[hirana kizumi]

After the Raikage’s speech, a massive man of the Fujiyama clan would step forward to take over the nitty-gritty of moving the days’ events along: some of the genin from group C would recognize him as the "trapped” man who had lain in the road beneath his toppled cart the day prior. When the previous fight concluded, he cleared his throat to announce the ninth of the day's fights. "Next up! Uzumaki Atagi of Kusagakure! Versus! His brother of bonds forged in battle, Haruno Seiji of Konohagakure!” There were two vivid yellow stripes painted onto the hard-packed dirt ground of the arena about twenty meters apart: designated starting zones for each of the genin to stand on. They would be instructed to bow, and then the countdown for the round to start would begin. "Three… …two… …one… Begin!” UZUMAKI ATAGI VS. HARUNO SEIJI

Uzumaki Atagi Haruno Seiji

LAIKA OF THQ

[Haruno Seiji]

It seemed the Kumogakure chuunin exams were turning into something of a romance for Seiji, as it seemed he and Atagi were fated to link up at every turn. The young man could only laugh as his and his opponent's names were called; he should have seen it coming. Looking across the waiting room, he met Atagi's gaze and smiled. "There's no one I'd rather face." And, despite the hilarity of the matchup, his words were clearly genuine.

As the pair made their way to the arena, they found themselves in a large tunnel, the liminal space that existed between the observation deck and the rest of their lives. Seiji stopped and cleared his throat to get Atagi's attention, the pair standing alone in that dark passageway for just a moment. "These exams are about seeing what we can do right? To determine whether we're cut out to be chuunin." It may already be obvious what Seiji had in mind as he began forming his plan. "Let's give them a good show." A wry grin breaking through otherwise veiled anticipation. "Don't pull your punches too much, but there's another fight after this and I want both of us to do well. Let's show them why we're the best."

Another participant may have pumped their fist in the air, cheered or grabbed their partner's hand to seal the deal, but Seiji's extremes were kept hidden well within. His measured conduct remained and he simply waited for Atagi's response. And, depending on that, he'd act accordingly.

Seiji continued outward into the massive arena, taking care to analyze all that surrounded him, seeing it now in a first person perspective as opposed to from the bleachers. He'd bow to Atagi and, once the match was called to begin, he'd leap forward, trying to close the gap as soon as possible. His eyes scanned Atagi's form for any reaction in the approach and, if he would not fall onto the man's metaphorical spear in doing so, Seiji would attempt to pull his opponent into a grapple. The beginning of their elaborate dance of martial arts and battle for physical dominance.

Uzumaki Atagi

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

Well! I’m not sure if this sort of thing is so cliche it had to be expected, or if the events that’d make it cliche were so random that that’s impossible.

Even the announcer (surely in trying to create a more compelling narrative for the watchers) points out that the two of them had worked together, and quite closely, in the last round. Even if Atagi Uzumaki had only known Seiji Haruno for what was a few minutes in the bundle of hours that was a human life, he’d grown to like the Konoha-nin quite a bit. Well, it was a rarity that he met a ‘good person’ that he didn’t like quite a bit, so that much ought to have been obvious, but even among those folk the pink-haired shinobi had a certain sterling quality to them. They’d had great synergy within only a short time of having met and certainly aligned morally, if their actions towards the end of round 2 were anything to go by.

”Aye, I’m of the same mind. To say I trust you ‘wholeheartedly’ would seem excessive to anyone– but I’m not the type to put so much stock in the impressions of others, anyway.”

As they head down the passageway, Atagi is predictably buddy-buddy with his new friend…who has a plan. ”Ooh. Absolutely, yeah? Not tryin’ to bore folk, but I don’t think I could seriously hurt or hinder you with good conscience.” The implication is perhaps that he doesn’t need such reassurance, but the truth is that from the race alone the Uzumaki has already clocked Seiji as his physical equal…perhaps even his better. ”You got it, partner.” he remarks, states, and sets into stone, reaching out to dap up Seij along with a clap on the back.

