Third-Person POV

"Well then, that's two of your students going to the Finals, Kosetsu," Hisao smirked.

"And that's two of yours as well," she replied, "with the third just around the corner."

The two of them had left the jonin seating area and were in one of the hallways with Kosetsu at a vending machine.

"I've been meaning to thank you..." the android went on.

"Oh, what for?"

"Your words from when we had gone for a drink. They were what had helped me realize to trust them that first time and allow them to participate. You have my gratitude."

After her she had received her energy drink, she walked by Hisao and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You would have made the same choice with or without my advice," she said.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because...," she looked thoughtfully at him - before patting his forehead, "you probably would have just used your analysis system to calculate the most optimal solution."

"Hm. Not even an android can see all ends."

A moment later Issun-boshi had appeared.

"Ah, there you are," he said.

"Good day, Issun-boshi," Hisao greeted.

He walked on past them and down into the hall. "Come, follow me."

Both Hisao and Kosetsu gave a look of confusion.

"Where to, if I may ask?" inquired Kosetsu.

Issun-boshi turned to look back at them with his eyes still closed. "We are going to meet with the jonin from the Sand and Cloud Villages."

They followed Issun-boshi further into the stadium and lead them into what appeared to be a conference room with three other individuals present.

Mei Sarutobi was present, conversing with a rather tall and muscular man who was dressed in the Sand Village jonin attire and kept his hair in a buzz cut.

The third individual that was approaching them was strange in appearance. He had unusually shaped eyes that lacked any brows, incredibly spiky hair that was off-white in colour and carried a long staff on his back. The symbol on his forehead protector indicated he was from the Cloud Village.

"This is Wataru from the Cloud Village, sensei of Team 32," Issun-boshi introduced him, "and that man over there is Gaki from the Sand who mentors Team 24."

Wataru offered his hand to Kosetsu to shake, to which she accepted. "You must be Kosetsu Heiwa of Team 4, right?" he asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"That was quite an interesting match between our students, wouldn't you agree?" he said. "Who knew she was so skilled at genjutsu, I was honestly quite surprised. Jin Mitarashi, was it?"

"Uh, yes...," Kosetsu was skeptical but she kept her mouth closed.

Wataru, however, had sensed this. "Oh, don't take this wrong way, I'm not holding any vendetta to you or her. It was a fair match, and Rui likely couldn't have foreseen this anyway. I'm only complimenting your student and her skill. You really do seem to know your stuff as a sensei."

"Hm, trust me, I didn't have much of a role to play when it came to her skill," Kosetsu added.

Wataru flashed a smile at her comment then turned to Hisao. "It's nice to meet you, Hisao of Team 12."

"Likewise."

They gripped each other's hands and shook it warmly as they continued to converse.

Oh my goodness, Kosetsu thought while watching them, they both give off the same energy! It's like watching two bots engage each other in a business meeting!

She looked down at Issun-boshi.

"What is it, Kosestu?" he said, as if having felt her gaze.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just wondering where you were coming from when you had encountered us at that hallway."

"You are quite nosy, aren't you?" the dwarf man remarked. "But I can see it is not without reason."

Kosetesu made no reply to his comment.

"I was just coming from the infirmary," he explained, and as he did his expression became hard. "One of my students was in an accident."

"Oh, no! What kind of accident? Are they alright?" Kosetsu inquired.

The rising of her voice had caught Hisao and Wataru's attention, as well as Mei and Gaki as they were walking over to them.

"Yes, he's alright. According to Ino Yamanaka, he had been found on the stairs by his teammate, which lead her to believe that he might have tripped and fallen. He is recovering now, so there was no cause for panic."

"I see, I'm truly sorry to hear that," said Kosetsu. "Please forgive my rudeness."

"It's no problem, lass."

Suddenly Hisao spoke to Issun-boshi. "But you... no, never mind, pardon me."

Then Gaki proceeded to introduce himself to Hisao and Kosetsu.

"It looks as though my student is to face yours in the upcoming match," he said to Hisao. "I hope he's prepared to give it his all."

"What do you mean?" Hisao asked.

"Oh, just that.. Itsuki Miura is a special kid," Gaki answered, "with a special skill set. Your student may find that he proves to be a bigger challenge than they thought. (They all did, after all)."

Concern spread over what little could be seen of Hisao's face, but he had managed a smile. "We'll see. All my students are known for their tenacity so this could turn out to be quite the clash."

