Team 7's Survival Exercise (P)

Even when Jason was sure his team faced certain defeat, Allegro-kun kept a smile on his face. He insisted Kinzoku sensei would soon be singing a different tune and focused his attention back on Higuto and their jounin leader. Curious, Jason too focused his attention on the remaining members of Konohagakure's Team 7.

Unbelievably, it looked like Higuto had actually gotten the upper hand. With what appeared to be incredible speed and strength, he actually managed to force Kinzoku sensei to the ground and held a kunai knife to the back of his neck, restraining the jounin by limiting his movements. He even managed to hold down both of Kinzoku sensei's hands so he wouldn't be able to form any hand seals. This was his rival for the seat of Hokage? It seemed Jason had a lot farther to go if he was going to measure up and be acknowledged by the village so he could fulfill his goal.

Higuto began to speak to the jounin, perhaps planning to threaten the man or force him to admit defeat. Unfortunately, Allegro had cut him off before he was able to get much out. The Uzumaki walked forward with confidence, stating he didn't think the trio had failed even though they were all basically out of stamina and hadn't yet gotten the kunai knife that was their objective. Allegro-kun summoned his guitar from a scroll and began playing as he moved closer to Higuto and Kinzoku sensei. Not wanting to be left behind and trusting in his teammates, Jason also made his way closer alongside Allegro. As the Uzumaki played his instrument, Jason's senses began to feel weird, distorted in a way. He hadn't noticed before then, but he must have been under a genjutsu that his teammate had just broken. Everything seemed clearer, more sharper somehow as if his eyes and ears were covered with a veil that had only just been lifted at that moment.

What? Did they manage to pass the test after all? Had Kinzoku sensei really been deceiving them this entire time? Indeed just as Allegro-kun mentioned, the kunai knife their sensei had been holding was nothing but a silver lighter. The only actual kunai in sight, the one Kinzoku sensei had thrown at them at the beginning of this test, was held by Higuto-kun and was still being pressed against the back of Kinzoku sensei's neck. Caught by complete surprise and stunned by the number of different emotions and thoughts running through him from this revelation, Jason could only stand their with his mouth hanging open as he continued to listen to Allegro-kun. He had picked up on the genjutsu on his own and, even though he knew he could be wrong, analyzed the battle thus far and came to the conclusion that the real test here was one to see their teamwork and ability to overcome personal goals and emotions in favor of completing the mission. With everything happening all at once, Jason knew one thing for certain. Higuto wasn't his only rival on the field that day.

Finally pulling himself together as Allegro wrapped up, the young Senju only had one thing to say. A question, aimed at his sensei. "Kinzoku sensei, is that true?"

(TWC: 3,220)

Higuto had proven to be quicker than the Jounin realized. Somehow, before he could fully turn around and bind the Aburame in his genjutsu, Higuto grabbed the back of his head while pushing him down onto the ground. With the Genin's sudden boast in strength and speed he managed to get Kinzoku onto the ground with his metal hand stuck behind him and his other arm pinned by the Genin's knee. Kinzoku could feel the kunai push up against the collar of of his jacket and against his neck. It seemed the Jounin had been a little to relaxed when he allowed Higuto to get in close and grab his arm. Higuto began speaking, informing Kinzoku that he had no wish to hurt him. But before he could continue, he was cut off by Allegro voicing his opinion. He agreed that this had come to an end, but not because they had lost to the Nazar. No, rather it had come to an end because they believed they had won instead.

As Kinzoku watched the Uzumaki approach, puling a guitar out of a scroll and began to play it, he canceled his Arachant jutsu. The golden hue from his eyes slowly faded returning to their normal state which would inform to the three Genin that he was indeed done defending against them. But there was still one more thing he needed to do first. If he was going to conclude this test, he was going to do it standing on his own two feet. The words of Higuto were still in his head before he was cut off. And although he hadn't had the chance to finish what he was going to say, the Jounin had a pretty good idea where he was going with it. Unknown to Higuto, Kinzoku's skin would begin changing starting from his neck and moving down his upper back towards his lower body. The reason Higuto would have no idea was because Kinzoku's entire body was covered by clothing. The only opportunity he would get to see Kinzoku's skin changing was when it reached his face, and Kinzoku made sure that his face was the last to change.