They march on out of the tunnel to the arena full of spectators, taking point at their respective position. Atagi gives a deep bow, something almost comically polite from someone so typically informal, and during the countdown, draws in a deep breath, centering himself mentally. Even if they planned on not going all-out, to enter into any battle callously would’ve been highly disrespectful.

As is his prerogative, the Kusagakure shinobi launches forward– or would have, if not for the fact that Seiji appears to have had that idea first. Aureate irises flick to key points over the Konoha-nin’s body, priming to react. Though he imagines himself as being without tension…it was unavoidable, at his level of experience and training. An (almost) dramatic high kick is thrown to try and stop the pinkette, but it’d be trivial to avoid, all things considered. Though the Uzumaki manages to avoid being caught in the grapple while he was still only on one leg, getting it down in time to find some amount of steadiness, he is caught. Could be an arm, shoulder, shirt, torso– whatever it was, instead of trying to get away, he instead motions to grab somewhere at Seiji in return, not shying away from the contest, but engaging in it fully. Of course, if anything he’d have to have been categorized as a striker, and as such it seems ill-advised…but not trying is never the answer, for Atagi.

(Haruno Seiji)

aeron at thq

[Haruno Seiji]

In truth, though he would never admit it to himself let alone another, Seiji's gesture held some ulterior motive. During the last round, Atagi had demonstrated that he was extremely capable as a physical specimen, and that his skillset was wide enough to encapsulate some, what seemed to be ninjutsu, techniques that were unfamiliar to Seiji. From the pink-haired boy's perspective, he wasn't on Atagi's level.

So, when Atagi agreed to their little understanding, Seiji couldn't help but feel a bit relieved. Not to say that he expected the outcome of the fight to be different from what it would've been if they played it straight, given their seemingly shared moral compass, but Seiji didn't want to be so exhausted by the end of the fight that he had nothing in the tank left for the later bout.

As the fight began, Seiji and Atagi mirrored one another, closing the gap in double time and launching individual attacks. Atagi's kick, though terrifying, would just barely miss the mark as Seiji responded by dodging left and pushing the leg off center, likely forcing the Kusa-nin to take a second regaining his balance. And, as he did, Seiji saw his next opportunity to grab him. Coming in close, Seiji would lock his hand behind the Uzumaki's neck and pull the pair close together, placing his head next to his opponent's and preparing his arm to follow up.

Though Seiji couldn't know he and Atagi were the same in this regard, the leaf-nin was more accomplished as a striker as well. But most of his skillset surrounded submissions and forcing an opponent to tap out, so despite their shared toolbelt, Seiji felt safe assuming that most martial artists would lack the range to confidently engage in the clinch. So, when Atagi defied that expectation by grabbing ahold of Seiji as well, a flash of surprise marred the young man's face. Though that surprise was quickly replaced by a knowing smile, this was a mirror match after all.

Once Atagi had committed to the hold, both participants would know that this would turn into a slaughtering. If this was a typical engagement, the pair would likely have sealed their fate; a future of two bloody raw knuckleheads, unconscious and hospitalized for a week. Hopefully some consideration was given to the nature of the encounter, and that they wouldn't be penalized for forsaking ruthless aggression.

Regardless, Seiji had to begin his assault proper. From his position in front of Atagi, he leaned in and threw a punch for the boy's gut, taking advantage of the close quarters combat to launch his attacks hopefully unguarded. Though he wasn't utilizing anything particularly tricky or powerful, sticking with fundamentals, his strike was very real and close to full strength.

He was setting the tone proper.

Uzumaki Atagi

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

Atagi is pulled into the clinch, head just about tucked against one of Seiji’s shoulders. The advantage is lost, and the Haruno’s cogitation in regards to the natural outcome of locking metaphorical horns was absolutely correct. The willing casting off of the armor that was evasion the tossing aside of the shield called distance– nothing but brutal, bloody combat where both sides kept hitting, squeezing, tossing or holding until the other couldn’t or wouldn’t continue.