Yuura, it's your turn now.

"So you really have no idea what the jutsu could be, at all?" Yuura asked.

"Yeah, no, couldn't tell ya," said Iroko.

The boys and Asami were back in the waiting room, and Yuura had decided to pass the break time by finding out what information he could about Itsuki before the match, so Iroko and Asami had decided to help.

"Hm, well from how you had described the jutsu, it sounds like it might be a Kekkei Genkai," Yuura devised.

"Oh, yeah? How so?"

"Well, think about it. You said it was like several rocks and debris were moving on their own in a controlled manner, right? I doubt a simple Earth Style jutsu could allow the user to freely move the materials around without even weaving signs to do so. No, I suspect another chakra nature would have to have been at play to influence the motion of the jutsu. A chakra nature well known for mobility-purposes."

"Wind Style?" Asami aloofly suggested.

Yuura snapped his fingers. "Exactly!"

"But what kind of Kekkei Genkai could be formed from Earth Style and Wind Style?" Iroko wondered.

"Oh, tons," said Yuura, "but what matters right now is identifying the one Itsuki uses."

Hmm, an Earth and Wind Style Kekkei Genkai that controls debris without hand seals.., Iroko brainstormed. Oh, wait a second! That sounds a lot like the Kekkei Genkai the Fifth Kazekage uses!

"Sounds like you've got a lot going on here, buddy," a voice pierced through the conversation.

"Daito!!" Yuura turned around to his friend, emerging from the doorway. Apart from a slightly bruised his face he seemed just about the same. Suddenly Yuura felt immense guilt and found himself darting his eyes left and right as he stumbled over his words.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I never got a chance to visit you!! Y-you see I was going to right after your match with Iroko but then Asami's match had come up right afterward and I had to stay for that, then I had gotten worried that my match would come and I wouldn't be present for it so I stayed back, then completely forgot even after Fumino had reminded us and I'm just rambling on, making excuse after excuse, aren't I? I'm sorry..."

"Keh, dude, don't sweat it! It's not like my life was in danger or anything so there's no need to apologize. Plus you were looking out for your other friends so really there's nothing to lose your marbles over."

"Well, if you say so," said Yuura. "But I promise I'll make it up to you."

"If you wanna, that's fine with me, but speaking of friends," he held out a hand to Asami, "I don't think we've officially met. I'm Daito Odachi!"

"Asami," she replied without shaking his hand or changing her stale expression.

Daito sweatdropped. "Okay, Asami, got it! Thanks for being Yuura and Iroko's friend, I guess!"

"Sorry, she's not so big on greetings and such," Yuura whispered into his ear.

"Yeah, you'd have to kill yourself to get anything outta her," Iroko whispered into his other ear. "Watch this."

Iroko strode over to Asami and put his fingers on either side of her face, pulling at her face muscles and saying: "Come on, smile and say: 'Nice to meet y-ACK!!!"

He was then swiftly dealt a devastating knock to the head, followed by a threat.

"Do that again and you'll lose those fingers."

"Noted," he whimpered.

"Iroko," Daito called. "Today you got a win on me. But don't think that means it's over. After today, I'm gonna double on my training and work even harder so that next time we'll have a real match, you and me, and I'll be the one to come out the winner!"

Iroko did not waste any time reciprocating the challenge. "You're on!! I'll admit that didn't feel like a real win for me either so we'll definitely have a rematch and see who's really stronger!"

"Alright then! Still though.. that jutsu at the end there was SICK!!" Daito gushed. "You were so fast I didn't even see you before the punch!! Just how long did it take you to master that?!"

"That's just it, I haven't mastered it! My sensei says I've still got to perfect the output discharge, reduce the number of hand seals I take to form it and some other stuff I don't remember. It took me a whole week and 80% of those days to get where I am!"

"What? No way!--"

The conversation was halted when Daito saw Fumino passing by the doorway. "Hey, Fumino!"

She stopped in her tracks and turned over to look at the four of them. "Oh, hey, you guys. What are the four of you up to?"

"Oh, yeah, what are you guys up to?" Daito asked.

"We're helping Yuura prepare for his match," Iroko answered. "The person he's up against might be super strong!"

"THANKS FOR WAITING, FOLKS!! LLLET'S GET BACK TO THE SECOND HALF OF THE PRELIMS, SHALL WE? CAN WE HAVE YUURA KAIRI AND ITSUKI MIURA COME TO THE ARENA!?"

