Exhibition Extraordinaire

Ryu stood at the entrance to the academy, yawning widely as he took in the sight. The morning sun was already high, casting warm rays and long shadows across the village. Ryu had barely rolled out of bed in time for this meeting, and he still felt a bit groggy. He had been spending a lot of time here helping the instructors and teaching the students, but today was different. Today it wasn't just about teaching them this or that, today was more of a show. A demonstration of ability in order to help inspire the next generation of what they could one day become, what the future would hold if they worked hard. Ryu knew he wasn't the best example of working hard, but he wouldn't be alone today.

Ryu enlisted the help of another Shinobi, one that he knew was a dedicated hard worker and one that he had worked with on a mission before. This mission was far less challenging than the one they had of finding the dog, so Ryu was more than happy to do it. Mamoru was far more of a physical fighter than Ryu was, so showing the students two different aspects for the future would be what they were doing. Mamoru was a Taijutsu specialist, and while Ryu didn't exactly have a specialty, he did have a grasp of Ninjutsu. It was all about perspective in Ryu's opinion, but he knew he needed to get some training in as well and there was nothing better than getting paid to do something that you were already going to be doing.

Once Mamoru arrived they could go over the details of how they would handle this little exhibition, but for now Ryu would enjoy the peace before entering into the academy and getting to work. Ryu's mind would work though which techniques he should use and which ones he shouldn't, there were many of his techniques that were far too destructive for such a demonstration. The last thing he needed was to get in trouble for destroying part of the academy or hurting one of the students that would be observing them. Spotting Mamoru approaching, Ryu would give a small wave as he let out another yawn. "Morning Mamoru, thanks for meeting me. Hope you're up for some mild training as a mission." He said with a half grin, "they will likely have a lot of questions. I'll let you handle most of those," he added with a wink.

Mamoru walked casually towards the Kirigakure Shinobi Academy, his hands resting in the pockets of his outer robes. He was so excited to meet up with Ryu for the demonstration that he got up extra early and did his routine training. He loved the idea of motivating the next generation and showing them how important it is to train not only your mind, but your body as well. Mamoru and Ryu were one of the many duo candidates for this. They complimented each other perfectly. While Ryu could show them strong Ninjutsu, Mamoru could show them almost equally strong Taijutsu. And that excited him more than anything in the world

"Morning Ryu!" Mamoru greeted the blonde young man, pulling his right hand from his pocket and waving. "Hell yeah! I've never gotten paid for some mild training before. Im excited!" Mamoru laughed. "So how do you think we should do this? Do you know what Ninjutsu you're gonna blast me with?" He said jokingly, punching Ryu lightly in the shoulder. Or was it light? He could never tell

Ryu rubbed his shoulder with a smirk. "Easy there, Mamoru. Save some of that strength for the demonstration," he said with a chuckle. "Yeah, I've got a few ideas. I was thinking I would start with some basic techniques to get the kids' attention. Maybe I'll start with a Water Clone or a Shadow Clone. They are always a crowd-pleaser and gives us some room to play around, will give me a small advantage against that strength of yours." He glanced towards the academy building, seeing the eager faces of the students peeking through the windows.

"We should definitely keep it safe and controlled, though. I was thinking of doing a quick demonstration of some Water Release techniques. Maybe a Water Bullet or two and then a show of the Water Dragon technique to show versatility without causing too much chaos. I'll keep it controlled and slow moving so it won't be too much trouble for you." He smiled, feeling a bit more awake now after the punch. "What about you, got any special moves you’re itching to show off?"

