Though a barrage of ninja tools flew at him, their power wasn't overwhelming. Ayato couldn't use large-scale ninjutsu to blow them away, but at this level, even if they hit him, they wouldn't do much damage.
Whether it was his Senju resilience or Kaguya bone shield, he could easily block them.
But that wasn't his focus now. Tenten's attack was a wake-up call.
He couldn't expose his Senju or Kaguya bloodlines lightly. Learning ninjutsu was necessary—something as basic as the Great Fireball Technique, standard among Fire Style users, could've countered this.
Still, he had other tricks. Just before the wall of tools reached him, a puff of smoke enveloped him, and a thick log took his place.
Substitution Jutsu!
Tenten's pupils narrowed, but she didn't stop. She scanned the sky for Ayato, readying her next attack.
Spotting a shadow moving in the trees, she summoned more tools, hurling dozens of shuriken in that direction.
Still not satisfied, she kept pulling her scrolls, summoning more.
Normally, she'd adjust to land by now, but her goal was to teach Ayato a lesson. Even if she fell, she wouldn't get hurt.
It was a calculated flaw. If Ayato saw her land, he'd think it an opening. Her tool pouch was ready, itching to strike.
As long as Ayato rushed in, she could catch him off-guard.
Tenten hung in the air, about a meter from the ground, her hand secretly slipping into her tool pouch, poised to swing backward the moment she landed.
Most people would strike from behind in a moment like this!
Suddenly, Ayato appeared beside her, arms outstretched, catching her in a princess carry.
Tenten froze, her prepared swing halting. She turned, wide-eyed, staring at Ayato.
What's this? This wasn't the plan! Why are you here now? You're supposed to show up half a second later! Did I miscalculate?
Ayato was equally confused. Isn't this a spar? Why's she going so hard? Jumping six meters, then falling head-first? Who fights like that? Did she learn to jump but not to land?
Tenten, cradled in his arms, was close enough to see his puzzled expression. Both looked baffled, as if silently asking, Are you sure that move was right?
The moment lasted a split second before Tenten's combat instincts kicked in.
The fight wasn't over. Her right hand drew a kunai from her pouch, arcing toward Ayato's temple.
If this hit, he'd be done for! But it was just training—Tenten would stop short.
She trusted Ayato's reflexes to toss her away before she struck, her body braced for it.
Ayato didn't overthink. Spotting the kunai, he tilted his head to dodge her elbow, then ducked and raised his arm, letting the kunai miss.
The move brought him closer to Tenten. Her balance faltered, and her arm, swinging around his neck, hooked it instinctively.
Fearing she'd hurt him, she dropped the kunai.
Their faces were now less than ten centimeters apart, both frozen in place.
Gai, Lee, and Neji watched, bewildered.
The fight started normally, if overly intense from Tenten, but how did it turn into… this?
Tenten caught her teammates' stares, feeling utterly uncomfortable.
With small movements, she squirmed in Ayato's arms, trying to break free.
But Ayato, oblivious to her intent, didn't let go.
"You lost! Put me down!" Tenten snapped, pinching the back of his neck, signaling that her kunai could've ended him.
"Who uses a move that makes them crash head-first?" Ayato said, his face close, utterly serious.
"It's strategy!" Tenten retorted, her free hand lightly smacking his chest.
Gods, he's solid, she thought, one hand on his neck, the other on his chest.
"So you calculated I'd catch you?" Ayato asked, stunned.
She predicted that? What kind of battle sense was this? He didn't buy it.
"What are you two doing? The fight's over!" Lee's voice rang out.
Tenten realized how improper this looked, blushing furiously as she leaped out of Ayato's arms.
Ignoring Lee, she faced Ayato. "I left an opening on purpose to bait you. It worked—I could've hit you!"
Ayato thought it over, nodding. She was right. If an enemy fell head-first like that, he'd attack without hesitation.
No time to laugh at their mistake!
Per her plan, he'd have lost if he struck.
"Figured it out? Ready to continue?" Tenten said quickly, avoiding the awkward moment.
Ayato nodded. Weapon combat was a weakness, but his Kaguya blood let him craft bone weapons. It should be his strength!
Training with a weapons master was an opportunity he wouldn't miss.
Tenten grabbed a kunai from the ground, striking a stance. Ayato mimicked her, picking up a kunai.
They clashed again, Tenten occasionally switching weapons, using varied techniques.
Ayato swapped tools too, avoiding raw strength or chakra. He was here for skill, not brute force—he already knew that.
"So, serious sparring now?" Neji muttered.
"Let's get started too!" Lee shouted passionately in Neji's ear.
Neji nodded, and they began sparring, leaving Gai to train alone.