Welcome to Gaia! ::

A massive arena where the Single Combat Exam will take place.
The field is somewhat divided; on one side there is a dense grove of trees, on the other is a pond. In between the two is a wide patch of dirt and grass.
The whole arena is surrounded by sheer rocks.

Cameras are located in discreet positions all over the arena, so that the crowd can see all aspects of the action, wherever it is.

There are two boxes separated from the normal spectators: the contestant box and the V.I.P. box, which is reserved for Exam Proctors, senseis, and judges ONLY.



As for security, Rain ANBU are stationed at every possible entrance, and chakra sensors are positioned at strategic points to detect any malevolent chakra sources.

Arashi was next, dressed in his Kage uniform, being followed loyally by the Twins and Jin. Arashi inclined his head respectfully towards Inmetsu, while the Twins both bowed, Jin offering a salute. He sat in the center chair, the Twins taking their seats to his right. Jin stood near the back.

Itami entered shortly after, sitting next to Inmetsu. "Gonna be interesting this year, eh..." He jupmed up suddenly, bowing very low from the waist, looking towards the door. "Sensei!"

The cause of his sudden outburst was made immediately clear. An ANBU walked in, pushing a wheelchair which held a man who could only be described as ancient. Dressed in green robes with a bright-green parrot sitting on his shoulder, he sported a long, white beard. His hair had long ago fallen out, and his pale, wrinkly skin was dotted with liver-spots. He spoke, his voice coming out hoarse and raspy. "Oh! Itami... good to see you again... Hello there Arashi-kun... He glanced at Inmetsu, his eyes squinting at him. "Shogi... I don't remember her, who is that woman?"
The ANBU sighed. He spoke in a dead monotone, giving the clear image that he had long ago become dead inside from years of this routine. "My name is Shinji, sir. We've been over this. And that's Inmetsu Uchiha, who is a man, not a woman. He's one of the Sannin, do you remember?"
"Oh... I suppose. Did I ever have him for tea?"
"No, sir. You didn't."
"Oh... Where's my wife? Why isn't she here yet?"
"Sir, your wife has been dead for sixty years."
"Oh... I hated that b***h anyway."
The parrot felt this was an appropriate time to voice its opinion. "PRETTY BIRD! PRETTY BIRD!"
"Yes, Yuri, a very pretty bird for Ojichan... Shinku, what are we here for again?"
"My name is Shinji, sir. And we are here to watch the Chuunin exams."
"Oh... I remember my Chuunin exams... There was this red-haired fellow with the strange eyes, and he killed my friend Honto..."
"Sir, those weren't the Chuunin exams. That was the overthrowing of Hanzou, not Honto, and that red-haired fellow was the leader of Akatsuki."
"Oh..."
Shinji sighed, giving Arashi a look that said quite plainly 'wait for it...' Arashi chuckled slightly, and Shinji held up three fingers, putting them down one by one. '3... 2... 1...'
"Shojo, do you know where my wife is?"

Daichi appeared near her seat but just as she was about to sit down the twins let out screams in perfect unison. She sighed heavily and pulled her cloak around them and began to feed them while muttering under her breath, "I respect any mother that had twins or more because this is the toughest battle I've ever been through."

A chuckled was heard from a few chairs over, "They are very beautiful though. Daichi, if I do dare to say so, you make a fine pair with their father; adding more children like that in this world is what you should discuss with him."

Daichi shook her head, "It isn't as if I know who it is. Besides, these two will keep me busy until I die."

"Hm," the Tsukikage hummed to herself before leaning back. "Is it possible to call my niece to my side while the final examination is going on?"

(I try, I try. I don't really know why, but I just love old people.)

Uryu did not respond. He had leaned back in his wheelchair, his eyes closed, motionless. There was a brief, tense silence as Arashi, Itami and Shinji stared at him, fearing the worst, but then a loud snore came from him and Arashi and Itami breathed a sigh of relief. Shinji cursed under his breath.

"NIICHAN! NIICHAN!" Yuri took off, flying to Arashi's hand, who smiled, stroking the bird's plumage.
"I don't see why not, Izumi-san. And may I say you look particularly radiant today." He glanced at Daichi. "A tremendous shame I could not have been there for their birth. They are beautiful, though. Have you named them yet?"

"Arashi-sama, you sure do know how to please a woman with words," Izumi laughed.

"I'd have to agree with you there, Izumi-sama! Thank you ver much, Arashi-sama. I've decided to name my boy Iain and my girl Rien," she smiled softly before continuing. "I'll forgive you for not being there if you bless my children later."

"I'll take those beautiful babes under my wing and teach them everything I know so you have a chance to rest up and make more beautiful babes for me to train!" The Tsukikage laughed lightly this time when she caught Daichi shaking her head.

((Iain=I-an/Rein=Rain))

She entered, preferring a more stylized kimono to the baggy kage uniform.
Noelani sat next to Arashi, smiling at him. "Good afternoon, Arashi..."

Hitomi walked in the room and took a seat next to Inmetsu "so, i heard Leaf team didnt make it. how did Tohma take it?"

Tashi and Kashi both stood at once, seeing the gates open. "Excuse us."
They leapt down into the arena, stopping before Yuriko. "Your job" "is done." "Go join the other senseis" "in the V.I.P. Box. We will" "take it from here."

The two of them stood before the genin, adopting a relaxed military pose. "Welcome to the third" "and final portion of the" "Chuunin Exams." "During this exam we" "will be your proctors," "and you are still going" "to be judged. There are" "some things you should know" "before you begin."
Tashi glared at them, walking to the right. "First off, you should know that the time to hold back is over. You are advised to fight with all your strength. If you hold back, we will know, and your score will suffer."
Kashi gave them an identical glare, walking to the left. "Second, the opponents you will face in this exam are randomly selected, so you will not know who you are facing. The style of this exam will be an elimination tournament. The victors of each match will face each other, and so on until the winner is declared."
They both stopped. "Furthermore, you have three hours in which to prepare yourselves. From this point, you are to go up into the Contestants' box." They pointed up into the wall, where there was a small balcony and an alcove, the contents of which were unknown. "We have provided you with food and a changing room if you wish to change clothes or bathe. You may sleep if you want to. In a short while, the feudal lords and other judges will be arriving, after which we will call your names. If your name is called, you have three minutes to show up on the field. If you appear so much as one second late you are disqualified."
The Twins nodded to the various ANBU, who closed the gates. "Your three hours begins now. Get going."
They disappeared.

(Basically, you're up in the contestant box now. Consider yourselves fully healed, with full chakra and all your equipment back.
I will announce the first match at 7:00 tonight. Once again, everything is random so I will not hear complaints about the fairness of your matches.
Adieu.)