Rising Stars: Hoshi's Next Generation Shinobi!

It feels a little strange coming back to the Astral Point Ninja Academy, again. Jurei'd only recently graduated from the Academy there a couple of months ago with Omukade Koda, a sensible hallmark of her progress in becoming a kunoichi fit for the title. However, there is still a long way to go before she receives any recognition for her work, at least, to the degree folks mention her name in passing, outside of her family's already imposing presence in the village economy. Nevertheless, today, she's been granted the honor by the faculty at the Academy to "supervise"—acting as an extra set of eyes outside of the Proctor's for the occasion—the Genin Exams for this year's graduating class of hopeful prospects.

Jurei was not sure what she expected when they told her that she would be supervising the exams. It was a little strange, but she agreed to it anyway because she wanted to see if she could learn anything from watching other people take the exams. She had taken them herself only a few months ago and had passed with flying colors. She was proud of herself for that accomplishment. But she knew that there were others who might not be so lucky. She wanted to be ready to help them if they needed it.

Jurei arrived at the Academy early in the morning, dressed in something a little more formal for the day, outside of her typical appearance from head to shoulders—save for the gold earrings—she wore a black, longsleeved, high-collared, qipao-styled blouse plastered with graphics of golden lily flowers and equally vibrant gold sashes that wrap over and under her right shoulder and another across from her right shoulder to left waist, and accompanied with a silk, yellow long skirt secured with a brown belt—which she loathes for the length to be needlessly long—and black-buckled platform shoes. Her forehead protector, as always, secures itself around her hips facing forward and Honor's Student Pin fastens itself below the diagonal sash of her dress.




The sun's just beginning to rise over the village's walls as she walks through the front gates. She heads straight for the main building, where she knows the exams will be taking place. When she enters, she finds several other people already waiting inside two chunin proctors, one male, and one female; both of them are wearing standard shinobi gear with their headbands tied around their foreheads. They look up when Jurei comes in and smiles at her.

"You must be Ryoinsatsu Jurei," The woman announces. "We've been expecting you. I'm Mushanokouji Ichi."

Jurei nods and bows politely to them. "Yes, Senpai," She replies. "I'm sorry if I'm late."

The man chuckles softly and shakes his head. "No, no," He assures her. "You're right on time. Fujita Tamemoto, by the way."

Jurei straightens herself back up and smiles back at him. "Thank you, a pleasure to meet you both," She says, before glancing around the room again. "So, where should I sit?"

"Likewise. And over there," The Ichi points towards the far wall where there are several chairs set up along one side of the room. "We'll call you when it's time."

Jurei nods again and heads over to take a seat in one of the empty chairs. She sits down and waits quietly for things to begin. While she waits, she thinks about how different things are going to be now that she is no longer a student here. She wonders what kind of challenges lay ahead for her as a kunoichi working in service of her village. She has plans to see them to their fruition and climbing the proverbial corporate—or in this case—shinobi ladder would help exercise further control of how she can actualize them.

Soon, the classroom is filled with Academy Students who come trickling in from the hallways outside. They all look nervous but excited as they file into their seats. Jurei watches them curiously. She remembers feeling just like that when it was her turn to take the exams. It's been seems so long since then, that she almost feels like a different person now. Once everyone has arrived, the proctors begin explaining what will happen during the exam. They tell the students how important it is for them to pass this test because if they do not, they will not be able to become shinobi and serve their village as kunoichi and ninja. The students listen attentively as the proctors go over everything with them. When they finish talking, they ask if anyone has any questions before starting the actual exam itself.

Jurei keeps her eyes on the students while the proctors talk. She notices some of them looking nervous or scared as they listen to what the proctors have to say. Others seem determined and confident in themselves, ready to take on whatever challenge comes their way. A few even smile at each other when the proctors are finished speaking as if they already know that they are going to pass this test without any problems whatsoever. Jurei smiles slightly to herself as she watches them all react differently to what is happening around them.

