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Oasis hadn't figured out who Fujin was until she removed her top and revealed the arms. She smirked slightly, she might have figured it out sooner however she hadn't been really thinking about what Hatsuma was up to really, aside from playing her character. "Hah, you see that, that fighter has four arms Fuuyuki." Oasis states in her practiced tone of voice.

"Yes, that is quite unexpected, she carries the blood line of a famous shinobi clan from my home land." Fuuyuki states with a smile as she looked to Hatsuma with an interest in her eyes

"It is good to disguise such abilities until the last moment, she made quite a upset in that battle." Itoku states as he stood up and stretched some he had already healed a great deal, that was the other unfair advantage he had. Itoku had an unnatural regeneration capacity. "My next fight... is going to be interesting." Itoku states as he watched the snake like Jadoku stalking about the arena. However someone that was not expected was stalking about as well, the short man that Itoku beat in the strong arm competition was sneaking about with his arm bandaged and in a sling. He was whispering about the arena to certain shady looking individuals. However Itoku hadn't noticed him and he made his way for a quick beverage due to a thirst that was coming upon him. After a bit he came back from the drink and headed towards the arena as he walked the gong sounded as he had expected. He jumped onto the stage after putting his drink down on Oasis' table. Itoku stretched some and adjusted his gloves, he was going to need to be on his 'A game' for this one. Jadoku stepped onto the stage his neck rolling about as he slid his hands about and then dropped into his lazy stance and stared up at Itoku.

"In the semi-final round we have lightning bolt Itoku who seems to use almost every martial art in the book, and the deadly serpent Jadoku who uses a style that I am unable to identify. This should be more entertaining than the last fight which ended poorly for our friend from the south." the announcer states, rousing a short laugh from the crowd the boxer huffed and crossed his arms and stared at the crowd. "Let this battle begin." he states before getting off of the arena

"Don't think you will be lucky like that Jinku fool... keh heheh. I wont be letting you away with your life." Jadoku states as he rolled from side to side a wicked look on his face. Itoku shook his head and thrust his arms out in front of him and then rolled them back towards himself slowly as he drew in a slow breath.

"Don't be so high on yourself." Itoku states as he turned his fist and pointed it in Jadoku's direction he took a deep breath and let it out in a slow draw before launching himself at Jadoku, last time Jinku had not moved to strike fast enough and allowed Jadoku too much time to attack, he wouldn't make that mistake, force Jadoku to defend. As Itoku moved in to attack Jadoku only leaned backwards into his stance and took two lazy steps forward into Itoku's charge, and then as Itoku closed the distance he swung his body forward bringing both of his arms around like flails aimed to drive their spikes into Itoku's shoulder joints. However Itoku had expected a maneuver akin to this and swung his body around putting himself in a profile movement and right between Jadoku's arms. He swung his arm up and snapped his arm closed bringing the point of his elbow into the point of Jadoku's chin. Jadoku let out a loud hack and his upper body swung back wide from the attack however his feet didn't leave the ground as he threw his hands back and was now on his hands and feet with his chest pointed into the air. He flopped from that position thrusting his feet at Itoku's ankles Itoku hopped back to evade and watched as Jadoku flopped a few more times and then suddenly launched into a flip attack slinging himself like a throwing axe at Itoku. Itoku swung about and drew his arms back striking into the side of the ribs on Jadoku as he spun past him. The attack landed cleanly and Jadoku was propelled to the side, he hit the arena floor and writhed about making terrible sounds before flipping onto his feet.

"Gah... Gaha... GAHAHAHA!" Jadoku laughed as a thin trail of blood slid from the corner of his mouth Itoku had apparently done a fair deal of damage. However Jadoku seemed hardly effected by the direct and damaging blows, he swung into his stance leaning forward he threw himself towards Itoku with wild swings. Itoku spun his arms in and tightened his muscles putting his hands into palm strike position. He narrowed his stance and drove into Jadoku's attack using his forearms he swatted deep into the swing of Jadoku driving his arms away without allowing the cutting edge of his hands to reach Itoku. He wasn't certain how Jadoku was able to do that slicing with his hands however he wouldn't allow those slicing blows to land on him. Itoku then dropped an attack as he drove away swinging attacks he threw in a short powerful attack stolen from the muay thai style of fighting which connected with a powerful thud into Jadoku's left shoulder. There was a light crackling sound and Jadoku flipped backwards a full three hundred and sixty degree flip achieved while in mid air he looked to his left arm which dangled limply at his side, and grinned. "KAHAHAHAAAA!" he boomed with laughter as he adjusted his stance, it was apparent he was going to use the limp arm. Itoku threw his stance backwards leading with his right foot and leaning his weight into it at the same time he held his right arm forward with his fingers pointed to the sky and his elbow bent creating a ninety degree angle. Jadoku launched in to attack again, he raced in with a sudden burst of speed. Itoku was unable to gauge it this time and the attack came in close and slashed upward Itoku swung back and avoided the slash's target, his neck. However it hit his mask and a gouge appeared in the dense material of his mask, a very obvious slash formed from the attack. Itoku swung quickly driving his arm up he cracked Jadoku in the elbow an attack like the one aimed at the shoulder of the same arm, and it achieved the same result, a loud snap and he had dislocated that joint as well. However it didn't even phase Jadoku as he launched into attack, swinging his body he made his limp arm function like a whip and brought it about with more speed than should be humanly possible and slashed across Itoku's chest who was entirely unable to avoid this time. The attack hit hard and Itoku was thrown back he kept himself in the ring, however he was quite shocked as he felt a piercing pain in his chest, there was a slight cut where the attack had made contact he had only altered the pressure of his muscles in time to avoid most of the cut but not all of it. Itoku cracked his neck to the side and swung his hands down cleanly to his sides. His eyes locked onto Jadoku's and he moved into an exceptionally low stance reminiscent of the hyuuga trigram stance. He took in a deep breath and then let it out slow his breathing rhythm changing as he waited, he watched as Jadoku had a very defined rhythm with the movement of his feet, while the rest of his body seemed to move without purpose and chaotic there was an almost drum like rhythm by which he moved his feet, and Itoku reached into that and synced with it. Jadoku had an angry expression before launching towards Itoku he wasn't going to allow Itoku the chance to steal his technique. However as Itoku counted his breath and watched the movement the same rhythm was present even as Jadoku ran at him, its tempo only increased by two steps. He smiled lightly behind the mask and swung into counter attack. Jadoku swung his arms out at Itoku who simply swam into the movement not allowing a single attack to come within the contact zone keeping each attack simply sliding off of him.