They could hear the eager shouts and cries of the crowds.

Yuura covered his face with one of his hands. "Oh no.. we've run out of time. We haven't figured out a strategy to face Itsuki with."

"There is one thing," said Iroko, "though, I'm not sure how much help it'll be. Just now I had realized Itsuki's Kekkei Genkai is a lot like the Fifth Kazekage's ability to control sand. The sand jutsu has a crazy defense level and above that its reaction speed is off the charts, but aside from that the user themselves are pretty weak! So if you could find a way to bypass their sand maybe you could get a clean hit on 'em! Maybe that's how Itsuki's Kekkei Genkai works, too!"

"This would all have to depend on the possibility that Itsuki is too dependent on his Kekkei Genkai," Yuura thought, "but I don't really have anything else to go on so, ok, I'll try that! Thanks, Iroko!"

"I just hope it works..," the blue-streaked boy sighed nervously.

"You'd better get going, Yuura," Fumino chimed in. "Good luck out there, we'll be cheering you on!"

"You've got this, man!" said Daito. "Remember to believe in yourself as well!"

Iroko nudged Asami.

"Don't screw this up," she said.

That's the kindest thing she's ever said!! Yuura exclaimed.

Iroko held out a fist bump to him. "All three of us will go to the Finals, right?"

"Y-yeah!" he replied as he completed it. "Thanks, everyone, I'll do my best!!"

Just as Daito was leaving the waiting room with Team 12, Fumino stopped him by pulling him to the side.

"Sorry to hold you back now of all times," she said, "but there's something you need to know."

"REALLY?!" his face was turning into a tomato. "Wh-wh-wh-what is it? I mean What is it...?"

"Something happened to Yohei."

"Huh?"

Yuura watched Itsuki step out into the arena with anxiety, masked as anticipation.

The hundreds of people watching were nerve-wracking enough, but the expectations that now came with this match were downright debilitating.

Everyone is counting on me.. to win this..

..so that's what I have to do!!!

"We've met before. You're one of Iroko's teammates, right?" Itsuki asked.

"Huh? Oh, uh, y-yeah..."

"Sorry we had to meet again in a fight, but I guess it can't be helped," he lowered his body and got into a fighting stance, "Don't worry, though, I have no intention of holding back."

Yuura gulped but managed to assume a stance, too. "S-same here!"

At the same time, in the seating area, Asami had proceeded to ask Iroko a question.

"Before the Forest of Death test had begun it seemed like you knew him well."

"Who, Itsuki? Nah, not really."

"Do you consider him a friend?"

Iroko was surprised by the question. He looked back at the arena, contemplating, then eventually came to an answer.

"He could be."

"FIGHT!!"

Both opponents had started forming hand seals.

Earth -> Wind

Dragon -> Snake-> Horse -> Ram -> Dragon

Yuura rushed at Itsuki with the Rolling Torrent jutsu.

If I can land hit on him before he has a chance to put up his defense I'll be able to take the lead in this fight!! he thought.

"Mineral Style: Sifting," he said.

But at the same time he had formed his jutsu, Itsuki's was gathering all around him. All the rock and debris from the previous fights were melding together and closing in on Yuura.

Realizing his situation, Yuura dispersed the Rolling Torrent and launched himself forward with a gush of water. Rushing the hand seals, he formed another just as he was about land and continued his pursuit but the rocks and debris were still right behind him.

Iroko was right, his jutsu really is like the Fifth Kazekage's!

The debris was now rising from every corner of the arena, and although it seemed like a hopeless situation, Yuura pressed on with even more determination, dodging and swerving by every attack that came his way. Another moment and he was in Itsuki's presence with a massive Water Bullet on tow.

"You're good," Itsuki said. "I was right not to underestimate you. But..."

The Water Bullet made contact with, instead, a massive wall erected from the ground.

"Mud Wall?!" Yuura exclaimed. He knows other jutsu aside from his Kekkei Genkai?

"... don't think you've seen all that I have to offer."

Iroko was gritting his teeth. "Damn, we should've known!!"

The spectators were voicing their impression with Itsuki's versatility, but the green-haired boy wasn't done yet.

He punched the Mud Wall and several piers jutted out of in a random fashion, forcing Yuura to double back.

Then Yuura realized with fear in his heart. Oh no. I just remembered: the natural opposing chakra nature to Water Style is--

"You've realized it, haven't you?" Itsuki cut into his thoughts. "Well, it's too late, anyway. Earth Style: Boulder Fist Technique."

