[center][img]http://i59.tinypic.com/2jaz32s.jpg[/img] [h2][color=fuchsia][b]Aoi Don Maquia[/b][/color][/h2][/center] [hr] Hopping around as Tsukiko led the way, Nobunaga inquired Aoi's input on a possible way to optimize their teamwork and augment their chances against the upcoming menace. All he could get from the clown was a dumbfounded look as if he was some sort of alien speaking a language she couldn't understand. She stopped her skipping and put the tip of her index finger on the bottom lip as she seemed to pause for a moment of reflection and elaboration. But, what would come out of her mouth would be very typical of her. "[color=fuchsia]We can... Kill them all with my super awesome trap with Tsukiko-sensei's help~[/color]" She'd tel him, plain and simple, for planning out elaborate tactics was not exactly her thing, or at least when she had her own idea. To her having an "assistant", as she'd call them, without knowing their abilities and knowledge on how to make a beautiful spectacle, was not the best plan and would prefer to stick with her superior's lead while maintaining her own appearances. She did give a warm smile to the Samurai, however, and he could interpret it as a sign of kindness or blind mockery. Either way, she went on to the direction their sensei instructed them. She could already see herself in a pedestal, having done outstanding work in the team and acting as an essential part to the success of this mission. She didn't really want to share that glory too much either. Once they arrived at the dune, she solemnly followed her sensei's commands and followed her around until she was told to lay trap. They needed to cover thirty meters, right up to the cactus she pointed to. Before Aoi did anything, she observed her superior set up her own, spiderweb-like trap and used it as inspiration. However, she'd maintain her old plan, to start off, by using her new technique she had recently learned via Konoha archives and personal training. With exactly two hand seals made, her mouth filled with what seemed to be water chakra that turned into its corresponding element. The girl vomited out a stream of viscous water on the designated trap area, showering the sand with it and going somewhat farther than thirty meters as it spread quite quickly. The Water was from the [url=http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Water_Release:_Starch_Syrup_Capturing_Field]Water release: Starch Syrup Capturing Field[/url], a technique she easily learned due to her natural affinity to water and her even more enhanced capabilities regarding sticky substances. The new problem was the fact that it was pretty visible on the sand and wouldn't fool many people into thinking it was a mirage. So, she did what any lazy hoarder would do, she'd brush clouds of sand on it, which would stick and eventually cover most of it in sand. However the single layer on it wouldn't eliminate its sticky feature, actually it would even make it work as sand would graze their clothes and flesh as they got stuck. "[color=fuchsia]Nobunaga~ Use your walking on water powers to not get stuck! If you forget, you'll have a bad time![/color]" She'd warn him as he'd be in the front rows to confront the enemies. If he could lure them in it would be even better. She didn't stop there however as she invoked a single Mucus clone and force it to use the transformation ability to turn into a cactus within the trap, that way it would attack the more skilled fighters who managed to bypass the traps, by surprise. Aoi would go for hiding in water to prevent the enemies from catching her so fast, using the thin but large puddle of sticky water as medium to hide. [hr] [center][img]http://i62.tinypic.com/riexvm.jpg[/img] [h2][color=silver][b]Fujitora Choko ; The Overseer[/b][/color][/h2][/center] [hr] While the kids recuperated, Fujitora didn't spare them a word of congratulations. They didn't really accomplish anything yet, they had a long way to go. But he recognized that they did some pretty good work nonetheless, all the while he still feared what would happen to them in the next round. What he would see next would accentuate his worries even more concerning the kids, as he would witness the bandaged man's performance once more, this time handling what seemed to be a gang affiliated Ronin, likely a Yakuza, going one on one against this menace the commander had a hard time assessing. But the cruelty demonstrated made it clear to the boss that this guy was not only a shinobi, but the fact that he came alone made it also evident that he was one of those serial killers. Now the question remained, was he from Konoha or elsewhere? If he was from here, very few killers of this level of skill were listed, and as such he could pick up on who it would be. With the ronin disposed off in the pit, the foe made himself clear that he was in it for show and didn't mind being spotted by others, narcissism was a common trait in those psychotic killers he had enlisted. Fujitora would only confirm the origins of this individual when he'd peer up at the lounge where the commander and his subordinates rested. He was definitely from here if he recognized Fujitora, most likely a Jonin when he was pushed away. Very few came to mind when he had this profile in his head, but before he could conclude anything, the announcer screamed from his mic that this was going to be the final fight. This caused a mutiny, the uproar was ferocious as many complained of not having enough fights to get a sufficient amount of coins. The commander himself was bothered by this, they had just enough coins for ONE of them to move on despite their efforts. As a result, many thugs of all levels jumped into the ring. Fujitora would do the same, but not to secure himself a place, but to prevent a catastrophe. The man vanished into thin air, using the body flicker basic ability to swiftly get himself into the cage as it was being filled with thugs. He then used his weight manipulation to quickly kick out the masses milling at the opposite gate where the bandaged man usually entered. All the while his trademark bamboo stick, hardened by his special