[Yutakako Takara]

Eleventh Chuunin Exams: Round One!

Race in the Shadows!

Chuunin exams were a serious deal and there'd be no shortage of genin eager to prove themselves. A ship ride out of Kuwana and around the nation coast, then back inland through a river would allow the contestants to size up their opponents. Sixty four shinobi in total were forced into the bay of one fairly large vessel. Not large enough to make the trip comfortable, but enough space people didn't have to pile on each other.

Upon reaching a certain point in the river, they'd dock on a very small shore connected to a steep climb. The lack of accommodations clearly getting to some, as this first step into the journey was purposely a painful and tedious one. They'd trek with whatever supplies they brough multiple miles to the city known as Gaikoku. It was quite the site to behold, as it was built up onto the very mountains which created the valley and acted as an almost bridge between them.

Led to a plateau which looked out over the scenic valley, as well as had a staircase like road heading down. It was clearly labeled as the road back to Kuwana. After being pulled from their nice lodges in Kuwana, they'd now find themselves in a likely foreign city with the prospects of Kuwana back on the board. It'd be a smack in the face to some, so when everyone was asked to sign a final waiver to assure Iwagakure and Tsuchi no Kuni wouldn't be accountable. The number of participants would dwindle down to fifty two shinobi.

They'd be asked to line up against the capital building, as the head proctor of this round would call them to attention. The first round was going to be a race between all the remaining shinobi. However this wouldn't be a normal race, they'd be racing to Kuwana, but with the goal of not being spotted. Ahead of them would be six check points, between each check point is a regulated, but unknown level of security. Each check point will be marked by floating lantern balloons, despite not knowing the security exactly, the level of security will be a clear level of difficulty to bypass.

Looking past the proctor, there seems to be roughly six routes out of this village, the farthest left a mountain path, next is a path leading to a more or less open meadow, continuing over the next path would be that of the road, which not to far from that is a man made canal to seemingly allow boat traffic between cities, over from that path is one that leads to a lightly wooded area and the final path on the far right is another mountain path.

At the present vantage point it's quite easy for someone to make out most if not all the lower paths terrain leading to their first check point. Well what could be assumed the first check point. As the distance between each was purposely massive. This trip would take the shinobi up to day to complete, granted it could take longer, but a clear one day deadline is given. Those who can't meet it will be disqualified. Those spotted three times will also be disqualified. Finally this is a race not a battle, you will be disqualified for killing or attempting to kill each other or others.

-Optional Routes-

Left Mountain Route: Despite being a mountainous route, there's actually a clear carved path and a bit down the mountain side a shrine can be scene. This would be a manageable route to go around, whether the path goes all the way or not is unclear, as it can't be fully seen from the vantage. Avoiding the path but going this route, one would need to worry about large sudden slopes, jagged rocks and sometimes loose footing.

Left Plains Route: It's a steep route down, as it's clear this path is more so used, but unkept land. There's patches that look great for camping, even remnants of campfires in spots. A rather large path looping a hill for horse back riding and loosely dotted bushes. Your cover will be a bush here or there, but more likely just trying to lay low and hope there isn't much security. This route has the most open view and there doesn't seem to be security.

Center Road Route: It's the road to Kuwana, it's one of the most obvious paths leading to the destination. Wouldn't logic dictate this to be the fastest route? There doesn't appear to be security and similar to the plain to it's left and canal to it's right you seem to be able to see it's whole stretch. This is a wide road meant to handle two way traffic, there's trimmed decorative bushes and the occasional pit stop clearing designed next to the road. Not very stealthy.

Center Canal Route: Unless it's under the water, then there's clearly no visible security. The water seems decently clear, as well as the stretch of water being both wide enough to fit a decent sized boat, as well as deep enough it easily went four to eight meters down. The land immediately left and right of this canal seem to be maintained and cleared entirely. If there's going to be much of land to hide, it'll likely be man made.

Right Forest Route: The path right to the canal route is another steep difficult climb to easily the most unclear terrain. It seems quite hilly and wild, there's enough tree's to not truthfully know the security, but it certainly seems light. It's unclear there's any good route of navigation, but hiding spots seem numerous.

Right Mountain Route: Unlike the left mountain route, there's less a path and more a slant of the mountain that seems able to be walked. It's unclear beyond the very clear facing mountain side what security might be around this mountain range. Truthfully though this path is probably for the brave and almost definitely for those with tree climbing minimum.

Round One: Mechanics and Posting Etiquette

Everyone will be posting below for each of your characters once. You're to be making a post which describes your characters method for picking a path, then anything special they'll do to either get an edge in the race aspect or keep on top of the stealth aspect of this round. You will not be determining the effectiveness of your decisions, you will not have any actual say over others posts either. You'll even be allowed to edit your post, but if you do so you'll have to make Yoshiko or Meep aware you've done so. Otherwise we might go off of whatever was originally posted if reviewed.

You'll have roughly a week each rotation, with all posts this rotation expected to be done on the 7th. I'll reply to your posts on the 8th with the results of the first stretch, as well as give descriptions of what paths will follow. Bare in mind these paths are 'loosely' explained, so know they'll be massive stretches with some space to allow creative liberty. Though you'll usually do better giving a vague plan than ultra descript one. Based on what you reply each person will be assigned a certain number of hours, as well as whether or not they'd been spotted and/or disqualified.

