Day 6

Takumi laughed, as well as Shun. Michiya stared at her sensei in disbelief.

"You mean…" she asked, and Taiki responded before Michiya could finish her question.

"Yes. I changed my name because I thought it was a little silly." He shrugged, walking away from the table. Takumi leapt up and followed his chuunin outside.

"Washimaru? Washimaru? You mean the performing-nin who traveled with a few circus troupes before becoming a serious shinobi? You were with them?" he asked.

"No. My grandfather was the original Washimaru. He loved birds, especially eagles. So, he found ways to perform using them and combine them with his jutsus. After he barely fought off a group of ninjas, he decided to convert his performing style into a more physical fighting style." Taiki said.

"My father became a chuunin, but after that, he began work as a financial advisor in Konoha. After I was born, my grandfather wanted me to use the same jutsus he used, and become a tari-nin as a whole." He said. Takumi shook his head, trying to figure why Taiki would be ashamed of such a past. It sounded pretty cool to have a smart father and a creative grandfather.

"I guess the secrets out." Taiki exhaled, leaving the lunchroom at the academy. "Takumi, get Michiya and Shun. Our last piece of training is a simulated battle. Three-on-three against..."

- - -

Miharu watched the faces of her genin as they took the news. She wanted them to be tougher, and since she knew Taiki a little, she thought they could benefit from fighting against other genin.

"But Miharu-sensei," Ayumi asked. "If they see our attacks, won't it be a little disadvantageous if we were to fight them again?"

"Maybe." Miharu simply answered. Yama tightened the gloves on her hands, and gave Kazuki a smile. Kazuki retunred the feeling.

"I heard about Takumi. Other than him, no one else is really that strong. I'll take him." Kazuki said.

"Ayumi, get Michiya. She doesn't have many jutsu's, but she can take a lot of damage." Yama said. Ayumi felt a bit of pain in her arms, still feeling the effects of her wind attack she released yesterday. She moved them around, then concurred.

"The easier, the better." She said.

- - -

Kaito picked up a blade of grass, and studied it from a few angles before letting it fall to the ground. Asuka sat nearby, stretching a bit before standing. Saraidenn watched Kaito intently, hoping he wasn't about ask questions again. It was getting too close to the big exam to start making them think. Takeh copied Kaito's actions, looking at the thin blade. Within a split second, the blade of grass hit the ground in front him.

All three genin looked up to see Kaito had thrown the wisp at a high velocity.

"To a ninja, everything can be an effective weapon. You just have to know how to use it." He said. Takeh made a face, looking at the blade of grass which stood just like others around it. He picked at it, but noticed that it didn't come out as easily as the others.

Asuka was busy stretching, but thinking about the night before. Should she have told Minako? Would this change people's perception of her? She stood, taking a few practice kicks and punches, watching Saraidenn looking around.

Katio studied the reactions of his genin, knowing a few things about them: Asuka wasn't one to use weapons, Saraidenn's success so far relied more on luck than skill, and Takeh's traps could be the reason they make it to the final stage of the chuunin exam.

He really hoped he was wrong.

- - -

"Yoshi!" Kento shouted throughout the forest. Kyo followed, and Natsumi jumped from branch to branch above them.

"See anyone?" Kento asked. Natsumi replied no, and kept searching. Kyo formed hand seals, then gave both Kento and Natsumi a message.

"Guys, get out of the way." He said, and the rope split into many threads, splitting their way through the forest . "I'll use the rope to feel for her."

"Eh?" Kento asked, a little taken back. "Have you ever done this before?"

"I use it to find things I've lost before. If it can find items, it can at least attract the attention of a human."

Natsumi leapt from the branch and waited for Kyo's technique to take place.

"Wait, I think I have someone." Kyo said.

"Who is it?" Natsumi asked. Kyo closed his eyes tight.

"I really can't tell, but I can feel them, and they feel funny. A high amount of chakra one second, a really low chakra emission the next. It feels weird."

"You know, little genin like you shouldn't walk around without their chuunin in such a big forest."

Kyo, Kentu and Natsumi immediately turned. Kyo's rope formed back together, slithering out of the persons hand.

"Who are you?" Kentu asked. The tall figure stepped forward, flanked by two other people.

"Goro Ito." He said. "While we are here, we may as well fight you."

- - -