He had been waiting carefully beside Kimiko and Yusei for his match to begin. The Uchiha was as ever eager to fight though the girl seemed a little tense about her own upcoming battle but then who wasn’t. The reason Jiro didn’t seem phased was partly because he wouldn’t let him self show it but mainly because he refused to allow his mind to linger on neither the upcoming conflict nor the possibility of defeat. The fight would occur and victor would emerge, worrying about it did not change the fact. It was not arrogance; he simply saw no point in worrying about such unknowns. Instead he had been taking careful notes, watching the matches before his to better prepare him for the next round. He no longer bothered to hide his aptitude and the intensity which he applied to being a Nin. He missed the old guise of the bumbling inept Genin but then soon enough his true colours would be revealed and the disguise would be a moot point anyway. He ignored the occasional comments of surprise that came from onlookers who expected to see a bag of nerves only to meet a relaxed Nin diligently absorbing the conflict about him. At least he didn’t have to contend with stares of a different kind thanks to the bandage his sensei provided which was now securely wrapped about his lower face obscuring his looks considerably. His problems with the fairer sex had been exacerbated no end when he realised that far from the ugly freak he had been told he was through out his early life, he was okay looking. Well perhaps that was a bit of an understatement given the army of fan girls he had been avoiding since that damnable haircut. The whole issue had made travelling discreetly rather problematic though he had admittedly improved his evasion skills considerably.
Jiro had double-checked his equipment before he had arrived and again upon arrival and was satisfied everything was in order. His full compliment of kit was clean, in good condition and sharpened to a razor sharp level. He had a good supply of exploding tags and smoke bombs thanks to the storage seals on the pouches at his waist and his black chain had not a weak link in it. The Bandage was tightly secured as ever covering his mouth and nose were it would be of most use and his blade yearned for conflict. Last but not least he checked the weight seals on his arms and legs were still active and hoped he would not need to use them till the finals. It had taken a great deal money and haggling to pay someone to teach him to make them but he didn’t regret the expense.
Noting his name had finally come up he picked him self up carefully, brushed down his black and red kimono before putting the pen and pad into dark recesses of his clothes and calmly began to walk centre stage. There was no eager bounce in his step or nervousness in his gait; he was calm, reassured and prepared. He was a Shinobi first and foremost after all. That said he had to restrain the growing bloodlust within him, Jashin hadn’t made him simply like battles but glorify in conflict. He would have to be careful not to go too far and show restraint, not a word his master liked but there was a time and place for everything. He didn’t recognise the Jounin in charge but something about him drew his gaze, certainly a competent Nin whose sharp eyes would not miss a beat. Jiro mentally noted to find more about the man afterwards as he took his place at one side of the arena. So he would be facing an Uchiha, he didn’t know Gale but he already had a slight advantage. He had trained daily for the last 6 months with an Uchiha, he knew how they fought, how the Sharingan operated and their propensity to use Katons. There were no other Disciples of Jashin he was aware of so it was unlikely she would have the same benefit. Bowing to the instructor he carefully reached for the chain at his waist and hooked it on securely to end of his blade’s hilt, best not to take chances after all, and slipped into a stance that had not been seen in over century. His arms held almost as if he was about to dance, the Jashin Kuroi Sutansu (The Black Stance of Jashin) was a most unusual fighting stance requiring years of training and devotion to Jashin is exclusively practiced by Jashin’s Disciples.
Subject: Match Five: Jiro vs Gale Uchiha 