Despite what he’d thought about already having ‘clocked’ Seiji, it was difficult to avoid the surprise when someone so svelte had such force behind their blow. Shinobi tended to be that way though, nearly always maintaining the appearance of being weaker, slower, less knowledgeable than they actually were– so maybe it shouldn’t have been so. Regardless, the fist connects with his core, and for a moment Atagi’s thankful to be proverbially locked with the other boy, because if not he might’ve actually been tossed back a step or three. ”Ghk!” Even with a tensing of the torso, the punch wasn’t something to be easily shrugged off.

But he’s not one to just lie down and take it, either. Marred hands and calloused fingers search for purchase at Seiji’s body, leaving his own exposed to further assault in what was a display of understanding how pointless it’d be (in such close quarters) or a decided lack of self-preservation. In either case, he digs those digits in and brings up his leg, to slam his knee and thigh into Seiji’s own– or perhaps his torso or hip, depending. For a moment, he regrets the facts that his weights are always secured to his calves specifically. It was a simple body blow in return for one…but not with too much force.

That’s because then he’s leaning into the other boy, as if charging forth and trying to bowl him over, pushing against the ground and dropping the other hand (which up until now was just kind of scrabbling for similar purchase as the other) down to the Konoha-nin’s leg, aiming to hook fingers close as he could do the knee and yanking. This, combined with the pushing of his thick skull into Seiji’s upper body, to try and topple him.

(Haruno Seiji)

aeron at thq

[Haruno Seiji]

Honestly, Seiji was a bit surprised to find his strike go unblocked. Especially when he'd been expecting the proverbial bloodbath to begin with each boy taking shots at one another, he found it odd that Atagi left his torso almost entirely exposed, save for where his arms provided some blockade simply by nature of being attached to Seiji. There was a brief consideration that, of course, Atagi had something up his sleeve; some plan that would make this early offensive turn on its head. But Seiji wouldn't allow the potential for recourse to breed indecision and inaction, taking advantage of the window given to continue his attack.

But a moment of thought could have spared him his fate as he felt a strong blow connect with his leg and then, not a second later, his weight begin to shift. Two dense skulls operating in two completely separate spaces, despite their proximity, as, while Seiji continued to pummel Atagi's torso, his opponent had taken advantage of the space to throw off Seiji's balance and, as Seiji clung to the boy's body, bring the pair crashing to the ground.

A cloud of dust bloomed and spread around the duo, now toppled over with Seiji in what was clearly the more disadvantageous position. As soon as the boy gathered himself, his mind shot to seek as easily attainable a defense as he could; he knew that, from where he was on the ground, his opponent had all the leverage. He first released his assailant, after all the two separating would be a boon for Seiji as he had minimal to no experience on the ground. Seiji then reached down and flipped open the pouch at his hip, drew forth two senbon, and drove them swiftly into the side of the Uzumaki's leg. Not too deep as to potential do long term damage, but certainly enough to give his opponent a shock.

From there, Seiji raised his arms to try and deflect whatever inevitable strike came his way. From where he was, there was almost no chance he could dodge a strike, but he was hardly defenseless either.

Uzumaki Atagi

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

The briefest moment of elation touches at Atagi’s spirit and features both when he realizes his plan has worked. Then, though, came the actual tumbling onto the ground, a whump and a kicking up of dirt and dust punctuating it. Now this was a horrible development. A standing grapple? Fine, sure. But one where they were rolling around on the ground? A particular paintbrush-haired kunoichi had been in a similar position with him before, showing him first-hand how a little leverage went a long way, even when she had obviously not met his physical prowess. So when it came to someone of similar build bringing him down, literally, to that level? It was enough to cause a degree of alarm.

Atagi works to disentangle himself, trying to sit up atop the other boy, only really managing to because Seiji chose to let go in the first place. At least as long as he was atop the other, Atagi was the one who had the leverage, was in control of the situation. An arm is raised up, obviously getting ready to serve up a blow to the Konoha-nin– but the sudden, sharp pain of those needles being jammed into his leg makes him yelp aloud, then draw in breath through clenched teeth, in a hiss.

