Team G Meetup

It was time for the second phase of this exam, and this phase was the Survival Test. This test specifically said not to bring food and no looting defeated individuals. Which leaves Tsuki with her batons, tools, steel mail shirt, and steel arm guards. Overall, Tsuki was confident in her skills, and really who could blame her? She is dressed in her usual gear for all anyone can see since really she just left her bag of supplies in her hotel room. No sense in carrying a travel pack while in a city right?

It was drizzling as Tsuki was approaching the gates. The meeting spot was pretty straight forward all things considered. Definitely easier to understand than the complicated puzzles she was given before. She was paired with somebody Tsuki knew as she trained with him before. She knows of his crafty use of Genjutsu, and that would be useful to cover their tracks. Or at least it will help in confusing their opponents. Either way it was helpful to the team and considering that Tsuki is a powerhouse when it comes to Ninjutsu. They would make a decent team if coordinated correctly. Right now, Tsuki waits for Irui to arrive as she wants to go over what he has learned since they last trained. Strategize if necessary, but Tsuki is wary of the other teams listening so Tsuki probably wouldn't strategize here.

A storm had crept in off the ocean early in the morning, shrouding the archipelago in clouds and mist. While it hadn't transformed into a downpour, the drizzle had persisted all morning, making the streets soggy, lining everything with droplets. From the Hostel, a pathway had been designated by the Hidden Mist's security forces for the Chuunin Exam. It made sense after all-- the Hidden Mist, just like his own, was an active military installation--the village couldn't afford to let curious Genin wander off.

Irui palmed his equipment and scroll nervously as he passed through the streets. The pitter-patter of rain against tin roofs, the sluice of drain pipes, and ever-presence of water made him sticky, water-logged. Gulls called out overhead, vanishing in the low clouds. Sleepy storefronts were illuminating, turning over signs and filling the streets with the scents of fresh goods. If it weren't for the Exams,  would've found this place peaceful. He lifted his face to the sky, squinting at the faint seabirds, and sighed deeply. What a horrible tradition these Chuunin Exams were.

Shinobi from every village gathered in an international competition of Shinobi athleticism. The best and brightest became Chuunin, others earned the respect of their peers. But it was always the second round, every year, the Survival Round that invariably became a bloodbath. Genin against Genin, fueled by hormones and nerves, brutally waged guerilla warfare in teams. In the Hidden Cloud, gambling parlors feverishly watched, betting on teams, even individual shinobi. The exams were without a doubt, the most carnal, perverse form of entertainment.

Irui settled his eyes on the familiar Kunoichi at the gates, and couldn't help but smile softly. At least here he had a powerful ally in the flesh.

"Boo." Irui said flatly, as he lowered the hood of his traveling cloak. "Tsuki, right? Looks like we're partnered together, glad you're here." He continued and offered a handshake. "I took your advice from last time and remembered my gear."

The clock was ticking closer to the deadline with every second going by. Tsuki was beginning to think that Irui wasn't coming after all. She cast her molten gold eyes up to the grey sky as rain gently plummet against her skin. Taking note of this terrain, Tsuki won't have to worry about this place burning too much. Granted Tsuki has power within her, as she has recently achieved levels in her bloodline that her ancestors had never achieved before. Of course, noting that there is to be no attempts of lethal damage. That doesn't mean people won't try their luck. From the looks of this place it is a dense jungle, plenty of places to hide a body or three.

Eventually, with the faint steps in the water, Irui makes his appearance. Tsuki lowered her eyes towards his direction when he began talking. A smile forms on her lips as it was a trademark of her. There were definitely improvement in Irui's part, mainly because this time he actually brought a belt. To which she raised a brow before speaking.

"At least this time you didn't forget your tools. Hopefully you're still skilled in a Kunai or three." The last part was purposely misleading to eavesdroppers. A subtle and simple diversion of anyone being nosy to this pair. They were on foreign soil, and while the exam hasn't started yet. Tsuki isn't taking any chances here. Still she sees the handshake gesture and remembered what the other guy said about it. It was still a foreign gesture to her, but Tsuki shakes his hand all the same as her touch as soft in texture yet her grip was firm.

Irui smiled at the comment, and shifted his weight to the other foot. All around them Shinobi were gathering in pairs. Many from the Hidden Mist in their pin-striped uniforms, and many more had come from far and wide. A few wore Wide-brimmed rice hats, others ornate armor, and some were more plain-- swordsman and by his guess, martial artists.

He cast a glance over Tsuki's shoulder, skimming the crowd and guessing at the number of bodies. So many potential opponents were here of varying skill. He twisted the ball of his foot into the ground. He could Sense them all now, see who was the strongest and the weakest, but Tsuki's body language told him otherwise. Everyone was listening, everyone was passively gathering intelligence, sussing out their own targets. More concerning still: He wouldn't put it past the Hidden Mist to plant its own Intelligence agents into the crowd. What better way to gather information than the Chuunin Exams?

"I see...." The boy murmured quietly. He turned his attention back to Tsuki. The two of them had an advantage that many of the other teams wouldn't: He and Tsuki had fought. It had been brief; a furious exchange of Lava and Lightning that ripped through the training grounds. She knew of his aptitude for Genjutsu, and he had been brought to his knees by her Ninjutsu.

"I'm glad we're teamed up," He said after a moment, trying to keep the conversation as light and plain as could be. "By the way, have you tried the Gyoza here?"

The rain continued to pour down like the sky was crying. Hopefully the metaphor is only because the weather decided to be moody than unfortunate accidents. Tsuki would hate such incidents were caused by her. Still she came here to prove herself that Tsuki can take on the strongest Genin here. Even if someone has a lethal technique, Tsuki has the power to match it. Of course, Tsuki will only resort as such if someone has thrown a powerful attack with the intent to kill.

Still, Tsuki can't argue what a combo this team was. Sure neither are physically strong, but they were strong in other fields. They accommodated for each other, but right now this topic isn't about what they're good at. Just a simple conversation.

"I believe that is the dumplings yes? I tried it with soy sauce and it was delightful for a snack." Tsuki played along with the light conversation. Thankfully both of them were at least smart and aware enough to mask whatever intelligence that could be vital. Still, there was an alarm of sorts that signalled that the exams is now starting. So with a smile on her lips, Tsuki accepts the chess piece, their relic. To which she'll keep it safe by placing it under her shirt. Where it'll be held by her bra and cleavage to which will remain hidden by the mail shirt. After that, Tsuki enters the jungle with a skip to her steps like they're going on a field trip.

[Exit]

Irui nodded at the remark.

The boy pulled his dark grey cloak closer around him, and took a look back at the clearing. Teams were beginning to file into the forest at broken intervals. gates were springing open like jaws, beckoning shinobi into them. So that's how it was going to be, he thought. He could only guess at the number of participants here, but thats where his role as a Sensor would come into play here.

He'd have to wait until they were concealed. Sense too early, and the astute would realize the "ping" had come from the entrance. This way he could group and coordinate targets with Tsuki. Speaking of whom-- her foot steps brought his attention back to the gate. A mechanism clicked, a latch sprang, and suddenly their gate flew open.

He smiled.

"Alright then...." He murmured to himself, and followed suit, trailing the Kunoichi. He steadily matched her steps, then her pace. The rain slicked his face and cloak as they accelerated into the forest, leaving the gate behind. The second round of the exams was on!

[exit]