of training or even trying to relax like he'd intended, the young man spent most of the voyage miserably seasick.

"Granny... I wonder how she is doing. Last we saw her she had a touch of a cold, hope shes keeping safe... hmm.." he began to worry already... But the voice of his student brought him back to the world once more. Ah... So Yuuki was still suffering it seems. "You will be fine, the medicine should fix you when you take some steps ashore. i assure you this will all be worth it." he patted the young man's back as he lead the young man forward. "Come, your team mates have already headed off it seems, but if you don't feel embarrassed with walking with your sensei there are a few places I could show you here." he spoke with good mood present within his voice.

"Not every day I can return to the city I was born in." he chuckled, taking a few steps off the boat and leading onwards, slowing his pace to see if Tsubaki and her students would like to join them.

"Food." the first thing that came out of her mouth was predictable enough, she was in fact tired of eating fish. And feeding fish to her bugs, so in a way she was eating double the amount of fish. "Good food. I don't want to eat any more of that stuff we had on the ship." she spoke frankly and without care for whomever might hear her. "There must be good stuff here, I wouldn't mind fish but there was no variety! Just pan fried! No taste! I gotta eat something else... Plus I'm packing alot of insects... Gotta do the upkeep on making chakra yea know!"

Her reasoning kept coming and coming, food seemed to be on her mind more then anything.

"Yuuki!!! You wana go for food to!?" she called forwards to the others, not letting Aki dispute with another choice at all.

Mochizuki, sadly, wasn't off like everyone else rocketting off from the ship. She sighed as she looked down to a golden pocket watch. Her wings made a strange chirping sound that so far, she had never done. It wasn't a buzz, but a melancholic sound.

She looked at it again, forcing a smile.

"Well, dun matter, Imma be a great ninja, doesn't matter whose here, or if they come! If my cousin's here, Imma just kick 'im out my way! Tonbo don't mean nuttin'! Mochi is Mochi."

She slowly walked off of the boat, towards the center of the streets.

"Hmm. Ya know, guess info's kinda important. Ayame's always saying such. Well, if I ain't gunna have fun, might as well be smartical!"

A series of handsigns, and with a poof her wings disappeared. That wasn't all, her eyes became a shade of amber rather than gold, and her headband and goggles likewise vanished.

"Time to be Mochi the Tourist! Other teams want info from me? They ain't getting nuttin."

She glanced once more at the pocket watch before putting it away finally.

Ganryu

Some Peace Before the Exams? Arrival at the Hotsprings


The soft sounds of flowing water filled the air as Kazou lead their group, along with Tsubaki to the place they would be staying the night. A ryokan, a place he had remembered from his childhood had changed quite drastically.

As in, it got much, much, MUCH bigger.

Far from the cozy little thing, he remembered, not that it was a bad thing, but this was one hell of a change.

"Is Granny still here I wonder?" Kazou re-voiced his concern, the gentle lapping of the waters filled his heart with a soothing calmness regardless of his fears... It was a bit later in the day, they let their students go about and having their fun before collecting them together to check in for the evening, they were to know of their room and then have free time until the preset bedtime, they had to be ready for tomorrow and the following days to come... But it didn't mean their fun had to end just yet.

Though he made certain for them all to know that they should be in bed by that time.

He knew some wouldn't listen... And for once he... Didn't really care, it was like a weight was off his shoulders by just being in this city. Perhaps he should have visited earlier.

"It has been... far too long huh?" He asked the woman standing not too far from his, Tsubaki, a loyal friend, ally and... Well... best he just keep talking. "I hope she stopped that whole nosiness stuff... Granny really did like knowing a lot about... Young men..."

"It's definitely been too long," Tsubaki mused, listening to the stream trickle into the pond. She chuckled, "I have a feeling that hasn't changed... Though I do hope she still works here." A slight smile crossed her lips as she watched the large koi swimming by. "She was a big help during our exams, huh?"

"A big help? She might've saved our very lives. Her cooking kept us going through the exams, hell, when most saw me as a traitor's child, and you... Well.... She saw us as her own grandchildren." Kazou chuckled as a voice started to call from behind him, a familiar voice that echoed in the same tone he had known long ago... It grew in the back of his mind as the voice became louder, and louder, and louder....

"...Mei?" He questioned, looking back to see his student currently being accosted by the loudest young woman he has ever seen, well, second loudest.

"YUUUUKI!!!! LOOK AT THIS PLACE! It's like a... 5 star Ryokan! I've only heard of this place in Dad's stories! Ho, ly, CRAP!!!" Ago announced her wonderment to the world, largely to Yuuki, likely because he was near at hand. She was outright thoroughly excited to visit the same place her wayward father has told her about.