Then comes down the arm, anyway, not exactly a practiced, disciplined punch but the swing of a limb down the Haruno’s way. It’s successfully blocked by the other shinobi’s impromptu defense, sending a blunt force impact into their body– but not enough to break through the block, obviously enough. He’s given pause, and briefly considers plucking the needles from his leg…but leaves them there instead, for the time being. Instead, Atagi simply goes for another blow, this time with both arms, both hands balled into fists, trying to strike at either side of Seiji’s chest with each respective limb, before the initiative would swing back over during the Kusa shinobi’s recovery.

(Haruno Seiji)

aeron at thq

[Haruno Seiji]

As things progressed, they quickly devolved into a messy chaotic brawl, as opposed to the acrobatic dance Seiji had expected coming into the match up. Not only was he in a rough spot but the degree to which he could actually demonstrate his versatility as a shinobi was diminished as well. If he didn't get up soon he'd likely lose and lose hard.

His pre-emptive defense had served to spare him from the first blow, but damn did Atagi carry some serious strength behind his fists. Not only had Seiji thrown him off with the senbon, he'd even blocked the first strike entirely, but still he felt the impact radiate through his limbs, leaving an ache that sank to his skeleton in his forearms. He wouldn't be able to take many more like that, certainly not if they were coming in undefended.

And just as he thought that, another blow came. Two fists striking down hard and threatening to shatter Seiji's ribs if he let them connect, or at the very least knock the wind out of him for a second time since being knocked to the ground. Luckily, Seiji was prepared for just such an assault. As the blows came raining down, Seiji reached up with his right arm to knock the mirroring limb off-center, toward the other and hopefully force the two to collide. From there, were he successful, he'd take the window of attack from where he'd just moved Atagi's arm out of the way to send forth his own in a deft strike to the face. His other fist would follow closely behind, though less dead center and aimed more for his opponent's jaw.

The strikes, while punishing, were hardly the focus of the attack though, serving as a distraction more than anything. From his position on the ground, and after hopefully disorienting his opponent, Seiji would try and dislodge his legs out from underneath Atagi, placing them on the boy's torso and pushing him off and Seiji back and away in the same motion. And, if successful, he'd try and scramble to his feet to regain some of his scattered dignity.

Uzumaki Atagi

JUTSU USED:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Ottotto [Oops]
RANK: C
STAMINA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION:Taijutsu
DESCRIPTION:
With a close range attack headed for the front of the user, they use the arm near the attacking one to strike the outside of the forearm and force the opponent's strike off center so much that it collides with their opposite arm as well. The redirection of the attack allows the user to strike the face of the opponent with their free arm and immediately follow up with the other fist as well. Giving multiple blows to the head and neck to leave a bloody and broken face.

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

He wants to retain the advantage and even if they had arranged to ‘go easy’ on one another, so he fights for dominance, to stay on top; the Uzumaki isn’t just going to roll over. It was good that Seiji seemed to be of the same mind as far as that went– real blows, real senbon, real blood…and real jutsu.

There’s the appearance of a moment of weakness from the Haruno, an opening to be capitalized on, so brutish as it might be, Atagi continues, charging forth with the assault. The tactical redirection of one limb into another, arm to arm. The kusa-nin isn’t quite fully centered to begin with, so the redirection of force is almost easy. He’s reminded of a lesson once given in the form of being told to keep both his hands together as much as he could by forcing clenched fists into one another straight on…in which a single finger pushing to the side instead of directly against that exerted force could easily disconnect them.

Then come two blows to the face– one square on, nearly displacing an (already) misshapen nose, and the other more to the jaw. They’re not the worst he’s ever received, but they do hurt, and like any blow to the head, it feels like every soft tissue in his skull is discomfitted simultaneously– eyes, tongue, eardrums, brain. The feet are successfully planted against his torso and Seiji both kicks Atagi off and propels himself away, creating some much needed distance.

Frankly, a change of tactics would likely be beneficial for both of them. An Okada the genin from the grass was not, and at this rate, all that the two of them would ‘show off’ was their ability to beat each other into a bloody pulp while remaining within arm’s length of one another. Not exactly useless, but not exactly impressive for a shinobi, either.