"Like water off the back of a duck." Fuuyuki states lightly as she watched Itoku move. "He was on an entirely different level from me, it wasn't possible that I could beat him." she states with a smile as she watched the fight. Itoku finally drove his attack home his hands smashing forward held with his fingers pointed forward he jabbed at vital strike zones on the body of Jadoku, he hit each critical pressure point with a quick dagger like jab. Then his body weight shifted forward as he brought both hands to attack open palms against Jadoku's chest. The blow was terribly powerful and Jadoku wheeled backwards landing on his back with a heavy thud. He let out a groan and twitched a bit, it seemed as though Itoku had disabled the movement of Jadoku's body, however Jadoku would quickly prove otherwise as he suddenly stood up. His stance was awkward and very sloppy as he rocked from side to side the movements jerked and rocked as he glared at Itoku a wild look in his eyes. He pulled his stance high and a series of popping sounds followed as he twisted his spine around. He dropped back down into his second stance, each limb seemed to be functioning as if undamaged now. He clicked his fingers out in front of himself and then smirked.

“I am invincible… don’t you get it.” Jadoku states with a wicked sneer as he slung his body from one side to the other before launching himself at Itoku. Who at this point was starting to get worn down, Itoku evaded entirely by throwing himself over Jadoku, but with only a fine margin of space so that he could throw down two short jabs at the sides of Jadoku’s neck. Both attacks hit home and Jadoku fell to the ground limp like a ragdoll, and yet again only moments later he pulled himself up and was standing again. He chuckled darkly as he pointed his hands at Itoku. His steps still falling in that same rhythm Itoku’s eyes flashed, it was in the rhythm, he was using some sort of secret technique, perhaps even a ninja technique. Itoku snarled and launched in to attack, he swam around Jadoku, avoiding swinging blade like hands as he made short pokes at several key locations and then he came to a full stop in front of Jadoku standing at half height he awaited the coming attack, and Jadoku obliged. He threw both arms down like a pair of axes, and Itoku stepped forward into the strike zone and unexpectedly planted both of his feet atop of Jadoku’s feet and then threw his arms forward and snagged Jadoku’s shoulders before thrusting himself back to full height and throwing backwards at the same time, he generated a devastating pull force likely devastating the joints in Jadoku’s legs before slamming him head first into the arena floor behind himself. Itoku quickly returned to his feet swinging his stance around he drew his hands up in a finishing stance and took a deep breath, he was sure that was the end. Yet there was a small clicking sound again, Itoku swung about and saw Jadoku’s fingers tapping against the floor, the same rhythm of his footsteps. Itoku went wide eyed and threw his foot down towards Jadoku’s digits however it was too late and Jadoku coiled up slinging himself upward he made contact with the width of Iotku’s inner thigh and punched his hands against Itoku’s heel which he followed by grabbing the same and throwing him at the ground. Itoku collided with the arena floor with enough force to bounce off the floor and hit again. He was heavily winded and found it hard to gather himself up, however he forced himself to. He turned and faced Jadoku who was grinning like a man possessed. Maybe he was? Itoku took in a deep breath and swung into the hyuugan stance again. He breathed slowly and controlled his emotions this was a very dangerous situations. However it seemed Jadoku was done with playing this unarmed game, and dug his nails into the flesh of his palms, when he retracted them a strange set of symbols raced down his arms, it was a summoning technique!? Itoku threw himself back further and entered a more powerful defensive stance. In a poof of smoke a pair of blades appeared in Jadoku’s hand, their blades held an odd purple sheen to them, they were very obviously poisonous. “Kehehe.. heh… kekekahahahaaa!” Jadoku laughed wildly as he pointed his blades at Itoku “You damn animal, your in my way, and I will now show you the true venom of the serpent.” He states as he flicked the blades about in the air.

