Kejido was aware that the matches were far from beginning as the contestants were still going through some trials the raikage had set up for the exams. The challenges set before them was going to push them he was sure. But they weren't something he was capable of watching at the moment. Nor did he feel they would truly display the combat capabilities of each of them. His motive for going to the stands early though was actually rather simple. It was going to get crowded come the day it all began. Such was not a great time to have to decide where a good vantage point was. Today was just a reconnaissance mission. Sound, angles, safety, all these things were to be taken into consideration if he was to find the perfect spot to see it all clearly. Especially if Ryo intended to join him. The kid didn't seem interested in much but he was still usually willing to go alone with whatever Kejido might have planned for the afternoon. Still he had tried a couple of places higher up. Deciding he was a little too far away to get a clear picture. Perhaps he would find that he would have to sacrifice some safety for better data collection after all.

Still it had been a bother just getting out of bed that morning. He had chosen to wear his specialist uniform. It only had the one white stripe over his left breast but it was enough to indicate his rank. His uniform was pressed firmly with clean creases. Black in color with red shoulder pads and red stripes around his neck and wrists. A row of four copper buttons on each side of his shirt all buttoned up. His slacks were held up by a white belt with a copper seal with his clans symbol on it. Polished black boots and white gloves finished off the look. For some odd reason though he had a kunai in a white sheath on his left hip as if there for decorative purposes. Only the hilt sticking out. Of course he had three senbon up each sleeve but those were hidden. His headband was stitched into his left shoulder carefully marking him as an Iwa nin. In his uniform and with his posture he appeared to be very regal. Straight backed with a solid stride. Still it was peaceful enough that he was only keeping the weapons on him as a trained habit of remaining prepared for any situation.

He had checked off a good fifteen spots he had considered when the sounds of two genin sparring in the ring caught his attention. The little note pad in his white gloved hands would snap closed as he pocketed it and the pen. A pair of fresh graduates from Kumo by the look of it. He could tell they were somewhat fresh because of the openings they left and as well as openings they failed to exploit on each other. The fight was simply dragging out. Still he would let his feet carry him down the steps with his polished boots causing a small sound as he walked. He would pull his white gloves tighter as he moved until he stopped next to a little girl also watching the fight. A pair of silver eyes only glanced at her a moment as the fight was drawing to a close. She would blow hair out of her face while resting her hand on her face. Or vis versa. She seemed bored with the two below. Kejido would fold his hands before him before looking straight ahead at the fight and addressing her without looking. His headband stitched into his shoulder clear as day on the side she was on.

"You don't find the fight interesting? Neither of them seem to be doing much towards victory. Such is expected though I suppose."

651

He would listen as the young lady shot him a reply over her shoulder. Her perceptions of the fight before her seemed to be fairly accurate. Neither was making any point of doing any lasting damage. This wasn't the kind of fight one expected from two shinobi. It was just for a show. However that was the point of it. To distract the audience with entertainment. That took time. They were playing with the clock while keeping it entertaining. It only made sense to drag it out for the purpose of the show. To keep people distracted as long as possible. Perhaps that was the purpose of the exams entirely. Not so much to see which nation produces the strongest genin but to distract the world from the atrocities happening within it. He wondered about the timing of this and the rumored destruction of the village hidden in the sands. He had noted the refugees here and how they were homeless with nothing. Some still wearing burnt clothes and with soot on their skin. Yet the celebrations continued and the world moved on without a care in the world. What an art this distraction was. Of course he had come here as well so he couldn't say it wasn't effective.

Still as she seemed to study him he studied her. She appeared to be a little on the short side and thin. As he noted these qualities he determined if she had a fighting style it probably relied on precision and repeated strikes. She didn't have the muscle mass to do a considerable amount of damage without chakra reinforcement. If he had to fight her he would likely try and use his reach to keep her outside of his vulnerable spots. If she got within his reach into her own she would have the advantage. Perhaps his style with senbon might have been better suited for her than him. However it worked well enough for the time being. His silver eyes studied her expression and where her eyes traveled. There was recognition as she looked over his uniform. A flash of it anyway. SO she was familiar with the clans of Iwagakure. Either she was educated or had spent time there herself. Another Iwagakure nin of course. Still few seemed to know the clans well enough to spot them by what they wore. Even if it was the uniforms of the Heishi.

