"Awai? Are you okay?" Setsumi rested her hand on her friend's shoulder, her eyes filled to the brim with concern. Awai didn't respond. She only stared blankly at the ground.

Yuuji and the rest of his team had split off what felt like ages ago. Their own dread was buried deep inside themselves as they had given their quiet condolences to the Uchiha, then reluctantly left. Their sensei, Akari, had later joined them.

Kazahi had tried his own attempts at comforting his friend, but all had ended with barely a glance. Now he helplessly stood nearby watching the grieving girl.

The teams had been redirected to the site of the third and final round, another room situated inside the central tower. Currently, the nine genin had spread out along the raised sidelines of the large room, overlooking the open arena headed by a statue of a pair of arms forming a hand sign.

"Awai..." Setsumi murmured again. The girl sniffled.

Kazahi felt a sudden brush of wind. He turned his head around and found their sensei, Kumo, had appeared.

"What are you doing, Awai? You still have the last round to participate in."

Awai rubbed her nose as Setsumi suddenly glared. The Hyuuga was affronted, and Kazahi felt himself flinching in at the anger in her eyes. "Sensei! How could you be so cold?"

Despite his eyes being covered, Kazahi could sense the intensity of his sensei's glare. "She is a shinobi. It is her duty to endure—"

"She just found out her father is dead!" Setsumi shouted. The other teams glanced over. "How is she to fight when her heart is broken?"

Kumo's expression may have been cold, but the fierceness in Setsumi's pale eyes left Kazahi's heart thumping much faster.

"Setsumi," Kumo started, trying to pacify the enraged Hyuuga before she did something drastic. "We are at war. Shinobi are expected to fall dead at the drop of a hat. If she doesn't understand this now, then—"

"The third round of the chunin exams will now begin!"

Kumo huffed as the proctor for the third round interrupted. He looked back at his student who was usually so obedient, now glaring daggers into him as she hugged her teammate close.

Kazahi stood by awkwardly. He was tempted to run over to Yuuji's squad, but the thought of leaving Awai while she was suffering left him feeling far more guilty.

"For this final round," the jonin proctor began, standing below the teams, "There will be one-on-one matches. When I call your name, please come down to the arena."

"Look, Awai." Kumo appeared to give in. Setsumi still regarded him with ample disgust. "You are in no shape to continue, neither physically or emotionally. You should sit this one out. If you are adamant enough to make chunin, you can join in next time."

Setsumi gawked at their sensei for even suggesting that Awai drop out and was about to speak her mind, when a pale hand squeezed her arm.

Two blazing red eyes with inky black tomoe bored into Kumo with defiance. Awai, with dried streaks of tears running down her cheeks, stumbled to stand up proudly in front of her sensei. Her mouth was set into a firm frown and her thin hair laid haphazardly over her headband, but she refused to back down. "Like hell if you think I'm going to give up after making it this far! I'm an Uchiha, I can go through anything and still come out number one!"

"The Sharingan," Kumo mumbled but quickly shook his head. He sighed, suddenly oddly complacent. "Fine, if you won't give up then there's nothing I can do about it."

Awai scoffed. She hastily wiped the remainder of her tears on her shirt, then gave both Setsumi and Kazahi a confident grin, albeit with slightly watery eyes. "Alright, let's do this! Squad 6 is making chunin!"

Kazahi smiled back, glad to see his friend had pushed the thought of her father aside for the moment. Kumo stepped back and relaxed against the wall, his movements not going unnoticed. The young genin blinked at his sensei's strange actions.

"Were his words to Awai intentional?" thought Kazahi. "Was he trying to fire her up?"

Kumo avoided his student gaze, instead focusing on the first match of the exam.

"Yuuji Inuzuka versus Setsumi Hyuuga!"

At the sound of her name, Setsumi jumped down from the sidelines and joined Yuuji and the exam proctor. Her face remained impassive as Yuuji beamed and settled his ninken on the ground beside him. Both genin formed their respective stances.

