(IC) The Life of a Shinobi (Chapter 2: The Chunin Exams Preliminary Round)

"Well pardon me for finding it strange to see a cloud shinobi fighting as a leaf shinobi. Why did your family come here?"

"I don't know why mom and dad came here for, you should ask my sister that one," Mugen said, "but me...I was born here man."

"I see," replied Zantu.  He looked back at Rento, "You may proceed."

"Alright then," said Rento, "You may begin!"

Zantu instantly jumped back, creating plenty of space between him and Mugen.  He wasn't sure what Mugen had planned, but he wasn't taking any chances.  "Let's see what you do with this.  Suiton: Suijinheki(Water Style: Water Wall!)

Mugen was hit by the huge wall of water but he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. "Ah man, you got my shadow clone," he said standing behind Zantu. He then grab Zantu and spun him around to face him then hit him two jabs and a hard right punch. He then hit outer side of his knee with a leg kick and finishing with a round-house kick with the other leg hitting him in the head sending him flying. "To start off my new style is the basics of basics: FORM!!" he said now a new stance.

Pfft; "changed" she says, Kazuma thought, still seems like the show-offy mop-headed motormouth I know and don't care for. Kazuma scoffs at the sayings of Mugen, for he really could care less about him and his preachings about form and his passion for "changing the world of taijustu" or whatever. When it comes down to it, it's all about perseverance, determination and instinct; about whether or not if you want it just as bad as the other guy..

Zantu flew a short distance across the stage but quickly regained his footing.  "This guy is pretty fast, but maybe this will work."  Zantu created two shadow clones.  Once again, Zantu used the water wall jutsu and this time his clones did it with him, creating a much larger wave of water.  In addition to the massive water wall, Zantu and his two clones followed up with another jutsu.  "Raiton: Kangekiha (Lightning Style: Emotion Wave!)"  With this jutsu, the user generates a large amount of electricity from their hands that can be passed through conductive materials to improve the electrical power of the technique.  So now Mugen has a massive electrical tidal wave heading in his direction.


"Hmmm...that seems like a pretty high level technique for a mere Genin," thought Konohamaru.

"That's jutsu way too high level for genin too learn, y'know," shouted Kaito. "How can a genin be so strong not even Kazuma is that skilled," thought Akira.

Mugen looked at giant wall of electrical water and said, "That's... a cool trick." Thinking quickly he leaped to the ceiling avoiding the attack then threw three kunai. 2 of them took out the clone while the other turned into another Mugen that drop kicked Zantu in the face then rode his body across the ground like a skateboard. The Mugen on the ceiling then dove to get on top of Zantu.

"I gotta end this fast this guy is stronger that then I thought he was," thought Mugen.

Mugen's quickness and ability to jump incredibly high was a surprise to Zantu, and the clone riding him like a skateboard was humiliating.  Once the clone disappeared, Zantu saw the original Mugen diving down from the roof towards him.  "I don't think so," said Zantu.  Thinking fast, Zantu made the appropriate hand signs, "Suiton: Mizurappa (Water Style: Raging Waves!)"  While lying down on his back, Zantu fired a torrent of water at his oncoming opponent.

"Not this time," says Mugen grabs his sword much like a samurai would have then draws it while using the Chidori Sword to cut the water in half as he made his way to his target. While Mugen was fighting the water stream his clone quickly made hand signs then started gathering energy with his plams.

"Wow, that guy is pretty good," Hizana said amazed. Sanmaru said with a slight frown "He could possibly be holding back." Renji looks at his teacher quizzically and asks "Which one: Mugen or that Zantu guy?"

Before he could answer, Kazuma, still looking at the fight, said "Both. More-so that Zantu guy."
"What do you mean?"
"While I'll admit Kakusu-Ken is good, even at his level I doubt he can pull a jonin-level combination like that. Not saying he isn't capable, just unlikely." With a smirk on his face, he adds, "Almost makes me wanna root for the other guy so I can fight him myself."

"Don't count my brother out yet," Akira said with a smile, "Mugen looks like he startin to take this seriously."

As Mugen sliced through the water torrent, Zantu stopped spewing and quickly rolled out of the way, causing Mugen to strike the floor. He looked over and saw the other Mugen charging lightning chakra in his palms. "This guy is getting annoying," said Zantu. He pulled out a flash bomb and threw it at the Mugen who was charging the lightning chakra.

