"Want to see my swordplay?"
Shigure blinked, confused by the sudden interest. Why the sudden request?
But he didn't dwell on it. What mattered was that Tenten had just offered to give him a high-quality ninja sword—for free.
If he could get a good weapon without spending a single ryo, why say no?
"What kind of swordsmanship are you looking for?" Shigure asked, curious.
Tenten pondered for a mont, then said, "If you can last ten seconds under my attacks while using your sword, I'll consider your sword skills decent."
Ten seconds?
Under attack?
Shigure was montarily speechless. Was she using this as an excuse to beat him up?
"You're challenging
to a duel?"
Caught red-handed, Tenten quickly said, "Why? You scared now?"
On one hand, she was itching to get a bit of revenge. On the other, she just couldn't believe that so random kid—who hadn't even graduated the Academy—was not only talented in hidden weapons, but might also be skilled in kenjutsu.
That'd make him a genius.
And there just weren't that many geniuses walking around Konoha.
"I don't mind sparring," Shigure said with a calm shrug. "But you saw how strong I am. If I hit you by accident, it might not end well."
"Relax!" Tenten waved it off. "I specialize in ranged weapons. I won't get anywhere near you! All you have to do is survive ten seconds of my hidden weapons!"
Ah—so that's the plan.
Shigure smiled. "Sure."
"To make it safer, I'll even use wooden weapons!"
"No need."
He pointed at the pile of sharp steel tools beside her. "Use those."
"...You sure?"
Was this guy not worried about getting hurt?
The confidence on Shigure's face made Tenten grit her teeth. She decided not to argue.
If he got hurt, it was on him.
"You ready?" she asked.
Shigure said nothing. He simply raised his hand and casually curled a finger, beckoning her.
He didn't even draw his sword.
This arrogant little...!
Sure, he was good-looking, but she was a kunoichi aiming to beco the next Tsunade! There was no way she'd let soone look down on her like this.
Tenten raised her hand and launched the first shuriken straight at his forehead.
It was a lethal throw—intentionally or not.
The mont it left her hand, regret flickered in her heart.
"Crap… I might've gone too far. Hope I didn't just kill the guy…"
But in the next instant—
Shigure tilted his head ever so slightly.
The shuriken sliced past harmlessly.
Despite its speed, it was far too slow for him.
"…That wasn't even fast enough to make
draw my sword," Shigure muttered.
Tenten's eyes widened. What?!
No matter how good your eyes are, you can't dodge like that unless your body keeps up.
Her expression hardened. Ti to get serious.
She unsealed a scroll.
With a puff of white smoke, dozens of hidden weapons burst into the air—kunai, shuriken, and more.
At least twenty or thirty deadly projectiles filled the space between them.
There was no room to dodge.
Shigure simply smiled.
He could avoid it easily… but that would an stepping aside.
And he didn't feel like moving.
So—
Draw the blade.
The sword flashed.
Tenten watched in disbelief as Shigure remained rooted in place, his arm a blur of afterimages.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of tal rang out in rapid succession.
Every single hidden weapon was knocked down—precisely and cleanly.
Not a scratch on him.
When Shigure drew his sword, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes—so intense it made Tenten feel like she was being watched by a predator. A chill ran down her spine.
Her body tensed up instinctively.
Then—Shigure suddenly swung his blade from ten ters away.
A clear, ringing sound echoed—the song of steel cutting air.
At that instant, Tenten could hear the current rushing by her ear.
A streak of blue light sliced past her side—
CRACK!!
The ground beneath her feet suddenly split apart with a loud crack.
Tenten looked down in shock. A deep fissure had carved its way across the earth, running a clean, razor-straight line three or four ters long.
He had launched a slashing attack… from that distance?
The wave of the sword strike had reached her flank even without closing in.
"What terrifying swordsmanship..."
Is he really still an Academy student?
This level of power was unheard of even among Genin.
The range, the precision—how had he done that?
"Are you satisfied now?" Shigure asked calmly.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Tenten nodded unconsciously.
"...Satisfied."
"Then about that ninja sword?"
"Give
a few days! I'll have it ready for you soon!"
Shigure smiled. "Thanks."
With that, he sheathed his blade. The one he carried wasn't bad, but he was definitely looking forward to seeing the custom ninja sword Tenten promised. If her craftsmanship lived up to her pride, it'd be worth it.
With that, he turned to leave.
But just as he reached the door, Tenten suddenly called out, "Shigure! Um… my na's Tenten!"
The unexpected self-introduction caught him off guard for a mont.
What's this about?
Still, Shigure responded quickly.
"Oh, I see. Nice to et you, Tenten."
He reached out his hand. Tenten hesitated slightly, brushed so hair behind her ear, then shyly extended her own hand and lightly touched his.
Exiting the shop, Shigure glanced down at the assorted shuriken shapes in his hand.
Tenten had secretly slipped them to him.
A gift for our first eting?
That was… a bit too thoughtful.
"I should probably prepare sothing in return for her soti," he murmured.
Pocketing the uniquely designed shuriken, Shigure made his way toward the Yamanaka residence.
He had promised Ino he'd stop by early today… but ended up spending more ti at Tenten's place than expected.
What Shigure didn't realize was that Tenten had quietly crept to the doorway and now peeked around the corner, watching his back as he walked away.
"Strong, good-looking, and still hasn't even graduated yet…"
"I definitely found a hidden gem!"
By the ti Shigure arrived at Ino's ho, Yamanaka Inoichi was already at the door, staring at the boy who stood in front of him holding a small bundle.
He froze for a mont.
This kid... actually brought a gift?
Inoichi didn't expect soone this young to be so well-mannered.
Honestly, it was thanks to Tenten's reminder that Shigure had rembered to stop and buy sothing. Whether soone was ho or not, it was only polite to bring a small offering when visiting soone's house for the first ti.
Seeing the gift, Inoichi's previously cold expression softened just a bit.
Maybe this kid who probably already tricked my daughter isn't so bad after all…
"Shigure-kun, you're here! Co on in!" Ino's cheerful voice rang out as she ca running out from behind her father.
...
TN:
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