Konoha, Death Forest Tower.
Battle Hall.
As Isagi went through a time period of strength improvement, Sarutobi continued with his speech and at the end gave the stage to Gekko Hayate, the proctor who will oversee the preliminary 1 vs 1 battles, the aim being to reduce the number of remaining candidates for the third exam a month later.
Isagi saw Hayate explaining the rules of the preliminary round, the battle won't end unless someone was incapacitated, admitted defeat and or died, though depending on circumstances he could step in to stop the match.
But before the start of the preliminaries, Hayate did give taking in account tiredness and wounds from the second exam, an option to step out if they wanted and as Isagi remembered Kabuto stepping out, shocking Naruto and other Konoha rookies who for now considered him a good guy.
No one other than Kabuto optioned to quit, Hayate proceeding with the preliminaries as pressing a button and from the wall behind the raised platform, an electronic screen appearing.
They were all instructed to move to the railings overlooking the battle hall, Isagi with Mei and Ryota choosing a secluded spot to stand and then all eyes gluing to the screen, knowing who would fight who will be revealed soon.
"Isagi." Just as everyone waited, Ryota's voice taking Isagi's attention as turning to look at him, he saw Ryota eyeing him with curiosity, determination and some fighting intent.
"I never thought there would be a day when I'll be looking forward to fight you, show me if we battle how far behind have you left me." The three have sparred with each other multiple times over the years and Ryota was captain for a reason, him 7 out of 10 times winning in fights against Isagi, Mei being the weakest of three.
But Ryota wasn't a stubborn person and what had occurred in the forest and the calm and confident vibe that Isagi had made him admit this teammate of his after not sparring for a month had left him behind, but how much behind he needed to fight and see it for himself.
Isagi didn't say anything in response and just nodded with a smile, calmly accepting his challenge amidst the emotional gaze of Mei, never having expected to see such a development among them.
"Its moving!" Naruto's loud voice rang as names began to flicker on the electronic screen, finally stopping after a few seconds.
Sasuke Uchiha vs Yoroi Akado.
The first battle was the same as Isagi remembered, Sasuke struggling against the chakra absorbing ability of Yoroi though at the end using the power of cursed seal put on him by Orochimaru and his new taijutsu, Lion Barrage, taking Yoroi down amidst the shock gazes of the audience.
Sasuke unable to move after the fight was taken away and Yoroi unconscious was removed from the arena, Hayate signaling the start of next fight.
The names flickered again and Isagi showing some surprise at seeing the names on the screen.
Kanzaki Ryota vs Mei Harumi.
"Haha~ It seems your wish to fight your teammate was granted." Laughed Isagi as he spoke, his eyes on Ryota who showed a slightly regretful face at not getting to fight him.
Mei and Ryota jumped down from the railing and appeared at the battle spot, standing a few meters apart facing each other.
"Don't say you underestimated me if you lose, give your all Ryota." Mei despite knowing she was the weakest of three, didn't show any intent to go down without putting a fight, reminding Ryota to take her seriously.
At her words, the serious look on Ryota's face didn't fade and shaking his head he spoke. "I never underestimate anyone, anyone who became a shinobi knew this path involved putting one's life on line."
"Whether friend or foe…they at least deserve mutual respect of going all out."
His words rang in the hall, acknowledging looks appeared on the faces of most of jonin gathered and even Sarutobi nodding with a satisfied look on his face.
After his words, Ryota reached for the blade fixed on his back as Hayate announced the start of the fight, Mei taking the initiative to approach Ryota with her body flicker technique and hurling some shuriken at him at the same time.
Ryota using his swordplay deflecting the shurikens though Mei seemed to have been granted enough time as with her right hand now turned into a massive rock fist hurled at him. Ryota at this didn't show any panic as he streamed his chakra into his blade and brought the blunt side of the blade in the path of rock fist.
A boom was heard in the arena at the point of impact as both blown back couple of steps but quickly stabilizing themselves and rushing towards each other. While Mei was the weakest of the three, their difference in strength had never been too much so the fight lasted a while though at the end the result not different from Isagi's expectations.
A sword was placed on the neck of Mei who had a dejected look on her face, Ryota looking at her calmly though a few wounds on his body also, clearly showing Mei had given him a tough fight.
After this fight, Hayate not wasting any time started the third match and it turning out to be Naruto vs Kiba.
The result was no different again from what Isagi remembered as Naruto with his lethal fart catching Kiba who had a heighten sense of smell off guard and then using the Lion Barrage Sasuke had used earlier, taking him down.
After the third fight, Hayate moved to the next match immediately and this time Isagi finally seeing his name on the screen though his opponent making him raise his eyebrows a little.
Arisawa Isagi vs Temari of the Sand.