Issei watched carefully as he team fought amongst themselves in the training field, paying close attention to anything that cold possibly be used in the upcoming Chunin Exams. While he still held them very dear as comrades he knew that the Exams would pit them against each other and he would have to cast aside his feelings and comrodare if he was to have any chance of becoming a chunin. From his position among the trees he was able to see most of the hand seals used so he was able to have a good estimation of what jutsu's they were using and their tactics for using them. 

Issei was aware of both of their combat tactics but really needed to see their combat in practice before he decided to join in on the mock fray. As much as he hated pick "favorites" at this early in the game he knew that Shizuka wielding both Sharingan and Byakugan was going to be a difficult opponent, being able to see the flow of chakra and copy justu seemed like it was almost impossible for her not to lose although Okami's tenacity and sheer willpower would make for a long and arduous fight. Both he could wait to fight, both he was confident in his ability to win. Finally tired of waiting Issei created a water clone of himself and nodded to him before sending him on his way into the field.

As the clone approached the two girls were about to meet in a head-first collision of fist and blade, a perfect oppertunity to interviene. While making the hand seals for his Water Whip he charged through the two of them making a grab for Okami planning on using her momentum to send her flying into Shizuka. Although he was sure that his whip wrapped around his target he wasn't sure if got the proper spin to throw her.