Mamoru listened intently as he, too, stared at their little crowd of excited on-lookers through the windows. As Ryu listed all the Ninjutsu he wanted to use, Mamoru ran his fingers through his milky white hair, and mentally went through everything he could possibly pull off. He felt a tinge of jealousy, though. All that ninjutsu and all he had was a hand full of Taijutsu he could pull off, which really wasn't much. But, then again. His face twisted from whatever mix of emotions he was going through in that moment, to a wry smile. "Honestly, I wasn't quite sure how I could compare to all the Ninjutsu you could do." He admitted, the smile still etched on his face. "But, I may actually have some other tricks up my sleeve. I was just thinking Taijutsu. I completely forgot to add my Kenjutsu to the equation" He said. His hand flailing behind his back, to avoid the kids from seeing, as Mamoru started to walk towards the Academy. Once it caught Ryu's attention, it would go still, with his palm open upward, a bone slowly emerging through the skin and then retreating back into his body.

"Just throw anything you want at me. I can take it." He said over his shoulder, flashing Ryu a toothy grin. Let's give these kids a show they won't forget! He yelled enthusiastically. The kids screaming in excitement, through the window, as they approached

Ryu chuckled, appreciating Mamoru's enthusiasm. The Kaguya's abilities with bone manipulation and Mamoru's use of it would definitely add a thrilling element to their demonstration. As they walked towards the academy, Ryu felt a surge of energy, he was more than curious how his skills would hold up to the Kaguya. "Kenjutsu, huh? The combination of your Taijutsu and Kenjutsu will definitely make for a challenge that's for sure," Ryu said with a grin. "We can start with some basic demonstrations, showcasing individual techniques, and answer any questions, then maybe we can finish with the sparring session. It'll probably be better to get the questions out of the way before we start fighting, less distractions that way."

As they entered the academy training grounds, they would instantly get surrounded by the students gathering around them, eyes wide with excitement. Ryu raised a hand, and the chatter subsided. "Good morning, everyone! My name is Ryu and this is my friend Mamoru. Today, Mamoru and I will be showing you some of the techniques you can learn and master if you work hard and train diligently. We'll start with some basics and then move on to the show that you are all waiting for. Before we start, how many of you know about elemental affinity?" A few of the hands would shoot up into the air before one of the kids would answer and Ryu would nod. "That's right, for me my element is Suiton. That means I can manipulate and control water with my chakra."

Ryu formed the Tiger hand seal, creating a Water Clone that stood next to him, mimicking his movements. The students gasped in awe. "This is a Water Clone," Ryu explained. "It's a basic technique but very useful in both training and combat. Clones are useful in many situations, with the water clone I can have it use other water techniques to help me in a fight or use it as a distraction. Before we go any further, let's see what my partner Mamoru has to show you." Ryu and his clone would take a step back to allow Mamoru some room to showcase some stuff, once he was done Ryu would look out across the students. "Now before we get started does anyone have any questions?"

Mamoru stood back with his arms crossed, allowing Ryu to have the floor, explaining everything about Ninjutsu to the excited crowd of students, his charming personality keeping the children's attention on him. There were a few that glanced over at Mamoru, though. He could feel their gazes on him. Their curiosity building on what information he could provide. He just kept a warm friendly smile on his face and waited his turn.
Once Ryu asked the crowd about an elemental affinity, Mamoru's eyes darted around, examining each kid that didn't raise their hands. The look of disappoint on their face was evident that, without an affinity, they could do ninjutsu like their fellow peers. Mamoru was in their shoes once too. Which is why he worked so hard to strengthen his body.  This is why they were the perfect duo for this demonstration.