A massive boulder in the shape of a fist formed out of the Mud Wall and shot straight at Yuura.

He managed to erect his Aqua Dome to stop in its tracks - a deep echoing sound rang through the arena. The Boulder Fist crumbled, leaving behind a crack that encapsulated the entire Dome.

Yuura had begun to panic. What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?! My jutsu will be practically ineffective against his! Agh, I'm so stupid!! I should've realized the odds were stacked against me as soon as I found out he knew Earth Style!! Now how do I win the- AGGHH!!

Itsuki had sent another Boulder Fist at the Dome this time with even more ferocity. At the same time the rocks and debris of his Mineral Style were gathering around Yuura.

"Do you plan on staying in there until I've exerted all my strength," said Itsuki, rearing back the biggest Boulder Fist yet, "because I think you'll find that to be a mistake."

He launched it and broke clean through the Dome in one area but the rest of it still stood fast. Yuura let out a yelp and backed away to the edge of the Dome. He tried to weave his hand seals in order to repair it but he was fumbled through them in the midst of agitation.

"Looks like Itsuki's got Yuura right where he wants him!!" Guy announced. "How will he get out of this situation?"

"Something's wrong!" Iroko realized, standing up. "Why isn't he fighting back? Yuura!! YUURA!!!"

The shaggy-haired boy made no response.

"Dammit, what's going on?"

"He's panicking!" said Tensho.

"What? Why would he? YUURA!! Damn, it's like he can't hear me!!"

"I don't know, but that's definitely the face of someone panicking!" she said.

Itsuki didn't bother with another Boulder Fist, the Mineral Style managed to tear apart the rest of the Aqua Dome with ease. Now Yuura was grabbed by the debris and was held suspended in midair.

"No, Yuura!!" Iroko cried. "Snap out of it!!! YUURA!!!"

"Oh? Looks as though Iroko is trying to get ahold of his friend but his cried are fallen on deaf ears!!" said Guy "What's going on in Yuura Kairi's head that has him so frozen stiff?"

"YUURA!!!". . .

.

.

.

Iroko...

Huh? What is this?

Why can't I move my body?

Don't tell me it's already given up. The match just started! Why? Why won't it respond?!

I wouldn't throw in the towel just because I lucked out! So what is it? Why are you just submitting yourself?!

Submitting yourself...

Oh...

That's right.

SMAAASH!!!!

With a great thrust, Itsuki swung Yuura into the ground of the arena.

The crowd gasped.

Iroko's mouth hung open.

Hisao grimaced.

Asami's expression remained still.

The dust cleared and there lay Yuura, not moving an inch.

"Hm." Itsuki furrowed his brows. "I don't understand. You looked like you could put up a fight. So why aren't you?"

Temari walked over to Yuura.

"Hey, kid, can you stand?" she asked.

Suddenly, his hands that lay sprawled across the ground curled up and his body began to lift as he spat blood onto the ground.

Temari backed away and shouted: "He's still able!!"

The crowd gave a rousing cry in order to encourage Yuura.

Yeah, that's right...

The reason my body wouldn't move.. wasn't necessarily because it's afraid of misfortune..

..it's afraid of making things worse..

..just like before.

His body fully rose. He looked past Itsuki and at the genin seating area, at Iroko and Asami.

He directed his focus back at Itsuki.

FWOOOOOOSH!!!!

BUT NONE OF THAT MATTERS!!! BECAUSE I MADE A PROMISE!!!

Blitzing through the hand seals, Yuura's Rolling Torrent roared to life like a tidal wave. He made a beeline for Itsuki, summoning six giant Water Bullets.

I'll do it!! I'll use all my chakra to create that opening!!

Even if all I might be able to get in is a decent punch, even if I end up losing...

I REFUSE TO NOT TRY!!!

"I knew it," said Itsuki. "That look in your eyes: You've overcome suffering, too, haven't you?"

Horse --> Ox --> Bird

The arena started to shake.

Before anything could happen, Yuura released one Water Bullet. Itsuki summoned yet another Mud Wall to block it but nothing could be done about Yuura combing three more of his Water Bullets into a Great Gunshot and simultaneously firing it at the same spot while bursting through it with full force on his Rolling Torrent.

It's called a 'Mud Wall', so if you hit it with enough water solution to the surface (based on the scale factor of the Mud Wall itself) it's particles will loosen up and it becomes malleable!!