"Oh oh! Do you think we can get some of that famous food!? And the baths! Yes, the baths I neeed a good long soak tooo~! Though don't you try and peak you sneaky little perv." She jabbed the young man with an elbow, thoroughly enjoying her teasing. He grew a bit more stern these days, but in truth it only made her have more fun trying to crack some embarrassment of a smile outta him.

Aki wasn't right around her, so she couldn't just pick on him right now... Though she'd bet he'd be too embarrassed to look at her if she mentioned baths to him, likely would think about Mochi.

Her eyes looked to the others for a moment, stopping for a moment on Ayumu.... Then Quickly turning back to the Ryokan.

It was the weirdest thing, she didn't like the guy, but they didn't talk from that point with the whole flower. Maybe it was just one of those weird things you never really understand? Like life after death or calculus.

Yuuki quietly groaned, at least he wasn't feeling nearly as woozy as he did when they first arrived. It seemed the walk had done him some good. Ago, on the other hand... "It's like you've never been to a ryokan before..." He muttered. Sure, this was definitely the nicest he'd seen, but the genin failed to see the big deal.

Though a bath did sound rather nice after being stuck on that boat for several days...

...

That said...

"...Why would I even want to try and peep on-" Yuuki gasped, dropping to the ground from an ... admittedly cheap shot. "What... was... that for!?"

"Now, now, Yuuki, you should know women are like flowers, in the sun they are radiant, but without it, they wilt. Honestly, have your parents taught you nothing as to the way of a gentleman?

Now Ms. Aburame, I believe my colleague here was trying to say, but so ineloquently put it, he's shy around beautiful women. Why, as a gentleman, I could never, but as for Yuuki, I believe he's terrified. Why don't you help him feel more at ease? I'm sure a few minutes 'hanging out' would do it. Maybe he'll come back less brutish? I'm sure you're well talented in making Yuuki more polished."

Ayumu had his normal devious smirk on as he watched the commotion, trying to put out any fires with gasoline.

"PFfft yea right, I could polish glass or a gem but Yuuki... He's more like... A big piece of garbage~!" Her confidence soared once more as she looked quite proud of herself again. "He wouldn't know true beauty if it hit him on the side of the head... Again! Ohohohohoh~!"

Ayumu, as always, was not helping.

Yuuki growled under his breath as he slowly pushed himself back up. "Let's just get inside already..."

Tsubaki sighed, glancing at Kazou, "May as well get rooms settled for the exams, huh?"

"Certainly."
One Mean Ghost Ganryu D3lmoniko @Red Kinzu Hekmatyar Orikanyo Hanarei

Mochizuki was curled up on a hill a little above the hotsprings. Streams of water flowed behind her, drowning out the quietness, she supposed Ayame would love to train there with that much water. She couldn't see in the baths themselves, of course, or at least she hadn't tried, but she did look at the house itself. She still wore her transformation jutsu, not having her kekkei genkai visible, or her headband with it, but looking otherwise the same.

"Come on gal... get down there. Mochizuki is Mochizuki. Have some fun."

She looked at her pocketwatch again.

"He's just sick, that's all. If it weren't that, he'd be here. You just gotta get chunnin... by ya self."

She curled up further.

--------------

"What's all this 'by ya self' nonsense?" Ryu asked, seeming to materialize from nowhere next to her. He hadn't failed to notice Mochi acting oddly. After all, he saw her quite often around the Mifune compound. Something was most definitly bothering her, and now wasn't a good time for such distractions.

"What's bugging you, Mochizuki? It isn't like you to be.. well... not hyper... I get taking these exams seriously, but I get the feeling that's not it." He remarked as he watched her. If there was anyone that could understand having family issues, it'd be Ryunosuke.

-------------

Mochizuki nearly jumped, hadn't expected to be found. Looking back at all the water... and knowing just a little about Ryu, she likely shouldn't have been surprised, yet she was.

"Uh... well, I, think this exam could be harder for me than it should be."

She held up her watch to the sun.

"Hey, Ryu... Do ya I seem like a ninja to you? I mean, some people call ya a genius. Do you think anyone's going to depend on me to actually be a ninja like my headband says?"

=============

Ryu chuckled a little as he sat down next to her. "A genius? If anyone calls me that, they don't really know me. I've failed more times than anyone I know" he remarked looking up at the sky for a moment before turning his gaze back to her, studying her as if trying to read where all this was coming from. "Why wouldn't you seem like a ninja to me?" He inquired, quirking an eyebrow. "You make it sound like there's some set mold to how a ninja is supposed to be." He shook his head.