“YOU ARE DISQUALLIFIED!” the announcer shouts loudly pointing at Jadoku who laughed and threw the all too well known bird into the air in response before facing Itoku again, he was obviously no longer interested in this fight.

“I have no choice but to defeat you now.” Itoku states as he changed his stance again, this was a stance for fighting armed opponents. He was about to prepare an attack when he heard a familiar voice call something out.

“yajuu!” Mouko shouted as he launched a long solid bo-staff into the arena. “Always with honor!” he added before sitting back down, still obviously in recovery. Itoku caught the staff, and spun around changing stances again, this fight had just changed monumentally. Jadoku shot a look at Mouko, one of considerable fury before he launched to attack Itoku, his stance and method was entirely different now, he held a tight pattern and used powerful straight thrusts as he approached, however Itoku was done with this fight. He spun the staff around quickly as he dropped his stance low, the staff sang out as he swung is over his head and hit the arena floor with a resounding thump he followed the force swinging it along behind him doing the same again, and then just as Jadoku entered attack range he brought the staff back around from the back swing with neck cracking speed, the weapon made contact with Jadoku’s head and made a loud solid ‘crack’ sound. However Itoku was not done there, he slung forward and brought the bow staff around behind him and like a piston slid it forward from the back arm position smashing the end of the staff into Jadoku’s ribcage time and again each making a loud cracking sound he systematically broke each of the largest ribs before swinging the staff forward colliding with immense speed into Jadoku’s shoulder driving him to his knees, the violent assassin had no chance to respond as the blows happened in such consecutive order. Itoku swung the staff back and held it in one hand his right drawing back, his fingers bent to look like the claws of a bear before he released an explosive amount of force from his elbow and shoulder and hit the core of Jadoku’s chest, there was a resounding thump as the hit caused the rhythm of Jadoku’s heart to fail, a strong fibrillation in the beat, and Jadoku’s attempts to resynchronize were met with failure as each of his bodies systems failed one after the other and he collapsed onto the floor motionless. Itoku stood to full height spinning the bo-staff around he planted it into the arena floor and held one hand vertically at the side of the staff at chest level he let heavy breath out and slowly moved his hand down and out. “Now. We are finished.” Itoku states before he stepped off of the arena floor and placed the staff at Mouko’s side. “If he was your acquaintance of some kind you may want to consult immediate medical, he may be able to be revived... maybe” Itoku states as he bowed his head lightly before walking over to Oasis and sitting down beside the two girls, Oasis and Fuuyuki and looked back to the announcer who looked shocked beyond belief.

“...In an unexpected turn of events, Jadoku drew a weapon, and apparently entered a battle with which there was no escape, Itoku put a very sudden end to it... we have witnessed quite the battle… the next fight will begin shortly.” The announcer states as he looked at Jadoku, the medical team from before appeared to cart him off, it was highly likely that he would not get up, ever again.

"Oh, it is alright I was simply sitting here and watching, so I did not expect you to come rushing back at any rate." Oasis states as she chuckled lightly "Oh, I wouldn't call miss Fuuyuki a commoner, she is a fairly qualified fighter." she states as Hatsuma approached. "You missed a number of good fights though Ai, it is a pity." she states as she shifted her seating some and looked over the arena, and then back to Hatsuma. "Yes, Itoku has made it to the final round, he is very impressive, if he had lost, I do not know if I could keep him in my employ." she states as she smirked at Itoku who simply sighed slightly and straightened how he was sitting.

"I am pleased you were able to straighten out your task Ai. However, it seems I need to prepare for my last fight." Itoku states as he stood and stretched out, he was sore, however most of the more serious injuries were healed to a functional place by now.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, miss Ai." Fuuyuki states as she extended her hand in greeting to Hatsuma. "That miss Fujin, is a talented fighter, she just needs to either wear something to protect her sensitive assets, or some how learn to ignore, such... unwanted interaction." Fuuyuki states giving her little insight into the battle. "Yes, fight well Itoku." she states as Itoku walked off, Itoku responded by a simple wave over his shoulder. He wondered if this woman he was to fight had power like the last ones he was pitted against, after all, they seemed connected, including the turtle like man that Hatsuma beat earlier, they were very obviously connected. Somehow each of them symbolizing the guardians of the winds, so what were they about? Were they mercenaries, or was it all just by happen stance? He took a deep breath and shook his head before watching the stage get rearranged. The arena was lifted higher from the floor and four poles erected at the corners, strong thick cord ran in three rows around the ring attached to these poles.

"...Boxing ring." Itoku states as he watched the change in the arena. He had a bad feeling about the fight with that bird like woman Kanan. "This does tell me something important however... I take it this Kanan, is some kind of wrestler." he states more to himself than anything as the arena was completed.

"With the alterations to the arena complete, its time for the final round to begin!" The announcer states as the gong sounded signaling the final round. "I am certain those of you who watched all the previous fights already know our contestants here, two very talented individuals no doubt. However introductions are proper, there for. In this corner, we have the Noble Itoku, versus the Flying Diva Kanan. Lets keep this a clean fight, we do not want any more DQ's!" the announcer states with a wide expression as he swung his hands about. "With that said, let this final round of combat, commence!" he states before swinging his hands and vacating the arena.