He broke through the Mud Wall as soon as he made contact with it.

Yuura cried: "I've got you!!"

Itsuki said: "Mineral Style: Towering Pillar."

The arena ground rose into the sky, crumbling and breaking apart at the seams. Yuura struggled to stay in the air as flying rocks came soaring by over his head. The spectators found themselves having to look up into the sky to see the arena floor Yuura and Itsuki were on rise up like a pillar.

"WHAT IS THIS?!?! ITSUKI'S LIFTED OVER HALF OF THE ARENA GROUND INTO THE SKY?!" Guy exclaimed.

Gaara had let a smile slip.

Yuura was in disbelief. "What kind of technique is this? It's on such a grand scale. Isn't he low on chakra yet?!" Unless, he's--

The airborne rocks now began to converge on them.

"Let's see how you do in the air, Yuura Kairi."

Yuura gritted his teeth, and with a splash of water narrowly dodged an incoming rock.

"Hey, I'm here!!" Daito shouted, running to Iroko's side with Fumino. "What'd we miss?"

Iroko pointed to the pillar. "Yuura's on his last legs, and Itsuki's taken them into the air to fight."

They could see Yuura now, moving back and forth to avoid Itsuki's relentless attacks.

"Yuura... you can do this," Daito said aloud.

He's brought me into the air so I can't use Rolling Torrent! Yuura thought, while doing everything in his power to dodge debris and maintain his Water Bullets. Aside from maintaining these Water Bullets, I've probably only got enough chakra left for two more large-scaled jutsu! I can't waste a single one!! But in a situation as doomed as this how do I get an opening--

That's when Yuura saw it. Large chunks of debris floating around Itsuki that he was using for defense.

Yuura didn't waste anytime and immediately sprang into action. He leapt off of an attacking rock and fired his remaining two Water Bullets at the biggest obstacles in his way.

He now ran along the surface of the debris, slowly making his way to Itsuki.

Everything in this world has an advantage and a disadvantage to it.

As he passed behind the large chunk of rocks, he formed the hand seals Ram, Snake then Tiger and said: "Clone Jutsu!"

It is one of the most pinnacle concepts to know especially when you can't see more than one side to a situation.

Upon appearing on the other side, Itsuki was already greeting him with a fast-paced boulder that hit him dead-on. It dispersed.

And it's especially useful when you're up against an opponent with no apparent weaknesses. What you must do - is turn their apparent strengths into their weaknesses.

"Ah, a distraction," Itsuki deduced, spinning around -- to see Yuura directly in front of him, a Point-Blank Great Gunshot already discharged.

What? How? Both Itsuki's heart and his thoughts started racing. When did he have this much time to close the distance behind me? Even if he was in my blindspot how didn't I -- wait, he had passed by two of the rocks I was using as defense! He must have stayed behind the first rock while his clone moved on to pass by the second and get my attention!!

Itsuki braced himself for the attack. But then the Great Gunshot self-destructed upon impact, indicating that it was nothing more than a simple clone. The green-haired boy had stumbled back all the way to the edge of the pillar, dazed and confused.

That was a clone, too?! "Where is he?"

He was unzipping his jacket and reaching into it for something when he felt himself get pulled over the edge.

It was the real Yuura, hauling the both of them off the edge of the pillar.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"OH, AND THEY'RE FALLING!!!"

Itsuki spun his head around and met a right hook to the side of his face. It was so jarring that he felt himself almost lose consciousness. But he had enough strength to pull one technique.

"Sorry..." Yuura said. "This was the best I could do to finally land a hit..." I could have been the one to fire the Great Gunshot at that moment but it wouldn't have been powerful enough to knock him and at that point I would have run out of chakra.

"Yeah... This really was the best I could do."

The next second a boulder bashed into him and sent him nosediving into the ground of the arena. While Itsuki managed to gather the debris form a ramp to ensure he had a rough but safe-enough landing.

Only Itsuki was still standing by the time they had both reached the ground. Temari sauntered over to Yuura once more. When she saw that he truly was unable to move this time she raised her flag.

And as the crowd cheered and Guy congratulated them both on the match, Iroko found himself slumping back into his chair in disbelief.

Huh...

⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ A little while later ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

Yuura did not need to open his eyes to know he was in the infirmary. The feeling of being in a bed, and the fact that he had lost was all the evidence he needed.

And so when his eyes fluttered open and he sat up his straight in his bed all he did was take in a breath and looked down at his hand in deep thought.