"The thing is, Mochi, people already depend on you to be a ninja. You're on a team, aren't you? That means they depend on you to do your best." he reminded her. "You shouldn't worry so much about how others look at you. Just worry about being the best ninja Mochizuki can be. Follow your own ninja way and if anyone doesn't like it, they can go fuck off" He said rather bluntly. It was strange to see Mochizuki like this, so unsure of herself. Ryu had no clue what could cause her to get like this, but right now, she needed to get her head on straight if she wanted to help her team through this. If the chunin exams were anything like the stories, every team would need all members firing full bore to get through it in once piece..

-----------

Mochizuki still halfhearted slapped him.

"You shouldn't curse infront of a lady!"

She did manage to stand, answering the first question.

"I dunno. My folks always seem to think there's a proper way for a ninja to be. Always talking about acting like a proper heir to small house in the Tonbo clan. My cousin's in this exam, met'im a few times, he's everything I don't wanna be. So perfect, it annoys me and stuff. He's the main heir to the family. Was hoping to one-up'im, and show me folks, but me Dad got sick and isn't coming. I don't know if he's actually sick, or just so disappointed he doesn't want to come see me. I mean, I can't be mad at him if he's actually ill, but what if he isn't?

I mean, I wanna be my own person, Mochizuki is Mochizuki, but I also want them to see me as a great ninja. I thought training with Friend Ayame would make them happy, didn't. Tried taking a B-ranked mission, that made things worse." She tapped her scar. "I dunno, I just don't know what people want from me! I try to say forget them and be myself, and they're still mad. Ugh. I just don't know what I want to be right now. I wanted to be a great ninja, but everyone I can name was respected. I ain't."

------------------

Ryu didn't seem to mind the slap, partially because he almost saw it coming the second the word rolled off his lips. He watched her as she spoke, not failing to notice just how alike the two of them were when it came to their family situations. "Just keep being Mochizuki." Ryu finally said when she was done. He pushed himself back up to his feet. "I know what you're going through better than you know." he trailed off, looking up at the sky again.

"I was supposed to be the heir to the Mizuchi clan. But when I failed the Academy exit exam, I was deemed too weak and they disowned me. I thought improving on my own would make them happy, it didn't. Ultimately, two of my cousins tried to kill me during one of my team's missions because I'm deemed a disgrace to the family. I guess somewhere along the lines, I realized that my birth family was a lost cause. They'll never accept me." He watched a cloud roll by, letting his thoughts gather for a moment.

"That's about the time I realized what they think isn't important. If they don't want to support me, then they can just watch me rise on my own. And when I become a great shinobi... They can look up at me from the hole they dug themselves and realize just how wrong they've always been about me." He had a bit of a smile as he looked back over at Mochi. "I guess that sounds kinda vindictive, doesn't it..." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"The point is, if you want to be a great shinobi, stay true to your own way, even if no one else believes in you. If you keep believing in yourself, eventually you'll force them to believe what they see with their own eyes."

---------------

Mochizuki went quiet again, though she put her finger to her lip.

"Nah. I think we're different. Afterall, Ryunosuke is Ryuunosuki, Mochizuki is Mochizuki. I still want their respect, its just annoying. I guess ya're right. Just gotta keep going on. It ain't easy, but everyone I read on had something. Just gotta keep going."

Mochizuki face seemed to crack almost as she smiled. She didn't feel much happier, but she just had to do what she needed to do, and that was good enough. That, and Ryu was right she had a team depending on her. Kiso was already mad at her, she had to make up for that failed mission.

"So, uh, Ryu, what'cha doing up here?"

-------------

"Me? Well... I just wanted to see more of all the water features here. It's so different from Kemuri..." He admitted looking around them at the water features. "It's not every day I'm literally surrounded by my element, after all" he glanced back at her. "Anyway, we should probably meet up with everyone else. Last thing we need is a giant lecture just before the Chunin exams, right?" he smirked over at her, stretching his arms over his head as he turned his gaze towards the building they were supposed to meet up at. "Besides, it'd be poor form if two of Kemuri's next chunin were late, wouldn't it?" He quirked an eyebrow at her as he started down the hill.

-------------

Mochizuki smirked deviously.

"Mochi is Mochi!"

And with that, she leaped off the hilltop to wherever she felt like.

