Chapter 19: TenTen's Talent
As dawn broke, TenTen, leaning against a large tree, opened her eyes and stretched with a contented sigh.
"Good morning!" Kirito, seated by the extinguished campfire and watching a little leopard play, greeted her warmly.
"Morning," TenTen replied, looking around as she fully woke up. "Where are Guy-sensei and Rock Lee?"
Kirito gestured towards the nearby forest with a wooden stick. "After Lee woke up, Guy-sensei took him for their morning run. He said they're circling the forest 100 times."
"…Of course they are," TenTen muttered with a slight shake of her head.
Kirito handed her a kettle. "I fetched this from a river nearby and boiled it. It's cooled down now, so you can use it to wash up."
"Thanks!" TenTen took the kettle, tidied up her sleeping gear, and went to wash nearby.
Because they were uncertain whether the ant sparrows were active during the day or night, the team had arranged a night watch rotation. Aside from guarding against the ant sparrows, the watch was also to protect them from other potential dangers.
Kirito had volunteered for the first watch, confident he could handle it without sleep.
"Youth! Struggle! Youth! Struggle!"
"Struggle! Struggle! Struggle!"
From a distance, Guy and Rock Lee's enthusiastic shouts echoed through the forest as they sped past the campsite.
[They'll probably arrive around noon…]
During his watch, Kirito had used his Byakugan to scout the ant sparrows' location. They were over 10 kilometers away, foraging and resting. Based on their movements, he estimated they'd reach the area around midday.
"Is TenTen awake yet?" Guy asked as he finished his morning run.
"She's washing up nearby," Kirito replied.
Rock Lee, panting heavily, leaned against a tree. "Hah… hah… this is just the start of our youth!"
When TenTen returned, the group shared a simple breakfast of dry rations around the extinguished fire. Guy reminded them of the importance of adapting to such conditions, as they were common in real missions.
After breakfast, the team patrolled the area, remaining vigilant for any signs of the ant sparrows. Near midday, they heard chirping nearby.
A few small black sparrows fluttered out of the forest, landing in the Murano family's field.
"Are those the ant sparrows?" Rock Lee asked, pointing at the sparrows pecking like tiny chickens.
Guy nodded. "Based on Mr. Murano's description, they seem to be."
"Then let's go!" Lee shouted, charging forward. "Leaf Whirlwind!"
His swift kick knocked several sparrows out of the air, sending them tumbling to the ground.
"Save some for me, Lee!" TenTen exclaimed, throwing a shuriken that struck the remaining sparrows as they tried to flee.
"Well done, everyone!" Guy praised.
"The main flock is coming," Kirito warned, pointing towards the forest. Above, a massive black shadow loomed like a storm cloud.
The air filled with incessant chirping as countless ant sparrows emerged, creating a dense swarm that darkened the sky.
"Whoa, that's way too many," TenTen said, wide-eyed.
"Indeed," Rock Lee echoed in shock.
The cloud of sparrows swooped down toward the field in unison.
"They're here." Kirito threw a handful of senbon, taking down several sparrows mid-flight.
"I won't lose this time!" Rock Lee declared, quickly launching kunai at the oncoming swarm.
"Don't underestimate me either!" TenTen added, expertly targeting sparrows with her weapons.
As the battle intensified, the sparrows began to focus their attacks on the trio. Lee shouted, "Be careful, everyone! They're targeting us now!"
"Just take them out before they reach you," TenTen instructed, dodging an incoming sparrow with impressive agility. Her fluid movements resembled a dance as she evaded and counterattacked with precision.
"Hmm, I didn't realize TenTen had such talent," Guy mused, watching her graceful and accurate strikes.
Under the combined efforts of Kirito, Lee, and TenTen, the ant sparrows fell in droves. By the end of the skirmish, the field was blanketed with their corpses.
"Whew…" TenTen and Lee collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. The prolonged battle had tested their endurance far beyond anything they'd experienced in the academy.
"This is just the beginning," Guy thought, observing them. "True growth comes from pushing beyond one's limits. Keep striving, my youthful students!"
He glanced at Kirito, who remained composed and unshaken. It was clear to Guy that Kirito's abilities far surpassed those of his teammates, and this kind of training wasn't challenging enough for him.
The battle lasted until evening, and as the remaining sparrows retreated, Guy congratulated the team. "You've done well. Mission accomplished!"
"Of course!" Rock Lee shouted. "I'll win next time too!"
"I'm so exhausted…" TenTen muttered, lying flat on the ground.
By midnight, the team finished tallying their kills. Using pre-marked senbon to identify the owner of each shot, they discovered that TenTen was the competition's unexpected winner.
"How is that possible?" Lee said, deflated.
"Awesome!" TenTen cheered, jumping up in excitement. "See? I'm strong too!"
"You've got real talent in ninja tool throwing," Guy acknowledged with a proud smile.
As TenTen celebrated, Kirito yawned loudly. "Can we head back now?"
"Yes, let's go!" TenTen said, leading the way. "Drinks are on me tonight!"
[The rich girl finally reveals her true colors.]
Kirito trailed behind, silently chuckling to himself.
(End of Chapter)
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