Come One, Come All! [Open to Spectators]

[Uragaeshi Riyoji]

Among Yanji's list of places to see, the fabled Colosseum was high on his list. Not only did he want to get a look at more of the village's unique architecture, but it would most likely be a good chance to see a fight or two and see how strong its shinobi were. If there weren't any fights going on, the building apparently staged events, as well. So there was no telling what there might be to see!

Since he'd begun to become accustomed to most of the impressive areas in Kumo, it only took a few minutes for the young Byakko to stop staring at the massive structure before him. Being awestruck was almost beginning to get old, in fact... But that didn't matter, learning was something he would never tire of, and if being awestruck became a side effect rather than a bonus, it would be worth enduring it for the sake of knowledge.

The area surrounding the Colosseum was filled with stalls that had a large variety of weapons, armor, and whatever else might pertain to a fighter in the ring. Thankfully - for his wallet - Yanjirou didn't have any need for the equipment available. Armor would only slow him down, and all of the weapons he might need were conveniently all in one weapon on his side. So with everything situated, the boy entered through the building's large doors and began waiting in a line that led to a desk. He assumed this would be where he paid for a ticket, but quickly learned how foolish he was...

"Excuse me?" The boy said, still having troubles understanding the village's accent, and believing what he was just told.

"That's right, you're all set! I'm excited to see how you Sunans fight, I expect it will be rather... Exotic."

This was a mistake... All of this was a mistake. Yanji didn't want to fight, he only wanted to watch a fight. There was no way he could have mentally prepared himself for something like this, even if he went in with the intent to participate in a battle. There had to be a way out of it, if only he could stop stuttering over himself in ti-

"Right this way sir! We'll provide any equipment you might need in the staging area, and we'll have a representative call you out when it's your time to fight!" The Colosseum worker escorted him to a small room that was filled to the brim with weapons and armor, all of which was worn, bloody, broken, and anything in between. There was no longer a way out of this...

As time passed, the young Byakko grew more and more anxious for his turn to come. Not from excitement, of course, but from worry. He was not necessarily scared to fight, he simply didn't want to get hurt. He couldn't afford to get hurt in a foreign land... It would only delay the rest of his trip. Eventually, the representative he was told about came to retrieve him, saying that they had found him a challenger after advertising on the street just outside. It seemed some residents of Kumo were eager to get there hands wet with a foreign shinobi's blood. At least, that's the fantasy Yanji's mind was weaving at the time.

Once he took his first step onto the hard sand of the Colosseum, a strange feeling washed over him. Was this what they refer to as stage fright? It was difficult to tell if it was a good or bad feeling, but he'd just have to try his best to ignore the crowd and focus on the real reason he was there.

As soon as the crowd died down, an announcer began speaking, "We have a special treat for you today, ladies and gentleman!" He added a moment of pause to add suspense, "Today, we have a competitor that hails from the faraway village of Sunagakure, in the mysterious land of Wind Country! He has traveled the wind-beaten deserts, and endured our very own icy tundras to prove himself in our Colosseum, and he quickly attracted a challenger. Despite being so young, these two are sure to impress, so let's all give them a warm welcome, and encourage them to truly prove themselves in the fires of combat!" His entire speech seemed a bit over the top, but there was nothing the boy could really do to stop him...

After the announcer was finished, Yanji turned his attention to the opposite side of the arena, hoping to either see his opponent, or see him entering. It only seemed appropriate to introduce himself before they fought, so once the two were within earshot, the boy would give a deep bow, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, I am Byakko Yanjirou. I am prepared whenever you are." He would hope to hear the boy's introduction as well, but it didn't truly matter to him whether he received one in return or not.

Since his usual fighting technique seemed a bit lethal given the situation he was in, Yanji would try to stick to his fists. It would take murderous intent for him to respond with lethal force.

MFT

 

[Hotaka Kyo]

Kyo had been spending far too much time in his studies and training, between the relative ease of the Academy classes and the harsh lessons coming from his Clan, he had decided that he would be spending some time in the Colosseum – something that he could justify as training due to the various techniques on display as well as the opportunity to fight on occasion with various other nin or the beast of the Nimbus Delectatio – both of which were enjoyable and informative. He enjoyed the sights and smell of the Colosseum, the coppery tang that permeated the air was one that he enjoyed more than he should, especially when he was directly involved, either through training or from more direct involvement that he preferred.

Today the scarred boy was simply browsing the various shops nearby, having no real intentions with involving himself in the watching or actual participation in the actions taking place. He used the time to watch the people as much as he did the wares, training and shows being put on outside of the Colosseum near the entrances. It was while he was examining a set of well-made maces – an underutilized weapon in his opinion – that a man had stepped out of the Colosseum to make an announcement, which meant one thing in the scarred boy’s experience, that an interesting development had occurred, a special creature to fight or a person that rarely took part in the fighting was going to be announced. Quickly placing the well balanced maces back with the vendor and giving the man a small bow of his head he turned and made his way to the man who was putting on a display to attract the attention of the various members of the crowd. Listening to the man’s spiel of a far traveling competitor, a young nin that had traveled all the way from the village of Sunagakure for a match the boy’s interest was piqued and he stepped forward as he listened to the questions asked and answered by various interested parties. Apparently the nin was a boy around his age, who had approached the organizer on his own shortly after entering the village, and they were looking for young genin and others who wished to try their skill against the foreign nins.