When the proctors are done explaining everything, they tell everyone that it's time for them to begin the exam now. Ichi waves to Jurei to come forward. She gets up and walks over to the front of the room where she's instructed to stand beside the Tamemoto, who'd greeted her earlier. He gives her a friendly smile as she approaches. "You'll be observing the written portion of this exam," He explains, whimsically tapping toward the side of his left eye. "Just watch carefully and make sure no one cheats." Jurei nods and returns his smile before turning her attention back toward the students in front of them.

The first part of their test is a written exam. It consists of several questions about different aspects of being a ninja. The questions are designed to test their knowledge and understanding of what it means to serve their village. They must answer each question correctly within a certain amount of time or they fail the exam. Jurei watches as the students work through the questions, writing down their answers on pieces of paper in front of them. She notices some of them struggling with certain questions while others seem to have no problem answering everything correctly without any hesitation whatsoever.

When the time runs out, Ichi calls for everyone to stop working on the written portion and move on to the next section of the exam—which is a practical test. For some, this is the most dreaded part as it requires students to demonstrate their skill in properly kneading, controlling, and channeling chakra to perform feats. In this instance, the task is simple: to successfully perform  the Transformation and Clone techniques. The students line up in front of the two proctors who will be judging them on how well they perform each technique. Jurei observes as they take turns trying to transform themselves into something else or create a clone of themselves using chakra manipulation. Some manage it easily while others struggle with it, especially if they are not familiar with either technique.

The first student up is a young girl named Hikaru. She looks nervous as she steps forward but manages to perform both techniques without any problems whatsoever. She smiles proudly once she finishes showing off her abilities and returns to her seat among the other students watching everything happen around them. Next up is a boy named Hiroshi, who also performs both techniques perfectly, earning him praise from Ichi and Tamemoto. After that, several more students take their turn demonstrating their skills before finally reaching the end of the line where there is one last person left to go—a familiar face, to Jurei's surprise—a boy named Orochi Heiibishi.

"Orochi Heiibishi," Ichi announces as he steps forward with a confident smile on his face. "You're up next."


WC: 1,336
TWC: 1,336/500
TMWC: Oops/1,000

Hebiishi was incredibly nervous, today was genin exam. It would be the moment that decides if he will make it as a ninja, or forever be a civilian. But for him, the stakes were even higher. He'd already been hit once today by another student as they passed him on the way to wait for their test in a long hallway. Normally, he'd have predicted something like that, but just like all the others he had other things on his mind. The giggle from his friends as the boy ran away soured Hebiishi's stomach. He felt along his temple and knew he'd be sporting a dark bruise in no time. He was sure the interference wouldn't stop here, he prayed his proctors weren't biased against the Orochi clan, but he knew he had about a fifty-fifty shot of that happening. If he didn't become a shinobi he not only would be kissing his long sought after dream goodbye, but he'd also be blowing his chance at ever making a name for himself in the village and restoring the Orochi name in Hoshigakure.

He wasn't concerned about the tests themselves. Under normal circumstances, he knew he would pass with no problems, but he was under no usual circumstances. If he gave the bigots any chance they would use it as an excuse to fail him. So he didn't just have to succeed, he had to be flawless, perfection itself, to become a genin. A line of sweat dripped from his forehead at the thought. But he knew he had dawdled enough and entered the hallway, hoping the movement would banish his nerves.

By the time he entered the students were already being ushered inside. He delayed as much as possible before the proctor ushering them in gave him a hard look. Knowing he'd pushed his luck, he entered the classroom, the last student to arrive and sit down. It wasn't long before they had explained the rules of the test and it had begun. With a deep breath, he turned his page over. Perfection, perfection, perfection. He chanted to himself. But what greeted him on the page made his eyes fill with tears. In the name section, someone had scribbled in the word 'Traitor.' for him. He closed his eyes and tried to push away his sadness, even as a few tears trickled down his cheeks. After a few deep breaths, he pulled himself together. He let the last of his tears fall and decided he would give them no more fodder, no more tears for them, not today. He wiped a hand across his face, then quickly scratched out the word traitor, wrote his name above it and got to work.