His smile widened as Ryu and the clone stepped passed him, as he stepped forward. He walked in between them, patting them both on the back. "Good job, Ryu" Mamoru said softly. He was silent for a moment, waiting for one of the kids to speak up first, but when none did, he spoke "Let me start off by saying that just because you lack an elemental affinity doesn't mean you can't use Ninjutsu. There are some techniques you can perform with just natural chakra. I don't have an elemental affinity, yet, so I work on other skills, like Taijutsu and Kenjutsu." Mamoru paused, slowly drawing the Bokken from his belt and held it out in each of his palms. "This is a practice wooden sword, or Bokken. There's also Bukijutsu, which is a variety of weapons like Kunai or Shuriken. There are other skills than ninjutsu that you can dedicate your time on. I can demonstrate a basic Taijutsu style or Kenjutsu style for each of you" Like hundreds of times before, Mamoru's body shifted form, each limb moving to it's position in the Arhat Fist Style. Just looking at the form he was in radiated strength, as if just one snap of his fist would smash a boulder.
He let loose a few palm thrusts, the air making a loud 'WHOOSH' with each snap of his arms and even a rising knee. But he wasn't finished. Mamoru's body shifted again, but this time the hilt of the Bokken was gripped with both hands. He brought the Bokken over his head, spread his feet so his right foot was leading and the left was behind him, and he brought the Bokken downward swiftly and with so much force, the air rustled the grass beneath his feet. He stood there for a moment and then made a few slashing motions in various directions, these focusing more on the speed than force, unlike the overhead slash he first performed.

Mamoru lowered the Bokken and bowed to the crowd of children. They were all silent throughout his demonstration, but when he rose from his bow, they all cheered. With his demonstration complete, Mamoru stepped back, in line with Ryu and his clone, allowing Ryu to ask for further questions. One small girl, with blonde pig tails, raised her hair, and Mamoru acknowledged, gesturing for her to step forward and speak. She was hesitant, at first "Come on, it's okay. We're all friends here. What's your question?" She brightened at his warm smile and spoke up. "Uhm...What if you have an affinity you don't want?" She asked, her body still tense as she fiddled with her fingers as she spoke. She clearly didn't like all eyes on her. But Mamoru pursed his lips and looked at Ryu, because this was well out of his range

Ryu stood back, arms casually crossed, as Mamoru took the stage for his demonstration. He watched with a laid-back demeanor, a small grin playing on his lips. While Mamoru moved with intense focus and precision, Ryu leaned slightly against a nearby post, appreciating his friend's fluidity and skill without the need to actively engage. When Mamoru entered the Arhat Fist stance, Ryu's grin widened. "Show-off," he muttered under his breath, though there was clear admiration in his voice. Each powerful palm thrust and knee strike brought a slight raise of Ryu's eyebrow, acknowledging the impressive display without moving from his relaxed position.

As Mamoru transitioned to his kenjutsu demonstration, Ryu's eyes followed the swift, forceful overhead slash of the Bokken and the rapid, precise slashes in various directions. The sheer power behind Mamoru's movements, evident in the rustling grass beneath his feet, drew a low whistle from Ryu. "Not bad," he commented, more to himself than anyone else. The students, completely engrossed in Mamoru's display, erupted in cheers once he finished. Ryu clapped along, though his applause was more of a casual patting of his hands. When Mamoru stepped back in line with Ryu and his clone, Ryu gave him a pat on the back, a lazy smile on his face. "Nice work," he said, sounding genuinely impressed despite his relaxed tone.

After Mamoru's demonstration, Ryu returned his focus to the students, ready to continue engaging with their questions. When the small girl with blonde pigtails raised her hand, Ryu's attention was immediately drawn to her. He listened carefully to her question about having an unwanted affinity, recognizing the vulnerability in her voice. With a slight stretch, Ryu knelt down to her level, offering her a reassuring smile. "That's a very good question," he began, his tone gentle yet confident. "Elemental affinities are a part of who we are, but they don't have to define us entirely. Think of it like having a natural talent for something, like singing or drawing. Just because you have an affinity for a certain element doesn't mean you're limited to only using that element or that you have to use it. It’s just one tool in your toolbox."

He stood up, addressing the whole group with an easygoing demeanor. "For example, I have a Suiton affinity, but that doesn't mean I can't learn other elements, there are some out there that have mastered multiple elements and there are some that have no elements. It's all about finding what works best for you and how you can use your abilities to complement each other. If your natural affinity doesn't feel like a perfect fit, you can train a different element or you can train in other areas and develop a diverse skill set. The key is to stay open-minded and flexible, for example of I was inclined to I could set to practice and learn another element that might compliment my Suiton or has nothing to do with it entirely."