Akihiro Tsubasha & Jin Kusarigama

Aki was lagging back, taking in the wonderful sights. Something about this village made him gasp in awe. Even the color of the sky was different from what he was used too. He stopped, closing his eyes and breathing in slowly, then exhaling with a smile on his face. Someone cleared it's throat behind him, so Aki turned, but was rather surprised by the sight.

"Uhm, do you mind doing that on the side, deary? You are standing in the other's way." Came a sweet but bitter voice from Jin, her puppet next to her. "...Sorry, and don't call me deary, alright?..." Jin huffed, passing near him, her hand brushing against his new jacket. "Kind of barbaric fabric. But suits you fine." Aki lets out a low growl. "Even fitting."

Aki's eyes went to her puppet, eyeing it from it's weird head to where the cloth ended. It was something interesting, but it wouldn't resist to his new ability. Quietly following her, the two arrived where the other were bickering, exactly when Ayumu was speaking to Ago.

Jin smiled as well, passing the others, while going behind Ayumu, putting her hands on his shoulders, imitating a massage. "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi. You have a way with words. I am sure you meant only the best for them, not trying to cause problems-" Her fingers grasped his shoulders, still smiling and looking at him. "-Right?"

Aki already stood behind Ago, almost hiding behind her. He gulped, looking at Ayumu. He blushed, as he knew what Ayumu was hinting at. Spending all that time with those tanuki, and hearing their 'jokes' made Aki mature and go past his naive state. HE looked around, trying to see where Mochi would be, so he could probably talk to her, and to get away from the possible bullying from Ago.

Ganryu KageYuuki Orikanyo

Greetings from Namigakure
Kazou sighed, one of the young ladies thought it time to go ahead without so much of a word... Luckily, he had made the call ahead of time to book the rooms, wherever she was heading, at least she wouldn't be kicked out. Though he could hear slight whispering from inside.... Perhaps some of the staff?

"Is that them?"

"Shush Joro.. let your sensei perform the first strike."

"YES SENSEI!"

"Shhh!"

Kazou's face turned... Quite displeased...

Yep...

He was here alright... Just what stupid plan did he have now?

The man walked towards the door and pulled open the screen only to be met with a man unleashing a flying kick directly towards his face!!!

Reflexively he leaned to the side and thrust forward with his own punch... Landing directly in the man's....

"Weak spot."

The man froze, Kazou froze and grimaced, Joro held his hands between his legs with a face that told of absolute horror at the spectacle before him. Yukari let out a sound that was a mix between a groan and laugh.

"SENSEIIII!!!!" Called the young man, whose sensei now fell to the ground in tremendous pain.

Saizo moaned with great pain upon the ground, desperately trying to regain some of his lost strength. Kazou only looked down upon him with a face that was a strange mixture of apologetic and disappointed. "Damn you Kazou...!" Said the man weakly, as if all of his breath was stolen from him.

"Saizo... You brought this upon yourself." The man responded coldly as the surprise attacker slowly stood up from his position, having recovered, slightly, from the blow.

"Your reflexes are still on point, I should only expect such from my very own BROTHER!!!" The man yelled, only getting a further furrowed brow from the man.

"...Why must you word it as if it is some grand reveal."

"Because you have no draw for the dramatic! I wouldn't expect you to understand... BROTHER!!!"

"Stop that."

"I shall not, BROTHER!!! You dare to set foot here again in the land's you forsook!!!"

"That was not my decision, I was but a chil-"

"It matters not! This time, I shall surely win..."

"Saizo, this is not the time nor place to even think of battling one anoth-"

"With my own students!! they shall conquer your's in the Chuunin exams without question!!! Joro! Yukari! Come!" the jounin called to his students, his gruff voice returning to him, having finally recovered.

Stifling a chuckle, Tsubaki cast a glance over at Kazou. "Some things never change..."

Yukari stepped outside with a groan, her face buried in her hand. "My god, Saizo-Sensei, that was painful to watch, even for me..." Her eyes may have been hidden by dark glasses but the genin's gaze could be felt. She tilted her head slightly upon seeing Kazou, he seemed more attractive than his brother. Perhaps it was the aura of calm surrounding him?

Joro jumped out beside Yukari, landing with a thud, his hands raised and ready to fight, his fingers curled like claws towards the group. "I am Joro Jogiro, and I shall be your death!!!" Clutching a hand, shaking with made up rage at the Kemuri genin he examined them all with his one uncovered eye. "Who will be the first to tempt the rage of Joro!?! I shall crush you all in my iron grip, pummel you until-"

His speech was cut off from a swift smack to the back of his head. "What part of 'no picking fights' did you miss?" Yukari hissed in his ear.

