A seemingly normal tiled stage, entered by combatants on each side. Walled in on all sides, this venue would appear at first glance to be completely untampered with. After 2 posts pass, or any contestant uses an earth-altering technique or attack, the earth beneath the arena will rumble - the very infrastructure is unstable! At the beginning of this change - on the post after it is triggered - the center 5m of tiles will drop into a pit far below the original floor. On the second round (after both combatants have posted), the gap will advance another 10m; on the third round the chasm will increase in width by a 15m radius. By the end of the fourth round, the entire fighting area of the stadium will be nothing but a pit, and contestants will be forced to use the Supernatural Walking Practice to avoid a fall.

The Chuunin Exams were finally here and with that meant the start of a new dawn for all participating! Finally all their hardwork and effort would be pulled off and those that struggled so vehemently against that raging storm of life would gain their boons well deserved. Xiao was the loud mouth wallcrawler of Kirigakure and lived up to that status with shining results, though known to the mist shinobi of his village it didn't stem from any inherent skill or genius but rather due to his tendency to be rather unconventional whether that was in combat, conversation or simple origin after all he was a boy who became a spider who became a boy who could become a spider but that was the web of life, always entangling, always changing, always shifting and wavering to the will of fate of whatever great spider god weaved it. Xiao had decided to truly glam up for the event, normally just equipped with his red flak jacket and blue body suit with mask attached and red spider mask now had been dressed up with gold trims and wavering tassles upon his arms. As the grand entrance stood Xiao knew that when it really came down to it these exams were probably not going to be the straight forward fun that was the exhibition matches but would most likely hold with them something a little more challenging whether that could be the arena themselves, limitations or special rules but in the long run Xiao didn't care much. He wasn't here to win, nor was he here for any recognition or glory, he was here to have a bit of fun and to cheer on his friends above all others and with that acceptance of knowing he probably wouldn't progress came confidence. He was now free to do as he pleased, free to try and experiment and more importantly free to entertain as much as possible.

As he stood behind the large doors that lead to the arena he bounced on one foot to the other, a web made backpack on his back holding something square and heavy. His secret weapon. It wasn't a weapon, no, it was something far more dangerous and as those big doors swung open Xiao initiated unwebbing the boombox concealed and rushing as fast as he could into the arena and placing it down hitting play allowing his 'theme' for the Chuunin Exams to play on quite a loud volume as he scampered back to the doors pretending as if the event had not just happened and acting as if he had just walked into the room throwing his hands wildly in the air shooting webs like streamers into the air "Ladies and Gentleman! The man! The spider! The Arachne-Guy, The one who will come and layeth the smacketh down, the one, Kyutai" he announced himself not allowing the announcer to actually have a moment to announce the small spider whose tassled webs hanging from his clothes shined with craft store glitter as he began to pose and posture "Take it in, Take it in" he stated as he posed along to the music before quickly webbing the boombox and smashing it into the wall ceasing the theme "Totally worth the ryo." he stated feeling quite proud of himself as he stood in the center of the ring bounding from one foot to the other awaiting his opponent. He hadn't even bothered looking at his match up, not out of arrogance for he had none but self shame and hatred but rather he figured it would be more fun this way and the chance of preparing for an opponent who was most likely to defeat him anyway would be quite fruitless.

"You guys ready?" he called out cupping his hands into a makeshift megaphone as he proceeded to utilize a thick web, one directly upward that he wrapped his feet around to hold him in place as he dangled there upside down slightly rocking back and forth with a large grin upon his face watching the opposing doors "I hope I'm fighting someone cool...Ooo an Inuzuka maybe? I haven't seen a dog in a long time...or heck an Uchiha purely so I can say I've fought one...Oh! Oh! An Akimichi! Oh yeah now that'd be fun!"


