When the first part of group one finished their fight, a few chunin fixed the arena flooring. The once scarred terrain was leveled and ready for the next round. Which twelve groups entered the field only no one cheered.

If Ryu had to choose how to describe most in the grouping. The first word to pop up would be retired. Nearly everyone part of this grouping was looking towards or above the age of thirty or forty. So they should look into retiring if they are still genin at this time.

“Why does look group three look like they haven’t trained since they got out of the academy.” Izumi commented pointing towards a group of rounded men and women. They didn’t show signs of being part of the Akimichi clan either.

Rubbing his chin over his face mask, Ryu thought about it. “They are probably part of the reserves and really didn’t put effort after being put there. There is also the option of after the attack nearly four years ago, they turned to stress eating or drinking.”

“I believe they just put into the effort to train harder until they missed the golden age for it. Which is about twelve or thirteen to twenty five. Though the last five years progress slows show signs of slowing down.” Sui-Feng explained.

“How did they survive as they should have been part of the second and third shinobi wars. Unless they were very lucky and didn’t stand out for a promotion.” Hana said as the Three Haimaru Brothers yipped in agreement.

“Believe it or not, most of the talents ones are hunted down during the wars. So some chose to hide their talents which either continued after the wars or were killed. Since they didn’t want to show off, they ended up dying for not giving it their all.” Sui-Feng said as she got a far away look in her eyes.

“Yeah, but I am going with Ryu option of stress eating. They don’t appear to be using a transformation jutsu and look ready to back out.” Izumi said.

“Maybe it part of their plans?” Hana said full of doubt.

After saying that, they sat in silence as the next round began. Similar to the last round a few times attempted to take others head on. Which ended badly due to using a couple B or A rank jutsu and fighting at least four or five others. As for the team they were talking about they were quickly eliminated.

“I think those three need to retire.” Hana said as they watched the medic sign carrying the three away.

“One should never stop training unless it a rest day, a day of mourning, or in female cases when they are pregnant.” Ryu said.

“What happens if your already the strongest.” Izumi attempting to counter in a childish way.

“There is always someone stronger.” Ryu simple said as Hikari drilled that into him the first week of training.

The twelve starting groups soon dwindled down to four as they formed a square in a standoff. In the top right corner there was the youngest that appeared so far. There were two fifteen years old give as their third teammate was knocked out early. He attempted to plow through everyone.

Not far was a sole man hovering around twenty one or two. He was panting due to being target early on but managed to push them back. He wore the suggested uniform just without the vest.

Across from him was another man doll who while didn’t have any teammates, was looking better. Except the extremely pale skin as if the man never seen the sun in his life.

As for the final group was a group of three ranging around eighteen. While they had all their members, one of them appeared to be panicking. It appeared as stage fright took root as they were one of the last remaining. Which was weird but shinobi don’t usually work in the light, so it was fine.

“So out of them who do you say going to win the round.” Hana asked.

“I say the one if their teammate gets over their stage fright.” Hikari said getting a mental nod from Ryu.

“I say the youngest ones got this. Except for their third teammate, the two have done well.” Sui-Feng said.

“You have a very laid back sensei outside of training and missions.” Hikari couldn’t help but comment.

The standoff didn’t last for long as the doll man rushed the other that was heavily breathing. With a intenses taijutsu following in it wake. Everything from parrying or turning to lessen the impact the two traded blows at about high genin low chunin.

Using the two fighting the other two teams went at each other. While no jutsu was fired it was an intense battle. The youngest and only two members had to work together to hold off against the trio.

Dashing side to side, the duo kicked one off the ground as one came from the left and right. Quickly following their attack they jumped and stomped the guy into the ground.

“Ouch, that got to hurt.” Hana commented. As the trio just lost it member.

“I want to know why his teammates didn’t try to help. A shuriken or kunai would have ended the combo before they stomped him.” Ryu said.

“What are you talking about, I could barely see them after they began to dash side to side.” Hana said with Izumi nodding.

Huh, we run faster than that during training. I might run faster than that when I do my morning run. Ryu thought but didn’t reply to Hana comment.

Hmm, I may have overbalanced the power scale, but no point in telling Ryu. It gives him something to strive for and push his limits. Hikari said shrugging it off. Her host literally has limitless potential due to her and his body personal made by a god.

