"Tetsu-sensei finally gathered us all together, but... why? I thought we were going to continue with the same training as always," I thought, noticing that not only Renji, but Sora was also at the training ground.
Sora was excited, as always. She kept asking me what I was training and why I was receiving special training.
"It's definitely because you're a Senju and have Mokuton... that's so unfair," she said.
"Um... I don't think that's it, Sora, and you're definitely much stronger," I said, scratching my head.
"Me?!... Yes! You're right, I'm stronger. Can you tell? You're awesome, Riku!" Sora replied, blushing a little when I told her she was stronger.
Renji just watched from a distance, leaving me to deal with their excitement alone.
Luckily, our sensei didn't take long to arrive.
"Good morning, everyone," he yawned, looking a little tired.
"Good morning, sensei!" Sora replied.
"Good morning," Renji said, but so softly it was almost inaudible.
"Sensei, what are we going to train today? I thought we would continue with the same training as always," I asked.
My teammates looked at me, and then at Sensei, nodding in agreement.
"We are, Riku. But I think you guys need to be in sync for what's coming next," Tetsu said.
"What, sensei?" Sora asked, curious.
"You're going to take the next Chunin Exam," he said, getting straight to the point.
'What? I thought I was the only one participating... but it makes sense, since the first stages of the exam are usually team-based.' I thought, staying quiet.
Sora and Renji were extremely surprised by the news our sensei brought us. On the other hand, I kept quiet, since it was nothing new to me.
Renji seemed to have noticed my lack of surprise, but didn't comment on it.
"Wow! Renji, Riku, did you hear that?! Man, this is going to be awesome," Sora said, smiling.
I actually liked her personality; she always kept the mood up, making things more fun... and uncomfortable, sometimes.
I smiled back at her.
"The exam is coming up, isn't it, sensei?" Renji asked.
"You're right, Renji. But it won't be a big deal. To be honest, your strength level is excellent. I don't think you'll have too much trouble — at least, not in the early stages," Tetsu said, trying to minimize any tension we might be feeling.
'In the first stages, huh?'
"Well, then what are we going to train today?" I asked.
"Yeah, sensei! I'm curious," Sora added.
"You'll train with each other, fighting in a kind of arena. Since each of you fights differently, this will be important to cover each other's weaknesses — Riku is excellent at ninjutsu, Renji excels in hand-to-hand combat, and Sora specializes in ranged attacks," our sensei said.
The three of us looked at each other. I analyzed Sora and Renji; they were indeed good at what the sensei said, and maybe this was the perfect opportunity to test how much my Mokuton had improved.
'Let's see how far you've come, Renji.' I stared at the Uchiha, who also seemed interested in fighting me and testing my skills.
Sora stepped between us, sensing the spark of rivalry that filled the air.
"Come on, guys, it'll be fun, and I'm still here," she said.
"She's right," Renji said, turning his face away and focusing on the teacher again.
"This is going to be more interesting than I thought, heh," Tetsu smiled with a mischievous glint.
"Come on, Riku, I'm going to need your skills to mark out the training area," he continued.
Tetsu-sensei showed us the training ground boundaries and asked me to create a small earthen barrier around the area, only high enough to reach my calves.
Our arena consisted of a small part of the forest, an open field, and a section of the lake nearby.
To be honest, it reminded me of one of the maps in NUNS4.
"Okay. The goal is simple: the last one standing wins. Remember, focus on what you do best and watch your opponents carefully. Any slip on the battlefield could mean defeat and death," said the sensei.
We nodded, understanding his words.
We stood at a considerable distance from each other. While we waited for Tetsu's signal to begin, everyone warmed up.
"Maybe I should start by tiring Renji out first. He must be the most dangerous..." I thought, and then the system appeared in front of me.
[System Activated: Strategic Analysis]
[Targets identified: Renji and Sora - genins from Konoha]
[Analyzing...]
Technical Characteristics:
Sora:
Sora hides her ninja skills behind her strong personality.
Skilled in fuuinjutsu and shurikenjutsu.
Great speed and agility.
Renji:
User of the Sharingan (1 tomoe).
Extremely skilled in kenjutsu.
Can enhance his battle capabilities with fuuton.
Potential Danger: Medium
Strategic Summary:
Avoid using all your energy at the start.
Watch Sora and be careful of her explosions.
Do not engage in prolonged hand-to-hand combat with Renji.
[Complete Analysis.]
'Maybe it won't be as easy as I thought.'
"Ready?" Tetsu asked aloud.
"Yes!" we all replied in unison.
"All right! On 3, 2, 1... Begin!" Sensei announced, and the training truly began.
[Training Begins.]
Renji was the first to move, charging at me with determination, hoping to close the distance. The one-tomoe Sharingan already gleamed in his eyes. But it wouldn't be as easy as he thought.
As soon as he started running towards me, a kunai flew at him with impressive speed. It seemed Renji would have no trouble dodging, but as the kunai got closer, we both noticed the explosive tag attached.
KABOOM.
A small explosion echoed in the arena as Sora surprised Renji with an unexpected attack.
"Hehe... oops, are you okay, Renji?" she asked, still keeping her distance.
'This girl is good,' I smiled.
Renji stood up from the explosion with minor injuries and parts of his clothes burned, but he had defended himself from most of the blast.
I took the opportunity to run across the battlefield, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Renji's attention was now on Sora, but he didn't lose track of my movements.
Sora didn't stay still either. She began hurling several explosive kunai at Renji and me.
"Doton: Stone Wall!"
I created a wall that moved alongside me, shielding me from the explosions.
My target was also Renji, but I knew I couldn't leave Sora unchecked. Sooner or later, her explosions would find me.
"Mokuton: Wooden Stakes!"
Several stakes flew towards Sora, who couldn't dodge them all and was thrown back a few meters.
"Ouch!" Sora yelped as she was hit.
I took the opportunity to create a Wood Clone and focus on Renji.
"Hey, Renji! She got you with that attack." I said, grinning, trying to throw him off balance.
"Shut up, Senju," he snapped.
"Fuuton: Curved Wind Cut!"
A gust of wind flew at me, forcing me to halt and raise my doton barrier. The impact shattered my wall, too fragile to withstand the attack.
A cloud of smoke rose, and I scanned the area, searching for Renji.
He appeared right in front of me, slicing through the air — and my skin — with his energized sword.
"You never learn from your mistakes," he said.
I was sent flying backward from the force of his blow.
"Um... actually, I do learn," my voice echoed from the opposite side of where my body had flown.
"That was just a clone." I smirked.
Then I launched a jutsu at Renji, catching him off guard.
"Mokuton: Wooden Stakes!"
"What?!" Renji tried to react in time, but the stakes struck him directly.
[Critical hit!]
[You landed a direct hit. +70 EXP]
....
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