"Begin!"

Yuuji quickly formed the hand signs for his clan's specialty ninjutsu, then dropped to all fours. "Let's win this, Takeki! Fang over fang!" The Inuzuka and his canine companion leapt into action.

Setsumi proceeded to dodge the relentless attacks. Her clan's graceful technique gave her better skill in dodging, and her training with Kumo-sensei and his kikaichu provided experience in avoiding large and fast incoming objects.

As the canine duo started to slow down, Setsumi hardened her footing and struck out her open palm. "Gentle Fist!"

The blow grazed Yuuji's cheek. He was pushed backwards but recovered himself with a series of several leaps. He knuckles lightly brushed his cheek as his flexed his facial muscles.

"She hasn't activated the Byakugan yet, so that blow didn't affect my chakra points," he said to Takeki, who rejoined him. His eyes never left his opponent. "She probably wants to reserve her chakra as much as she can. Don't know why though, but... If that's the case, we should take advantage of it while we still have the chance! Right, girl?"

"Arf!" The small brown ninken was suddenly hidden in a cloud of smoke.

Setsumi crouched, reforming her stance. Her eyes narrowed.

"Man Beast Clone! Multiple Clone jutsu!"

The cloud dissipated, revealing not one clone of Yuuji, but ten. In total, eleven Yuujis now surrounded Setsumi.

"Attack! Don't let her make an attack!" all of the clones shouted. Because every clone had called out, Setsumi wouldn't have been able to easily figure out which had been the real Yuuji.

Setsumi fended off the clones. It was easy to tell which ones were fake and which were real, but the confusion all of them posed was enough to keep her occupied. After all, there were two real ninja in the mix, even if one was a dog. The clones could even pretend to make attacks while the real ones hid behind them, causing real damage when Setsumi couldn't afford to rule any out as harmless.

From the sidelines, Akari smirked. Kumo glanced at his fellow sensei.

"Is there something you're hiding?"

The sensei of Squad 2 only leaned over the railing as her grin widened. "If I told you, it wouldn't be much of a surprise, now, would it?" The she chuckled. "Your little genin doesn't stand a chance against my Inuzuka. He might seem average, what with how much he blabbers on, but he's quite the budding shinobi."

Kumo ignored his own two genin in the sidelines who were getting into a squabble over who would win. "You didn't teach him something you weren't supposed to?"

Akari's eyes gleamed over the line of red face paint stretching across her nose. "You'd be jealous at how much chakra that little pup is able to grow. Your genin will never see it coming."

But Setsumi did have a keen eye, and while Yuuji was distracted with attacking, she stealthily activated her Byakugan.

"There, and there too." She began to take out the clones in a very rapid manner. Up above, the watching genin were astonished by the sudden dispersion of clones Setsumi accomplished.

"She's amazing!"

Setsumi took count of the remaining Yuujis around her. The one standing in front of her held significantly less chakra than the one behind her. Meaning the real genin faced her back.

"Now's our chance, Takeki!" the real Yuuji called out. Both partners ran forward, ready to hit the Hyuuga.

Setsumi crouched and spun her leg around, catching the fake Yuuji by the legs. He transformed back into Takeki, and the little ninken flew high into the air, landing with a grunt on the ground behind her partner. However, the real Yuuji did not let up and continued his attack. He threw out his fist, which was parried by Setsumi's open palm, and the two delved into a close quarters taijutsu battle.

The fight was very intriguing for the onlookers to watch. The paired blows were a mix of harsh, rugged Inuzuka-style combat and the graceful and elegant form of the Hyuuga. While Setsumi would duck to avoid a hit by the other genin, Yuuji would leap behind his opponent, attempting to land a backwards blow with his elbow. The two did not let up. Even with her Byakugan, Setsumi could not avoid every hit Yuuji gave. He was just too fast for her to avoid.

"They're both so equally matched," breathed Awai, amazed. She held tightly to the railing, holding back the urge to use her Sharingan to study their movements.