With no one else stepping forth readily to accept the challenge, Kyo did so, after all he couldn’t allow it to seem as if the Hotaka, nor Kumo nin were worried about a challenge – and he had noticed several people looking pointedly at him as he had listened to the man and the information that he was providing. The man was familiar with Kyo, who had participated against the Dire Squirrels and various other beasts in the past, as well as utilizing the Colosseum for training and give a wicked grin as the boy looked into his eyes and gave the man a solid nod. He announced that they had found a competitor and that tickets would be on sale for the fight shortly before turning and heading into the Colosseum with Kyo following close behind.

The hallways were familiar to the scarred kid, and while he nominally followed the man, he knew where he was going before they made the turns. He received several nods along the way, from various staff that he already knew, which he returned, his face its usual rocky appearance betraying no emotions to those that looked curiously as he walked the familiar hallways. They eventually lead to one of the various ready rooms, stocked with equipment of various types that one might want to utilize in the combat they were about to partake.

The boy gave the man a solid nod and moved to the center of the preparation room where he simply stood with his eyes closed focusing, allowing his senses to feel about him as he mentally prepared himself to step out onto the sands of the Colosseum with thousands watching his every move.

When the time came to step out, the Scarred boy moved with a surety, he was stepping out into an arena that he hoped to one day win a tournament against the best of his own clan so that he could take his place at its head, that tournament always drew large crowds of folks, and this would be a good preparation for those future fights. As he stepped out into the sand his eyes moved over the crowd on his left and then right before focusing on the fighter in front of him. His racing mind was at odds with his heart, which beat slowly and strongly, sending quivers down his arms as it did. The scarred boy watched the other as he bowed and introduced himself, Kyo returned the boy, keeping his eyes and other senses on his opponent, “Hotaka Kyo.” Was his simple answer to the other boy’s introduction, it would have been impolite to not provide his name after all.

The other boy would see Kyo adjusting something on his fingers, and if he was particularly eagle-sighted he would see that their happened to be indented metal rings near each of the boys knuckles which he was turning around. The boy then adopted a readied position, hands up near his face, elbows tucked into his sides, and hands open, thumbs securely tucked in with the rest of his fingers which were slightly bent. It made him look as if he was giving a calm down gesture to the other boy, as he stood there on the balls of his feet as he slowly moved diagonally towards him.

 

[Uragaeshi Riyoji]

At the very least, it seemed the announcer wasn't lying when he said that the two were both young. It was almost a relief, but he still knew what was to come. The Byakko kin did in fact notice the object the other boy was playing with, but it was difficult to see with his hands at his side.

"Hmmmm..." Yanjirou got a better look at what his opponent was fiddling with after he put his hands up next to his face, and was surprised to see rings. Any designs were too far away to see, but.. "A weapon? I shouldn't assume, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough." He thought to himself, crouching down slightly and preparing for Kyo's advance. Normally, it was better to wait for your opponent to attack first, so that you can gauge their skill and observe their fighting style. Yet why was the young Byakko already acting?

As he stood, Yanji began gathering chakra into his legs, loose sand moving in a circle around him as he did so. It seemed his weapon had taken some control over his body again... Wonderful, thankfully Tetsuyaiba hadn't activated himself. Yet. The boy already knew what came next, and he had already accepted that the other combatant would not be the first to attack...

Crouching lower, the boy lunged forward - releasing all of the accumulated chakra at once and launching him forward at what was likely blinding speeds to the untrained eye. It would not be long before he fell upon the other boy - hood having been blown off by the wind and revealing the cat ears atop his head. Hopefully, Kyo would have little time to look at them as Yanjirou attempted to thrust his fist into the other boy's stomach. He was too well defended anywhere higher than that, after all.

Once he concluded his attack, successful or not, Yanji would regain control of his actions and try to flip backwards before his opponent had a chance to counter attack - knowing it may be difficult with how confident Kyo seemed in the ring.

 

[Hotaka Kyo]

Kyo watched as his opponent made the first move, the sand that moved was fitting, after all the scarred boy’s opponent was a sand-nin was he not? As he watched his opponent he decided on moving towards an intimidation factor, rather than relying solely upon his combat prowess, he was in the arena, and a bit of a show would be good, besides, he wasn’t sure of the others capabilities and didn’t wish to tip his own hand before he had to, though the technique would give a scholarly opponent information about him, that is if they could identify it, after all those that could utilize it where rather limited in scope.

Rather than dodge out of the way, or even attempt to block, the scarred one seemed to actually drop his guard, allowing his opponent in to strike him freely, the blow landed solidly into his stomach, though he hardly seemed to notice, his skin having hardened before the blow struck. It would be as if striking solid stone rather than the soft malleable flesh that it should have been. If the other knew his bloodlines, or simply recognized the Hotaka name, then he would realize he was facing a Kyoujouran, rare though they were these days it was still possible that the other would get it.

Kyo’s response to the other boys dancing back seemed to be exceptionally slow, an axe kick that arrived long after the other boy had already jumped back from his attack, though it was apparent in a moment when the earth shot forward in a rush in two separate lines as it headed towards the young boy’s opponent from another village that it was intentional, as had been the letting in of the others attack just a moment before. Kyo made no mention or movement to show that he even noticed the boy’s ears underneath his hood, instead seeming to stare out blackly from his readied stance once more, simply waiting again.