-Each post will update time limits
-If you cannot post in time, let us know ahead of time for up to a 72hr extension
-If you don't post in time and don't let us know in time, then you'll be chosen a route at die roll and if possible will be 'spotted' for that stretch.
-You can only gain one 'spotted' tally a posting rotation.
-If you're disqualified in this round, you'll be removed from the rest of the exam.
-Each path is a good distance from the other, so even though they're described as next to each other. It'll be near impossible for a contestant in one path to effect someone in another.
-Once a path is chosen changing paths will take time, this means any change of path greater than one path over will add significant time to the run.
-Time will be added in HRS, but that doesn't guarantee someone with the same time taken won't still have a decent distance apart.
-Supplementary jutsu are allowed, but offensive techniques that could kill are not allowed. The emphasis clearly on killing potential, but to that of a civilian.
-There will be security, but there will also be civilians, you've not been given any clear means to differentiate though.

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS & GANGNAM STYLE

[Deleted]

The journey from the get go upset Hotarubi. Over water? Really? He weighed... a lot. Not a big guy you'd have thought, but he was a big guy. He had to intentionally walk everywhere to not make the earth thump every time he moved. So, for the first half, he was sat in a corner - eyeing everybody up, as best he could. It was crowded, which meant he couldn't even see through the other corner of the room. But, they did eventually arrive there: more mountains, more things to do. Getting set up would have him antsy - where before arriving at Kuwana had been exicting, now there was a pit at the bottom of his stomach. He was there to beat all others... but a race? Hotarubi audibly sweared under his own breath. As he half-heartedly listened to the bullet-pointed version of the rules, he tried to see whatever he could on each of the paths. Fighting wasn't against the rules, but it was certainly discouraged by the way it was being set up, and he had barely said a word to anybody. A race, sure, whatever: but not being spotted - that was key. Hotarubi gravitated toward his own ilk: those of the Takigakure headband. He couldn't just change here right in front of everybody, he needed to get some space - somewhere to hide first. "I'm gonna be going that way, but it'd be good if we went together. I'd prefer you lot over any of these sorry fucks." He indicated to the other shinobi, primarily Konsho and Narihara. "I became a Genin." He indicated to the other two he'd met before. Shit eating grin, but it was quickly replaced by concern. The left plains: that was his goal. He had been watching the routes and he felt they had a boon that other countries did not: a great deal of foliage. Funny thing about foliage, is when it gets trampled: over and over again, it tended to create dirt paths. That's what the jungle was like, in routes of travel: paths stamped over again and again. When he saw some of the dirt paths on the floor, he was right at home. Unless - it was a trap? Was environmental knowledge something they'd have gone so far in detail for? He wasn't a fool and wouldn't choose the most "direct route" - a trap was a trap was a trap. He would start on the path, irrespective of wherever his new teammates were, but with other people heading off and on a much faster way than he: he would set off on a light jog: not as hard as those who took off right from the bat, but because he needed a hiding spot first. And the first hiding spot? That was when he would change, hiding, before turning himself into a cloud of dust, to thin his form, making him difficult to even see. Perfect for reconnaissance: and so little a chakra drain that he would feel in 18 hours, but right now? Not an issue at all. He would know that by the time of the use of his own sensory abilities: the feel of the world would tell him every now and then where people were, but right now... Close to the ground. Close to the cracks and walls and bushes- through the grass. Close to the other Takigakurians. This was a winning strategy, so he thought. SPOILER: Click to show NAME: Doton: Kojin Kumo [Earth Release: Dust Cloud] RANK: D CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu ELEMENT: Doton HANDSEALS: 0 DESCRIPTION: The user manipulates the composition of their body, turning the entirety or parts of it into dirt while still retaining their consciousness. This dirt has no offensive capabilities whatsoever and is used to slip through places a human body normally can’t or through phase through attacks. They cannot phase through liquid-related attacks nor can they actually attack while in their dirt form. As such, it is more suited for reconnaissance and espionage purposes.

[Hijikata Saga]

"chuunin exams round 1". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" LEFT PLAINS It was finally time, the Chuunin Exams had started. The boat they were on was quite crowded with all the contestants and Saga stayed closer to Kaida, arms folded and grump expression on his face. Deep inside, he was feeling a tad bit nervous, he knew that this was his second attempt at the exams, but he didn't feel any more ready than he was last time. Well, at least this time he had a friend to rely on, but that also meant he had someone he needed to protect at all cost, and that added a weight of responsibility he wasn't use to. The boat then docked at a small shore connected to a steep climb, and he noticed that there was not any sort of accommodations, which meant that either this challenge would not be an extremely lengthy one, or that they were supposed to find their own means of survival. Still, no information had been given yet, and they were guided to a plateau with a view to quite a scenic valley. Then, a waiver was offered for him to sign and he quickly did so, knowing that his life was at stake anyway. Some people would lose their spirits, and they lost about a dozen shinobi with that part alone. Finally, once everyone had either signed or given up, the proctor explained what the first round would be: a race back to Kuwana, with the goal of not being spotted. They would go through six check points, which would be marked by floating lantern balloons, and they would have some level of security to it. They had only one day to reach Kuwana, otherwise they would be disqualified. They could also only be spotted two times, a third one would disqualify them, and there was a strict rule not to kill or attempt to kill. "I see. That's clear enough. Now... Which way..." he pondered for a moment, before finally making up his mind. "That way..." he said to Kaida and himself. The path chosen by Saga was the Left Plains Route. His logic behind it was that it seemed like a path that people used often, which meant it should be relatively safe, and although it didn't have many places to hide, there were still bushes here and there. And while it was open and easy to spot things, that went both ways: the security could spot them, but they could also spot them in return, evening the playfield, so it was overall a decent choice in his mind. Saga would move cautiously, and if it was at all possible, he would use a simple, yet effective technique to go around: the Cloak of Invisibility Technique, trying to blend in with bushes, trees, and such. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." CE: Round 1 Goes to the Left Plains path, using Cloak of Invisibility if possible/reasonable [N/A] [461 words]

Technique used (potentially):

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kakuremino no Jutsu [Cloak of Invisibility Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
Using a cloak or a piece of cloth, a ninja may disguise themselves against a nearby object by covering their whole body in a fashion that blends in with their surroundings.

