Author's Note: I know it's been a long time since I last updated and I apologize. The new semester started and I suddenly found I had a lot less free time than I was used to. I'll try to continue to update this story as frequently as I can, but I apologize if I lag behind occasionally. At any rate, this chapter was supposed to be a lot longer, but when I sat down and started writing it, I realized I probably needed at least three chapters to go over everything that takes place during the war games. Here, however, is the first part.
Chapter Fifteen: Rhapsody
The next morning at dawn the two teams of ninja, Tsunade, Shizune, Genma and Raidoh arrived at the practice field to begin the war games. While each of the teams stretched and warmed up, Iruka glanced over at Suzu to see how she was handling things. It had been a day or two since he'd seen her, as Renjiro had insisted on extra vigorous training for his team after learning that the games would take place. From what Iruka could see, Suzu looked focused, though she did meet his eyes briefly and gave him a secretive smile. Iruka smiled in return.
"All right, this is how the game will be played," Tsunade addressed those assembled, gesturing to the heavily wooded practice field. "There are two teams consisting of five members of various skill levels. The playing field is divided in half, with each half being a team's territory. At each end of the field is a marker indicating that team's home base. Each team will be given five ribbons in the opposing team's colors, with different numerical values, which they may place in their own territory. For the purposes of this game you will be team 'Blue'," she gestured to Asuma's team, "And you will be team 'Red'," a nod at Renjiro.
"The purpose of the game," she continued, "Is for each team to cross into enemy territory and bring their ribbons safely back to their own home base. Their opponents may attempt to stop them from retrieving the ribbons, or they may remove the ribbons from their opponents in any way they can. Keep in mind, however, that this is a friendly game, so don't kill anyone," Tsunade's eyes narrowed, focusing on the refugees. "If a player is determined to be disabled, they will be removed from the game."
"A team may only lay traps in their own territory. Once a team's ribbon has returned to its home base, it is no longer in play and that team will be awarded points based on the numerical value of the ribbon. The game will end at noon or when one team has been determined to be the obvious winner. Shizune and I will be watching from the observation tower," Tsunade indicated a large wooden structure in the center of the playing field, "While Genma and Raidoh will be acting as referees in the thick of the action. Do I really need to say 'don't attack the referees'?" Genma and Raidoh smirked at one another.
"I think that's about it," Tsunade said, "Does anyone have any questions before we begin?"
"How does one determine if someone is 'disabled'?" Shikamaru half-raised his hand, sounding bored and irritated.
"That is up to the referees to decide," Tsunade replied. "Any more questions?"
"When you say 'place' the ribbons," Juro asked, "Does that mean we can put them anywhere? Can we bury them, for instance? Or toss them into a stream?"
"The ribbons must be placed somewhere they can be located when searched for," Tsunade said. "You can't bury them, to use your example, because it would be almost impossible for the other team to locate them. However, you can hang them from the branches of a high tree if you want. The only rule is that they must be visible in some way, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can't be concealed in other ways. Does that make sense?" Tsunade asked.
Juro nodded, "I think I understand what you're getting at."
"Any other questions before we begin?"
The rest of the members of the two teams shook their heads and Tsunade nodded, "Good, both teams gather at their home bases and you'll be given the signal to start." With that, Tsunade and Shizune turned and made their way to the observation tower in the center of the wooded lot.
"Red team follow me," Renjiro barked, gathering his team together and heading in the direction of their home base. Raidoh trailed along behind.
Asuma's team headed in the opposite direction and Iruka shot Suzu one last glance over his shoulder as he was hustled in the direction of his own team's home base. Genma followed the Blue team.
Upon reaching his team's home base, Renjiro turned to Raidoh, who pulled a fistful of wide blue ribbons from his pocket and handed them over. Renjiro crouched and fanned the ribbons on the ground before him so the rest of his team could see, while Raidoh pulled on a microphone headset and slipped an earpiece into place.
"There are five ribbons, but the highest number printed on them is a three," Suzu said, surprised when the ribbons' numerical values were revealed to be two one-point value ribbons, two two-point value ribbons, and on three-point value ribbon.
"That's kind of odd," Juro replied, thoughtfully. "But I guess it helps to cut down on the possibility of a tie."
"Think of these ribbons as mission goals," Renjiro explained, "The largest one is the main goal of the mission, and likely the most difficult to obtain. However, if several of the smaller goals of a mission are obtained in its stead, then it balances out overall."
"I guess that makes sense," Juro said, pushing a hand through his dark green hair, "But this is going to be a really complex game."
"It is," Renjiro nodded, "But I'm sure we can win it. The first thing we need to do is determine a strategy about where to hide the ribbons."
As Renjiro gathered the rest of his team together to discuss strategy, Raidoh tested his headset by letting Tsunade know that the Red team was in position.
"Good," Tsunade's voice crackled over the earpiece, "The other team is also in position. I'll give them a few minutes to pull themselves together before we begin."
