Chuunin Exams: Minato vs Tadashi

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Le Stats:

The blazing sun spread its incandescent glory throughout the village of Konohagakure. Seemingly just below the sun lie gigantic fluffy white cumulus clouds that spread across the sky blue horizon. The trees and small lakes that surrounded the arena created a shadowy reflection of the objects while forming a rainbow-like image on the small lakes. 

Today, was the awaited Chuunin Exams.

The audience comfortably sat on the stands just on the walls of the nostalgic Chuunin Exams Arena. Competitors were seated in a separate stand just above the audience stands; they were generously provided with Konoha delicacy snacks and beverage courtesy to the free concession stands exclusive to them. They technically had the best seating arrangements, being able to see everything in each battle at a slightly upward angle. Tadashi would wait patiently for the exams to formerly starts as the jumbotron in the center of the arena placed on the walls spun around the names of the competitors. Finally, it stopped with the names of Minato Uchiha vs Tadashi Namikaze.

"First match? Already?" Tadashi thought surprisingly. He sat in the front of the shaded stands with a melon soda juice box in hand before crushing and turning it to ash. It was his turn. He would depart the stands shortly after.

Upon further glance, he wore his signature black and white jersey zip with the properties of a flak jacket, black pants, white sneakers, and black fingerless gloves with pieces of metal on the backhand. Yurai, his custom katana was strapped and sheathed just on his left hip. His left ninja pouch on his left thigh was just below Yurai, almost open for easy use along with his right ninja pouch which was parallel to the left ninja pouch on his right thigh almost open as well. He stood 15 meters left from the center of the inner ring.

Waiting for Minato, the ginger pondered on the Exams. It was finally time for his reckoning. Last time, he lost by inhaling a knockout poison and then getting his chakra absorbed on the first match. He wouldn't dare to make the same mistakes from last time. His father and brother were watching. His comrades were on the competitor's stands, observing the fight. The same people who mocked him all the years back in the Academy were on the stands as well.

He was going to win, no matter what.

WC: 501

Stat page:

The day of the Chuunin Exams had finally arrived. A month ago news had gotten out that Konohagakure no Sato was going to hold them once again, but this time it would be village exclusive. No other villages were invited this time, perhaps the events in Sunagakure had something to do with it, who knew. Fact of the matter was that the Genin of the Village hidden in the Leaves had a chance to prove themselves to their Hokage and to everyone coming out to spectate. After all, it was a big event. It was no different for Minato. The raven haired Uchiha had decided to sign up and participate this year.

Waiting in the stands for the fights to start he was scouting out every other participant. Some he knew, some he had never seen before. It would be interesting to see all different kinds of fighting styles. After some time the next fight was going to be announced. The first name coming up was his own, followed by Tadashi Namikaze, a name he knew all too well. Minato considered his fellow genin as a friend and the young boy was one of the strongest, if not the strongest genin of their current time. So luck wasn't really on the raven haired Uchiha's side with the ginger as his opponent. Nonetheless he was going to give it his all.

As he was making his way to the arena Minato performed a final check-up of all his gear. Two weapon pouches, one on each side. His reinforced katana on his right hip, close to one of his weapon pouches. Both easy to access. As ready as he could ever be the raven haired Uchiha entered the stage. Upon walking closer to the center he could hear the crowd creating a loud atmosphere. Seeing how Tadashi was already waiting Minato realised it was coming closer and getting real. He would stop at 15 meters to the right of the center of the inner ring, standing opposite of Tadashi with a distance of 30 meters between the two Genin. 

(WC: 346)

A small smile would form on Tadashi's face as he saw Minato, a comrade he truly respected. They trained together for months, both striving to become stronger and as a result, Tadashi somewhat knew what Minato was capable of.

'Somewhat', was indeed, the issue.

Doubts would begin to form from his mind, slowly growing more and louder as time elapsed. The mere thought of going in unprepared and not knowing what the Uchiha had made him paranoid and this didn't help when it was the same mistake the ginger made when fighting Masashi. Minato is one of the if not, the strongest Genin participating in the Chuunin Exam. However, Tadashi prided himself in one thing: experiencing the Chuunin Exams. Nevertheless, he needed to swallow his fears and fight. Inhale. Exhale. The first time it was a failure, the second cannot be another.

