Kejido had not entered the exams for one reason. He didn't want to reveal his hand just yet. That wasn't to imply he wasn't curious about the other competitors. While not directly engaging them left him without a true feel for it he liked surveillance work against potential future threats. This was simply a way for him to observe and take notes on everyone supposedly around the same level as him that felt themselves to be a possible top dog as it were. Allowing him to observe their talents and assess them in his own way. He doubted if he would ever fight the majority of them. However when being handed a free pass to observe other shinobi from around the world he found it irresponsible to pass it up. So he had made a request within his clan for permission to travel. It had taken a couple of days but they had assessed the threat to be minimal. After all the security for the exams was going to be impressive. They didn't want any of the shinobi they were allowing in to actually threaten the place after all. Still with his permission to go he was repeatedly warned to behave himself. After all he was representing the clan in this matter even if he was going to watch. They also knew his intentions. So while they were letting him go they wanted a detailed report upon his return. Which was scheduled to happen as soon as the celebrations for the chunnin exam finals were over.

However for his trip 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. While they would check him for hidden weapons he would make it known that unless the law required it he wouldn't be disarming in another country for any reason. They would need to respect his need to protect himself as well. He doubted they wanted an incident but it was all basic academy weapons anyway.

Still having to wait at the train station to board the train was a pain with an entire rolling suitcase nearly the size of himself with him. Still he had grown stronger as of late. His wide shoulders bolstering more strength that one might assume. However he was pleasantly surprised to see one of his squad members Ryo there. He still chuckled at the name. Still as lazy as the boy was he had such potential. He just needed to discover it in due time. He would be most valuable on the team. Still it would be nice to bond with him. They met up and decided to share a car which was actually rather quiet. Ryu had shared that the orphanage was making him go while Kejido had revealed he had asked to go specifically to watch the matches. After all they were usually intense and there was an awful lot to learn. Ryo didn't seem interested as per usual so most of the train ride was spent eating complimentary tiny sandwiches with a couple of cups of tea. Kejido had them wait until most of the train was unloaded before they left as he didn't like being crowded in thin hallways. As such their arrival to get in line for the gates was rather far back. At least they were fed and hydrated. Still the line was slow moving. Kejido would use his large suitcase as a seat as they went. Allowing hi to sit and rest for a few minutes at a time.

Still his silver eyes would admire the structures around them. Even with the ever present clouds of Kumo the majority of it was built out of the mountainside. So many similarities and yet the weather was almost entirely different. Here it was cold and a little wet here and there while in Iwa the sun usually dominated the village and while the could mountains were exactly that, the sun was usually making the air uncomfortably warm in the spring. The summers might as well have been Suna. Still unlike suna their mountain got plenty of seasonal rain to sustain itself. All the same Kejido had taken out his notepad and was scribbling in a drawing of the main gate. Just something to pass the time. His art surprisingly detailed. Still the line was slow moving so he supposed he should at least be a useful conversant with his travel partner. A little bit of candor might do the two of them some good. Bonding between soldiers and all. He didn't expect anything on a band of brothers level but all the same. Perhaps the young man could use something to distract him as well. Kejido would glance up at him before smiling and tilting his head. His voice kept quiet so as not to be heard by the guards but easily a voice at conversation level. Best to start with a sense of humor.

"I say, this does remind me a little of home. If not a little soggier. Our women are prettier too don't you think Mr. Fujita?"

1032

Kejido would grin a little at the young mans response. So technical and appropriate. It spoke leagues of him and yet with so little said some might make the mistake of thinking the boy anti social. Kejido however was socially perfected enough for the both of them. He would finish his quick sketch for a moment before his silver eyes took in the boy looking uncomfortable in line around all these people. His pencil would pause on the paper as he studied him a moment. An orphan from the orphanage. Repetitive but still held some points. He had always grown up in a system where one easily figured themselves a burden. They didn't dream of playing with dreams and fantasies because it meant taking from the others around them. Gave off a sense of them being suited for a lesser life. Even though he was a shinobi now he likely had never known luxury. Never enjoyed himself as fully as a rich man may have. It was a pity but there was a way around that. After all Kejido was good at being a showman. He just needed Ryo to be a part of it so he didn't mistake it for charity. If he helped earn it he might accept it more. So Kejido would speak up from his seated position as he tucked away his notebook.

"This line sure is inching along. Where do you plan on staying while here? Scratch that, I know what we will do. Just trust me and play along. Don't be shy now."

With a swift movement Kejido would rise to his feet and with his foot scoot his bag up towards the front of the gab in their spot in line they had made. He looked to the guy behind them and smiled before speaking up. "Save our spot please?" The rather elderly looking man nodded and didn't show much change in expression. Still Kejido took it and took Ryo by the arm. Attempting to tug him out of line and to the side. Tugging him out from the crowd and turning him once they were in view of everyone. With that he looked to him and leaned over to whisper but not to actually get intimately close. Ryo seemed to have anxiety about being touched. However his hand on his arm was to insistent to let him stay back in line all the same.