Itoku bowed in proper respect before shifting into a short striking stance. Kanan as with her fight with Hatsuma didn't bow, she simply stared at her opponent and smirked. "After the fun I just had... Now I get to fight a big solid man, hmm." she cooed as she limbered up and grinned at Itoku "Well, if this is supposed to be a spectacular final round, lets give them something to remember big boy." she states as she ran her hands into her hair fluffing it out behind her she shook her head from side to side and struck a pose accentuating a great deal of her fine feminine features. She pulled an odd little mask from behind her hair and put it on, similar to some sort of masquerade mask sporting a series of flashy little bits around its border. It only served to cover the area of her face around her eyes like so many cliche super heroes. The bottom border of the mask sported dangling beads pulled through sparkling threads. She followed this action by unfastening a sort of coat she had been wearing and casting it off to the side to only uncover a more revealing top beneath it. It covered littler more than her breasts and only did that to some only just barely PG-13 degree. "Spice it up, but keep it tasteful." she states with a coy little grin before moving into a fighting position.

Itoku sighed and wondered how many fights she had won in the past by flashing so much flesh her competitors couldn't take it, and either lost their cool or completely forgot to keep focus. He changed his pose some and turned his hand opening it he held out his fingers and motioned for her to make the first move. Which, Kanan obliged. She back-flipped gracefully onto the corner post behind her and stood atop it on the ball of her left foot, her right held only lightly higher she extended her hands out to her sides, and for a brief moment Kanan looked like a bird up on that post. Itoku smirked and turned his stance to hold his left side towards her instead of his right. This fight, would be over shortly. The woman proceeded to do exactly as expected and jumped from the post and turned herself into a spear aimed at Itoku's chest, or so he thought. As he moved to block the obvious chest strike Kanan threw her arms out and spun her body over turning the spear like jump into a high speed flip kick now aimed for the point of Itoku's head. In a sudden movement Itoku shifted his head and mostly his body, yet still wound up taking a great deal of the attack on his left shoulder blade. However instead of an expected follow through putting Kanan on the ground, using her exceptional flexibility and muscular toning she actually used her striking leg like a perch of sorts and with some effort brought herself to standing on top of Itoku's shoulder. Itoku swung his body back quickly to get rid of the woman, however she simply back flipped off as he swung about and then swung in and jabbed Itoku in the back with a short and rather powerless punch. Itoku turned and faced the woman, she had alot more capability than he had given her credit for, he grinned slightly this fight while it was likely going to be as difficult as the previous two, might prove more fun due to the fact that his opponent seemed bent on taking her time and making it entertaining, with some careful maneuvering he could take advantage of that fact, and maybe, beat her in a manner similar to how she had defeated Hatsuma. With that in mind Itoku changed his stance entirely, a low seated stance he swung his hands out and then pointed them like snakes heads at Kanan. He was using a derivative from Xiaolin. Kanan grinned and jumped slightly landing on one foot she pointed at Itoku "Yes yes, here is a man that understands the game!" she cheers as she playfully clapped her hands together at the left side of her face. Itoku looked over to Oasis, and motioned for his coat, which Fuuyuki grabbed and launched to Itoku, he snatched it up in mid air and launched it onto the pole behind him. The meaning of this action was likely lost to everyone watching, only Itoku knew what he had in mind.

"Right, then, let us begin. Again." Itoku states as he dove forward into an expected leap that would put her over his head, if he hadn't anticipated it, as she shot over him his hands jotted up striking once at her top and then they came down and struck at her boots he then finished the heavy stride by lowering his body and sliding under a kick that would have struck his already hit left shoulder. Kanan didn't realize what Itoku's attack had managed to do due to the fact that his strikes had enough control that she didn't feel them. However in Itoku's hand now rested a button from her top and the lacing from Kanan's boots. Itoku slipped the button into his sleeve and under the edge of his glove as he turned back to face Kanan. "Missing something?" he questions dangling the laces he tossed them just over his shoulder as Kanan looked to her boots to see the laces missing. Kanan chuckled a coy little laugh as she stepped out of her boots and pushed them off of the arena, as Itoku expected they landed with a thud just like the parts taken off by the others in the suspected group. She stood up on her toes for a moment before pointing at Itoku, she then held her hand up and ticked her finger from side to side, the classic 'tisk tisk' motion before she jumped back against the ropes of the arena and in a slingshot like action launched herself into the air a fair distance from the arena, the ceiling being lower than her normal fighting venue limited the height of this attack however she would still make use of it. She spun about and seemed to stop in mid air for a moment, her arms stretched to her sides and her legs tight together she let out a strange bird like cry before throwing herself into a high speed spinning drop kick. Itoku shook his head, perhaps she only had one set of moves? Was she a part of this group, simply to attempt gender balance? Itoku shook his head again, he needed to stop thinking about trivial things and continue with his plan. Itoku moved his hands and prepared to block her attack. She came down with her legs held tight together until she was close enough to attempt her strike, and on the downward curve of the last spin she snapped her leg out, it occurred to Itoku a few moments late that her strike was actually pulled short as a sort of trap, and he fell for it, he blocked the attack in a way that facilitated her next movement. She quickly snapped both legs out and grabbed ahold of Itoku's head with her firm thighs and then she threw herself backwards and pulled Itoku into a headlong cartwheel of sorts, ending with him landing on the arena floor head first. Itoku went limp for a few moments, knocked clearly senseless from the impact. Kanan strutted out away from Itoku first kissing her palms and then waving her hands into the air, a victory dance of sorts until she heard Itoku jump to his feet.

