Chunin Exams Round 2: The Trial of the Sarutobi

The area chosen for the second round of the chuunin exams takes place in a 100 meter clearing in the forests surrounding Haven Country. The air is temperate, with a few picturesque clouds dotting the sky. The sun hangs high above, providing soothing light and comforting warmth to the genin, Souji Hyuuga and Ryuuzaki Nara, as they enter the clearing. What they see in front of them is surprising. The clearing is covered in a thin layer of water, which reflects the sky above. 6 large earthen pillars lay terraced, like steps, in the clearing in the forest. 


2, 15 meter tall, 5 meter wide cylindrical platforms stand in front of one 30 meter tall, 15 meter wide platform, with about 7 meters of distance between them. Water pools on the surface of this larger platform and falls off its sides, and, kneeling on the surface of this pillar, sits the proctor, Raleth Sarutobi. He's kneeling down with his hands positioned in the blooming lotus seal, lost in meditation. He wears his dune colored jounin flak jacket, his arms are exposed, he wears black pants and boots, and dulled-metal arm guards, with his headband wrapped around his neck. 


Behind him stands 2, 40 meter tall, 5 meter wide cylindrical platforms and behind these lay a massive, 50 meter tall, 25 meter wide platform with 7 meters of space between them. Like the 15 meter wide platform in front of it, water pools on its surface and falls off its sides. And, kneeling in a similar position to the one on the wider platform, sits another Raleth Sarutobi, dressed in a similar fashion. But, this Raleth wears a wide brimmed, straw hat, and a black and white Sarutobi Clan Kimono, that is untied and rests on his shoulders. Om his waist hangs 4 palm-sized, wooden gourds, each one stamped with the symbol of a cartoon Monkey. A wood-and-jade pipe sits in his lips, smoke wisps from its bowl as he breathes in his meditative trance. Behind him rests a large, earthen made, Monkey Idol. The hands of this idol lay open, as if giving praise to the sky above.


As the two participants walk into the clearing, the Kimono-clad Sarutobi looks up from his meditation, and a beaming smile spreads over his face. He stands and speaks, his booming, basso voice ripples the reflective water in the clearing.


"Greetings, future-chuunin! Welcome to the second round of your examination! I will be your proctor, Raleth Sarutobi! I hope the day has found you well!!"


The Raleth kneeling on the 30 meter tall pillar opens his eyes, looking up at the two participants. A stern expression is plastered on his stone face, that same expression washes over the kimono-clad Raleth. His voice drops into a serious and grim tone.


"I have been instructed to thin the amount of participants, and only the best of the best will be allowed into the third and final round. To proceed to this round, you must obtain this bell." The kimono-clad Raleth reveals a singular, sparkling, silver bell tied to a red ribbon. "As you can see, only one is available." 


The kimono-clad Raleth places the bell in the open palm of the Monkey Idol. He makes the sign of the Monkey, and the Idol, animated by the Chakra of the Sarutobi, brings the bell to its mouth. It's jaws open and it places the bell inside, it closes it mouth and uses it hands to cover it, like the Monkey that speaks no evil. The bare-armed Raleth on the 30 meter platform stands. He speaks.


"Only one of you will pass on to the next phase of the Exams. Who that is depends on you. The objective of this test is simple, grab the bell from the Monkey Idol and wrap the ribbon around your waist. I will do whatever it takes to prevent you from acomplishing this."


The bare-armed Raleth cracks his neck and rolls his shoulders, he adopts a wide stance, extending his left fist towards the participants, and opens up his right arm, cooking it back and facing his fist to the ground. He steps forward with his left foot, and keeps his knees active.


The kimono-clad Raleth crosses his arms.


"Understand one thing, genin; In the shinobi world, nothing is as it seems. It is up to us to see through falsehoods, and to achieve our objective in the most efficient way possible. In our lives, the missions comes before our own goals."


The two raleths breath in through their nose. A soft wind rustles the trees as they exhale; in unison, they speak.


"Show me why you deserve the rank of Chuunin. Begin!"