Ryu's water clone mimicked his relaxed posture, nodding in agreement. "Remember, your training isn't just about what you're naturally good at; it's about what you want to achieve and how hard you're willing to work for it." Ryu then turned to Mamoru, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Mamoru here is a perfect example of someone who didn't let a lack of elemental affinity stop him. He's worked hard to become proficient in taijutsu and kenjutsu, and look at how skilled he's become, I wouldn't want to meet him in a pure Taijutsu fight because he would wipe the floor with me. Besides there are plenty of Non-Elemental Ninjutsu techniques that you can learn as well."

Ryu turned back to the students, his eyes sparkling with a mix of enthusiasm and laid-back confidence. "Alright, who else has a question? Don't be shy. We're here to help you understand, so that you can become the best shinobi you can be." Ryu would wait for several minutes, if no one else had a question or after Mamoru answered the rest of the questions he would move on. "Alright then, whose ready to watch me and Mamoru give you a little show?" As the hands shot up a small smile formed on Ryu's face before he looked to Mamoru and gave the other man a nod. Motioning for the kids to step back to give them plenty of room, Ryu and his clone would take up a position some fifteen meters away from Mamoru and wait to begin.

The little girls's mood completely brightened at his explanation regarding her question. Either she had an affinity she wasn't particularly fond of, like Katon, because of it's destructive nature. Or it was just a thought that had been worrying her for a while. Nonetheless, Ryu did admirably. Mamoru doubted he could have explained it any better. Mostly because, sure he had some knowledge of Ninjutsu, but it wasn't his specialty. Especially when it came to affinities. "Flawless explanation there, Ryu." Mamoru said stepping forward to stand beside Ryu.

"Like Ryu said, there are still non-elemental Ninjutsu, that even I can do, and I'll demonstrate them shortly. But first" Mamoru looked at Ryu with a grin "Before we go any further" Mamoru said grabbing Ryu and and his clone before they stepped away. "I want to cover a clan's Bloondline Ability or Kekkei Genkai. Because what I'm about to do, for this demonstration, will definitely raise questions." Mamoru said letting out long exasperated breath. He despised this part. "You see my clan, the Kaguya, have different physiology than anyone else. We possess three unique skills: the ability to control their osteoblasts, cells responsible for producing bones; the ability to control their osteoclasts, cells responsible for breaking down bones; the ability to regulate their bones' calcium density. In short, we have tougher bones than the average human and we can do this" After sliding the Bokken back in his belt loop, he raised his left hand to right wrist, just as there was a loud gut-wrenching sound of skin ripping, followed by Mamoru grunting, as he pulled out a short bone. Roughly three foot long. This bone was completely blunt, just like the Bokken. In case he hit Ryu, he definitely didn't want to cause any harm. "Sorry I had to show you all this. I know it's gross, but let's just say, I'm fairly confident in Ryu's Ninjutsu strength. This Bokken wouldn't last two seconds, even if I reinforced it with Chakra." He explained really hoping he didn't lose any merits with the kids by making them squeamish.

Mamoru was silent for a moment and then shook himself from his own thoughts. "Right. Do you have anything to add, Ryu? Or does anyone have any questions before we begin?" Mamoru waited a minute for any input from Ryu. It seemed there were no  questions from the kids because they were just looking around at their peers, to see if anyone else had their hands raised. So, with all that said, it was time to begin. Mamoru would take his position, several meters away and facing Ryu.