"Wow, what a man... going to came back for more, even after I blew your mind?" Kanan teases as she kissed her pointer and middle finger then pointed at Itoku and winked. She swayed from side to side slightly and stopped as she leaned forward and placed a hand on her backside "Well then, I suppose I can oblige you." she coos as she stood up again and looked at the crowd "Besides, I don't think they have had enough of their Diva!" she cheers getting a fair response from the crowd, however it was likely very different in her mind. Itoku nodded his head and took a deep breath, to avoid damage he needed to avoid her attacks entirely, she seemed to have a powerful habit of counter attacking any attempt to block her attacks. Itoku moved into another xiaolin derivative and then moved towards Kanan. He took two steep steps and struck his left hand forward to achieve an expected counterclockwise roll away from his attack. Itoku quickly bent his elbow and snapped his arm back pivoting his body in kin to her movement he threw a number of more short precise jabs at her sides and front. He closed his palms and as before pressed the buttons he had stolen into his gloves, this time he had taken the last two buttons that held her top together. Itoku finished the movement at the exact post he had thrown his coat to. As Kanan finished her spin and came to a stop she felt her top loosen and fall from her chest. However Itoku was already on the move, his coat snapped up he spun it around and launched it at Kanan, it was a very heavy coat after all and the force of the coat hitting the fine young woman knocked her clean from the arena, and the coat wrapped itself around her as she toppled over the ropes. Itoku walked to the side of the arena and looked down to a perplexed Kanan. He reached into his gloves and pulled out the buttons dropping them down to her.

"...It seems we have a winner by ring out, and a disappointingly well timed convenient censor!" The announcer states as he climbed up onto the arena and motioned to Itoku, since he was too short to hold Itoku's hand up in the air. "The Noble Itoku has won, and proven that he is still able to carry such a title!" he states loudly as the fight came to a surprising end. Itoku hopped from the arena landing beside Kanan he reached down and held a hand out to her. The still perplexed woman took the hand and Itoku pulled her to her feet. "Noble, yet quite the ladies man." the announcer states snidely as he exited from the arena stage which lowered back to the ground.

"That... was, unexpected." Kanan states with a perplexed look as she pulled Itoku's coat around herself and shook her head. "We will have to do this again some time, maybe I will get the better of you next time, and get even for this." she states as she motioned to her mostly covered chest. As per her usual attire Kanan didn't pull the coat tight or zip it closed, she just relied on its weighty nature to keep her covered.

"Perhaps..." Itoku states as he walked away towards the announcer who was gathering up Itoku's prizes.

"For an entertaining evening and a number of good fights, let us have a hand for Itoku!" he states as the crowd clapped and cheered for Itoku. Then the announcer handed a large case to Itoku, which held the ryo reward and then the medallion and trophy as well as a certificate. "The smith will honor that token when you are ready." he states with his usual voice full of unusual enthusiasm. Itoku nodded and took the items and walked back over to Oasis, Hatsuma, and Fuuyuki. Kanan trailing along behind him, seemed he had gained himself an odd fan-girl.

"Do you intend to follow me?" Itoku questions as he looked back to Kanan, who blinked innocently and pointed at herself giving the 'who me?' face before grinning.

"Perhaps." Kanan states as simply as Itoku had responded to her earlier.

"I know right?" Kyu said with a sigh and a shrug. He shoved his hands into his pockets, and took the lead in front of the two Hibiki's. "You think they'd have just sent us back home in the first place... not go to this backwater country." A shadow rippled below Kyu's feet, and slipped up the path they were walking like a scurrying animal. Kyu's eyes turned to the sky, and caught sight of the maker; a common sea hawk. It chirped loudly from above, and had an attachment to its left leg. The fish ninja's head tilted in curiosity. Ponderously he wondered out loud, "I wonder who its for... Could it be a message for us?"

Kyu put out his arm for a perch. The sea hawk floated down to take a rest, but took off again as cry from behind shark-nin, and he was pushed to the side by the more feral Inuzuka twin. Kuro chased the flying osprey away. He grabbed for it, and got close to making a connection every time it sought to land on Kyu. After a few failed attempt, Kuro gave up the chase, and plopped on the ground, muttering a final call ("Beerd!").

The genin put out his arm a second time, and the osprey took a perch upon it. It allowed Kyu to remove the small message attached. With minor difficulty, he unrolled the mini-scroll with one hand, and gave it a look over. He glanced up and down the street. At their location just outside the town, there didn't seem to be anyone to over heard the sensitive information he was about to disclose to his partners.

