On the open ground of the training field, three figures were engaged in a fierce exchange.
Neji and Lee were attacking Mamoru at extreme speed.
Mamoru moved nimbly under the dense offensive, at times sidestepping palm strikes, at others ducking under sweeps, while simultaneously returning fire with precision.
Sweat glistened in the sunlight, and the breathing of the three grew ragged in the intense confrontation.
"Hey!"
From not far away came Tenten's cheerful and clear shout, her voice tinged with an irrepressible excitement.
The several people in the field stopped their movements simultaneously and turned toward the sound. They saw Tenten running toward them, her chest heaving visibly from the rapid breathing, her bright eyes flashing with an excited light.
"You're all here, I..."
She ran up to them, resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath for a moment, then straightened up with a brilliant smile blooming on her face.
"My Ninjutsu is complete."
After months of exploration and constant practice, her self-created Ninjutsu had finally come to fruition, and now was the time to verify the results.
Hearing this, Guy showed a gratified smile, stepped forward, and affectionately rubbed Tenten's head. "As expected of Tenten, burning youth is full of passion and creativity."
"Guy-sensei, I'm not a child anymore, honestly." Tenten puffed out her cheeks to complain, but the corners of her eyes and brows were still filled with laughter.
"That's amazing!"
Lee rushed in front of Tenten in one stride, his eyes shining as he asked impatiently, "Tenten, tell us quickly, what kind of Ninjutsu is it?"
"How should I put this..." Tenten tilted her head in thought for a moment and spread her hands.
"Words alone can't explain it clearly, it's better to actually show it."
She turned to Mamoru with a provocative look in her eyes.
"What?" Mamoru raised an eyebrow, a faint premonition of trouble stirring within him.
"You be my opponent."
Tenten declared with her chin raised, full of confidence, "Today, I'm going to defeat you with my new Ninjutsu."
Mamoru couldn't help but scoff, "Haven't you been feeling a bit too good about yourself lately? Insisting on testing your new Ninjutsu on me, aren't you afraid of being shut down?"
"Shut up!"
Tenten glared at him defiantly. "Do you dare or not?"
Mamoru folded his arms across his chest, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's not that I can't accompany you, but there has to be some kind of stakes for the win or loss, right?"
Tenten tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Mamoru stopped beating around the bush and directly stated his requirement, "A simple match is boring. The winner should get a reward in the end, shouldn't they?"
"A reward..." Tenten began to think seriously, her finger tapping her chin.
Mamoru was already making his own little calculations.
The person in front of him was a veritable wealthy girl. If he could take the opportunity to squeeze some money out of her...
However, things went against his wishes, and matters unfolded in directions he hadn't expected.
"If it's a reward, I'll provide it!" Guy, who was nearby, suddenly interjected excitedly, his thick eyebrows twitching with fervor.
"If Tenten wins, I'll carry her on my back while doing a handstand for five hundred laps around the village. If Mamoru wins, I'll carry him for a thousand laps!"
"Huh!?"
Mamoru stared at Guy, dumbfounded, his inner voice screaming, 'Do you have a grudge against me? Are you sure this isn't a punishment?'
He couldn't help but blurt out, "What kind of reward is that?"
"Since Guy-sensei said so, then let's do that!" Tenten decided with a happy clap of her hands, seemingly quite satisfied with the proposal.
"Eh?"
Mamoru stared wide-eyed at Tenten, feeling both angry and amused, unsure of how to react for a moment. He now seriously suspected he was being set up.
"What are you looking at?"
Tenten felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze and asked back with her hands on her hips, "Do you have an objection?"
"No."
Mamoru sighed helplessly, then revealed a slightly dangerous smile. "If I accidentally don't hold back later, someone better not cry."
Tenten immediately heard the dissatisfaction in his words. Instead of backing down, she raised her chin and retorted, "Hmph, it's not certain who will make whom cry. Besides, threatening a girl over something like this, you childish brat."
Guy raised his hand enthusiastically. "I'll be the referee!"
"Before the match begins, let me explain the rules."
"There are rules too?" Mamoru raised an eyebrow.
"Naturally there are rules, otherwise Tenten wouldn't stand a chance." Guy said candidly, prompting a dissatisfied mumble from Tenten, "Don't underestimate me."
"Whatever." Mamoru shrugged indifferently.
Guy cleared his throat and announced seriously, "For the fairness of the match, the following constraints are placed on Mamoru. No Ninjutsu, and no Chakra Enhanced Strength."
Lee suddenly shouted excitedly, his eyes spitting fire as he waved his arms incoherently, "Great, I'm fired up too! Self-restraint, self-transcendence, youth, burning, sweat, muscles, training, and hard work!"
Mamoru frowned and glanced at Lee, complaining, "Lee, you're so noisy! Might as well just have me stand here without fighting back and let her use me as a practice dummy."
Tenten immediately blinked, asking with an expectant face, "Can I?"
Mamoru asked, "What do you think?"
Tenten nodded seriously, her expression innocent. "I think it's fine."
Mamoru's smile grew even more brilliant, yet it carried a dangerous aura. "Interesting. I feel like I can resolve to teach you a lesson properly now."
Tenten made a face. "Mamoru, you big idiot, your smile is gross."
Mamoru reached out to pinch her cheek. "Shut up, who are you calling gross?"
Tenten nimbly jumped back to avoid him, about to argue back. "You..."
Guy interrupted at the right time, standing between them and placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Alright, you two stop arguing."
"Begin!"