The young man yelped under the smack, rubbing the back of his head. "S-s-sorry..." He... sniffled?

Kazou was thoroughly unimpressed.... He only hoped to whatever gods were watching none of his students would react.... please Ayumu... do not try and tease the kid...

"Tremble before my three- ...Wait a minute... where's our last?" Saizo asked the two, getting a shrug from Joro.

"Stomach problems."

"Ah."

"Ate at the curry place in town."

"Ah..." The jounin nodded thoughtfully, as the two took a moment to pray for their fallen comrade.

Yukari groaned, massaging the bridge of her nose. Just how did she end up with such idiots for a sensei and teammate...? Her gaze moved over the Kemuri shinobi once more, stopping to linger on Tsubaki and then Yuuki before clicking her tongue in displeasure. It was easy to see their tainted chakra, seemed the rumors were true about the village then...

What in all holy hell did Ryu walk into? He finally catches up to everyone after talking to Mochizuki, and the first thing he sees is some poor imbecile getting ball busted on Kazou sensei's fist. The first thought that came to mind was Seiji, and all at once, he felt so terribly sorry for the poor Genin entrusted into this man's "care". That sympathy quickly dried up when Seiji 2.0 came bumbling out acting like king of the castle.

Could it be all the shinobi around here were off their rocker?

Finally, Ryu's eyes settled on the lone female of the team. Judging by her posture and the way she silenced the idiot, no doubt she was the leader of the motley crew, unless their stomach troubled friend was a secret genius. Ryu, for now, just ignored the blowhard and focused on the girl. She didn't seem to pay him any mind, and that was fine as far as he was concerned. Even when her gaze just momentarily passed over him, he got a strange feeling that she was seeing through him.

Yes, if there was one to be wary of, no doubt it'd be her...

The cursed one....

Yes, she most definitely had the curse of curves.

While that was all right and glorious, he wondered about her eyes. She kept them hidden, but her gaze could be felt. It had to mean something, right? He'd never known someone to normally have a gaze so piercing even sunglasses didn't damper the effects.

When she clicked her tongue, Ryu became more curious. She saw something she didn't like, but what was it? Was she just not impressed with the competition or... was it something else? Perhaps he was trying to read too deep into things...

"So... I'm guessing you guys came here to try and be intimidating? Or was it to warn us to avoid that curry place at all costs?" He asked tilting his head. Starting fights was expressly forbidden, so he had to wonder what they thought they'd accomplish by making themselves known already. If they were trying to be intimidating, well, obviously that failed righteously the minute balls got busted. "Because... if that's all, I'd like to get on my way to the baths and see if I can loosen up a little after that boat trip" He remarked, twisting his head just a little so his neck gave an audible pop. Oh yes, he was long overdo for a little relaxing...

Now, many hot blooded young men would immediately try and catch a glimpse of the hot young women in the female bath. If this were anywhere else, Ryu would have considered it thanks to his jutsu. However here, that would both reveal one of his abilities, and likely get him killed if any of the ladies were capable of seeing through his genjusu. Then again.... he did have other ways....

It was still just a matter of how likely he was to get caught and subsequently murdered...

Ayumu watched the scene with an amused expression on his face. Kazou was acted as beautiful and graceful as ever. His... brother however.... It only seemed to reassure Ayumu that grace was not hereditary! Kazou's was his own.

Ayumu watched the two genin of the ugly man with a raised eyebrow. If they were the competition, it was as good as won. Was that really good enough however? Ayumu's goal wasn't chunnin, he could care less about the title. He looked over at Ryu... and found him oggling the female enemy. Well, this was a chance Ayumu could not pass up. It was unbeautiful to simply stare from afar. He would have to remedy that. Straightening his back (as much as he could against the weights of hell in his wrists), Ayumu sauntered over to her.

"Oh my, I must admit surprise, across the sea, I did not expect to run into a beautiful flower."

A flower blossomed from his sleeves, and he attempted to put it in her hair.

"It almost puts this one to shame."

Standing back, he admired his work. He gave a smile, then a sigh.

"In any case, sadly garden is full, yet, my teammate seems to be oftly interested in you, you should speak with him. Its the one with the slightly emo hair. He really does have the heart of gold. In any case, these hot springs are said to be good for the skin, I hope to prove this true."

And without waiting a reply, Ayumu started to walk away.