"Hibiki Inuzuka and Kyuzaku Hoshigaki," he began, "Congratulations on the completion of your first C rank mission. Kira and Saikoro Daisuke's reported upon your usefulness on this mission. Judging from your absence, and Saikoro's return with the Kubikiribōchō, we have deduced that you two have also begun looking to collect and return the Seven Swords of the Mist. As commendable as this is, we ask that you cut your journey short and report to the Village Hidden in the Clouds for the Chuunin Exams. Your superiors at the Mission Offices have decided that you are capable of such a task. Passing the exams is your primary objective. Secondary to that is to scout for more of the seven swords. If possible, take them from their holders, and return them to the Mist. If you are successful in doing so, you will be greatly rewarded."

Kyu looked over the message once more, and sighed, "Just when you think you have a direction, one little piece of paper tells you otherwise..."

Kyu clicked his tongue impatiently. Hibiki wasn't too thrilled with the new assignment it seemed. He spoke harshly of the orders, but began to rethink his initial reaction. Kyu calmly added to what he said, "Exactly bro. I think what they're trying to say is that any have surfaced among our international peers, they'll be there, ripe for the taking. With that kind of concentration of weapons, and with the unforgiving rules of the exams, we should be able to score something special without stirring up a war. Let's go through with it, the way they said to. How's that sound, bro?" Hibiki seemed to agree, and he apologized for his earlier rashness.

Kyu nodded nonchalantly, and responded, "Don't worry about it bro. I get where you're coming from. At first glance, you might now want to give up your current personal thing to take on the exams. However, under closer inspection, its a much better scenario, and actually leads us to where we want to be anyways. It leads us to potentially having the swords."

Kyu stopped walking when his two friends neared the signpost. Kuro pointed out the sign to Lightning. Kyu looked at the sign and did the math in his head, then announced, "This is going to be a long trip, and we're going to have to take a boat along the way. We shouldn't waste any time." Kyu walked out in front of the group, and put his hand over his eyes to block the sun and bright blue sky.

"That road goes for a while..." Kyu said disdainfully, gazing at the far off hills, plains, and mountains. "Let's get a move on." Kyu took the point of the group, and accelerated into a full sprint. His sprint turned into ninja bounds.

Kyu shook his head, and explained his position on the subject of the Cloud Ninja they ran into on the still-fresh Frost Mission, "No way, bro. Cloud was informed of the situation a long time ago. Remember, we were in the hospital for over a month. Any Cloud to Mist issue we had is completely cleared up. Even if it wasn't, that was some backwater pier at the edge of the country. It's pretty likely that none of those specific ninja will actually be at the Village Hidden in the Clouds. Even if they were, they wouldn't be looking for us. Why would they be, huh? We'll be fine, bro."

Kyu stopped on the top of a hill, and stared down the side of the next hill top. "Hibiki, Kuro... I'm sick of this path. We have got to speed this up. We need... to go..." Kyu's eyes darted around for shortcuts on the winding path. He saw the path before him: rock pillars spaced just far enough apart that an agile ninja could use them like stepping stones, a small pond that could easily be cut across, a cliff side that could be wall run to get to a path that cut through the mountains ahead.

"Got a shortcut; follow my lead." Kyu took a few steps back, then sprinted forward. The fishy ninja vaulted off the side of the hill and touched ground on the tip of a rock. Not loosing momentum, he jumped again, and landed on the top of an earthen spike. From stone to stone, he made mighty leaps, and landed precisely on the rocky point that he intended on.

After about seven or eight more after the initial two, Kyu landed on the top of a plateaued hill. At the bottom of this flat-topped bump, there was the same water he could see from the first hill. Without so much as a glance backwards, the Mist Village genin ran at the edge of the hill, then turned sideways. He slid down the crumbling rocky hillside like he was on a board, then switched back to running just before the appearance of a rock ledge. Kyu leaped off of this rockface and onto the surface of the water. His feet connected with the water like it was solid. Perfect chakra kept him held up at the top of the water, regardless of the ripples and movements of the water. Kyu took off again, and crossed the lake. He hurdled over small waves made by nearby boats, and avoided the splashes made by breaching fish. Upon reaching the end of the lake, Kyu picked up speed, and ran at the edge of a steep hill. As he ran, the incline became impossibly steep, but the wall-running jutsu he knew kept him aloft. Even at a ninety degree incline, his speed was unchanged.

Kyu met the top of the hill and pushed himself onto the ledge of the high road. He took a few steps and collapsed against the opposite wall of the trail. He breathed "Jeez, that was a bit more rigorous than I thought." He waited a moment for Hibiki and Kuro to show up. When the Inuzukas appeared, Kyu stood up, stretched out his arms,and looked over the next hillside. His usual look of cool ennui brightened into a look of surprise, "Hell yea, take a look at that, bro."

Over those mountains was a river that winded between several more rocky vallies. The river was a bit fierce and a bit wide, and would have been difficult to cross, had it not been for the rich looking town nearby and the massive yacht the town's port. It had multiple layers, as evident by the black window strips that ran across it. Between each layer of black plexiglass was a strip of white water-resistant metal. The cruise-liner-yacht hybrid featured a deck at the very top with a pool, and leagues of sun chairs to lay about in. Multiple towers came off the top. Each slim peak had various pieces of equipment on it. Satellite dishes, radio antennas, and weather equivalent were just a few of the gadgets bolted on to them.