I can't believe it. After all this time, I find that I'd still sooner bow my head and apologize profusely than seek out an alternative to my predicament. It's like I haven't grown one bit. But I suppose I should have realized as well that people can't change that easily.

Still, if I hadn't let anxiety and fear consume me in that one moment, maybe my chances wouldn't have been as slim.

I still have to change!

"Hey, are you okay, dude?"

Yuura looked up to see Daito, Fumino, Iroko, Asami, Yohei and even Ken in the clinic with him, Yohei and Ken being in bed as well with the former unconscious. He had not expected all of them to be there.

"O-Oh!! Hey, guys! Yeah, apart from the ache in my bones I'm alright!"

"That's not what we mean.." Fumino pointed at his face.

To his surprise, he found that tears were streaming down his face. "Wh-what? Oh, I guess I was crying in my sleep, huh."

Suddenly, Fumino had enveloped him in a hug, rubbing his head simulteneously. "There, there, it's alright! Everything's gonna be okay!"

"Th-there's no need, I'm fine! Really!" he blurted while blushing furiously.

"Why didn't she hug me and rub my head when I lost?" Daito mumbled.

"So, you're really okay that you lost?" Iroko asked. "Even after... I made you promise that all three of us would go to the Finals?"

Yuura gave a weak smile. "Yeah, besides, we probably would have had to fight each other at some point and I still wouldn't have been comfortable with that."

"For what it's worth man," Daito added, " you did look pretty cool near the end there!!"

"I'll say," said Fumino, "you really held your own against him!"

"And if it makes you feel any better," Ken joined in, "there's a chance you've already passed the Exams!"

Yuura's eyes glistened. "Woah, really? That's great to hear!"

Iroko nudged Asami.

"You tried."

He nudged her again to say something else, she elbowed him in the stomach.

Yuura laughed. "Thank you, guys! Really, I feel so blessed... but can someone please tell me what happened to Yohei."

So, Fumino ended up explaining what happened to Yuura as well. He was the last person to know in that room.

"Oh no! But he'll be okay, right?"

"Of course!" Fumino cheered. "Ino-san said he'll make a full recovery in the next few hours, so there's really no need to worry, any of you! That never did any good, anyway!"

SO CUTE!!! Daito, Yuura and Iroko thought.

"And you know what else Ino-san says?" Ino interrupted. "She says visiting time is over and you all are crowding the infirmary! Go, shoo, shoo! Your friends will be fine!"

As they were being pushed out of the infirmary by her, Iroko looked back and called out to Yuura: "Hey, I promise, I'll keep on fighting in your name, okay? That way we've both made it to the Finals!!"

Yuura waved back at him. "Sounds good!!" Yeah, good luck..

"I'm proud of you," said Hisao-sensei.

"Oh, thanks AH, HISAO-SENSEI, HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?!?"

"SSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!" Ino exclaimed.

"Sorry..."

"Hm? What do you mean?" Hisao-sensei asked. "Through the door, of course."

"But- but- never mind."

"You really were splendid out there, Yuura."

The blond boy clutched the sheets of his bed tightly. "No, I wasn't. Let's be honest, sensei, I was terrible. I was like a wounded animal just desperately fighting for my life. There wasn't any splendor whatsoever. I..." His vision began to blur. "I failed you guys..."

"But that's not what I saw," said the android, "nor them. There is the saying that the one who manages to get back up is far stronger than the one who never tried. Yuura, you are strong, stronger than you will ever know. The fact that you got back up is proof of that. Watching you out there, I can say that that is an unmistakable fact. Your heart knows it, too."

BA-DUM, BA-DUM

He's right, he's right, he thought. I can feel it. "Hisao-sensei..." He broke into crocodile tears.

The android patted his head.

I promise ... from the depth of my heart ... I will change... Mom, Dad, everyone.

Walking back to the seating area, there was a heaviness to Iroko's heart that he could not shake and he knew what was causing it: his friend had lost and he had wanted him to be there beside him when they moved on to the Finals together. But some things just couldn't be.

For now, anyway, he had decided, right then and there, to ignore it and keep pushing forward, just as he always had for years now.

I've still got a dream to achieve! I will become a chunin, no matter what!!

"Iroko," someone whispered.

He stopped in his tread, wondering who that was just now.

And somehow he was not that surprised when he saw who it was.

"Itsuki? What is it?"

"Mind if we talk in private for a bit?"