Slowly walking (let's say 30 speed) to advance another 5 meters, the Namikaze slowly formed the half-seal of confrontation at chest level with his left hand during the brief walk, showing no hostilities towards his comrade. As a point of reference, he still stood parallel to Minato, 10 meters away from the center and 25 meters away from his opponent. The ginger formed the half-seal as a form of respect while smirking. 

"Let's give them a fight worth watching, Minato! Good luck." He would patiently wait for his opponent to finish uttering his statements. Immediately after Minato's response if he replied (if not, immediately after Tadashi spoke), his body sprung into action as if pulled by invisible strings. A single kunai fell from the right sleeve of his jacket before letting go of the cold metal with the launch of his smooth fingers in one fluid motion. Simultaneously, his left hand would enter the comfort of his jet-black jacket's pockets. The weaponized shrapnel would make its way at rapid speeds towards Minato, aiming accurately towards his chest. It was a simple technique to test the waters but could deal some severe damage if the Uchiha suddenly decided not to dodge. If Minato didn't dodge, it would probably pierce through his skin, knocking the air out of him instantly. 

The ginger would be at max vigilance when performing his actions. After all, who would be foolish enough not to?

WC: 381
TWC: 882

AP Stuff + Stats:

"Same to you, my friend." As a sign of mutual respect both contestants would form the Seal of Confrontation as a means to acknowledge each other. Once both contenders had finished their hand seals it was Tadashi who was the first to take action. The ginger produced a kunai from his sleeve and flicked it at Minato while at the same time sticking his left hand in his pocket. Right after Tadashi stuck his hand in his pocket Minato would use a technique of his own. Forming the Tiger hand seal the raven haired Uchiha spewed out a high pressure water stream of about 2 inches in width which he would direct towards Tadashi's kunai. The power of the stream would not only destroy the kunai but would also continue making its way towards the ginger himself. After he had launched his water technique he would step 5 meters to his right side. If it were to hit Tadashi the pressure and sharpness of the stream would render him unable to carry on, leaving him in need of medical attention. 

(WC: 180, TWC: 526)

AP + Stats:

As Tadashi threw his kunai, he would see Minato's hand be forming the Tiger handseal with both of his hands, indicating to the ginger that the older Uchiha did not use One-handed seals. This was an advantage the Ace would record in his memory to possibly use later on in the battle. Time didn't allow the ginger to hypothesize specific strategies as a high-pressured stream of water rushed towards him when Minato finished the tiger handseal. Tadashi's sapphire blue eyes would spiral in a hauntingly beautiful, scarlet 3-tomoe pattern when his opponent completed the tiger handseal. Despite the stream of water being much faster than the Namikaze at that moment, the distance between him and Minato (25 meters) was more than enough time for the boy to side-step left 5 meters immediately, away from his original position and paralleling Minato's current location. The 2-inch in width pressured water stream would continue its predetermined destination before dissipating. Simultaneously when side-stepping, Tadashi would non-obviously form the tiger handseal with only his left hand buried in his pocket, then he would take the hand out of his pocket. When his dodging movement was completed, rapid impulses of chakra traveled through his throat. 

The Namikaze's dragon blood and powerful Uchiha cells naturally increased the intensity of the energy. Brilliant azure blue flames spewed out from the ginger's mouth, threatening to disintegrate the whole arena with its dazzling heat. The flames quickly turned into a roaring dragon's head, 5 meters in diameter which resembled those told in ancient myth. It would menacingly yell out to the audience audibly in conjunction with the turbulent flames. The azure dragon would truly form 5 meters in front of the ginger before rushing towards Minato spontaneously. Tadashi had no time to waste. Kicking up dust with his feet, the Namikaze dashed behind the flames at full speed using it as cover for Minato's attacks. He could still see a faint blue chakra which was Minato behind the translucent dragon head, so the Ace would use that to his favor. Concurrently, his left hand grasped Yurai tightly with all of his strength preparing for a sword swing once in Minato's range. Tadashi would still stay 5 meters behind the dragon at all times in case of an attack that would break through the flaming construct's defenses. If today wasn't humidly warm, behind the dragon felt like a blistering inferno. Sweat dripped from the teen instantly, but he kept on with all of his strength. Even sweat going into his eyes wouldn't stop his strategy. Tadashi was in it to win it.

If Minato didn't dodge the azure dragon head, the attack would inflict severe burns requiring medical intention that would most likely incapacitate him. The flames wouldn't cause permanent scars nor reduce the Uchiha to ash, however. 