[[782]]

Stats/Equipment:

AP/Jutsu:

Stats & Jutsu:

The sun was beating down through the trees as Ryu made his way to the location he was told to meet his proctor and another ninja for the second round of the exam. Ryu was wrapped in his usual gear, a plain black t-shirt with the Kumogakure logo on the back, a pair of knee-length, black shorts. The skin that would normally be shown by these items of clothing was covered in compression bandages. Around his waist, Ryu wore his katana that held from his right side, easily able to be drawn by his left hand. A pair of leather holsters crisis crossed his back and house a tanto in each one, their handles pointing down towards the ground and at an angle towards Ryu's hips. On the back of his right hip sat a weapon pouch that housed half of his kunai and shuriken, along with his wire and other equipment. The remainder of his kunai and shuriken sat on a weapon holster strapped around his left leg. Finally, his Kumogakure headband was proudly displayed on his forehead but also had an additional bit of fabric that hung over his face and covered his right eye.

Ryu pushed through a final section of the forest until a clearing appeared before him, the clearing had a thin cover of water and a giant section of rock reaching out of the water, he was not familiar with this country but it certainly did not seem like a natural formation. A voice called out from above and Ryu listened intently as he was instructed for the coming exam. Ryu turned to his right to look at the other genin after the proctor had finished his explanation "We should work together, at least until we are able to get the bell" Ryu would wait a few seconds for any response from his potential partner "We should probably try to overwhelm one of him at a time, I'll try and flush him into a corner" Ryu waited for any response from the ninja and would then begin to walk towards the first columns of rock if he was not informed otherwise.

Ryu waited until he was out of sight of the proctor who sat two platforms up and started to weave handselas, once the Tiger, Horse, and Ram seal were complete Ryu brought his hands together in the Clone seal. A shadow clone appeared directly next to him and pressed himself against the rock formation. Ryu's chakra swelled and his byakugan in his right eye awakened, he then activated the rock climbing technique and scaled the left column until he was at the top and looking up to the next column, where his opponent and proctor were now preparing for a fight. Ryu continued to form handseals as he strode across the current platform, his normal eye keeping the vision of the lip of the column in front of him. Once Ryu finished his current set of handseals he slammed his hand down to the ground as he neared the edge of the current platform, an earth style wall began to extrude from the edge of the column and begin to move its way diagonally between the current platform and the one his proctor occupied.

WC: 541

Ap, tings' & math:

Spoiler:

Along side the Nara stride the Hyuuga, Souji. His hands within his pockets - his attire subtly different. He removed his jacket, only seeing fit to wear the black turtleneck top, long sleeved, crimson pants and black shinobi boots. A white sash over his left leg with the sand village symbol woven in it. Weapon pouch to his back. His lilac eyes scanned over the area as they walked, while he passively sensed 5 meters all around - the Nara being a meter apart from him, made it easy for the boy to monitor him and their immediate surroundings. As they traverse the outside layout of the path that led them to their destination...Souji couldn’t help but glance over to his comrade in this half. “A Nara, huh? His clan originated within the walls of the leaf village, as did mine. My...biological mother drilled in my head each clan’s history in regards of the hidden leaf. The Nara are said to be the guardians of the forest - rather capable shinobi. Yet... Something about this guy... is making me weary. Hmph, not much point in concerning myself with it.” He thought. 

Now standing before their proctor, Souji gave a subtle wide eye - surprised. This was... “The old man is our opponent?” He word, listening and observing all that was before him and his comrade. Souji knew little about Raleth, but what he did know...better yet, what he did recall was this man was deceptively dangerous. Hearing the suggestion of the Nara, Souji glanced to his left at him. “Careful. The geezer is more dangerous than he looks. Even if one of them are a clone, that clone is enough to destroy half of this entire fields with a single strike if he so wished... Usually, I wouldn’t be sharing this intel with you, I’m more of a loner, but in this case, I know better than to presume that I can manage this alone... after all... he is my Sensei’s former master. ” He explained, shifting his eyes over to the mountain of a man. 

Hearing the strategy of the Nara, Souji simply nodded. “Keep in mind what he just said. “In the shinobi world, nothing is as it seems. It is up to us to see through falsehoods, and to achieve our objective in the most efficient way possible.” This smells like a test within a test. Teamwork is our only option in passing. Even if one of us obtain the bell, I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t fail us both. The geezer is loud and incredibly stubborn, but one thing I know for sure...he lives for two things.” He paused. Casually removing his hands from his pockets. Closing his lilac eyes. “One, if nothing, he’s all about teamwork. I noticed that much about him from when we went on that joint S rank mission a while back.” The temples of the Hyuuga bulge with chakra as the veins around the eyes swelled. Slowly the boy revealed glazed over eyes - Byakugan, expanding his vision to 100 meters at a 360 degree radius. His brows furrowed and his air/demeanor darken. “And two, he lives for a good fight. Which...together we will give him.” His eyes could see the flow of chakra all around them. Even within the monkey stature that was...peculiar to him to say the least. He couldn’t tell the difference between the two Raleths, which was making him cautious. Either one could be the real one, but as he stated before, it wouldn’t be wise to take either lightly. 