While Allegro played his tune, walked forward and spoke about the test, Kinzoku's would begin to stand up even with Higuto trying to pin him down. Kinzoku had just changed his entire body to resemble earth using what was likely his strongest jutsu. As a result he gained an increase in both strength and durability. Due to this, there would be little resistance from Higuto if he tried. Kinzoku would bring his left arm to his side with ease to use it to push him up into his feet, as if Higuto had never been holding it. His right arm which had been pinned down under Higuto's leg would also begin to push himself up, simply tossing aside Higuto's leg. Like a fly on his back, Kinzoku simply stood up and would evidently push Higuto off of his back with no harm coming to the Jounin. If for some reason Higuto attempted to harm the Jounin with his kunai, he would find that his kunai would be very minimal damage to the next of the Jounin barely harming him at all. Once back onto his feet, his face now fully changed to earth, he would pat the dirt off his clothing and adjust his at to its proper position. Turning over to Higuto, Kinzoku would smile while winking at him. He did good to have gotten the upper hand on the Jounin, albeit a very brief moment. Allegro may have just saved him a trip to the hospital.

Now that it was very clear that the test was over, Kinzoku canceled the jutsu he had just activated as his skin reverted back to its normal state. This was alone done assuming Higuto also conceded that the exam was done. Now Kinzoku could properly pay attention to Allegro and what he was saying. How he deciphered everything. How the kunai was never really a kunai, and how test was never really to retrieve the kunai either. He explained when he noticed it, and what he thought this test was really for. It took everything Kinzoku had not to smile when Allegro finished. It seemed he was going to be a good choice. This entire time the three of them had impressed him. But now, they had gone way beyond.

His eyes turned to Jason for a brief moment as he asked if it were true, having just gone through a moment of disbelief. "It's not..." Kinzoku began, making it seem everything Allegro had just said was entirely false, but he continued. "...wrong" Kinzoku added as he finally let the smile he was holding back take shape. Reaching into his pocket, the Jounin retrieved a cigar. Due to Allegro telling the other two that the kunai was no actually a kunai, and due to the fact he was right, that alone was enough to break the genjutsu for them. But just in case, Kinzoku flicked the lighter open and lit his cigar further showing it was never a kunai. 

"Yes" was what Kinzoku began with before taking a few puff from his cigar, essentially confirming everything Allegro just said. "The point of this test was never to retrieve the object at hand. It was to see how committed you were to one another. Were you going to abandon one another for a spot on the team? Or were you going to stick with one another through thick and thin? I needed to teach you that thing's aren't always as they seem and that sometimes you have to do things that are not asked of you." As he spoke those last words his eyes subconsciously looked over to Jason as the two of them had already gone through it with the invasion. "I'm proud to say that you all pass!" He knew that the three of them would all learn and grow tremendously from this. At the end of the day that's all Kinzoku could have hoped for. To prepare them for what lies ahead. If the three of them stuck together, he had no doubt they would lead this village to great heights in the future. 

"You're free to go. Get some rest and food. You'll need it." he finished as he continued to smoke his cigar. He would stay a little longer, in case any one of them wanted something. Once all three had left, he would make his way back to the Hokage's building to take care of some paperwork. 