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

The trip in the ship was... well nauseating. Everyone was packed in tight, they smelled, the air was stale, and Kaida who by nature was not the biggest people person spent the majority of the journey all, but glued to Saga using the boy as a physical shield between her and the other participants and hissing occasionally from behind her gasmask at anyone that got a bit too close and chummy. If anything where the other contestants paled at the sight of the route before them the red head practically sighed in relief to be out in the wilds. The choice of the rougher wilderness terrain was simply a given with their more minimal skills.

"Into the wilds it is." Kaida quipped reluctant to part from her partner Saga, Kaida stuck close to the boy. The two joining their fellow Waterfall shinobi on the Left Plains Route. The red headed Kunoichi sticking low and to the brush as she scuttled from one piece of cover to the next before utilizing the Kakuremino no Jutsu [Cloak of Invisibility Technique] alongside Saga to help cover them and in a pinch utilizing the Henge no Jutsu to appear to be like any other civilian traveler making their way along the slightly more scenic route.

In a bad pinch Kaida would cover Saga and herself with a mix of smoke bombs and the Keizokuteki Enmu no Jutsu [Continuous Fog Technique] to slip past sentries.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kakuremino no Jutsu [Cloak of Invisibility Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
Using a cloak or a piece of cloth, a ninja may disguise themselves against a nearby object by covering their whole body in a fashion that blends in with their surroundings.

NAME: Henge no Jutsu [Transformation Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low [Continuous]
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user transforms their appearance to become that of another person, animal or even an inanimate object. This is considered one of the most advanced academy techniques, as it requires a constant emission of chakra as well as constant mental focus to maintain the transformation. Shinobi are limited to transforming into objects roughly their own size, preventing them from turning into a fly while being able to carry items far greater than their transformed state.

NAME: Keizokuteki Enmu no Jutsu [Continuous Fog Technique]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: To Use: Low | To Maintain: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Genjutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0
TRIGGER: Auditory
DESCRIPTION:
Developed as a genjutsu version of the hidden mist technique it allows for the same effects as the ninjutsu version with much less chakra utilized. The target seeing a thick fog or mist rising up to obscure their vision and even their hearing. Less experienced users of genjutsu usually leave it at this, but more experienced practitioners will add in the proper smells and even the damp feel of the fog to the target(s) senses. The technique is triggered by the user saying the techniques name; although they'll often render a handseal or two as well to make the target(s) believe it is actually a ninjutsu.

悪夢

                Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: Hijikata Saga @perpetual |

[Shodo Tsuri]

Tag

There was no home like the river for a fisherman. And like a fish diving and water, Tsuri's path was clear as the water she dove into. The Center Canal was a perfect front for Tsuri due to her access to Water-Breathing Gear. And if nothing else she could hold her breath for decent lengths of time. To her this was a perfect time for her to show a more common sense of knowledge of travel in water and the motion of it.

Swimming down a ways and raising her hood she would fit colorwise to the bed outside of her leggings. But with her reaching the bottom of the canal bed she would coat the back with creek mud to try and hold some coloration as she tried to simply minimize the amount of human and not part of water she seemed to be. Slipping down through the river as quickly as she could. Here eyes were peeled forward a ways for anything above her so she could try and press against the ground below at the bottom.

Part of her wished she could be with her village genin, but it didn not make sense to her to take a route that was just obviously harder for her.

- ❤ -

[Tateyama Yakitsukeru]

Annoying was the best work Yakitsukeru would use to decribe the first exam, but if she failed here it was at least a reason for her to leave this retched village once more... or something like that. A single seal would free her of much of what actually weighed her down, being her Haori. None of the paths seemed particularly appealing to her, but with her travels into the lands beyond Konoha she had learned that it was easier to hide in the land you knew best. Having decided that she would make a choice to dash into the Right Forest. Her packmule supplies would nut help her much, but it would give her some extra room for decision making. Kindly calling a few of her snakes to spread out and converge in a patter she would keep herself moving from treetop and underbrush to treetop and underbrush. If she was signalled that people were nearby she would stay hidden and if not she would keep moving on further. "Ssstupid exam trying to make me do thingsss I don't want to do. Ssstupid Mitsssuda trying to force me into this examination. I can't believe I agreed to thisss." TAGGED | Here NOTES | Here MUSE | Sealing You In Sound

AI ♥

[Fuitchi Sogo]

get away from me

[get closer to me]

♕

The yuki genin was grinning like a made woman. Her mood in opposition was rather sour, not that she didn't enjoy the challenge, but rather because for her inconspicuous was different from being what she wanted to be as a shinobi. She was a warrior first, and a stealthy assassin second. So she would just have to prove that her approach could definitely work out for the better. It was rather easy with that logic that the girl began to glide along the right mountain path. Riding atop her board as the ground was uneven as she rocked back and forth up the mountainous path with little worry to the actual danger.

Using her impecably good boarding skills to ride up the path as quickly as possible and jumping off when she saw anyone to opt sliding down the outer cliff and using Tree-Climbing as a functional way to avoid people. Otherwise she would take anything that looked like a way to speed up the path, even using Wind Release: Stream as a potential way to close gaps between large jumps and catching herself in otherwise dangerous manevuers so she could move as absolutely fast as possible.

Banking on the lower security and her unconventional windboarding to "fly" towards the finish line.