The Uzumaki, who’d briefly been tossed onto his rear end(though thankfully not flat on his back) scrambles up to his feet, and for a moment, the two of them have the opportunity to size each other up once more. An arm drops down to his thigh, and he finally plucks out the senbon– half of which were now bloodstained– to the dirt. There’s a perdurable quality to the lightness at his features even though he grimaces from the pain of removing a sharpened throwing implement from his body, always seeming ready to smile or laugh, even when undoubtedly focused eyes are fixated on his opponent


Of course, he breaks the tension by moving first. Seiji’d seen it numerous times already, so if they’d been paying attention, it was very possible to have gotten a read on it– Atagi’s almost unconscious tensing of the legs, like a coiled spring. Perhaps it was because in visualizing where his chakra was to go, to be focused or forced or coerced, his body reacted in kind.

At any rate, one of the Flash Steps follows, Atagi’s body lurching forward, balance not even fully regained. He doesn’t need to, because the Uzumaki is instantly attacking anyway, throwing a one-two, a jab for Seiji’s jaw– though mostly just to draw his guard– and a straight angled for right where the gut met the ribs, their solar plexus.

(Haruno Seiji)

aeron at thq

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Subakage-ryū: Shunpo [New Shadow Style: Flash Steps]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Low-High
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
ELEMENT: N/A
HANDSEALS: N/A
REQUIREMENT: Subakage-ryū: Hohō [New Shadow Style: Step Method]
DESCRIPTION:
Within the Step Method's branching techniques, the Flash Steps is the most refined for pure velocity and acceleration in one, linear direction. From the point of origin until the shinobi stops, they are able to move at an incredible pace, practically vanishing from sight. However, this is an incredibly taxing method of movement, and if used to move too far it can stress the body. It cannot reach the speed granted by Body Flicker, but it is not quite as devastating on the user. Traveling beyond fifteen meters with one step will cause great stress to the body. It still has a high chakra cost, but the muscle strain will immobilize the shinobi for one round as their body recovers. It is possible to utilize multiple flash steps back to back, but cost must be paid individually.
1-5m (Low)
6-10m (Medium)
11-15m (High)

[Haruno Seiji]

Back on his feet, Seiji instantly felt more comfortable. His eyes scanned his opponent as dust cleared and the pair were at square one, aside from a few cuts and scrapes. Even though the position was against him, Seiji felt like he'd managed to come out on top when they were grounded, Atagi plucking the senbon from his leg a reminder of that.

And he'd had the opportunity to show off some of his toolkit, though not so much as to spoil the next round. Holding back, while mainly to preserve energy for the upcoming bouts, had the added benefit of keeping most of Seiji's abilities under wraps. While that would probably serve to hurt his performance here, he was eager to let loose and show the other half of his skills.

But for now, this would remain an acrobatic spar, as Atagi leapt forward at impossible speed to close the gap between the two genin. Even if he wanted to respond to the incoming blows, and a good part of him really didn't, Seiji was not nearly quick enough to react whether he could see the beeline strikes coming or not. A paltry guard rose too late and, while the first strike struck it and mostly glanced off, the devastating follow-up hook landed square on his jaw, sending the boy reeling.

His head rattled and the world shifted for a moment as Seiji was knocked back, having even lifted off the ground a centimeter or two with the punch. And they weren't light blows either, as it seemed Atagi was of the same mind as Seiji; that the two needed to up the spectacle of their fight. As if on cue, the third strike came, aimed dead center for the boy's chest. This time, however, Seiji had enough time to react, already in close proximity.

Just before the third jab landed, Seiji reached out to catch it, placing one hand on his opponent's extended arm and jumping up to clear the strike in a display of acrobatics. From his momentary perch, Seiji balanced just long enough to send his momentum crashing forward in a strike to Atagi's head. If the boy looked up slack-jawed at Seiji's form, blocking out beams of glorious early-afternoon sunlight behind it, he'd likely be hit square in the face again. Regardless of whether the hit landed or not, Seiji would continue riding the momentum forward, past the Kusa-nin's back in a tight flip, and onto the packed earth behind him before whipping back around to see what damage he'd done.

