Hiro's grip tightened, his anxiety was on a continuing climb. His appearance slightly different from the prior day: bandage was tightly wrapped around his knuckles and a second shuriken holster at his opposite side. He'd prepared both hands for optimum shuriken throwing. Thanks to Koji's offer he'd be a little more outfitted. He tuned out Sensei-Takuya's pre-exam speech, keeping a memory of Koji ultimate plan, though it was still hard to grasp the fact that Koji had come up with one. He closed his eyes zeroing in on Koji's words as they surfaced.
"Tomorrow, we make like spiders…"
Hiro shot him a puzzled look, "I don't get it, how's acting like spiders gonna help?"
Koji pointed out the spider tacked to the tree. "Remember the spider building a web?" Hiro shook his head, of course he remembered it, in fact in had no idea Koji even saw it. "As soon as it finished its task, another spider came along and threw him out, taking advantage of the exhausted spider…"
"You're saying we build webs?" Hiro chuckled a moment.
"No, I'm saying if we go out tomorrow attacking everyone, we'll become exhausted and overwhelmed in no time." He hoisted a single finger to his face, "but, if we let everyone else tire out the other opponents, they'll be pushovers for us…"
Hiro hoisted a fist to his face extruding his fore fingers; he began mustering as much chakra he could to his body. A dim aura whipped around him, releasing the stiffening tension from his muscles. Koji standing opposite, imitated, mustering chakra to himself. Though Koji's appearance remained the same as yesterday, not presenting any sign of preparation, Hiro still held confidence in his comrade. He'd offered his kunai knife to him hoping he'd take some kind of precaution, though he regretfully declined.
As Koji finished his gathering of chakra, his body abruptly shifted in posture and a blank gaze fell upon his face. Light puddles surrounding him resonated, pulsating several times before evaporating. Hiro shot him a surprised look; never had he'd seen or known if Koji had any control of his chakra. Is this ninjutsu? Hiro shook his head, abandoning all conclusions pointing toward Koji's recent change. Here Hiro was worrying about his friend's ability to keep up, when Koji had evaporated water in his focus. Scanning around, he witnessed several students preparing themselves in miscellaneous ways, some gathering chakra, arming with weapons, others tightening focus to their planned targets.
Sensei-Takuya's speech was coming to a close. He and many other senseis took their places several feet above the students on a wooden platform, surveying everything from their position. This fight would be monitored very closely; they could easily jump in and stop a battle at will. Takuya finished his speech with a salute; then retreated to a far corner of the platform, directing his attention toward Hiro and Koji. A second teacher approached Takuya from behind, reaching out he nudged him stealing his attention.
"Master Hayate…" both nodded noting each others presence.
"I see you have some favorites this year." Takuya chuckled lightly shaking his head, "I only wonder about Koji of the Nagako clan, The Nagako clan is considered a high ranking clan among kirigakure village." He peered back at his students, "but Koji is nothing more than a clown." Hayate nodded noting Takuya's concern.
"Master Takuya, you worry too much." Shaking his head, then pointing to other students. "You've got an entire class of cadets with potential, which only thirteen of them will become Genin." Placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, Hayate nodded further reassuring him it would be alright. He then proceeded to the platform's edge, sighing deeply. "It's time to begin the genin selection exam."
The resonating buzz of a gong rang through the air. Hiro quickly hoisted a fist , guarding his left. In no time at all, a cadet had focused an attack on Hiro, nearly catching him off guard. Hiro hurriedly dug into the holster at his right and yanked a shuriken out and tore into his opponents arm. He then snapped it into the cadet's shoulder then squarely planted a stiff kick to his torso.
Hiro quickly leapt backwards into the air scanning for Koji. Most of the students had dispersed throughout the terrain, singling out encounters to mere one on one battles. Once landing, he quickly shot up again repeating this until finally laying eyes on Koji. Three of them?
Multiple copies of Koji encircled another student attacking him at all sides, overwhelming him they left almost no chance to counter. Once finding his opening, the opposing cadet quickly spun through the set of Koji running a kunai through one of them, then followed with a late kick. His target quickly dissipated, breaking down into several sheets of water. So startled, the cadet didn't catch the countering blow from the Koji duo. The cadet hastily countered with several sloppy swings hoping to hit one of the two. Koji leapt at the cadet kneeing him in the chest as second Koji circled around kneeing him from behind. Koji hurriedly stripped the cadet of his kunai and brushed a trail of blood across his torso, the cadet collapsed.
As soon as he was sure his opponent was down, he shot Hiro the Akihoto no jutsu, hoping to reassure Hiro as before. Hiro stood stunned, he couldn't believe Koji had created doppelgangers, and water doppelgangers at that. Water doppelgangers required far more skill than the simple shadow illusions, was Koji concealing his true abilities? Did Koji have what it took to become a Genin? Did Hiro?
Koji quickly approached him still holding the Akihoto. He knew what Hiro was stunned about, but just shook his head avoiding explanation. "Sorry I didn't tell you." Hiro's eyes widened further, he was apologizing? "I didn't want you to feel discouraged ever, I've been able to use the Art of water doppelganger for some time now, I just don't want you to feel as if you fallen behind or…" Hiro raised his hand interrupting him.
Hiro shook his head chuckling, "I'd never be angry about that, now I feel we have a chance of passing." The Koji smiled placing both hands behind his head, Hiro shot the double a roguish grin, "not a bad looking doppelganger." He tugged at his Gi. "If I do say so myself." The two broke into heavy laughter.
Takuya peered down at the two chuckling away their position, though all he could do was chuckle as well. Those two would be alright.
Koji hoisted a fist, interrupting their laughter, "ok, now…"
Hiro nodded in agreement, "…now…"
Together, "…we make like spiders…"