Challengers

'Blue fire is just fire blasted with more oxygen, right? But how do I approach this?'

After brainstorming for a while, Renjiro had an idea to work with. Performing a hand sign, he released the Flame Whirlwind jutsu.

After exhaling the spiralling flames, Renjiro quickly performed the Violent wind jutsu in succession. His aim was to amplify the fire to its limit.

As the two jutsus combined, Renjiro achieved one of his objectives. He could feel the temperature of the overall jutsu rising. It was so obvious that he could feel it without even sensing it. The rise was one gradual ascension that continued until it eventually stopped.

'Okay, the flames got hotter, so at least we are heading somewhere. However, this increased heat is negligible and isn't worth the chakra used when I overcharged the Violent Wind. Maybe we can try it the other way round.'

Judging by how basic ninjutsu, especially for this particular one, Renjiro wanted to capture the air around him and forcefully combine it with his fire style.

He first released His wind-natured chakra into the environment and initiated the jutsu. Winds around him started to rage as expected. In a similar fashion, he released the Flame Whirlwind jutsu.

The result was... the fire actually went off as it was overpowered by the violent winds. Yes, chakra chakra-infused flame released by Renjiro went off.

'Well, that was a dud. In the first test, fire was stronger and Wind was stronger in the second one. It seems I need to find the balance between the two natures since one can't fully support the other as I have been doing.'

'I only have one idea left, so we either make it and achieve blue flames or... just fail and leave this for later.'

Renjiro initiated the Flame Wave jutsu. He furrowed his brows as he concentrated on the flame. Bit by bit, the size of the fire that he was releasing began to dim out. Eventually, it suffered the same fate as trial two.

"I can't do this anymore," Renjiro breathed out as he bent and heaved for air.

What he tried to do was condense the fire nature chakra that he released. At first, he tried to do so before the chakra left his body, or mouth, but he soon realised that he did not have much control over it.

So Renjiro settled for the next best thing, trying to condense the chakra already released. But that was also a mountain he had to overcome as some of the chakra released were dissipating to the environment.

It basically forced him to condense as well as try to stop the chakra from dissipating into the environment. The whole process was strenuous as it was akin to holding your breath while running at your top speed.

'I knew that the expectations were low, but it's still disappointing. I think after all these failures, it is best to consult someone about this. But who though? Miwa or Kushina? Kushina should be better, she seems more open to ideas such as this.

Renjiro flickered along the way to Kushina. He had gotten better at the jutsu so it was relatively convenient to use it.

"Renjiro! How are you? I hope you are preparing for the finals. I will be there watching."

"Yes, I am. I actually came here to ask you a question. Is it fine with you?"

Noticing the urgency in Renjiro's Body Language and Voice, Kushina replied, "Of course, I already told you that you can ask me anything related to Fuinjutsu so don't worry and just ask."

"It is related to ninjutsu since I was brushing up on my ninjutsu."

'Ninjutsu? He might be promising in Fuinjutsu, but he is still a genin. This should be easy.' Kushina thought as she gestured for Renjiro to continue.

Minutes later, Kushina was not sharing her earlier sentiments after Renjiro explained his current situation.

'What is this? Blue flames? Fire is fire! As long as it serves its intended aim, then everything is fine!'

'You brat! You already know about Matatabi and that other Brat Maki.' A voice from within Kushina boomed. Kushina did not even react to it and ignored it.

'Still, what this bastard is saying has some truth to it. Maki's fire is the strongest we have ever faced granted it is Matatabi's chakra, but it is still strong.'

"That's a really good interesting Idea Renjiro, but you are still too inexperienced to try that."

"Why?"

"If something like that was achievable, then even lord third would already have such a jutsu. I am not saying that it is impossible, but such a feat would require such precise chakra control that you currently don't have." Kushina pursued to ensure that Renjiro was keenly listening to her.

"You are still a young shinobi, so you should wait till your body fully grows since you will also need larger chakra reserves. Your chakra control is something that will inevitably improve as you continue using jutsus, so just be patient. Besides, ascending Fuinjutsu ranks will also shorten the process."

'Why is she talking as if our age gap is that much? If I could guess, it would be between five to seven years. Still, what she is saying makes sense. I already have a final to prepare for, so let's shelve this for a while.'

"Alright, I will do so. Thank you, Kushina. I will have to take my leave since I have the chuunin exams finals the day after tomorrow."

"It's okay, Renjiro. I will come to see your performance. Although I won't be able to show my support, just know I will be watching."

"I will."

Since Renjiro decided to shelf the blue flame idea, he focused on his combination jutsu as well as his earth-nature jutsus. Fortunately, he wrapped up his short training arc just as the fated day arrived.

"It seems, the celebrations this time would be unique Hiruzen," said a deep baritone Voice. From the regalia he had on and the charisma he exuded, it was clear this was Oishi Hideki, the current Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

"Of course, we need to increase the Morale of the village during these tough times. Our Shinobi will be a testimony that the village can still protect them."

"And what do you think Danzo?" Oishi inquired.

"This will serve as a show of force to the spies hidden within the village that Konoha's next generation will be as powerful as the previous one."

"I guess we will just have to find out," Oishi said as his gaze trailed on the thirty-two genins standing on the stage.

"Listen Carefully, As you have probably noticed, you are all standing according to your ranks," as Taki paused, all the genins scanned their counterparts.

"The aim of this Final is really simple. All you will be challengers. You will all be given three chances to challenge someone of higher rank, however, the person you intend to challenge must not be more than five ranks than your current rank."

"Once you challenge someone, you will head down to the grounds and fight against them, The match will only end when one loses their conscious or concedes."

"There will be no limit to the number of times one can be challenged. But remember, if you challenge someone and lose the match, you will instead drop ranks." Taki smiled as he relished the anguish on the faces of the young genins before him.

If one took a closer look, a certain redhead among the genins actually smiled thinking of the challenge they were going to face.

'This is going to be interesting.'

=====

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