Souji stood in place as he watched both Raleths and the Nara. Noting the sudden burst of chakra that came from the Nara as a clone emerged and...something was awaken. Souji didn’t give away his curiosity about that, mostly because now was not the time for it. It seems that their immediate target was the Raleth on the 30 meter platform, an ideal choice, Souji was thinking the same, however he couldn’t help but feel uneasy with the other - the thought that filled his head was that it was going to guard that statue...or that was the role it was suppose to portray. As his comrade formed a bridge, Souji began to motion in the direction of the platform. While keeping a 10 meter distance between him and his comrade, staying to the lower level near the base of the platforms. 

[WC: 736]

Spoiler:

A genin from Kumo and a genin from Suna walk into the clearing prepared by Raleth, the Sarutobi recognizes the cocky smirk of Souji. A soft smile breaks the stone facade as he recognizes the Hyuuga he had met when him and a group of shinobi investigated a hidden Vault in the deserts of Wind Country. The hyuuga's self-assurdness thrusts the aged Sarutobi into a vibrant flashback, when he himself was but a chuunin, meeting his ward, student, and friend, Zaine. As if overlaying his memory with the present situation, Raleth sees the shadow of a young, cocky, eagle-haired Uchiha in the swagger of Souji, and for a moment, the aged shinobi forgets where he is. A sudden rush of adrenaline and aggresion floods his being, he can see the marks of his old student on the genin from Sunagakure.

Turning his head to the genin from Kumo, Raleth feels a familiarlity in the boy's look. His features remind him of an old family friend, a tactician who taught Raleth the strategic board game Koroshi. 

Perhaps he hails from that clan...

The two genin assess their situation and deem it best to work as a team, despite the possibility that only one of them will obtain the bell and pass the second round. Ryuuzaki walks toward the first and smallest column, out of sight from both the kimono-clad Raleth and the bare-armed Raleth. A sudden and familiar sensation brushes over Raleth as Souji activates his all-seeing Byakugan. Yet, something seems off, as if the sight that accompanied such a renowned doujutsu was more intense. This intensity would soon be revealed as Ryuuzaki climbed up the 15 meter tall platform. The same all-seeing, white pupil, the Byakugan, sat in his right eye, a sight that truly surprised the ashen-haired Sarutobi.

!!?

The dual-eyed Ryuuzaki strings together a familiar set of handseals, Raleth recognizes a jutsu in his arsenal. In response to the Kumo-genin forming handsigns, both Raleth's respond with handseals of their own.

The bare-armed Raleth, the jounin that stands in the center of the 30 meter tall, 15 meter wide platform, strings 6 handsigns. As Ryuuzaki places his hands on the 15 meter platform, the very Earth shunts forward, creating a 10 meter long Earth-Style wall to act as a bridge between the two pillars of Earth. As this wall is formed, Souji stays on the ground, running toward the 30 meter platform, keeping a 10 meter distance between him and his ally as he makes his way to the base of the 15 meter wide pillar.

Exemplary!

Before the earth-made bridge is finished forming, the bare-armed Raleth completes his jutsu. The water and earth in front of him churn into a dark, 10 meter wide line of mud and Earth. This earth-made-river flows forward at a speed and power of 75, rushing toward the lip of the platform the ashen-haired Sarutobi stands on. This river crashes over the earth made bridge, partially covering it and the 15 meter pillars in a rolling wave of chakra-made mud. Yet, because of the width of the platform the bare-armed Raleth stands on, 2.5 meters of space would be untouched by the Earth Flow River on both sides, which meant that Ryuuzaki would not be able to cross the bridge to step onto the 15 meter wide platform, lest he chooses to get swept up in a churning-earthen-rapid. If he does, the power of the river, being higher than his strength, would force him off the platform and toward the tree line of the arena.