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CP:49/50

Technique/Ability Used:

With the questions out of the way, it was time for the pair to start what they had actually been there to do. The questions were a mere formality, to help guide the students, but everyone was excited for the start of the true exhibition between Ryu and Mamoru. With the students a safe distance away but still able to see what was going on, Ryu and his water clone would face Mamoru and his bone sword. The 15 meters between them would at least give Mamoru a fighting chance against his Ninjutsu and it would also give him warning should Mamoru tried to launch an attack. Once Mamoru was ready, both the water clone and Ryu himself would act almost as if they were in sync with each other.

They would both form the tiger hand seal at the exact same time, giving the impression that whatever they were doing was a mirror copy, but in the reality they would both be activating different techniques. The water clone would begin to expell bubbles from its mouth that would spread across the ground at a rapid pace until the entire area was covered and movement on the ground was impossible without losing traction. At the same time, the real Ryu would shoot off two water bullets at Mamoru, the bullets would move fast covering the distance between them in a fraction of a second but even if they hit they wouldn't do much damage.

Ryu ensured to weaken them enough that they would merely feel like being hit by a thrown rock, and given how tough he knew Mamoru was he knew the other man could withstand them if he was unable to dodge them. After all he wasn't aiming to hurt Mamoru just give a demonstration of what the students could do if they had the water element.

---

Ryu: 161.5/185
Gunshot: -5

Technique:

Clone: 13.5/18.5
Wild Bubble Wave: -5

Technique:

As they got into position, Mamoru's body mechanically shifted to the Dance of Blossom stance, his mind raced with a plan. His eyes moved between the two Ryus, knowing which was the clone, which was the real Ryu. The 15 meters was a slight problem, but managable. He needed to show these that they had to be ready to act at a moment's notice. With both Ryus acting simultaneously, Mamoru bolted forward, shifting the grip if his bone sword, preparing to throw it. He took aim at the clone and tossed it like a hammer. It spun through the air, spinning furiously to the water clone of Ryu, just as he unleashed the bubbles. The bone spinning through the bubbles with little resistance. The slick water would still coat the ground, but much less of the area.

Unfortunately, with Mamoru's focus on tossing the bone towards the clone, he caught sight of the real Ryu's water bullets at the very last second, and had little time to respond. The bullets struck him in the abdomen and it stung, a little more than if he would get hit by a thrown rock. He faltered slightly, as he tried turning his body away from the water bullets, to minimize impact, but once his feet touch the ground, to surge forward towards Ryu once more, his left foot caught the slick water, sliding from under him. As he tumbled forward, rolling and sliding a few feet, Mamoru tried to correct his body. As his feet gained traction, he was off again, dashing as fast as he could towards Ryu, zigzagging as much as he could, so he wasn't so much of an easy target

Reaching Ryu, Mamoru would launch himself towards the other Genin with explosive force, the grass, dirt, and dust trailing behind him. He would send a flurry of well aimed  blows at Ryu. Mostly just body shots. He was pulling his punches and wanted a hood show for the kids, but he definitely didn't want harm Ryu that bad

CP:47/50

Stats
Strength: C --> C++
Constitution: C
Stamina: D
Speed: C
Coordination: C --> C++
Intelligence: D
Perception: D

Techniques Used:

The water clone, busy creating the bubbles, faced Mamoru's bone sword spinning furiously toward it. The clone tried to dodge but wasn't quite quick enough, the bone sword struck it, causing the clone to burst into a spray of water. It was slightly disappointing for Ryu, as he was hoping to display the advantage of using clones, however it was nothing that couldn't be dealt with later. The disrupted bubbles, still managed to cover enough ground to make it slick and challenging for Mamoru to maintain his footing. Meanwhile, Ryu held a slight smile on his face as he watched Mamoru charge forward. His water bullets had found their mark, but he knew that wouldn't stop Mamoru.