731

As the doors swang open and his opponent stood before him the little spider who dangled in the center of the arena on a thread couldn't help but smile though obviously obscured by the maskings upon his face his cheerful energy was evident as the name was sounded. Ryo Fujita "...Ryo...Fajita?" Xiao stated in a curious tone cocking his head to the side as the shinobi entered the arena taking his first steps "Fajita Clan...? Like, as in Tacos? I frankly don't know whether to be excited, hungry, amused or all three." he stated outloud a constant trait of his personality talking to himself despite nobody wishing to listen or frankly wishing for him to continue, they would have much rather listened to anything but that fact but Xiao was a notorious talker and there wasn't much he could do about his personality in his young age as it was in part who he was as well as in part a coping mechanism for stress and fear. Keep joking, keep boasting, keep insulting and goading and the enemy might slip up but so too one might convince themselves that they aren't aware that they're an underclass men with scarcely a jutsu to call their own.

As Ryo made his way forward and the crowd started to die Xiao began to grumble, not being a fan of anyone really being left out. He knew he would never be like Aya the God of Shinobi or even an equal to Yosei the man he met in the land of Toads nor would he ever reach the level of even Chigetsu but one thing he could do was ensure that others did and utilise his greatest weapon, his very very human heart. "Hey! Come on people, look at this guy! He's great AND he's from a clan of delicious wheat and meat sandwich product users. That is SANNIN level to me!" he called out to the crowd in an annoyed tone but met with not much of a response. Regardless he aimed back at Ryo staring directly at his opponent still entirely upside down hanging from the webbing produced organically from his clan's chakra that came as a second nature to the little insect playing at being a boy.

The guy wore quite the contrast to Xiao's own eccentric get up with a plain white button up shirt with black slacks, he seemed more like a bartender than he did a shinobi but then again Xiao was running around this place in spandex and dressed as a spider so he wasn't one to talk really.  The outfit was practical to say the least, as a shinobi one did have to disguise themself and the typical business casual wear did encapsulate a variety of careers on a whim which was quite smart to say the least as the shinobi approached him he posed a question that Xiao didn't quite have an answer.

“Do you shoot webs from your butt?”

"Honestly? Never tried it. Totally should sometime, hey maybe this match even. So you're from Iwagakure? What's that like? Lotsa rocks I'm imagining and uhhh, lack of governing authorities?" he asked curiously looking his opponent up and down "Let's just have fun y'know, We haven't got beef you know? This is just an exercise, so let's have fun, put on a great show and we can both go home win or lose knowing we've made a new friend and made our country proud. Sound good?" Xiao stated as the announcer began to clear his throat over the mic "Could...Could you please commence the battle?" the speakers sounded causing Xiao to slap his forehead "Right! Right! That's why we're here"

Xiao utilised yet another web with his right hand whilst launching a thick amount into the corner of the room charging it by proximity with his chakra to ensure that it could be utilised for a quick switch if so needed at a later time keeping it roughly the size of his torso and body in size sticking to the roof's corner out of sight disguised by Xiao's already flamboyant movements to resemble somebody merely swinging and moving to a new area and to swing further back, roughly 10m in all as he looked over the Ryo "This a good starting point for you Ryo?" he called out waiting for confirmation "Now just know I use webs! I know I know they're cool but I just want you to know it does wash out of your hair and does come off the clothes so don't worry!" Xiao called out assuring his opponent with his constant talking "Okay! I'll let you start off, y'know, make it something to wow the crowd though okay? No senbon traps, I'm so sick of those..." the little crow stated with genuine excitement shown on his face despite hanging upside down gazing at his opponent at roughly 14m away from the center of the arena itself.



892

Kawarimi No Jutsu set up and chakra charge.

Spoiler:

Chakra: 245/250

”Iwagakure’s pretty cool, I’d said we’re pretty down to earth,”  as the jest was heard Xiao erupted in laughter whilst swinging gently upside down "I like you already, This is gonna rock." he retorted with his own quip with a genuine interest in his opponent. This was just a game for Xiao, nothing too important or life defining but rather something that could pass the time until he could return to his 'true' training. Ranking and tests meant little for a boy who was barely working out who he was in the first place or whether he was even human. Ryo's comment on whether they would hate each other caused Xiao to be a little confused "Well I'll try not to roll your stones too much to avoid it my rock and roll friend" he stated quizzically with a strong sense of confusion hanging in his words as when it came to the concept of hating others Xiao wasn't as quick to make such assertions nor did he really dislike anything when he truly thought on it. Even those who had treated him harshly had their reasoning and even situations where others complained he did have a tendency to find the joy within the small activities presented even if the task itself was merely shoveling. Hanging freely and rocking back and forth on his webbing with a grin he watched as Ryo. Xiao watched as his question on positioning was met with a thumbs up, watching as his well dressed opponent proceeded to breathe deeply as Xiao nodded in approval of the breathing exercise "Breathing exercises! A smart idea! Relax though, you'll do great!" Xiao tried his best to encourage his opponent who was now indicating that the distance was more than well enough between the two.