As the bare-armed Raleth strings his handseals for Earth Flow River, the Kimono-Clad Raleth forms 4 handseals as he travels toward the edge of the, 50 meter tall, 25 meter wide platform he stands from, traveling the 12.5 meters from the center to its edge, leaving the stone monkey idol in the center. As he arrives at its edge, he brings his hand up as he inhales, filling his lung and puffing out his chest. He exhales and spews out 8, meter wide balls of bright flame, that travel at a speed of 65 as the Earth Flow River rushes forward.

One Fireball is aimed at Ryuuzaki, who has his hands place down on the earthen pillar. Another would be aimed at his earthen made bridge, between the 15 meter pillar and the 30 meter pillar, towards the center of Ryuuzaki's Earth Style wall, at the space untouched by the Sarutobi's Earth Flow River. A third Fireball would be aimed toward the edge of the platform the bare-armed Raleth stands on, where the earthen wall and the pillar meet. A fourth Fireball would be aimed at the space between the edge of the 30 meter tall platform and Raleth, landing at a space more then 4.5 meters away from the Sarutobi. Each Fireball, upon landing, would burst into a 4 meter wide explosion, one after another, creating a 12 meter long trail of flame: starting with the Fireball aimed at Ryuuzaki, blocking the most obvious path toward the Sarutobi, and covering the space untouched by his Earth Flow River.

The other 4 fireballs would be aimed toward Souji, traveling forward and curving downwards. One would be aimed at the space in front of the suna-genin. The second one would be aimed at the base of the of the 30 meter tall pillar. The third one would be aimed at the edge of the 30 meter pillar. The fourth one would be aimed at the space between the edge of the pillar and the place where the bare-armed Sarutobi stands, landing at a space 4.5 meters away from the sarutobi. Like the other four, each Fireball would burst into a 4 meter wide explosion, starting with the one aimed at Souji and creating a 12 meter long trail of flame that burns at 65 power: covering the space untouched by the Earth Flow River.

The space in front of the bare-armed Raleth would be covered in flowing mud or bursting flame, if any of the genin would try to boost forward they would surely be caught in either the earth or fire style jutsu.

[[1028/1810]]

AP/Jutsu:

Ryu's wall extended out from his current position, at the same time his examiner had started to make his move. Bare-armed Raleth completed a few handseals and performed an unknown earth jutsu to Ryu. As his bridge extended and met the upper platform the earth and mud on that particular platform started to shift and change, Ryu took a few steps backwards, not knowing the range of the jutsu. At the same time, his Byakugan picked up movement from the upper Raleth. An unknown fire jutsu was cast, he could see several projectiles flying at him. Ryu flung his hands into motion and likewise conducted a second jutsu. After a few handseals he slammed his foot down on the water in front of him and it began to coalesce in front of him and raise into a wall of water, it spanned the central 10m of the platform he occupied and raised 10m into the air. 

Due to the distance between bare-armed Raleth and the edge of his platform and the 16m length (Width) of the wall the earth flow river would not reach his platform, but still, be successful in its attempt to block off Ryu's path to the next platform. Meanwhile, the fireball aimed at Ryu's current position would be met with a water wall and block its path, the other fireballs aimed at him would explode in their intended places. The fireball that impacted the bridge being of equal power to the bridge's health would blast a hole in it 2ms thick, but not enough to cave it in completely due to its 3m thickness (If the fireball expands from point of impact). The fireball that would connect with the water wall would not be able to break through due to its elemental advantage. The water wall was long and tall, but both Raleth and Ryu would be able to see through it due to its translucent nature. Ryu would maintain the wall not knowing the next move of his opponent, however, he had successfully stopped his advance, buying more time, which Ryu suspected was his goal, not actually the destruction of Ryu himself.

The clone would hold position out of sight.

WC: 364
TWC: 905

-5 for surface walking (forgot to subtract in the first post)
-10 Byakugan
-30 for Water Wall
 - Power, Speed & Health 70, 10m wide and tall.