The doll man fight came to an end as both fell unconsciousness due to the doll due to taking a shot rattling his mind and the other due to exhaustion. Which also marked the end to the group fight as the duo came out with a few more cuts and bruises.

“Well, they have a combo similar to one of yours. Only they don’t use a shadow clone.” Hikari said.

“I noticed but it not really that far out there to come up with is it?” Ryu said shrugging off on of his finishers.

“I guess not.” Hikari agreed.

“Sensei, what group are we in A or B?” Izumi asked.

“The second one, which is the hardest as your going to fight the victor of group A right after with a five minute break.” Sui-Feng said.

Why do I feel like it is going to be troublesome. Ryu thought as the finals for the first group began.

The match ended in an instant as the doll winner from the first round was fully rest and the duo wasn’t. The duo was smashed into the ground brutally as if it was the man mission to do so.

===

After the field was repaired the next group walked in with most ranging from thirteen to fifteen. While there were a few older ones a younger one around eight. Staring at the youngest with black hair and onyx eyes, Ryu sighed.

“So, Itachi joined.” Ryu said sending a look towards a pouting Izumi.

“I don’t care what that idiot does.”

“What did he do this time?” Ryu whispered to Hana.

“I believe he attempted to divert her from entering today.” Hana replied back in a whisper.

“And miss this opportunity for experience? He is either telling she doesn’t have the skill to be a shinobi or zero faith she will be fine.”

“Yeah and I don’t know which one worse.” Hana agreed.

Looking down at their friend and rival in Ryu's case, they noticed he was by himself. The two beside his side looked very reluctant to be there. Thinking about it, last Ryu knew one of his teammates were killed and the other dropped out. So they must be their replacement.

The match soon began with Itachi team hanging back studying the other groups clashing. While a few B and C rank jutsus were thrown around it was either kunai and shuriken being thrown around. A couple used short swords or tantos or a staff.

“What is Itachi waiting for?” Hana asked as more than half were eliminated yet .Itachi nor his team entered the fray.

“He waiting until most are gone and others to exhaust themselves.” Ryu answered as Sui-Feng nodded.

“Though most of these guys don’t have much stamina.” Ryu comment unknowingly insulted both men and women who already appeared.

“Yeah, I get wanting to show off but the performance is a bit lacking.” Hana nodded alongside the triplets.

Behind them they heard Anko and Kurenai laughing confusing the two but in the end shrugged. They must have told a joke to each other, missing Sui-Feng amused smile.

When the final three groups fighting took a small breather due to a stalemate. Itachi and his team swooped in taking them all out from behind before most of them could react. Leaving Itachi team against four.

Flashing through a couple hand signs, Itachi’s team nodded as they split up forming a triangle. Rapidly going through the hand seal three large fireball formed forcing the remaining to raise a rock wall. Only they spent their remaining chakra and passed out.

“Well, it was an interesting strategy but that was a waste of chakra forming those three fireballs. The remaining also were lacking in my opinion.” a disappointed Hana grumply said as she stood up.

“It was, but it is what it is.” Ryu said as they headed towards the waiting area.

“Well good luck you three.” Sui-Feng said.

“We got this than I can pound that his smug face into the ground.” Izumi shouted as she sent a glare towards Itachi who shivered a bit.

===

Arriving down into the arena Ryu could feel the bloodlust in the air and felt like cutting the tension with a knife. The entire situation was completely different from watching as he won’t have the height to watch everything.

“This is going to be interesting.” Hana said as the triplets nodded with a yip.

“We will stay towards the outer edge targeting those that do the same. After seeing Itachi idea, some are going to copy.-

“...Which we use to our advantage.” Hana finished.

“Won’t they see us coming though?” Izumi raised an eyebrow.

“We are shinobi stealth should be like breathing. Plus, if they aren’t distracted we will create one.” Ryu shrugged as his sexy style might work. Most of his opponents are teenagers with their hormones flaring.

“Why do I get the feeling I should beat up Ryu?” Izumi whispered to Hana making Ryu want to cry.

Eyeing the groups, most of them looked about fourteen or fifteen meaning they were either last year or the year before. Which mean they have at least a year or two of more experience than them. Suddenly, Ryu didn’t like the odds as they might be the ones targets instead.

Seeing that at least four groups eyeing him and a couple more sending a glance Ryu decided to change up the plan.

“We might need a different plan.” Ryu whispered to the girls.

Before they could voice the thought the round began.