One Mean Ghost KageYuuki

Yuuki Mifune
Yuuki shook his head when Jin attempted to keep Ayumu from trying to cause any trouble. He could have sworn after that mission with the researchers she'd at least have a slight idea of Ayumu's personality. Unless she thought she could intimidate him into behaving....? She couldn't be that stupid, right?

Then he remembered who she was stuck with for a sensei...

Honestly, the whole mess could have been avoided if Ago had actually let him finish his sentence. Granted, he probably could have worded the first part a little better. Bah, hindsight always was 20/20.

The genin tilted his head as voices began drifting from just behind the door to the inn. They were too faint for him to really make out given how far back he stood. He didn't have to wonder for long as Saizo attempted a surprise attack. One that backfired horribly. Regardless if Kazou meant to strike the man there or not, it was more than enough to draw a grimace from several bystanders. Yuuki included.

"Kazou-Sensei has a brother...?" Yuuki murmured, glancing between his own teammates. It was likely news for them as well. Not that Kazou ever really talked about his family aside from Lyn. Any other relatives were just as much of a mystery as the entirety of Ayumu's family.

Golden hues moved back to the scene playing out in front of them as two of Saizo's students stepped into view. The loud one, Joro, was definitely a clone of his sensei. At least in regards to how loud and overdramatic he was being. Was all of the Hidden Wave's shinobi like this? At least the second one seemed actually annoyed with their antics. Must have been Yukari if he heard Saizo right. Though something about her seemed... off. Whatever it was, it caused unease to creep into the back of his mind.

...

Of course Ayumu wasted no time in starting something. And Ryu....

Ryu was rather blatantly staring.

"Holy shit Yuuki did your sensei just punch that guy in the d**k!?!" Ago shouted out in exasperation. With absolutely no tact in her she looked around the place at everyone who was all but continuing on without another word on that fact. The others were already moving on, perving up the new girl and questioning who these people were. Naturally, she delivered a good backhand to the back of both Ryu and Yuuki's heads. "Quit staring you two! seriously you pervs can't let your hormones chill for a second? Jeeze! Perverts!" her scolding began once again, before she marched her way inside, past kazou who was still trying to figure out what in hell was he gonna do with this suddenly appearing brother.

The young lady stopped before the three of them, with Saizo looking more or less towards his brother. "So, you're gonna be some of our opponents yea? An idiot who seems to think belts are fashionable and a girl who doesn't know what modesty is? How pathetic. I expected more outa this land's ninja." Ago tossed aside a lock of hair, with a sassy hair flip and scoffed. "You two are probably as stupid as that sensei of yours!" she barely finished before Joro butted in. "HEY! Yukari ain't stupid!" "Oh, and the rest of you are? but running to the girl's aid huh? Ooh what a dashing fellow!" she mocked once more. "Dashing? I'm standing here not running."

Ago froze for a moment, taking in the stupid that was just brought into the situation.

"...I take it back... You are obviously the major source of stupid here. Your skull is probably thick as stone." "Damn straight! ain't nothing can crack it!" "That... That wasn't a compliment...." "Eh? then what was it?" "It... I..." Ago stared as if the young man had three heads, and he stared back with earnest confusion.

"Are you seriously that... That damn... I... What... I...." the young woman words were not coming together, the sheer amount of stupid that came from the young man's mouth had completely took the rug out from underneath her. "...Hey, fishnets. Get your boyfriend's head checked out or... something... I'm gonna... go.... now..." holding her head and rubbing her temples to soothe her headache she marched past the trio, desperately trying to recover from that exchange.

"Huh, guess she got sick from the boat or something." Joro shrugged, looking towards Yukari, his demeanor a strange mixture of an innocent dog and a dumbass.

Saizo stood tall once more. "I shall permit your staying here, but know I shall be keeping a close eye upon you brother! Step out of line and you shall know true pain! Now i must go, I am needed elsewhere... Yukari! Joro! watch them!" the jonin snapped at the man, who looked quite unimpressed, and then gave orders to his students. "...You sure you're not staying for tea atleast." Saizo suddenly perked up. "Actually that sounds good- Wait! I shall not fall for your rotten tricks! You will attempt to poison me, to secure that you are the sole owner of the Yamamoto manor!!!" "Firstly, you are an idiot, secondly, I don't want the place, especially since how many times I've heard it's had to be rebuilt due to your foolishness with explosives."

"...You have me there." the red haired man sighed. "...One cup. Maybe a bath." "Excellent. I shall attend to the rooms. Everyone, let us gain some rest before tomorrow." Kazou announced to the others, walking inside with Saizo following at his side.

