Dawn light filtered through a veil of mist.
Dew still clung to the flagstones outside the gate, and wind-chimes beneath the eaves chimed softly in the breeze.
Mamoru stood on his doorstep, drew a deep breath, and smoothly formed the hand seals.
Shadow Clone!
With a soft pop and a puff of white smoke, an identical Mamoru appeared at his side, yawning indecorously.
"You, go to school." Mamoru said, pointing down the road that began at his gate.
The Shadow Clone folded his arms in protest. "Why should I? Why do I have to go while you get out of it?"
He fired off the questions in rapid succession.
"I'm training, not playing hooky." Mamoru said wryly. "Pick one—training or classes."
The only man he'd ever indulge this much was himself.
The clone rubbed his chin, pretended to ponder, then shrugged. "School, I guess. At least I can nap there."
Watching his clone amble away, Mamoru marveled.
No wonder it was his Shadow Clone—just as handsome, just as defiant, even the walk radiated swagger.
Still, that lazy, good-for-nothing strut made even him itch to throw a punch.
—
"Full-throttle youth, let's go!"
"Let's go!"
"Fight on!"
"Fight on!"
...
The mountain path echoed with the rallying shouts. Five figures jogged along the winding trail, their footfalls scattering birds from the trees.
Mamoru followed at the rear, stride steady, breathing even. This pace was no different from his usual regimen.
Ahead of him, a figure was already gasping, steps growing unsteady.
Spotting the faltering runner, Mamoru grinned and slid up beside her.
"Tired?" He asked lightly.
"Hah… yeah…" Tenten puffed, words ragged.
"Good. Young people need the exercise." He solemnly said.
She shot him a speechless glare.
"Is this how you guys always train?" He continued, undeterred.
"When… there's no mission… pretty much…" Her voice faded, each syllable costing her the last of her strength. "And… could you… not talk to me?"
"Sounds rough." Mamoru mused aloud.
"Obvious… isn't it?"
Too spent even to roll her eyes, cheeks flushed from exertion and irritation, Tenten whispered, "Don't… talk… to me… again."
Mamoru glanced at the cloudless sky, sunlight flickering through the canopy. "Perfect day for fishing."
"Yeah… perfect…" She caught herself and scowled. "I said… stop talking."
"Eggs, milk, pork bun, rice…" He rattled on. "What'd you have for breakfast?"
"Pork… bun…" she mumbled, then realized and snapped, "For god's sake, shut up!"
From then on, she clamped her lips, refusing every bait.
Mamoru shook his head.
"Pick it up, slowpoke." He teased, and accelerated past her.
"Jerk, jerk, jerk…" she hissed, cheeks puffed, forcing her wobbling legs to keep the pace.
Catching up to Neji, Mamoru matched his stride.
Neji flicked a cold glance and ignored him.
"So… Neji, you got an older sister?" Mamoru asked brightly.
Neji stared straight ahead, face frosted.
"No sister, huh." Mamoru pressed on. "Younger one, maybe?"
A flicker of reaction crossed Neji's face before it iced over again. "No."
"Shame." Mamoru sighed with genuine regret.
Neji frowned, baffled by the pointless questions.
"Gentle Fist can hit chakra points, right?" Mamoru switched topics. "Any point that paralyzes people?"
Neji's first response was a wary sidelong look. "What are you planning?"
"Just curious, honest." Mamoru said, palms open and harmless.
"As far as I know, none." Neji answered flatly.
"Ah, what a pity…" Mamoru sighed.
"…?"
Neji's brows knitted tighter. Without thinking, he quickened his pace, desperate to put this erratic troublemaker behind him.
Mamoru's gaze slid sideways to the green-clad Lee, whose exuberant youthfulness looked ready to ignite. After two seconds, he shuddered and backed off.
Too hot, he feared he'd be burned.
Tenten saw it all. Watching the usually unflappable Neji flee in annoyance, she couldn't help the knowing smile that tugged at her lips.
So I'm not the only one who finds him irritating.
The discovery gave her a small, odd comfort.
—
Outside Konoha , at Training Ground No. 5.
Guy stood at the field's center, hands on hips, voice booming. "No rest yet. Next training item, go!"
"Wh-what? We're still going?"
Tenten sat slumped, chest heaving, soaked in sweat. The word "more" made the sky feel like it was falling.
"Of course! Physical training is mandatory!" Guy raised a muscled arm, fist clenched. "Ninjutsu or taijutsu, without a strong body, even the finest skill is empty talk."
Mamoru nodded thoughtfully.
Like dropping a V-12 into a clunker: floor the throttle and the machine falls apart first.
In raw efficiency, this brutal conditioning was unbeatable.
"Guy-sensei, I can keep going!" Though near his limit, Lee's fists and eyes still blazed.
Neji sat beneath a tree, eyes closed, chest rising sharply with fatigue.
Mamoru remained upright but gasped, sweat dripping off his chin to vanish into the dry earth.
"Alright, begin now!" Guy's eyes swept the group. "One thousand push-ups!"
The instant the order left his mouth, he dropped, every rep explosive and textbook-perfect.
"A thousand?!" Mamoru and Tenten blurted together.
"Give a girl a break…" Tenten muttered, yet set herself.
Arms trembling, she pushed up with effort.
After a stunned second, Mamoru saw the others' resigned faces, swallowed every complaint, and silently lowered himself.
"One thousand? I'll do five thousand!" Lee roared, aura blazing.
He hit the ground and pumped furiously.
"Do it quietly, Lee!" Tenten hissed through gritted teeth.
"All muscle, no brain." Mamoru grumbled, his own pace flagging as acid built in his arms.
"Pretty much." Neji answered, rare exasperation in his voice, breath ragged but steady.
The field filled with heavy breathing and the soft rasp of cloth on dirt.
"999… 1000." Tenten collapsed spread-eagle. "Done… I'm dying…"
"That slow?" Mamoru taunted, sitting, barely, his grin cocky. "A thousand push-ups and you're mush?"
"No… energy… shut… up…" she whispered.
Seeing her finished, Mamoru gave in and flopped beside her, sucking air.
"Excellent work, everyone!" Guy shouted.
Silence.
Even Lee could only twitch a finger.
Aside from Guy, the entire team lay in heaps, nothing but ragged breathing filled the field.