AP= 838 Clone=922

The all seeing eyes are the name in layman tern for the Byakugan - capable of seeing everything around the user, missing nothing. Souji took notice of the Bare-armed Sarutobi, the Kimono don Sarutobi, the Nara and his clone all as if observing them directly before him and/or widely from his peripherals. Upon the 30 meter tall platform stationed at the center of it - Raleth formed seals, his chakra was building and from that Souji gauged “He’s molding chakra, looks to be B-, no, A! Be on your guard!” He exclaimed, there was truly no real need to, but he felt that he should - unaware of how proficient the Nara was with his...gifted eye. There was this sludge like matter coming from the platform, Souji found it best to halt his advance as he watched it descend channeling chakra to his feet he would casually step to the side of the very pillar that Ryuzaki was stationed on, being kept at bay. “I’m not familiar with this jutsu, but I doubt the old man would use this as means to keep us away... he’s way too strong for something like that. Perhaps... there is more to this than meets the eye.” He gazed at the mud as it flowed, the chakra that was within it seemed to be bulging and torrential at the same time. His brows raised as if he came to a unique discovery. “Ryuzaki! Don’t touch this mud! I can’t be too sure, but it looks to be...a trap of some kind-” Words cut short. 

The kimono clad Raleth motioned closer to them roughly by 12 or so meters. From his mouth spewed a blaze that Souji was familiar with. “So he knows Fire style too? Interesting...” He watched as three balls of burning blaze escaped the Sarutobi and set for their marks. A smirk formed on the frame of the Hyuuga as he noticed this. He shifted his form and dart up the pillar to ascend to Ryuzaki’s side, his back towards the Nara. Souji spreading his feet and lowering his center of gravity, leaving no flaw in his posture as he extended his left hand outward toward the grouped balls of Phoenix flowers and his right tucked towards the side of his torso. “The geezer is underestimating me it would seem... I don’t recall giving that one permission to engage us!” His words carried a cockiness that could be backed. Chakra began to swell at his palms as he watched as the flower balls of the flame bird began to break off. “Watch, poser and behold the  true power of the Byakugan...” 

The Nara did well in his aim to counter and defend from the balls that were meant for him, he did so nicely. However there were four more that were now aimed for the Hyuuga that moved at the same speed and power, but somewhat delayed on their course. This was intriguing to the Hyuuga as he didn’t know that the tech could be used in such a way. But it did excite him to see that this old man was full of tricks. With a thrust of his right hand he noticed the overhead sphere of fire that curved and now aimed of him - Ryuzaki too as he was now next to him. His right hand aimed and swiped as a single ball manifested - invisible to those without chakra vision but seem to be a soft blur in space, but to those with chakra vision they will see it explode into 10, 10 centimeter by diameter spheres that took off towards each flame sphere 3 for the one overhead at the speed and power of 75 and from what Souji could see, exceeded the power of the flames. Upon contact it would pierce through and destroy it. 3 towards the one aimed at the base of the pillar, 3 towards the one aimed at the edge of the 30 meter pillar and 1 for the remaining that was aimed at the space between the pillars. Each would be met 6 meters before their intended collision with their target. Souji too felt that the Sarutobi was aiming to do more than what it seemed. Hopefully this would dwarf his efforts some for whatever it was that he was planning. 

Souji stood as he gave an eerie silent stare to the two monks... the veins around his eyes and temples furthering his gaze intensity. “That was rather disappointing... come now, you do know who I am, no? So act like it, Raleth Sarutobi!!” He smiled with great anticipation of what was to come next, this is something that he has been waiting for, for quite some time.... ever since he first laid eyes on this man, since discovering that he was his Sensei’s master...Souji wanted to fight him! Ryuzaki would be wise to be on his guard from this point on, because if what Souji knew from observation was correct...that display of his art and his provoking should excite the taijutsu veteran to push forward instead of hold defense. 

[WC: 849]
[Total WC: 1,585]

Spoiler:

The earth mud river flows, blocking off the path to the central pillar, effectively detaining the kumo and suna genin, Ryuuzaki and Souji. As the kimono-clad Raleth spits out his fireballs, the bare-armed Raleth catches Ryuuzaki stringing together the handseals for another jutsu in the Sarutobi's arsenal, a water Style wall. And, throughout the ashen-haired jounin's use of ninjutsu, the ward of the Kazekage, Souji, with his all-seeing-eyes, deduces the power and nature of the jutsu used to detain both genin. And, instead of keeping this information for himself, the prodigy of Sungakure informs his teammate and comrade of the dangers of the flowing, earth-made river. 