But it wasn't enough to keep reacting, Seiji needed to take the initiative back. But there wasn't a whole lot in the boy's arsenal he was willing to use on Atagi here that would remedy that issue. Perhaps a window would open up further along, but for now he resigned to rubbing his aching jaw and wiping away the blood he found there.

Uzumaki Atagi

JUTSU USED:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Mogura Tataki [Whack-a-mole]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
DESCRIPTION:
When being attacked by a fist or kick, preferably fist, the user will hop up and place one hand on the attacking limb, balancing themselves on it while using the other hand to come down and slap or punch the foe in the top of the head before they hop off.

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

Now this was more like it, wasn’t it? More like what was expected of them, at least. Atagi’s blows land, recognizable from the tactile feedback alone, and he’s moving forward– one step, then a half, so that the assault could continue. Though they’d agreed on a course of action, they weren’t doing much ‘on the fly’ choreographing, connected eyes or talking through it or whatever else. That was a good thing, ultimately– made everything feel more real.

The third strike is angled, and is delivered, but Seiji’s quick decision making and deft maneuvering make a monkey out of the Kusa-nin. The blow isn’t exactly caught, but it’s dodged. The Uzumaki is practiced enough to not go reeling or lurching forward from putting too much of his body into it. The other boy flips off the backside of his fist, and Atagi looks up, crimson locks just clearing his vision in time to see a strike coming his way. Synapses fly, and though he can’t maneuver out of the way of it, he at least is able to tilt his head down to make sure the thick(er) part of his skull receives the attack. It’s enough to rattle the proverbial (and literal) bones. Digging his feet into the ground prevents him from being knocked over, or back...but it dazes him, for the duration of Seiji’s flip and subsequent landing...and a second or three after.

Atagi turns to face his opponent again, grimace-grin still stuck at him. He moves forward, but this time, he intentionally gives Seiji the initiative, allowing him to make the first move, a subtle (but definitely intentional) tilt of the chin as if to say ‘come at me’. Instead, he mentally prepares to shut down whatever the Haruno decides to throw at him with one of two techniques; Blow for Blow in the case of a physical attack, striking at Seiji’s limb with his respective matching one (but only hard enough to momentarily stop him instead of, say, breaking a limb) and Peaceful Interruption in the case of attempted weaving of handseals. In either case, he relies on his so-called ‘super reflexes’, open to all possibilities and trusting in his instinct to react properly.

In lieu of Seiji actually attacking him, Atagi moves in and throws a mid-kick for Seiji’s body, instead.
(Haruno Seiji)

aeron at thq

SPOILER: Click to show

Relevant SA:

In the Nick of Time
Atagi has honed his combat instinct and reflexes via dedicated training (and at least one ‘practical experience’ in the form of having life and limb imperiled by a particular Taki-nin) to the point where he can, much of the time, reflexively move in response to threatening stimuli. Most often, these combat reflexes are defensively oriented, a la blocking or dodging. He’s nicknamed them his ‘God-Speed Impulses’, which is an obvious exaggeration.


NAME: Nodoka Kandan [Peaceful Interruption]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:
As the opponent tries to form hand seals the user raps the attacker’s hand with their knuckles, not causing much damage but preventing the jutsu from being completed as well as bruising the hands of the opponent.

NAME: Dageki no tame ni dageki [Blow For Blow]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu
ELEMENT: N/A
HANDSEALS: 0
REQUIREMENT: Dōjutsu SA OR Reflex SA
DESCRIPTION:
A simple shock-and-awe distraction used during combat. In lieu of traditional blocking, the user attempts to strike the opponent's attacking limb in an almost similar strike, ie meeting a punch with their own or a kick of their own. Depending on the type of attack met, this can range from stunning the opponent's limb temporarily to crippling the opponent's attacking limb. However, the chance of the latter is slim at best.

[Haruno Seiji]

As if reading his mind, Atagi's languid recovery and subsequent hesitation opened up a window for Seiji to take control over the fight's pace back. He savored those moments of inaction, his gaze scanning the Uzumaki for any tense of his muscles that would indicate another gap closer. When none came, Seiji let a sharp exhale escape pursed lips and prepared his assault.