"So, you been training much for this? For me It's been cuh-razey between my Mothers pushing me to the limit and just trying to keep up! Ever had bad food poisoning? Imagine that times fifty and you're on a rollercoaster" Xiao jested offering more friendliness to his opponent who proceeded to grasp the pouch on his leg and draw a small knife, the kunai a practical weapon for the Shinobi and something that could be found all abouts the world littered and discarded from the endless times of use and countless wars where they were that of the primary weapon. "Cool! Kunai! Y'know weirdly enough? Never used them. Or Shuriken. So you're a projectile user?" Xiao yelled across the battlefield to his opponent.

Xiao began to climb the webbing that was attached to the roof of the the building as he began to scamper he continued to talk, his habit but also incredibly important to his strategy when it came to opponents. Talk them down and don't stop till they get angry enough to make a mistake or pacify them enough that they forget why they're fighting in the first place "Personally I'm more on the whole fist to fist thing...Oh hey - do you have any ropes or anything? I'm only really climbing out of habit" Xiao continued as he made his way a few meters up his webbing before firing off another connecting to the roof 5 meters closer to Ryo and hanging at the same height, roughly twenty feet in the air hanging by his hands above the floor "'cause if you don't this'll be boring, If you don't I can just like, not do this." Xiao stated as he looked to Ryo with pure curiousity unsure of how to actually commence this fight if his opponent couldn't reach him. Was he being a dick? He wasn't sure but he definitely didn't want to be and thus he'd try to avoid it the best he could.It wouldn't be entertaining fair nor fun if the two couldn't even clash a single time and besides ranged combat was always a bore to actually watch for an audience, what they needed was flashy moves and eccentric techniques. Shaking his head for a moment and sighing he began to scamper down the webbing to his original position "Nope! I feel like a total dick! It's unfair" Xiao stated as he reached the tiles standing at roughly 12m from the center of the ring as he sat cross legged on the tiles "So, I mean, this is better I think. How is your Taijutsu? Any good?...Uhh or Ninjutsu? I wanna gauge how we can do this fairly, y'know, I don't want to be zipping around while you watch, that's not cool" he stated trying to think of what he could do, something flashy, something fun for the audience.

Cupping his hands like a megaphone he called out to the audience "WHO WANTS TO SEE MY FRIEND HERE DO SOME JUTSU EH? Y'ALL HAVE SEEN FAR TOO MUCH TAIJUTSU AND WEAPONS TODAY" Xiao stated with a proud waver of his arms directed at Ryo with a grin as the crowd reacted chanting for any of the shinobi to act and perform a jutsu that would entertain the audience as he rose an eyebrow looking to his opponent with a grin "They're all yours my friend, you gotta give them something cool, remember a nice catchphrase" as he spoke though as the words left his mouth and the bow was complete the tiles began to rumble from the center "I...I don't know what I did, is this a jutsu? Did I do a thing?" Xiao stated genuinely unsure if it was a technique he had managed to discover or not as each tile began to shake and drop in 5m radius in the center giving him 7 meters distance away from the hole in the center "So...Uhh, was that you or me? he asked genuinely to his opponent raising an eyebrow at the hole in the ground. Xiao proceeded to start slowly walking backwards from the hole lest for some reason the tiles would fall further that he was standing on "Cause whatever just happened I didn't intend for anything...Uhh...anyway, flash jutsu my man, lay it on me show me what the Fajita clan can do!" the little spider quipped as he began to leap backwards 15 additional meters from his original standing point now at 17m from the outside radius of the hole in the center of the ring, posing in a way that spread his body out ready and waiting for his opponent to show him something wonderful "Strongest technique! Let's go! Aim for the body, I want to protect what little handsomeness I've got!" ready and waiting with his mind focused on that small web package he had planted on the ceiling ready to be exchanged in an instant. He had hindered himself by denying himself the use of webbing but when push came to shove could the Spider-Nin keep his oath?