"Roger," Raidoh replied, leaning against a nearby tree as the Red team continued to discuss strategy. A few minutes later he straightened and made his way over to Renjiro. "The Hokage says it is now time to begin," he said, with a nod.
Renjiro nodded in response then turned to his team, "Just as we discussed, now go."
The Red team moved swiftly beneath the canopy of trees, shifting into their respective positions.
Shikamaru was irritated. It was far too early to be awake and he was stuck participating in this troublesome game when all he really wanted to be doing was sleeping. To top it all off, Asuma had decided that he should be one of the scouts sent into the other team's territory to retrieve the ribbons.
Shikamaru sighed quietly in exasperation and continued to move stealthily through the trees. However, when he realized that he'd seemingly passed the same stretch of woods twice, he stopped short. Frowning to himself, he glanced around, quickly forming a plan of action and began to move again, testing his theory. When he again passed the same crooked tree with the lichen at its base for a third time, he formed a seal and dispelled the illusion.
As the illusion cleared, almost as if in reward, Shikamaru saw a blue ribbon hanging from a tree branch some distance away. Instead of moving forward to claim his prize, however, he froze, considering. It was extremely doubtful that this situation was as simple as it seemed. The ribbon could be an illusion as well, or could be trapped, or both. Also, since it was necessary for a ninja to actually maintain such a large illusion, there was most certainly someone hidden nearby.
Shikamaru sighed again, and scratched his head, thinking. He was at a disadvantage not knowing where his opponent was hidden. He'd have to lure him or her out into the open somehow. Settling on a strategy, he carefully began to move toward the tree that contained the ribbon.
Nearing its base, Shikamaru formed the seal to dispel illusions once more but this time nothing happened. So it was a real ribbon then.
Positioning himself carefully, Shikamaru crouched and then leapt upward toward the branch, as if he were attempting to snatch the ribbon. As soon as he neared it, however, several explosions boomed from the surrounding trees, and Shikamaru flew sideways as if struck landing limply on the ground below. He lay still for several moments until he finally heard the slight crackle of a twig underfoot and felt a shadow fall over him. Moving quickly, Shikamaru spun onto his hands and knees and aimed a kick at where the encroaching person should be.
The young man managed to dodge Shikamaru's kick easily, but cursed under his breath, knowing that he'd been caught out. He leapt backward as Shikamaru quickly climbed to his feet and, for a moment, the two stood facing one another.
Thinking quickly, Keiji threw a small volley of shuriken at Shikamaru and darted sideways into the cover of trees. Landing in a half crouch, he pulled his wooden flute from his belt and raised it to his lips.
Shikamaru dodged the shuriken by leaping in the same direction he'd seen Keiji move. Sliding to a halt, he quickly formed the seal for his Shadow Imitation technique. A tendril of shadow snaked forward toward Keiji's feet.
The instant Shikamaru's shadow touched Keiji's own, Keiji blew a single piercing note on his flute and they both froze completely.
On a nearby tree branch, Raidoh crouched, watching. After several moments of neither opponent moving, he blinked and scratched his head, then radioed Tsunade to let her know that both Keiji and Shikamaru had been disabled and would be removed from the match. Tsunade, watching from the observation tower, replied in agreement.
As Raidoh began to move toward the two frozen ninja, he caught a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye and suddenly Izumo burst from between the trees, heading directly toward the branch where the bright blue ribbon flapped harmlessly. Raidoh paused, waiting to see what would happen.
The moment Izumo's fingers closed around the ribbon, his eyes widened and time seemed to stand still as Juro suddenly appeared as if forming out of thin air. Raidoh blinked again. That was a very good illusion, especially since he himself hadn't noticed it. He wondered how long the green-haired man had been there.
Izumo landed lightly and began forming a series of seals.
Juro began forming seals before his feet even touched the ground, with a rapidity that Izumo did not possess. The moment Jurodid land,there was a sudden, deafening boom and Izumo was thrown backward. In an instant Juro was upon him, kunai drawn, the blade resting against Izumo's throat.
Raidoh, grinned. Juro was so fast that Raidoh had barely seen him move.
"Do you surrender?" Juro asked Izumomildly.
Izumo grumbled a bit, but seeing no way out, he finally sighed in resignation. Stepping from the cover of trees, Raidoh nodded and offered a hand up to Izumo as Juro removed the blade. One more player was now removed from the game.
Tipping his head to Raidoh, Juro grinned at the referee and sheathed his kunai. Taking the ribbon back from Izumo, he then formed a seal and vanished in a small puff of smoke.
Izumo shoved his hands in his pockets, resigned, and prepared to leave the playing field. Just at that moment, however, both Keiji and Shikamaru toppled over, unconscious and exhausted from being forced to maintain the chakra control necessary for their respective ninjutsu. Unable to help themselves, Raidoh and Izumo glanced at each other andthen burst out laughing. Shaking his head in amusement, Izumo draped Shikamaru over his shoulder while Raidoh hoisted Keiji over his own. The two men then carried the unconcious ninja from the playing field.