Splendid! thinks the proctor, Raleth Sarutobi, as he witnesses a display of seamless teamwork and understanding, it seems they know what it means to fight an opponent whose strength and power exceeds theirs!

The fireballs collide with their target, throwing earthen shrapnel in all directions. Yet, the one aimed for the kumogakure genin fizzles as it makes contact with his water Style wall. At this time, Souji climbs up the pillar his teammate stands on, baiting the other fireballs to come to his direction. He takes a posed stance, one the Sarutobi has never seen, and in a quick and seamless motion, thrusts an open palm forward. The very air distorts and warps, this strange phenomenon barrels toward the incoming fireballs and makes contact. The fireballs explode in midair, the taijutsu utilized by the Hyuuga is perplexing, and interesting. And, in a show of bravado, Souji Hyuuga, the student of Zaine Uchiha, offers a challenge to the aged, Raleth Sarutobi.

...

The bare-armed Raleth turns to look at the Kimono-clad Raleth who stands behind him, this Raleth eyes the two genin with a stone-faced expression. His eyes alight with fire, a vicious smile breaks his mountain-like countenance. He speaks, his voice booms over the falling water and rushing mud-river.

"I have been told to proctor my exam in such a way as to test both of you on the major tenets of the Shinobi. The arena you see before you was crafted to test your tactile ability, as well as your resolve against an opponent whose strength you cannot hope to match..."

The bare-armed Raleth speaks, his voice overlaps with the Kimono-Clad Sarutobi for a moment, giving the effect of one mind speaking with two voices.

"However..." says the bare-armed Raleth as he widens his stance, places his right foot forward, and follows this orientation with his hands. He activates his knees, and gives the impression of someone gathering power. At the same time, the kimono-clad Raleth goes back to the idol in the center of the platform. The Monkey opens its mouth and displays the weighted bell. The sarutobi grabs this bell, and displays the meter long, red ribbon that's attached to it, he swings it around and gives it momentum as the bare-armed Raleth continues his speech, "my pride as a martial artist and practioner of taijutsu cannot ignore the challenge you have given me!" 


At this, Raleth Sarutobi tenses his being. A wave of pressure explodes, thrashing water all around, his own strength causes steam and energy to rise from his body, cloaking and flickering around his form like translucent fire. His muscle mass nearly doubles, his height increases, and his eyes are nearly white. A ferocious smile warps the stone-face of the Sarutobi, murderous intent is the only thing seen in his eyes. 

In the next breath, the kimono-clad Raleth flings the weighted bell at 115 speed and dissapears in a puff of white smoke, revealing himself to be the shadow Clone and leaving behind the straw hat, wood-and-jade pipe, and the bright-colored kimono. 

A moment after the bell is thrown, Raleth tenses his legs and leaps forward, at an enhanced speed of 125. With a maximum jumping height of 62.5 meters, clearing the distance from the central pillar to the one both genin stand on would be well within the Sarutobi's ability. And, as his chakra returns to him, the information that the shadow clone possessed, the speed and trajectory of the flung bell, is given to the leaping Raleth Sarutobi. Before the ashen-haired jounin lands, he sticks his right arm out as the weighted bell passes it, and catches the meter long, red ribbon. Raleth brings his arm down as he comes crashing toward the pillar, the bell wraps around his entire forearm, and the weighted bell lay in his palms.

As this happens, Raleth Sarutobi bursts through the water wall of Ryuuzaki Nara, his strength and speed being more than enough to over come the power of the defensive jutsu. And, as he clears this wall, he brings his fist down, and smashes it into the earthen pillar, slamming the weighted bell into the moulded rock with a tremendous Orra!! 

 A ripple of forces travels through the 5 meter wide, 15 meter tall pillar with a power and speed of 80, the earth-made platform begins to rise and fall. The tremors are focused on Ryuuzaki, if he decides to stay on the platform when Raleth launches his Earth Shaker, he will find his strength and speed reduced by 50, if the shaking force catches up to him. Because the power of the taijutsu maneveur exceeds their strength, both genin will be launched 11 meters in the air by the sudden rising and falling of the earthen pillar, should they decide to stay on the platform, in the area affected by the shaking Earth. And, with seamless flow, the assault from Raleth Sarutobi continues.