Notes

"Spoken"
[Actual meaning]

temp by ai

SPOILER: Click to show

In Use:
NAME: Fūton: Kaze Sanpo [Wind Release: Wind Walk]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fūton
DESCRIPTION:
This technique allows the user to create a wind like base under their feet, reducing friction and enhancing the user's speed. The user doesn't seem to be levitating unless under close inspection which they seem to be about 1.5 - 2cm off the ground. Apart from enhancing speed, this technique gives the user the ability to walk on water and evade projectile attacks with ease.

Equipment: Click on Familiar Link

Potential:
NAME: Fūton: Karyu [Wind Release: Stream]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fūton
DESCRIPTION:
A basic Fūton no Jutsu that a Shinobi uses to blow a powerful stream of wind from their mouth. The technique is mostly used to change directions in mid-air. In this case, the strength of the stream is powerful enough to move the source body at high speeds. On the ground, it can be used to blow up a cloud of dust, masking the caster's movements. It can also be used offensively to stagger an opponent's movement.

[Inunaki Itsuko]

It was only natural that all the Kumo genin would bunch together, not just on the ship but after having departed as well. They were all only somewhat familiar to Itsuko who cherished the solitude of her free time and rarely engaged with other genin. It wasn't that she was anti-social but she treated most of her relationships as professional as possible. These were friends less than they were coworkers.

When they gathered for the announcement of what awaited them in the first round, Itsuko bounced with excitement. A race was just what she needed to get some of her energy out and there were several paths available to them. Each one held promise and great threats both so she'd have to weigh her options carefully.

Her fellow cloud shinobi seemed to be gathering for a strategy but she didn't have time to waste on any of that. Besides, her natural talents made one of the paths much more appealing than the others. After all, Itsuko could transform her entire body into current and ride along any conductive surface, and few things were as supremely fitting for such a task as a body of water.

Making sure not to touch anyone else who chose the same path, Itsuko lept into the water as well, launching herself into a demure dive. As soon as her body made contact with the water it would disperse into nigh invisible currents of energy, clumped together but riding forward within the water. As she needed to ensure she didn't fall out of the form by being dispersed, she kept her electric limbs held tightly together; she shouldn't impact anyone else who chose the canal route.

Without a body, she glided forward without resistance, her electric form sailing through the murky depths as she raced toward her destination in a direct line down the path the canal naturally formed. Every now and again she would rise close to the surface and expose her form to oxygen but in this shape she didn't have a mouth to breath or lungs that demanded oxygen; she didn't even have blood. She was pure energy.

TLDR; Itsuko dives into the canal, changes into her energy form and then uses conduction to enter the water and travel straight down its length.

200+ words

Jutsu Counter: 1 Low, 1 Very Low, Minimal Drain

SPOILER: Click to show

1.
NAME: Kami no Bodi Kaminari [Divine Lightning Body]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low [Activation, Drain is constant but minimal]
CLASSIFICATION: Hijutsu
ELEMENT: Raiton
DESCRIPTION:

The pinnacle of being a Tetsumaki. By using the iron rich blood within a Testumaki, the raiton stored within the body the user can quite literally transform either their whole body (organs included) or parts of the body into pure lightning. This makes physical attacks nigh on impossible to connect properly since the opponent is quite literally punching lightning.

The Tetsumaki in this form can use conductive surfaces to transfer themselves through, including but not limited to metals, water and other reactive surfaces. A bonus to this technique is the ability to move at increased speeds in straight lines (add one rank's speed plus a speed SA). The user cannot turn while using this part of the technique, so if one can match the speed or perceive it, it could easily be dodged.

As with all lightning techniques, Kami no Bodi Kaminari has a natural weakness to mokuton techniques. Fuuton techniques can expel the Tetsumaki from the form. Physical attacks from the user are also null unless using clan jutsu specifically for said attacks.

2.
NAME: Dendō (Conduction)
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Hijutsu
REQUIREMENT: Kami no Bodi Kaminari [Divine Lightning Body] Active
ELEMENT: Raiton
DESCRIPTION:

Using the base of the Divine Lightning Body, the user turns themselves into lightning and can pass through conductive materials (at their normal speed). Including but not limited to metals, earth (not stone) and water.

Non-conductive materials cannot be passed through.

[takeda sadako]

KILLING YOUR IDOLS IS A CHORE

During the ship ride over, Sadako did what she’d been doing the entire time she’d been stuck in Kuwana—she kept her mouth shut and minded her own business. She ignored the other genin, her own teammate and the other Ame girl included, her mouth contorted into a pissy moue that said nothing but I don’t want to be here. She lined up with the rest, and the round parameters were given. She glanced around the starting area, trying to get her bearings—which way was Kuwana from here? was that the first checkpoint? how would she know where the second checkpoint was after the first?—and map out a plan of action. Center road and left plains would be stupid. Way too obvious, she’d absolutely get caught right away. The canal was a no-go; she was a decent swimmer, but splashing through the water for hours on end sounded like another surefire way to get caught. Right mountain? Sadako had no interest in snapping her neck on a steep mountainside. Right forest was maybe a good option, but… would she actually be able to find her way where she needed to go? It’d be stealthy, sure, but fuck knows when she’d actually make it to the finish line. Left mountain, then. She was about to take off… and then stopped mid-stride. Glanced around. There went that fisher-girl into the canal—some of the others took off as well—but there, sort of in the middle of the pack, was her kid teammate. He’d probably just slow her down, but… he had taken that hit for her, in the subway. Cracked a few ribs, no less. Wouldn’t kill her to watch his back. "Oi, Yuie,” Sadako called gruffly, rolling her eyes. She gestured for him to follow her. "C’mon, let’s go. Left mountain, dodge the shrine, be ready to hide.” If he had a better idea, she’d be willing to listen. (For once.) The memory of their argument in the train station, the sound of his own staff against his sternum, lived in the back of her brain rent-free; he was pretty sensible, she guessed, and if he had a good reason for her to follow along with his idea then she’d take it. Otherwise, she’d lead the way, pulling the hood of her jacket up over her dark hair and hitai-ate. She kept her eyes peeled for whatever sentries or guards or whatever dumb shit they needed to avoid; but she tried to keep low, off the path. If she heard or saw anyone coming, she would try to relay the information to Junichi, and use Henge no Jutsu to transform into… What animals lived in Tsuchi no Kuni, anyway? She’d been so busy ignoring everything about the absolute nightmare scenario she’d been placed in that she paid absolutely no attention to the surrounding wildlife, and the rocky mountainous ranges of The Land of Stone were about as far off from her hometown as was geographically possible. Except for Yuki no Kuni, maybe? Anyway. Goats? She’d turn into a goat, if nothing else.

