Fight Or Flight

Being a shinobi was an odd occupation.

Your area of work was never specified.

One week you're assassinating a delegate in the north. Next your charged with picking up trash at the park. Once registered under a hidden village, a shinobi was property. A tool to accomplish the asinine tasks of the most powerful individuals in their country. The only ones that could refute requests from their superior, were those of equal influence.

Until then if your leader asked you to clean shit off the walls of a public washroom. Then you went to work without question. No matter how revolting it appeared.

In Kobaru's case, he hated it. He'd slash his forehead protector and head south, before he did anything as disgusting as that again.

The trio of reserve genin had spent the early hours of their day, cleaning a public washroom in the shopping district. The whole scene was a thing of horrors. One that he couldn't wait to eventually forget.

They were assigned a simple sanitary mission. What they got was closer to a renovation. The floor and walls were caked in crusty brown. And as one could imagine. The scent it gave off was truly capable of peeling paint. Even Kobaru's basic clones would pop themselves the moment they were summoned to avoid the foul smell.

"How did it end up on the ceiling?" Chusei asked as the three genin hurried out of their now spotless worksite. His face was blanched with looks of great trauma. It was the second time he had brought it up and just as the first he would receive no answer. Mainly because no one could explain how a brown mound defied the laws of gravity.

Thankfully Nagisa was kind enough to "loan" the two boys a pair of facemasks. It was enough to dull the toxic air. Even with two willpower-clones doing their fair share of work. It took them three hours to complete the mission. They could finally return to class and pretend that it never happened.

The entire task was, to put short, demeaning.

He was always aware that a D-rank was essentially community service, but this could be done by any willing civilian with free time. There were also homeless people in the red-light district that could work for a lot less. Some would even settle for a one-sided barter.

Missions at this level were evidently created to provide the village with a cheap labor force. The Second Hokage, during his time as advisor, had shinobi assemble furniture, paint walls and pot plants. Things that would make them appear as harmless and helpful when civilians were still getting used to the idea of hidden villages. It was smart and it worked. Konoha had more resident civilians than any other hidden village on the continent by the end of the first war.

With people getting used to sharing a community with child assassins and controlled psychopaths. Periods of peace brought change to what D-ranks stood for.

Modern times took it and devolved them into a lesson. A deterrent of impudence or, most commonly, to humble the likes of any arrogant genin. As per his personal experience it got the job done.

"Cells of three my ass," Chusei continued his tirade when they were at a safe distance, "next time we're going in there with a small army. It's a miracle we finished that before lunch."

"How can you even think about lunch right now?" Kobaru asked his jaw slack in awe. The only thing on his mind during the mission, was to keep his mouth shut in a vice. He couldn't afford to fall ill, because of excrement ingestion. Especially from his first actual assignment as shinobi.

"'Cuz I'm hungry."

"There were several brown handprints Chusei!"

"So. Now it's none of our business. We completed our first mission and that calls for a celebration," the orange haired genin smirked at his younger comrade, "Besides this is as bad as a D-rank gets. Everything from here should be ten times easier."

Kobaru wanted to argue further, but the older boy did raise a point. This was without a doubt the worst thing that could happen on a mission at this level.

"Excuse me," the girl in the group cut in seeing her opportunity to speak, "I do not believe restaurants would let anyone in smelling as we do."

Chusei took a whiff of his T-shirt then looked over at her, "Apparently my sense of smell shut down and I didn't realize."

"Lucky you," Kobaru sighed, "I wish I knew a jutsu that could nullify scent."

"That would definitely help us," she nodded in agreement.

Chusei continued his attempt to pick up the scent clinging to their clothes. Taking in lungful, after lungful of the putrid stench, "You think Nohara-sensei has any rules against smelling like a shitpit. 'Cuz showering isn't something I can just..."

He trailed off drawing in the other boy's attention. So far if no one stopped him, Chusei just went on with whatever came to mind. Kobaru scanned the boy's face for a tell, but there wasn't any sign of anything bothering him.

"We understand if you don't like showering Kagawa-san," Kobaru teased nudging him with an elbow, "but you can have a bath at my house before we head back. I live kinda far, so if you want to get back to class on time. We're gonna have to skip lunch."