The bubbles spread across the ground still created enough of a slick surface to slow down any movement which was all Ryu needed. As Mamoru dashed forward, zigzagging to avoid becoming an easy target, Ryu formed a quick series of hand seals, opting to use the Water Wall technique. In an instant, a wall of water rose up between them just before Mamoru was able to reach him. Using the water wall to his advantage, Ryu quickly formed the clone hand seal creating two more water clones. With the water wall concealing him from view, Mamoru wouldn't be able to tell which one was the real Ryu. He would still be able to show the effectiveness of using clones, even if his original clone was already destroyed.

After a few seconds, Ryu let the water wall drop, his clones already forming hand seals. The three Ryus stood in a semi-circle, each moving in perfect sync. Despite his usually lazy demeanor, he was thoroughly enjoying the spar. His movements were fluid and deliberate, the water from the wall washing away the bubbles from the ground beneath him, providing him better footing than the area outside of where the wall was. The clones each summoned a small, controlled water whip from their hands. The whips lashed out towards Mamoru, aiming to restrict his movements by lashing onto his arms and create openings for Ryu's attacks. The whips were more of a distraction, whether or not they found their mark did not matter.

Ryu forming the tiger hand seal as a thousand small senbons would form in the air around them, blocking any hope of escape for Mamoru while leaving a small gap for Ryu behind himself. The needles would surge forward in an instant, normally they would be enough to skewer an opponent, however Ryu created them with blunt ends rather than points. For Mamoru it would be as if he was pelted with extremely hard rain, he might end up with some bruises by the end of the fight but relatively he would be ok. He stayed alert, ready for Mamoru's next move, determined to make this exhibition a memorable learning experience for everyone watching.

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First Clone Destroyed

Ryu: 110/185
Water Wall: -10
Water Clones: -30 (15 x2)
Water Needles: -10

Techniques:

Clone 2: 10/15
Water whip: -5

Technique:

Clone 3: 10/15
Water whip: -5

Technique:

Mamoru was really enjoying this exhibition. The thrill of the fight getting him pumped every damn second that passed. Adrenaline coursing through his his body, making his mind race and his body felt like he had lightning in his veins. He really hoped Ryu felt the same. In his mind, there was no winner or loser. They were both putting on a good show for these students. And that's all that mattered.
With his eyes already darting between watching Ryu to scanning the ground, ensuring that he didn't step in anymore of the slick water, Mamoru watched as water began to rise in between himself and Ryu, in a wide vicinity. His head scanned the area near him, pausing for a moment at a nearby tree, its branches looming overhead, a plan formulating in his mind. Not slowing, he planted a foot an inch from the rising water, and spun on his heel, shifting his direction and kicking off to change his direction, running parallel with water. He tried looking through the water, but it wasn't clear water. The water brought up so much dirt and grass, it was so murky; like looking through a stained glass window

His fingers shot up and formed a half tiger seal, while he focused straight ahead of himself. When using this technique, he always found it best to focus on an you Point B of the destination, which would be the spot a few feet in front of the tree.  His vision blurred to a single point, which was the spot he focused on, as the world around blurred. Mamoru's speed ramped up to B rank. In the time it took for a breath, he was at the tree, slowing his speed back to C Rank.  
With chakra coating his feet, Mamoru ran up the thick trunk of a tree, his feet clinging to the surface of the tree like strong glue. Just as Ryu dropped the murky veil, Mamoru was already running along the underside of a thick branch, surveying the upside down world. Seeing two more clones of Ryu, Mamoru grinned, but he didn't see exactly which one was the real Ryu. Guess it was just time to attack all three.
Before kicking off of the branch, Mamoru's body shifted to the Arhat Stance, and then he dove for one of the Ryu's, slamming his body into him. His arm got caught by the water whip, but Mamoru just pulled with all his might, slamming his palm into the gut of the second Ryu. Before the Senbons came raining down on him, pelting him with pain, Mamoru pulled a blunt bone from his arm and threw it at the last Ryu. It was more of  a quick throw, in his general direction, not necessarily aimed a particular area of the body.
Mamoru rested on all fours, heavily panting. His entire body on fire from being pelted with so many senbon. The arm he used the Shattering Palm with, felt fractured. But he still looked up and smiled at Ryu. "That was so much fun. You did amazing" He said, encouragingly, between breaths. He rolled over on his back, wincing as he did so. Now that everything calmed, he didn't hear much from the crowd. Just hushed whispers.  

