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For my next bit of instruction we'd organize a skirmish with the team. Red vs Blue for a classic match, I at least needed to play a game with them once so that I could analyze all their skills. Their captain would no doubt no everyone's play style and how to co-ordinate with them, so that was the logic I ran with. I was playing for Blue, for I felt a strong bond with that colour, perhaps alluding to my chakra affinity which was water. The game began with red overtaking blue for first possesion. They were charging down to my side of the field. I had my side execute the strategy we practiced previously. My defender would take the ball from one of the forward's, then passing it to another player, whom aimed it for myself. I'd launch the ball in a high lob to Red's side of the field, the basic first step in Shishi Rendan.

Moving forward, I would take on the duty of a midfielder, aiming to backup my own forwards. Red had retaliated by launching the ball back to our side, causing me to leap into the air. I'd shadow the ball before placing a feint left kick to intercept. I'd then follow by a hard right, aiming to arc it back to Red's side of the field once more. Since I didn't follow-through with the full barrage, I needed to practice my fall recovery. Thus I'd pivot my right heel, touching down with the field as my body sprung to my left foot. I'd need to continue my progression into the opposition's field, this way we could control the zone and score more points.

This was considered a very aggresive tactic in soccer. Even my defender's were positioned closer to the neutral borders of the field. However it's not like our real opponents would be allowed to enter our field with the ball. It'd also allow us to force more off-sides, a sneaky tactic. However as a midfielder, I needed to keep that ball from entering our side, causing a break from their forwards. Utilizing my Shishi Rendan training, I was constantly jumping and shadowing the ball. This helped me to intercept and pass the ball strategically, with a bit of flare.

In particular, Red's defenders were desperately trying to clear the ball from their side of the field. I'd fall back along with my fellow midfielders so I could intercept their launch. I'd place a strategic feint followed by a a supplementary kick. Once the ball and I were coming back to the ground, I'd rotate my hips and strategically pass the ball over the head of an oncoming striker. There was no chance for him to get a break against my side, not this time. Our scrimmage would go for the standard game duration, naturally my side won due to my leadership. It served to give confidence to my client and I observed both Red and Blue's strength's, weaknesses, and techniques. Now we'd need to prepare for the game, I'd receive a photo so I'd be able to impersonate him successfully.

Today's journey started with me reminiscing about my graduation. The war had absolutely devestated the land. Times had changed, genin used to do a team test with their jounin sensei. The experience that they gained, proved wether they were capable of following orders. However with war time measures, villages were cranking Shinobi out the door. So long as one could perform the basic Bunshin no jutsu, you were sent to up the man-count. I had come from The Land of Whirlpool, the war had devestated my home, as it did many of the other "minor" countries. My family took refuge in the Land of Fire. Our services contracted by Konohagakure and thus, I was enlisted into the Academy.

I performed several missions during the war, most were related to running supplies to the chuunins and Jounins respectively. Other missions were related to escorting civilians/finding civilians that were in harms way from debris. Those weren't exactly easy missions but compared to what the higher-up's were doing, they must have been a cakewalk. So as I stood at the secretary's desk earlier today, I was surprised that a client had barged into the room and nearly pushed me aside. Of course, I was too swift, simply sidestepping to make room for the man. He was garbed in a red jumpsuit with a soccer ball symbol etched onto his back. He pleaded for the aid of a ninja, his team was missing their starter. The secretary happily grinned in my direction and well...

"So Miss Arashi, are you familiar with Soccer? Think you can handle the job of being Hi no Kuni's ace athlete?" I was
interrogated by the coach or perhaps I was just being interviewed, couldn't say for sure. I stared at him with my blue occuli, the rings along my pupil tended to scare people away from me...My lips curled into a slight frown, I observed the members of this little team whispering about me.

"Clear the field and give me a ball. I'll give you a brief "performance" before your tournament match starts. Not only do I have the physical talent to perform as your starter, I also have the talent of a ninja; able to perfectly mimic the Captain's features so you can win this game." I was professional, tact and of course a no-nonsense gal. These fortunate souls of Hi no Kuni hadn't seen just how bad life could be, so they could never understand how much pain matures someone. Regardless, they obeyed my instruction and I was passed a ball. I'd roll it up, holding it at the arch of the front of my foot, palming it essentially. I'd then kick the ball into the air before twisting my counter-clockwise. It'd be perpendicular to the ground, with my left foot coming up to kick the ball as it came back down.

The result was the ball launching high into the air. Not like I was done yet, I admit I was totally showing off but I was the "cool" type. More
importantly, I was attempting to learn a Taijutsu technique in the process. I'd seen an academy teacher peform it before, part of his lesson on legwork and fundamental kicks. Of course just as I am now, he too was just showing off...I'd launch myself into the air upon my successful launch. I'd position my body so that I could strike the ball effectively. Said soccer ball was taking the image of an enemy ninja in my mind's eye. The goal was to strike the ball at a vulnerable angle, yet it was also just that; a ball. So to make my maneuver relevant, my first kick would be to keep the ball in the air a bit more.

Normally this would cause my opponent to become defensive, essentially a feint. My next kick would be to the unguarded area, the first of a proper strike. I'd then kick the ball a bit more, attempting to make each strike light so as to keep the ball near to my person. As I came closer to the ground, my hips would rotate, my heel aiming to launch the ball towards the ground. I didn't want this strike to be performed too hard like they normally would be. I planned to keep my little "show" going for a little bit.