ROUND 1 - ROTATION 1 -- 509
tl;dr: Sadako chooses the left mountain path and invites Junichi to follow her. If Junichi suggests something else, she'll go along with his idea. She stays off the beaten path and keeps her eyes peeled, and will notify Junichi and Henge into a goat if she sees or hears any sentries coming.

LAIKA OF THQ

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Henge no Jutsu [Transformation Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low [Continuous]
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user transforms their appearance to become that of another person, animal or even an inanimate object. This is considered one of the most advanced academy techniques, as it requires a constant emission of chakra as well as constant mental focus to maintain the transformation. Shinobi are limited to transforming into objects roughly their own size, preventing them from turning into a fly while being able to carry items far greater than their transformed state.

[Yuie Junichi]

By the time the race properly began, Junichi was already feeling weary. Not actually tired - he was more physically fit than that. It was more an emotional thing than anything. He should've been proud to be here. It was an honor to be recommended, to try. Still, he couldn't escape the wrongness of it. Kenichi wasn't here with him. Every day, it felt like the gulf between them stretched wider.

Not for the first time, he found himself wishing his parents were here. He wanted to ask them - is Kenichi mad at me? Will he forgive me? What were your Chuunin exams like? Did you struggle, or was it a breeze? Were you scared, too?

His grip on his staff was white-knuckle as he stared out at the paths ahead of them, at which option to choose. Junichi was a practical young boy, and as much as that was a boon, it was also a hindrance. He found himself overthinking the options, stuck ever on the question what would Kenichi pick, what would Kenichi pick? Loathe as he was to admit it, his twin had a better sense for these things.

Before he could completely derail himself by overthinking it, Sadako interrupted him, calling him to join her. He was surprised. After their mission together, he'd kind of assumed she would hate him.

"Uh... Right," he agreed, nodding quickly. "I think we should... focus on stealth. Getting there quickly matters, but getting there at all does, too." He'd considered the forest, but he didn't know how to navigate Tsuchi no Kuni very well, and had only a little experience with general broad navigation. Most of his missions had been within Amegakure, after all. Maybe the mountain really was the best way to go.

Being ready to hide came naturally to him. He'd spent a lot of time practicing transformation techniques with Kenichi. It was how he'd tuned his chakra control, learned to spend so sparingly. He formed a hand seal and a thin layer of chakra formed over himself. It dulled his color, a thin veil of camouflage helping him to blend into the background of the mountain. That meant that if he had to duck and hide to avoid detection, he would be significantly less visible.

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu used:
NAME: Ue Some [Surface Dyeing]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: N/A
DESCRIPTION:

A simple ninjutsu that uses the basics of other academy jutsu as a foundation. The user performs a single handsign and then molds chakra over their body or into their hands. A thin layer of chakra is produced over the self or a touched target. The result is that the color, reflectiveness, and texture are replaced by an illusory veil of the user's design. This jutsu is most commonly used to dull the color and shine of a weapon for stealth missions or of the user's body if they have an outstanding hair color such as blonde or white.

[Hatake Shinde]

Various people would view the examination here in a multitude of different ways. While some might view it as a challenge to avoid being spotted, Shinde saw it for what it was. The challenge here was the idea of getting to the location in question, the end goal, as swiftly as possible, and managing presence. She kept track of the rules well. The rule being that they needed to get there within twenty-four hours. The second rule being that they couldn't kill...or attempt to kill any of the other participants. The third and final condition. If they were spotted by the security three times, then it'd mean disqualification. So, with that, Hatake Shinde chose the path that seemed more treacherous, but overall, more advantageous to her strengths. 

Traveling the left mountain path, she blitzes down the path with her enhanced speed, dashing without hesitation, and as she does, she thinks in such a manner that would make it so that the road and the path before her was not defined. Instead, she would think of the entire environment as a path she could follow. When the road begins to get narrow, if not outright treacherous in terms of footing, she instead utilizes the tree walking technique to leap onto the side of a wall, a much more stable footing as she moved as swiftly as possible down sharp turns and jagged slopes where few would look at. Though, as she does, in order to make it more difficult for those that might travel the same path? She proceeds to form a single handseal in tandem, turning her head and releasing a lingering cloud of hot ashes that sting and singe the eyes. Useful not only to hide herself from those that might threaten to gaze upon her, but also to make the path ahead more unknown to others that sought the path. She avoids the temple shrine entirely. 