50ap for Assimilate All Creation (+70strength/health = 120strength (145 left arm) / 100 health)

AP: 400/680


[Potential Exit, will do claims if they exit]

Higuto was sitting atop Kinzoku as he listened to what Allegro had cut him off for. It astonished him how Allegro was able to see that. He started to look at Allegro in much more of a different light as he looked down upon Kinzoku's hand as he continued to speak. He heard the sound of Allegro's guitar as it washed over him and Kinzoku sensei as he looked down and saw that, in place of the kunai, he had seen the lighter Kinzoku always carried around. Higuto couldn't believe it as he looked at the kunai he was holding and realized one important fact that ran along in his mind: He was played. Their sensei had been deceiving them from the start and Higuto wasn't smart enough to see it himself. It was then he felt Kinzoku's weight shift beneath him as he felt he was suddenly being overpowered. Cautiously he hopped off of Kinzoku, his knife still firmly within Higuto's hand, as his chakra continued to rage through his body.

Kinzoku then went to explain the situation and what his intentions were as he smoked himself a cigar while turning his attention on the three. Higuto could see that Kinzoku's eyes no longer contained a golden hue within them as he took that to mean that the test was now over. He thus took a deep breath while reaching for his chest as the aura of chakra that had been surrounding him slowly disappeared while Kinzoku spoke to them about what the purpose of the exercise was. It was upon releasing said chakra that all strength that Higuto had within his legs left him and he collapsed onto the ground, his body causing mud splashing all along him, as he coughed from utter exhaustion. His insects slowly returned into him through his jacket sleeves, feeding upon his chakra once more, as he shakily got back up to his knees using his hands. He had come dangerously close to using up all of his chakra in his endeavors of trying to help the team succeed and in the end Kinzoku still had a trick up his sleeve. He didn't know exactly what Kinzoku had done but if he had to guess from how his face had changed to look more... earthy in texture he had somehow taken on the aspects of stone itself!

Higuto had seen much of what Kinzoku did with admiration over what all an elite ninja could do but now all Higuto could feel was envy over how strong his sensei was... and how weak he was by comparison. He had charged into the fight haphazardly, cocky at his own power, and was utterly overwhelmed by his sensei's demonstration. Every member of his team performed admirably against Kinzoku, Jason with his wood style and Allegro with his quick thinking and genjutsu knowledge, and they deserved more than a passing grade in his eyes. Higuto couldn't help but feel the failure of the three, the burnout who was holding them all back, not even strong enough to be on his feet at the end of a simple exercise. His anger caused him to keep himself from looking in any of their eyes thanks to the shame as he readjusted his face mask over his mouth.

"I'm proud to say that you all pass!"

Higuto didn't even react to this as he kept his eyes trained to the ground while struggling to get up to his feet. He looked down to the hand that held Kinzoku's kunai, the kunai that Higuto had been holding since the very beginning, the one that his entire team had been fighting to obtain. Sadness and anger washed over him once again.

"You're free to go. Get some rest and food. You'll need it."

He stood up and used his remaining strength to walk over to Kinzoku as he held his kunai up and offered it to him while his eyes were still turned away. He didn't even get to see his sensei's small motion of praise towards him with the wink.

"Here's your kunai back, sensei. I'll try to do better next time."

After making certain the kunai was back in the hand of it's owner he would turn to his teammates and bow to them before turning away and walk back towards the entrance of the field with his hands in his pockets. He needed to get his spirits back up. Perhaps a big bowl of ramen would get him out of his slump.

{Potential exit}

(WC 759; TWC 5,605)

[Claims will come later once everyone exits]

Allegro stood alongside Jason with his instrument in hand as Higuto and Kinzoku sensei ended their quarrel and separated from each other. The sound of his guitar was still resounding all across the training field, and even disrupted a flock of birds and caused them to leave their nests in the distant tree line. Allegro was still processing the fact that Higuto found the strength to overpower their teacher and pin him face first into the ground. Just what kind of strength was that kid hiding? Even still, Allegro could feel Kinzoku readying a countermeasure as he could feel his sensei's chakra signature fluctuating. Kinzoku's casting of this jutsu made Allegro doubt himself just slightly. Maybe the fight wasn't over just yet.....No no. That wasn't it. The man's golden eyes returned to their original hue before the fight began and so did the alteration in pigment in the jounin's skin. That man had more jutsu up his sleeve than Allegro had dreadlocks on his head. 

