Outside Konoha, on the stone bridge over the Kaga River tributary.
The setting sun drenched the entire bridge in warm orange-gold, and the water below sparkled. Yet the peace was soon shattered.
"Why is it you again?"
Tenten jabbed a finger at the fox-masked man blocking the center of the bridge, her brows almost vertical.
Though the sunset was gentle, the air on the bridge suddenly froze.
"Yo, I came to play with you guys." Mamoru said casually, hands behind his back, as relaxed as if bumping into friends.
"We're on a mission, no time for your games." Neji replied coldly, white eyes wary.
"This time, I'll be your opponent! I'm already fired up!" Lee clenched his fists, blazing fighting spirit in his eyes.
"Lee, don't rush in. He'll lead you by the nose." Neji said, holding the excited Lee back, gaze locked on the masked man.
"Don't get in our way!" Tenten planted her hands on her hips, cheeks puffing in irritation.
"Mission, huh…"
Mamoru slowly pulled out a sleeping curly-haired dog from behind his back. "You mean this?"
"A dog?"
Tenten blinked, yanked a photo from her pocket, compared it, then exclaimed, "That's our target!"
"Tenten, are you sure?" Neji asked cautiously, eyes flicking between dog and photo.
"Positive." She checked the unique bald patch on the pup's forehead again. "Exact match."
Mamoru tossed the dog at her. Tenten fumbled but caught it safely and exhaled in relief.
"Hey, that was dangerous, you know?" She shouted, cheeks flushed with anger.
"What exactly do you want?"
Neji stepped forward, sharp gaze fixed on the masked man. He didn't believe the stranger was simply being kind.
"Target delivered."
Mamoru shrugged. "Now you've got time to play, right?"
"Alright, I'm up!"
Unable to wait, Lee flipped forward and landed a few steps away, fists raised. "I'm Rock Lee. Ready when you are."
Mamoru said, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "Wait. I'm looking for the Hyuga kid."
This thick-browed kid in plain training clothes hadn't yet donned the iconic green jumpsuit, meaning Guy hadn't officially taken him as a pupil.
Fighting Lee at this stage was pointless to Mamoru.
"Your opponent is me."
Lee maintained his stance, voice firm. "Please treat me seriously!"
Don't decide that on your own." Mamoru sighed in exasperation.
Hearing that, Tenten pointed and retorted, "You're the last person who should say that."
"Tch, you're the loudest." Mamoru crooked a finger at her, tone contemptuous. "Come here. I'll fight you one-on-one."
"Why you—! I'm so mad!"
Tenten walked forward but Lee blocked her.
"Tenten, this is my fight!" Lee declared, muscles taut, eyes never leaving the masked man.
"I don't mind if you and Brows boy tag-team." Mamoru teased. "Might actually amuse me.
"Lee, look at him!" Tenten stamped her foot. "Jerk, stop looking down on us!"
"Please, a one-on-one duel!" Lee's resonant voice echoed across the bridge.
"Since you insist…" Mamoru finally took a combat stance, his aura turning dangerous.
"Go, Lee!" Tenten clenched a fist, eyes full of expectation. "Teach him a lesson!"
The moment the words left her mouth, Lee shot forward.
On the bridge, the two figures collided.
Lee's straight punch whistled toward Mamoru's face. Mamoru sidestepped, the breeze of the blow ruffling his bangs.
"Hey!"
Mamoru shot a high roundhouse kick at Lee's head, crisp and clean.
Lee raised a tensed arm to block, ducked, and immediately swept low, offense flowing like water.
Mamoru was solidly swept, but as he fell, he slapped the ground, springing up to drive both feet like cannonballs at Lee's chest—a dazzling chain of counters.
Lee, fingers together for a strike, had to switch to defense, crossing his arms to guard.
Bang!
Mamoru back-flipped from the impact and slid several steps to disperse the force.
"You're really strong. Fighting you is fantastic." Lee said, breathing faster, eyes hotter.
"Oh, is that so?"
Without hesitation Mamoru activated the Six Eyes, his black irises turning blue.
"You're celebrating too soon."
He exploded off the ground, speed skyrocketing, shooting at Lee like lightning.
Before Lee could react, a fierce punch slammed toward his stomach. At the last instant, he twisted aside, the fist grazing his clothes.
The attack didn't stop. Mamoru pressed relentlessly, waves of strikes crashing in. Lee was forced on the defensive, arms weaving an airtight guard, every block jarring his numb arms.
The bridge rang with dull thuds of fists and feet like urgent war drums.
Mamoru's onslaught grew fiercer, his power climbing to a new level, every blow carrying terrifying force.