As Raleth slams his fist down to shake the earth pillar, before the ripple of forces can travel throughout the platform and affect both genin, Raleth let's loose a furious punch to the ground with his left hand, exclaiming Orra!!! at his full, 125 strength and speed. The impact makes a 5 meter crater that forms with a speed and power of 125. Because of the immense strength behind this punch plus the damage already done to it by Earth shaker, the platform that he, Souji, and Ryuuzaki stands on would crumble, Crack, and break violently, sending chunks of shaking Earth scattering in every direction, at 125 speed and 125 power. If the shadow clone of Ryuuzaki Nara would not move from his position, he would be poised to being struck by one of these stray chunks of flying rock. If hit, the shadow clone would most likely be destroyed, as the impact would crush its body and bones. And, if any of the chunks of shaking Earth were to strike souji or ryuuzaki, they would be launched 11 meters away in a random direction, and Ryuuzaki would suffer the -50 debuff to his strength and speed.

Raleth punches through the pillar, toward the ground, and stands amongst the rubble of his destruction, standing on the thin pool of water. He unravels the weighted bell that's wrapped around his forearm, and begins swinging it to his side, he keeps his stance wide as he brings his left arm in. He swings the bell around him, displaying a makeshift ball-and-chain/nunchaku like weapon, he keeps he senses heightend and is observant of any counterattack as he keeps a defensive stance.

"The real begins now, have at me!!"

Throughout his assault, from his initial leap to his landing and slamming into the pillar, Raleth Sarutobi watches for any change in the genin's movements. He doubts such an initial attack will prove effective, but he knows the genin will not expect such a ferocious beginning to his onslaught. With his taijutsu Cloak active, he's prepared to defend, and Tank, any counter attacks from his opponents.


[[1278/3088]]

AP/Jutsu:

Earth Shaker was not activated, AP will reflect this.

The enhanced, aura cloaked Sarutobi leaps toward the pillar the two genin stand on, he sees both Ryuuzaki and Souji take on offensive stances. Raleth recognizes the taijutsu the young Nara prepares to use and notices the distortion of air that coalecses around the Hyuuga's palm. Seeing this gentle Fist Style Stance, the leaping Raleth,  after  grabing the thrown weighted bell that wraps around his arm, alters his assault: steadying his breath, crossing his arms, and bringing his legs in.

Chakra charges the air around the prince of Suna's palm, Raleth takes a defensive stance before he comes crashing through Ryuuzaki's water wall. Souji Hyuuga thrusts his open palm,  releasing a blast of pressurized air. The familiar distortion, the tell tale sign of the Gentle Fist, comes barreling toward the guarding Sarutobi as a barrier of pure Chakra bursts from his body. This barrier, with a power of of 83, absorbs the brunt of the Hyuuga prodigy's devastating taijutsu. The barrier breaks, forcing the Sarutobi out of his defensive stance. Yet, the translucent aura that flickers around Raleth absorbs the remainder of the Hyuuga's taijutsu and protects him from harm. As well, miraculously, because of the nature of the barrier style: Block, the Chakra system of the Sarutobi would be unharmed: a feat that would be shocking to the proud Souji Hyuuga.

Raleth crashes through Ryuuzaki's Water Wall, and prepares himself to demolish the platform both genin stand on. In this moment, the calculating Nara punches the air: releasing a Fist size ball of Chakra that crashes into the aura-coated Sarutobi. Though Raleth see's this coming, the two pronged attack from Souji and Ryuuzaki would be overwhelming: and would prevent his activation of his barrier style: Block. The flickering aura of his taijutsu Cloak would shatter when met with the fist-sized ball of Chakra, an intense blow would batter his body with 59 damage, and would stoke his immense rage and fury.The pain that courses through his being would have him bellow Ous!! as Raleth lands and slams both his fists onto the pillar the two genin stand on. The forces causes a crater to form, Raleth pummels it again, shattering it entirely and sending chunks of rock and earth flying in every direction.

The pillar crumbles and falls, Raleth is left in the center of the rubble, breathing heavily. His muscles are still pumped, the Cloak that once surrounded him is gone, he scans the area for his opponents. He sees souji dashing and dodging the chunks of pillar and spots Ryuuzaki emerge from a pool of water nearby. Once again, the proud voice of the Hyuuga rings out from the arena, the Sarutobi looks to see the boy tear his shirt from his body. The grotesque scars that lines his body would only accent the strength the young genin possessed, the viciousness that spreads a smile over the Sarutobi's stone face would brighten upon seeing this. And again, the protégé of Zaine Uchiha would offer a challenge as he took another Gentle Fist Style Stance.