"Tch." Shiki was just as surprised, but he didn't want his teammate to lose. He crossed his arms. "Yuuji better not let that Hyuuga show him up. Take her down, stupid Yuuji!"

Kazahi was conflicted. Setsumi was his teammate, but Yuuji was his best friend. Who should he cheer for? Then he noticed something on the roof of the arena. He wasn't the only one, either.

"Is that also Yuuji?" Awai pointed to the ceiling.

A third clone of Yuuji, neither the real one nor his ninken in disguise, dropped down from the top of the room onto Setsumi. The Hyuuga cried out in surprise. Her Byakugan had missed the clone. It whipped its body around, breaking up the fight between the genin and placing her in a chokehold. Because of their difference in size, it was too difficult for her to break out of. Setsumi used the chance to scan the clone with her eyes.

She stifled back a gasp.

The clone did not have the small wisp of chakra a normal clone jutsu would carry. It was a much larger amount.

Setsumi flipped her Byakugan back to Yuuji and found his chakra had been severely cut in half.

"You didn't," Kumo barked at Akari in a low tone. His kikaichu became agitated under his clothes. "You taught him the Shadow Clone jutsu. He's not even a chunin!"

Akari kept her eyes trained on the fight. "Yuuji shows a lot of promise. His chakra reserves were the highest in his class, and all that energy he has will only increase it."

"It's dangerous! He's still a young ninja!"

"He's my student, Kumo. Not yours." The dusty gray eyes of Squad 2's sensei finally flashed dangerously at the Aburame. "Besides, I wasn't the one who yelled at my genin whose parent just died."

Back in the arena, Setsumi struggled against the tight hold Yuuji's shadow clone kept her in. The real Yuuji, even without his ninken partner, held the upper hand in the fight.

Yuuji dashed forward. Setsumi prepared herself, when an idea hit her. Yuuji's leg came crashing down towards her, when Setsumi suddenly released most of the chakra left in her body. The sudden burst of energy collided with Yuuji's leg and flung the Inuzuka backwards. He dug his feet into the ground to stabilize himself.

The shadow clone, disrupted by the sudden burst of chakra and its user's own inexperience, was dispelled.

Setsumi ran towards Yuuji, who was still somewhat dazed from the attack, and struck him with a very precise and powerful blow.

"Gentle Fist!"

Yuuji held his arms up to block the attack, but Setsumi still had just enough chakra left to burn his arms. With his arms stinging, Yuuji threw his own jab, but a sharp pain in his forearm skewed his aim. Setsumi took the chance and hit him with a final blow, this time her hand folded into an uncustomary fist.

Yuuji, knocked to ground, didn't get up after a few seconds. The proctor stepped forward, checking to see if Yuuji was actually down, then made his decision.

"Setsumi Hyuuga is the winner of the match."

Setsumi let herself have a small smile as she heard her teammates cheer excitedly from the stands.

Shiki groaned, upset that his team member had lost against one of Squad 6, but he was ultimately proud that his teammate had gotten to use his new technique and show it off. The Yamanaka jumped down from the sidelines and sauntered over to his friend.

Yuuji blinked as his vision cleared, showing off the cocky face of Shiki.

"You did pretty awesome, stupid Yuuji," Shiki congratulated. He smirked, offering a hand to the fallen Inuzuka.

Yuuji accepted it, still shaky from the intense attack Setsumi had done. "Hehe, thanks Shiki! I tried my hardest, but I guess it just wasn't enough. I gotta tell sensei 'm sorry that I didn't do so well. You better do good too!" And with that, Yuuji stumbled over to his ninken, gently lifting her from the ground and placing her inside his jacket.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll show you who the best on Squad 2 is," Shiki grumbled, watching the competitors clear from the arena. "I should get back up there too... or not."

"The next round is Shiki Yamanaka versus Yokei Kogirei!"

The young Yamanaka settled into place before his opponent, sizing him up. Yokei looked older, but he wasn't any taller than Shiki. He had combed black hair, neat clothes, and his face betrayed no semblance of braggery or enthusiasm. All perfect and pristine.