ability and took the dark purple color, to forcibly seal the cage and avoid the psychopath's access to this fight. This would cause the announcer to forcibly lock in the rest of the people in the cage as well, in order to have a beautiful battle royal start. It didn't matter how many coins were in play here, he couldn't afford this deranged man to reach the top, not with these other unknown fighters already qualified. The man wearing the sunglasses turned to face fourteen men and women of varying appearances. They were all waiting for the sound of the gong to commence this fight. A few were ganged up as they were originally in groups, most were on their own such as Fujitora. Through his sunglasses, he checked them all out. He could deduce that at least half were not a huge threat, but the other half might actually cause some problems, risking this entire operation. Nonetheless, he felt confident about this as the chaos that would ensue would probably insure the deaths or weakening of most larger threats. The announcer rang the gong and everyone just jumped on each other, while the commander kept his hardened stick in a defensive stand as he made himself a background near a corner. Many were already stabbing and burning each other. It would take about half a minute for finally a couple of men dressed as Yakuza agents to charge at him holding typical army knives, unlike Shinobi who held kunai. Readying himself, he waited for them to get close enough in their combined attack before he'd align his staff in a slightly horizontal way to block both blades. The knives' metal cracked slightly to the hardness of the stick, however before they could retract, Fujitora used his already superior strength combined with a little enhanced strength to push their blades off their hands and counter with a simple swing of the stick. The closest Yakuza would try to block it by assuming a quick defensive stand and placing his arm out to sponge most of it. The result would be the the arm's bones ripped off the elbow's ligaments and the entire forearm smacking the man's head along with the stick accompanying it. Needless to say, it killed him on the spot, all the while projecting the body on the colleague who would be ejected to the side, still conscious. But as he tossed the body out of the way, he'd meet the tip of the staff crushing his bald head right at the center of his eyes. Two down. Though many more were down, at least half were killed or being killed, leaving opportunities for Fujitora to cheese through the rest. He focused on those who were finishing off their enemy, usually by pinning them while stabbing or performing a ninjutsu. Those focused on that were at a low enough level to be handled the following way: Dashing through the masses, the victors of most confrontations received a smack behind the neck. This left him with four more to go. A couple were in a pristine state, the two others had taken damage already. In fact, one of them would fall forward, revealing multiple kunai stabbed in his back. It was now a Mexican shootout between the remaining four, and it didn't take long for it to all explode. It started off with one of the better conditioned fighters to release a form of steam to block everyone's sight, even the audience's. The damaged man, after a minute of total silence, was propelled out of the ring and down to the pit. Unable to move, his fate would be like the rest. Fujitora and the two better fighters were left standing apparently. Slowly, the steam cleared out, only to reveal the creator of the hazard was stabbed through the heart by a tanto wielded by the other fighter. Fujitora was standing still, calm and collected. He expected as much, for one of them to finish the other as they seemed smart enough to not come close to the commander after what he displayed with the other two Yakuza. At least now it was one on one. The fighter charged in, his hands coated in chakra to perform a certain technique. Fujitora prepared himself, but instead of going all out offensive, he'd let a smoke bomb drop from his pocket, blocking out the view of his opponent. Of course, the man expected a dodge and used his sensory ability to detect where Fujitora would move. He'd derive his trajectory to the right, as the Jonin commander simply sidestepped to avoid the hit. However, the man would would bump his head on something he could only see when up close and his chakra sensing didn't pick up: The end of the bamboo stick. It had a hole in its tip, as expected from such a plant. But before he could process what it was, the public could hear a trumpet-like sound coming from the ring. The fighter was the first to know that it came from the stick, and as he realized it was Fujitora blowing into it from the other end, a hard ball would be shot directly at his face at the speed of a bullet. The man would easily be knocked out with this hit, although as the projectile dragged the body a few meters away, it would explode in a giant ball of flames, disintegrating the fighter in the process. Fujitora has won, as expected from a battle royal in these places. The loot he'd get from it would go up to 37 coins accumulated from all the fighters, more than what he needed to go on. Most of the crowd was infuriated with the fact that their representatives had died, but at this point they couldn't do much about it as the their game was over and the finals would occur in a more private condition. The commander jumped back up to the lounge and tossed exactly ten coins at the probably all healed up Shin, giving him what he'd need to advance with the team to the next level. "[color=silver][b]You guys... Didn't do half bad. But, as I'm lifting the ninjutsu limits I've imposed, the real challenge is to come. You have five minutes to prepare. Yagyu, wear that Kimono and pamper yourself as the crowd leaves, you'll be our 'sponsor'. Understood?[/b][/color]" The commander said coldly, but the compliment went with a small grin of satisfaction. He'd head off the lounge in order to complete something he didn't not warn them about. He wasn't going to leave for long, just to get some things settled first.