Still she would speak again after her assessment of the two fighting below. She was indeed informed. She knew his clan by name off the top of her head. A surprising tribute to her intelligence and perception since they were one of the less flashy clans in Iwa. Nothing like the lava chuckers or dust fu...aside from that the Heishi were more secluded than most. Their clan heritage more important to them than relations within the village. Still her clan was not as easy to pinpoint. No physical tells as far as he could see. A one sided mystery which was not in his favor. Still he would smile his most charming smile and walk down the rest of the steps to take a seat only a couple of feet to her side. His hands folding in his lap as he leaned forward. Looking to the fighters as one finally countered a straight kick with a wind jutsu to send the other flying back. A jutsu finally used in the last possible second. Still it was all so straight forward. Regardless he would speak to her while watching.

"You are correct. I am specialist Heishi Kejido. Since you know my name now perhaps I could know of yours?"

1266

She seemed to continue studying him. He supposed anyone from Iwa that didn't know much of the Heishi likely did the same. In the academy they were just privates in their clan. The grunts to do the grunt work of all their superiors. God did he hate taking orders. For the entire academy experience it was garden this, kunai practice at noon on the weekends. Hand to hand combat were the Sunday religion activities. Having to take on the other academy members or privates within the clan. Eventually he dominated them enough that they only placed the top three against him. Never at the same time of course. He was never that good. Not without genjutsu. However in a one on one match he was good enough to win against any of them. Still that had felt like a generation ago. In a way it was. He had been forced into taking his remaining childhood with his family. Some leave before a lifetime of service. He had practiced occasionally but a part of him felt like he lost that edge he had when he was a freshly promoted specialist. He would be working on that though. His intentions into restoring his strength and power against those his own rank were fairly clear. The squad wars would be wonderful for such an occasion if he could get those running. His own squad having so much frightening potential. His silver eyes studied her in return. So bored with the fights in front of her. Perhaps she would be one of his targets.

Still that hardly seemed to matter as she turned to introduce herself only to be cut off. His attention was drawn to the call of a mother looking for her child. It felt odd to observe such an occasion. So many genin forgot about their families in the most part in his experience. Essentially capable of moving out as soon as they graduated. A paying job usually provided such freedom. His silver eyes studied the mother for a moment. How interesting that he could be torn from studying someone for possible future combat to be reminded they were in fact still a child in comparison to himself. He had grown into an adult and suddenly such things just seemed odd. Still she would get up from her seat and mention it was her mother. An obvious observation but an explanation all the same. He would nod to her as she turned and leaped over the heads of the others in the stands. Some concerned noises being voiced from them with a little complaint but it died down quickly. She mentioned how it was nice to meet him and then was gone with her mother to check into a hotel. He smirked as she faded from sight. What an interesting kid. Combat with her would likely be interesting at least. She seemed flexible and observant. Perhaps her energy would be enough to compete with him. Only time would tell. Of course he doubted it. His own level of skill was only growing by the day,

He would turn from her and move down to the front railing. His steps carrying him from the crowds to a secluded spot. The noise still pestered from behind but for now his gloved hands rested on the railing. The metal was cold even through the gloves. Still his silver eyes passively watched the other two combatants as they finally stepped up their game into a bit of grappling. Though one seemed significantly more practiced at it than the other. In only a matter of moments after it had been taken to the ground one boy had the other in an arm bar and the other seemed to have no way out of it. The match ended with a disappointing tap out despite the cheer of the crowd. He had noted the kid still had a senbon on his leg holster next to his free hand. Had he stabbed the other just a few times he would have been free. And in the lead for victory. Kejido would sigh and turn away from the arena for now. It wasn't active enough to hold his interest for the time being. Perhaps elsewhere he would find what he was looking for. If it was a challenge he would need to be prepared to conquer it. Rather than just remaining stagnant for the entire stay there.

2005
Exit thread
Speed C to C-1 662/662 `15% increase
Reaction time D-3 to C 604/604
Reaction time C to C-1 662/662