Despite his collected behavior, it was clear from the boy's form that he had already taken a hit or two too many. Beads of sweat ran down the side of his head and blood traced a line from his lips to his chin, disappearing in the large crimson smear from when Atagi had struck the boy's jaw. Otherwise, he was just generally pretty sore. But, despite his injuries, Seiji's aqua eyes remained focused, determined and ready to strike.

It only took a couple seconds, though they felt like hours, from when Atagi and Seiji's eyes met before the pink-haired Konoha nin was off, in a mad dash to close the sacred space. As he drew closer, he prepared to launch a flying knee, drawing eight senbon (four in each hand) as he took off, driving off on foot and bring the other forward, placing all of his momentum into a single point.

But it seemed Atagi either saw that coming or had the reflexes to respond regardless. Because, as Seiji took the bait, his knee was met by an open hand strike from his opponent, knocking the driving impact off course and robbing Seiji of his balance. Though, even with the attack missing, all of the young man's momentum was still headed directly forward, his extended strike knocked off his course but his center of gravity unaffected. Like a CD skipping back to the start of the track, Seiji barreled into Atagi, colliding with the boy into a heap that, save a response from Atagi, would have them back on the ground.

Though this time Seiji would have the advantage. As he lifted his clenched fists high, needles of steel caught the light, extending through the gaps between each finger. Whether they were grounded or upright, Seiji was poised to drive the senbon into the body of his opponent. In reality, Seiji had no intention of striking Atagi with the weapons (a fact which Atagi would hopefully be confident in and could take advantage of) and was instead just showing off some more versatility in his attack.

"Yield." An empty threat, but an excuse as to why he hadn't struck right away. An attempt to avoid meaningfully hurting Atagi because they'd agreed to it ahead of time could, in this way, be disguised instead as a bleeding heart or a value for taking captives. He hoped Atagi didn't actually yield though...

Uzumaki Atagi

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

The flying knee was something he hadn’t expected, but thankfully he’s still ready to kick into get and react properly. Atagi throws out his arm– not quite a punch, more like a palm strike– with equivalent force to the thrown knee, as he’d practiced only gods know how many hundreds of times. Of course, he can only generate enough force to reduce and divert the attack instead of stopping it outright like he’d want, especially because Seiji was in midair, using his body weight as a weapon and to augment the move.

They tumble to the ground once more, Atagi being mounted. He’s not the type to just lay there, and already is starting to squirm and scramble, searching for a way out, though not with the frenetic nature of a cornered beast or the panic of an insect that’d had a shadow fall upon it. Aureate orbs fix themselves on the senbon, and he’s already raising an arm to defend himself, though thankfully the strike doesn’t come. Of course, he’s got full faith in Seiji, something that easily could’ve been taken advantage of by an opponent who would’ve used their prior arrangement as a way to deceive instead of collaborate.

If tenacity was a virtue, you’d have to call the Uzumaki a saint. ”Pah! I ain’t someone who’s afraid of dying.” The same exact words he’d spouted last exams…though this time, it was less true, ironically. Near death experiences had a way of forcing one to get their affairs in order. His mind wants to drift to a particular other pink haired individual, but for the moment he can’t be removed from his moment with Seiji. It both dictated and demanded full attention.

Hands come together in front of him in a single handseal, since Seiji has been so "foolish” as to allow him usage of the arms even after mounting him. At the same time, he’s planting his feet against the ground and pushing, thrusting his hips into his opponent. If the handseal was allowed, then that was all it’d take– the Shift technique typically was used to expel wind from every part of someone’s body evenly, to give them a boost when starting a run (or other times, he’d used it to help clear a gap) but in this case Atagi focuses it more toward the lower half of his body, to help him in throwing Seiji off and putting himself into position for a classic kip-up.