Running along the side of the ship was a marquee. It proclaimed, as far as Kyu could make out from their distance, that was a ship to Lightning Country. Kyu could only assume that it was for spectators of the exams. "We ought to get on that boat. It should get us there faster and easier than any other mode of travel available to us. However... it's probably going to get expensive. Just boarding a ship like that... will be costly. That doesn't even include any service they provide. Chances are that it'll be guarded well as well. Under that assumption, stowing away isn't an option either." Kyu began to walk down the path towards the town. As he walked, the ninja made sure to step over deep ruts from traveling merchant's carts. Kyu turned towards the other genin in his party, shrugged, and asked, "Do you have any ideas, bro?"

Meanwhile, halfway down a parallel hill, Kyu's shrug could be seen through the lens of a pair of high-tech binoculars. They pulled away from the young woman's face that held them. A hiss escaped her mouth, and she looked her nearby companion, "Those faggots are going off the goddamn trail we left for them. Genin these days, they have the attention span of a goddamn flea. One moment, they're hot on the trail, and the next they're running off to do their own friggen' thing! I say we off them now, before they do anything else to screw up our plan."

She held up her hand, and a glittery green and black striped snake coiled up her arm like it was a tree branch. Its patterned jade head rested on the top of her creamy pale hand. Even though its stance seemed relax, its circular woodsy eyes remained wild and tense. The kunoichi brought the Boomslang close to her face, and affectionately nuzzled the summoned venomous snake. "One little nibble" she cooed gently to the serpent, "And those ******** dolts will be dead by morning."

From behind the gruff kunoichi sat the second hooded figure. His bright red eyes stared intently into the back of her hood, 'Nonsense, Shiori. Did you not hear the message our nautical prey so kindly announced? Although our pawns venture off the path we set for them, they do not stray far.' He raised his hand in the air with a hint of drama, and continued telepathically, 'No, they're still searching for the blades that we so humbly offered them, but in a different location, and under different conditions. What matter is it to us if they slay another for a legendary blade? When all is said and done, the blades shall be ours, Shiori. Be patient for now. All we must do is wait.'

Shiori pouted, "You know, you're a huge d**k when you think you're right" She put up her non-occupied hand into a mimicked-mouth and mocked him, "Shiori, lets just leave them a message. Shiori, lets just let them do their thing. Shiori, lets not slaughter them, 'cuz we're still going to win. Blah blah blah." She looked back at him angrily, "It's all bullshit to me."

An evil idea popped into the woman's head, and a thin maleficent smile stretched across her cheeks. "How about a compromise. Maybe just a little message for them, so they don't forget what they're doing in the exams." Shiori lowered her hand, and the glittering green snake slid off it. With a final look at its summoner, it disappeared into the bushes.

Hibiki explained several possible schemes to hide the trio on board as they walked toward the cruise liner. Each scenario seemed more foolproof than the last in Kyuzaku's eyes. However, with each passing idea, the pup in back growled uncomfortably. It would seem that the fox wasn't too thrilled with any of their suggestions. As they neared the town, it would seem that their transport was under attack, by a giant snake no less. It appeared to be poisonous, as seen by its bright green scales, and aggressive, by they way that it was attacking and killing the crew.

Hibiki became excited, it appeared that this giant snake could just be their ticket onto the ship! Kyu's shoulders lowered into a slouch, and he mumbled, "Jeez, and I was starting to look forward to that last plan. You know the one, bro, where we disguised ourselves as ninja, and Kuro as an evil ninja... It would have been so easy to knock him overboard and call ourselves the hero of the day. I suppose this'll work too though." Kyu scratched the side of his face with his index finger, and let out a light sigh. He then chased after Hibiki, and got in front of the quick-paced genin.

"Alright, bro, here's the game plan. I'll go in first, and distract the snake away from the civilians. I'll then lure the snake into a trap of some sort, where I can get him pinned down or stunned. With that opening, you and Kuro will deliver the killing blow to the snake. Understand what I'm getting at bros? I stun, you kill." Kyu raced ahead, and into the danger zone.

Kyu put his hands to his mouth in a cone and roared, "Hey, you big ole' worm. Why don't you eat something a bit tastier then those snotty rich folk. Check me out!" Kyu turned around and looked over his shoulder. He put his finger to his eyelid, and pulled down to reveal the red of his inner eyelid. Simultaneously, he stuck his tongue out, and made a sound similar to "Bleh!"

The snake seemed to pay attention to his act of akanbe. After a half-effort snap at a crew-mate, it straightened up, and its eyes centered on the rude blue boy. Its midnight blue tongue flicked in and out a few times; and the head of the massive snake came down to pier level. In the matter of a second, its head turned about thirty degrees to the side and flew forward, mouth open and fangs bared.

When those teeth snapped shut just feet behind Kyu's original position, the snake felt nothing in its mouth's grasp. Instead, it felt the hands and feet of a ninja on the top of its head, and fingers grasping the rim of its brow. The snake pulled back its head sharply, and flicked its tounge a few more times, trying to pinpoint the location of its sticky prey.

Again, the snake shot its head forward like an attack, but did so to unhook the ninja from the top of its skull. As the snake expected, the blue ninja flew forward towards some luggage. However, the tricky shinobi caught himself just in time to prevent crashing into the pile of rubble and instead leap over it. The enormous tree snake chased afterwards. It's thick body coiled around the miniature mountain of travel gear. Quickly, it coiled in a circle around the ninja.