It was stark contrast to Shiki's messy ponytail and loose green yukata showing off the mesh underneath. His expression was far different, sporting a haughty smirk as he rested his arm in the fold of his clothes. "This'll be a piece of cake."

"You may begin!"

Always one to take the edge first, Shiki attacked with a smoke bomb he had hidden in his yukata.

The smoke took over the arena. Shiki backed away to the edge of the wall and prepared his Mind Transfer jutsu.

Back in the smokescreen, Yokei coughed into his fist. His opponent had vanished. He needed to escape the smoke before he was caught off guard.

Right as Shiki saw Yokei's foot leave the smoke, he unleashed his jutsu. "Ninja Art: Mind Transfer jutsu!" His arms went slack and his body slumped against the wall.

"That fast?" Awai wondered aloud. Next to her, Yuuji grinned tiredly.

"He's our team's best, after all!"

The smoke slowly cleared, revealing the calm figure of Yokei. The exam proctor watched closely, waiting for the confirmation that the genin had been successfully caught in the jutsu.

Then the body of Yokei dropped to the ground, his hand planted as he called out, "Earth style: Mud Wall."

The ground around Shiki's motionless body shot up, closing in on the genin. Shiki had missed; Yokei had not been trapped in the Mind Transfer jutsu.

"Oh no!" fretted Awai. She and her teammates watched fearfully as the earth style jutsu surrounded their friend.

Just as the walls were about to fully surround him, however, Shiki suddenly jolted. He slammed his hands against the ground, lightning bursting out and overtaking the mud walls, blasting them to bits. Caught in a handstand, he pushed his feet off the wall of the arena, shooting forward towards the stunned genin. Shiki reached out his palm, splitting a feverish grin across his face.

"Lightning style: Paralyzing Lightning Strike!"

His hand connected with the Yokei's chest, the jutsu unleashed on the genin. Shiki flipped back onto his feet, keeping a solid stance with his chest out as he watched his opponent drop to the ground immobile.

As the procotor called out the winner of the match, Shiki clucked his tongue, bringing his hand out thumbs down. "I don't need to use a hidden jutsu to take you down. I've got my own tricks up my sleeve. Following tradition is for stupid losers." With a final huff, Shiki smirked as he leapt back up to the sidelines.

"I didn't know you could use lightning style."

"Sensei helped me learn it." Shiki drank in all the praise. He dusted off his shoulder, feigning evidence of hard work, when Akari ruffled his already messy hair.

"You better thank me by keeping up the hard work!" While Shiki tried to bat her hand away, she pulled in Yuuji and his ninken too. "My students are the greatest!"

Shiki grumbled, but Yuuji laughed despite the loss in his own match.

"Next up, Awai Uchiha versus Kazahi Shuuji."

"Oh?" Kumo looked down at his two students, raising his eyebrows. "So, the both of you are up now. Good luck."

Awai grabbed Kazahi's hand, bringing it up to eyelevel, and squeezed. "Let's do our best, Kazahi! But don't forget that I'm gonna win."

Kazahi returned the confident look in her eyes. Both genin turned to join the proctor when they heard Setsumi speak up from behind them.

"Good luck, Awai, Kazahi. I'll root for the two of you equally."

Awai blinked then snorted. "Come on, Awai, you should support your best friend more."

"We're both her teammates, though. She should cheer for both of us the same."

"Kazahi, you should just shut up!"

"C'mon you two," Yuuji intervened, playing mediator. "Don't fight up here. You're supposed to have your match down there."

The proctor cleared his throat, looking pointedly at the two troublesome genin. "Awai and Kazahi, get down here now."

"Uh, right."

Awai and Kazahi stepped forward and faced each other. The proctor raised his arm.

Kazahi observed Awai's face closely, focusing on her eyes. They were large and black like any Uchiha. A prominent redness flashed behind them, more apparent this time than any before. He had to remind himself that she had unlocked the Sharingan now. She could track his every movement far better than he ever could in this dry arena.

