The wall of steel looked scary, but the bite was weak. Senju regen or Kaguya bone-shield—either would shrug it off.
But Ayato's brain latched onto something else. Tenten's barrage was a wake-up call. Can't flash bloodlines. Need ninjutsu. Even basic Fireball would clear this.
He had another trick.
POOF. Log Substitution—smoke for a stump.
Tenten's pupils shrank, but her hands never stopped. She scanned treetops, scrolls still spinning.
Spot. Shadow in the branches. Rain.
Dozens of shuriken—still not enough. She kept pulling, kept throwing.
Normally she'd prep for landing by now. Today? Lesson time. Falling head-first was bait. Any enemy would pounce. Her pouch was loaded.
One meter from the ground— Hand already in the bag, ready to whip behind on impact. Backstab city.
Then—
Ayato materialized, arms open. Princess carry.
Tenten's kunai froze mid-draw. She whipped her head around, eyes wide.
This isn't the script. You were supposed to strike half a second later. Did I miscalculate?
Ayato was equally confused. Spar, right? Why the 6-meter suicide dive? Learned to jump, forgot to land?
Ten centimeters apart. Both faces: pure bewilderment. You sure that move was legal?
The moment shattered.
Tenten's combat instincts kicked in. Right hand snatched a kunai—arc to temple. Training = no kill. She'd stop short. He'll toss me first—body ready.
Ayato ducked the elbow, dipped his head, raised an arm— Kunai whiffed.
Result: closer. Tenten's balance broke. Her free arm looped his neck for stability. Kunai clattered—didn't want to actually stab him.
Faces: <10 cm. Both frozen.
Sidelines – Guy Squad
…What are we watching? Started normal (Tenten on steroids). Now? Hugging mid-air.
Tenten felt the stares. Abort. Tiny squirm in his arms.
Ayato: clueless, still holding.
"You lost. Put me down!" She squeezed the back of his neck—kunai would've been here.
"You dove head-first. That a tactic?!" Face inches from hers, dead serious.
"You don't get it—this was strategy!" Left hand light tap on his chest. …Solid.
"So you predicted I'd catch you?" Ayato gaped. That's god-tier bait.
"Hey! Fight's over, right?" Lee yelled.
Tenten flushed nuclear, twisted free, landed. Ignored Lee.
"I sold the flaw. You'd attack. I'd counter. Checkmate."
Ayato thought, then nodded solemnly. Yeah—enemy drops like that, I'm stabbing. No time for memes.
"Got it. Rematch?"
Tenten snatched a kunai from the ground, stance sharp. Ayato mirrored with another.
Round 2 – Weapon Flow
Tenten cycled: kunai → chain-sickle → staff. Ayato matched, swapping weapons mid-clash. No brute force.Technique only.
Neji: "Finally normal sparring?" Lee: "LET'S GO!"
Neji sighed, squared up. Guy: solo grind.