Lee felt the pressure like a mountain. The force of Mamoru's fists left him gasping for air, his blocking arms numb and trembling. Under such ferocious suppression, his stances began to warp, openings multiplying by the second.
At last, Mamoru whipped out a sharp aerial roundhouse kick, exploiting the gap to strike straight down the centerline. Lee could no longer neutralize it. The kick slammed square into his chest and he flew backward, crashing onto the bridge with a sickening thud.
"Lee!" Tenten shouted, worry written across her face as she instinctively stepped forward.
"Switch out." Mamoru said, his voice terrifyingly calm.
"W-wait!" Lee struggled to push himself up. "It's not over… I can still fight… I haven't lost!"
"Bushy-brows." Mamoru cut in with a sigh and a wave. "Forget it. You're too weak right now, dragging this on is just wasting time."
"We haven't settled the match!" Lee shouted stubbornly, trying to stand but staggering.
Mamoru planted a hand on his hip and shook his head in resignation. "Talking to a blockhead is such a pain. Don't blame me if you get hurt."
"Please continue!"
The instant the words left his mouth, Mamoru flickered in front of Lee like a ghost. Before Lee could react, a fist smashed into his face, the colossal impact flinging him off the bridge and onto the flagstones below.
"Lee!" Neji and Tenten yelled in unison, disbelief in their voices.
"Was that really necessary?" Neji asked.
"Didn't I warn him?" Mamoru spread his hands. "He insisted on continuing, what was I supposed to do?"
"You—" Neji bit back his words, fists clenching.
Tenten dashed to Lee's side and knelt. "Lee, are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine." Lee mumbled, sitting up and touching his numb cheek. "Why… why can't I feel my face?"
"Good, you can still talk." Tenten breathed, though worry lingered in her eyes.
Seeing that his teammate was largely unhurt, Neji's heart eased a fraction, yet anger still seethed.
"Leaving Lee aside, you haven't shown your real strength at all." Neji said, Byakugan flaring as veins bulged around his eyes.
"You used taijutsu to block my attack, and the speed you took out Lee... Aren't you just toying with us?"
"Sharp analysis." Mamoru replied with folded arms and a faint smile.
"But 'toying' isn't it. If I overused Ninjutsu against a taijutsu specialist, the spar would be pointless. I simply wanted to experience the Gentle Fist."
"That's just your arrogant excuse." Neji dropped into a Gentle Fist stance. "Show me everything you've got."
A barely perceptible smile tugged at Mamoru's lips.
Everything? Impossible. Still, a bit of fun won't hurt.
"Fine. Then let's begin."
Before the echo faded, Mamoru casually lifted a hand and snapped his fingers.
Invisible force seized the air around Neji. His feet left the ground as violent gravity yanked him forward. He tried to anchor himself, but Mamoru's fist was already in his face.
Not good!
Neji crossed his arms to block. The dull thud sent him flying and he landed near Lee.
Pain screamed through his arms.
What Ninjutsu is this? No hand seals and this power is on another level.
Before he could think, Mamoru flicked his wrist and that same brute force hauled Neji up like a puppet.
The world spun.
Mamoru loomed overhead, axe-kick descending. Neji barely guarded, a heartbeat too late. The blow rammed his gut, blasting him into the ground and raising a cloud of dust.
Mamoru somersaulted through the dust, poised for the finishing strike.
"That's enough!"
The shout cracked like thunder.
A green-clad titan arrived in a whirlwind, catching Mamoru's axe-kick one-handed.
"Interfering busybody."
Mamoru flipped back silently, eyes sharpening at the newcomer.
Guy shook his tingling arm and grinned. "Kid, you pack quite a punch."
"Guy-sensei!" Tenten shouted in relief. "He hurt Neji and Lee!"
"Guy… sensei." Lee murmured, ashamed. "I let you down."
"Lee, don't hang your head." Guy gave a thumbs-up, teeth flashing. "A man holds his head high even in defeat. Youth will guide you to future victory."
"Guy-sensei! I—"
Tears welled as Lee straightened. "I won't give up, ever!"
The tense stand-off dissolved into the duo's antics.
"What… what kind of show is this?" Tenten sighed, half laughing, half exasperated.
"Cough cough…" Neji pushed himself up, still dazed from the one-sided beating.
"Neji, you alright?" Guy asked, helping him to his feet.
"I'm… okay." He coughed, clutching his chest. "That guy's ability is bizarre."
"Rest first." Guy said, turning to Mamoru, expression grave. "Leave the rest to me."
"Finished with the small fry, so the big one steps up?" Mamoru tilted his head. "How long can you keep me entertained?"