But, as the proctor announced the start of the match, there was an absent softness that Awai's eyes had never possessed.

"Begin."

Kazahi dashed forward. Awai was horrible at taijutsu. Starting off the battle as close as possible would most assuredly spell his victory. She would never stand a chance in close quarters combat. He threw his first punch at Awai, expecting it to give him the advantage.

Awai blocked the punch with her forearms and swiftly caught his fist.

Kazahi almost stumbled in surprise. Awai was never any good at hand-to-hand combat. She could never block a punch, much less parry it.

Awai twisted his arm in retaliation, but Kazahi was too quick and jerked his arm back. His knee flew to her midsection. Awai caught this attack too. To avoid her, Kazahi switched his stance and threw a feint. Awai dodged the attack this time.

Deciding taijutsu wasn't going to work out as planned, Kazahi brought out a kunai and wrenched himself away from his teammate. Separated, he kept up his guard, trying to figure out how she had improved so much in so little time.

The flash of deep red made him bite his tongue. Awai's Sharingan. She had copied his movements. And probably Yuuji's and Setsumi's too.

He ducked and rolled to avoid the shuriken. She didn't let up, and Kazahi ran around the perimeter of the arena like a sheep caught by its herder. He was playing her game, and he couldn't let that continue.

He stuck the kunai in his mouth. His hands then made a series of signs. "Water Style: Raging Waves!"

Awai dodged the spew of water, and while in the air, her hands mimicked Kazahi. The second she dropped to the ground, she unleashed the same jutsu Kazahi had just used.

Unable to avoid the attack in time, Kazahi countered the stream of water with his own. As his jutsu was the more genuine of the two, his eventually overpowered hers and collided with the Uchiha.

Awai shook off the water and flicked her bangs away from her eyes.

Kazahi inhaled, his mind starting to jumble. This battle was proving to be more difficult than he'd expected. He never imagined Awai could put up a fight in an open area like this.

"Stupid Kazahi. He never stops looking constipated, huh."

The subtle splash in the puddles leftover from their attacks alerted him to Awai pushing forward.

"Go, Kaza-chan! You can do it!"

His defensive stance blocked Awai's punch. They were locked in combat now. A fast-paced exchange aided by the splash of water and the Sharingan.

"Don't forget your training, both of you."

Kazahi jumped to avoid Awai's low sweep. He aimed his fist at her lower stomach. She caught his wrist and twisted his body away. Then she delivered a punch to the back of his neck.

"Kazahi-san!"

Awai suddenly flinched, her ears ringing as she stepped backwards, dropping her hold on him. Her vision grew dotted. Kazahi shrugged off the pain on his backside and retained his footing.

Up in the sidelines, Setsumi looked down at the two genin, puzzled. She didn't have enough chakra left to use her Byakugan, so she was left without answers. She frowned and looked to her sensei for an explanation. "Why isn't Kazahi moving?"

Kumo rubbed his neck, feeling somewhat sorry for his only male student. "He's been caught in a genjutsu, it seems. Awai probably used her Sharingan to get him near the start of the match."

Setsumi looked back down at the dry arena. Kazahi suddenly started to blink rapidly. Whatever genjutsu he had been caught in had worn off, his senses returning to him. Unfortunately, Awai had noticed this long before he was able to adjust to his surroundings.

The Uchiha darted forward, her fist raised just level to his face.

He couldn't avoid the impact. Kazahi's vision went black.

.

.

.

"Perhaps you should take a break. You haven't been performing the same since the war. Continually forcing yourself to take on missions and train without a goal will only prove to destroy both your mind and body in the end."

"Yes. Lord Third."

"Oh dear. When was the last time I saw a spark of the will of fire in you." The old man paused. "I have an offer for you, young man. Take a week's worth of ample rest, then report back to me when your mind has cleared. I have an offer for you, one that will give you the change of pace you need."