After all. The rules were clear. The rules were against killing or attempting to kill. Weren't they? Making a treacherous path more difficult to transverse however? Was not at all in said rules. Besides, such a tactic was useful to prevent people from seeing the strategy she came up with to get around such a horrible pathway. As she moves along at a swift and steady pace, she does so, up until the floating lantern in question is visible in the distance, noting that she was getting close to the checkpoint. She understands that the path ahead of her is narrow yes, with many potential falling points, and jagged slopes, so instead of walking cleanly on the road, she walks off the incline, now tilted at an angle that isn't clearly on the path, and instead slowly edges her way along. Finding a much smaller ledge to edge herself on as she goes off the path, sticking to the wall, keeping her ears open for movement above her, and begins moving her way through when presence became more obvious.

Frankly. The details of "security" weren't clear, or really, what it was, or anything of the sort, but Shinde's goal was to take the difficult path. Mainly because she was more than confident she could brave and transverse treacherous terrain with her kit. As for her fellow competitors however? That was another question.

SPOILER: Click to show

Summary:

- Taking Left Mountain, but off the pathway at a certain point to the more treacherous terrain, and following at a side angle that few might look at, and doesn't mind taking treacherous terrain.

- Uses the Haijingakure no Jutsu to obscure the eyesights of other competitors if they pursue her dangerous pathway, as well as making spotting her in general more difficult for her, and may be used as a sort of low smokescreen to mask and hide her movements, using the wind that blows the ash to travel its direction if favorable if there might be a risk.

- Has Enhanced Speed SA 

- Avoids the Shrine. 

SA:

Enhanced Speed:

Through rigorous physical exercise, physical conditioning, and effort, Iruhi is now capable of moving significantly faster than what she could before. When pushing herself to her limits, this allows for her to seemingly even blur before slower opponents.



Potential Jutsu Countermeasures If Needed:

NAME: Katon: Haijingakure no Jutsu [Fire Release: Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique]

RANK: D

CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low

CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu

ELEMENT: Katon

DESCRIPTION:

The user molds Katon chakra before exhaling a large cloud of ash from their mouths that spreads outwards in a ten meter radius. The ash can sting if it gets in a person's eyes, but the true purpose of this technique is to create a smokescreen that blinds enemies, allowing the user to hide or escape.

[Uzumaki Atagi]

We can go the distance

Serious as the day of the exams starting was, the incarnadine-haired shinobi known as Atagi Uzumaki could hardly contain the excitement welling up in his chest. Despite all the difficulties and discomforts of the journey, he's always trying to make the best of things-- making small talk at anyone who'd talk to him or who caught his eye, a beaming grin etched onto the canvas of his features.

When they're told of the nature of the first part of the exam, part of him feels like he's lucked out, but another part is battering the proverbial bars of its prison, shouting stealth isn't your strong suit, idiot! Still, he's confident. Not just because he's nigh-invariably so, but also because he's not alone.

Flashing a grandiose thumbs up to his fellow grass shinobi, he gestures out at the set of paths before them with one hand, then gestures for them to come closer. ”Alright! Form up on me, yeah? I think it's obvious that teamwork's the name of the game, here! We've got no clue what sorts of obstacles, diversions and the like will lie ahead, so combining our skillsets is best.” Another brief set of glances is thrown over the branching paths ahead. Drawing his thumb across his nose, he gets a look that's certainly enlivened and half-mischievous.

”Obviously, we're taking the path most perilous and least traveled! For one, there'll be the least amount of interference there, and it's hard to patrol n' the like, presumably. And secondly, it's always the case that the greatest rewards are down the toughest corridor, yeah? No guts, no glory!” He doesn't say it aloud of course, but for the second point he'd have to cite his beloved books. And fiction always had its roots in reality, Atagi was certain.

There's little room for argument or alteration, and as much as he adored his partners in proverbial crime, his mind's already set-- he's going with or without them, dashing off for the Right Mountain Path.

His intention's to lead them along at a brisk pace, but they can only go as quick as the slowest member. Since he's got the most 'gas in the tank' and is probably the quickest, he takes up the role of scout, always just a bit ahead of his compatriots (if possible) to try and warn them of incoming dangers or sentries.

Tree Climbing is used to traverse most obstacles, but if large gaps need to be cleared or it'd be quicker to go through something instead of around it, he'd either use his own Haiu technique, leaping into the air before using the technique in order to go over that which might be in his way. Of course, that's only as a last resort-- he suspects that those he's traveling with have better options for approaching the vast majority of obstacles, and defers to their judgment to try and make sure they can all proceed together. If he spots/encounters patrols, sentries, and their ilk, he defaults to Henge no Jutsu to transform into a rock, boulder, or slab, things that should be numerous and prominent on a craggy mountain pass...presuming, again, that his allies have no immediately better plan for disguising the three of them, which seems fairly likely considering his propensity for acting first and thinking third.

aeron at thq

(potential) Jutsu Utilized:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kinobori no Waza [Act of Tree Climbing]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low [Continuous]
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
do i even really need to put the whole paragraph here lemme just save your eyes

----

NAME: Haiu[Shift]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fuuton
DESCRIPTION:
A simple jutsu in which after a single handseal [Same as activating an exploding tag] the user uses quick bursts of air out of his body to either propel themselves forward, to the sides or back. This jutsu is very useful in a sword fight as it allows the user to nearly instantly change from stationary to full speed and then back to stationary in an instant. While this jutsu does allow the user so quickly change direction and achieve top speed in an instant, it does in no way speed up the users movements beyond their capability.

---

NAME: Henge no Jutsu [Transformation Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low [Continuous]
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user transforms their appearance to become that of another person, animal or even an inanimate object. This is considered one of the most advanced academy techniques, as it requires a constant emission of chakra as well as constant mental focus to maintain the transformation. Shinobi are limited to transforming into objects roughly their own size, preventing them from turning into a fly while being able to carry items far greater than their transformed state.