-
1180
245/250
Active Jutsu:

Substitution Jutsu - Prepped but not used

Spoiler:

-

As Ryo admitted to utilising Ninjutsu Xiao nodded along with enthusiastic vigor only the little bundle of energy could do, he liked the concept of Ninjutsu of course and had 'rediscovered' himself as quite an apt user of the art though when it came to utilising his own KKG he wasn't entirely sure how it even functioned in the first place or rather he did but the concept of spitting venom and the like just seemed, frankly, super gross. Xiao wasn't really into the concept of as soon as he saw an opponent licking them from head to toe nor did he enjoy entertaining the idea of biting his opponents but if that was the grand boon of Sero outside of the glorious web movement and ability to wallcrawl it was a price worth paying really. He began to walk backwards slowly, slightly worried of any falling tiles. The concept of Ninjutsu was quite an interest, Xiao notably found the arts of Bunshin jutsus something that needed more admiration when it came to the metaphysical applications alone though Xiao was only 12 and thus his mind couldn't fully comprehend the thoughts he actually thought filtering them into such phrases are "Are Clones the Clones or are we the clones" when meaning to infer whether the clone was it's own entity from the creation point or a 'phantom limb' of sorts. Regardless, the point was, Ryo used Ninjutsu and that was pretty neat.

As Ryo confirmed that it was indeed he that had done so Xiao wiped his brow "Thank Goodness! I thought it was me for a second! You never know what could be a handsign these days. So I take it most Iwagakure shinobi are pretty decent interior designers? Bam! Rip up the floor without any cost. Would be a lucrative business" the little spider quipped jesting as a way to mask his concern for this technique, if his opponent could generate holes literally at a whim that meant that the spider was certainly in trouble. The floor was falling, which would prove difficult for any other ninja than one of the Unmei who could easily clamber upon the walls or web their way out of this particular circumstance but when it came down to it he had promised he would not utilise such techniques and deep down Xiao was a man of his word no matter what. He couldn't do such a thing even if he wished to.

He opted to take things a little more seriously, not that he intended to win or anything but if this was the power of other nations the concept of him being defeated by a hole would be...less than ideal narrative speaking. He thought it over for a moment as he proceeded to look to Ryo with concern thinking over how to truly approach this issue. If his opponent really was all powerful, this would certainly be an issue but perhaps he could continue with his best weapon: His silver tongue. As Ryo questioned whether they could get started Xiao laughed "Ohh if I could shut myself, believe me I would, but this train has no breaks" he jested as his opponent began to move, Xiao followed suit making sure to avoid the center of the arena not only because he worried how far it the next 'fall' could be but so too that the radius could very well increase, his best bet to survive if he was to survive was to ensure that he reached the walls. If his opponent was heading right, then so too would he aim for that wall besides just standing around talking was certainly going to make a few folks a little more than annoyed. He had to ensure that the audience was getting the most out of the experience. He knew the fastest way to a point was a direct line but the fact was the ground could fall at anytime. He made his way from his 14m distance into that of a 25m distance which he made easily as he had been traveling backwards since Ryo's admission of ninjutsu preference. As he made it to the edge of the 25m mark he watched as once again the ground began to disperse and fall an additional 10m from center point totalling in a 15m hole in the direct center, as the tiles even began to nudge Xiao with his focus on Reaction Time Taijutsu made a run for the 45m outer rim running diagnally at breakneck speeds of...whatever he could run at "Okay! I was impressed, you can stop doing it now!" Xiao shouted out as he proceeded to turn on the ball of his heel watching as his opponent continued to rush towards him much to his delight.