Akihiro Tsubasha

At the sight of the punch, Aki recoiled back, already feeling a part of Kakuzu's pain. He breathed sharply through his teeth, keeping a small grimace on his face. It was funny and painful at the same time. His attention went to Ago, letting out a small giggle at her bluntness.

Aki saw that the other ninja were trying to scare them, or to impose their own greatness. Fair enough, but any impression Aki might have had about them were dismissed by the sheer stupidity of the boy ninja. He decided to follow Ago, stopping a little near them, looking at Joro.

Aki's face looked serious, and rather grim. "...Excuse my teammate... She has to many bugs, and can't find them a place in her nest... Witch is her own body..." Aki's eyes scouted Joro, grinning, before his expression became again normal. "...You might do..." He then turned to the girl, smiling and continuing on his way. Once past them, he looked towards Ago, letting out a rather rare genuine grin. 'We know how to fight back too.'

~The Day of the Test~

Ayumu Susumu

Ayumu approached the classroom with a rather large smirk with a distinct saunter, his robes flowing around him. It took a surprising amount of effort, but Ayumu felt stronger. He felt ready for the day.. He looked like a massive peacock, feathers being a rather prominent feature of his clothing. He felt like one too. His brother had told him about his 1st part of the exam. A written exam? Ha. Ayumu could do that with his eyes closed. He turned proudly to his teammates.

"So, pleebs, are you ready for the exam? Just try to keep up. I AM Kemuri's resident dandy. You'd better expect me to do well. Don't worry too much about the test, my score will cut you two some slack. I'll be relying on you two for the next few tests, but leave this one to me."

He did a twirl as he approached the door, a flurry of feathers assaulting all around him as he grabbed the door handle, and threw it open.

"Your champion is here."

--------------

Mochizuki Tonbo

Mochizuki hesitantly walked down the hallway, pressing her fingers together. A written test? It sounded SUUUUPER boring. That, and written tests? She was nervous about that. Mochizuki didn't feel like she knew alot. Well, she always had Kiso to fall back on! That, and Jin seemed really, really smart. She had two smart teammates!

Still, there was always the chance the test was different. Maybe they'd have a climbing test? There'd be no way Mochizuki would fail that! Or maybe a scouting mission? Mochizuki had a dojutsu, it'd feel like cheating it'd be too easy. There were always fighting too. Mochizuki wasn't the strongest, but that's why she brought a dozen bombs with her. Who needed to be a skillful fighter when you could literally bomb the living daylights out of an area!? And if there was a team fight, Mochizuki could always show off her medical jutsu. She'd really wanted a chance other than that one time when Kiso had almost drowned. Something to show she was useful.

"S-so guys? What sorta tests ya think we gots? I REALLY hope it's not a rumored paper test. That'd scare me."

Still, she just had a dumb paper test probably. Maybe there'd be math on it?

Mochizuki made her way into the room, chanting mathematical formula's to herself in some random hope that the test would be a math one.

For this test, the young lady was ready, after having some helpful advice from her mother, she learned ahead of time of the exam... Well, the actual exam part of the exam. the test part, written test, not a ninja exam.

Well it was a ninja exam, about ninja stuff.

But it was also a test.

A written exam test.

....

The dandy threw open the doors as she tried to stop her mental circling around the topic of the test. A test was a test, no matter what she had to do she had to pass, hell it's be great if she got even better! She was only a few steps away from Chuunin-dom and she could ALMOST TASTE IT! it tasted like victory! And a bit like chocolate.

The young woman had spent most of her free time looking over her notes from academy days, pokeing his sensei for any advice she could give, forcing Aki to join her in her studying, dragging Mochi into her room to study with them, and generally trying her damndest to make certain she wouldn't bomb this test. "Alright folks, get our assess inside we gotta-"

The sound of a young man rushing past Ago at blinding speeds caused her to pause, Joro, enthusiastic and completely unknowing about the test that was to come up, had rushed inside after the skinny fluffy looking girl.

"Yukari hurry up!!!" he yelled from inside to his partner, like a puppy who doesn't know they were heading to the vets/groomer's just yet... His innocent was pure, yet soon to be broken over a jonin's knee.

Akihiro Tsubasha

Akihiro walked the hall, feeling a little calm. Over the past days, between Ago forcing him to study with her and Mochi and practicing his skills for a few hours, he had scoured the city, looking for attractions or interesting places. He wasn't book savvy as Ago was, or, surprisingly, as smart as Mochizuki, but he could still hold his own.