Finally, Allegro received the confirmation that he was waiting for after Kinzoku dusted off the dirt from his clothes and lit a fresh cigar. The boy gave a sigh of relieve when Kinzoku finished his speech, giving each of them the relief of knowing that they would get to keep their rank as genin. They had passed their first test together as a team. Allegro would meet eyes with Jason first, and then Higuto with excitement bursting in his eyes. Finally, he was one step closer to realizing his dreams, as were his team mates to their dreams. Now they could go on to complete many missions and grow stronger together. Allegro could not ask for anything more. Allegro stockpiled what was left of his energy before releasing it in a vertical jump for joy.

"♫ Grrrrrooooooovyy!~ ♫"


Allegro exclaimed as he embraced his team mates in celebration. He grabbed them by the arm one by one dancing with excitement. The brothers were free to spend the rest of the afternoon as they pleased. The red haired genin was just happy he did not have to spend one day longer in that dreaded academy, unless it was to teach as a senior ranking shinobi. Allegro played a jolly tune on his guitar as the group made their way to the exit. He hoped that his songs would be the glue that held the team together, the voice that gave them the willpower to never give up from here on. He would need their help, just as they needed his. Most of all, Allegro had finally proven that he was not a burden to anyone. 


[6870 TWC]
[Exit Thread]

Claims:

Everything Allegro-kun had said was proved right by Kinzoku sensei. Even with Higuto's surprising strength and speed that had forced the Jounin to the ground, Kinzoku sensei seemed to be completely uninhibited when he stood up with ease, brushing off the Aburame like he was a bothersome fly. The overwhelming power he seemed to have was awe-inspiring. Jason wondered how long and hard he would have to train to reach that level. And if history was anything to go by, the hokage was even stronger. It had always been the ninja that was acknowledged by everyone and strong beyond comparison that was elected to run the village. Just how far did Jason have to go before he was able to match that level of power?

That was a question for another day. For now, it was time to celebrate! Team 7 had successfully completed their first exercise and would be moving forward together as a team of Genin instead of being sent back to the academy as students. Even with this news, Higuto-kun seemed more down than anything. Jason couldn't quite pinpoint his brother's feelings or thoughts, but he made a mental note to make sure to talk to him about it later. In fact, since they were all dismissed for the rest of the day, he thought it would be a great idea to go get some ramen and talk together as brothers should.

"Thank you very much Kinzoku sensei. I know we won't let you down!" he said with a smile as he was wrapped up in a tight embrace by Allegro-kun who had also pulled Higuto-kun into it. Still beaming, Jason turned to his friends. "Lets go grab a bite from that ramen shop down the street. I don't know about you guys, but using up so much chakra has me feeling drained. I could definitely go for some good food to replenish my energy." Hopefully his teammates would agree and they would all head out to the ramen shop together. Even if they didn't, Jason would still leave the training grounds on his own in search of some delicious ramen to fill his stomach after the day's events.

[exit]
TWC: 3,582
claiming:
17 stats
1,885 wc towards nativity of a sea of trees
558 wc towards headhunter
500 wc to master gen release
639 wc toward wood clone

Approved exit for all 4, approved claims for Koaru and Jason

{Posting Claims after approved skip}

(TWC 5,605)

(Claiming: False Surroundings Genjutsu for 1,000 WC (Taught by Kinzoku)
Water Wall for 2,250 WC (Max Stats discount: 25%)
Chidori Katana for 2,250 WC (Max Stats discount: 25%)
105 WC towards Descending Hell Genjutsu
Chakra signatures for: Allegro, Jason, and Kinzoku)

Also approved

Gainz:
6319 words
3375 into Steel Release: It's Raining Metal (25% discount)
315 into Gen Release Mastered
1500 words into Manipulating Attack Blades (25%)
1129/3000 into Clone Great Explosion

Also also approved