[h1][center][color=f49ac2]Asuka Koizumi[/color][/center][/h1]
[color=00a651]"A plan for sure but not one I'm comfortable with. It's what we just did, more or less, and you're not in the same shape you were the first time." [/color]

Taibushi was right. Thinking over the events that had occurred thus far, what Asuka had suddenly blurted out of the blue was pretty much a similar version to her previous plan. To be honest, Asuka was more of a physical fighter rather than a mental one… Although she tried, it just wasn't her type of thing. Even to this day, Asuka was still traumatised after receiving a 55% grade on one of her recent written exams. Simply recalling that big red 55 mark made her shudder.

[color=f49ac2]Unfortunately, formimg such strategies clearly aren't my thing… However, I'm sure that Taibushi knows what he's doing. Since I'm not too confident in my own strategic abilities, I'll rely on Taibushi's instead. Taking risks like that in a situation like this could fail us two immediately, and, of course, neither of us are willing to let that happen. Even though I've just met this boy, I'll have to trust him completely on the 'thinking' side of this test.[/color]

[color=00a651]"Now I'm no medical nin, but that doesn't appear to be broken. We're not in too terribly bad shape then. You, however, are gonna have to take it easy. At least for a few minutes, let that pain in your arm subside. Mao-sensei is probably far more observant than I am, so he's probably noticed also. He'll want to take advantage of it. Show no weakness, remember."[/color]

Asuka nodded her head. This test was serious business, and if she messed up, it would all be over in an instant. It really was best to keep herself on the sidelines for the time being with her injured arm and all. As her teammate had said, the injured arm was going to be one of the key things Mao was going to take advantage off. Stay calm and show no weakness. That was what Asuka needed to do for now.

With a huge blast of smoke suddenly surrounding them, a tall wooden mannequin stood before Taibushi and Asuka, standing at around seven foot. [color=f49ac2]Puppeteering… So that's how he was able to stop the incoming shuriken from earlier on. Ninja that specialize in techniques such as this are said to have amazing chakra control… From what this boy demonstrated earlier, he must be able to utilise his chakra strings to slow down projected weapons. Taibushi is no ordinary boy, that's for sure… Attempting feats such as this are extremely difficult for someone of his age. Unless…[/color]

[color=00a651]"Asuka-san, allow me to introduce you. This is Roza-kun, she is my most beloved possession." [/color]

Asuka's eyebrow twitched. If Taibushi had claimed his puppet to be a female, he would've used the '-san' or even ,'-chan' honorific for it, rather than '-kun'. Even though it was a puppet, Asuka still considered this a misuse of proper honorifics.

[color=f49ac2]I think I'm going to have to [s]ferociously yell[/s] chat to Taibushi about this a bit later on… If we stumble across any noblemen or women in the future, I don't want mysel- the squad to be humiliated if he accidentally calls them 'so and so-chan' or whatever. Wait, why am I even thinking something like this through? I'm getting sidetracked again![/color]

[color=00a651]"For the mean time until you can actually recuperate, allow me to take the fight to Mao-sensei. However, this does have a weakness, I'll need you to be ready to protect me." [/color]

[color=f49ac2]"Of course. After all, I can't just sit around whilst you do all the work, right? That would be extremely rude of me."[/color] Asuka replied, changing her stance slightly. Once Mao was on the move, she had to be ready to cover Taibushi at any time. She was aware of the immense natural speed the man had, so defending the boy would prove to be quite the challenge. 

Asuka and Taibushi only had a few hours left until the entire thing was over. Before that time ended, the two were going to have to get that one bell once and for all. Asuka didn't want to be sent back to the Academy again, not after coming this far! All that harsh training she had to endure with her grandparents would not be wasted, not in the slightest. This wasn't just fun and games anymore. This was a proper scene that any of her teammates could find themselves somewhere in the near future, and they had to be fully prepared for it. 

With a small flick of his fingers and a mighty yell, the bare puppet lashed out towards Mao, pouncing towards him in a supposed attempt to attack.

[color=00a651]"Roza, DANCE!"[/color]