As his opponent neared him closing the distance Xiao had to think about it for a moment, his replacement jutsu was still active simply waiting in the wings and could easily be webbed into his position if so needed at anytime but the fact was that he didn't really want to become a chuunin, not just yet, he was here for fun but the others, well, they were here for some reason. Xiao crouched low at the rim of the most outer shell as his opponent closed in "Are you...competing for any reason? Do you want to be a chuunin?" Xiao asked genuinely as he waited for his opponent, his mind on that web body he had but all at once perhaps this question was more than he needed to really get his opponent to 'defeat' him. With good enough reasons Xiao would simply walk on over to the hole and jump in admitting defeat through honor but if his opponent was simply there for power, well he had to keep it going no matter what. As his opponent neared Xiao, Xiao simply scratched the back of his neck - it seemed as if he was being too casual or perhaps uncaring but this manuever was to ensure his hand was hidden directly behind his head and aimed to the web body in the corner of the room ready to web-zip it to his position if so needed, his other hand resting in his pocket readying the smoke pellets needed to perform the replacement technique but so too knowing perhaps if his opponent was motivated enough perhaps he wouldn't need to. "Are you doing this for you? For your village? Why are you here, Ryo Fujita?" Xiao stated in a serious tone that echoed blue notes and genuine concern, even opting to drop the comedic name he had for his opponent for his true identity "What are you trying to prove today?" the two would be about 6m from each other now on the outer rim, parallel to one anothers positioning as Ryo would continue to rush forward and Xiao weighed his options.

--
245 Chakra
Replacement Technique - Readied and still active, just not used yet but might use it

1159

As Ryo made his way forward Xiao's eyes were locked directly at his opponent with a ferocity masked only by his spider-mask, inside that thin layer of fabric his brow furrowed, his flesh sweat, his breathe quickened, his heart matched the rhythm of a military drum as his opponent moved closer and closer still. His veins were replaced with gasoline or so it felt revving at the speed of a jet engine telling him to react, telling him to do anything. He needed to move, he could at anytime use that web package...but Xiao knew in the long run doing so would be a poor choice. He would break his word. That wasn't his way, that wasn't the way he wanted to be, anybody could be an underhanded shinobi. Anybody could become selfish, self motivated and misanthropic at any point when they deemed it all too difficult but Xiao knew in his heart that being kind, being noble and having honor was not an inherent skill or trait, nor something reserved for the sheltered, it was a choice. Before his mother's death she asked him to remember her words, that with great power so too came great responsibility and Xiao's ultimate responsibility in this world was to ensure that he did more good than harm before the reaper came for the little spider.

The hole had enlarged and Ryo was showing signs of concern, if Xiao was as smart as he was charismatic perhaps he would have taken this as Ryo not being the architect of the absence of the floor but alas the young spider was only 12 and with it came a lack of understanding when it came to the subtleties of body language. His opponent, though slowing to a pace he didn't account for, was still coming for him. Flashes of the web package surged across his mind. He could use it now. He could and avoid this and simply start again but he had made a promise and that to Xiao was above all other goods right now, he could fight with his honor in tact that way.

It was then that his opponent would reply to his question. Ryo wanted power because he had been weak before. He would have loved to utter some words of inspiration, would have spoken from his heart or perhaps even tried to keep his consistent loud mouth attitude but the fact was that he just couldn't find the words. If only he could find the words to actually match what he was thinking, to tell stories of how with great power came great responsibility but for some reason his tongue was so twisted by the sheer authority that was the heat of battle that nothing seemed to spring forth. It was a shame, as Xiao's entire point could have been summarized with such a phrase especially one as important to him as the very phrase he had wished to say but alas there was no time.

As Ryo reached the twelve meter radius he sent forth a genjutsu, if Xiao was more apt at using the style perhaps he would have known of it or perhaps had a vague concept of how to bypass the surprise mental assault but the truth was outside of punching things really really hard Xiao didn't really have that much knowledge outside the basic knowledge of academy students. The genjutsu hit Xiao directly, with full force as Ryo began to slow his pace much to Xiao's confusion. The little spider was unaware what was happening, could it be that his words had got to Ryo?  It was certainly a possibility but unfortunately such a thing would not occur as suddenly without Xiao truly knowing what was going on a large forest would spring behind him causing Xiao to turn his head and face away from his opponent in shock, amazed at the forest that had risen up to his surprise due to his immense stupidity and lack of any redeemable quality when it came to mental capacity let alone personality. Xiao watched the forest in awe, unknowingly giving Ryo ample time to weave his hand signs and prepare his next jutsu.