"Is there no end to your kindness?" Chusei nudged him back. A little too hard for the smaller boy, but Kobaru refused to sully the sullen mood with a complaint.

"Well, I do owe you for that jutsu crash course."

"And I told you not to bring it up again."

"Excuse me," Nagisa interjected with what was turning out to be a verbal tick, "Is it possible to have that invitation extended to me as well. Water is a commodity that I can't afford to squander right now."

"Uh... Of course," Chusei replied even though the question wasn't directed to him. He then plastered his face with a grin and grabbed Kobaru by the shoulder, "we orphan gotta stick together you know."

Yes. Yes, we do. Kobaru nodded to himself before he processed the statement, "when I said my place I meant as in my parents."

"Really?" Chusei asked Kobaru confirmed with several quick nods. The orange haired haired boy twisted his face in confusion. As though he was trying desperately to convince himself that what he was hearing was a lie.

"Excuse me. I was also under the impression that you were parentless."

"What would give you that idea?" Kobaru asked, not feeling as generous as he did thirty seconds prior.

"Well, you always have this negative background thought when I link our chakra," Chusei explained, "And the goal you gave yesterday. That was basically the nail in the coffin for me."

"My father did a poor job sugar-coating things. Did you just say link chakra?"

"Did I? Sorry I meant..." Chusei began but wound-up gagging mid-sentence, "Kobaru we need that bath right now my nose is dying."

XxX

Kobaru was just about average when it came to identifying behavioral patterns. What he knew came from the basics that were taught at the academy. If someone really put effort into hiding something from him, then they'd be able to do so without him being any wiser.

Reading Chusei on the other hand, was easier than breathing. That was mostly because he sucked at being inconspicuous.

Since his slip up, he resorted to counting his words and carefully going over sentences before speaking. Something that Kobaru was sure the orange haired boy was incapable of doing. Whatever "linking chakra" was, he kept it to himself.

If the younger boy was being honest, the silence during the walk from his house was peaceful. No random stories or saying anything for the sake of saying it. He could do with another one of those in a group interaction.

From what he heard, Chusei could effectively read his thoughts, so Kobaru wasn't going to force anything from him. He didn't even care about the technique. He'd just prefer to have it added to his arsenal for whatever use he came up with.

If Chusei could learn something like that then it can't be that hard.

Until then he'd figure out a way to keep his curiosity at the forefront of his mind. He could stop the other boy's rambling for a few weeks.

"Alright maggots from the dirty looks I'm getting right now. I can tell that you hate D-ranks. Which is a good thing!" Nohara-sensei began looking up from the mission reports, "At the very least I'm glad to know that you maggots could actually read and write!"

He scanned the class with a silent glare gauging their reactions. The jonin always had a look on his face that showed that his conscience died several years ago. It was either that or the man genuinely had two emotions. If he wasn't angry, he was disappointed. Even when he was distributing praise.

"D-ranks are referred to as buffers. Jonin and Chunin only complete these between high-stake tasks. You maggots will use them to build up to the more stressful missions the village has to offer. Considering that we ended a war not too long ago we have a lot of high-stake missions banked up, for completion. So, you might as well enjoy the babysitting while you can.

"As you may or may not know by now. A shinobi is there to do the work that other people can't stomach. That includes sorting through discarded pig intestines for a ring that wasn't even lost in the first place."

"That butcher was a jackass sensei!" someone shouted from the back of the class.

"He's a paying a jackass so shut up! Our job is to do the unsettling work, not complain about it," Nohara-sensei shot back then went about the rest of his explanation, "If you let something like a dirty toilet or animal guts stop you then you're not gonna make it pass the main gate. Anyone capable of doing what you guys had to do before lunch. Can plunge their hand into a beating heart, then make it across a bloody battlefield without keeling over from the scent.

"Although C-ranks are one step above what you did today and even then, you're expected to take lives. Sure, it should be bandits, but they are in their own right lethal. They won't care if you don't like getting your hands dirty, they will do whatever's necessary to get the job done. And that's the mentality that you should have goin' into this."

"But they're just bandits not shinobi. I'm pretty sure we can take 'em," Chusei decided to add his two cents.

"Sure, in a one and one situation shinobi wins no matter the age or experience. But can a maggot cell dispatch an entire gang? The answer is no! The reason criminal activity such as this is prevalent and that's because anything can happen in an overwhelming ambush. These men and women expect to die running into a client protected by shinobi. And most of them will in the scuffle. Some will even use themselves as a distraction for their friends to get-away with whatever's being guarded. After all they're willing to do anything to ensure their family back home gets a meal."

"Excuse me sensei. If that is the case, then why don't they produce their own food? It would save them more lives."

"Agriculture requires land and in places like Fire country. All of it is owned by our Daimyo and monitored by his delegates. The only areas that go unchecked, are infertile and incapable of producing anything but cacti. If they want food. They'd have to steal."

"Then what about their children?" Chusei asked his eyes narrowed for some reason.

"I am not sure. I do have a friend who was tasked with scouting a bandit community recently. He told me that there are rarely any children in those areas. And if there are, we have to rescue them and bring them back to the village."

Of course they were.

Children were seen as commodity after a population decrease. Either your own people provided a supply, or you commandeered those of smaller states. They were easier to indoctrinate than adults. Even a rebel teen would be broken before someone who already developed a matured sense of identity.

It was quite obvious they went there for the young and vulnerable.

What village would even waste time on scouting a bandit hangout? Why would a village even waste resources by sending someone there? A skilled jonin with a spoon and a fork could dispatch an entire nations worth without them even realizing. The only how they can justify further interference is if someone important got murdered. Or way less likely, the bandits were learning shinobi arts.

"Uhm sensei..." Kobaru raised his hand, "what happens if bandits get too good at what they're doing?"

Chusei saw issue with the clarity in the statement, "What do you mean by too good?"

"Then we take extra precautions to ensure no one gets hurt," Nohara-sensei ignored the youngest genin in the room, "little maggot! What you need to understand is that survival is the name of the game. You take out your competition or pick at their weak spot until they give way. Which leads to B-ranks.

"You're not going to be tasked with these until you make chunin, but... Sometimes a C-rank can clash with a B-rank of a different village. Especially now considering that the only other nation we have an alliance with is Wind Country. Information is limited to what the client informs us. That means they can hire a cell for far less than what it should be. Before you know it, you're fighting a shinobi two ranks higher and fifteen years your senior. With our current political climate, the chances of an interaction coming to blows is about nine in ten. According to our intelligence network, leaf forehead protectors alone, could get you a hundred thousand ryo. A body to go with it doubles the amount.

"So, in case you run into shinobi looking for a fight you are to initiate evasive maneuvers. Get back to the village as quickly as possible, so we can have it reassigned. I don't care if you think you can take them. Or if the client gives you a sad story about why they requested less. You are to take your client, if you can and haulass back to Konoha you hear me?"

"Yes sensei!" They sang in response.

"If they pursue you. Then there are rules for that too," he paused to mull over what he was about to say, "if things get hard. Mist-nin never have information of value and are more dangerous in one-on-one situations. So, keep your distance. They won't follow you back to the gate. Cloud-nin are bolder and talk a lot less. Try your best to lead them to the gate where our chunin can hold them off. Remember maggots! You are not licensed to complete a mission of that degree. If it heads south, then what matters is that you comeback alive. Your lives are valuable."

Translation we're running low on shinobi and can't afford to lose anyone.

"Excuse me sensei," Nagisa raised her hand, "what do we do if we are pursued by rock-nin."

"Then... this is the only time one of you are allowed to stay back as a distraction. Leading those stone-headed pieces of shit back to the village is a terrible idea," Nohara-sensei sighed then graced the girl with a hard glare, "because rock-nin... rock-nin explode!"

The class of genin sat in silence. Absorbing the essence of what was just said. Most stayed quiet because of how violent it sounded to turn into a bomb. Kobaru on the other hand was silently admiring the craft. The chakra control necessary for an explosion shouldn't be possible.

The mind's first instinct was to find a way to preserve itself. Which was why chakra moved in the first place. All systems were primed to keep the body alive. Rock-nin figuring out how to move chakra in a way that resulted in self-explosion, was simply astounding.

The body had the strength and tools necessary to bite off its own tongue. Or to tear off the pinky fingers. Whenever one tried to harm their body with the harmful parts, a mental bar triggered itself. Things like that could only take place if the mind is completely unaware. One would need to bypass all basic precautions to combat self-harm. This was obviously easier said than done, but the rock-nin actually did it. And with chakra too.

They were either astute ninjutsu specialists or full-blown maniacs.

"Sensei."

"Yes, carrot maggot."

"Do they like explode with fire or is it just guts and stuff?"

"Is that even important?" He sighed, "the point is that you're restricted from leading rock-nin to Konoha. With the history of our countries and the war fresh on their minds, even jonin need an excuse to engage with them."

"Are they better than us?" The same genin from the back asked.

"If that was the case then we'd be the ones offering small fortunes for forehead protectors."

He had a point.

"Why are they still angry then?" Chusei crossed his arms in what looked like an attempt to appear more intelligent, "It's just war. If you're that mad right now, why end the war in the first place. Shoulda kept fighting 'til the last man?"

"Well, you can ask Lord Hokage when you have the chance. I'm just here to make sure you're up to scratch in basic taijutsu and ninjutsu. Things like history and politics you'll have to do on your own time," he replied stuffing all the mission reports into his back pocket, "Now! As I said during our first class. Your combat awareness is horrid, so we'll be focusing on that for a while. Meet you maggots out back in five."

XxX

Never underestimate an opponent. It was something that Kobaru learned from an unlikely teacher. Thanks to the little black-eyed demon he was already a step ahead of the other reserve genin.

It was such an important lesson that even Nohara-sensei was trying to wedge it into their minds. Before they started the activities for the second half of the day. The man spent almost half an hour explaining the concept to ensure everyone understood.

Then to put their new knowledge to use, he challenged them all to a twisted handicap match. Which turned the entire concept on its head, because no one underestimated his ability.

The goal was to survive his attacks and pursuit for an hour without getting knocked out. Everything in their repertoire was allowed. Even with that he'd kick them sideways, but being the naive little kids they were they accepted, and regret followed shortly after.

For one, He made no attempt to hold back. The four genin he dispatched at the start made it very obvious. He'd attacked and immobilized the group so fast that by the time the others realized, he knocked down four more. His striking force making it very obvious that he was intent on maiming them.

Kobaru did as anyone else would in that situation and turned tail for the woods. He paid no mind to the two other sacrifices left in his wake.

Just as the Museigen household was isolated on the west end of the village. The factory was alone in the opposing direction. Such similarities allowed for everyone to scream and cry as loud as they wanted without gaining civilian attention.

He was coming to realize that this wasn't as good as he initially thought it to be.

He quickly hurried up a tree and hid himself behind a branch of leaves. Moving through the canopy was a skill the academy made sure they perfected by the end of the first year. And that was without chakra usage. In the trees Konoha-nin were second to none. A fight in a forest immediately gave them the upper hand. Shinobi would not be able to keep up with or even correctly locate them once they touched the green. They could stay hidden in a tree on fire if they wanted to.

Sadly, hiding from another konoha-nin in the leaves was useless.

I just need enough time to calm- Another scream not too far from his left. I need to move!

Kobaru with as much willpower as he could gather performed the Kage Bunshin, then had it head out to the right. There was no way he'd be able to fight a shinobi of jonin rank. They achieved their position by mastering the shinobi arts. No one could engage them and expect easy pickings. It got even harder if you didn't know what their area of expertise was.

The plan was to use the clone as a distraction. Have him lead the pursuing jonin far enough away. Then, with its increased sense of duty it would engage and hold him off. By the time Nohara-sensei was able to make that happen the original would be long gone.

Of course, that is what should have happened.

What actually happened was the clone not getting more than twenty feet from the tree before running into his sensei. Almost slamming face first into the man's abdomen.

It was shocking to say the least. This part of the forest was dense with trees. The ground was layered in dead leaves that crunched under the weight of an ant. Somehow, the jonin snuck through all of these without him realising.

You'd think two lines of sight would allow me to see better.

"Hello little maggot," The brown-haired man greeted the clone with a playful grin. That alone made the genin want to yell bloody murder, "I see you got put off by my very realistic screaming."

Kobaru's eyebrows flew three inches up his forehead. Not only was he scared but he was now mildly impressed.

Still, he was expected to engage and even land hits on his sensei. Who has proven time and time again that he was capable of moving faster than Kobaru could interpret. Even with him technically having four eyes he could sneak up on him.

"Since you're currently the reserves greatest import. I'll give you the first shot."

Before the last word fell the clone was aiming a right palm strike at Nohara-sensei's solar plexus. The original sighed with relief. He wasn't going to waste a free hit and luckily neither was his clone.

Just as quickly, the man deflected the offending wrist. Simply allowing the momentum from the swing, to carry the clone into a right knee aimed at his midsection.

Luckily this was a willpower clone. The most annoying creature that anyone could ever think to make. Feeding purely on Kobaru's limitless well of persistence and intent. The clone was hardheaded enough to run through a brick wall.

It righted itself as soon as his gut made contact with the knee and spun out of its path. Then skillfully swept at the leg that was now balancing the man's frame.

Kobaru hoped that this attack would at least turn the tide for a second or two, but Nohara-sensei was a jonin after all. One of the strongest shinobi in their village. He simply collected the sweep with his ankle. Then did a series of back handsprings to create space.

I wonder if he'll allow me to  surrender.

"Shadow clones, efficient combat awareness, above average intuition and now a bastardized version of the intercepting fist," Nohara-sensei listed cracking his neck. If he wanted to intimidate Kobaru then he could consider it done, "is there anything else you have up your sleeve kid?"

"No, but I am working on its sensei," the clone shot back not sharing the originals restraint then bowing.

The jonin chose that moment to surge forward, connecting several punches and kicks. All of which looked hard enough to break concrete. The clone did his best to deflect and dodge but as all clan specific fighting styles. It worked better when performed by the members. In the hands of someone who learned by facing it for a year, the style was only mildly effective. For a style that depended on a kekkei genkai, it was seen as idiocy to even acquire it.

No other time made Kobaru feel as outmatched as he did at that instant. During every spar before he went in with the intention of winning. If it wasn't in his favor, he'd go back to the drawing board and prepare. However, the beating his doppelganger endured, on his behalf. Had him worried about what would happen when he wasn't fighting in a controlled environment.

"Come on little maggot the goal is to get a hit in," Nohara-sensei said with a wide smile, the clone dodging two quick jabs, "you can't do that if you're on defense."

The jonin then switched his stance striking the sides of the far smaller frame with a series of quick hooks. This opened his guard up inviting attacks, but even though the clone could see the opening. The hits he took prevented him from attacking. Every strike acted as an advancing defense of its own. The basic concept surrounding the intercepting fist. Instead of dodging though, Nohara-sensei attacked with bone-breaking force.

The only way he would connect a hit in the current flow of energy was if he could effectively dodge and attack simultaneously. This was a shot in the dark, considering that the man was fast enough to evade Kobaru's attempt on an improvised attack. If only there was technique that allowed him to attack without showing any signs. An instantaneous strike from normal stance to a connected hit.

Sadly, the only jutsu he had that was capable of instant travel, was Kawarimi. The downside of that technique was the main reason it was rarely performed by most during combat. The person performing it would have to cover the target in their chakra. Even then the object had to be solid and of similar composition. Anything that didn't meet those requirements, would result in it crumbling.

Kobaru didn't get the time to review his skillset beyond the clones, but it was obvious that Kawarimi was worth it's rank. It wasn't pliable enough to incorporate in quick situations. One; the level of focus necessary to even set the technique would waste precious time. Two; a strong wind would be able to displace the chakra you were trying to gather outside your body. It was better to learn another way to evade an attack.

The only thing that could be done to increase its efficiency. Was to haul around an object that was constantly shrouded in your chakra. This would prevent the energy displacement by outside forces and result in quicker swaps. Too bad swapping with your own clothing or a chunk of flesh, wasn't going to help your situation.

If anything could meet the new requiem. He would immediately elevate himself to whatever was the next level of ninjutsu.

And... I'm an idiot.

Kobaru repressed the urge to sink his face in with a slap. He'd been sitting on his answer this entire time and completely overlooked it. He could use a clone. Something that was both of his clothing and flesh.

Not only did it meet the requirements, but it was already a living, breathing, ball of his chakra. With him already sharing their field of vision, he could swap positions as an afterthought.

Kobaru refrained from delving into silent self-praise and turned his attention to his clone's sightline. Of course, he saw that it was still being used as a sentient punching bag. Dodging a couple of hits but taking twice as much. The man was wildly picking him apart with wide arching swings, encouraging an attack. Which was exactly what he was hoping for. Hopefully this willpower clone could sit still without suffering an existential crisis.

Kobaru focused on the link between their chakra and waited for Nohara-sensei to launch another strike. This time he primed a right hook at the clone's head. The genin calmly set himself in position. Crouching down to avoid the incoming attack and chambered a left jab at the man's advancing frame. Once in place he performed a mental tug to complete his twisted version of Kawarimi.

The boy instantly appeared in his clone's place and as expected his sensei had no idea what was going on. One moment he was about to land what he hoped to be a finishing hook on a thoroughly exhausted Kobaru. A split second later said student is crouched and raring for round two.

Kobaru capitalized on the momentary shock. Channeling chakra through the muscles in his arm. He forced his chambered strike into the man's unguarded ribs. Kobaru smiled at the feeling of the bones cracking under the enhanced blow. He followed it up with two more forcing Nohara-sensei to retreat. His arm now held against his damaged ribs.

The young genin rushed his guard again. He wasn't going to allow him the opportunity to recuperate.

A feint to the man's right opened up his left as he made an attempt to block with his free hand. Kobaru weaved out of the defensive swat and tagged the side with a hook.

Nohara-sensei caught him with a backhand, but the boy just rolled with the attack. Using the momentum to spin into an enhanced back kick. It forced the two to break away from each other.

One an experienced jonin, fresh out of a nine-year war. The other a newly promoted genin that couldn't perform a basic Bunshin. The first one to react would immediately gain the upper hand.

Kobaru caught sight of the handseal being performed in the clone's sightline, but his chances of reacting were nonexistent. Whatever technique his sensei had brewing would be the end of him.

It was his fault for turning his back on a far more skilled shinobi. Hopefully the injury wouldn't impair his afternoon training. He needed to work out the kinks in his new usage of the Kawarimi.

Nohara-sensei with both hands held firmly in the tiger seal took a bold step forward. His eyes focused on his target of choice.

Just as contact was going to be made the clone did what he was created to do. Self-sacrifice.

Kobaru felt the tug on his chakra and knew immediately what was happening. He let the switch take place and had the luxury of watching his clone take the full force of the attack. The strike was roaring with contained rage and when it connected with the clone's navel. The sudden blow and the lance of chakra forced into its abdomen destabilized the jutsu dispelling it.

Its memories rushed through Kobaru's mind replacing his fear with complete disgust.

The angle of the strike lined up with the originals back would mean...Sensei was aiming for my ass?

The jonin straightened his frame in realization that he just brutalized a clone. He then looked around with an enthusiasm that Kobaru hoped he wasn't capable of. He performed a quick scan of the forest floor working his way up and down the trees in search of his next target. His eyes stopped on a tall tree that was brimming with leaves. A tree perfect for hiding.

Which was why Kobaru selected it in the first place.

The two locked eyes and Kobaru immediately lost control of his legs. Nohara-sensei was an angry man when he had no real reason to be. Right now, the genin sitting in a branch twenty feet away gave him more than enough to go rampage.

Before he knew what was happening Kobaru was skipping through the canopy with a fuming jonin hot on his heels.

Shitshitshitshitshitshit...Shit!

He'd get caught. It was inevitable, but he wasn't going down without making a getaway attempt. His pride was too well developed to fall into such disgraceful representation. All he needed to do was survive for another half hour and he'd be on his way.

Easier said than done.

Nohara-sensei was fast. That was something Kobaru was well aware of. Just how fast on the other hand, was knowledge he didn't have at his disposal.

Until now at least.

Every time he took a glimpse over his shoulder the man closed in another six feet, even though he had a head start in the chase. With his current pacing there was roughly fifty yards to gain before the man officially caught up.

Kobaru tried changing directions, jumping onto a tree to his right. Nohara-sensei proved this to be a terrible idea as he closed in ten feet.

I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead.

The sage saw to it that his unsaid prayers were answered as he crossed the path with no other than Nagisa, who appeared to be looking for something. Or someone. As soon as she caught sight of Kobaru's pursuer, her face twisted into a grin, and she rushed past her fellow genin.

Well better your death than mine.

He was set on continuing his getaway, but he was pulled to a stop by the next member of their makeshift cell.

"Kobaru where the hell were you man!?" Chusei asked his eyes glued to whatever was happening with Nohara-sensei and Nagisa.

"Uh..." he panted desperately trying to recover from the impromptu chase.

"Didn't you hear me yelling to team up at the start?"

"No why... what happened?"

"Nagisa... well she's a monster," Chusei chuckled to himself, "at the start sensei sent out two clones and she hunted them down. Then beat them in hand to hand," he paused to chuckle some more, "she wasn't joking about mastering taijutsu. The girl didn't even take a hit."

Kobaru looked over at where the two fighters should have been. Apparently, they were now on the ground in what looked like a well-choreographed spectacle. Admittedly the girl was holding her own. Where Kobaru was forced to defend whenever he tried to make an attack. Nagisa just weaved and flowed around Nohara-sensei's offending strikes.

He launched a right front kick. She moved out to the opened side and hit his ribs with three open palmed strikes. By the time he righted himself. Nagisa was on his left hooking his left ankle with a sweep. She created space between herself and their sensei who was doing his best to appear unfazed.

"She's targeting where he was already hit," Kobaru whispered.

The older shinobi apparently caught on to her systematic fighting and adopted a shell stance to cover his ribcage. His left shoulder facing her to minimize target areas. Nagisa caught on to his realization and mirrored the stance without the shell. Leaving her arms to hang loosely at her sides.

She feinted a forward step to gauge his reaction. He did nothing, just continued staring at her with a piercing glare.

"Excuse me. One of us has to make a move sensei."

"I give you the honors. Uppity maggot."

Nagisa edged forward with her stance held firm. She projected a kick with her right leg catching her sensei in the back. The man quickly grabbed the leg and launched a right kick of his own, the attack aimed at her left foot.

Nagisa in a marvelous feat of reflexes hopped over the swing and allowed his momentum to carry him on. While still airborne she nestled her heel right into his advancing ribcage, causing the man's knees to buckle under his weight.

The human skeletal system was flawed, but it's definition of protection was mostly reasonable. Doing its best to keep organs under guard. Until something or someone hit the sweet spot under the floating ribs.

The liver was a very important organ. It had one nerve which was only capable of signaling pain. A hit to this organ caused the body to interpret a direct hit as dangerous. The body would then send chakra through the tenketsu for quick recovery. Sadly, these tenketsu were directly linked to the gate of closing. Otherwise known as the fifth gate which was responsible for speed and power. A temporary decommissioned fifth gate effectively disabled limbs in the process.

Kobaru watched as his previous assailant fell to his knees slightly hunched over his right side. The damage caused by Nagisa showing through tightly knitted eyebrows.

Here he was thinking that he was the only reserve genin with acceptable shinobi skills, when she could probably dismantle him without trying. After all she was proving herself to be more clinical and faster than he was. The only person he'd seen with such a comfortable fighting style was Shisui, but Nagisa was in a league of her own. She was making fun of someone at least two decades her senior.

There were no wasted movements. She just did whatever needed to be done and it would connect.

"Alright guys!" Chusei yelled then jumped out of the tree. He held his head high as he walked over to Nohara-sensei, who was still trying to recover, "let's show him what we're made of!"

The other surviving genin began making their way out of the underbrush. Some were bruised and dusty. More than likely the few lucky enough to be saved by Nagisa on the hunt.

It wasn't that long since the game started, and it would have been a shame if it was only three of them left. After a quick head count Kobaru took comfort in knowing that there were still seven others. He joined them on the forest floor and took up a spot in the forming circle. In this weakened state no jonin could take on so many people at once.

Chusei hovered over Nohara-sensei and looked down at the man with a teasing grin, "You ready MAGGOT!"