CP: 33/50

Body Flicker -5
Arhat Fist Style -3
Shattering Palm -5
Pulled out one bone -1


Stats
Strength: C -> A
Constitution: C
Stamina: D
Speed: C -> B
Coordination: C
Intelligence: D
Perception: D

Techniques Used:

The murky water of the water wall obstructed his view, but he was confident in his strategy, knowing it would provide him with a few precious moments to create two more water clones. As the wall fell, revealing the three Ryus, he scanned the area quickly, looking for any sign of Mamoru. The clones were already forming their water whips, prepared to engage, but Ryu felt a twinge of concern. Where had Mamoru gone? His question was answered in an instant. From the corner of his eye, Ryu saw Mamoru diving from above, having used the tree branches to gain an advantageous position, showcasing his agility and cunning.

The first clone burst into a spray of water upon impact, and the second was shattered by a powerful palm strike, despite managing to entangle Mamoru's arm briefly with a water whip. In the chaos, Ryu's attention momentarily faltered. The bone thrown by Mamoru, aimed hastily, struck him in the shoulder, sending a shock of pain through his body just as the senbons were unleashed. The impact forced him to take a step back, gritting his teeth as the senbons rained down on Mamoru, who endured the onslaught with remarkable tenacity. Mamoru, now on all fours and panting heavily, looked up at Ryu giving some genuine praise before rolling over onto his back.

Ryu approached, rubbing his shoulder where the bone had struck. "You were incredible out there," he replied, his voice filled with admiration. "Your speed and strength are something else." Ryu extended a hand to Mamoru offering to help him to his feet, holding his own arm with the injured shoulder close to his stomach. Together, they turned to face the crowd, which had fallen silent in the aftermath of the intense sparring match. Ryu addressed the students, his tone both encouraging and authoritative. "What you witnessed today is the result of hard work and perseverance. Each technique, each movement, is refined through relentless practice. Remember, dedication is key to mastering your skills."

He then turned to Mamoru, his expression softening. "Let's get to the infirmary and get checked out." Ryu said, as he began to walk off the training field. "I think you've earned some rest." As they made their way towards the infirmary, Ryu felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The exhibition had been a success, not only showcasing their abilities but also inspiring the students. He knew that the lessons learned today would resonate with them, motivating them to push their limits and strive for greatness.

Exit Thread

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Mission Completed

Mamoru grasped Ryu's hand with his good hand, still wincing as he stood. "I had to push myself much harder out there just to keep up with your ninjutsu" Mamoru responded, as they both walked towards the crowd of awe struck students. As Ryu was speaking to the children, Mamoru was checking his arm. Gingerly pressing along the forearm, feeling both radius and ulna bones. He winced at a spot on his Ulna bone, a few inches above the wrist. "Yup. Definitely a fracture" He muttered to himself.
He looked among the crowd with warm smile, remembering their faces as the next generation of genin "I really hope to see each and everyone of you in the future. Maybe when Ryu and I are training squads, some of you will be there." He said, the smile on his face widening at the thought of them having their own squads.

Walking off of the field, despite his injuries, Mamoru swelled with confidence. He was nervous, at first, because he wasn't sure how he would fair again Ryu. Whether he cared to admit it, Ryu was very clever, utilizing each of his ninjutsu with efficient grace. Especially those clones. He knew if it was a real fight, Mamoru would need to dig way deeper than he did today, to go toe to toe with his fellow genin, but his confidence was boosted. He knew that if he had to fight anyone as strong as Ryu, he would be able surprise even himself.

Exit thread
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Mission Complete