As Xiao looked up in amazement his eyes widened like the utter moron he was not uttering a word but simply basking in the glory of the genjutsu. As he gazed at the forest he felt heat on his back, it was an odd sensation but soon that calm warmth soon began to grow hotter and hotter still. He could feel that warmth engulfing him and though normally would have loved to say something he certainly couldn't because the fireball was just too fast, faster than he could possibly anticipate and with it came the need to shut his mouth. As he began to notice the warmth, turning his head back to Ryo as he spied the enormous fireball coming towards him and merely accepted it all.

His mind thought for a moment of what he could do. He could use it. It was right there. Just a quick web and it would all be over. He could evade the jutsu, swing on the edge of the arena and make his way to the next set of combos, firing webs right and left and waiting int he center of the arena hanging on a string while his opponent suffered chakra drain. Even if they had to go to the walls, he could maintain it, keep it going. But that wasn't Xiao. That wasn't his way. He'd made a promise and he intended to keep it, if anything just to ensure that he proved his point to Ryo that it was with the power that others may not have had that came the responsibility to use these powers in a honorable way. For a moment, for the spider, time slowed.

Slowing to a crawl as his mind went back to why he was here. He wasn't here for victory. He wasn't here for power, fame nor fortune. He didn't even intend to progress when it came down to it, all he wished to do was to grow and at this point he could barely call himself an apt shinobi as when it came to Jutsu arts he barely held a spattering of them under his command showing that he hadn't really changed all that much. Nothing had. He hadn't even had time to mourn. He was a young child who had lost his parents. He was a young child that had discovered he wasn't even human. What he was, what he aimed to be was nothing more than someone who could make a change in the world and yet it had lead him here. Maybe, in the end, this was the reason he had come to the exams in the first place after all.

Before the fire fully enveloped Xiao, looking dead on he threw up his signature hand gesture often used when firing his web, so as to show Ryo if he could even see the action that he had indeed kept his promise. As the fire began to envelope his body, growing larger and larger around his skin tight outfit the little spider felt the crackling of first his clothing melting into his skin, he wanted to scream but the pain was so immense, the pain was so much that it caused him instead to merely twitch as his heart beat faster and faster still pounding as if it was about to escape from his chest as he tried to regain his breathe and yet nothing came out. There was no air, no oxygen, just more of that burning sensation that scorched his lungs and filled his throat. He could feel the fabrics of his suit melting away as the young 11 year old boy burned alive in the prison of flame twitching and unable to even produce a scream as all oxygen was burned instantly. He could feel his body reaching the point of his flesh being burned to the point where his nerves began to twist and sever, the pain ceasing atleast but knowing that the damage may have been so immense that the young shinobi could have very well sustained a fatal wound through it all.

As he burned the orb began to flow towards the large hole in the center of the room, as the orb began to roll forward faster and faster still Xiao knew he would perish. Knew that it was most likely the end of his short lived life as the orb rolled down below into the dark abyss below, falling further and further downward as the little spider's mask burned away revealing his young face looking up to Ryo as he was enveloped in darkness. The light of the fire drifting from sight as it fell beneath the darkness, Xiao didn't know how long he had fallen for but as the orb hit the bottom of the pit it was evident that his time was up. Still burning deep beneath the arena...

His mind going to only one thing....


Lady Haka....I don't feel so good....I'm so sorry... his mind thought but inside his heart felt content, he had kept his word, he had ensured that he had used his power with a great responsibility and that was enough for the little shinobi who now fell unconcious, still burning alive in the darkness of the pit. His bones broken. His body burned and scorched...but his pride, his word and his honor still intact and with that he could smile even in the darkness.

He could feel his body burning alive now...and with it he could feel something deeper, not just unconsciousness but his very heartbeat slowing and slowing to a crawl as the air in his lungs burned like ignited ash. He had nothing left. No more energy or life force to give out as the fire alone had scorched his body but the fall to the pit, unable to defend himself from said fall had caused a mighty impact to the shinobi. If his flesh was not burning the congealing blood that made instant scabbification along his body would be clearer to see that his body had broken. A broken child, burned to death in a well of darkness with nothing more to give.

--
DEFEAT


1579

TWC: 5,541