The mountain-like-Sarutobi would clap his hands and respond to the Hyuuga's challenge with So be it!!: releasing a massive amount of Earth Chakra. The air around his body would be manipulated instantaneously, molecules would be rearranged as density is altered: and the all-affecting power of gravity would bow to the strength and Mastery of the now hovering Raleth Sarutobi. 

In the next breath, at an unbelievably enhanced speed of 195, Raleth dashes toward Ryuuzaki, who would be no more than 2.5 meters from the Sarutobi's current position, since the genin would have been at the edge of the 15 meter tall, 5 meter wide platform. Moving at a speed faster then he could react, Raleth extends and thrust his left elbow into Ryuuzaki's midsection, using only 25 strength, to force the air from his lungs. Though the Nara possessed the Byakugan, the sudden activation of the handsealess, Ultra-Lightweight Boulder technique would catch him off gaurd. And, the blinding speed at which Raleth would move, as well as the amount of distance between them, would make most, if not any counter-actions diffcult to perform. If the thrusting elbow would hit, Raleth, with seamless flow and perfect breath, would take the weighted bell in his right hand and slam it into the boy's core, the same spot he just struck. Since the bell would have a weight and hardness of 50, and would be moving at a speed of 195, the overall impact force behind this move would equal 125, more than the strength the boy possessed. But the flying, ashen-haired jounin would not use this force to maim or harm the kumogakure genin. Instead, the flying Sarutobi would use the force of this blow to once again wind Ryuuzaki and launch him some meters away, leaving him reeling and damaging him for 35.

In the next breath, Raleth twists his body around, and bursts forward, toward Souji at 195 speed: leaving a wake behind him as his feet barely touch the thin water that pools along the ground. 

As he approaches souji, both of the flying monk's hands lay hanging on his side, loose, ready to strike in any direction. If nothing changes, and Raleth is allowed to close the distance, the flying monk would unleash a devastating assault.

After being no more than 3 meters away from Souji, Raleth would thrust the weighted bell forward, releasing it from his palms and letting it unwrap itself, at 195 speed. The sudden motion would "extend" Raleth's thrusting attack by a surprising meter. If souji hyuuga expected to defend a close range assault, he would find the attack happening meters before he would expect it, and would find perceiving and defending the attack to be extremely diffcult. The bell would slam into his core, the weighted metal would force the air from his lungs, and cause Souji to crumple forward. But, like before, Raleth does not intend to maim the young genin, and souji would only take 35 damage if it connected. And, the ferocious assault would not be over.

As the meter long ribbon left his hands, when the bell comes into contact with Souji's core, Raleth would grab the end of the ribbon and pull it back, causing the weighted bell to swing downard. At the same time, as Raleth pulled the ribbon back, the Sarutobi would release a close-handed punch with his left arm at full speed, aiming for the chest of the the young Hyuuga. If the bell was able to successfully wind him, Souji would not be able to defend against this attack, and a blow with 25 strength would rattle his lithe, yet chakra-enforced frame. And, as Raleth releases his punch, he would move his right hand to force the downward swinging bell to whirl around in a 360 degree arc. With this movement, as soon as Raleth's fist connected, Souji would feel the weighted bell smash into the back of his head. Like before, the impact behind this blow would equal 125, which would force Souji's head forward. But, with the extreme care and precision of the taijutsu master, Souji would only take 25 damage. As soon as the bell strikes Souji's head, Raleth, with the seamless transitions of a taijutsu master, would fly upward and knee Souji in the face at 25 strength, breaking and crushing the royal features of the Prince of Sunagakure, and launching him some meters away. Raleth Sarutobi would float a distance of souji's height above the ground, and leer at both genin who would be recovering from his attacks.

As the flying Raleth Sarurobi begins his dashes toward both genin, he takes care to observe their movements. Because he is not attacking at his full strength, he knows he will be able to pull back any punch, and adjust his attacks as the situation demands it. As he looks to Ryuuzaki and Souji, a singular thought crosses his mind.

Know the consequences of fighting close quarters witb a taijutsu master!!


[[1344/4432]]

AP/Jutsu: