Kapitel 64: Shinobi skills (2)

"You guys actually separated? You never learn. So let me teach you shinobi skills part one: Genjutsu!"

"Kokuangyo no Jutsu!"

In the blink of an eye, Riku's commanding voice echoed, resonating with the churning darkness that quickly enveloped Renjiro.

The world around him plunged into an abyss of absolute blackness, robbing him of any visual cues. The technique, known as Kokuangyo no Jutsu, lived up to its name – the "Bringer of Darkness."

Riku's voice echoed from the shadows, a disembodied presence in the pitch-black realm. "In darkness, your sight becomes useless, Renjiro. Let's see how you fare when the world itself conspires against you."

'What is this? I can't see anything.'

Renjiro strained his senses, attempting to pierce through the absolute absence of light. Every movement felt like wading through a sea of obsidian, and the oppressive silence heightened his vulnerability.

'This darkness is different... I can feel it as if it's not just an absence of light, but a tangible presence surrounding me.'

Without warning, strikes came from seemingly random directions. Riku, concealed within the stygian void, exploited the sensory deprivation to launch a barrage of attacks.

Renjiro, unable to pinpoint the source, resorted to instinctual evasion. His limbs moved defensively, desperately attempting to fend off the unseen onslaught.

Riku's voice, now a whisper mingling with the shadows, taunted Renjiro. "In this darkness, your perception betrays you. Every move, every strike, becomes a game of chance."

The onslaught continued, each blow infused with the disorienting dance of shadows.

'I can't continue like this. I need to find a way to dispel this. But wait! I could try that.'

Renjiro's Sharingan flickered, attempting to discern the patterns within the inky blackness. His heightened senses strained against the oppressive nature of the genjutsu.

Renjiro, amidst the shroud of darkness, focused his chakra with a newfound determination. His Sharingan glowed fiercely, its crimson hue cutting through the obsidian void. Drawing from the knowledge imparted by Miwa, he invoked the technique—Magen: Kyoten Chiten, the Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change.

As he weaved the intricate hand seals, the oppressive darkness seemed to waver. Within the illusory dance, a reflective surface emerged, mirroring the surroundings. Renjiro, now the orchestrator of a new genjutsu, sought to invert the technique Riku had cast upon him.

"Impressive. Attempting to unravel the threads of my genjutsu. This should be the genjutsu that Fugaku developed back then. It is such a nuisance. But let's see if he can succeed.'

Renjiro, undeterred, gazed into the mirrored expanse, willing the reversal of the darkness. The reflective surface began to ripple, distorting the boundaries between the genjutsu and reality. Yet, Riku's chakra influence lingered, a subtle resistance challenging Renjiro's grasp on the chakra threads.

'Why is it hard?'

The darkness recoiled, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed as if Renjiro had seized control. Yet, Riku's mastery over genjutsu proved formidable, a puzzle that defied simple unravelling.

Riku's laughter resonated, a melodic undercurrent in the churning currents of illusion. "You're close, Renjiro."

Frustration crept in, but Renjiro clung to the tenets of perseverance. In a surge of willpower, he poured more chakra into the weaving of the counter-genjutsu.

As the chakra intensified, a seismic shift occurred within the mirrored expanse. The darkness that once seemed far from Renjiro's influence now quivered under the might of his chakra.

Riku, observing the unexpected turn of events, raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. "Well, well. Seems like you've managed it. Impressive, Renjiro."

Acknowledging Renjiro's breakthrough, Riku dispelled the Kokuangyo no Jutsu. The oppressive darkness lifted, and the training ground returned to its usual dimly lit state.

"But you still have to face me Renjiro," Riku said as he moved towards Renjiro not even giving him a breather.

Reacting to that, Renjiro used the shadow clone jutsu making ten shadow clones appear. Together, they all surged towards their opponent. Riku, maintaining a calm composure, met their advance with his precise taijutsu skill, instantly dismantling two of the clones with swift and calculated strikes.

However, Renjiro had devised a cunning strategy. The remaining clones, witnessing the swift elimination of their counterparts, adapted their tactics.

Instead of engaging in direct combat, they dispersed, each clone converging from a different angle, their movements coordinated with a silent precision.

Renjiro muttered to himself, "Let's see how you handle this, Riku-Sensei."

As the clones drew nearer, their forms pulsated with a volatile chakra. Riku, momentarily caught off guard by the clones' change in approach, realized the imminent danger too late.

In a synchronized detonation, the clones erupted in a cascade of explosive force, a technique Renjiro had recently acquired – the Shadow Clone Explosion.

The explosion sent shockwaves through the training ground, leaving a haze of smoke in its wake. Amidst the veil of debris, Riku emerged, unscathed but visibly impressed.

"Well played, Renjiro."

Renjiro's chest heaved with exertion. The explosive display not only showcased his adaptability but also hinted at the expanding repertoire of skills he had been cultivating.

Gathering himself, Riku analyzed the aftermath. It was in this moment of tense stillness that Renjiro observed Riku with anticipation, awaiting the next move.

Riku took a deep breath. The air around him seemed to respond as he exhaled, releasing great shockwaves of water. A torrential force surged outward, obliterating all the shadow clones left as not all of them had exploded.

The water, manipulated by Riku's chakra, cascaded in rhythmic waves, dismantling the remnants of Renjiro's strategy.

Elsewhere in training Ground 51, a trio of figures moved with purpose through the grounds. As they navigated the terrain, one of them couldn't help but voice his query.

"Are you sure this is where Riku is?"

Another figure replied confidently, "Yes. I can sense him. Riku just dispelled my shadow clones. The plan is still on track."

The minute Riku gave them time to strategize the first thing they did was to agree that they have to work as a team. They then devised a plan to create shadow clones on the training grounds.

It was quite obvious that Riku would take the initiative to attack them. Also, his stealth skills were in a league of their own as compared to theirs so instead of looking for him, they planned to use their shadow clones as bait to lure him.

And it worked perfectly, the only issue was that Riku had figured out while fighting Renjiro that it was nothing more than a shadow clone. So he was expecting them. However, they did not care about this as the main objective of the clones was to pinpoint Riku's position.

Riku turned to face them, a smirk playing on his lips. "Took you long enough. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Hiro, with a confident grin, added, "You weren't the only one with a plan, sensei."

Riku chuckled, appreciating their teamwork. "Alright then, let's see if your plan can handle the real deal."

Hiro immediately took the initiative and used the shuriken clone jutsu. As the jutsu unfolded with precision, a barrage of shurikens hurtled toward Riku. The jounin swiftly dodged and weaved between them, showcasing his impressive agility.

As Riku avoided the shurikens, the genins seized the opportunity, and with a flicker, they appeared in front of Riku. The swift transition caught Riku off guard, and the fight branched off into a rapid taijutsu assault.

Hiro's sabre clashed with Riku's swift taijutsu moves, and Renjiro, recognizing the need to go all out, activated his Sharingan. Aiko, on the other hand, attempted to use genjutsu, but it proved ineffective against Riku's experienced defences.

The intense fight reached a momentary stalemate when Riku, with a smirk, declared,

"Shinobi skills three - Ninjutsu." However, before he could unleash any jutsu, his observant gaze caught the flickering movements of his genins a distance away.

His eyes widened when his gaze moved into their hands. They were all holding the stones in their hands. Riku's gaze moved over to his pouch where he was sure the stones were only to find it empty.

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Kapitel 65: Application

Riku's eyes widened when his gaze moved into his genins' hands. They were all holding the stones in their hands. Riku's gaze moved over to his pouch, where he was sure the stones were, only to find it empty.

'When did they get it?'

The surprise etched across Riku's face was palpable, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the empty pouch. The element of surprise had been masterfully executed, catching even the seasoned jounin off guard.

Aiko couldn't help but smirk. "It seems, sensei, that we've managed to learn a thing or two from your previous tests."

Renjiro added, "You taught us to expect the unexpected. It's only fair that we turn the tables every once in a while."

Riku, recovering from his initial surprise, couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Well played, guys. You've earned my approval for the Chunin Exams."

It seemed that Riku had finally caught on to what his genins had done to retrieve the three stones from him. Of course, he had earlier told them where the stones would be, to make things easier for them. Their only challenge was how to get them from him.

Back when the challenge was set by Riku, the members of Team 15 had begun brainstorming strategies to outsmart their jounin sensei.

Hiro proposed, "Why don't we just go for a frontal assault? We can overwhelm him with our combined strength!"

Aiko shook her head. "Hiro, even if sensei holds back, there's no way we can defeat him in a direct confrontation, we already tried that during our training and it didn't end well. We need a plan that plays to our strengths."

Renjiro chimed in, "What if we use genjutsu? We could confuse him and make our move."

Aiko raised an eyebrow, "Riku is no slouch when it comes to genjutsu. He'd see through it immediately, Renjiro."

Renjiro nodded, acknowledging the point. "True, but what if we use a layered approach? Create a genjutsu that's a distraction while we execute our real plan."

Hiro scratched his head, intrigued but unsure. "How do we even make him fall for the distraction? He's more experienced than us when it comes to such things."

Renjiro offered a sly smile. "That's where the beauty lies. We'll make it so convincing that he won't suspect it's a setup."

Renjiro, sensing the doubts lingering in the minds of his teammates, added. "Look, guys, Riku might know about our abilities, but he has no idea about my genjutsu practice. He's aware of our strengths, but he won't see this coming. I am not quite a master at it, but I can give it a try."

Hiro crossed his arms, "But won't he expect us to use genjutsu? I mean, it's a bit too obvious, isn't it?"

Renjiro grinned, his Sharingan reflecting a glint of mischief. "That's precisely the point. Riku will be ready for genjutsu, but not from me. He'll be expecting it from Aiko. We'll use that expectation to our advantage."

Aiko, catching onto Renjiro's plan, nodded in agreement. "He's right. Riku knows my expertise lies in genjutsu. If we catch him off guard with Renjiro's skills, it might just work."

Hiro, though still uncertain, shrugged and conceded, "Alright, let's give it a shot."

"Alright, so Aiko will initiate her genjutsu as a distraction. Then, when Riku is focused on countering her genjutsu, I will slip in with my own. It has to be subtle and something he won't notice immediately."

Aiko nodded. "Got it. I'll make it not too obvious, so he won't even realize it's happening until it's too late."

As the team finalized their plan, Hiro raised an eyebrow. "So, what's our plan B? Because this seems a bit too risky, and I wasn't even aware Renjiro was practising genjutsu."

Renjiro glanced at Hiro, his expression serious. "We don't have a plan B. This is it, do or die. If we fail to pull this off, we're not participating in the Chunin Exams. The stakes are high, Hiro."

Hiro let out a sigh, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Well, I guess we're all in then."

With the plan set, they dispersed to their positions, each mentally preparing for the challenge that lay ahead. Meanwhile, Renjiro focused on the details of his genjutsu, aiming for a level of finesse that would catch even a seasoned Jounin off guard.

'Which Genjutsu should I use? It can't be too flashy, otherwise our plan will fall like a house of cards. Right! I can use that!'

Fortunately for them, their plan worked like clockwork. The element of surprise helped Renjiro slip into his genjutsu dulling Riku's senses and securing the three stones from him.

The genjutsu Renjiro used was the very first one he learnt, the Demonic illusion: False surroundings technique. It was the one Aiko had used on him. Renjiro did not go all out with it as he had to ensure Riku didn't get wind of it.

Back to the present, Riku, who had been impressed by their ingenuity, approached them with a proud smile.

"You've earned my approval for the Chunin Exams. Take this opportunity seriously and take care of yourselves during the exams. Right now, the village needs every capable ninja it can get, and your promotion will be a significant contribution."

Riku continued, "Remember, being a Chunin comes with more responsibilities. Train hard and make the village proud. Good luck in the exams, and make the most out of this chance."

With those words of encouragement, Riku left them to contemplate the journey ahead. Since it was well into the evening they decided to meet up the next day to apply for the chunin exams.

=========

The sun had just begun to cast its morning glow over the village as Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro approached the Hokage building.

The air was thick with anticipation, and the trio couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness as they prepared to officially apply for the Chunin Exams.

As they arrived at the registration building for the Chunin Exams, they were met with a bustling scene. The place was filled with genins from various teams.

As they navigated through the sea of genins outside the registration building, Renjiro couldn't help but express his surprise. "Has it always been this crowded during the Chunin Exams?"

Hiro glanced around, "Not really. This time, they've opened up the opportunity for genin reserves to take part. That's why there's such a surge in participants."

The trio strolled among the genins, weaving through the lively crowd.

The registration desk was a hive of activity. A Chunin official sat behind it, sorting through stacks of paperwork and calling out names. The trio approached the desk, and the Chunin looked up with a friendly yet efficient demeanour.

"Team 15, I presume?" she said, glancing at her clipboard.

Renjiro nodded. "That's right. We're here to register for the Chunin Exams."

The Chunin quickly located their team on the list. "Perfect. Fill out these forms, and once you're done, bring them back to me."

As they took the forms, Renjiro couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations from the other genins.

"Hey, did you hear Team 10 is participating?"

"I hope we get a chance to face off against Team 7. They're always making headlines."

"Think they'll have us do the Forest of Death again?"

Renjiro couldn't help but glance around, expecting to see unfamiliar faces from other villages. However, his expectations were met with a hint of disappointment.

'Why is everyone from Konoha?' Renjiro wondered

"Are there no participants from other villages this time?" Renjiro inquired,

Aiko shook her head. "No, this time, it's an internal affair. The Chunin Exams will only feature Konoha's own shinobis."

'And here I was expecting genins from other villages. But with the temporary peace, it would be hard to do so.'

Renjiro exchanged glances with Aiko and Hiro, a bit surprised but nonetheless understanding the reasoning behind the decision.

Perhaps it was a strategic move, focusing on strengthening the village's internal capabilities before engaging in external competitions.

Completing the paperwork, Renjiro handed the forms back to the receptionist. "Thank you," he said, his tone a mix of determination and readiness. "We're looking forward to the exams."

After registering for the Chunin Exams, Renjiro returned home to make final preparations.

He took a moment to review his theories on Genjutsu and pondered how he could incorporate them into his performance during the exams.

Sitting at his desk, he meticulously inspected his ninja tools, making sure each kunai and shuriken was in perfect condition.

Alone in his room, Renjiro reflected on his journey from a determined Genin to a participant in the Chunin Exams. As he laid out his ninja headband and carefully adjusted his gear, he whispered to himself, "This is it, Renjiro."