Again, Tadashi would be alert at all times.

WC: 575
TWC: 1457

AP Stuff + Stats:

Minato would witness how Tadashi was able to avoid his powerful stream of water as he dodged out of the way. Unfortunately for the raven haired Uchiha his technique was unable to hit its target, not that he expected it do so since the fight had only begun. It would have been way too early if the battle would already be decided after one attack. As it was truly getting serious Minato decided to activate his Sharingan, he had spend a lot of time training to get accustomed to his beautiful new color of eyes. His kekkei genkai would help him a great deal in the upcoming actions.

The moment he saw the ginger side stepping Minato noticed how he took his hand out of his pocket, which could only mean one thing, something was coming. The raven haired Uchiha prepared to move once more and did so right after Tadashi activated his Great Dragon Flame. Given the distance between the two of them still being 25 meters Minato had no trouble to avoid the fire that resembled a dragon's head with a 5 meter diameter. As he had started running 5 meters to the left (50 speed) right after the jutsu was fired the raven haired Uchiha made sure to remain the 25 meters distance that there was originally between the two fighters. Having successfully avoided the fire technique Minato would start forming hand seals to anticipate Tadashi's next move, all while he himself kept moving to maintain the current distance.

(WC: 252, TWC: 778)

AP + Stats:

The ginger would smirk in glee, resembling a true shinobi with a warrior spirit as he saw black hair retreating from the mythical azure fire dragon head. Tadashi was prepared for his opponent to dodge the Great Dragon Flame, as it was only a setup, its only use being to obfuscate Minato. The single moment before that Minato advanced away from the turbulent flames, or rather, when Tadashi activated Great Dragon Flame, the Namikaze would immediately form several handseals in great succession with the sole use of his left hand.

Rat > Tiger > Dog > Ox > Rabbit > Tiger.

Three fireballs 1 meter in diameter with no space in between them but spread across in an array would be propelled into the dragon's head center by being spewed out from Tadashi's mouth, albeit treading at a slightly slower speed yet not too much of a difference. Inside the miniature fireballs were 3 kunai in the center of each projectile, being combined with the fireballs when they were created with a slower throw to match the more delayed velocity. Hidden Arms Technique was performed to throw the kunai into the fireballs.

Concurrently, the ginger would form the clone seal with his right hand to create Sadashi, his shadow clone that was formed 1 meter to the right of him within the same timeframe of creating the handseals of Phoenix Fire with his left hand. Immediately after being created, Sadashi would charge with all of his might towards Minato in a 45-degree angle, unsheathing his copy of Yurai to be held on his right hand to slash Minato. It would be very hard for Minato to see all of Tadashi's actions due to the Dragon-head covering him. As Sadashi was storming towards the Uchiha, Tadashi would sprint behind the Great Dragon Flame as stated in the post prior, 5 meters behind the combined Dragon-head, Phoenix Fire and kunais imbued in the miniature fireballs.

Sadashi, Tadashi, and the fire constructs would arrive roughly at the same time; the shadow clone would attempt to slash Minato with Yurai across his stomach before dispersing in thin air. A blow that powerful would most likely knock the Uchiha off of his feet both physically and metaphorically. But that wasn't all of the ginger's assault.

WOOSH!

Simultaneously when Sadashi was about to slash at the opponent, the azure-blue dragon head dispersed in thin air, causing the multi-projectiles to be lonesome. Suddenly, the 3 miniature azure fireballs imbued with kunai would curve in a 90-degree angle towards Minato at high speeds, only needing to travel 5 meters to meet its pursued destination which was the opponent's upper body. Tadashi would sidestep backward at max speed at 5 meters, still observant with hands leaning downwards.

Should the projectiles hit Minato, they would combust in a combined 15-meter diameter (5 meters per fireball) at once as the kunai would traverse the smoke, stabbing the opponent's side. Minato would need to find a way to effectively escape Sadashi's slash and the projectiles. These attacks were not fatal, but could easily cause the Uchiha to pass out from the sheer amount of pain.