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Run Boys Run

The trip to the starting point was not meant to be enjoyable, but it was. Unlike many of the participants Azarea had long since acquired her sea legs and remained leaning casually against one of the walls as she picked out those with Kumogakure headbands nearby nodding to a few that she knew. One of which was Kyuumu Suzaku and another Jokyu Natsuo as the woman gestured them over. "I don't know what's to come, but if we are not pitted against one another the two of you are welcome to work with me along with any other Kumo shinobi. I think our skills would be complimentary." Azarea murmured flashing the two younger shinobi a small smile to hide the way her eyes darkened a touch with concern as the lot of them offloaded from the ship and began the slow trek towards where the first part of the exams were meant to start. The instructions clear. They were to move fast and not get caught. Nothing in the rules though said they wouldn't work together so Azarea found her gaze drifting to the two boys as she offers them a nod of her head. The woman closing her eyes and focuses her senses to allow her to attune herself to the chakra signatures of the other contestants around her. Not enough yet to recognize individuals, but enough she would not mistake the other genin for security.



As the race is called to a start Azarea takes off in a flash veering towards the Left Plains Route as she focused on actively sensing half turning to call out to Suzaku should he and Natsuo have chosen to join her, "Suzaku-san can you get your birds in the air to scout ahead. We need to run hard and fast. Don't worry about cover. The second your birds spot someone coming close or I sense someone I'm going to drop us down into hiding so stay within reach of me if you can." Azarea requested offering each of them a nod before she turned to face the route ahead ignoring the bushes and brush in favor of pure speed. While she would not be as fast as the others she aimed to make up lost time by never ceasing to stop moving ahead.

"With a lot of work and a little luck hopefully we'll make it to Kuwana before nightfall." She quips with a smile. Expanding her senses to her fullest range with Kagura Shingan [Kagura Mind's Eye] as she kept a fast steady pace. Ready to reach out to grab the boys the second Suzaku called out a warning or she sensed a security patrol or other potential hostile come within sightline of them before flooding doton through her seals dropping them into the earth with Moguragakure no Jutsu - [Mole Hiding Technique] sealing the earth over them without a trace and continuing forward with Dochuu Eigyo - [Underground Fish Projection] until Suzaku and his birds gave the all clear. Allowing the group to resurface and continue forward at top speed in case of patrols.

SPOILER: Click to show

SA
Kagura Mind's Eye
Born with a natural affinity towards sensing chakra like her Father before her Azarea has trained herself to become a capable sensory shinobi. Unlocking the Kagura's Mind's Eye, and with it, the ability to passively sense chakra signatures in the distance (when using the technique), thus allowing her to not only track, but also memorize a person's chakra signature, even if barely any chakra is being used. Due to her proficiency with this technique, Azarea can currently passively sense chakra up to 500 meters and actively at 2.5 kilometers.

Jutsu
NAME: Kagura Shingan [Kagura Mind's Eye]
RANK: A
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu // Hijutsu
ELEMENT: N/a
REQUIREMENT: Chakra Control SA, KME or Sensory SA
DESCRIPTION:
This ability allows the user to find, sense, and track individuals through their chakra over vast range that exceeds ten kilometers. This is done by focusing and opening the mind's eye, though due to the low chakra cost many users keep it active often. The ability also extends to telling when a person is lying from the fluctuations in a person's chakra made from dishonest emotions or detecting if someone, including the user, is under a genjutsu. Also by focusing on a particular chakra, the user can perceive its location and movement with great detail.

Name: Moguragakure no Jutsu - [Mole Hiding Technique]
Rank: C
Chakra Usage: Low
Type: Ninjutsu [General]
Element: Doton
HANDSEALS: 2
Description
Moguragakure no Jutsu is a Ninjutsu utilizing the Earth Element. This technique allows the ninja to burrow into the ground and hide out of sight. This allows them to avoid attack or hide underground. This technique is commonly used to bury large amounts of explosives. It should be noted that the user can not travel while underground, they only may be in the hollowed out area made by the technique.

Name:Dochuu Eigyo - [Underground Fish Projection]
Rank: C
Chakra Usage: Low [Continuous]
Type: Ninjutsu [General]
Element: Doton
HANDSEALS: 2
Description
Dochuu Eigyo is a Ninjutsu utilizing the Earth Element. The technique allows the user to slowly move through soil. This allows the user to hide from enemies or to launch a surprise attack. It should be noted however that the user can not move through stone and while in the ground they are unable to take a breath.

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 514 | Kyuumu Suzaku Natsuo Jokyū

[Honō Kojirou]

A lot ran through Kojirou's mind from the moment he stepped on the ship to when the first task of the Chūnin Exams began.

SPOILER: Click to show

And just like that, the day had finally come… a day Kojirou had avoided in days past, when his old team had decided to go off to their Exams without him. Well, no more – he was older, stronger, smarter and braver than the Kojirou back then. And if there was any more solace to the lonely years of harnessing Lava Release… then it would be the burning heart of a lion that relished the challenge walking up ahead of him.

… The ship was awfully tight, not as spacey as someone from the Land of Fields would be used to. In all honesty, while surrounded by would-be opponents and allies from here and there, Kojirou was in search of familiar faces. Koume, or Atagi, or maybe even Azarea or Hana. They’d have to be somewhere here…

Kojirou, in all honesty, knew little about his contestants other than that dude who fell from the tree back at the training grounds in Kuwana. Obviously, he knew what Koume and Atagi were capable of, but… was part of the Exams perhaps trying to scale your future foes’ strengths in that one week they had spent here? If so, Kojirou was already behind… and it bothered him a little. Making his face frown curiously.