He had no trouble with the questions like many of the other students seemed to be having. Instead of going and playing with friends he had spent his childhood studying, training, or running in the Wildlife Reserve. He was prepared for all of the questions and answered them effortlessly. However, he took all the time he could to review his answers and bulk them out remembering he had to be flawless. There was no room for mediocrity on this page. When he was finished he finally took note of one of the proctors. It was Jurei Ryoinsatsu! He gave her a small smile, happy to have one friendly face up there to greet him. There rarely were any regardless of where he was. As he took his seat he waited for his turn at the practical exam. It was no surprise to him that he was the last to be called. He hesitated a moment before stepping forward, did he hear a ghost of irritation in the man's voice as he called his name? But he shook it off again chanting his mantra. Perfection, perfection, perfection. He gave the proctors a confident smile, no trace of fear upon him aside, perhaps, the purpling bruise on his face. He settled his hands into the handseal for Ram and cast his clone technique.

One clone appeared to his right, a perfect copy of him. But as he knew, he needed to push harder. Another appeared to his left. Now he needed some pizzazz. A third clone appeared and he rapidly shifted his hands into the handseal for Dog, transforming it to look like the male proctor. With another quick shift of his hands, he was back into the Ram position and created his final clone. Another shift to Dog and it transformed into the female proctor. He then marched his two remaining clones that looked like him around to begin dancing as he transformed himself into Jurei. He had all of his clones stop what they were doing and smile at the proctors. In unison they all bowed with him as he let go of the technique, letting them fade out of existence as he returned to his own form. He closed his eyes as he rose, this was the moment, he just prayed it had been enough.

WC: 839
TWC: 839

Jurei watches as each student performs their transformation and clone techniques. Some manage it easily while others struggle with it especially if they are not familiar with either technique. When Orochi Heiibishi's name is called, she can't help but smile when she sees him step forward with a confident smile on his face. She notices that he has a bruise on his temple but doesn't say anything about it. He performs both techniques perfectly without any problems whatsoever earning him praise from Ichi and Tamemoto, and a nod of affirmation from Jurei, also, when sees him unexpectedly transform in her likeness.

With that said, Ichi and Tamemoto converse with Jurei for a brief moment before they excuse themselves to go about grading the written exam in another room adjacent to their own. Jurei remains behind to supervise the students while they wait for their results. She watches as some of them talk excitedly amongst themselves while others sit quietly by themselves. A few even seem nervous as they wait anxiously for their scores to be announced. Although the sight of Heiibishi's bruised temple earlier had piqued her curiosity she decides not to ask him about it since she doesn't want to embarrass him in front of his peers. Instead, she decides to keep an eye out for any further signs of bullying from other students towards him or anyone else during this time period.

After a short while later, Ichi and Tamemoto return with their results in hand. They call each student up individually to give them their grade and tell them whether or not they passed or failed the exam. Some students receive high marks while others receive low ones depending on how well they did during their performance during both parts of the test. When Hebiishi's name is called, Tamemoto announces that he passed with flying colors earning himself a congratulatory smile from Jurei. Thereafter, the exam concludes with a brief ceremony congratulating everyone who passed as the new Genin of Hoshigakure no Sato before receiving their forehead protectors and dismissing them for the day. As for the others who haven't succeeded... who knows what life has in store for them in the coming year ahead. Jurei thanks her Seniors for their time and consideration before taking her leave after the students have gone.