The snake flicked its tongue twice more threateningly, then went in for a strike. However, just as its fangs came crashing together, its aim was thrown off. Instead of just one ninja being in it's arena, there were five! In its confusion, it pulled back, and confusedly looked around at the handful of Kyuzakus standing inside the circle. It's simplistic eyes darted around for a tell of which one is which. When the snake finally made a decision, its poisonous fangs came biting down onto a fishy ninja.

However, the blood of this ninja ran cold like ice, and the ninja exploded into a snow cloud inside its mouth. The snake hissed and reared back for another strike. Another rapid strike forward found its mark on yet another icy clone. Unlike before however, the mighty beast felt a powerful attack being delivered upon it. One of the three remaining identical twins turned his arm into a spiky fist, and delivered a powerful punch to the snakes nose.

The snake fell flat on the ground with a thud. Quickly, the enemy ninja jumped on top, and pushed the head to the ground. Its brain began to feel numb, like winter had set in on the cold-blooded serpent's system. Its sight glazed over, and its body became loose. Whatever technique that ninja was using, it was working well against the massive snake.

Kyuzaku pushed hard on the boomslangs snout with one arm, and with the other, pumped an incredible amount of ice-nature chakra directly to its brain. No doubt, its body temperature was cooling, and it was experiencing a form of hypothermia. Kyu grinned coolly, "Alright Hibiki and Kuro! I'm not sure how long I can keep this thing passed out for. Finish it off while it's down. You're up, Bros!"

Kyuzaku removed his ice covered hands when he was sure of the snakes departure. The ice retracted into him as chakra; the blood that had splashed up onto it had dripped off in the process. However, his front, face, and other arm still had splashes of the red reptilian liquid. He spat on the ground to his left, removing a bit of the ferrous fluid from his lips in the process. He quickly wiped his mouth with the side of his arm that wasn't also covered in blood, then put his arm straight out towards Hibiki in a fist. His thumb came out, and pointed towards the stormy skies. He gave the pair of Hibiki a smile. Kyu shouted at them, "Great job, bros!"

Cheers came from behind Kyu, out on the docks. All the onlookers applauded their defense of the ship and town. Kyu nodded, and shouted over the roaring crowds, "Let's go get our ship ticket now!"

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!" Shiori screamed, stomping around the cliff side the pair perched on, "Stupid ******** killed my boomslang! I'll - I'll ... I'LL KILL THEM!" Her face twisted into a sick, murderous expression of utmost glee. Insane, maniacal laughter exploded from her lungs, and echoed through the valley side.

Shiori ripped a small flute-like instrument from her cloak. It was about a foot long, an inch thick, and made of wood. It was covered in small mechanisms like a true flute, however the pieces that would normally be polished metal were instead perfectly carved wood as well. Engraved with magnificent detail over every surface were images of snakes, serpents, dragons, and other similar creatures.

The red-eyed ninja behind her looked at her curiously. His telepathic voice melodically delivered that inquisitiveness, What's that Shiori? That isn't... Would you really steep so low as to use a sacred weapon on our dear friends? You've barely pulled your presents from their packaging. Why would you try to break them so soon; before you've even had a chance to play with them?

She ignored his reasoning, and gazed at the river that coiled through the mountains. "Those shitfaced assholes will learn what happens when you ******** with me." She lowered her lips to the mouthpiece of the flute and blew into it. A low, wavering tone resonated from the end. Her fingers went to work. The song began low and somber, like a dirge. Its plaintive tones winded through the mountainside. Unhindered by the distance, its depressing tones even reached the banks of the river below...

The water of the river sloshed against the pier, and became more and more powerful with each passing moment. Each wave rose and crashed in time with the slow, vibrating music that echoed in from the mountains. The already dark skies grew deeper grey.

Kyu watched the waters of the river. He was becoming a bit unsettled. Between the strange sounds that had lied underneath the noise of the port, and the way the water and skies was acting up, Kyu became wary of another attack. Without taking his eyes off the stream Kyu asked, "Hey, Hibiki... Did you stop that lightning jutsu you used?"

It appeared that he did not. Out in the middle of the river was a splash big enough to be from an underwater exploding tag. In the wake of the massive splash was a warrior who's entire body was black as pitch. He wore a full warrior's kimono and a black komuso. On the warrior's feet were a pair of similarly black, wooden tall geta. In its hands was an obsidian-colored naginata. Behind the weaves of its head-basket were a pair of very bright red eyes. The warrior flourished its halberd, raising wild waves all around as the blade swept through the air.

The crowds on the port screamed. Through their fearing cries, Kyu could hear things like, "The spirit of the river has become angry!" and "The river spirit has been angered! The snake must have been his pet!" From deeper in the ground, he heard another yell, "Quick! Prepare a sacrifice!"

Kyu scoffed, "Yeah, right. We'll just take this thing on like we did the last one. Hibiki! Kuro! For this one, you two hold the spirit down. I'll deliver the finishing blow this time. Be careful, this thing has a weapon, and if I had to guess, it's probably pretty skilled with it."