"You remember the kunai hand to hand combat drills in the academy? Well just follow those forms and I won't hurt you I promise. You brought a kunai right?"

If Ryo said he had Kejido would release his arm and pat him on the back of his shoulder once. If he didn't Kejido would shift his left arm and produce one into his hand before handing it over. With that he would smile like a Cheshire cat. Only to turn from Ryo and with a single hop jump onto a boulder overlooking the line. From there he would begin to announce in a very loud but controlled voice. Gathering the attention of the crowds in line. If Ryo was socially nervous before he was going to be appalled at this.

"Ladies and gentleman and everything in between. You have traveled from every corner of the continent and now wait in line for a show, Drained of energy from your travels and patience from having to wait on the last leg of your journey. Well wait no longer! We of the Iwagakure shinobi will be putting on a show for you right now. For your enjoyment my lovely assistant and I will be doing a full speed spar! Will there be blood? Will I overcome the hero or will he triumph over the evil warlord?! See for yourselves and enjoy! Donations will be accepted after the show."

1676

Kejido could recall back to the days at the academy. As a kid he had been so proud to be trusted with a knife. They wanted them to understand the weight of it. How sharp it was and to get a feel for it. Even as a kid he had enjoyed them. Learning showy tricks with them and playing around. It wasn't until he was caught by his own grandfather that he had been scolded for playing around. He hadn't understood as a kid why he had to be serious all the time or just who he was to the clan. It had been more difficult back then. Trying to impress people when you were just what they expected from the generals grandson. If he stumbled it was frowned upon but no matter the leaps of success he took he never got more than an as expected. It was endlessly frustrating. Flooding his time with effort and personal trials. By graduation day he was able to take on multiple classmates in hand to hand and knife combat. Of course their tests were only with fake kunai. Still their graduation test was where he preformed his best. Managing to score the most points and only taking one in return. Having let down his guard with so much confidence.

After the academy he had expected to be the prime choice for any squads or group missions. To have his pick of sensei. He had such a great potential ahead of him and was going to strive for it. However much to his continued irritation his grandfather had stepped in once again. Forcing him to go on leave and spend the rest of his teenage years with his family. Forcing him to spend years as a civilian. He had never understood the man. On one hand he wasn't to play around and to take his career seriously. On the other hand he had to waste years just sitting around. Not that he had allowed his own skills to dull in that time frame. Practicing in private whenever his parents were not looking. However just to spite his grandfather he also practiced the tricks he had been warned against as well. Growing more familiar with them than he had been even as a small child over the years with nothing better to do. Still he suspected somewhere deep down his parents knew as did his grandfather. They always seemed to know everything.

However right that moment it was doing him rather well. The audience was eager for anything to distract them from just standing around in a line. Even better the gate guard didn't seem to give two craps about anyone sparring beyond simply watching to make sure it didn't get out of hand. Ryo had his kunai out already and that was a bonus. If he wasn't about to play along this would have been a waste of time and embarrassing. Maybe even enough to leave Kejido in a bit of a sour mood. With that said he would need to entertain the masses. His right hand whipped down to pull his kunai sheathed on his waist free. As it rose upwards he collected his middle finger into the ring in the bottom of the hilt and spun it expertly as little more than a metal blur. Letting it go to fly up into the air and spin upwards before falling down and being caught in his left hand. Only stopping the spin for a moment. He couldn't very well catch that ring as it spun like that just yet. The time where it stopped spinning though was so minimal that it gave off the illusion that maybe he had caught it spinning.

His silver eyes shifted to Ryo as he stated his readiness unexpectedly. A part of Kejido had expected more resistance to his plan. Perhaps a lack of confidence. However Ryo came off every bit as if they had actually planned this whole thing out. Kejido only hoped that the young man knew to pull his hits. If Ryo drew blood it would probably ruin Kejido's day. Even if it was a kunai and nothing more today wasn't an awesome day to lose a nipple. Still the posture was nice. Not a martial arts stance but still trained in knife combat. Ready to counter with an open hand while ready to strike with his blade right behind it. A good defense mixed with offense. Ryo was well prepared. Still Kejido knew he had the advantage here with his own martial arts. He would measure the kid out first and adjust as needed. Still he would suddenly shift himself to launch off the rock and come straight down to land in front of Ryo about a meter away. Keeping in a low crouch as he rushed forward. Keeping Ryo on his left side where his open hand was held up to shoulder level with palm facing down. The kunai in his right hand was held properly but not lashing out yet as it was further away from Ryo than his open hand. He was baiting him into attacking an obvious opening.

2,544

Exit thread
2,544

2000 Genjutsu B - A

Eventually, after several back and forths, the fight was a win for Kejido. The others in the line seemed very pleased.

Exit thread.

2511 words.
Perception D-0 > D-3: 2511/1175
Endurance D-0 > D-3: 1336/1175
Speed E-0 > E-1: 161/75
Extra: 86