As soon as the genin launched herself Mao was ready, form lowering itself closer to the ground as he prepared for the coming assault. In a single deft movement the Jonin's right hand was elevated, fingers pressed against the underside of a second of the four pouches on his utility vest, preparing to withdraw the scroll within. Unfortunately, he was only about halfway through this motion when Asuka drew into range. [color=662d91][i]"For a genin she's fast!"[/i][/color] The rate of movement took the elder ninja a little by surprise, especially when, in those final ten meters, she all but disappeared. 

[center][color=662d91][i]![/i][/color][/center]

A moment before Asuka's strike was launched Mao picked up her chakra, twisting his body rapidly to get into a position to defend. He hadn't anticipated this sort of intensity. [color=662d91][i]"Iruka, what kind of monster genin are you training?!"[/i][/color] In a flash of cold steel Asuka's blade descended upon him, Mao's hands rising in a preparatory motion. There was no time left, he was going to have to catch the sword!

But just as rapidly as the threat materialized it once again vanished. Asuka's footfalls finally tripped one of the area's many pitfalls, the very earth beneath her giving way to her unexpected weight. As his student fell into the trapped hole Mao reflected upon the attack and its results. As for Asuka, her predicament was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. The hole in which she now stood was about nine to ten feet deep and, if Mao had been serious, would have been rigged with a combination movement restriction seal and explosive tags. Fortunately for the young genin though these latter additions were absent.

Breathing a sigh of relief Mao lowered his hands, relaxing just enough to wipe away a bead of sweat. [color=662d91]"Mao-Sensei lecture number one. . . always be aware of your surroundings."[/color] After that last attack his playful tone had dropped away to something considerably more serious, shining golden eyes finally reflecting the true shinobi nature within. [color=662d91]"Since you've already fallen victim I suppose I'll tell you that the entire training area is rigged with obstacles. If you charge in head-long without a sensory-type as proper support your only going to keep running into them."[/color]

Turning, the bell on Mao's jacket gave out a tiny ring as the sensei focused his attention towards Taibushi. [color=662d91]"Now then, I suppose your next."[/color] Lifting his hands Mao's fingers intertwined themselves, performing two handseals in rapid succession, [i]'snake, rat'[/i]. The motions of his hands molding the chakra flowing through his system into his eyes, channeling it into his [u]Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique[/u]. This genjutsu, despite the horrific name, was an extremely basic D-ranked illusion, barely above academy level, that drew out from the victim an image from their nightmares. While doing no physical harm it was great for throwing the opponent off balance. The reason this technique was D-ranked was because it was incredibly easy to dispel once the victim realized they'd been caught in a genjutsu, requiring only a single hand-sign to release.