He was feeling secure, and then his mind started to race. 'I should know the answers. I mean, it's got to have a few easy questions, right? Right?!' Aki's expression on the outside was calm, although deep inside he started to panic badly. His hands were in his pockets, shaking, and his eyes were on the ground.

Aki bumped right into Ago, not realizing she had stopped. Jumping back, he could only turn and act like a dizzy animal, trying to acknowledge what happened. Then he saw the boy. "...Them again?..." He let out, sounding more like a grunt. "...Let's just get inside... Ladies first..." Aki said, grinning at Ago.

Orikanyo

Yuuki Mifune
Yukari HyuugaYuuki groaned quietly, rubbing his eyes. Last night hadn't been as restful as he had hoped. With Kazou's brother stirring up trouble, Granny Anda asking them all dozens of questions and the commotion over there also being a mixed bathing spring. Added on top of nerves towards the exam looming overhead and the boy didn't get all that much sleep. "Just don't spend fifteen minutes writing your name like you did at the academy." He muttered under his breath.

That said... a written exam? Why'd they have to deal with a written exam of all things? It wasn't like shinobi history was something that heavily focused on in the Academy.

...

Or was that just because of Seji?




"Yeah, yeah," Yukari called after Joro. Her clothes were more traditional and surprisingly less revealing than what she'd been the previous day. But what seemed to be most surprising was her eyes. Entirely white, it almost looked like she didn't have eyes at all. Though the piercing presence of her gaze made it clear she could see without issue.

Ryu, admittedly, hadn't slept all that much either. Not because he was worried, but because he was itching for things to finally get started. A written test? He had taken an additional three years to graduate the Academy, and it hadn't been wasted sitting on his thumbs!

Of course, Ayumu had to fire off his mouth the minute they opened the doors. His palm met his own forehead. "Ayumu... Please try not to piss off everybody before we even get started" He shook his head, but he couldn't hide his own grin. He was excited, and it showed.

Moments later, a familiar boy whizzed past them followed by the girl from the day before. Ryu took a moment to analyze her new appearance. So it seemed, he wasn't the only one who wore different clothes the day before...

Unlike his bare-chested choice of attire the day before, Ryu today was wearing his special flak jacket and the rest of his gear. Once the exam started, there was no telling what would happen. The rumored written test could easily be followed by something else, after all.

What struck Ryu the most about the girl from the day before though were her eyes. There was no mistaking the Byakugaan eyes... So she was a member of the Hyuuga clan, a clan renowned for its Taijutsu much the same as the Mizuchi clan was known for theirs. The Gentle Fist and the Serpent's Strike...

Things suddenly got far more interesting...

"Your teammate certainly is.. Enthusiastic...." Ryu remarked as the girl drew closer. "He does know the first part is a written test right?" He inquired, quirking an eyebrow as he stayed with his own team to make their way in. Booksmarts didn't exactly seem to be Joro's thing, after all. Then again, he could say the same thing about Mochizuki, and just take a look at her..

- Chunnin Proctor - Riku Orochi -

As the genin would file into the room, they would find assigned desks, each with a paper on it that seemed to be a standard ninja test. Standing at the front the room was a jonin instructor. He was dressed in traditional robes, a bow strapped to his back. The most interesting feature however was that both eyes had seals inscribed on the pupils. The eyes didn't respond to any movement. Occasionally he would click his tongue. He spoke softly and slowly, even his yelling sounded like a whisper. It was snake like in a way.

"Welcome, welcome. I am your instructor, Riku Orochi. I've been a jonin here for quite some time. Let's begin, shall we. It smells like we have some beautiful women in the room. Pity that, wish I could see them. Well, shall we begin the first test? As you can clearly see, there's a test in-front of you. It has been a procedure for a long time for the first test to be paper based. Well...."

A large smoke bomb went off in the room, obscuring the entire place with smoke. All throughout the screen, high speed movement could be heard as ninjas jumped from place to place, likely none of the genin from how prepared they were for the smoke. The smoke had a special property as well, being laced with a powder that would disturb ones eyes for a moment.

As it faded, the sniffed, making sure it was gone.

"I detest tradition. I prefer to do things my own way. Now remember, a ninja searches underneath the underneath. They see through every lie, every deception. Each of your teams has an imposter among its ranks. You have thirty minutes to find who the liar is. Oh we have your profiles, and are quite adept at mimicry. Obviously, I'd be a poor match, but lets see how good your sight really is. Thirty minutes, have the imposter tied up and at the front. Guess correctly, you pass. Guess wrong, and well. I suppose its back to the grind... as a failure. Good luck."