Chapter 53
While they said we were going to be resting for two days, the first day was entirely devoted to strategy meetings. We already knew what our set up for the first bracket was. Because there were twenty eight genin, four genin were getting a buy for the first round. Out of our group it was actually me who got that one. The primary concern for first round was dealing with the local talent. Kumo and Kiri were the only two groups with two genin teams, so there was a focus on Mitsuki, Manami and Hiroshi's first matches since they were the only ones who were facing off against Kumo. Manami was facing a swordsman named Rai. Hiroshi was facing a male nin named Sos, who considering his physique (it was very large) was probably a physical fighter. Mitsuki was fighting a girl named was Majime who has stayed under the radar enough that we couldn't find an immediate specialty. Judging a konouchi by her build wasn't very smart after all.
Both Suigetsu and Kiriko were in the first matches versus two of the Ame nin. Chojuro was facing one of the Suna nin, a girl who from the looks of her make-up one of the puppet corps. Gonmaru was facing Kabuto, which I suspected wouldn't be much of a show if Kabuto was going to bow out like I think he will.
I got most of that while I was fiddling with my guitar sitting in on it all. It wasn't that I wasn't interested, I just honestly didn't know how this would go. I looked at the reports but our information based on the second exam wasn't that great because present company excluded the only people who passed were those who had the sense to not fight at all. The information we did have was examined and speculated on but honestly there was a huge hole in all of it caused by the fact that we didn't have a scale or gauge of improvement to hold these genin too. We hadn't been to any previous exams, nor had we had interactions with ninja outside of the land of water. We were very painfully out of date on our information that it was entirely possible that whatever assumptions formed based on our findings were completely wrong.
While we were aware of that they kept at it for several hours while I strummed on my guitar, fiddled with paper practicing chakra control, doodled on paper with ink brushes. I think my lack of interest upset them because Chigetsu called me out on it about three hours in.
"Is there somewhere you'd rather be Sumire-san?"
Konoha, fishing, the music room, the festival, it was a long list honestly. But I let out a sigh.
"We're fighting blind."
I said it as I started to strum some more.
"Actually worse than blind, we're fighting with half formed information that was gathered based on two weeks observation from people who know their being watched and conversations that they know are going to be dissected later."
"Is there a point here Sumire-san?"
Chigetsu started again.
I looked at him and started an acostic version of the imperial death march.
"Not one that'll be listened too, but I don't think we can actually plan any more for this so can't we just go out and enjoy the festival for once?"
"That's not why we're here."
He scowled as he said that. I increased the beat of the guitar.
"Why not? We're advertisement aren't we, shouldn't we go out. Go shopping, play games, do something that makes us seem not like mysterious shut ins. We're supposed to look like we're ready to deal with the rest of the world not hide away again."
His look remained sour but Mitsuki piped in.
"If it's in your interest, the Mizushima gave me a task. I was to get samples of foreign goods to be examined by them when I return. With your permission I'd like to do that task tomorrow since I have no knowledge how I'll otherwise be occupied during the competition."
Chigetsu looked at me as I strummed but then nodded to Mitsuki.
"Very well, if that is your mission I will not keep you from it."
He then turned.
"In fact, take Sumire-san with you, I'm sure she can make herself useful by carrying things. Swordman are good for physical labor in the like."
"Fine."
I continued playing my guitar and leaned over as Chigetsu started to talk over the gaggle of papers again. He probably couldn't see the smile on my face, hopefully.
When the competition began we were all marched out into a large arena which was basically a man made circular plateau covered in jutting rock formations probably creating a more interesting fighting arena. There was a large metal wall that enclosed the arena and in benches and rows all around it there was seating including an enclosed kage box. We were all led to a waiting area and we waited for the third exam proctor to arrive.
It wasn't until everyone was seated did several explosions go off and a tall very recognizable man jumped down from the Kage box. I'd seen him in the broadcast before, but looking at him even from a distance he didn't disappoint. He reached down at his feet which he clicked on but before opening his mouth he turned and pointed in the crowd. Another person appeared and he gave him another microphone, the younger boy then immediately proceeded to beatbox into his mike while the other person spoke in time.
"Welcome the the exams and welcome from me,
your number one proctor Killer Bee.
You know your matches and that's all cool
but back on up while I go over the rules.
This may be a fight, to show our might,
but you kiddies got to see
we have to keep it civil for diplomacy.
So for the first day we'll have two rounds,
and this is how it'll all go down.
You get knocked out your fight is done.
You get timed out we'll vote on your run.
Cause thirty minutes is your limit,
So either hit your opponents in a blaze,
Or run the clock out either ways.
Remember if you go for a kill or excessive harm
I'll knock you out before you go too far.
Knock out or time out, you can find your win.
That's the rules so let's begin!"
Applause erupted from the crowd and all the kumo ninja waiting in our area burst into applause. Though noticably everyone else around me was silent and incredibly confused about what just happened. I suppose it was probably incredibly absurd to the rest of group, the countries jinchuriki, one of the most powerful ninja currently alive, proctoring a chunin exam and introducing himself by rapping. Not only that, everyone else was cheering because of it. I started to chuckle a bit myself it looked like this was going to be one interesting exam.
