Yet, even as the breath was driven from his lungs, Jugo's massive mutated hand shot out, clamping around Ruri's ankle.
Panic took over Ruri's stoic facade. She kicked frantically with her free leg, but she couldn't break the grip. Jugo, completely driven by adrenaline, began to spin her. Using massive centrifugal force, he prepared to slam Ruri face-first into the hard ground with enough momentum to crack her skull open.
"Lava Release: Gum Rope!"
Dodai's hands blurred through a series of hand-seals. Before Ruri's face made contact with the ground, a massive glob of yellow rubbery chakra erupted beneath her. Ruri's upper body plunged into the springy substance, which instantly absorbed the tremendous kinetic energy of the swing, bringing her body to a safe bouncy halt.
Jugo blinked, the haze fading from his eyes. The mutation on his arm receded into normal flesh as he let go of Ruri's leg and stumbled backward.
"I am sorry, Dodai-sensei," Jugo panted, looking horrified by his own actions. "I made a mistake. Thank you for stopping me... if you hadn't, I think I would have killed her."
~~
Ruri was currently dangling upside down, her face comically stuck in the highly elastic rubber. Dodai walked over calmly, placing a hand onto the mass. With a kneading of his own chakra, he altered the molecular structure of the jutsu, transforming the rubber back into a loose, viscous mud. Ruri collapsed onto the ground, coughing and wiping the rubber from her face.
"Jugo is the winner," Dodai announced to the stunned crowd. He turned back to the boy. "Jugo, do you wish to continue and challenge a Year 15 student?"
Jugo clutched his side, wincing in agony. "No, Dodai-sensei... that last move from Ruri-senpai broke a lot of my ribs."
Meanwhile, Ruri sat in the dirt, her fists clenching so hard her knuckles turned white. She grabbed a handful of mud, crushing it in her palm. The humiliation was unbearable.
She was a prodigy of the Fuma clan. Her elders had placed the weight of their entire lineage on her shoulders, hoping her success would elevate them to the status of a noble clan within Kumo. 'Damn it,' she thought bitterly, staring at the ground. 'I wouldn't have lost if Dodai-sensei hadn't interfered.'
Dodai walked over, standing over the trembling girl as his shadow engulfed her. "Ruri," he said, his voice in a serious tone. "I saw what you were about to do right before I intervened. You tried to kill Jugo, didn't you?"
Ruri bit her lower lip. She wanted to deny it, to voice her anger, but under the piercing gaze of Dodai-sensei, she found she couldn't lie. She nodded subtly. "I... I was about to draw my Fuma Shuriken at point-blank range."
"I know," Dodai said with calm wisdom. "You have immense talent, but your temper clouds your tactical judgment. How about this... I will grant you a private, special instruction class for an hour after your missions are concluded."
Ruri's head snapped up, her previous anger vanishing replaced by awe. She began nodding frantically, like a chick pecking rapidly at grains.
To receive direct, one-on-one tutelage from Dodai was a great opportunity. He was a legendary teacher in the academy, renowned for his ability to dissect a ninja's flaws and unlock their absolute potential. 'Maybe,' Ruri thought, a spark of hope reigniting in her chest, 'with his pointers, I'll finally have what it takes to pass the Chunin Exams.'
~~
Dodai's voice cut through the murmurs of the gathered academy students. "Jugo has officially attained the rank of Genin," he announced, stepping forward to hand over the polished Kumo forehead protector to Jugo.
Turning his attention back to the crowd, Dodai scanned the rows of younger faces. "Now, looking at our Year 10 to 12 students... do any of you have the nerve to challenge the Year 13 or Year 15 upperclassmen?"
Chino furrowed her brow as she raised her hand. "Dodai-sensei, why did you skip Year 14 classmen?"
Dodai paused, flipping open his notepad to look at the very top of the Year 14 list were two names: Yugito Nii and Darui. Both had blossomed into terrifyingly proficient shinobi. Yugito had already secured a promotion to Jonin, while Darui was a Special Jonin. Despite their official ranks, they still participated in the academy's advanced programs to hone their skills when they were free.
While Dodai hesitated, searching for the right words to explain the gap, Kaien's gaze drifted as his eyes landed on the girl sitting diagonally from him. She possessed piercing dark eyes and light-blue hair tied back into a high ponytail. It was Guren, the sole user of the Crystal Release kekkei genkai.
Clearing his throat, Dodai finally answered Chino's question. "The strength of top ranked Year 14 class has simply evolved too fast. Pitting any of you against them wouldn't just be a challenge; it would be completely unfair. But," he paused, testing the room, "does anyone here still possess the reckless courage to try?"
Without a moment of hesitation, Guren stood up. As the second-strongest student in Year 10 after Kaien, she wasn't looking for an easy victory. "Dodai-sensei," she said, her voice ringing with confidence. "I want to fight the strongest one they have."
Dodai's eyebrows shot up. He knew what Yugito was capable of, and the match felt inherently dangerous. "Are you absolutely certain about this?" he questioned, giving her one last chance to back down.
Guren didn't flinch. "I am."
"Very well. Guren, step down to the arena," Dodai conceded, before shifting his gaze toward the Year 14 students. "Yugito Nii of Year 14, make your way down to the center."
As both kunoichi took their places, facing each other... the gap in their experience was undeniable. Dodai looked at Guren, his expression laced with worry as he gave his final warning. "Guren, the moment you feel overwhelmed, you are free to end this match. Just surrender and do not let your pride get you seriously hurt."
~~
A/N: In Canon, Guren is a lackey of Orochimaru she was strong enough to hold back three tails. And she fought Rock Lee, Tenten, Hinata, Shino, Naruto, Sai, Yamato and Kakashi simultaneously.
She was shown to be around early 20s. In recruitment of Kekkei Genkai shinobi, she showed her unique Kekkei Genkai and was recruited and nurtured by the Kumo's Orphanage and became a member of Kumo.
Unlike Canon, Yugito has become very strong training under Killer Bee.
Upto 20 Advance chapters available @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0