Once (or if) he’s allowed to rise, Atagi’d pursue Seiji with the relentlessness of a hunting dog, darting in to attack. For his part, he actually takes a page out of the Konoha-nin’s book and takes the aerial approach– though instead of throwing out a rising knee or flying kick, he does nothing at all. Instead, the Uzumaki lands, taking the energy and momentum into a lowered stance and going for a spinning leg sweep instead.

(Haruno Seiji)

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SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Haiu [Shift]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fūton
HANDSEALS: 1
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.

[Haruno Seiji]

Seiji's trust in Atagi's stubborn will was not misplaced as the boy resisted his grapple. He should have taken a note from his own book and learned to pin down the guys arms as Atagi's hands flew to form a sign and made the entire effort for naught. As Seiji felt the weight beneath him shift and force rise up from beneath, sending him off balance, he mocked to drive the senbon downward into Atagi's arms. He would, of course, miss, as the instability of his foundation coupled with being thrown off the thing violently made any attempt to act pointless.

Slivers of metal clattered to the floor as Seiji was launched back, curling into a tight roll as he and Atagi once again came apart. There was only time for a single breath before the redhead was on him again, rushing through the air as Seiji had been only moments before. The Leaf nin braced for impact, lifting his hands to try and deflect any incoming blows, but none came.

Seiji watched perplexed as Atagi landed before him, close enough to lay a kiss on his forehead, before ducking down into a low stance. With his leg extended as his body tucking in a tight spin, Seiji quickly identified the oncoming assault. It seemed as though Atagi couldn't stand to be upright, the pair fighting back and forth the entire time for dominance over one another's posture.

As Atagi's leg came rounding forward, Seiji drew one leg back before rising the other up high, waiting for his moment to strike in response. Attempting to dodge the leg by making distance, Seiji would slam his foot down into the side of his opponent's lower leg. Not hard enough to cause a break and honestly nothing that would stun Atagi for more than a few seconds. It would be a nasty bruise tomorrow though.

Uzumaki Atagi

[Uzumaki Atagi]

Lose yourself to the joy of developing forever

Couldn’t stand staying upright? That might’ve been an apt assessment. Couldn’t stand still, sure, that much he already knew…but perhaps part of him understands that he’s not some sort of beast in the sense that he’s got very little bulk. Weaving, ducking, acrobatics– and a pool of stamina to support it– were his shield, instead of a particularly durable form. Of course, he’d sustained more than his fair share of lumps.

The leg sweep is telegraphed, perhaps too much so (and maybe some of that was intentional) but Atagi is mentally prepared for Seiji avoiding it. What he’s not prepared for necessarily is the way the other boy comes down on his leg, after doing so– perhaps because in his case a leap that left no time to attack the extended limb would’ve followed. The strike to the side of his leg makes him wince, and he’s forced lower to the ground, into what would’ve been a split, if his other foot hadn’t been firmly planted. ”Ach!”

The Uzumaki draws himself back upright, testing putting weight on it to see if anything’d fractured or broken– which thankfully, nothing appeared to be. But it was enough to discomfit him, enough so that he’ll be wary about trying that attack again, and that he couldn’t put too much weight on it.

There’s another few moments of peace, the two of them able to proverbially size each other up again. Atagi moves forward, arms lifted up in his not-quite fists, ready to guard or to attack. This time he stays at arm’s length, literally, eyes locked onto his opponent. Even if he was a beast of stamina, it didn’t stop his breathing from being ragged, didn’t stop the soreness at his form, didn’t stop the thrumming everywhere he’d been struck thus far– his leg, his head, his jaw. ”I gotta give it to you, I don’t know half a dozen people who’re still moving this crisply after being on their toes for so long!”

The Uzumaki moves into Seiji’s space, probing at him with a jab here, a cross there, fully expecting the punches to be blocked or dodged. What he lacks in creativity, in a mixing up of timing, he tries to make up for with tempo, moving into the pinkette’s space. Inevitably, he’s got to commit to something big, again, and so he throws himself into a frontflip, trying to land his heel at Seiji’s shoulder in something like an axe-kick. Though he tries to hold back, really he’s hoping that the other boy won’t just, say, take it to the collarbone and will instead react in kind.

(Haruno Seiji)

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