What did he know about others… Hana had fox ears. That short-haired, tall guy was full of himself (which was intimidating). Many of the others, Kojirou hadn’t gotten the opportunity to meet in that week… and frankly, he began wondering just what it took for him to become a Chūnin. He knew, deep inside…

He could meet his end here. Then, he wouldn’t be able to return… neither to his home, nor to Ahma for that answer she still sought from him. Oh, how he hoped she’d stay in that cave and wait for him – he made a vow in his heart to survive to the best of his abilities. As long as he made good use of everything he’d been taught, then he’d definitely make it. Clenching the sheath to his sharpened katana, he manifested courage in his lionheart and watched the ship dock at the side of the river. In front of his dark eyes, a very steep climb… good thing the swordsman had eaten well before boarding the ship. Still, he’d hike for quite a while as he couldn’t see any end stations from here. Another frown from his face.

… Why on earth, heaven and sea was all of that city ahead of them sliding down on that mountain range?! Wait, was it? No, it stood completely still! He swore, those architects from this country were in a class of their own… it almost made the young swordsman sad, not having seen anything like this before back in the Land of Fields. Downright humiliating, almost…

Kojirou quickly signed the final waiver. It just… he was a Honō, damn it. And yet, thinking about that made him imagine Ahma slapping him on the back of his head – this was what she talked about… he had to find something else other than collective pride to convince her. What was so wrong about patriotism? There was nothing wrong with Kusagakure? She probably just… I don’t know, tried to confuse him or something. At times, he genuinely wished he never met her – he should’ve escaped that cave the moment he fell down there.

He had lined up against the capital building and heard the head proctor explain the first Exam; a race to Kuwana, which kind of made Kojirou giggle inside. He’d discussed the possibility of the Exam being a race with Hana earlier, so what were the odds? Anyway, they were supposed to race and not get spotted three times… so stealth played a huge part in this task. Six checkpoints, with regulated and untold levels of security at each one… and he’d have to watch out for the floating lantern balloons. A one-day deadline was given to them, and they were prohibited from attempting to kill each other.

The swordsman had approached Atagi, who appeared to have a plan on the ready for the little team of Hidden Grass Genin; the two of them as well as Koume. Kojirou had listened attentively to the rules at play here, but each route did look… different, from his angle. Atagi suggested that they stick together, which was never that bad of an option… but he also suggested that they took the most dangerous path.

…

Great minds thought alike. Kojirou nodded with a grin. "It’s like racing to the tall castle back in Kuwana again… I feel a little lucky,” Kojirou commented, "Already warmed up.” It really was a pleasant coincidence that the first task of the Chūnin Exams was to be a race of this sort.

Therefore, Kojirou followed Atagi on the Right Mountain Path, spotting not many other Genin taking that path as well. Hopefully an advantage that they could take. In all honesty, Kojirou would likely prove slightly slower than both his fellow Grass Shinobi, but he was able to speed up and catch up if he got too far back... and he'd make up for it by scouting the surroundings just a bit more cautiously than Atagi, who was scouting up front. Kojirou did remember that they could get spotted… and so, they’d have to find good hiding spots and utilize a few Jutsus that he’d luckily been able to master back at the Academy. Even such easy Jutsus, which kids much younger than him were practicing on a daily basis, could prove useful… like a butter knife could prove useful if swung the right way. A shinobi had to be able to make the best use of whatever they had in their arsenals, for Kojirou did lack other means of stealth.

The Art of Tree Climbing was optimal for moving across this path – however, one would still have to watch their use of chakra, for if the journey could take an entire day or a little less, then it’d be a tragedy to run out before the finish line. In the case that he’d need to hide, Kojirou took advantage of the rocky terrain such that he’d camouflage among them by transforming into a boulder or rock with Henge no Jutsu… but the road was slant. If in need to hide while walking on a mountain face with Tree Climbing, Kojirou would prefer to camouflage himself on the rocky wall with his wide haori and the Kakuremino no Jutsu. With all of that, he’d try to stick close to his team, not letting them out of sight but also making sure that there’d be some space between them… and once the floating lantern balloons popped up, who’d know?

[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory It was to be a race. Hana could handle a race. But more importantly than just being swift, they had to remain unseen. Hana didn't have many stealth options, but she did have something that others did not: the ability to hear well beyond what a normal human could. It wasn't just sounds; she could hear the flows of chakra through another's body. It was an incredible advantage to hold when it came to remaining unseen as it allowed her to locate someone well before she could see them, especially through obstructions. But more importantly yet, it allowed her to hear them before they could see her. Hana wasn't the type to wait around. Once the objective had been set and the conditions of their success laid out, she was ready. As soon as they were released, she took off running. There were others from her village participating, including her new teammate. She could have waited for them. She could have helped them. But Hana wasn't the type for that. She was a lone wolf, shouldering burdens by herself so others did not have to, going alone and walking the road solo to keep others out of danger. She wouldn't wait for anyone, so she took off down the Right Forest Path, selecting one with a high degree of cover to take maximum advantage of her keen hearing while also likely keeping security lighter. She had more than just her ears going for her. The Subakage-Ryu's Step Method greatly improved her speed and maneuverability over long distances and would help her outpace most of competition and make good time. She also had Moyakiko, her kimono, which helped increase her mobility and if infused with chakra would make it a little more difficult to spot her.  Hana had the tools and the abilities to make it through this. In fact, she felt that this particular type of test was more suited to her abilities than just about anything else. Even if it was expected to take all day, running and hiding would be nothing for someone like Hana who regularly put in twelve- or fourteen-hour days of training that'd make this as taxing as a walk in a park.  Indeed, Hana felt confident. But it wasn't the first time she had felt confident before things had gone horribly wrong...

TITLE: NFB's 11th CE: Round One! TAGS: Event WORDS: 388 Words