---

WC: 386
TWC: 1,722
TMWC: Complete/1,000

Requesting approval for the following claims:

Claiming the following *mission reward(s):

► Total Ryo Earned: +2,000 Ryo (storing in "Ryoinsatsu Bank" via Cha-Ching! Bloodline Limit.)
► Total AP Earned: +10 AP

*Mission reward(s) doubled via Beloved Presence Skill

Investing 1,722 TWC into the following Jutsu for Ninjiro:

► Training Familiar Amplifier @ B-Rank [676/1,500] → (1,500/1,500) [824 TWC Bank Left]
► Training Demonic Illusion: Mirage Crow @ B-Rank (824/1,500) [0 TWC Left]

Investing 1,722 TWC into the following Stat Points for Ninjiro:

► Training +7 Chakra (-700 WC) [1,022 TWC Left]
►Training +10 Speed (-1,000 WC) [22 TWC Left]

→Expunging the remaining 22 TWC Left.

Hebiishi beamed at the praise from the proctors, gladdened by the acclaim he so rarely received. He reserved a special smile for Jurei as he returned to his seat. As he waited with the other students for the results he made sure to look as unobtrusive as possible. He thought it unlikely they would try anything, everyone was too focused on whether they passed to give him any attention. This was further solidified by Jurei remaining behind and keeping a watchful eye on them. He felt safe in her presence. He couldn't explain it, but he also couldn't be too careful, he'd been wrong before.

As the proctors returned he let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding as they announced he passed with flying colours. He sat there in stunned silence, the world fuzzing to grey around him. He honestly hadn't thought he would pass. He hoped for it, he prayed for it, but he didn't believe it. He sat there, shell-shocked, until he realized as ceremony had been performed and he was left standing with a headband in his hand. Tears started streaming from his eyes. No one could take this from him. He would now and forever be a ninja of Hoshigakure.

WC: 208
TWC: 1,047

Exit:

322 WC False Perception Technique C-rank (the rest learned here)
725/2000 WC Chakra Infusion

1047 WC used - 0 remaining

Stats:
+10 speed
+9 speed (rank up bonus)
+11 chakra (rank up bonus)

Mission Completion/Rank Up:
+1,000 ryo
+105 ap (160 total bonus AP after other threads are claimed with this, rank up bonus)
1x Ninja Headband
+ Substitution Technique (rank up = free)
+ Tree Climbing/Surface Walking (rank up = free)
+ Taijutsu specialty (rank up bonus)

Jurei Ryoinsatsu wrote:Requesting approval for the following claims:

Claiming the following *mission reward(s):

► Total Ryo Earned: +2,000 Ryo (storing in "Ryoinsatsu Bank" via Cha-Ching! Bloodline Limit.)
► Total AP Earned: +10 AP

*Mission reward(s) doubled via Beloved Presence Skill

Investing 1,722 TWC into the following Jutsu for Ninjiro:

► Training Familiar Amplifier @ B-Rank [676/1,500] → (1,500/1,500) [824 TWC Bank Left]
► Training Demonic Illusion: Mirage Crow @ B-Rank (824/1,500) [0 TWC Left]

Investing 1,722 TWC into the following Stat Points for Ninjiro:

► Training +7 Chakra (-700 WC) [1,022 TWC Left]
►Training +10 Speed (-1,000 WC) [22 TWC Left]

→Expunging the remaining 22 TWC Left.

Approved

Hebiishi Orochi wrote:
WC: 208
TWC: 1,047

Exit:

322 WC False Perception Technique  C-rank (the rest learned here)
725/2000 WC Chakra Infusion

1047 WC used - 0 remaining

Stats:
+10 speed
+9 speed (rank up bonus)
+11 chakra (rank up bonus)

Mission Completion/Rank Up:
+1,000 ryo
+105 ap (160 total bonus AP after other threads are claimed with this, rank up bonus)
1x Ninja Headband
+ Substitution Technique (rank up = free)
+ Tree Climbing/Surface Walking (rank up = free)
+ Taijutsu specialty (rank up bonus)

Approved