Tales of a Ninja Magician: Of What Defines Us

Sounds of Limestone

A fresh influx of air blew in the direction of the girls who have gathered in the front observation platform that was positioned right beneath the audience, which in terms laid beneath the VIP areas where all the important political figures were placed. Kiyomi warily looked around, moving her mind away from the upcoming battles to wonder if it was that safe to host all of the political elite that have decided to come and enjoy the festivity.

That moment was when she noticed rows upon rows of uniformed ninja posted in between the vertical rows of steps that lead to in and out of the arena. Konoha spared no expense at security and extravagance of the whole thing. Except for that one unexpected accidental death in the semi-finals, the whole event was going without as much as a hitch. Given the insane security, as well as the personal security details of all of those big cheeses of politics, attacking such an event would have been an equivalent of declaring war upon multiple ninja villages at once.

"You should see it", Kiyomi turned and pouted her lips at Mana's direction. "This whole place is rocking. As someone who loves entertaining people, you'd appreciate it".

"I... This isn't good", Mana gasped for air. "I can't use my sensory here".

Kiyomi looked at her friend with concern, so did Stea, for some reason this Getsugakure girl had an investment of some sort in Mana's ability to compete properly. One that the Yamanaka could only understand halfway, obviously, a good match consisted of two strong contestants so Stea may have been interested in Mana being as strong as possible for optimal chances of being promoted but... The eyes of the young woman were more invested than just that. These two were kindred souls with similar goals in mind.

"She can't sense anything", Kiyomi explained to Stea who kept switching her gazes between the magician and back at the blonde.

"Oh, don't worry, it's because of the all the ninja around. Each single one could throw the emotions of an unseasoned chakra sensor into overdrive. Multiple Kage are attending the event, their sensors should suppress the chakra signatures once the matches begin", Stea sighed more easily after finding out the reason behind Mana's worries.

"Where are all the boys"? Nanaba voiced her inquiry in a more complaining tone than an asking one.

"Right there, on the opposite side, silly", Vinda pointed extending her hand forward and pointing at another dark blue platform hosting a party of male competitors on the other side of the arena.

A uniformed ninja stepped out into the middle of the arena, modeled after a typical training grounds battlefield with sandy wasteland patches, a patch of grass transitioning into a small, crystal clear pond and surrounded by lines of trees that would've simulated a forest environment. To the northeast, there were large rocks placed on a more rocky wasteland patch of land. Such refined battlefield manipulation must've been created by Dorimi, just like the arena was during the semi-finals. That jounin was unmatched in creating and shifting battlefield conditions to better suit his needs.

"Villages of Konohagakure and honored guests, welcome to the final stage of the Konohagakure hosted Chuunin Exams! This year's competition was fierce, we've had to filter through almost a hundred competitors in the Forest of Death stage alone. The genin that will be competing today are the best of the best all of our villages have to offer and, quite literally, the future of our ninja world." The overseer of the exams, a strict faced man with rapidly balding head and wrinkly yet thick and fleshy face declared.

A roaring wave of applause followed, drowning out the overseer of the finals and forcing him to stand silently. Kiyomi gave her friend a worried glare and noticed that Mana had covered up her ears in desperately tried shutting down the noise. To her hearing was immensely important and much more sensitive, hearing something like this must have totally overwhelmed her senses yet again. The magician was evidently not having the best of days leading up to one of the most important brawls in her life.