(IC) The Life of a Shinobi (Chapters 3-4: The Chunin Exams Tournament)

Sanmaru was completely thrown off by the ground suddenly collapsing beneath him. But he got himself together, pulled himself out of the mud, and rushed to help Konahamaru. "I hope you have some big jutsus or something planned," Sanmaru told him as he landed a side kick into Danji's side. Meanwhile, close-by Kazuma saw the fight getting closer and closer as he moved toward it. "There it is," he said, " I think I can see the Hokage. And it looks like Sanmaru-sensei is there too." He came to a halt and hid in the ruins of a nearby building. No sense in attacking head-on now, but I can support them just enough to give them a slight advantage. He pulls out his Demon Wind Shuriken and unfolded it, forming it into a windmill. Eyes on Danji, he took aim. Let's see how he'll like this: Kage Shuriken no Justu (Shadow Shuriken Justu)" and hurled it at his target. It's a simple technique where two shuriken, like the Fūma Shuriken, are piled one onto another and thrown simultaneously. The trick is to somehow draw the enemy's attention towards the upper shuriken. Then, they have to deal with the path of the lower, unnoticed shuriken.
 

As Kazuma used his justu Mugen took aim and fired at Danji getting his attention giving Kazuma a clean shot. Yumi, who had just taken out a group cloud ninja, turned to Ayano and asked "where is Lord Gaara?"

Danji avoided Sanmaru's kick and then glared at him. "Sorry but I'm not too interested in being kicked," said Danji. Rokku noticed the oncoming shuriken and jumped in front of them. Both hit his body, but his rock solid exterior only sustained minor scratches. "We have an uninvited guest," said Rokku.

Mugen quickly loaded another round wrapped with a paper bomb and fired at Rokku hitting him in The head. Hiro was with the sand ninja after Rokku left. "Who side am I on," Hiro said jokingly, "that's simple who ever pays me that's who..."

Suddenly, a few shots were fired by Mugen from his invention.  Rokku managed to intercept those attacks as well.  "Looks like we have another one," said Rokku.  "What the heck?!" exclaimed Danji, "These leaf ninja are like roaches!" Mugen eventually fired a shot directly at Rokku with a paper bomb strapped to it. However, the quickness of the shot caused it to bounce off of Rokku much quicker than a regular kunai. The explosion was then far enough away where as Rokku was not moved from his spot.

"I'm right here," said Gaara as he arrived where Ayano and Yumi were, "It's time we meet with the others outside the village and finish this fight with the Akatsuki."

"Crap," Mugen explained, "I thought that would work." He then made a few clones armed with swords, knives, and crossbows that jumped into the fight using Mugen's now famous speed.

As the battle raged on Yumi could see Kitsune trying his best to avoid be caught by the D clones, "Lord Gaara," she said, "we have to hurry!"

The battle inside the village slowly began to die down as cloud shinobi started to retreat. Leaf and Sand shinobi began to appear on the battle field to assist in fighting against the akatsuki.  Gaara, Ayano, and Yumi soon arrived as well.  Noticing this, Danji and Rokku began to think that they may be in over their heads.  Both Danji and Rokku jumped onto Gyuki's head.  "I think it's time for us to get a move on Gyuki," said Danji. "But we didn't capture the one tails or nine tails," replied Gyuki.  "Consider this a failed mission," said Rokku, "I don't think we can capture either of them at this time."  "Fine," replied Gyuki.  Gyuki soon reverted back to his human form.  "We're sorry we have to leave so soon but this party is getting a bit crowded," said Danji as he made a hand sign. "Body Flame Jutsu."  Danji, Rokku, and D soon began to disappear as if being burned away.  "We'll meet again soon," said Danji right before vanishing.

Where are those attacks coming from? Sanmaru thought. He was wondering who would be this foolish enough to be this close to this battle. "Where are those darts coming from?!?" Kazuma said to himself. Looking off to the side, he noticed Mugen with some kind of blowgun. "Damn that idiot, I told him to stay outta this," Kazuma sighed, annoyance in his voice. "And he's not even trying to be subtle, out in the open for that walking boulder to spot him." He took a deep breath and stood up. "Aww great, unfortunately head-on is all I got now." He leaps into the air, and weaves a few hand-signs. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Then he and his clone weaved a few more hand-signs. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!(Fire Style: Pheonix Flower Justu)" A volley of small fireballs were sent flying in an unpredictable manner, aimed at Rokku and Danji. And because of the multiple clones, there were so many it was as if the sky rained fire.

The fire balls rained down but by that time Danji, Rokku, and D had disappeared completely.

"They gotta way," said Mugen after the smoke had cleared away. Kitsune turned back to normal and walked over to the rest of the group. "How's the village..." he asked everyone as they all came together.

"Heavy casualties unfortunately," said Gaara as he approached Kitsune, "But the battle has been won and the stragglers are being rounded up as we speak."


The leaf village survived the invasion of cloud shinobi and managed to fend off Danji and Rokku.  However, they are now dealing with a world wide crisis: the return of the Akatsuki.  The Lands of Wind and Fire have declared war on the Land of Lightning, as it was soon discovered that the Lightning Feudal Lord had no intention of surrendering. The lands of Water, Earth, and Grass (each possessing tailed beasts) have yet to declare war on anyone, but have requested assistance from the leaf in defending their Jinchuriki from the Akatsuki.  Fearing Hiro's treachery would make him a prime target, Hiro was persuaded to remain under the watchful eye of the Hidden Leaf for the time being. The shinobi world is hitting a new mile stone; one that most hoped would never come: The Fifth Shinobi World War.