WC: 621
TWC: 2078

AP Stuff + Stats:

Standing 25 meters opposite of his opponent Minato saw how the Great Dragon Flame technique was activated. Right after its activation Minato started running 8 meters to his left, having no trouble to avoid the technique in time. Using the enhanced vision of his Sharingan the raven haired Uchiha noticed how Tadashi activated another fire technique, only this one was even slower than the one activated before, meaning Minato would have no trouble dodging this one as well. As he was 8 meters away from his original position Minato saw that the ginger had created a Shadow Clone to attack him while he was at a safe distance from the fire. 

Being 8 meters away and still running Minato channeled lighting nature chakra to his palm, summoning forth a bluish hell hound with ruby red eyes, who's form was made up of pure lightning. About 2 and a half feet in height the lightning beast would be used by the raven haired Uchiha to attack whoever tried getting to him, may it be Tadashi or his Shadow Clone. If either of them would come into range the lightning beast would attack and kill (in the case of the clone) or render them unable to continue the fight.

(WC: 207, TWC: 985)

[Having a health of 50 the kunai would be destroyed by the power of the fire technique]

AP + Stats:

It appeared that Tadashi's strategy had utterly failed him as Minato was able to dodge the hidden Phoenix Fire technique along with Sadashi's dash attack. Now that the ginger thought about it, Minato had the Sharingan as well which helped him see through the younger teen's tactics. No matter, the Ace wanted a good fight, and he expected nothing less from his comrade. Dispelling Sadashi and seeing Minato still running away from him, this spurred the Namikaze to not go on the defensive by sidestepping 5 meters away, but to still pursue the Uchiha. Instantly, a surge of Lightning chakra pulsated through Tadashi like a current, empowering him to superhuman-like capabilities. An aura of chakra would expand outwards from the boy at high speeds as well once his Dragon Flame dispersed.

"If you won't attack me, I'll go on the offensive then!" Tadashi simpered while pondering in his thoughts.

Horse > Rat > Ram > Tiger were the four handseals formed with his right hand the moment the Phoenix Fire had faded into nothingness. Suddenly, a dome of transparent azure flames radiated from the crimson-haired individual, expanding immediately outwards in a 20-meter diameter. It would be created shortly after Minato created his Lightning hell-hound. As the boy was forming hand seals, he would dash towards Minato using the enhanced speed of Raijin. The aura of flames would soon shield the ginger from the hellhound once the boy finished creating his hand seals, burning it into nothingness as it expanded onwards to the opponent while moving with the teen to increase its movement. Coupled with the Namikaze's constant boosted velocity, it would leave Minato little amounts of time to respond accordingly between their current distance of 13 meters.

Should the flames hit the Uchiha, it would most likely burn him to unconsciousness, leaving the adult unable to fight. Of course, the ginger had enough time to react accordingly to almost anything his opponent did.

WC: 324
TWC: 2042

AP Stuff + Stats:

Things were heating up, quite literally. Minato knew he would have to up his pace if he didn't want things to end. The exact moment that Tadashi dispelled his clone the raven haired Uchiha would activate Jupiter's Favour. Infusing his body with Storm Release chakra, unlocking otherwise unaccessible reserves of speed and chakra Minato's veins started glowing in an electric blue. It wasn't that long ago that the young Uchiha was able to achieve this after successfully combining his Lightning and Water elements into Storm Release, allowing him to unlock this technique that would benefit him greatly as it enhanced his speed and chakra potency.

Twice as fast as he was before Minato continued his run and was able to maintain the 25 meter distance between his opponent and himself. Although he had sped up greatly the raven haired Uchiha made sure not to run into any walls or any environmental hazards. While he kept running and maintained the 25 meter distance he noticed how Tadashi had activated another one of his fire techniques. An explosion in the shape of a dome began to expand outward the ginger, having a 20 meter diameter. Thanks to Minato's enhanced speed, almost double of the speed of the explosion, the raven haired Uchiha had no trouble avoiding getting caught by the technique.

Once the explosion had reached its max range and had disappeared Minato would form the Snake hand seal as chakra started to flow through his hair, hardening it comparable to steel wire. His hair bundled into a serpent like form with a mouth that resembled that of a lion he would create not one, but 5 of these hair serpents. Three of them he would direct towards Tadashi, attacking the ginger in a manner where one of the serpents went for the middle and the other two each taking one of his sides in case he would dodge left or right. The remaning two serpents he would keep ready to attack or pursue Tadashi if he was able to dodge the first three. If hit by one of these the ginger would surely be left unconscious and unable to continue the fight.

(WC: 361, TWC: 1346)

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