While Zantu was busy with the Mugen charging his lightning the other Mugen fired multiple Chidori Sharp Spears into his back. "Don't forget about me butthole," his said. As Akira watched her brother fight she turned to Sanmaru and said, "Sanmaru sensei that guy can't be a genin he's way to skilled and my brother he could be in way over his head."

After a long pause, Sanmaru said, "As much as I would give your brother the benefit of the doubt, you may be right. This Zantu may be more than he's portaying." He turns to the fight, watching solemnly. "His movements, his skills, they're too good; despite even KAZUMA having jonin-level potential. The only problem is Mugen may be a little too ignorant at the moment to see that."  "I hope he comes out okay," Hizana says with a frown. Leaning against the railing, Kazuma adds with flat sarcasm, "Well THAT didn't take long. I'm telling ya, he's outta his league with this one."

Zantu certainly had not forgotten about the other Mugen, he was merely making sure the one charging chakra was distracted. Zantu dodged the chidori spears almost effortlessly and quickly pulled out a kunai. However, he suddenly remembered something. He looked up into the balcony area towards his teammates, who had both won their battles. Doske nodded to Zantu, and Zantu nodded back. Returning his attention to the battle, Zantu dropped his kunai and raised his hand. "I am forfeiting the match," he said.

The crowed was shocked! Nobody knew why Zantu had given up the match, except his teammates of course. "What the heck?!" said Shikaru, "Why would he give up so soon?"

Ayano and Gorick looked on with surprised expressions on their faces. "That makes no sense," said Gorick, "You think he felt outmatched?" "No," replied Ayano, "We saw the way his teammates fought. That Doske character was even able to defeat Hayate. Mugen may be strong, but these Cloud ninja aren't playing around. Something else is going on."

"What the crap," shouted Mugen as the fight ended, "you go this far just to give up?"

"What's this guy trying to pull, huh??" Renji exclaims, "Mugen totally HAD him!"

"Quite the opposite," replied Sanmaru. All except Kazuma turn to him surprised at his comment. "I think Zantu was the one that had Mugen."

Kazuma stares intensely at what was happening; he wasn't sure about everyone else, but he noticed that Cloud guy from earlier giving a signal to his teammate. What is going on? What are they up to?

"you noticed it to huh," Akira said to Kazuma, "I'll speak to lord hokage about this later so don't going telling Mugen anything."

"Sometimes I find it scary how you seem to know what people are thinking," Kazuma replied, "I won't tell him, but I think it's too early to start raising any red flags." He looks to where the hokage was seated. "Besides," he added, "I think he has the same idea as you right now. Just hold off until we know more." Sanmaru nods in agreement.

After thanking the group, Akira quickly disappeared in a cloud of smoke as Mugen approached them. "Did y'all see that crap," shouted Mugen, "the toughest shinobi I've fought since my B-Class mission and he quit like a panzee." He looks at the group and says, "who the heck is he, he owes me a fight and a win!"

"But at least you at least you get to move on, right?" asked Hizana, trying to put on a reassuring smile. "Yeah," Renji added, "technical or not, you still live to see another fight." Sanmaru walks up to Mugen, putting a hand on one of his shoulders. "You will get your win, kid. But for now, you need to calm down." Kazuma, who was observing the whole conversation, remained silent.

As Mugen and Zantu exited the arena, the screens started to cycle again and eventually landed on the next two combatants.  "The next battle will be...Hizana Hyuga vs Habashi Hyuga," said Rento.  Habashi entered the arena right away.  Although he was hoping he'd get to fight Kazuma, he was just glad he got Hizana rather than the Akimichi kid. After all, she was the daughter of Naruto Uzumaki, the previous Hokage, and Hinata Hyuga, head of the Hyuga clan.

Before Hizana could enter the area Kaito stop and said, "you can do this sis, just fight like you would if you were fighting me or Mugen."

Only difference is that Habashi woudn't hold back if he felt like he didn't want to, Hizana thought. Sure, she's pretty good herself, but she's also aware of the capabilities of her relatives; some better than most. With slight hesitation, she stepped onto the arena, hoping to get through this.

"If both combatants are ready..." Rento paused in case there were any objections, "you may begin!"

Habashi took a defensive stance, "Your move," he said to Hizana.